this Week in Real Estate

In this week’s episode, we dive into a whirlwind of real estate news, starting with REcolorado’s big move to cut ties with Realtor organizations after being sold to a private buyer. What impact will this have on the MLS landscape? We also cover NAR’s standoff over its controversial Clear Cooperation policy, as revealed by an eye-opening Inman survey. And in breaking news, NAR’s Chief Legal Officer Katie Johnson is stepping down—what does this mean for the future of the organization?

A law professor is shaking things up with a contract designed specifically with buyers' interests in mind—could this change the way we negotiate home purchases? And good news for first-time buyers: buying a starter home is now cheaper than it was a year ago! Plus, we’re seeing signs of market activity picking up, as mortgage demand shoots up and home tours hit their highest levels since May.

However, don’t get too comfortable—mortgage rates are unlikely to drop much further, even with the Fed’s upcoming rate cuts. Meanwhile, refinance demand has taken a step back after a minor bump in rates. With only 2.5% of U.S. homes changing hands this year—the lowest in decades—what does this signal for the market?

We’ll also explore why newly built apartments are filling up, but at a slower pace, and why asking rents for new units have dropped 6%, their lowest since 2022. Finally, Walmart is making headlines with a groundbreaking 8,000-square-foot building for 3D printing. Could this be a game-changer for construction? 

Join us for an in-depth look at these stories and more. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and be part of the live discussion on Clubhouse.

This week, we’re excited to be joined live by Skap, Matt, and Michele for a lively discussion on the hottest real estate headlines. We’ll kick off with a debate on NAR’s new consumer guides, which have sparked controversy among agents nationwide. And, Ryan Serhant’s latest tech rollout, S.MPLE, promises to streamline workflows for agents—how will this new platform impact real estate professionals?

In legal news, Compass CEO Robert Reffkin is making waves, claiming NAR’s Clear Cooperation policy violates ethics codes and state laws. Meanwhile, Move’s data-theft lawsuit against CoStar hits a major roadblock, putting a spotlight on the tensions between these two giants. We’ll also unpack the Move class-action lawsuit, which is shining an uncomfortable light on the world of paid leads.

On the market side, half of all home listings are now going stale, sitting unsold for 60 days or more. But there’s a glimmer of hope—buying a home has just become more affordable for the first time since 2020. Could this be the beginning of a market shift? We’ll also cover Fannie Mae’s prediction that 2024 could be the worst year for home sales since 1995—what does this mean for buyers and sellers? And with mortgage applications rising just 1% this week, the market remains in a delicate balance.

Plus, we’ll dive into AI-driven real estate fraud as a South Florida man shares his near-miss experience with this emerging scam. Finally, Realtor.com’s new feature promises to answer the burning question on every buyer’s mind: "Is This the Best Deal on the Street?"

With key insights from our special guests, this episode is one you don’t want to miss. Tune in today at 10 PST / 1 EST and join the conversation live on Clubhouse!

This week, we’re diving into the hottest headlines rocking the real estate world! Support for NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy is plummeting as the pressure around pocket listings intensifies. Mauricio Umansky is even threatening to sue NAR over these growing concerns, signaling a major showdown in the industry. Meanwhile, the "Portal Wars" are heating up, with $1 billion in advertising driving massive competition among real estate portals—what does this mean for buyers, sellers, and agents?

We also explore shocking allegations in a former NAR employee’s amended complaint, which details claims of discrimination and sexual harassment within the organization. And in a surprising turn of events, the owner of the infamous 'Billionaire Bunker' mansion is suing their realtor for not disclosing that Jeff Bezos was the buyer—what legal ramifications could this hold?

Plus, we take a look at the latest real estate scams, including "The Wolf of West Virginia"—a TikTok scam targeting unsuspecting buyers. On the tech side, Zillow is stepping up with an AI-powered home search that could render traditional filters obsolete. How will this change the way we shop for homes?

In economic news, the Fed is poised for its first rate cut in years after a hotter-than-expected CPI report. However, is it too soon to refinance your mortgage? Mortgage rates are falling, making housing payments more affordable than they were a year ago despite higher home prices. We’ll also cover the falling demand for second-home mortgages, which has hit an eight-year low, and what that signals for the luxury market.

U.S. home prices rose by 0.5% in August, the largest increase in four months, while home listings are surging by over 60% in some cities. But despite builder sentiment improving as rates fall, affordability challenges persist, with existing home and pending sales at their lowest levels since the pandemic. What does all this mean for the future of the market?

Tune in for all this and more as we break down the biggest real estate stories of the week. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join us live on Clubhouse!

