Reflecting on 2025: Rebuilding Trust in Real Estate

Above, Bess Freedman. Recently, while traveling, I went to the gym at a little hotel. When I walked in, there was a small counter offering protein bars, trail mix, Gatorade and water—all available on the honor system. A simple sign read: “Please take what you want, leave your name and room number and we will… …more

Empowering Agents Through Innovation and Connection

Since joining United Real Estate in 2010, Vice President of Marketing Amanda Cline has played a key role in driving the company’s brand and digital transformation—leading strategic initiatives that have fueled significant company growth and operational efficiency.  In addition to elevating both design and user engagement through guiding the rollout of United’s modern logo and… …more

Three Finalists Move on to Final Round of RISMedia’s 1st Annual Tech Showdown

Three proptech companies were selected this week as finalists in RISMedia’s first-annual Tech Showdown, a new competition designed to discover and elevate the next wave of innovation in real estate technology. The finalists—Courted, Fiji App and Oppy—offer cutting-edge, AI-driven solutions that respectively address: recruiting and retention; brokerage valuation; and virtual assistants. During a live pitch… …more

Keller Williams Appoints Patrick Ferry to Advisory and Coaching Role Focused on Digital Marketing and AI

Keller Williams Realty, LLC has named Patrick Ferry to a senior advisory and coaching role within KW Maps Coaching, the company’s training and coaching division. Ferry will serve as a senior advisor in digital marketing and as a full-time coach providing one-on-one and group coaching to Keller Williams-affiliated agents, teams and market centers, according to… …more

Building Success Through Clarity and Professionalism

Above: David Mussari. David Mussari Broker/Owner/Managing Partner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty Mason, Ohio https://www.bhhspro.com    Region served: Ohio and surrounding border markets Years in real estate: 30 Number of offices: 40 Number of agents: 700 Most effective recruiting pitch: “We have our business, and you have your business.” Agents come here and stay because we’re… …more

Following Last Interest Rate Cut of the Year, Mortgage Applications Decrease This Week

With the last FOMC meeting and interest rate cuts of the year in the rear-view mirror, combined with typical holiday time slowdowns, economists were not surprised to see a decrease in mortgage applications this week. According to the latest Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) report, the Market Composite Index—the measure of mortgage loan activity volume—decreased 3.8%… …more

2025’s Biggest Stories in Real Estate: Part One

Editor’s note: this is part one of a two-part series—look for part two in our upcoming newsletters. 2025 was another whirlwind year for real estate, with industry professionals facing ups, downs and everything in between. The industry saw a lot of major developments, and it can be hard to keep track of everything—from historical tariffs… …more

Fed’s Waller Offers Sobering Look Into Why People Aren’t Buying Homes

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller argued at a Yale University CEO Summit today that the central bank should press forward with rate cuts even as job growth stalls near zero.  He also offered a sobering observation about the housing market: lower rates may not matter much if potential homebuyers are too worried about losing their… …more

Anywhere Real Estate Named Great Place to Work for Eighth Consecutive Year

Anywhere Real Estate Inc. has been certified as a Great Place to Work® for the eighth consecutive year, based on employee feedback collected through the organization’s annual workplace survey. The certification is determined entirely by employee responses regarding their experience working at the company. This year, 85% of surveyed employees said Anywhere is a great… …more

Real Estate Wrapped: Celebrating 2025 on Your Socials

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 yearly rewind made popular by Spotify Wrapped is becoming more and more common, so now is the perfect time to hop on the trend. Take advantage of… …more

Surefire Growth Strategies for Every Level of Your Career

Above, top row from left, John Newman and Anam Hargey; bottom row from left, Ric Martel and Donny Samson Whether you’re a newbie agent or a veteran team leader, growth is always the goal. In an upcoming session at RISMedia’s 6th Annual Real Estate’s Rocking in the New Year, “Surefire Growth Strategies for Every Level… …more

Zillow Says Its Innovations Saved Agents the Equivalent of 85 years in 2025

Zillow is closing out 2025 with a striking milestone. According to the company, its suite of agent-focused tools has collectively saved real estate professionals the equivalent of over 85 years of work time in 2025. That’s 744,600 hours—enough time to: Walk around the Earth nonstop almost 90 times, Travel to the moon and back over… …more

November Jobs Report Reveals Highest Unemployment Rate Since Sept. 2021

The labor market continued to see growth in November, although with little net change since April, and the unemployment rate had little change from September, according to the latest Employment Situation Summary from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), delayed due to the government shutdown. The latest jobs report saw employment grow by 64,000… …more

Brown Harris Stevens Miami Adds The Arca Group to South Florida Roster

Brown Harris Stevens Miami has added The Arca Group to its South Florida operations, expanding its regional presence with the addition of an all-female team of experienced agents.  The Arca Group includes Jenny Gonzalez, Rocio Useche, Adriana Sanchez and Diana Yocum. Collectively, the team brings more than 50 years of experience working with international, out-of-state… …more

Report: Overwhelming Majority of Buyers/Sellers Want Representation

The news is good for real estate agents. At the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Real Estate Forecast Summit, held remotely earlier this month, Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief economist & VP of research, highlighted data showing that 88% of buyers use an agent to help them navigate the home transaction process.  Additionally, the use… …more

Upping Your Game: How to Compete Amid the New Rules of Luxury Real Estate

Above, top row from left, Laurie Mecier-Brochu and Keith Ard; bottom row from left, Matthew Melinger and Kimberly Cocotos Industry reports examining the luxury real estate market have shown that there are two tracks unfolding as we head into the new year–balance and a slowing pace of price appreciation in some markets while others continue… …more

When (and Why) to Rebrand Your Real Estate Business

Rebranding isn’t about change for the sake of change—it’s about alignment. As your business evolves, your brand should evolve with it. In real estate, where perception drives trust and trust drives growth, a rebrand is a powerful way to clarify your identity, sharpen your message and lead with renewed purpose. When done right, it’s not… …more

Dynamic Team Bare Is a Family Affair

Cheryl Bare, third from left, with her Home Pros team.  Cheryl Bare held two careers for four years, teaching school by day and selling real estate evenings and weekends under the auspices of her father-in-law’s small Maryland brokerage. “It was the craziest time in my life, working 24/7” said Bare, who spent 15 years as… …more

Florida Once More Considering Elimination of State’s Real Estate Commission

Earlier in 2025, the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill that would have deregulated several professional accreditations within Florida and abolished commissions/regulatory bodies—that exist as part of the larger Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)—overseeing those professions. One is the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), the seven-member board that regulates real estate… …more

Builder Confidence Ends 2025 in Negative Territory, With Hope for 2026

Builder confidence remained in negative territory for the final month of 2025—as it did throughout the year due to continued economic and market challenges—though there’s some hope for a better year in 2026, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) data. The December NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) found that builder… …more