this Week in Real Estate

It's our biggest show of the year—our Prediction Special! We're taking a look back at last year's bold predictions to see how accurate (or hilariously wrong) they were. From NAR's optimistic forecasts of home sales surges to Goldman Sachs' predictions for price growth, we'll compare the major market forecasts to the realities of 2024.

Then, we'll dive into the latest housing market predictions for 2025 from the industry's top analysts, including Zillow, CoreLogic, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and more. What's the consensus on home prices, sales, and mortgage rates? Will the market crash? Is this the end of affordable housing? We'll discuss the key trends that could shape the year ahead, including:

NAR's 2025 forecast of a 9% sales increase.

Goldman Sachs' expectation of 4%+ home price growth.

CoreLogic's take on regional price surges.

Zillow's design trend predictions and market outlook.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's mortgage rate forecasts.

Realtor.com's affordability concerns.

BAM's challenges for agents in 2025.

Finally, we'll make our own bold predictions for 2025, tackling questions like:

Will housing become even more unaffordable?

Are we headed for a market correction or crash?

Which regions will thrive, and which will struggle?

Join us live at 10 PST / 1 EST for sharp analysis, lively discussion, and a fun look at what the future holds for real estate. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and don't miss this year-end event!

This week, the real estate industry faces intense scrutiny and significant changes. Oren and Tal Alexander were arrested alongside their brother in Miami following sexual assault allegations, casting a shadow on their careers as prominent real estate stars. Meanwhile, Realty One Group makes headlines by allowing Phoenix-area agents to leave NAR, signaling a shift in industry affiliation.

In legal news, Move's 'fake leads' lawsuit has been transferred to federal court, while the embattled sale-leaseback platform EasyKnock has shut its doors, leaving investors and clients in the lurch. And in a surprising twist, Jason Oppenheim has been identified as the mystery broker at the center of a kickback plot.

On the market front, mortgage refinance demand has surged 27% as rates dropped for the third consecutive week, and buyers are becoming more active, with house tours and mortgage applications picking up as we head into the year's final stretch. However, the Florida market is facing a looming 'condo cliff' crisis, as fallout from the 2021 Surfside collapse prompts stricter regulations.

Additionally, we'll explore what you need to know about the new Federal Flood Risk Management System, how 2024 local election results highlight voters' willingness to spend big on affordable housing, and the truth about traffic—what's driving clicks, leads, and sales in real estate marketing.

Join us today at 10 PST / 1 EST for sharp analysis and unfiltered discussion. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join us live on Clubhouse to weigh in on these critical topics.

This week, we're breaking down the latest headlines shaping the housing market. Compass is making waves with its acquisition of @properties Christie's International Real Estate, signaling a bold expansion strategy. Meanwhile, a judge has approved the NAR settlement in the Sitzer/Burnett case, a decision that could reshape commission practices across the industry.

Despite high mortgage rates, early-stage homebuying demand has surged to its highest level in 15 months, with contract signings and pending home sales jumping thanks to a post-election boost in home tours. Mortgage rates dipped to their lowest level in over a month, spurring a 6% increase in homebuyer mortgage demand—is the market finding its momentum?

We'll also discuss how investor home purchases are leveling off after the pandemic's wild market ride, and dive into the story of a tiny home with a garage selling out on Amazon after Black Friday buzz, highlighting the growing interest in alternative housing solutions.

Join us today at 10 PST / 1 EST as we break down these key trends and their implications for buyers, sellers, and agents. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join the live conversation on Clubhouse!

This week, we uncover the hottest stories shaping real estate trends across the country. Inside the National Realtors Group, reports of chauffeured cars and Broadway tickets are raising eyebrows—what does this mean for the industry's reputation? Despite higher interest rates, weekly mortgage demand ticked up, signaling renewed buyer activity. Could this be a sign of recovery?

We'll also explore the growing influence of safety, climate, and affordability concerns on the housing market. 18% of home hunters are moving due to safety or crime concerns, while 14% cite climate risks. Meanwhile, for the first time in a decade, homes in areas with low natural disaster risk are rising in value faster than those in high-risk zones.

In Florida, home sales are sinking amid hurricane recovery and soaring HOA and insurance costs, while U.S. home prices rose 0.5% in October, marking a full year of consistent growth. At the same time, affordability remains a crisis—nearly 25% of people earning under $50,000 have skipped meals to make housing payments.

On a brighter note, existing home sales posted their biggest increase in nearly three years, and home tours and mortgage locks are bouncing back post-election. Could this be the market's turning point? We'll also take a way-too-early look at what Trump's re-election could mean for housing and why 22% of Americans are more likely to move now that the election is over, with many considering a different country or state.

Finally, we dive into the phenomenon of 1 in 3 young adults still living with their parents—what does this mean for the housing market's future?

Join us today at 10 PST / 1 EST for sharp insights and candid conversation. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join the live discussion on Clubhouse!

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This week's episode dives deep into the major developments shaping the housing market and the real estate industry. Compass CEO Robert Reffkin has made a bold statement, claiming Zillow could become the national MLS—is this the future of real estate? Meanwhile, Q3 earnings reports are illuminating the early impact of NAR's commission rule changes, raising questions about how these shifts will reshape agent income.

Legal challenges remain front and center, as a law professor warns that an 'unconstitutional' court order could derail NAR's settlement deals on appeal. Plus, Anthony Hitt is stepping down as CEO of Engel & Völkers Americas—what's next for this luxury real estate giant?

