Real Issues

Our monthly Real Issues feature is a deep-dive into the biggest issues facing the real estate industry today. Learn more about topics that go beyond the daily news reporting and explore the most important issues of the day.

Warming planet in a hot market

For the millions of Americans who move each year, climate risk should be a top consideration.

It’s time we talk about crime

If ever there were a third rail of residential real estate, it would have to be the topic of crime. But how is it impacting the bottom line now?

Growing their way to success: A look at brokerage expansion

Buy, merge or franchise — they’re growth strategies many brokerages are pursuing in an effort to grow their businesses in an increasingly competitive market. But what are the benefits of these approaches, and what are the hurdles?

The top 5 Real Issues of 2021

Check out Seattle Agent’s most-read Real Issues features to learn from our expert sources and, overall, to consider the year in retrospect.

Up close and personal: A glimpse inside the 2022 home construction playbook

Aftershocks from the pandemic have rocked developers with new hurdles to breaking ground on residential properties. The main culprits: a shortage of skilled labor, skyrocketing costs of building materials and a disrupted supply chain.

What’s new in new construction

Some supply-chain issues and price shocks have calmed in recent weeks. But the price volatility of core construction materials remains unsettling for builders trying to set their budgets.

The do’s and don’ts of dual agency

The simplest way to maintain a good reputation and stay on the right side of the law is to trust your gut and consider how you’d want your own family members to be treated in a real estate transaction.

Dual Agency: A tale of two markets

Can agents fairly represent both parties in a deal?

Opinions are not defamatory, but facts are: How to fight back against a bad online review

Taking proactive steps to deal with negative online reviews is essential for real estate agents. Here are some recommendations from the experts.

The trouble with appraisals: How the wild market is making it harder to get financing

Homebuyers lucky enough to win a bidding war for a property are increasingly running headlong into appraisals that don’t match — or even come close to — the agreed sales price, leaving them with limited ways to close the sale.

What it takes to get a first-time buyer from renter to homeowner right now

A market with limited inventory and swarms of buyers can be stressful for everybody. But it’s especially challenging for first-time homebuyers — and their agents. From Houston to Chicago, from Miami to Boston, agents are relying on creativity, hustle and candid conversations to help get their entry-level buyers over the threshold of their first home.

Is it too easy to become a real estate agent?

Low barrier to entry: It’s one of the best things about the real estate industry — and also one of the worst.

Getting started is easy; moving forward is hard, particularly for Black agents

Getting started is easy; moving forward is hard, particularly for Black agents

When Fannie met Freddie

If Realtors, lenders and homebuyers are the stars of the real estate show, Fannie and Freddie are the unseen producers who bankroll the production from backstage.

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