Baby Boomer empty nesters own twice as many three-bedroom or larger homes as millennials with children. Some are looking to downsize but struggling to find suitable housing at comparable price points, leading many to stay in their current homes longer. These shifts in the market present challenges and opportunities for agents. Here are four key…
Above, from left, Lisa O’Brien and Carrie Mellon Arizona real estate agents Lisa O’Brien and Carrie Mellon had never met before that fateful time in 2019, when O’Brien had a seller, Mellon had a cash buyer, and they closed the deal in a record six days. “It was amazing from the beginning how much we…
Government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) Fannie Mae employs an automated Desktop Underwriter (DU) system. Now, with a recent change in policy, lenders will face one less hurdle in giving loans out processed through the system. Previously, the DU system required that a borrower have a minimum credit score of 620 (or a cumulative minimum of 620 for…
Agents have long been told they cannot call FSBOs whose numbers appear on the National Do-Not-Call Registry (DNC). The assumption is that any call is a violation, which is misleading. After reviewing FTC and FCC clarifications, here’s the truth: calling FSBOs on the DNC list is permissible—when done correctly. The DNC rules, under the Telemarketing…
Editor’s note: The COURT REPORT is RISMedia’s weekly look at current and upcoming lawsuits, investigations and other legal developments around real estate. Zillow calls out CoStar media, litigation strategies in lawsuit response In its first substantive arguments in a high-profile lawsuit with CoStar, Zillow again accused its rival of essentially using legal action to advance…
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced that it is suspending the implementation of new energy code compliance for multifamily developers by six months. The compliance will now go into effect on Thursday, May 28, 2026. This new code will set the minimum energy standards for new construction as those defined by…
According to Coldwell Banker’s 2025 American Dream Report, 71% of aspiring homeowners are delaying at least one major life decision—getting married, having children and career changes—until they can afford to buy a home of their own. The numbers reveal that 18% are delaying marriage, 18% having children and 17% changing jobs or careers. More than…
Zillow is facing a second proposed class-action lawsuit in as many months, as lawyers seeking to represent Zillow mortgage customers allege that referrals to Zillow Home Loans are a “coercive scheme,” violating RESPA and other state and federal laws. Filed late last week in federal district court in Washington, the lawsuit adds another angle to…
Independent work plays a significant role in the global economy, especially in the real estate industry in the United States. Protecting the ability of real estate professionals to be classified as independent contractors remains a priority for the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), given that 89% of real estate agents are currently classified as independent…
The LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance has announced the installation of Tommie Wehrle—a Learning Consultant for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate—as the 2026 president. In addition, Richard Woods will serve in 2026 as first vice president and will be the 2027 president. Austin Rowe was elected as the 2026 second vice president (president in 2028)…
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