Another large brokerage settled a lawsuit over buyer agents’ commissions, but NAR will continue the fight for “pro-competitive local MLS broker marketplaces.” CHICAGO – A second defendant in the two class-action lawsuits challenging real estate compensation fees reportedly has reached a settlement with the plaintiffs. RE/MAX, one of several large brokerages named in the suits, … Read more
About 300K Fla. homeowners with Citizens – Fla.’s “insurer of last resort” – will receive a letter that automatically transfers them to a private insurer if they don’t respond. MIAMI – A warning to Floridians with Citizens Property Insurance coverage: Check your mailbox. About 300,000 customers of the state-run insurer of last resort are receiving … Read more
To secure a home, some U.S. buyers still agree to make up the difference when a mortgage appraisal comes in at less than the contract price – an often risky move. NEW YORK – Some buyers looking for a luxury home in a competitive market waive the so-called appraisal gap to entice a seller to … Read more
It’s almost mandatory to answer a negative review, but it’s almost as important to thank positive reviewers to build an audience and encourage more comments. NEW YORK – It’s important for real estate professionals to respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. The latter give agents a chance to address concerns that may impact … Read more
Investors face the same problems as first-time buyers: low inventory and high mortgage rates. Dollar volume was down 42%, as investing in Jacksonville dropped 65%. SEATTLE – Investor home purchases fell 45% year-to-year in the second quarter, outpacing the 31% drop in overall home sales, according to a Redfin report. It’s the second-biggest decline since … Read more
An RE website with tons of local information rises to the top in search engine rankings (SEO). To do that, link to individual web pages via a local-directory page. EDGARTOWN, Mass. – To form customer connections, agents must build trust and relationships by forming connections with customers. To this end, agents can turn to location-specific … Read more
Of all homes buyers could consider in the second quarter, 31.4% were new construction – the highest 2Q percentage on record. Pre-pandemic it was 17%. SEATTLE – Newly built homes made up nearly one-third (31.4%) of all single-family home listings on the market nationwide in the second quarter, according to a report from Redfin, the … Read more
The size of an email list mirrors the return on investment. To create positive vibes and build relationships, add a mea culpa email that corrects an earlier mistake. NEW YORK – Real estate agents can keep in touch with clients and contacts, produce leads and build brands through a well-crafted email newsletter – but only … Read more
Agents work hard to set themselves apart from the crowd, and an easy-to-recognize brand uses logos, colors, graphics and styles across all marketing platforms. NEW YORK – Real estate brands can stand out through a strong, well-designed visual identity. Visual identity is an inclusive look for your brand that extends to all produce. It includes … Read more
A very general rule of thumb: Half an agent’s income should come from representing sellers. If that’s not you, here are things to consider. NEW YORK – Real estate professionals should ensure that at least half their business comes from listings. Obstacles they may face include: Insufficient market knowledge: When working with listings, agents need … Read more
© 2025 Galleria International Realty
