Admin

Real Estate Industry

“All the news that's fit to print,” or to click, as the case may be, can be found right here at your favorite real estate social networking site, ActiveRain. And here you thought it was merely a great place to chat with colleagues and slap up a blog post or two.


We know you're busy – whether it's trying to fill your pipeline or following up on what's already popped out of the bottom of it. Who has time to read? And, while real estate market news geared toward consumers is easy to round up on the Internet, news for brokers and Realtors is a bit harder to come by.


Your friends at ActiveRain understand how important each of those 168 hours in every week is so we've made it easy for you by consolidating everything you need to know to keep up-to-date with the real estate industry right here, in one place.


How are housing starts looking? Has the FHFA launched any new efforts? How's that Fannie and Freddie loan limit rollercoaster doing?


You've got the questions and your colleagues here at AR have the answers. It's at your fingertips – finally.

Recent blogs on Real Estate Industry
By William Piotrowski, Just Call William 630-881-8655
(Diamond Residential Mortgage Corporation )
🏡 Top 10 Home Builders Lose a Little Market Share in 2025America's largest home builders continued to dominate the new home market in 2025—but their grip loosened slightly.Here are the highlights from the latest builder rankings:🏗️ The Top 10 builders accounted for 43.6% of all new single-family home closings in 2025, down from 44.8% in 2024.📊 Together, they closed 295,959 new homes out of 679,083 new single-family homes sold nationwide.🏘️ The Top 15 builders represented more than half (50.1%) of all new home closings for the second consecutive year.🥇 D.R. Horton remained America's largest home builder for the 24th consecutive year, closing 87,168 homes and capturing 12.8% of the for-sale market.🥈 Lennar continued to narrow the gap, increasing its market share to 12.2%, the closest it h...
Comments 1
By Franz Sag, SBLC & Bank Guarantee Real Estate Exposure
(Bear Capital Ventures Limited)
Connecting Global Investors with opportunities in Luxury Development and International TradeThe availability of international funding has become a powerful force driving large-scale investments, enabling ambitious projects to move from concepts to reality. From luxury residential towers and premium hospitality developments to global trading networks, international capital plays a vital role in shaping modern business landscapes.International funding refers to financial resources provided by foreign investors, global financial institutions, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, and international development organizations. These funds provide businesses and developers with the financial strength required to execute complex projects, expand operations, and access global markets.The...
Comments 1
By Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518, Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.
(Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc)
7 Ways to Reduce Inside Heat During These 100-Degree South Carolina Summer DaysSouth Carolina summers do not play around. When the temperature is pushing 100 degrees, your home can start to feel warm, no matter how hard the air conditioner is working.The good news is that a few simple habits can help reduce inside heat, make your home feel more comfortable, and possibly take some pressure off your cooling system.1. Close blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the daySunlight coming through the windows can heat a room quickly. Closing blinds, curtains, or shades during the afternoon can help block direct sunlight and keep rooms cooler.This is especially helpful on the west side of the house, where the afternoon sun can be intense.2. Use ceiling fans the right wayCeiling fans do n...
Comments 15
On July 1, 2026, the U.S. Census Bureau reported nationwide construction spending higher 0.1% to $2,210.2 billion in May of 2026 from $2,207.1 billion April of 2026, but declined 1.5% from $2,244.4 billion in May of 2025.Nationwide private construction up 0.0% to $1,669.0 billion in May of 2025 from $1,668.5 billion in April of 2025.Residential construction increased 0.3% to $930.2 billion in May of 2025 from $927.1 billion April of 2025.Non residential construction down 0.3% to $738.7 billion in May of 2025 from $741.3 billion in April of 2025.The public construction gained 0.5% to $541.2 billion in May of 2025 from $538.6 billion in April of 2025.The educational construction grew 0.6% to $113.4 billion in May of 2025 from $112.8 billion in April of 2025.The highway construction rose 0...
Comments 3
By Tom Ikonomou, REALTOR® | Licensed since 2008 | Dad x4 | Mentor
(eXp Realty)
I've run into burning buildings. Selling your house is easy.But here's a question I get asked a lot, usually from clients who are surprised by the answer: what does it actually take to become a licensed real estate agent in the first place?I'm Tom Ikonomou, licensed since 2008. I've watched the standards shift over the years, and I want to walk through what's required today, how we got here, and why it matters to you as a buyer or seller.The Minimum Bar TodayIn British Columbia, the BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) sets the entry requirements. To get licensed, you need to: Be at least 19 years old Complete a licensing course through UBC Sauder School of Business and pass the exam Complete an Applied Practice Course — hands-on training in contracts, disclosures, and client work, b...
Comments 2
By Nick Good, www.TheGoodHomeTeam.com
(The Good Home Team with eXp Realty)
The $50K Marketing Team DFW Agents Get for Free at eXpMost real estate agents in DFW are spending $500 to $2,000 a month on leads that don't convert. Zillow. Realtor.com. Boosted Facebook posts. The budget isn't the problem. The system is.Buying leads is renting someone else's audience. What the agents I work with are doing differently is running a built-out client engine that generates leads, converts them at the front end, and follows up automatically until the prospect is ready to move.The results from agents already inside the system:Spencer Marshall closed $1.955M in volume on $500 to $600 in ad spend. Sharon Bicknell generated 51 leads at $2.46 each and had a buyer under contract at $375,000 within 15 days. Rammi Singh put $3.75M under contract in under 3 months of running the sys...
