Real Estate News

Joe Skousen, founder and CEO of Inside Real Estate, says BoldTrail is not just born from the company's expertise as a longstanding technology partner to many of the largest brands and fastest-growing brokerages and teams in real estate, but from the values, insights and...

Top Agent Network, Inc. vs. the National Association of REALTORS® has officially set a trial schedule and date for 2025. TAN vs. NAR is a little different from the many other antitrust cases currently circling the real estate sphere. The non-commission based case alleges...

Long & Foster Real Estate announced that after 30 years with the company, Jackie Thiel is leaving to begin her next chapter. The company stated that Thiel—who led Long & Foster's general brokerage division as its president since early 2023—has taken a new position...

Thought leaders came together Thursday evening to celebrate RISMedia's more than 300 2024 Newsmakers and induct a select group of industry icons into the 2024 Newsmakers Hall of Fame at RISMedia's annual Real Estate Newsmakers Reception & Dinner. The event was held at the...

WASHINGTON D.C.—The economy right now is “weird.” It also might be on the verge of some big changes. In contrasting, high-profile addresses delivered at RISMedia's CEO & Leadership Exchange Sept. 5, two of real estate's most prominent economists gave an audience of top brokers,...

As the 2024 Presidential Election closes in, voters feel that candidates should do more work on housing issues, according to a new article from the Urban Institute. Specifically, voters are looking for one key thing: permanently affordable housing (housing that is insulated from the...

Countering Move, Inc (the parent company of Realtor.com) and its court-filed request last week for a preliminary injunction that would prevent a former employee from using proprietary information allegedly accessed after joining rival Homes.com. parent company CoStar, a new filing Sept. 5 by CoStar...

Photo credit: AJ Caneria WASHINGTON D.C.—There were two stories being told on stage yesterday at RISMedia's CEO & Leadership Exchange, with half a dozen MLS and brokerage executives each sharing their own parts of both sides. On the one hand, the settlement agreement struck...

Hannah Matlock NeSmith Broker United | Leading Edge Real Estate Group Huntsville, Alabama www.LeadingEdgeUnited.com Region served: Alabama Years in real estate: 11 Number of offices: 8 Number of agents: 325 Key to continued growth and success: I have always lived with the motto that we should surround ourselves with ...read more

Designed to honor real estate agents who are new to the business yet already achieving extraordinary levels of success, RISMedia's third annual Real Estate Rookie of the Year award—sponsored by industry education leader, Colibri Real Estate—has announced five Regional Rookie of the Year winners...

It's no secret that home affordability across the country has been an ongoing issue for years. Many are left wondering how long it will take them to save up to buy their first single-family home, and what life will be like with high mortgage...

Florida-based The Keyes Company/Illustrated Properties, which touts itself as the largest independent brokerage in the state, has reached an agreement to settle commission lawsuits filed by sellers, according to a filing in federal court today. No details of the agreement were immediately released. A...

The National Association of REALTORS® has announced that Tether RE won the sixth annual Pitch Battle competition at the recent 2024 Innovation, Opportunity & Investment (iOi) Summit. NAR stated that their strategic investment arm, Second Century Ventures, presented this year's Pitch Battle in Chicago,...

Residential home lending saw its first gain in a year during Q2 2024, with the issuance of 1.62 million mortgages secured by residential property. This represents a 23.2% increase over the first quarter. This reporting, provided by ATTOM Data Solutions, found that lenders' issued...

Photo credit: AJ Caneria Editor's Note: Social Skills is a bi-monthly feature in RISMedia's Daily News focused on social media and digital marketing tips, trends and solutions for agents and brokers. As a real estate professional, attending industry events like RISMedia's 2024 CEO & Leadership Exchange offers unlimited opportunities ...read more

Editor's Note: The Mortgage Mix is RISMedia's weekly highlight reel of need-to-know mortgage-industry happenings. Watch for it each Friday afternoon. – A Federal Reserve interest rate cut is looking more and more imminent with this month's Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index data. The...

An investigation from the District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General has uncovered the use of an illegal kickbacks scheme involving real estate agents across several title insurance companies. Allied Title & Escrow, LLC (Allied), KVS Title, LLC (KVS), Modern Settlements, LLC (Modern)...

Above, from left, Liam Coonahan, George Gatt, Jessica Paulucci, David Super and Tracy Wiley. RISMedia recently announced the Top 25 regional Rookie of the Year finalists for 2024. The third annual Rookie of the Year program, sponsored by Colibri Real Estate, is designed to...

