WELCOME

Some listings need high-end staging. Others just need a really convincing Bigfoot costume. At least, that’s the approach one Maine agent took this month, donning a full sasquatch suit to promote his client’s 12-acre parcel of vacant land. The photos—featuring Bigfoot mid-snowball fight and meandering through the woods—quickly made headlines (though no sale, yet). 

It’s a good reminder that creative marketing still has power, even when all you’re selling is trees and dirt.

SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS: Today’s Top Podcast Rec 🔊

If you’re feeling stuck in a slump—personally or professionally—you’re not alone. Brad Inman, founder of Inman Group and organizer of the incredible Inman Connect real estate conferences, has been right there too, and it was his supportive real estate community that helped get him out of it. In this episode of Rise Above the Ranks with James Harris, Brad gets real about his struggle with the mental side of entrepreneurship, making mistakes, and asking for help when you need it.

TRACK THE MARKET: New Home Sales Surged in April

April brought an unexpected jolt of energy to the new construction market. Despite rising mortgage rates and some economic jitters, new single-family home sales jumped 10.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 743,000—the highest level in over three years. Builders leaned heavily on price cuts and incentives to keep deals moving, even as overall housing activity remains under pressure. Analysts say the uptick may be short-lived, but for now, it’s a rare bright spot in a market otherwise stuck in neutral.

• New home sales rose across all regions except the Northeast, with the Midwest seeing the biggest jump—up 35.5% in April.

• Builders are still offering steep incentives, with 34% cutting prices in May—the highest share since late 2023.

Inventory dipped slightly to an 8.1-month supply, but most available homes are still under construction.

DIVE IN

The Friday Five

📖 Pixelated price points. Glennda’s hot take on Zillow’s new “offer strategies” tool. 

👀 Swift’s sell. See inside Taylor Swift’s former New England beach house, now on the market for $15M.

👀 Pecan property. Join Shannon Gillette for a private tour of Queen Creek, Arizona’s Estate of the Year. 

💡 Compass controversy. Is Compass’ approach to private listing exclusionary—or ingenious?

💡 Rate wait. Tracy Tutor and Jason Oppenheim weigh in on where interest rates are headed next.

What’s Happening in Estate Elite

This week, three powerhouse sessions dropped inside Estate Elite—and the replays are already up. Catch Tracy Tutor on closing the deal with confidence, Glennda Baker on protecting your energy, and Josh Flagg on building trust with high-net-worth clients.

And next week, don’t miss Dawn McKenna’s new live session on Thursday, June 5 at 3pm ET, where she’ll tackle lead generation and relationship building at the luxury level.

If there was ever a time to start your free 14-day trial, it’s now. Tap here to claim your pass.

WHAT’S NEW FROM ESTATE MEDIA

In high regulation markets like Palm Springs, Sedona, Joshua Tree, and Miami, affordable housing is a serious problem. One that’s making Airbnb properties increasingly expensive to own and book. In fact, with SB 584 intended to go into effect in California later this year—slapping an extra 15% tax on every short-term rental, in addition to the standard short-term occupancy tax already in place—Airbnbs can hardly compete with hotels. How will this regulation impact investors, agents, and vacation rental hotspots? Catch the latest episode of The Breakdown with host and Beverly Hills Super Realtor, Ben Belack to find out.

FEATURED LUXURY LISTING

TIPS & TAKEAWAYS

First Impressions Happen Fast

Luxury buyers are exceptionally discerning. They notice details (and red flags) fast. 

Want to build instant trust with high-value buyers? Start with high-quality property visuals, polished and targeted marketing copy, and clear, confident communication that shows you know the local market inside and out. 

Tap here to see more insights on what luxury clients notice first—and what to always avoid.

HANGS & HAPPENINGS

Apartmentalize | Las Vegas, NV | June 11 – 13. Discover the latest trends, technologies, and management strategies shaping the future of multifamily housing. Hosted by the National Apartment Association, this is the place for anyone in the rental housing industry.

Inman Connect | San Diego, CA | July 30 – August 1. Sharpen your real estate game with immersive discussions, interactive workshops, top-tier networking, and more, alongside some of the biggest players in real estate, proptech, and lending. 

RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference | Washington, DC | August 3 – 5. Connect with RE/MAX leaders and fellow broker-owners for three days of strategy sessions, networking, and fresh ideas to drive brokerage growth and your team’s success.

Tom Ferry Success Summit | Dallas, TX | August 26 – 28. Join thousands of top-producing agents for Tom Ferry’s signature event, packed with actionable strategies, mindset shifts, and high-energy coaching.

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