Most real estate professionals all have that one thing they absolutely don't want to do: public speaking, door-knocking, networking. The reality is that not partaking in certain aspects of the business could be costing you money or keeping you from reaching your full potential in the business.

Anthony Iannarino emphasizes the importance of perseverance in achieving success, highlighting common reasons people give up too soon, such as fear of failure and external opinions. Key strategies include maintaining patience, consistently prospecting and delivering value to build trust, while recognizing the risks of giving up such as damaged status and missed opportunities.

David Brock highlights the significance of understanding customers' personal objectives alongside their business goals to drive successful decision-making. While business objectives are often articulated in professional terms, underlying personal motivations such as job security, promotions or work-life balance also play a crucial role.

This week marks the fifth consecutive week for mortgage rate increases.

New York City's property market is showing positive signs, with values projected to rise 5.7% to $1.6 trillion in the fiscal year starting July 1, according to a tentative Department of Finance assessment. Meanwhile, coops, condos and rental apartment buildings are expected to see a 7.3% increase.

La Jolla dominated the San Diego luxury home market in 2024, with two $35 million sales tying for the year's highest. One sale was the 30-acre Foxhill Estate, and the other was a large residential land parcel on La Jolla Shores Drive. "They have discovered La Jolla," real estate professional Ross Clark says of affluent buyers, noting a shift in preference from Los Angeles.

Brendan Wallace, CEO of Fifth Wall, points to signs of a proptech resurgence, including ServiceTitan's $9 billion initial public offering, CBRE's acquisition of Industrious and Fifth Wall's launch of a new fund. Wallace says that while proptech suffered from excessive investment and high-profile failures, surviving companies have emerged with better business models.

Companies should reinforce their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion despite shifting political and legal landscapes, writes Tope Ajala, Ogilvy's global head of diversity, equity and inclusion. Ajala urges leaders to embed DEI as a core value system, not a reaction to changing trends.

Whether he was advocating for the industry or spotlighting community needs, 2002 NAR President Martin Edwards brought deep conviction—and stamina—to his work.

The Los Angeles City Council has proposed a motion to prevent landlords from raising rents or evicting people affected by recent wildfires for one year, aiming to counteract potential price-gouging and protect vulnerable renters. The proposal comes in response to an estimated 12,000 structures being destroyed by fires, which is expected to increase demand for rental properties in an already strained housing market.

Alaska is considering a state-run flood insurance program to address inadequacies in federal coverage and the increasing frequency of climate change-induced disasters. Republican State Senator Bert Stedman has proposed a bill to create an Alaska Flood Authority, aiming to provide more comprehensive and affordable coverage for homeowners, potentially including certain landslides under the "mudflow" definition. While some insurance experts doubt the state program's ability to offer lower rates than the federally subsidized National Flood Insurance Program, there is growing interest in addressing the lack of landslide insurance options in Alaska's rainy and mountainous regions.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the US, SmartBrief will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20.