Clear Cooperation Policy: Antitrust Lawsuit Challenges NAR’s Rule
In mid-2025, a coalition of California real estate professionals filed an antitrust lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR), aiming to challenge its Clear Cooperation Policy. The lawsuit claims that this rule, enacted in 2019, unfairly restricts the traditional use of “pocket listings” by obligating agents to submit any property marketed privately into the […]
Listing Descriptions: Creating Connection Beyond the Specs
At Scout Realty, we understand that real estate is not just about selling properties. It is about creating emotional experiences that resonate deeply with buyers. In an industry where listings are everywhere and buyers have more choices than ever before, standing out requires more than a checklist of features. It requires the ability to tell […]
State Farm Premiums Up: Here’s What It Means
In a pivotal move that could reshape the state’s already fragile insurance and real estate markets, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has approved State Farm’s emergency interim rate hike request, just months after originally rejecting it. The decision by State Farm, effective June 1, marks a first-of-its-kind approval under California’s regulatory framework. It is sending […]
Annual Inflation: Lower Rates Ahead? Tread Carefully
Annual inflation has cooled to 2.3%, nudging closer to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. While this signals economic progress, agents know better than to celebrate just yet. For those of us on the front lines of real estate, the conversation isn’t just about inflation, it’s about how and when it impacts rates, buyer behavior, and […]
Fair Housing Act Celebration: Why Equal Access Housing Matters
Every April, the nation celebrates Fair Housing Month, recognizing the anniversary of the groundbreaking Fair Housing Act of 1968. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 11, this pivotal piece of legislation was a major victory in the civil rights movement. It made it illegal to discriminate in housing based on race, […]
Private Listings & Portal Bans: What Agents Need to Know in 2025
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the headlines lately, you’ve probably noticed some buzz around Zillow and Redfin. In what’s shaping up to be a major shift in how listings are handled online, both platforms have taken a firm stance as private listings & portal bans are now front and center in the conversation. […]
Real Estate Agents: ChatGPT Prompts to Know in 2025
The real estate market isn’t slowing down; in fact, it’s getting smarter. In 2025, the most successful real estate agents are those who know how to leverage technology to move faster, market better, and close with confidence. And one of the most powerful tools available right now? ChatGPT. At Scout Realty, we equip our agents […]
Housing Market Inventory: What Realtors Need to Know
As of April 2025, the U.S. housing market is experiencing a notable shift, with housing market inventory on the rise and regional variations becoming more defined. According to recent data, housing market inventory has increased by approximately 15% year-over-year, giving buyers more options and slightly easing the pressure in previously tight markets. This growth is […]
Withholding Listing Data: The Hidden Cost
A Quiet Shift with Big Implications One of the more unsettling shifts in the National Association of Realtors’ revised Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) is how it handles key listing data such as Days on the Market (DOM), price change history, and the potential for withholding listing data altogether. These critical data points are now considered […]
Homebuying Process: How to Help Your Clients Stay Calm
As a real estate professional, you know that the homebuying process is an exciting but stressful experience for your clients. There are many moving parts, and buyers often feel overwhelmed by factors outside their control—like interest rates, home prices, and market conditions. That’s where you come in. Guide clients, help them focus on what they […]
