The recent press release for a 20-member team leaving one national brokerage to align with another was fairly boilerplate; the kind of update that is quickly reabsorbed into the churn of a news cycle. But sometimes there is a story within the story. Sandra Rathe, leader of The Sandra Rathe Team, took RISMedia behind the…
It was April of 2025 that portal behemoth Zillow announced its “listing access standards,” taking a hard stance against so-called “selective access” to listings. As some brokerages—most notably Compass—pushed for “private exclusive” marketing plans, Zillow argued that properties for sale should be listed everywhere. Just under a year later, the company has joined what has…
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…
For most experienced residential real estate agents, it’s no longer same-old, same-old when it comes to getting clients into homes. In a market shifting due to affordability issues, along with hopeful first-timers viewing a property they would occupy, you might also be facing stern-faced investors with iPads. Or you might not see them at all…
Listen up. Literally! Sounds can indicate that there’s an issue with the health of a house, whether it’s the seller client who owns it or the buyer client taking a look-see. As a residential real estate sales professional, you will get to see (and hear) more homes than anyone, thus exposing your ears to the…
Above, the Ben Affleck/Jennifer Lopez estate for sale, and luxury agent Shauna Walters If there was one thing Ben Affleck and J.Lo knew for sure when they moved into their $60 million, 38,000-square-foot love nest back in 2022, it was that neither would ever have to wait to use the bathroom. How could they, considering…