RISMedia has extended the deadline to nominate a 2024 Real Estate Newsmaker to September 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST. This means that you still have two weeks left to acknowledge and applaud your colleagues and peers for their achievements and contributions this year....

After five consecutive months of declines, consumer sentiment reversed course this month, rising alongside some positive economic signs of lowered inflation and an all-but-guaranteed rate cut by the Fed in September. According to the University of Michigan's latest report published Friday, consumer sentiment rose 1.5 index points in August ...read more

The Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation showed an annual gain of 2.5% in July, within striking distance of the central bank's long-term mandate of 2%, putting the country firmly on track for a series of rate cuts—likely starting next month. The Personal Consumption...

The September issue of RISMedia's Real Estate magazine is now available, and not to be missed are several exclusive features, including an in-depth look at Inside Real Estate's new path to innovate in real estate technology: BoldTrail. In addition, we look at the CFA's...

The one topic currently being discussed across all platforms is the longevity of the real estate professional in today's evolving industry. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reports that only 11.4% of agents survive their first year. For a real estate agent or team...

Century 21 Real Estate LLC has announced a network expansion in Silicon Valley with its latest affiliation of female-led Anew Elite Realty based in San Jose. According to a release, the boutique luxury firm was established in 2022 by current broker/owner Karen Fangfang Xu....

Next Tuesday—September 3, 2024—is the final day to nominate a 2025 Real Estate Newsmaker! Don't miss your chance to acknowledge and applaud your colleagues and peers for their achievements and contributions this year. RISMedia's 2025 Newsmakers will be spotlighted in Real Estate magazine early...

Stellar MLS showcased its innovative solutions and latest tools for the real estate industry at the 2024 Florida REALTORS® Convention & Trade Expo last week at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. With some 3,000 registrations and 200 industry experts and exhibitors, the annual...

Falling to its lowest level since May 2023, the average 30-year-fixed mortgage rate fell again this week to 6.35%, down from last week's 6.46%, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) from Freddie Mac, released Thursday. This week's numbers: The 30-year FRM averaged 6.35% as of August ...read more

The National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) latest report on pending home sales found a 5.5% drop-off in July 2024. Compared to July 2023, the decline is even steeper at 8.5%. In June, pending sales reversed a three-month decline and rose 4.8%. July also saw...

Now that the now-famous date of Aug. 17, when complying with the National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) settlement became mandatory, has come and gone, the newest question is what happens if and when real estate renegades operate outside the box? What penalties might there...

Editor's Note: The RISMedia series, Legislative Round-Up looks at pending and passed federal and state-level legislation that impacts real estate professionals. Kamala Harris centers down payment assistance as headline housing policy The Democratic National Convention (DNC) wrapped up this past week, with Vice President...

California Regional MLS (CRMLS) is powering a new real estate industry summit to take place this Sept. 16-17 in Los Angeles: Thrive Broker Summit. This summit aims to gather California's real estate luminaries to discuss how to adapt to a changing industry so every...

Editor's Note: The RISMedia series, Legislative Round-Up looks at pending and passed federal and state-level legislation that impacts real estate professionals. Kamala Harris centers down payment assistance as headline housing policy The Democratic National Convention (DNC) wrapped up this past week, with Vice President...

The recent legal settlements involving the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and several major real estate brokerages have sent ripples through the industry, prompting many real estate professionals to reevaluate their practices. Central to these legal challenges is the issue of transparency, particularly in...

HomeStack—a premier developer of white-labeled mobile apps for the real estate industry—is thrilled to announce a new strategic partnership with API Nation—a leading provider of seamless cloud based integration solutions. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the way real estate professionals manage their business and...

The real estate industry's litigation list is down by one as the courtroom squabbles between Keller Williams and former CEO John Davis are slated to reach an arguably anticlimactic resolution outside the courtroom. Given a choice between a pair of motions filed by Keller...

It's coming. The Fed has strongly intimated that an interest rate is coming, most likely at its next meeting Sept. 18, and most everyone connected to real estate sales awaits with great hope. But will it really make a difference? Will one single rate...

Editor's Note: Social Skills is a bi-monthly feature in RISMedia's Daily News focused on social media and digital marketing tips, trends and solutions for agents and brokers. The most effective way to implement social media to grow your business is to branch out into...

