Sat.May 03, 2025 - Fri.May 09, 2025

article thumbnail

The 20% Down Payment Myth, Debunked

Keeping Current Matters

Saving up to buy a home can feel a little intimidating, especially right now.

249
249
article thumbnail

7 Terrible (But Surprisingly Common) Reasons People Skip Renters Insurance

Lighter Side of Real Estate

Renting is expensive, and adding another monthly expense to your life might feel like the last thing you need. However, nearly half of all renters dont have renters insurance, leaving them exposed to significant risks. While renters insurance may seem like an extra cost that can be put off, its actually an affordable way to protect your belongings and your finances from unexpected events.

Finance 87
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

How to Build Real Estate Systems That Actually Scale

BAM Media

If youre an agent trying to scale, or an overly ambitious new one, chances are youve said this recently: I just need better systems. I get it, Ive been there. But now I am here to tell you that perfecting your systems is not a plan. Stop Hiding Behind I Need Better Systems In reality, that phrase is a delay tactic. Its a safety blanket. It feels productive, but really, it keeps you stuck.

Agents 96
article thumbnail

Stocks May Be Volatile, but Home Values Aren’t

Keeping Current Matters

With all the uncertainty in the economy, the stock market has been bouncing around more than usual.

Marketing 241
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Housing Market Predictions 2026: Will it Crash or Boom?

Marco Santarelli

Are you dreaming of owning a home? You're probably wondering what the future holds. So, let's cut to the chase: The housing market in 2026 is expected to be more balanced than it has been in recent years, with moderate price growth, stabilizing interest rates, and increased sales activity. While it won't be a complete walk in the park, there's a good chance it'll be a bit easier for buyers than it has been.

article thumbnail

Is a HELOC a Good Idea? | Pros & Cons 2025

The Mortgage Report

Is a HELOC a good idea in today's market? Explore the pros and cons of tapping into your home equity and if it's right for you.

Equity 70

More Trending

article thumbnail

25 Historical Home Renovation Tips: How to Modernize Without Losing Charm

Redfin

Expert tips on updating pre-war apartments, historic brownstones, and more Whether youre redesigning a pre-war apartment in New York City or renovating a historic townhouse in Boston , updating an older home is no small task. These spaces often come with original details worth preservingsoaring ceilings, crown molding, antique hardwarethat give them their character and charm.

article thumbnail

Trending: AI arms race, Reels remix and posting 5 times a day

Inman

Instagram launches a native Reels editor, Meta drops a chatbot app, TikTok says live-streaming is the next gold rush and two fast-food chains remind us that brand voice matters. Jessi Healey unpacks the shifts and what they mean for agents.

Branding 148
article thumbnail

High Property Tax Assessments May Merit Challenges in Some Areas

RIS Media

A new report from Realtor.com has found that as many as 40.5% of homeowners are being overassessed for their property taxes, a finding that indicates some tax rates are being raised independent of home value. Realtor.com also announced the release of a new tool to challenge property taxes alongside the report. Most homeowners dont realize… The post High Property Tax Assessments May Merit Challenges in Some Areas appeared first on RISMedia.

article thumbnail

Will the real Tamir Poleg please stand up?

Housing Wire

Tamir Poleg, chairman and CEO of The Real Brokerage , closed out the prepared remarks section of his firms first-quarter 2025 earnings call by addressing the transformative technological era the industry is currently operating in. The catch was, listeners thought it was Poleg, but it wasn’t. The rise of AI is not just another tool but a fundamental shift that, in our view, will reshape industries, professions and entire business models.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

A way to end private listings fight? Make Clear Cooperation the law

Real Estate News

A draft bill in Illinois would require licensed agents to add listings to a platform or website accessible to the general public within a calendar day.

Agents 277
article thumbnail

Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year

Keeping Current Matters

From rising home prices to mortgage rate swings, the housing market has left a lot of people wondering whats next and whether now is really the right time to move.

Marketing 246
article thumbnail

Lesson Learned: Real estate is about playing the long game

Inman

Find out what Connecticut Realtor Libby McKinney-Tritschler has learned during her two-decade career and what advice she'd offer new agents just starting out.

Agents 157
article thumbnail

Is your home ready for you to age in place? What to consider

Housing Wire

Preferences for aging in place are well-documented among older Americans, but there are some factors that should be considered carefully. This is according to Pamela Redwine, a family, health and wellness agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The service is an educational arm of the university that provides research-based information, programs and services to people and communities across Mississippi.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Agents flock to Real Brokerage as revenue tops $350 million

Real Estate News

A compelling AI version of CEO Tamir Poleg touted tech innovation during the companys earnings call, and the real Poleg endorsed listings transparency.

