Sat.Aug 24, 2024 - Fri.Aug 30, 2024

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Move accused of selling ‘fake leads’ in class action lawsuit

Real Estate News

Agents from six states allege that the parent company of Realtor.com sold dubious leads, and said NAR — also a defendant — was “complicit” in the scheme.

Agents 302
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NAR, Move named in new lawsuit alleging sale of fake leads

Housing Wire

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is facing yet another lawsuit. The latest complaint, which is seeking class-action status, was filed on Friday by eight real estate agents in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The suit claims that NAR, along with Move Inc., Move Sales , OpCity Acquisitions , OpCity Inc. and REA Group Ltd. — which, according to the complaints, are all wholly owned subsidiaries of Move and News Corp , who is also a defendant — defrauded agents by selling them fake lead

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2025 Housing Market Forecasts: What To Expect

Keeping Current Matters

Looking ahead to 2025, it's important to know what experts are projecting for the housing market.

Marketing 334
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More suits, new reports, demure micro-trends: Inman’s Top 5

Inman

Looking for a quick catch-up on the buzziest stories of the week? Here’s Inman Top 5, the most essential stories, according to Inman readers.

Brokerage 197
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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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Nick Bailey returns to real estate leadership in new capacity

Real Estate News

The former CEO of RE/MAX and Century 21 says he will apply his experience helping franchise owners to his new role in real estate consulting.

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Feeling the squeeze: NAR settlement terms trigger commission compression

Housing Wire

Although the industry is barely than a week into the “ new normal ,” some real estate agents and brokers are already seeing smaller buy-side commissions. “It kind of started before the [ National Association of Realtors ] settlement went into effect, but commission compression is a real thing,” Brian Huskey, the broker-owner of Montana-based ERA American Real Estate , said.

Brokerage 511

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LPT Realty rolls out ‘Buyer Power Tools’ resource for agents, clients

Inman

The Florida-based brokerage's buyer-focused marketing and educational resources are made for agents in need of assistance as they pitch buyer representation services, executives told Inman.

Agents 197
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Mortgage rates plunge to lowest level in 15 months

Real Estate News

Rates are edging closer to 6%, but the downward trend still hasn’t translated into sales as potential homebuyers play the waiting game.

Mortgages 298
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Will the NAR settlement changes slow down home-buying?

Housing Wire

It’s been one week since the NAR settlement changes went into effect. Did the changes affect any of the housing data we track every week? Since the buyer’s commission payout isn’t as transparent as before, I have been anticipating delays in the home-buying process as people adapted to the new rules. The last time we saw this kind of effect was when mortgage lenders had to start incorporating TRID in 2015 — it created a one-month crash in existing home sales because it just took a bit longe

Mortgages 504
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Are We Heading into a Balanced Market?

Keeping Current Matters

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the housing market over the past couple of years, you know sellers have had the upper hand.

Marketing 332
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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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Realtors file suit against Move, NAR over ‘fake leads’ scheme

Inman

Eight Realtors are seeking class action status in their lawsuit against Realtor.com for allegedly selling unvetted and fraudulent buyer and seller leads. This is the third lawsuit against Realtor.com and parent company Move over its lead gen business.

Agents 197
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The new agent playbook should include ‘leading with grace’

Real Estate News

Major brokerage leaders are telling agents to be patient with other real estate professionals (and consumers) as the industry adjusts to new practices.

Agents 292
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Rocket rolls out temporary rate buydown for lower-income households

Housing Wire

Detroit-headquartered Rocket Mortgage on Monday rolled out a lender-paid 2-1 temporary buydown program for lower-income households. The program, dubbed “Welcome Home RateBreak,” is available to buyers purchasing a single-family home and earning 80% or less of their area median income (AMI). Rocket estimates the size of this segment at more than 90 million people.

Loans 501
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What's the Impact of Presidential Elections on the Housing Market?

Keeping Current Matters

It’s no surprise that the upcoming Presidential election might have you speculating about what’s ahead.

