Real Estate From The Trenches

Real Estate Agents Grapple with Growing Dissatisfaction Toward the National Association of REALTORS®

April 2, 2025

A recent industry-wide survey has revealed a notable shift in real estate agents' attitudes toward the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), highlighting growing dissatisfaction and skepticism among professionals. Over half (51%) of surveyed agents reported an unfavorable view of NAR, a significant increase from just 19% the previous year. This stark change is largely driven by the aftermath of the NAR settlement, which imposed stricter transparency requirements and fundamentally altered how commissions are communicated and negotiated, causing disruption in traditional brokerage practices.

Flood Insurance Costs Rising for Landlords: How FEMA’s New Rules Affect Your Bottom Line

March 29, 2025

Flood risk is becoming a bigger concern for landlords and rental property owners nationwide. With recent shifts in FEMA policies and insurance pricing, understanding your exposure—and your options—is critical. Let’s dive straight into the facts, no fluff.

Instantly Evaluate Rental Deals with this Powerful Calculator

March 28, 2025

LandlordCalc.com Rental Property Calculator

Here's a great tool every serious rental property investor should check out: the Rental Property Calculator from LandlordCalc.com. I built this specifically to give investors a quick, accurate, and actionable financial snapshot of their potential investments. Whether you're just getting started or adding to your portfolio, this calculator helps you evaluate deals fast by showing crucial metrics like monthly cash flow, cash-on-cash return, cap rate, and your initial investment needed.

Agents, NAR Just Changed the Rules—What the New Listing Policy Means for You

March 25, 2025

National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Clear Cooperation Policy

Today, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) unveiled important updates to its widely debated Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP). After extensive discussions involving real estate brokers, MLS executives, agents, and industry legal experts, NAR introduced the "Multiple Listing Options for Sellers" initiative, designed to enhance seller options and address concerns about market fairness and consumer flexibility.

The Growing Push for Private Listing Networks: What Home Sellers Need to Know

March 20, 2025

A growing number of real estate brokerages are steering sellers toward private listing networks rather than listing homes on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). According to a January 2025 Harris/Zillow poll, this shift is happening despite a lack of consumer awareness about what private listings mean—and how they can impact a home sale.

The survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults highlights an alarming trend: most sellers aren’t being given all the facts about listing options. Here’s what you need to know before deciding where to list your home.

MLSs Under Pressure: Compass Joins Ketchmark in Push to Reform Clear Cooperation Policy

March 18, 2025

Just days after attorney Michael Ketchmark publicly warned National Association of Realtors (NAR) brokers about potential legal repercussions if they vote to maintain the controversial Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), Compass has intensified the pressure. The brokerage giant recently sent letters to multiple MLSs, urging them to reconsider enforcing CCP, hinting strongly at litigation risks if they fail to act.

Attorney Michael Ketchmark Warns NAR Brokers: Repeal Clear Cooperation or Face Legal Action

March 18, 2025

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is on the verge of making a pivotal decision about its controversial Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP)—a rule requiring listings to be submitted to a multiple listing service (MLS) within one business day of public marketing. Now, attorney Michael Ketchmark, lead counsel in the landmark Sitzer lawsuit, has issued a stark warning: if NAR brokers vote to maintain the rule, he may take legal action against them.

Ketchmark, in an interview with Inman News, made his stance clear: “It’s my expectation that after this meeting, when this comes to a NAR vote overall, that they’ll do the right thing and remove that policy and let the free market continue to work.” He added that if the rule remains, his firm will scrutinize the motivations of those involved and determine whether anti-competitive behavior is at play. “We’ll take the depositions of the people involved and figure out exactly why they did that and what was the motivation behind it, and then make a decision at that point on how to proceed,” Ketchmark told Inman.

Mortgage Rates Hit New Low for 2025 – Will the Trend Continue?

February 28, 2025

Mortgage interest rates remain a key factor for homebuyers and real estate investors, and recent trends indicate a shift in borrowing costs. As of early 2025, current mortgage rates have dropped to their lowest level this year, with the 30-year fixed mortgage rate averaging around 6.5%. This marks a decrease from the 7.5% peak seen in late 2023. While rates are still higher than the historic lows of under 3% in 2020 and 2021, this downward trend may create opportunities for buyers looking to lock in a lower home loan interest rate.

Historically, mortgage rate trends have been influenced by economic conditions, inflation, and Federal Reserve policies. In the 1980s, mortgage rates soared past 18%, making today's levels appear moderate by comparison. The question many are asking now is: Will mortgage rates go down further in 2025? While some analysts predict possible rate cuts later in the year, the timing remains uncertain.

The Changing Landscape of MLS Ownership and Access in the U.S.

February 25, 2025

As the real estate industry evolves, so does the structure and accessibility of Multiple Listing Services (MLSs). Traditionally, most MLSs were owned and operated by local Realtor associations—meaning that agents had to be members of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) to access them. However, recent trends show a significant shift toward broker-owned and independently operated MLSs, sales to private investors, and a growing openness to non-REALTOR® access. In this article, we explore these developments and what they could mean for agents, brokers, and consumers across the country.

Broker-Owned and Privately Held MLSs