Brokerage 264
article thumbnail

Why You’ll Want a Home Inspection

Keeping Current Matters

An inspection is your chance to avoid costly headaches and get peace of mind. Connect with an agent to talk about other ways to make your offer stand out.

article thumbnail

5 ways top agents use tech to elevate the client experience

Inman

Top performers blend smart tech with human connection to stand out and serve clients better.

Agents 161
article thumbnail

NAR: Home prices are up in 83% of metros

Housing Wire

Home prices rose in more than 80% of U.S. metro areas in the first quarter of 2025 even as affordability remained stretched and fewer markets posted double-digit gains. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 189 of 228 metro areas (83%) saw year-over-year increases in the median price for existing single-family homes. Thats a slight decline from 89% in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Sales 390
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

The 2 best days to sell a home are nearly here

Real Estate News

A new report from ATTOM analyzing the past 10 years of transactions suggests that sellers are more likely to score the highest premiums in late May.

299
299
article thumbnail

NAR Report Finds Home Staging Increases Home Value, Reduces Time on Market

RIS Media

At a time when housing inventory has been a persistent challenge and market constraint, agents are searching for any edge they can get when selling homes. A new report from the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) found that almost three in 10 (29%) real estate agents reported that staging homes for sellers resulted in a… The post NAR Report Finds Home Staging Increases Home Value, Reduces Time on Market appeared first on RISMedia.

Staging 102
article thumbnail

Aggravated agents? The problem isn’t the market (it’s you)

Inman

Many agents lack structure and support, branding expert Alyssa Stalker writes, but what they need is real business mentorship, repeatable systems, ongoing marketing education and a sense of community.

Agents 158
article thumbnail

Some cities, states embrace property tax refunds for older homeowners

Housing Wire

Older homeowners living on a fixed income have a higher chance of seeing their finances destabilized by rising costs, and that can be particularly true of something like property taxes. For homeowners who have either a forward or reverse mortgage on their home, these costs also must be paid in order to keep the loan in good standing. But some states are embracing programs that allow for property tax refunds if a homeowner meets specific requirements.

Loans 325
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Fed ‘couldn't confidently say’ if rate cuts will happen this year

Real Estate News

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at its May 7 meeting amid an uncertain economic environment. We don't feel like we need to be in a hurry.

259
259
article thumbnail

United Wholesale Mortgage CEO Responds to Rocket-Redfin Merger, GSE Privatization

RIS Media

United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), the nations largest mortgage originator, closed $32.4 billion in loan originations in the first quarter of 2025, up 17% from $27.6 billion during the same period a year ago, according to the companys first quarter 2025 earnings report. While UWM (NYSE: UWMC) saw positive annual gains in loan originations, the lender… The post United Wholesale Mortgage CEO Responds to Rocket-Redfin Merger, GSE Privatization appeared first on RISMedia.

Mortgages 104
article thumbnail

Realtor.com teams up with Reba McEntire for ad campaign

Inman

The campaign features McEntire advising would-be homebuyers in sitcom-like scenarios. It's also the largest such campaign in the portal's history.

article thumbnail

eXp posts steady Q1 earnings, reinforces Clear Cooperation stance

Housing Wire

eXp World Holdings , the parent company of eXp Realty , reported first-quarter 2025 earnings on Tuesday that highlighted modest growth in revenue, an assertive stance on real estate listing transparency and investments in artificial intelligence (AI). The company reported revenue of $954.9 million for the quarter, an increase of 1% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA was $2.2 million.

Brokerage 369
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Mortgages, rentals push Zillow into profitability

Real Estate News

Revenue jumped 13% and traffic increased 5%, beating expectations. CEO Jeremy Wacksman credited bundled offerings while affirming Zillows new listing rules.

Mortgages 275
article thumbnail

Rental Demand is Surging 3x Faster Than Homeownership—Here’s How to Catch the Wave

Bigger Pockets

More Americans than ever are pressing pause on the dream of homeownership and turning to long-term rentals instead. And honestly, can you blame them?

Mortgages 105
article thumbnail

How empowerment builds profitable, culture-first brokerages

Inman

Treat real estate agents right, broker-owner Michelle Valverde writes, and results will follow, including brokerage growth and resilience.

Brokerage 130
article thumbnail

Bring your borrowers home: How speed and simplicity will win the next refinance wave

Housing Wire

Refinancing activity is primed for a surge but not the way weve seen in the past. It used to be that when rates dropped, demand would stay high for weeks or even months. Lenders had time to scale up operations and ride the wave. Now, demand comes in short, sharp bursts, triggered by even the slightest rate drops. Take April 2025 for example. Mortgage rates briefly fell to 6.61%, their lowest point since October 2024.

article thumbnail

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.