This week’s episode is packed with hot-button issues shaking the real estate world. Agents are filing lawsuits against Move for allegedly selling “fake leads,” raising major concerns about lead generation practices. Meanwhile, the founder of the Sitzer lawsuit has launched a new startup, charging $49 per home tour—what does this mean for buyers and agents? Homie’s lawsuit against NAR and major brokerages has sparked a potential boycott of listings—how will this disrupt the industry?

We also cover NAR’s bold move to fight the DOJ investigation all the way to the Supreme Court, BrightMLS’ decision to restrict data access, and whether we’re on the verge of a national MLS. Plus, despite falling mortgage rates, home sales remain sluggish as uncertainty around the NAR settlement and the upcoming election keeps buyers on edge.

Mortgage refinance demand has surged 94% from last year as interest rates continue to fall, but what’s behind the increase? And with 6 out of every 7 people locked into a mortgage rate below 6%, we’ll explore how the “lock-in effect” is starting to ease.

On the affordability front, we break down the latest data showing that homebuyers need to earn nearly $80,000 to afford the typical U.S. starter home—just shy of an all-time high. Plus, the typical down payment has skyrocketed to a record $67,500, up 15% from a year ago. We’ll also discuss the Bank of Canada’s latest interest rate cut and how Florida and Texas condo supplies are piling up amid soaring HOA and insurance costs. And finally, find out which five cities have the highest rents for one-bedroom apartments.

Tune in today at 10 PST / 1 EST for all these stories and more. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join us live on Clubhouse for an unfiltered discussion!

Michael Ketchmark says, “We’ll be watching,” as stealth commission offers on lawns and key chains raise red flags across the industry. Meanwhile, NAR settlement class notices are heading to consumers, adding a new layer of transparency. ReAlpha’s “super app” teases commission-free buyer agency—could this be the future of real estate? Plus, we’ll discuss the antitrust lawsuit filed—and then withdrawn—by the Cassina Group against NAR and state Realtor associations.

In leadership news, Nykia Wright has been named the permanent CEO of NAR, bringing fresh direction amid industry shifts. We’ll also break down Kamala Harris’ housing proposals and what her presidency could mean for the market. Home prices are ticking up, and mortgage rates have dropped to the lowest level in over a year, giving buyers a new edge. But what’s behind the drop in weekly mortgage refinance demand? And why are 8.5% of U.S. homes now worth over $1 million?

Don’t miss out on these stories and more! Tune in today at 10 PST / 1 EST for sharp analysis, and join the conversation live on Clubhouse.

In this episode, we tackle the most pressing issues shaping the real estate landscape today. Michigan agents and brokers are taking the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to court, challenging the organization over antitrust concerns stemming from the recent commission settlement. We dive into what this lawsuit means for the industry and its potential ripple effects.

Next, we explore the alarming statistic that 47% of online property inquiries are being ignored. In an era where digital engagement is critical, what does this say about the state of real estate marketing?

We also introduce Zillow Group’s new CEO, Jeremy Wacksman, and discuss his vision for the company amidst a rapidly changing market. Plus, we share Gary Keller’s expert advice on navigating the recession and clearing up commission confusion—essential listening for agents and brokers alike.

In market news, home prices continue to climb in 90% of metros, with Silicon Valley breaking the $2M ceiling. We’ll discuss what’s driving this growth and where the market might be headed next. On the investment front, fix-and-flip loans are going mainstream, attracting more investors into the market. What does this mean for housing availability and prices?

Mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest level in over a year, prompting a surge in house tours. Could this be the sign that the housing market is heating up again? Meanwhile, the U.S. housing market is nearing a staggering $50 trillion in value, with the number of trillion-dollar metros doubling. What are the implications for buyers and sellers?

For renters, there’s some good news: asking rents have fallen across all bedroom counts for the first time in four years. We’ll explore the factors contributing to this shift and whether it’s here to stay. Additionally, we discuss the decline in the share of wood-framed homes in 2023 and what this means for construction trends moving forward.

In political news, we analyze what vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, a non-homeowner, has done for affordable housing. And finally, Amazon’s debut of a trio of tiny homes in response to the home affordability crisis is sparking interest—could this be a viable solution to the housing crunch?

Don’t miss this episode of tWiRE as we break down these critical topics and more. Tune in today at 10 PST / 1 EST. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join the conversation live on Clubhouse.

