Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

In a commission-only business like real estate, it can sometimes be months between paychecks. If you need to fill in the gaps between closings, consider these ideas for your real estate side hustle. As a bonus, some of them even do double-duty as lead generation activities and could bring you more real estate clients while providing a paycheck. 1. Showing assistant Showing assistants work with other agents to cover the showings for their buyer clients.

Staging

BAM Media

AUGUST 13, 2025

Today, Real Brokerage announced Agent BreakThru : a free, eight-week AI training experience with Jason Pantana , Drew Thompson , and Dusty Oglesby designed to help real estate professionals close more deals, market smarter, and build real momentum in today’s market. While the experience is capped at 1,000 agents, it’s open to the entire industry, regardless of brokerage.

Agents

Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

Real estate closing platform Qualia would like to reintroduce the industry to its product Qualia Connect , which is now a branded multi-channel communications platform for personalized real estate closings and no longer just a document portal. The company says that this evolution enables title and escrow professionals to deliver personalized client experiences at scale.

Title

Redfin

AUGUST 13, 2025

Key takeaways Real estate agents offer expertise in market conditions, negotiation, and paperwork. They can save you time, reduce stress, and help you achieve a better outcome. “For Sale By Owner” is an option, but it demands significant time and knowledge. If you’re thinking about selling a home, one of the first questions you might ask yourself is, “Do I need a real estate agent?

Agents

Speaker: Jady West, VP of Hospitality & Chris Bennett, Head of Sales & Engineering

The modern hotel room is no longer just a place to stay—it’s an experience to remember. Today’s guests expect seamless 5G connectivity, personalized comfort, and high-tech convenience. From AI-powered smart room controls to in-room entertainment and app-based services, technology is redefining hospitality from the inside out. In this new session featuring industry pros Jady West and Chris Bennett, we’ll explore how high-speed, high-bandwidth connectivity powers the innovations that are enabling

Technology

Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

Sumanth Kamath — chief technology officer at eXp Realty — took the stage Tuesday in Dallas at HousingWire’s AI Summit to share how his company is using artificial intelligence (AI) to drive efficiency, empower employees and scale operations. In a conversation with HousingWire Senior Director of Data and Content Tracey Velt, Kamath described a sweeping AI strategy that includes everything from custom ChatGPT assistants and digital “twins” to document automation, voice-activated agent tools and se

HR

Luxury Real Estate Blog

AUGUST 13, 2025

The Lowcountry real estate market is evolving and July’s numbers tell a story of increased options, selective movement, and unique purchase windows for buyers at every price point. While Hilton Head Island and Bluffton remain the anchors of our market, several communities are showing trends worth noting for both homeowners and prospective buyers. Hilton Head Island, SC : More Inventory, Measured PaceJuly brought a 42.5% increase in available listings for the island’s condo and villa market compa

Marketing

Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

New Western and PadSplit have entered a partnership aimed at increasing affordable co-living housing, effective last week. New Western cofounder and President Kurt Carlton told HousingWire the collaboration will allow investors to access PadSplit’s model for converting single-family homes into shared living spaces — while leveraging New Western’s large property inventory.

Investor

Inman

AUGUST 13, 2025

Looking for new tech partners? Here are the tips you’ll need, the questions to ask and the red flags to watch for before you sign on the dotted line from broker-owner Jessica Souza.

Technology

Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

On this week’s RealTrending , Tracey Velt interviews Sean Miku — founder and CEO of simpliHŌM — a tech-focused brokerage launched in 2018. Miku outlines the firm’s 85/15 commission split, free transaction management and its goal to go public by 2028, while sharing perspectives on today’s real estate challenges and opportunities. He also explains how simpliHŌM’s growth is fueled by agent -focused support, streamlined tech processes and a strong cultural fit.

Brokerage

Advertisement

Don’t just react to changes, plan for them, so you can approach the new year with confidence, direction, and a competitive edge for your business. Having a well-defined business plan helps you chart a clear course, navigate challenges, and set a foundation for growth. This workbook gives you the key steps to outline what matters and will ensure you’re moving ahead.