Century 21 Real Estate is expanding the brand's presence in Southern Massachusetts with its latest affiliation: Custom Home Realty with offices in Mendon and Framingham. The dual office brokerage was originally founded in late 2017 by broker/owners Deborah Flanagan and Naomi Vogt. Together, the duo have guided their ...read more

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which measures American opinions of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months, rose in August to 103.3, from an upwardly revised 101.9 in July, while the Present Situation Index—based on consumers' assessment of current...

Home prices again appreciated year-over-year, although the rate continues to slow monthly, pointing again toward a normalization of the market through the coming months and in 2025. The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index for June 2024 saw a 5.4% annual gain in home...

A group of eight REALTORS® from various states, all represented by the same California attorney, filed a lawsuit on Aug. 23 in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing Move, Inc., the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and Move parent company News Corp subsidiaries such as...

Probate in real estate refers to the legal process of transferring property after a homeowner's death. This process involves validating the deceased's will, settling debts and distributing assets to heirs. Understanding probate is crucial for buyers, sellers and inheritors of real estate. Understanding estate...

Above, Trish McCall. Shown below, additional McCall team members. Photo credit: Ashley Gomez of Digital Twinners As a traveling sales rep some 25 years ago, Trish McCall was logging 1,000 miles a week when she listed her Northern California home for sale. “I had...

Editor's note: The COURT REPORT is RISMedia's weekly look at current and upcoming lawsuits, investigations and other legal developments around real estate. Homie Technologies sues NAR Homie Technologies—a Utah-based flat-fee firm—filed an antitrust lawsuit against the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in the U.S....

New-home sales, which have been up and down this year after experiencing historic surges post-pandemic, saw another major jump in July, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, rising a blistering 10.6% from the previous month and 5.6% from a year ago as buyers flocked...

Real estate investors are prime leads for agents, offering repeat business through frequent transactions, whether flipping properties or expanding rental portfolios. Their practical, business-focused approach often results in smoother, faster deals, free of the emotional challenges typical buyers may face. If you're an agent looking to boost your efficiency ...read more

The possibility of a September interest rate cut just became a much more imminent promise, according to a speech given by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, today. At the Central Bank's annual Wyoming retreat, Powell reflected back on the fight...

During these times of residential real estate practice changes and new legal logistics, Canopy REALTOR® Association/Canopy MLS has an ace in the hole with CEO Anne Marie DeCatsye. While advocating for the value of a REALTOR® and executing an effective consumer education campaign, she...

During these times of residential real estate practice changes and new legal logistics, Canopy REALTOR® Association/Canopy MLS has an ace in the hole with CEO Anne Marie DeCatsye. While advocating for the value of a REALTOR® and executing an effective consumer education campaign, she...

In yet another of the seemingly endless legal actions filed within the real estate industry over the past few years, this time it was Homie Technologies on Aug. 22 filing an antitrust lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Utah, claiming...

Above, Whitney LaCosta and Jemila Winsey More than 400 of the industry's most powerful residential real estate decision-makers will converge on Washington, D.C., September 4 – 6 for RISMedia's 36th Annual CEO & Leadership Exchange, where we'll candidly discuss the most critical trends and...

The real estate industry is overflowing with turnkey software that's exactly the same across every installation. While this is often fine at the agent and, to an extent, broker levels, a “one size fits all” strategy isn't robust enough for the needs of MLSs,...

Three weeks ago, in my blog titled “Going for Gold,” I delved into the Olympics, capturing the essence of competition and camaraderie. Building on that theme, this week I want to explore the upcoming Paralympic Games. As we look forward to these games, they...

Sales of existing housing inventory in the U.S. reversed course in July, posting an increase after four months of decline. This data comes courtesy of the National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) monthly update on existing-home sales. The report showed that total existing-home sales—completed transactions...

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) remains at the low level seen recently, from last week's average of 6.49% to a current average of 6.46%, according to the latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) from Freddie Mac released Thursday. This week's numbers: The 30-year FRM...

It seems the benefits of AI in real estate are largely categorized as time and cost savings. With AI, real estate professionals can elevate their game by focusing on their clients and brands, freed up from writing ad copy or managing operations. However, AI...

