Benjamin Franklin famously said that nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. When I saw a recent article by Robert Bork Jr. claiming that the affordability crisis is due to some sort of “Realtor® tax,” I stopped in my tracks. The only Realtor® tax I’m aware of is the 15% self-employment tax I’m […]
There’s no such thing as a Realtor tax: Here’s what they’re missing Read More »
Agent safety in October, and every other month, remains a critical theme. The industry is rightly reminded each fall to take precautions during showings and open houses, and true safety extends well beyond physical well-being. For agents, particularly those navigating the complexities of the rental market, safety increasingly means protection against lawsuits, regulatory violations, and
Safety in real estate extends far beyond the physical Read More »
A quiet change in Texas law this past spring could ignite a crisis in affordable housing – and send a chilling signal to investors nationwide. House Bill 21 (HB 21), passed in May, drastically rewrites the rules for how affordable housing partnerships in Texas qualify for property tax abatements. For years, those abatements have been
The Texas law threatening to break the affordable housing equation Read More »
We have known each other for years and frequently appear on the same panel or podcast. Recently, Mosi has made some points to address some of the challenges of down payment assistance (DPA) programs, and we wanted to share and build on those thoughts because they are major shifts we feel the industry needs to
Stop leaving deals on the table: how lenders can use DPA to win the “missing middle” Read More »
In full transparency: My former Dayton, Ohio real estate team is one of Zillow’s top-performing Flex partners, closing a significant number of Flex deals every month. I understand how the program works — the good, the bad and the fine print. When I read about the new class-action lawsuit accusing Zillow of misleading consumers through
Former Zillow Flex agent on who benefits from Premier agent class action lawsuit Read More »
As the real estate world absorbs the news of Compass’s acquisition of Anywhere — the conglomerate behind some of the industry’s biggest names like Coldwell Banker, Sotheby’s, Century 21 and Corcoran — it’s worth pausing to consider what this means for the rest of us brokerage owners. I’m speaking from the perspective of the boutique,
David vs. Goliath: why the Compass–Anywhere deal is a win for the little guys Read More »
As the federal government shutdown continues, the consequences for the housing market and the broader economy grow more serious by the day. Real estate accounts for nearly 20% of the U.S. economy, touching every community and driving millions of jobs. Each additional day of uncertainty threatens programs that help buyers, sellers, and property owners navigate an
The longer the shutdown continues, the greater the impact on housing Read More »
For generations, the American Dream was synonymous with homeownership — a white picket fence, a backyard and the pride of owning a place to call your own. But today, that dream is undergoing a quiet transformation. With the national median home price now exceeding $426,000, according to NAR, the goal for many Americans has shifted
From rates to reality: why innovative homeownership alternatives matter now Read More »
With the NAR settlement behind us and new rules on professional fees in place, conversations with clients have shifted. MLSs no longer display offers of compensation, and most buyers are signing Buyer Agency Agreements that spell out how their real estate professional will be paid. That means savvy buyers and sellers are asking tougher questions
Elevate your value with clear communication of real estate professional fees Read More »
With the NAR settlement behind us and new rules on professional fees in place, conversations with clients have shifted. MLSs no longer display offers of compensation, and most buyers are signing Buyer Agency Agreements that spell out how their real estate professional will be paid. That means savvy buyers and sellers are asking tougher questions
Elevate your value with clear communication of real estate professional fees Read More »