4 Money-Saving Non-Essentials for Buyer Clients Unnerved by Rising Mortgage Rates

The last thing you want as a buyer agent after signing a client who is excited to purchase a home is for them to get depressed by elevated mortgage rates and decide to put their search on hold. While nothing changes the numbers, what you can (and should) do is have ideas and recommendations for… …more

Thoughts on Leadership: Practical Tools for Transformational Leadership

In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, I feel compelled to share my insights on transformational leadership because, now more than ever, effective leadership is critical for inspiring teams and driving sustainable success. As leaders, we are continuously navigating through the ups and downs of organizational life, tackling challenges like unmet goals, legal issues and low… …more

Anywhere Celebrates Ninth Graduating Class of ASCEND Program for Future Leaders

Anywhere Real Estate Inc. has announced it has celebrated the ninth graduating class of ASCEND: The Executive Leadership Experience. The graduates included 37 real estate leaders, including broker/owners from across the company’s brands. Anywhere offers the ASCEND program to its brand-affiliated broker/owners and rising senior-level leaders of large, multi-office franchisees and distinguished individuals from its… …more

Texas @properties Christie’s International Real Estate Affiliate Expands

Above, Mike Hoover. Texas real estate brokerage @properties Lone Star Christie’s International Real Estate has announced it is expanding into Fort Worth, bringing on former Monument and Sotheby’s office leader Michael Hoover as regional vice president to run brokerage operations for the new office. This will mark the third office in the Metroplex for the… …more

Mortgage Applications Down in High-Rate Environment

After a couple of weeks of increases, mortgage applications fell 2.7% from last week’s increase of 3.3%, according to the latest Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) for the week ending April 19, 2024.  This week’s numbers: The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 2.7% on… …more

FTC Votes to Ban Employee Noncompete Clauses

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted to ban noncompete clauses—language in employment contracts that prevents departed employees from working for competitors after a set period of time.  The ruling not only bans new noncompete clauses from being signed, but would void existing ones—however, there is an exception to noncompete clauses… …more

Power Brokers, One-on-One: Part 1

Editor’s Note: The Top 1,000 brokerage firms for the 2024 Power Broker Report ranked by sales volume and transactions are available to Premier members here. The Power Broker interviews interviews feature heads and leaders within some of the top brokerages of the list sharing their insights for success in real estate. Check back soon for… …more

Legacy Portals Will Be “Stressed” by NAR Settlement, CoStar CEO Claims

Pushing forward with his own unique take on portal monetization, CoStar CEO Andy Florance said on a recent earnings call he believes incumbents like Zillow, realtor.com® and Redfin are facing major headwinds from changes agreed to by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as part of a recent lawsuit settlement. “With recent seismic legal settlements… …more

@properties and Realty ONE Group Settle Commission Lawsuits

The parent company of @properties and Christie’s International Real Estate today became the latest brokerage to settle seller commission lawsuits, according to court filings, and also the first independent to do so. At the same time, Realty ONE Group indicated it had reached an agreement to end litigation by sellers. The @properties and Christie’s International… …more

Percy.AI Appoints Lisa Larson as Chief Strategy Officer

Percy.ai—a leader in data intelligence and fintech marketing for the real estate and mortgage sectors—has announced the appointment of Lisa Larson as its new Chief Strategy Officer. With over two decades of expertise in real estate property technology across North America, Larson will spearhead the development of AI and Machine Learning strategies and manage the… …more

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Announces Renewal of Atlanta Brokerage

Above, Kevin Levent Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC announced today the 10-year renewal of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1979, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate stated that Metro Brokers has expanded to 27 locations and more than 2,400 real estate agents. In 2023, under the… …more

RE/MAX Predicts Healthy Homebuying Summer as Inventory Grows

  RE/MAX has published its latest housing report, offering key market insights on both a national level and among key metro areas. Key details: Home sales increased 21.6% month over month, from February to March 2024. However, this is a noticeably smaller increase in sales than in March 2023 (37.7%) and March 2022 (33.2%). The… …more

Webinar Recap: How to Diversify Strategies to Break Barriers and Expand Business in a Post-Burnett World

In the latest RISMedia webinar—“How to Diversify Strategies That Break Barriers and Expand Business in a Post-Burnett World”—high-level industry leaders discuss how the real estate industry can and must change after the class-action commission lawsuits. The webinar was moderated by Charlie Oppler, CEO of Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty and former National Association of REALTORS®… …more

Social Skills: What’s Up With WhatsApp Business? 3 Ways This App Can Help You Connect With Clients

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. It’s 2024, and today’s buyers and sellers are a mobile-first demographic, always looking to their phones to research, explore and connect. Communicating with your clients effectively can make… …more

Unlocking Success: 5 Key Habits of Profitable Real Estate Agents in 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate, success is not merely a matter of chance but a product of deliberate habits and strategies. Having assisted hundreds of real estate businesses with bookkeeping and taxes services this quarter alone, Brandon Green and his team at Alchemy of Money, a leading financial services firm catering exclusively to… …more

NAR Settlement Receives Preliminary Approval, Faces Further Scrutiny

A federal judge today promptly issued preliminary approval to the landmark settlement agreement struck last month between the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and a class of recent homesellers, a major, if expected step toward finalizing a deal that will see NAR pay $418 million and make major changes to policies and practice. Judge Stephen… …more

New-Home Sales Jump in March

As mortgage rates rose back up to the 7% range last week and home prices remain elevated, market signs don’t necessarily point to significant improvement anytime soon. Despite the challenges, however, new-home sales continue to fight through—posting a strong rise in March. New-home sales rose 8.8% in March to a rate of 693,000, up 8.3%… …more

2024 Rookie of the Year Nominations to Open May 1

After two years of incredible industry response—and an expansion to honor not just a national winner but five regional winners and 20 runners-up—RISMedia’s third annual Real Estate Rookie of the Year contest opens for nominations on May 1. A program designed to honor real estate agents who are new to the business yet achieving extraordinary… …more

Stellar MLS CEO Stands Tall as Industry Faces Tough Questions Post-Settlement

Compensation is being removed from the MLS, and buyer agents will be required to sign written agreements with clients. Those changes affect everyone, but not everyone is reacting, adapting or preparing for them in the same way. With how local real estate remains, the path forward will depend on who you are following. Merri Jo… …more

The Real Estate Agent Pledge: The Jason Mitchell Group’s Commitment to Transactional Transparency and Fairness

In a profession built on trust, integrity, and fairness, a new initiative is emerging to raise the bar for real estate professionals nationwide. The Jason Mitchell Group (JMG) has announced the launch of The Real Estate Agent Pledge—a transformative movement aimed at promoting transparency and fairness in every real estate transaction. The Real Estate Agent… …more