Development

Calculated Risk Real Estate

AUGUST 13, 2025

Tracking local data gives an early look at what happened the previous month and also reveals regional differences in both sales and inventory. Closed sales in July were mostly for contracts signed in May and June, and mortgage rates, according to the Freddie Mac PMMS , 6.82% in May and 6.82% in June (somewhat higher than for closed sales in June). Closed Sales in July In July, sales in these early reporting markets were down 1.4% YoY.

Marketing

Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

Keynova Group announced on Wednesday the results of its 2025 Mortgage-Home Equity Scorecard, a consumer experience benchmark that evaluates the top 12 U.S.-based mortgage and home equity lenders. Bank of America and PNC tied for first place in the annual Scorecard. The Scorecard, syndicated since 2005, reviews the digital capabilities and user experience at 12 of the top bank and non-bank lenders in the U.S.

Equity

BAM Media

AUGUST 13, 2025

Most agents treat referrals like a lottery ticket. They ask once, hope for the best, and then scratch their heads when nothing shows up. The problem is simple: asking for a referral is not the same thing as earning one. And when it comes to buyers, especially, you’ve got to be strategic. The timing matters. The approach matters. And the follow-up matters most of all.

Agents

Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

Mortgage rates reached a new 2025 low today, despite core inflation running at 3.1% year over year, according to the CPI report this week. The softening labor data and improved mortgage spreads currently overshadow any concerns about inflation. If the jobs data were exceeding estimates, the situation would be different. According to Mortgage News Daily, mortgage rates have dropped to a low of 6.53%, marking a new year-to-date low.

Mortgages

Speaker: Abdi Ali, Sr. Lease Accounting Consultant

Join this insightful webinar with industry expert Abdi Ali, who will discuss the challenges that can arise from managing lease accounting with spreadsheets! He will share real-world examples of errors, compliance issues, and risks that may be present within your spreadsheets. Learn how these tools, while useful, can sometimes lead to inefficiencies that affect your time, resources, and peace of mind.

Industrial

Lighter Side of Real Estate

AUGUST 13, 2025

For years, many people have been waiting for the right moment to finally score a deal in the housing market. Well, according to a recent yahoo!finance report , now may be a good time to get yourself a better deal! Prices for new homes dropped in nearly one-third of the country’s largest cities last quarter — a sign that the premium buyers have long paid for new construction may finally be easing in some areas.

New Construction

Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

Earlier this year, NEO Home Loans and Better Mortgage announced a partnership that combined Better’s AI-driven technology with NEO’s distributed retail expertise. The ultimate goal? To transform mortgage lending and find the balance of AI and human interaction in the loan process. During Better’s earnings call in March, which covered data for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024, the company announced that since beginning production in January 2025, ‘NEO Powered by Better’ has served a

Loan Officer

Inman

AUGUST 13, 2025

Texas-based real estate franchisor Keller Williams has hired former AT&T exec Sandra Howard to lead its marketing team. Howard has more than 20 years of marketing and advertising experience with some of the globe's largest brands, including AT&T, Southwest and Burger King.

Branding

Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

Keller Williams Realty is welcoming Sandra Howard to its leadership team. The real estate franchise firm announced its appointment of Howard as chief marketing officer on Wednesday and Howard will officially assume the role on Monday, Aug. 18. Howard will be focused on accelerating KW’s growth through strategic marketing, branding and communications-driven initiatives.

Marketing

Advertisement

In the rapidly changing real estate landscape, achieving profitability requires a strategic approach beyond traditional methods. Our guide, "The 4 Pillars to Brokerage Profitability," outlines four essential pillars for scaling your real estate business: a seamless lead-to-close technology ecosystem, tailored integrated solutions for teams and agents, value-added success services and community support, and consumer-centric operations throughout the full homeownership lifecycle.

