What buyers should know about escrow Home buyers want to know what earnest money is and how it relates to the transaction. You can give your clients quick tips on escrow—what it is, how much to offer, and the terms involved—by sharing NAR's latest Consumer Guide. Get all the guides, also available in Spanish, at facts.realtor.
New agents: How to show your value without experience Rookie real estate pros may find it challenging to win over prospects' trust without a business track record to tout. In this episode of the "Drive With NAR" podcast—an oldie but a goodie from 2023—two practitioners in the early stages of their careers explain how they leaned on the visibility and authority of the REALTOR® brand to demonstrate their reliability and readiness for the market. Full Story: REALTOR® Magazine (Jan. 17, 2023)
Boost sales by up to 40% with team selling Team selling can significantly boost sales closing rates by up to 40%, according to insights shared at a recent sales kickoff event, writes Colleen Francis. The strategy involves bringing a colleague, such as a specialist or customer service agent, to sales meetings to enhance the pitch and close more deals. Full Story: Engage Selling (2/10)
How to shift sales pitch from personality to competence Sales is not about matching prospects' personalities or trying to be friends; instead, it is about showing them how you can solve their problems, writes sales consultant and author Ari Galper. He discusses how to shift from a personality-based sales approach to a problem-centric approach and establish trust by demonstrating competence. Full Story: Advisor Perspectives (2/11)
Real Estate Trends
Navigating HOA rules: Considerations for real estate agents, buyers and sellers The number of homes that fall under a homeowners association is rapidly growing, and real estate professionals play an important role in educating their clients about the pros and cons of HOAs. This guide for practitioners covers the nuances of how HOAs can affect transactions. Full Story: REALTOR® Magazine (11/14)
The Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia is celebrating its 75th anniversary, highlighting the evolution of interior design from residential decor to a multifaceted discipline that addresses functionality, safety and sustainability. Interior designers today play a crucial role in creating spaces that enhance productivity and well-being, adapting to trends such as hybrid work models and higher-density housing. Full Story: REMI Network (2/11)
CRE lending to increase this year, group says The Mortgage Bankers Association forecasts a 16% increase in commercial and multifamily mortgage lending for 2025, reaching $583 billion. Multifamily lending is expected to grow to $361 billion. "There are still plenty of challenges in commercial real estate, but there are also signs of stabilization," said Mike Fratantoni, the organization's chief economist. Full Story: Connect CRE (2/11)
Technology & Innovations
How to integrate AI agents as co-workers Organizations are beginning to integrate AI agents as co-workers, not just tools, creating a hybrid workforce. This shift—driven by advances in natural language processing and large language models—requires leaders to rethink workflows and balance the strengths of human and AI workers. Key challenges include building trust, matching capabilities, enabling scalability and redefining cultural fit. Full Story: MSN/Fortune (2/7)
Fair & Equitable Housing
Aging population drives need for more older-adult housing The senior housing market is expected to rebound as baby boomers reach 80, with the population of those 80 and older projected to rise by more than 4 million by 2030. However, facility development has lagged, creating a potential shortage of units by 2030, according to the NIC MAP data service. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (2/11)
Legislation & Regulation
Consumer sentiment falls to 7-month low on inflation fears Consumer sentiment in the U.S. unexpectedly fell to a seven-month low in February, with inflation expectations rising sharply. The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to 67.8 from 71.1 in January, reflecting concerns about the potential impact of tariffs on purchasing power. The decline was widespread across age, wealth, and political groups, with expectations for personal finances reaching their lowest point since October 2023. Full Story: Reuters (2/7)
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The National Association of REALTORS® is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. REALTOR® Magazine is the official magazine of NAR, bringing expert insight to real estate trends, tools, and business strategies.
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