Monthly Archives: May 2021

Pulse: What’s your top tip for investors?

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This week, we’re asking our readers: What should investors purchasing new properties know right now? How are you guiding them and setting them up for success in today’s market? Continue reading →

7 crazy critter encounters in real estate — and what to do about them

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Stumbling across snakes, raccoons, coyotes and other wild animals during a showing isn’t ideal — and oftentimes, it can even ruin a deal. Here are some steps to take (and the appropriate disclosures to make) when it comes to unwanted critters. Continue reading →

Bright MLS cracks down on abuse of pocket listing rule

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A representative for the nation’s second-largest multiple listing service said that the “vast majority” of Clear Cooperation Policy complaints turn out not to be in violation. Continue reading →

Guild Mortgage acquires foothold in the Northeast

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After going public last fall, Guild Mortgage is expanding its footprint into the Northeast with an agreement to acquire South Portland, Maine-based Residential Mortgage Services Holdings Inc. for roughly $197 million. Continue reading →

Opendoor bounces back in first quarter after pandemic-driven downturn

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The beginning of 2021 was better for the iBuyer than the end of 2020, though it still has a ways to go before reaching its pre-pandemic strength. Continue reading →

Zillow vs. realtor.com: Mike DelPrete on their battle

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It appears that Zillow’s longstanding traffic lead over realtor.com is diminishing. It’s insignificant in terms of competitive advantage and revenue uplift — and might simply be an artifact of pandemic browsing patterns — but it does reveal a deeper tr… Continue reading →

Better is the latest mortgage company to go public

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The parent company of Better Mortgage is going public through a merger with a blank-check firm, raising $778 million it can use to grow not only its mortgage business but also its real estate brokerage and title insurance businesses. Continue reading →

NAR: ‘The MLS is under attack’

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Lawsuits alleging that NAR rules regarding multiple listing services prop up commissions that inflate buyer and seller costs keep proliferating. Continue reading →

‘Lumber truthers’ question veracity of shortage through social media

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Despite lumber shortage data that’s been released for consecutive months by industry associations, including the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of Home Builders, lumber-shortage truthers have taken to social media to disp… Continue reading →

Keller Williams sees rising agent count, sales volume amid hot market in Q1

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KW agents closed 272,688 transactions and did $98.1 billion in volume between January and March. The company also now has 180,376 agents across the world. What other insights into the company’s fortunes does the report reveal? Continue reading →