Join us for today’s episode as we dive into the hottest real estate headlines. Zillow Gone Wild is facing a $300K copyright infringement suit from a real estate photographer, which could shake up the way property photos are used online. Consumer watchdogs are advising buyers to pay agents '2% or less' amidst shifting commission rates, with the typical buyer’s agent now earning 2.55% in commission—a decline since the NAR settlement announcement in March. With the big August 17 deadline approaching, the NAR settlement remains confusing for many, but NAR has rolled out resources to help sellers and buyers navigate these changes. In the past year, 10% of agents have switched brokerages, highlighting industry volatility.

Meanwhile, America’s renter population is growing three times faster than its homeowner population due to rising homebuying costs. Despite lower mortgage rates, pending sales have posted the biggest year-over-year decline in nine months, indicating buyer hesitation. Mortgage rates have plunged to their lowest level in over a year following a weak employment report, spurring a 16% surge in weekly mortgage refinance demand and giving homebuyers nearly $30,000 in extra purchasing power over the past month.

In a surprising twist, nearly 25% of Gen Z house hunters are willing to sacrifice safety to afford a home, according to a Redfin survey. Additionally, thousands more people are moving into fire- and flood-prone areas, driven by migration to states like Texas and Florida.

Tune in today at 10 PST / 1 EST for a deep dive into these stories and more. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join us live on Clubhouse to share your thoughts and be part of the conversation.

Join us for today's episode as we dive into the latest and most critical real estate headlines. Over 10 million home sellers are being targeted in a massive class-action media blitz. We’ll discuss what this means for the industry and those involved. EXP Realty has made a bold move by halting broker-to-broker compensation, but with some notable caveats—what’s the real story? CRMLS is also in the spotlight for removing key concessions details, impacting transparency in listings. The prospective new owner of REcolorado has received a positive response, signaling potential changes ahead.

Redfin's CEO describes the housing market as being in a 'funk,' with homebuyers hesitant due to election uncertainties. Are million-dollar starter homes becoming the new norm? We’ll examine this growing trend. Homeowners insurance premiums surged 21% last year, with experts attributing part of the increase to climate change. High housing costs are reaching record levels, as reported by Harvard University, while luxury home prices have spiked 9% to an all-time high.

In economic news, the first Fed interest rate cut in years may be on the horizon—what should homeowners and buyers expect? The Minneapolis Fed suggests that optimal inflation policy should largely ignore housing, sparking debate among economists. Despite these challenges, the typical homebuyer’s monthly payment has dropped to its lowest level in four months, signaling improved affordability. Finally, we’ll discuss the growing trend of investor regret as real estate purchases hit their lowest point in two years.

Tune in today for all these insights and more. 

This Week in Real Estate, we will talk about CoStar Group's Q2 revenue surged with $55M from Homes.com bookings—what's driving this growth? We’ll untangle the proposed NAR settlement and its ripple effects on appraisals and agent data transparency. Colorado officials just said no to mandatory buyer agreements; we’ll explore what this means for consumers & the settlement. With mortgage rates dipping, typical monthly housing payments are down, but why are house hunters still waiting? Home prices are climbing at their slowest pace since early 2023, yet the median sales price for existing homes just hit a record high. What’s causing this paradox? Summer's seeing a record number of buyers backing out of deals, and nearly two-thirds of listings are stagnating on the market. We'll discuss the latest trends and strategies. Plus, mortgage demand is plummeting as buyers hold out for better rates, and Biden’s rent cap plan is stirring up controversy among housing groups.

Catch all this and more, today!

Join us on this week’s podcast as we dive into the latest real estate headlines making waves across the nation! We’ll discuss the DOJ’s reopening of its investigation into the National Association of Realtors and the new criteria released by the Consumer Watchdog CFA for evaluating home buyer contract forms.

In swing states, the typical homebuyer’s monthly payment has nearly doubled since the last presidential election. Home-sale prices have hit record highs for the ninth straight week, but with rising supply and slow demand, we might see a cooling effect soon. San Francisco's downtown has become a 'ghost town,' according to a mayoral candidate, who calls for its revival.

We’ll also explain the housing market using six insightful charts, and talk about how falling mortgage rates and rising supply are creating opportunities for homebuyers this summer, even amidst record-high prices. Mortgage refinance demand has surged to a two-year high as interest rates drop, yet high rates continue to hold back builder confidence. June marked the highest yearly increase in building material prices since February 2023, adding another layer of complexity to the market.

Additionally, we’ll cover President Biden’s plan to cap rents at 5%, which some argue would deter production and harm affordability. Finally, we’ll reveal America’s 10 best states for buying and selling a home in 2024, with a surprising caveat at the top spot.