Comments 0
By Carla Goddard, Founder & CEO, Vicinity | Local Expertise. Digital
(vicinity)
On Independence Day, it is only natural to reflect on what it truly means to break away from the status quo and build something from the ground up. True independence is about the power of choice and the freedom to chart your own path.Six months ago, I stepped into the role of Founder and CEO of Vicinity. While it would be easy to fill a post with our company wins, metrics, and milestones, today I want to share something closer to the surface: my personal reflections, my growth, and how my definition of "independence" has completely transformed.Leaving the Safety of the ShoreBefore Vicinity, I was a general real estate agent. I was in the trenches every day, and I knew exactly what was missing. I knew what I wished I had—the specific tools, the specialized support, the targeted training....
Comments 2
By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
Buying or selling a home involves several costs, and one of the most common questions is how real estate agent fees work. Realtor fees have changed in recent years, giving buyers and sellers more flexibility in how agents are compensated. Understanding these changes can help you make informed decisions before entering the market.While commissions remain negotiable, the amount paid and who pays it can vary depending on the terms agreed upon by the parties involved.What Are Realtor Fees?Realtor fees, also called real estate commissions, are payments made to licensed real estate professionals for assisting with the purchase or sale of a property. These fees are typically earned only when a transaction successfully closes.Traditionally, sellers often paid the commission at closing, with the...
Comments 0
On June 15, 2026, National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for newly built single family homes dropped two points to 35 points in June of 2026, from May of 2026.The HMI component charting buyer traffic unchanged zero points at 25 points, the HMI present sales conditions declined two points to 38 points, and the HMI sales expectations index unchanged zero points at 45 points in June of 2026.The three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, Northeast up two points to 44 points, Midwest unchanged zero point at 43 points, South down two points to 33 points, the West lower one point to 27 points in June of 2026.NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz, stated “According to a new NAHB study, government regulation, taxes, fees and other costs add more than 2...
Comments 4
By Carla Goddard, Founder & CEO, Vicinity | Local Expertise. Digital
(vicinity)
 Nobody buys a national average. They buy into a region, a commute, a cost structure, and a version of daily life. Here’s the straight read on how the mid-2026 trendline breaks by region as of June. The Sunbelt & High-Growth Corridors States: AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX The Big Picture: The Sunbelt remains the absolute heavy-industrial engine of new construction. The story here has evolved from pandemic-era domestic migration to highly concentrated, tech-and-defense-anchored submarkets (like Huntsville's aerospace footprint or Phoenix's expanding chip corridor). The Buyers: The buyer pool is showing a massive demographic split. High-earning tech exiles are hunting premium single-family inventory, while a rising wave of Gen Z "Fractional" buyers are aggressively pooling capita...
Comments 1
By Lawrence & Sheila Agranoff, Listing & Selling Long Island Real Estate
(Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - crrli.com. We are Lic. Assoc. Broker/Lic. RE Salesperson)
 Long Island Wednesday Words of Wisdom “Phenomenal cosmic powers… itty bitty living space.”~ Genie from Disney's AladdinIn real estate, it’s a fun reminder that it’s not always about size but it’s about how the space works for you. The right home is the one that fits your lifestyle, feels comfortable, and makes everyday living easy. Sheila
Comments 8
By Linda Edelwich, Serving Glastonbury & Beyond | 218 New London Trnk
(William Raveis Real Estate)
Most sellers think about the listing process in terms of what is visible: photography, MLS, showings, offers. What determines their financial outcome is largely decided before any of those things happen. Here is how I frame that reality with clients and what the pre-listing process actually covers. Where the leverage isThe issues that cost sellers the most money rarely surface as marketing problems. They surface as inspection report items, appraisal complications, financing conditions, and contract negotiation pressure points, often weeks into a transaction the seller assumed was on track. By the time those issues appear, the seller's options are limited and the leverage has shifted. Addressing them before the home goes on the market, while there is still time and flexibility to resolve...
Comments 1
On June 30, 2026, The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that the U.S. house price lower 0.1% in April of 2026 from March of 2025, but higher 2.0% from April of 2025, based on home sales values obtained from mortgages sold to or guaranteed by FNMA and Freddie Mac.Nationwide, among nine census New England Divisions was the highest with a gain of 10%, Mountain Divisions was the lowest with a loss of 0.8% in April of 2026 from March of 2026; while the East North Central Division had the highest with an increase of 4.4%, and Pacific Division was the lowest with a gain of 0.2% in April of 2026, from April of 2025.For complete more detailed information about the FHFA’s home price index for April of 2026, please click HERE
Comments 2
By Nick Good, www.TheGoodHomeTeam.com
(The Good Home Team with eXp Realty)
