For generations, the American Dream has been defined by homeownership. But in 2025, that dream is harder to hold onto. Rising mortgage rates, high home prices and the day-to-day cost of living have left many families stretched thin. Even as interest rates show signs of easing, affordability pressures remain, forcing buyers to ask not only, […]
Why is homeownership harder to sustain in 2025? Read More »
We all know that the listing appointment is the Super Bowl for every agent. It’s where all your prospecting, marketing and preparation come together in a single conversation that determines whether you’ll earn the trust of a homeowner or walk out empty-handed. That’s why I created the R.E.A.L. framework — a four-step structure for conducting a powerful listing conversation that leads
The four-step real estate listing framework for more signed agreements Read More »
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future promise in real estate. It’s here, measurable, and rapidly transforming how professionals work. From agents juggling client demands to lenders navigating compliance and efficiency pressures, AI is already proving itself both a pressure valve and a performance accelerator.The stakes are clear: those who embrace AI are gaining
The AI advantage: How real estate industry leaders can get ahead in a digital market Read More »
Benjamin Franklin famously said that nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. When I saw a recent article by Robert Bork Jr. claiming that the affordability crisis is due to some sort of “Realtor® tax,” I stopped in my tracks. The only Realtor® tax I’m aware of is the 15% self-employment tax I’m
There’s no such thing as a Realtor tax: Here’s what they’re missing Read More »
I’ve been involved in federal housing policy for more than 50 years, beginning my career at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the 1970s and later serving on the staff of the U.S. House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs — now the Financial Services Committee — from 1983 to
It’s time for a federal housing policy reset Read More »
A quiet change in Texas law this past spring could ignite a crisis in affordable housing – and send a chilling signal to investors nationwide. House Bill 21 (HB 21), passed in May, drastically rewrites the rules for how affordable housing partnerships in Texas qualify for property tax abatements. For years, those abatements have been
The Texas law threatening to break the affordable housing equation Read More »
Agent safety in October, and every other month, remains a critical theme. The industry is rightly reminded each fall to take precautions during showings and open houses, and true safety extends well beyond physical well-being. For agents, particularly those navigating the complexities of the rental market, safety increasingly means protection against lawsuits, regulatory violations, and
Safety in real estate extends far beyond the physical Read More »
The Trump administration has hinted at declaring a national housing emergency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent floated the idea, and President Trump confirmed it is under consideration. A “federal emergency” sounds dramatic and grabs headlines. But here’s the reality: declaring one might ease financing restraints for single-family buyers, say, by subsidizing closing costs, but can it
If there’s a national housing emergency, let’s be honest about what It really means Read More »
You’ve built a lending process that works. Your team is efficient, your systems are dialed in and you’ve invested in technology to stay competitive. But if you still rely on credit reports, static databases or third-party records that borrowers didn’t explicitly authorize, you’re not as modern as you think. Consumer expectations have shifted. In a
Consumer-permissioned is the future. Is your business ready? Read More »
The Federal Reserve’s decision this month to cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points was encouraging news for Americans eager to become homeowners. Although mortgage rates aren’t set by the Fed, they are impacted by its policy changes. Indeed, prior to — and in anticipation of — the Fed’s announcement, mortgage rates fell
Why title insurance is essential to secure, affordable homeownership Read More »