Nearly a third of income gobbled up by monthly mortgage payments now

The share of income required to afford a mortgage has risen to 30.2 percent, well above the established norm of 22.8 percent of a homeowner’s income, according to an analysis by Zillow released Thursday. Continue reading

Level up! Grow your skills this fall with designations and certifications

If you are looking to niche down your business and learn to be an expert, there is a designation or certification out there to help support your education. Rachael Hite breaks down your options so that you can fast-forward your professional development. Continue reading

Task-driven ListedKit is the everyday agent’s transaction app: Tech Review

ListedKit is the type of lightweight, sign-up-and-go software that targets individual agents, teams and smaller, fast-moving brokerages that appeals to the heart of good deal flow. Continue reading

First Community Mortgage announces ‘major’ expansion

FCM lures talent from PrimeLending and invests in technology and diversity to fuel growth as mortgage rates force many lenders to downsize. Continue reading

Top Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices team goes indie

The 15-agent Ivan Sher Group will now be known as IS LUXURY and has become a member of the Forbes Global Properties network. Continue reading

Judge orders Zillow to give REX FSBO listing data

Federal court in Seattle grants the discount brokerage’s motion to compel on the grounds that the data could show whether Zillow and NAR caused harm to REX or to competition in general. Continue reading

Should homeowners sell a storm-damaged home?

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, it can be difficult to know what to do to recover. Should you or your client sell a storm-damaged home? Naples agent Sue “Pinky” Benson offers helpful advice for the days ahead. Continue reading

Agent Outlook: It’s harder than ever to get into the real estate market

This will go down as one of the most challenging years for non-owners who would like to enter the market to begin building equity. Livian’s Eric Forney offers insight and analysis as you navigate the challenges ahead. Continue reading

Appraisers’ No. 1 complaint about real estate agents: The Real Word

In this week’s episode of The Real Word, hosts Byron Lazine and Nicole White sit down to discuss why appraisers say they have “targets on their backs,” the House Whisperer and this week’s Left, Middle, Right. Continue reading