Time to stop obsessing over mortgage rates? | Can agents choose to delay marketing of a listing on behalf of the seller without seeking a seller's consent and disclosure? | ICYMI: Industry leader clears up misconceptions presented in NYT podcast
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Time to stop obsessing over mortgage rates? With mortgage rate cuts looking unlikely, at least for now, aspiring home buyers would be wise to turn their attention to other factors, like total monthly costs, to get a picture of what they can truly afford, says NAR Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz. Full Story: REALTOR® Magazine (5/29)
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Answers About Multiple Listing Options for Sellers
Can agents choose to delay marketing of a listing on behalf of the seller without seeking a seller's consent and disclosure?
No. Listing agents representing sellers who choose to delay the public marketing of their listing must secure from their seller a signed disclosure documenting the seller's informed consent to waive the benefits of immediate public marketing through IDX and syndication. Find more answers about NAR's new policy statement, Multiple Listing Options for Sellers, at facts.realtor.
Best Practices in Sales & Marketing
ICYMI: Industry leader clears up misconceptions presented in NYT podcast A recent New York Times article and podcast imply that agents are actively working around the National Association of REALTORS® settlement to preserve a so-called "standard" commission structure and falsely states that sellers are no longer supposed to offer compensation to buyer's agents. In this op-ed, HomeServices of America President and CEO Chris Kelly shares how agents and clients find mutual value in professional representation, within a framework designed to enhance transparency and consumer choice. Full Story: REALTOR® Magazine (5/20)
Earn home buyers' trust: bring the big picture into focus As an agent, you're in a position to help clients focus on what truly matters, even when the market is noisy and the listings are flashy. Your role is to slow the moment down, widen their view, and help them choose with clarity. The market changes. Trends pass. But good advice endures. Full Story: REALTOR® Magazine/The Lounge (5/29)
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Platform provides fast offers, extra services Real estate professionals who want to provide extra services to their clients are using a platform that provides cash offers, home maintenance, moving services, and an unusual level of convenience for both real estate professionals and their clients. Learn how it works, who tends to use it, and why it's gaining popularity. Read More.
Real Estate Trends
Buyers gain leverage as spring housing market slows The 2025 spring housing market in Santa Clara County, Calif., has seen a nearly 40% increase in inventory, with sellers more willing to negotiate, Neil Collins writes. Buyers face challenges such as economic policy confusion and stock market instability, which have affected job security and down payments. Mortgage rates have been volatile but are stabilizing. Full Story: San Jose Spotlight (Calif.) (5/29)
Survey highlights uncertainty for homeowners, buyers Uncertainty has reached the highest point since 2023 for homeowners and prospective home buyers, according to a Bank of America survey. Sixty percent of respondents said they were unable to determine if now is a good time to buy. Full Story: Reuters (5/28)
Technology & Innovations
AI in home design: Pros and cons AI is becoming increasingly useful in home design, offering capabilities such as generating visual inspiration, optimizing layouts and assisting with budgeting, experts say. However, AI falls short in product sourcing and nuanced design, so while it's a helpful tool for small DIY projects, it cannot replace the expertise and emotional intuition of human designers. Full Story: Real Simple (5/29)
Fair & Equitable Housing
County hosts forum on racially restrictive covenants The Thurston County Auditor's Office in Washington will host a Housing Justice Forum to address racially restrictive covenants in property records. The event will educate homeowners on removing these illegal clauses, with notaries available to assist. Although the county has offered free modification services since 2019, only small fraction of eligible homeowners have utilized the service. Full Story: The Olympian (Olympia, Wash.) (tiered subscription model) (5/29)
Legislation & Regulation
Trump meets with Powell, pushes rate cut President Donald Trump met with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday for the first time since starting his second term, urging Powell to lower interest rates, which Trump claims put the US at a competitive disadvantage. The Fed chair reiterated the central bank's independence and declined to discuss monetary policy specifics, while the White House stressed the meeting was informal. Markets remain focused on the Fed's cautious stance amid trade policy uncertainty and Trump's persistent pressure for rate cuts. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (5/29),The Associated Press (5/29),Reuters (5/29),The New York Times (5/29)
Goolsbee: Fed could cut rates if large tariffs are avoided Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee has said the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates if significant tariffs are avoided, citing the economy's underlying strength and inflation trends. Full Story: Reuters (5/29)
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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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