This is the best city for first-time buyers, according to Zillow

First-time homebuyers made up half of all homebuyers in St. Louis in 2023, according to Zillow. That’s the highest share the city has seen since at least 2017. Continue reading

The Detroit Lions loss is nothing next to its lowball appraisals

A housing battle is raging in Detroit, writes Lee Davenport. Lowball home values cut into homeowner equity and exclude residents from resources and opportunities. Continue reading

RealScout closes 2021 with new Buyer Graph in Detroit

Nine Detroit brokerages have partnered to launch the Buyer Graph, which hosts real-time anonymized buyer data and habits, and climate risk data. RealScout now has 17 Buyer Graphs nationwide. Continue reading

Fake landlord and deed fraud scams plague Detroit buyers and renters

Mortgage lenders are cautious about extending credit and home prices are so low that most deals are for cash, putting buyers at greater risk. Continue reading

How indie brokers can compete with the giants using technology

At Inman Connect Las Vegas, a pair of successful brokers advised indies to focus on tech integration and to not let their solutions get too complicated. Continue reading

Branding, hiring, tech and culture: Navigating an expansion as a broker

Leaders who want to grow into new regions need to figure out how to export their culture — and where the most fruitful markets might be — brokers said at Inman Connect Las Vegas. Continue reading

@Properties CEO on franchise biz: We’re coming for the big markets

In an interview ahead of Inman Connect Las Vegas, Thad Wong said blockchain will become part of the real estate transaction, and franchising will help smaller players survive. Continue reading

@properties scores its biggest franchise yet

Plat Collective in Indianapolis will be the Chicago-based brokerage’s fourth franchise. The firm has 114 agents and is on track to do $650 million in sales volume this year. Continue reading

Dallas @properties franchise nabs high-profile Compass agent

Piper Young spent more than three years at Compass, but said she ultimately jumped to @properties thanks to its technology and culture. Continue reading