May, 2024

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‘Stop sharing broker commissions’ to steer clear of trouble

Real Estate News

A “consumer-centric” approach to buy-side commissions is better for all agents, industry leaders say. Here’s why, and what you need to know about the DOJ.

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VA to roll out temporary fix to buyer agent commission problem

Housing Wire

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs will soon release a circular that “bridges the gap” on an agency law that prohibits a VA buyer from paying their real estate agent compensation, a VA official announced on Tuesday. Michelle Corridon, deputy policy director at the VA, announced at the Mortgage Bankers Association ‘s Secondary & Capital Markets Conference in New York that the circular would be issued between now and June 12.

VA loan 523
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Worried about Home Maintenance Costs? Consider This

Keeping Current Matters

If one of the main reasons you’re hesitant to buy a home is because you’re worried about the upkeep, here’s some information you may find interesting on both new home construction and existing homes.

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Inaugural class of Inman Future Leaders in Real Estate revealed

Inman

The class of 45 honorees represents the real estate industry's brightest achievers under the age of 40. Future Leaders is the latest addition to Inman’s growing industry-leading awards program.

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The 2025 Real Estate Roadmap to Success

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.

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DOJ Lawyer Says No Offers of Compensation ‘Anywhere’

RIS Media

Antitrust regulators at the Department of Justice (DOJ) appear unsatisfied with the agreement struck between the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and plaintiffs in commission lawsuit class-actions, with a DOJ lawyer saying explicitly that they do not want any offers of compensation made by seller agents to buyer agents At a court hearing today in… The post DOJ Lawyer Says No Offers of Compensation ‘Anywhere’ appeared first on RISMedia.

Agents 136
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I’m in the Final Stretch of Selling My Brooklyn Condo as a 1031 Exchange—Here’s How the Fifth Month Went

Bigger Pockets

In the next few days, our Brooklyn, New York condo will hit the market, and we will begin the first half of our long-planned, much-anticipated, greatly agonized-over 1031 exchange.

Marketing 126

More Trending

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Unsold inventory is rising across the country

Housing Wire

It’s the end of May and unsold inventory on the market is increasing across the U.S. Every state in the country has more homes on the market now than a year ago and, in many places, new construction is being completed and added to inventory, so it’s not just resale inventory that’s growing. There are more homes on the market now than anytime since August 2020.

Sales 534
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What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re thinking of making a move this year, there are two housing market factors that are probably on your mind: home prices and mortgage rates.

Mortgages 330
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Veterans Affairs will suspend rule blocking vets from paying agents

Inman

Deputy Director of Policy Michelle Corridon said Tuesday the agency would lift rules preventing vets from using low-cost VA loans to pay agents until it engages in a formal rule-making process.

VA loan 193
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Legal Considerations for Unmarried Couples Buying Property

RIS Media

Buying a property together is a significant step for unmarried couples. This decision involves unique legal considerations and requires careful planning. I will provide critical property laws for unmarried couples, including title considerations, mortgage qualifications and protective measures for individual investments. As someone who has been selling real estate for a very long time, it… The post Legal Considerations for Unmarried Couples Buying Property appeared first on RISMedia.

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Avoiding Lease Accounting Pitfalls in 2025: Lessons Learned from Spreadsheet Errors

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.

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Tips to Stage a Home That Needs Repairs and Improvements

Realty Biz

Are you wondering how to stage a home that needs an overhaul due to its condition? Selling a house in need of repairs can be challenging. However, you can enhance its appeal with strategic staging and attract potential buyers without completing all the repairs. I will provide tips and advice on how you can accomplish your goal of selling fast without investing a ton of money: How to highlight the home's potential and minimize flaws.

Staging 131
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Keller Williams cancels plan to cut profit share for ex-agents

Real Estate News

President and CEO Mark Willis called the move “unprecedented," and said the vote by the company’s agent-led IALC passed by an “overwhelming majority.

Agents 297
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Northwest MLS criticizes $418M NAR settlement agreement, opts out

Housing Wire

Northwest MLS , the largest multiple listing service in the Pacific Northwest, will not take part in the $418 million agreement reached by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the Sitzer/Burnett case. In fact, NWMLS said that its own rules on buyer agent compensation are fairer and more transparent than the terms NAR agreed to in March. It also criticized NAR for pushing “consumers and brokers to make secret deals off MLS, inviting deceptive practices, discrimination and unfair housi

MLS 508
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The Number of Homes for Sale Is Increasing

Keeping Current Matters

There’s no denying the last couple of years have been tough for anyone trying to buy a home because there haven’t been enough houses to go around.

Sales 321
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Tech-Forward Strategies for Scaling Agent Efficiency & Accelerating Growth

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.

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Mortgage rates headed under 7% on encouraging inflation data

Inman

Homebuyers have yet to respond in force to drop in rates, which have been in retreat from 2024 highs for three consecutive weeks following Fed easing and soft jobs and CPI reports.

Mortgages 190
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Seeing Greene: Flood Zones, New Builds, & Does Mexico’s Cash Flow Beat the US?

Bigger Pockets

Have you ever thought about buying rental properties abroad? It might surprise you, but investing overseas could bring in much more cash flow and appreciation than you thought possible.

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BREAKING: NAR Settlement-Required Practice Changes Pushed to August 17

RIS Media

In a letter to members, National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Chief Legal Officer Katie Johnson announced practice changes required under the NAR Settlement Agreement in the seller commission cases will take effect in August not July as originally stated, giving all parties involved a three-month window to adapt. She also outlined how the practice changes… The post BREAKING: NAR Settlement-Required Practice Changes Pushed to August 17 appeared first on RISMedia.