Above, from left, Courtney Bullock, Victor Gutierrez, Shirley Kimmel, Kaitlin VanRoosendaal and Yankun Zhen. RISMedia recently announced the Top 25 regional Rookie of the Year finalists for 2024. The third annual Rookie of the Year program, sponsored by Colibri Real Estate, is designed to honor real estate agents who ...read more

Inside Real Estate, a real estate software company, has announced it has expanded its enterprise partnership with RE/MAX, LLC, to bring its next-gen technology portfolio, BoldTrail, to all RE/MAX network members in their company-owned regions across the U.S. and Canada. RE/MAX, LLC originally partnered...

Forging through a year engulfed in ongoing lawsuits and unexpected scandals and topped off by rising interest and mortgage rates and skyrocketing home prices, this year's RISMedia Real Estate Newsmakers Hall of Fame class not only stands out for their companies' continued success in...

In a filing Tuesday, Aug. 20, the Gibson vs. NAR plaintiff attorneys—which includes the Burnett trial's Michael Ketchmark—requested the court grant them one-third of the $110.6 million settlement pool (which equates to $36.8 million) as payment for their legal fees and work on the...

Mortgage applications decreased 10.1% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Applications Survey for the week ending August 16, 2024. This is a large decrease from the most recent weeks of increases, however refinance activity remains strong...

Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) has officially announced Charles El-Moussa as the company's new General Counsel, effective immediately. MRED stated that El-Moussa will play a crucial role in providing legal guidance to the company's ongoing strategic discussions, ensuring the multiple listings service continues to...

From left, Mauricio Umansky and Jason Haber When in February the American Real Estate Association (AREA, our acronym usage, not theirs) was created with hopes of becoming an alternative to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), it could not have come at a more...

I write this on the eve of the NAR proposed settlement rule change deadline. The same settlement which specifically excluded companies our size from coverage–those having sold more than $2 billion in residential real estate. We are dealing with it the best we can,...

When the market is in flux, and there's a focus on regulatory changes on the horizon, it can be difficult to maintain an accurate representation of business performance. It's something that leading brokerages have had to face, weighing the impact of a difficult market...

huntington & ellis, A Real Estate Agency, has announced the company has ranked No. 3,883 on Inc. Magazine's annual Inc. 5000 list, which ranks the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Achieving a 118% three-year growth rate, this marks the brokerage's fifth consecutive year being recognized...

Selling a home with an existing mortgage involves several crucial steps. My easy-to-understand guide will walk you through the entire process. In my article, you will learn the following information: Steps to sell a house with a mortgage Managing equity and dealing with negative...

In the modern age of social media forms and the storytelling that comes with them, blogging feels like a bit of an outdated form of marketing. This, however, is absolutely untrue. Blogging is a lost art of marketing, with many ways to pursue it...

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S., which provides an early indication of significant turning points in the business cycle and where the economy is heading in the near term, fell by 0.6% in July to 100.4, following a decline of...

Real Estate Webmasters has announced a strategic partnership with Jeff Kennedy, an industry veteran with over 12 years experience in advisory roles at LeadingRE. Through this newly established consulting firm, Maverix Advisory Group, Kennedy will serve as REW's Industry Engagement Partner. In this new...

As Americans prepare to head to the polls in the fall, one subject will be on the mind of almost every voter in November: housing. As the country faces an affordability crisis and a historical lack of housing inventory, bold solutions are necessary to...

As the residential real estate industry begins a new chapter, marked by material changes to how business is conducted, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has named Nykia Wright its permanent chief executive officer, effective immediately. An accomplished business executive and former CEO of the Chicago Sun-Times, Wright ...read more

Do you have an artificial intelligence strategy for your brokerage? As AI rapidly becomes more embedded into your agents' smartphones, marketing tools, front office and back-office support systems, having an AI strategy for your brokerage is no longer optional. Here are three things you need to know to stay ...read more

With all the recent media attention, by now most everyone is aware of major changes afoot in real estate this month. Commentary has run the gamut from the demise of the industry to real estate services in the future will now be essentially pro...

The National Association of REALTORS® has issued a final reminder to members, real estate professionals and consumers that on Saturday, August 17, 2024, the practice changes following NAR's settlement agreement that would resolve claims brought on behalf of homesellers related to broker commissions, will...

Homebuilder confidence slipped in August as the housing market grapples with affordability headwinds and buyer skittishness amid high interest rates and home prices, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released Thursday. The index, which measures...

