Treasury releases proposed rule for reporting all-cash luxe sales

Real estate professionals who handle closings and settlements will be required to report information to the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network when an all-cash residential sale is made to shell companies, legal entities and trusts. Continue reading

CoStar takes portal war to YouTube, promises new platform

In three star-studded advertisements for Homes.com that appeared on YouTube over the weekend, the CoStar Group teases a “revolutionized” shopping experience ahead of Super Bowl Sunday. Continue reading

Side CEO urges agents to reject negativity, lean into community

Guy Gal spoke out last week about the challenges of 2023 and the way agents can avoid falling prey to negativity even during tough times. Continue reading

Offerpad PRO, MAX programs center incentives on agents

The company announced the formation of two new tiers of agent collaboration, Offerpad PRO and Offerpad MAX, the latter being an invite-only network for high performers aiming to become long-term referral partners. Continue reading

Long-serving HAR CEO Bob Hale announces his retirement

Hale has been with HAR since the 1970s, racking up a long list of accomplishments and awards along the way. René Galvan will succeed him as president and CEO. Continue reading

Collabra and Bright MLS team to give agents ad tech

Bright MLS subscribers will now get free access to Collabra’s AdBuilder and SphereIndex tools, which can be used within Bright’s platform. Continue reading

LA developer hit with lawsuit for homeless housing Ponzi plot

California attorney general Rob Bonta claimed in a civil lawsuit filed in LA County Superior Court that Shangri-La Industries illegally put developments in the state’s Project Homekey homeless housing program under threat by borrowing against them. Continue reading

Too much too soon? AI is now ‘nearly ubiquitous’ in real estate

As many as 80 percent of agents are using AI to do things like write listing descriptions, but real estate leaders also have concerns about “guardrails” for the tech. Continue reading

Real estate coaches who preyed on Spanish speakers banned by FTC

The Federal Trade Commission has ordered Ganadores Real Estate to refund consumers after making false real estate coaching and mentoring promises. The group charged $28,000 per student and promised six-figure returns. Continue reading