MLS 130
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More sellers are cutting prices as home sales slow

Real Estate News

The share of homes with price drops reached an 18-month high as sellers try to jumpstart buyer interest in stale listings, Redfin reported.

Sales 315
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Accelerating Real Estate Sales Pipelines to Streamline Buyer Journeys

Navigated 360° tours, like YourVRTours, advance pipelines by engaging clients further along the sales funnel. These immersive experiences provide comprehensive property insights, increasing buyer intent and readiness. By embracing navigated tours, agents can optimize property exposure, better qualify leads, and streamline the sales process. Stay ahead in the ever-evolving real estate landscape with innovative technology that elevates buyer journeys and progresses pipelines more effectively.

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Mortgage rates continue to trend down ahead of inflation report 

Housing Wire

As the U.S. reaches its peak homebuying season, mortgage rates continue to ease week over week. HousingWire ’s Mortgage Rates Center showed the average 30-year fixed rate for conforming loans at 7.45% on Tuesday, below the rate of 7.51% one week ago. At the same time one year ago, the average rate was 6.54%.The 15-year conforming fixed rate averaged 6.75% on Tuesday, down from 6.77% one week earlier.

Mortgages 532
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How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits Your Community

Keeping Current Matters

If you're thinking of buying or selling a house, it's important to know it doesn't just impact you—it helps out the local economy and your community, too.

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7 reasons great real estate agents will always be needed

Inman

Now is the time to expand your skill set, broaden your knowledge and provide value at a higher level than you’ve ever provided, Jimmy Burgess writes, so that you won't just survive, you'll thrive.

Agents 195
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Are Adjustable Rate Mortgages a Lifeline for Lower Rates? Or the Most Dangerous Thing You Could Do?

Bigger Pockets

If, like me, you check mortgage interest rates like an expectant parent checks their wife’s contractions, you doubtless will have analyzed every type of loan product in an attempt to inch the […]

Mortgages 131
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Maximizing Your Online Presence: Tips for Real Estate Agents on Social Media

Speaker: Sarah Santa Ana, Real Estate Coach, Move4Free Realty

Networking is one of the crucial elements in every real estate organization's success. Both agents and real estate companies need to maintain robust networking links. This is why social media is essential for any real estate professional! Social media enables you to stay in touch with your present clients, maintain connections with your past clients, and engage potential customers and investors.

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Understanding Mold in Homes: What it is, Common Causes and Why It’s a Concern

RIS Media

Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp environments, often becoming a concern in homes. It produces spores that travel through the air and can settle on moist surfaces, leading to rapid growth. Mold’s presence in homes can pose significant health risks and cause structural damage, making it essential for homeowners and buyers to understand.… The post Understanding Mold in Homes: What it is, Common Causes and Why It’s a Concern appeared first on RISMedia.

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Housing Starts: Record Average Length of Time from Start to Completion in 2023

Calculated Risk Real Estate

Length of Time from Start to Completion Census released the annual data on the length of time from start to completion , and this showed ongoing construction delays in 2023. In 2023, it took a record 8.6 months from start to completion for single family homes , up from an already elevated 8.3 months in 2022. For 2+ unit buildings, it took a record 17.1 months for buildings with 2 or more units in 2023, unchanged from 17.1 months in 2022.

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Pending home sales slowed considerably in April: NAR

Housing Wire

Pending home sales sales dropped 7.7% in April compared to March as rising mortgage rates weighed on the market, according to data released Thursday by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Year over year, pending transactions fell 7.4%. The NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index declined to 72.3 in April, down from 78.2 in March. All four U.S. regions reported decreases on both a monthly and yearly basis, with the Midwest and West experiencing the largest monthly declines.

Sales 531
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Tips for Younger Homebuyers: How To Make Your Dream a Reality

Keeping Current Matters

If you’re a member of a younger generation, like Gen Z, you may be asking the question: will I ever be able to buy a home?

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Rise of The Apps: Building Your Dream Tech Stack For Real Estate Success

Speaker: Trey Willard, Realtor/Team Leader at Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

In order to create continued success in today’s real estate market, realtors need to utilize an arsenal of technology that will increase their efficiency and presence on social media. Using technology to manage your prospects and tap into their needs through websites, social media, and other channels is critical for real estate success in 2022 and beyond.

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Largest minority and women-owned brokerage in US joins Real

Inman

The Atlanta-based Village Premier Collection, led by Cheri Benjamin, has joined Real under its Private Label program. The company has roughly 500 agents and closed $665 million in sales in 2023.

Brokerage 193
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A Massive Commercial to Residential Conversion is Taking Shape Nationwide—Here’s What Investors Should Know

Bigger Pockets

From the boardroom to the bedroom, faced with empty offices as remote employment continues to starve cities of workers, a massive nationwide repurposing is underway to transform workplaces into residential […]

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CRMLS Launches New ‘Concessions in Price’ Fields at Listing Level

RIS Media

California Regional MLS (CRMLS), the country’s largest MLS—home to over 110,000 members—is launching a new set of MLS system fields referring to Concessions in Price (CiP) today. The fields promise to enhance communication between listing and buyer agents, as well as homebuyers, by providing “up-front” information surrounding concessions, according to a release from CRMLS.

MLS 126
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Decades in the Making, Abolitionist Place Park Opens to Public

Brownstoner

Abolitionist Place park, a public park that commemorates Brooklyn’s abolitionist history, is finally open to the public after at least 20 years of planning, multiple controversies, several iterations, and many delays. The 1.15-acre park at 225 Duffield Street opened today, officials told Brownstoner Monday, with a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled… Read More > The post Decades in the Making, Abolitionist Place Park Opens to Public appeared first on Brownstoner.

Design 124
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Driving Profit: 4 Pillars for Growing Your Real Estate Brokerage

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.