Not many real estate executives can offer a more comprehensive and expert overview of the compliance implementation starting today, Aug. 17, as Sue Yannaccone, president and CEO of Anywhere Brands and Anywhere Advisors. She is responsible for overseeing both company-owned brokerages and franchise operations...

The future of real estate is still unwritten. Still, Nykia Wright, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) interim CEO, is encouraging members to at least help co-author it as the industry continues to face its share of challenges ahead. “I understand that people are frustrated with things, but bring ...read more

Selling a condo involves unique challenges and considerations. My guide will explore navigating HOA rules, understanding special assessments and necessary disclosures. I will also provide insights on how long it takes to sell a condo and the best times based on location and seasonality....

As the real estate market gains steam, it's time for leaders to rethink and revamp their approach to success. In an upcoming session at RISMedia's CEO & Leadership Exchange, future-focused brokers will share how they're shifting their marketing, technology and training gameplans to capitalize...

Whether you are relatively new to real estate or an experienced veteran, I'm sure we can all agree that our industry is in the midst of a lot of change. For many of us, the changes that are following the NAR lawsuit are fundamentally...

With the exception of one increase over the Fourth of July, the average mortgage rate has either dipped or remained flat for the last 10 weeks, continuing the trend this week with little movement and remaining at its lowest level in over a year....

Editor's note: Robert Reffkin will be one of 120+ speakers at RISMedia's 36th Annual CEO & Leadership Exchange, September 4-6, in Washington, D.C. Learn more and register to attend at https://events.rismedia.com/ceo-exchange-2024. Having grown up as the son of a real estate agent, I know...

Brown Harris Stevens has announced that Lisa Simonsen and The Simonsen Team have joined the firm's flagship office on Park Avenue in Manhattan. With a history of luxury transactions across notable NYC properties, Simonsen has transacted more than $2 billion dollars over the course...

In a program designed to honor real estate agents who are new to the business yet already achieving extraordinary results, RISMedia's third-annual Real Estate Rookie of the Year awards, sponsored by Colibri Real Estate, today revealed the Top 25 regional finalists for 2024. Five...

CubiCasa, a software firm specializing in floor planning technology, has announced a new partnership with brokerage franchise NextHome. Together, NextHome and CubiCasa will aim to attach a floor plan to all NextHome listings. “We are thrilled to partner with CubiCasa. In today's real estate...

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was up 0.2% from June to July 2024 and up 2.9% from a year ago, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Index measures the costs of goods and services across the American...

There are signs that the market is gradually heading towards more balance across much of the Mid-Atlantic, according to new data from Bright MLS. The Bright MLS July 2024 Housing Report found that new listings are up 5.5% year-to-date, much stronger than 2023. That...

The National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) latest quarterly report shows that in Q2 2024, single-family existing-home sales prices rose in 89% of metro areas measured—a whopping 199 out of 223 metros measured by NAR—down from 93% in Q1. According to the report, the national...

The National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) new rules on offers of agent compensation kick in August 17. That's when offers of agent compensation can no longer be included with listings on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Additionally, buyer agents must have written buyer representation...

Not homesellers, not homebuyers, not the Department of Justice (DOJ), but real estate agents themselves are now suing the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) for alleged conspiracy and antitrust behavior, focused on the requirement that agents join NAR and local REALTOR® associations to access...

Interest rates are critical in the real estate market, especially in selling condominiums. Understanding this impact can help buyers, sellers and investors make informed decisions. Introduction to interest rates and condo sales Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money, typically expressed as an...

The back to school period of transition offers more than just a return to academia; it serves as a rich source of leadership lessons applicable to the corporate world. In this blog, I'll share insights from five different perspectives—parents, children, teachers, family planners and...

Editor's note: The COURT REPORT is RISMedia's weekly look at current and upcoming lawsuits, investigations and other legal developments around real estate. This weekend, the practice changes agreed to by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) last March, in its agreement to settle seller...

Realty ONE Group has announced Derek Carlson—founder, CEO and broker of MVP Realty Associates, LLC—as the new CEO and Broker for Realty ONE Group MVP in Florida. “Joining Realty ONE Group MVP is not just a career milestone—it's a strategic move towards empowering REALTORS® in a dynamic and forward-thinking ...read more

When it comes to successfully guiding clients through the real estate process, transparency is key. Proving your worth and value as a real estate professional is critical—and perhaps even more important today, given the policy changes required under the National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR)...