Marketing 333
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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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Pending starter home sales soar as first-time buyers return to market

Inman

Pending sales of starter homes surged 10.2 percent in July, reaching their highest point since October 2022 as mortgage rates began to decline, according to data released Monday by Redfin.

Sales 197
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Key player in Sitzer/Burnett launches real estate startup

Real Estate News

“Our hard-won settlement paved the way for a new era,” said Josh Sitzer, whose company offers flat-fee home tour and offer preparation services for buyers.

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Down payment amounts are exploding in these metros

Housing Wire

The typical down payment for U.S. homebuyers soared to a record high of $67,500 in June, up nearly 15% from $58,788 a year earlier, according to a new report from Redfin. The increase in down payments came despite a slowdown in home price growth (4%). Redfin economists attributed it to the quirks of the current market, where higher-priced, turnkey homes in desirable neighborhoods are more likely to sell.

VA loan 493
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How To Avoid Today's Top Seller Mistakes

Keeping Current Matters

Want to know some of the top mistakes sellers are making today and how to make sure they don’t happen to you too?

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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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Compass launches new division for older real estate consumers

Inman

The launch comes as the Baby Boomers race into their elder years, creating what some observers have referred to as a "silver tsunami.

Brokerage 195
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In 8 states, inventory is now above pre-pandemic levels

Real Estate News

Oklahoma and Texas lead the way, with supply up nearly 20% compared to the same week in 2019.

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Eight states now have more unsold inventory than in 2019. Here’s why.

Housing Wire

Unsold inventory of homes on the market has been climbing in the U.S. for two years, right along with rising mortgage rates. In general, inventory rises with rates because more expensive money slows demand. When demand slows, inventory grows. According to Altos Research , there are 40% more homes on the market at the end of August 2024 than there were last year at this time.

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Lynnwood light rail route brings a housing boom

Seattle Times Real Estate

The four newest Link light rail stations north of Seattle have been magnets for apartment construction, with more than 10,000 units finished or underway.

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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.

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New forms aim to sidestep NAR settlement, law professor warns

Inman

In a new report, University of Buffalo contracts law professor Tanya Monestier details ways in which contracts allow buyer agents to collect more compensation than agreed-to with the buyer.

Agents 193
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KW ‘best equipped to grow’ in post-settlement world

Real Estate News

Brokerages need to define their purpose in this new era, says Keller Williams CEO Mark Willis, and training, tech will be key to KW’s identity.

Brokerage 285
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The times they are changing: Adapting to the NAR settlement agreement

Housing Wire

The NAR settlement agreement, announced earlier this year, has been an extremely hot topic for agents and prospective homebuyers in the real estate world. This new settlement agreement was enacted on August 17th, 2024, and has been designed to increase transparency in real estate transactions and change how compensation is communicated and negotiated between parties.

MLS 481
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What Is Probate in Real Estate?

RIS Media

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 planning for the family should never be overlooked.

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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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HomeLight lands $20M, adds 40 new ‘Buy Before You Sell’ states

Inman

HomeLight is partnered with more than 10,000 loan officers and 28,000 real estate agents to offer Buy Before You Sell in 46 states and Washington, D.C. -- everywhere but Alaska, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.

Land 193
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NAR to appeal DOJ case to the Supreme Court

Real Estate News

The association will ask the highest court to weigh in on the case after a lower court ruled that the DOJ could continue its investigation into NAR policies.

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HomeLight raises $20M to expand Buy Before You Sell product

Housing Wire

Proptech HomeLight has raised $20 million to expand the offering of its Buy Before You Sell product to mortgage lenders and real estate agents across 40 new states, the company announced on Monday. Zeev Ventures , an early-stage venture fund, led the Series D extension, and was joined by Stereo Capital and Menlo Ventures. According to Crunchbase estimates, HomeLight has raised $762.5 million in 15 funding rounds with 25 investors since its inception in 2012.

Equity 481
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I’m a Buyer’s Agent. Here’s How the New NAR Rules Have Impacted My Business

Bigger Pockets

Sometimes, I have to laugh at how small our worlds can be.

Agents 131
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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.