Brokerage

BAM Media

AUGUST 13, 2025

If you’ve been leaning on the excuse “no one’s looking for homes in the summer” … Google says otherwise. Google Trends data shows that online home-buying search activity reached a 2-year high in July, despite mortgage rates in the high 6s. For agents, that’s a cue: the market may feel slow , but behind the scenes, buyers are circling. What People Are Typing Into Google Google Trends tracks how often specific search phrases are used over time, and two heavy-hitters — “homes for sale” and “houses

Sales

Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

OneTrust Home Loans filed a lawsuit this week challenging the long-promoted neutrality of mortgage coaching programs , alleging the services were used by a rival to gain a competitive edge. The California-based lender is suing former loan officer Broch Lassig, mortgage coach Richard Ruby, and Ruby’s company, The Core Training, accusing them of misusing confidential business information to harm its reputation, steer loan officers away from the lender and benefit competitor CrossCountry Mortgage.

Loan Officer

Marco Santarelli

AUGUST 13, 2025

If you're trying to figure out where the hottest housing markets are right now, the answer is often found in the ZIP codes. The following top 10 ZIP codes in the U.S. showcase where buyer demand is highest and homes are selling the fastest. For 2025, the spotlight shines brightly on Beverly, Massachusetts (01915) , along with other areas primarily in the Northeast and Midwest, highlighting a trend of buyers seeking value, location, and lifestyle.

Marketing

Housing Wire

AUGUST 13, 2025

Things are looking up for Fathom Holdings , as some of its recent strategic initiatives helped the firm turn the corner during the second quarter of 2025. “The second quarter of 2025 was a clear inflection point for Fathom,” CEO Marco Frenegal said during his firm’s Q2 2025 earnings call with investors and analysts Tuesday night. “We delivered strong year-over-year growth in revenue, agent count and transaction volume and return to adjusted EBITDA profitability, all key indications t

Title

Advertisement

As the real estate market evolves, technology has become essential for success. According to NAR, only 26% of agents feel their brokerage provides the necessary tech tools and, as a result, agents seek teams and brokerages who prioritize technology investments! Whether you manage an established team or are forming a new one, this guide outlines key considerations and necessary applications to thrive.

Agents

HomeLight

AUGUST 13, 2025

Buying a home in Louisiana? Estimate property taxes with our Louisiana property tax calculator and learn about exemptions, due dates, and housing costs.

Redfin

AUGUST 13, 2025

If you’re exploring mortgage options, you’ve likely come across the term adjustable-rate mortgage – also called an ARM loan or ARM mortgage. But what exactly is an adjustable-rate mortgage, and how does it work? Whether you’re browsing homes for sale in Denver, CO or planning to make an offer on a home in Miami, FL , knowing how an ARM works can help you choose the best financing option for your needs.

Loans

HomeLight

AUGUST 13, 2025

Buying a home in Arkansas? Estimate property taxes with our Arkansas property tax calculator and learn about exemptions, due dates, and housing costs.

Marco Santarelli

AUGUST 13, 2025

As of August 13, 2025, mortgage rates today show a moderate decrease in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 6.67% , down 2 basis points from the previous day and 1 basis point lower than last week. Conversely, 15-year fixed rates have inched slightly upward to 5.79% , while 5-year ARM rates have fallen to 7.29%. Refinance rates for 30-year fixed loans also dropped to 6.93% , indicating some easing for homeowners looking to refinance, though other refinance options saw mixed movements.

Mortgages

Advertisement

Now more than ever, brokers need to provide agents with the right tools, strategies, and training to effectively demonstrate their expertise, negotiate successfully, and foster strong client relationships. So – what should brokers do to ensure this? Invest in the right technology, continuous education, and innovative marketing strategies that empower agents to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Agents

HomeLight

AUGUST 13, 2025

Buying a home in Kentucky? Estimate property taxes with our Kentucky property tax calculator and learn about exemptions, due dates, and housing costs.

Inman

AUGUST 13, 2025

Earlier this month, Inman launched two new market data tools: Market Explorer and Market Trends. Here's how senior housing specialist Rachael Hite is using them to help her clients make decisions.

Agents

HomeLight

AUGUST 13, 2025

Buying a home in Wisconsin? Estimate property taxes with our Wisconsin property tax calculator and learn about exemptions, due dates, and housing costs.