Legacy franchisor RE/MAX posted another quarter of decline in revenue and agent count year-over-year. The latest financial information was released Aug. 8, with a virtual earnings call for investors Aug. 9. In a statement, CEO Erik Carlson explained that Q2 results were “better than...

Anthony Lamacchia was named 2024 REALTOR® of the Year by the Greater Boston Association of REALTORS® at its Annual Awards & Networking Breakfast in Boston. “I am honored to receive this recognition and would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in the selection process,” said ...read more

In new court legal briefs concerning the data-theft case, Move, Inc. and CoStar Group, the parent companies of Realtor.com and Home.com urged the judge to take their side regarding the timing of expedited discovery and other matters The latest back and forths came via...

The California Association of REALTORS® (CAR) announced it has named Phil Hawkins as its new CEO. Hawkins currently serves as CEO of the Pacific West Association of REALTORS® (PWR), one of the largest local real estate associations in California. He was selected as part...

Succession planning isn't merely about choosing a successor; it's about cultivating potential leaders long before there's an empty seat at the top. Future leaders need to be identified, nurtured, and multiplied to secure the organization's continuity and success. In “The Leader's Greatest Return,” John...

Selling a home can be challenging, but with the right seasonal strategies, you can make your property stand out. Whether it's fall, winter, or the holiday season, tailoring your home to the time of year can attract more buyers and potentially speed up the...

More than half of the Opportunity Zones targeted for economic redevelopment around the U.S. saw median home price gains as price trends inside those zones continue to closely follow—and often outpace—national market patterns, according to the latest ATTOM report. Opportunity Zones were created in...

While many industry incumbents are eyeing August 17 with nervousness, preparing for some level of turbulence and uncertainty, Zillow is coasting into the new real estate world on the back of a spectacular earnings report and confidence from executives that the company is well-positioned...

A critical aspect of real estate transactions is the need for strategic enhancements to maximize property value. From landscaping to major repairs like roofing or foundation fixes, these investments are pivotal in the “improve-to-sell” approach favored by agents and homeowners alike. Yet, the greatest...

Remember Show and Tell from when you were a little kid in school? You'd get in front of the class with something kinda neat and then provide the backstory. It was fun, right? Well, now it's adult Show and Tell time, but it's serious...

From left, Jeremy Wacksman and Rich Barton Zillow Group, Inc. announced on Aug. 7 that longtime executive and Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Wacksman has been promoted to chief executive officer and is simultaneously joining the company's board of directors. Wacksman succeeds co-founder Rich Barton,...

Consistent economic growth and demographic trends sustained multifamily demand at the start of the third quarter, according to the latest Yardi® Matrix National Multifamily Report. Yardi stated that the average U.S. publicly advertised rent or “asking rent” rose 0.8% year-over-year through July, or $4...

Corporate quarterly reports, unless they include dramatic swings in earnings, are often same-old, same-old. However, when the industry is in a state of flux, as is the case with residential real estate, often the comments made by the leading executives are more telling than...

Mortgage applications increased 6.9% from one week earlier, reaching the highest volume seen since January of this year, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Applications Survey for the week ending August 2, 2024. This week's data: The Market Composite Index,...

Professions in America have almost always evolved over time. Technology, trends and many other details and aspects of the working life have caused changes, with the progress both good and bad, depending on one's point of view. For REALTORSⓡ, the recent past has seen...

Real estate firms of all shapes and sizes are under the microscope in today's litigious real estate environment, making risk mitigation more important (and more complex) than ever. A panel of brokerage, MLS and legal experts will reveal where the biggest risks lie and how to prevent your firm ...read more

Above, Melanie Cameron With 30 years of experience behind her in a sought-after seaside market, Melanie Cameron knows what it takes to be successful: steadfast commitment, great communication, and a client-first approach that fosters lasting relationships. “We are fortunate to work in a coastal...

Harry Norman, REALTORS® has announced that several agents have received honors in some of Atlanta's most respected real estate industry awards programs, including Modern Luxury's Interiors Atlanta 2024 Real Estate Awards, Atlanta Agent Magazine's 2024 Agents' Choice Awards and Atlanta Magazine's Real Estate All-Stars....

Brian Bair, chief executive officer of iBuyer Offerpad Solutions, said during his company's Q2 earnings call that the real estate landscape is bound to change for agents–with buyers potentially moving towards unassisted transactions. “I believe strongly that buyers are going to get used to...