In market news, mortgage demand has stalled, and pending home sales held steady leading up to the election, despite mortgage rates hovering near 7%. Experts predict rates will remain elevated and volatile as financial markets digest the Trump presidency and its implications for the economy. Speaking of politics, we'll explore how Trump's mass deportation plan could impact immigrant workers and the housing market, and why America's toughest housing markets are trending red.

On the rental side, national rents remained flat in October, but East Coast and Midwest metros are seeing sharp increases. Finally, we'll look ahead as Zillow predicts which design trends will dominate in 2025.

Join us today at 10 PST / 1 EST as we break down these critical topics and their implications for buyers, sellers, and agents. Don't forget to subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join the live conversation on Clubhouse!

This week, we dive into the headlines dominating real estate and what they mean for agents, clients, and the market as a whole. Election anxiety is running high, and both agents and clients are feeling the tension as loose talk about housing policies impacts decision-making. A recent survey reveals that 38% of early voters say housing affordability influenced their presidential pick—what does this say about the intersection of housing and politics?

In legal news, objections are piling up against NAR and HomeServices settlement deals, while a judge has granted final approval to nine commission lawsuit settlements, potentially reshaping the industry. Meanwhile, real estate commissions have surprisingly held steady, even after new rules were implemented. Plus, Ryan Serhant scored a win in court against KW Black Label in a recruitment dispute.

On the market side, mortgage rates remain a hot topic. Despite a weak jobs report, they're expected to fall slightly, but buyers are still reeling—mortgage demand has dropped 11% this week, and buyers have lost $33,000 in purchasing power in just six weeks. With the average age of first-time homebuyers hitting an all-time high of 38, what does this shift mean for the market?

We'll also discuss the growth of renter households, now expanding three times faster than homeowners, and why more people are turning to cash-out refinances amid financial uncertainty. Plus, with 28% of houses for sale being newly built, the lowest share in three years, how will this affect inventory challenges?

Finally, we tackle the big question: What would a Trump presidency mean for housing? With policies likely to differ dramatically from the current administration, we explore the potential impacts on affordability, rates, and homeownership.

Join us today at 10 PST / 1 EST for sharp analysis and candid conversation. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join us live on Clubhouse!

This week, we dive into some of the biggest stories reshaping the real estate landscape. The Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) is making waves, urging NAR to maintain the controversial Clear Cooperation policy in a new letter, claiming that weakening it could harm the integrity of the housing market. However, some local associations are still pushing back, challenging the policy as unnecessary and restrictive.

We'll also cover Pacific Sotheby's International Realty's recent partnership with Rechat, a move that brings cutting-edge tech to streamline agent workflows. Meanwhile, Real Brokerage's RISE announcements signal strategic growth—what will this mean for agents and clients?

Despite mortgage rates rising again, pending home sales jumped 2.5% in September, marking the biggest monthly increase in over a year and a half. However, first-time buyers are still facing significant challenges with 30 renters for every home for sale in today's supply-constrained market.

Home prices grew by 0.5% in September, the fastest pace since April, reflecting continued demand despite affordability pressures. As we look to 2025, new surveys highlight buyer and seller expectations and reveal that nearly a quarter of first-time buyers are delaying their purchases until after the election. Will political uncertainty drive even more market hesitation?

Join us today as we break down these key developments!

This week, we explore the major shifts and controversies shaping the real estate industry. We kick things off with NAR's Clear Cooperation policy under attack—some agents claim it's giving big brokerages a competitive edge, while others say dismantling it could harm both agents and consumers. One local association is outright rejecting the policy, intensifying the debate. Meanwhile, a survey reveals that 55% of agents now see MLS value declining post-NAR settlement, raising concerns about the future of cooperation in the market.

We also dive into Side's legal battle with the Alexander brothers over alleged contract breaches. On the market front, mortgage demand dropped 17% this week as rates hit their highest point since August, leaving buyers on edge. Interestingly, nearly 25% of first-time homebuyers plan to delay purchases until after the election, adding more uncertainty to an already tense market.

We'll also look at a new survey showing that 42% of homeowners favor Trump for maintaining home values, while 35% believe Kamala Harris would do better. Meanwhile, renters are almost twice as likely as homeowners to say housing affordability will affect their vote—what will this mean for the upcoming election?

Despite warmer-than-expected inflation, mortgage rates are unlikely to drop significantly. Yet, there's good news: Pending home sales posted their biggest jump since 2021, signaling renewed buyer activity.

Join us today. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join the conversation live on Clubhouse!

On today's episode, we tackle some of the biggest stories shaking up the real estate world. NextHome CEO James Dwiggins is taking a stand, addressing critics of NAR's Clear Cooperation policy—how will his comments reshape the debate? Meanwhile, eXp Realty has agreed to a massive $34 million settlement to resolve antitrust commission lawsuits. What impact will this have on the industry?

Additionally, the commission suit against Howard Hanna and an MLS has been tossed out on its merits, providing a significant legal victory in a time of increasing scrutiny on commissions. We'll also dive into Realtor.com's new legal battle, claiming that a former editor violated federal law—what does this mean for real estate media?

As we look ahead to 2024, we explore what homebuyers are expecting from real estate agents. With the role of agents constantly evolving, what do buyers want in today's fast-changing market?

In broader housing news, nearly one-third of young adults say Hurricane Helene has influenced their decision on where to live, and September marked a major turning point for demand as pending home sales leveled off after nine months of declines. Tours hit their highest levels since April, showing a possible market revival.

However, mortgage rates have jumped following a strong jobs report, though consumer sentiment is at a 30-month high. Optimism about mortgage rates is growing, but will that translate into a housing market rebound?

Join us today as we break down these critical stories and more. Subscribe, hit the bell for notifications, and join the live discussion on Clubhouse.

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.