CoStar to spend a billion dollars on marketing in fight for portal crown

The company plans to advertise during the Super Bowl and other major cultural events in what it describes as the “biggest marketing campaign in real estate history.” Continue reading

Mortgage rates lead to biggest pending sales drop since October

Rising interest rates and harsh winter weather have dampened homebuyer activity, leading to the biggest drop in pending sales since October. However, there’s optimism for a rebound as spring approaches, fueled by increasing home tours and new listings. Continue reading

Luxury prices and cash buyers hit a new high to close out 2023

Strategic migration, low inventory and a demand for larger spaces have also contributed to rising luxury prices, agents told Inman, depending on the specific market. Continue reading

Homebuyer purchasing power rises by $40K since October rate surge

A buyer with a monthly budget of $3,000 can now purchase a home worth approximately $453,000 — up from $416,000 in October when mortgage rates reached a record of 7.8 percent, according to Redfin. Continue reading

Compass CEO Robert Reffkin comes out in favor of Homes.com

On Thursday, in conversation with Brad Inman at ICNY, Reffkin weighed in on the portal wars, predicted an improved market in 2024 and revealed he takes public transit around New York. Continue reading

Broker Public Portal appoints former RE/MAX exec as CEO

Dan Troup will lead a company founded by brokerages and MLSs, which aims to build an alternative to big portals such as Zillow and Realtor.com. Continue reading

Declining mortgage rates bring new-year market thaw: Redfin

The mortgage lock-in effect that plunged the 2023 housing market into a deep freeze has finally started to thaw, according to a new Redfin market report published on Thursday. Continue reading

Rent falls for 3rd straight month, thanks to new inventory

The median asking rent fell 0.8 percent year over year during the last month of 2023, according to a new report by Redfin, which attributes the fall to an increase in supply. Continue reading