In real estate, being an “Achiever” means utilizing your skills and putting in the effort to find success for your business, your team and your brand. Being a “Crusader” means advocating for a better future for the industry, consumer and communities in which you...

Editor's Note: Social Skills is a bi-monthly feature in RISMedia's Daily News focused on social media and digital marketing tips, trends and solutions for agents and brokers. Entering the real estate industry can be exciting for aspiring young professionals, but many are often left...

When inventory is high, interest rates low, bidding wars common and there are no lawsuit judgments potentially depressing buyer-agent commissions, brokerage executives are often mostly concerned with simply keeping tabs of who sold what and for how much. Now? Amid all the industry uncertainties,...

A regional commission-focused lawsuit filed by recent homebuyers appears on track to settle, potentially becoming the first such lawsuit to do so and setting precedent for the much larger national cases that target major brokerages and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). The Illinois-based...

The holiday season is a unique time for the real estate market. Understanding how holidays affect home sales can guide buyers and sellers in making informed decisions. I have provided detailed information to help potential home sellers whether it makes sense to plow forward...

Second Century Ventures, the strategic investment arm of the National Association of REALTORS®, has announced the acceptance of seven companies to the 2024 REACH Commercial program. This marks the sixth cohort dedicated to scaling solutions for commercial real estate. NAR stated that companies selected...

A longstanding practice, the very concept of buyer agency—and the value buyer's agents bring to the home-buying journey—is being challenged within the industry today. As practice changes required under the National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) Settlement Agreement go into effect this month (as of...

As the mortgage industry continues to see signs—lowering mortgage rates and worsening applications—that point to the strong possibility of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut this fall, lenders continue to fight through challenges and work to profit. Rocket Companies has continued to fight the...

Above, Brian Buffini Forget everything you knew about how real estate worked in the past. That was then, and this is now. Gone are the days of real estate being an easy living to earn quick cash for minimal effort. Economic shudders compounded by...

The National Association of REALTORS® has announced the roster of its 2025 Leadership Academy class. Twenty REALTORS® from across the country have been chosen to participate in the 10-month program, which will prepare emerging state and local volunteers for future leadership positions at NAR....

In a second quarter earnings call Aug. 1, Anywhere Real Estate reported $30 million in profits for the quarter, reversing a downward trend over the last few quarters to post an $11 million increase from the same period last year. Revenue remained relatively flat...

Yesterday, Opendoor, the largest and oldest iBuyer, announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2024, also addressing recent settlements and the impacts on buyer agents and sellers. In the wake of recent settlements, investors asked Opendoor CEO Carrie Wheeler about the impact...

Property highlights: Location: Las Vegas Listing price: $22.9 million Features: 9,500-square-foot, three-story estate with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Added appeal: 10-car garage, media/game room with wet bar, gym, wine room, steam shower, cold plunge, resort-style pool and terrace with skyline views. Imagine the...

Let us delve into the Olympics, an event that embodies the pinnacle of high performance and global aspirations. I have always admired the Olympics for its power to bring together the world's elite, each demonstrating their relentless dedication and exceptional skills. As Jim Rohn...

Selling a house during slow months can be challenging. However, with the right strategies, it's entirely possible to close a deal quickly. I have put significant effort into providing the best advice to achieve home sale success at the least ideal time. You will...

eXp is seeking to position itself as a safe haven for agents worried about navigating the upcoming changes created by the National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) settlement, set to go into effect on Aug. 17, speculating that transitioning will be difficult for smaller companies...

In the first quarter of 2024, Compass exceeded its expectations with market and agent count growth. During the company's Q2 earnings call, held on Wed. July 31, 2024, the company again reported that it was outpacing general market trends and claimed it was sitting...

ATTOM Data Solutions has published its U.S. Home Equity & Underwater Report, tracking changes in nationwide home equity levels during Q2 2024. The latest report comes with good news: Almost half (49.2%) of mortgaged residential properties in the U.S. were considered equity rich during...

Unsurprisingly, Federal Reserve (Fed) officials made the decision not to cut interest rates yesterday afternoon, despite indicators that the economy is slowing. Rates currently remain at an unchanged figure between 5.25% and 5.5%, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell suggesting that September may be the...

Windermere Real Estate announced the appointment of Jeff Tucker as the company's new Principal Economist. Tucker has 10 years of professional experience as an economist, including over five years at Zillow, as well as Amazon, AirDNA and in economic consulting. While at Zillow, Tucker...