The Real Math Behind eXp vs. Keller Williams (No Spin)I spent close to 12 years at Keller Williams before moving to eXp Realty seven years ago, and the question I still get asked most often by agents in DFW is some version of "is it actually better, or just different?"Short answer: for agents doing real volume, the math isn't close. KW typically runs a 70/30 split, which, after the 6% royalty fee, functions closer to 64/36, with caps running $21K-$30K depending on the market center. eXp runs 80/20 with a flat $16,000 cap and no franchise fee at all.That gap compounds fast once you're doing more than a handful of deals a year. I put together the full numbers-first comparison, splits, caps, fees, revenue share vs. profit share, side by side, no recruiting pitch attached: eXp Realty vs. Ke...
Comments 3
By Nick Good, www.TheGoodHomeTeam.com
(The Good Home Team with eXp Realty)
What I Actually Look For Before Sponsoring an Agent at eXp After 220+ agents sponsored into eXp Realty over seven years, I've learned the sponsor conversation matters more than agents realize going in. Most of the time, agents pick a sponsor based on whoever reached out first or whoever they happened to meet at an open house. That's backwards.Here's the thing nobody tells new agents: your sponsor at eXp is permanent. You can't switch later without leaving the brokerage entirely and rejoining fresh. So the time you spend vetting a sponsor matters more than almost any other decision in your first year.What should you actually be asking? Production numbers, not promises. Systems, not just a signature. Whether revenue share gets explained clearly or glossed over.I wrote a full breakdown of ...
Comments 0
By Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518, Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.
(Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc)
Sometimes the Setting Is What Makes a Property Feel Like HomeWhen buyers start looking for a home, they usually begin with the basics.How many bedrooms?How many baths?How much square footage?Is the kitchen large enough?Is there enough storage?Those things matter. They are part of the decision. But after many years in real estate, I have found that the setting often plays just as important a role as the house itself.In our part of Upstate South Carolina, buyers are not always looking for the same thing. Some want a lake home. Some want a mountain view. Some want unrestricted land. Some want privacy, a garden spot, room for a shop, or space for animals. Others want to be close to town but still have breathing room.That is why it is important to look beyond the front door.A house may have ...
Comments 8
By Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518, Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.
(Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc)
Sometimes the Setting Is What Makes a Property Feel Like HomeWhen buyers start looking for a home, they usually begin with the basics.How many bedrooms?How many baths?How much square footage?Is the kitchen large enough?Is there enough storage?Those things matter. They are part of the decision. But after many years in real estate, I have found that the setting often plays just as important a role as the house itself.In our part of Upstate South Carolina, buyers are not always looking for the same thing. Some want a lake home. Some want a mountain view. Some want unrestricted land. Some want privacy, a garden spot, room for a shop, or space for animals. Others want to be close to town but still have breathing room.That is why it is important to look beyond the front door.A house may have ...
Comments 10
On June 17, 2026, National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reported that nationwide pending contract signed home sales up 3.8% in May of 2026 from April of 2026, and increased 4.8% from May of 2025.Pending home sales index in the Northeast jumped 8.7% in May of 2026 from April of 2026, and rose 6.1% from May of 2025.Pending home sales index in the Midwest gained 8.1% in May of 2026 from April of 2026,  and higher 9.3% from May of 2025.Pending home sales index in the South grew 1.0% in May of 2026 from April of 2026, and increased 3.3% from May of 2025.Pending home sales index in the West higher 0.7% in May of 2026 from April of 2026, and gained 1.1% from May of 2025.Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, stated “The inventory-constrained Northeast region, which has seen faster home price gro...
Comments 3
By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
Bathrooms are still one of the top choices for home remodeling, so you want to ensure you do it right. Whether you're a landlord or about to sell your home, you can do a quick 7-day refresh to get your home ready as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality. The professional team at Five Star Bath Solutions has professional insight you can use.What Are Some Considerations for Planning?The first thing you should do is define your potential user persona or your ideal tenant. Are you remodeling for young professionals, families, or seniors who are downsizing? Quickly scan the room to identify which features, from grab bars to double vanities, would best suit the target demographic.When you're dealing with families with young children, they may prefer a tub shower combination; however...
Comments 2
By Adam Scard, World traveler and lover of real estate trends
For real estate agents, the home inspection phase is often the most volatile stage of the transaction. When inspection reports reveal critical issues, tension rises, and the deal hangs in the balance. Navigating this process successfully requires not only patience but a network of reliable specialists, including those providingappliance repair in Atlanta, GA and nearby, to quickly assess and quantify necessary fixes. This guide aims to equip agents with the strategic tools to handle repair addenda with professionalism, ensuring that client interests are protected without derailing the momentum of the sale. By understanding the psychology of the negotiation, agents can bridge the gap between buyer expectations and seller limitations, transforming potential deal-breakers into solvable pro...
Comments 1
Back to Top