New Agent Commission Rules Could Spark Confusion
Industry leaders are hoping for the best but bracing for the worst, and say it could take years to sort out real estate agent compensation issues as new rules take effect this week.
Real Estate Brokers Still Looking to Buy
Expect more real estate brokerage consolidations over the course of 2024 if last year’s activity is any indication. Brokerages that made acquisitions in 2023 are looking for more deals this year.
The $1.78B Wake-Up Call and the Path Forward
A clear mandate has emerged from the commission lawsuit verdict: Change how commissions are structured. Many in our field, committed to best practices and integrity, are already adapting. Here’s how you can, too.
Realtors Say They’ll Stick With NAR Despite Storms
Massachusetts real estate leaders are standing by the beleaguered National Association of Realtors, saying its long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term turmoil now engulfing the 1.5 million-member organization.
Who’s Still Buying Homes in Mass.?
The net result of today’s market conditions: more affluent buyers, young and old, are now dominating the real estate market across the Bay State.
The type of buyers of single-family houses and condominiums in Massachusetts still fall into four main categories: first-time buyers, trade-up buyers, downsizing buyers and “everybody else.” But within those major categories are major shifts about who’s buying or not buying.
Mass. Single-Family Sales Lowest Since Great Recession
The latest data on the Massachusetts housing market shows that fewer houses sold across the state last month than any September since 2010, when the state was still in the grip of the Great Recession.
Glimmers of Hope? Or Grasping at Straws?
Two recently released reports raised hopes that the real estate market in Massachusetts might be reheating a bit after months of slower-than-normal activity.
Hunting for Sellers in a Tight Market
Alison Socha’s 23 years in real estate started with a personal connection. As a teenager, she babysat Linda O’Koniewski’s children long before the now-CEO of Leading Edge Real Estate had worked her way into her leadership position.
Condos No Shelter from Rising Prices, Agents Say
Experienced agents say there’s a number of possible reasons why more Boston-area single-family listings appear to be hanging around on the market than condos. But one thing is certain: Condos are no longer the affordable option.
Homebuyer Competition Returns with Spring
Many market observers believe Massachusetts is headed for another spring of multiple offers and waived contingencies, thanks to how still-high interest rates have stabilized in recent weeks.
More Brokerage Acquisitions on the Horizon
It’s a tough time to be a residential real estate brokerage right now. Revenue is falling along with numbers of home sales, raising the prospect that not every firm will survive next year.
Hot Condo Markets Emerge in Post-Pandemic Environment
Local real estate markets have been sorting out the effects of the pandemic and changing buyer preferences for the new rules of living and work agreements, leading to strength in some surprising places.
Pocket Listings Are Sinister, and Have No Place in Real Estate
In this red-hot, historic seller’s market, something sinister is afoot. A business practice that slick real estate agents are promoting to “make the sale easier” on their seller clients.
With Fewer Blacks in Real Estate, Attention Turns to Recruitment
In recent months, big national brokerages have stepped up diversity and inclusion efforts, aiming for personnel that more accurately reflect current American demographics. But many challenges lie ahead that are tied to the nature of the residential real estate industry.
Agents Face New Challenges in Virus’ Wake
With Massachusetts’ ongoing supply-demand imbalance expected to continue as the COVID-19 pandemic abates, agents face a difficult environment as they try to adapt to a new normal.