Planitar Inc.—makers of iGUIDE, a proprietary camera and software platform for capturing and delivering 3D virtual tours and property data—and FBS—the leading innovator of MLS technology and creator of the Flexmls Platform—announced a strategic partnership and platform integration. This integration will connect iGUIDE's technology...

In June, pending home sales saw a spike, rising 4.8%, according to new data released by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)—a turnaround from three consecutive months of decline. Mortgage rates “fell through the month, dipping below 7% and continuing to fall to 6.86%...

Jamar Taylor was gifted with undeniable talent—speed and agility that many across the world would give anything to attain. The nine-year National Football League (NFL) veteran found great success with the sport, in highschool at Helix out of La Mesa, California, in college at...

Mortgage applications decreased for the second week, down 3.9% from last week's decline of 2.2%, according to the latest Weekly Applications Survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) for the week ending July 26, 2024. But recent patterns of ups and downs, along with...

If you've ever seen one of HomeServices of America CEO Gino Blefari's motivational sessions at a real estate industry event, you probably left feeling reinvigorated, reinvested and inspired to make positive changes not only in your business, but maybe in your personal life as...

Motto Mortgage has opened a new office in Fargo, North Dakota—Motto Mortgage Premier Pros is now open serving all markets throughout the Peace Garden State. Motto Mortgage Premier Pros was established by Jared Blankenship and Robert Leslie, who the company stated bring a wealth...

In May 2024, the California Regional MLS (CRMLS) launched a new feature on its website called, “Concessions in Price.” This allowed listing agents to input and advertise the concessions, and contributions to the buyer's cost burden, that their seller is willing to make. There...

CoStar Group's application to expedite discovery in the data-theft lawsuit filed against them by Move, Inc. (Realtor.com®'s parent company) has been granted by the court. Judge George H. Wu granted the application after hearing oral arguments yesterday. Wu also granted CoStar's request for a hearing in late September. “We ...read more

Home prices continue to soar, as a dearth of inventory and a resilient economy help prop up demand for new homes in the face of affordability challenges, with the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index hitting another all-time high last month even as gains slow. Nationally,...

Curbio announced its partnership with the National Association of REALTORS® as the newest partner of NAR REALTOR Benefits®. Through this collaboration, NAR members gain access to Curbio's turnkey home improvement service, which provides real estate agents a simple way to get listings ready for...

Homesellers must understand how market conditions impact your listing contract terms. It can determine the success of your property sale and the financial outcome. I have put much effort into educating you on what you should know about listing agreements as they relate to...

Editor's note: The COURT REPORT is RISMedia's weekly look at current and upcoming lawsuits, investigations and other legal developments around real estate. Outside of the realm of the ever-trending commission lawsuits in the industry, other legal conflicts continue to arise and develop in the...

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) called on Congress this past Wednesday, July 24, to address two key policies that will notably escalate costs for home buyers and renters: the federal push to mandate costly and restrictive national energy codes and the Biden...

Restb.ai has debuted a new “Special Report Series” to unlock unique visual insights provided from Restb.ai's proprietary AI models. The inaugural report is the first-of-its-kind study to examine the impact of floor plans on Days on Market (or DOM). Restb.ai's study examined 100,000 single-family...

With President Biden bowing out, and Kamala Harris now the likely Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, real estate practitioners will want to know where she stands on key housing issues. After all, it's hard to understand a leader without understanding the context...

Editor's Note: The Mortgage Mix is RISMedia's weekly highlight reel of need-to-know mortgage-industry happenings. Watch for it each Friday afternoon. -A rule to create more standards and quality controls for automated value models (AVMs) that are used in mortgages was finalized earlier this month....

The personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE) increased 0.1% in June (slightly up from May's 0% monthly change) and was up 2.5% from a year ago, according to estimates released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis on July 26, with the annual rate...

James Kaminsky, the former Realtor.com® and current CoStar Group employee in the middle of a data-theft lawsuit between two real estate portal giants, Realtor.com (owned by Move, Inc.) and CoStar's Homes.com, on July 25 provided his side of the story in a court filing,...

Above, Kimberly Harris Campbell and Kate Reisinger RISMedia's 36th Annual CEO & Leadership Exchange, set to unfold September 4 – 6 in Washington, D.C., promises to be an unrivaled convergence of industry luminaries and thought leaders—with a star-studded lineup of speakers who demonstrate the...