WELCOME

Happy Memorial Day Weekend.

Memorial Day always feels like the real kickoff to summer. The first half of the year is nearly in the books, and from here on out, it’s all about momentum. Longer days, bigger goals, stronger sales, and better deals. Whether you're on the water or on the move, we hope this weekend brings a little sunshine, a little rest, and a lot of motivation for the months ahead.

SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS: Today’s Top Podcast Rec 🔊

The real estate industry is at a major crossroads. Between the negative PR and over-saturation from agents who treat real estate as a hobby, rather than a professional career, as James Dwiggins, CEO of the NextHome real estate franchise sees it, the industry faces a choice: change or consolidate. In the latest episode of Glennda’s Guru, James details how Redfin is nailing the art of follow-up, the risk that comes with uploading disclosure data to your local MLS, and why the Mr. Cooper acquisition is a bigger threat to agent compensation than most realize.

TRACK THE MARKET: Why the US Credit Downgrade Sent Mortgage Rates Up

After weeks of hovering below the line, mortgage rates popped back above 7% earlier this week thanks to a surprise credit downgrade of U.S. debt by Moody’s. The timing isn’t great—especially with the market already feeling shaky this spring.

How does Moody’s rating impact buyers and agents?

• Mortgage rates jumped to 7.04% on Monday, the highest since mid-April, after bond yields spiked in response to the downgrade. Mortgage rates tend to follow the 10-year Treasury—when that goes up, so do rates.

• Buyer activity took a hit in April, with pending home sales down 3.2% year over year, and builder confidence hitting its lowest level since 2023.

• That 7% mark is as much monetary as it is mental. Every time rates cross it, buyer momentum tends to slow. It also removes some would-be buyers out of qualification completely.

Even before mortgage rates rose this week, sellers were beginning to respond to April’s slowdown. About 25% of active listings saw a price cut last month, the highest springtime rate Zillow has recorded. And even builders are doing what they can to stimulate demand: 34% of new homes builders have cut prices in May, with those price cuts averaging 5%.

DIVE IN

The Friday Five

📖 Asked and answered. How to handle the most common buyer and seller objections like a pro. 

👀 Clear cooperation. This rule update could change how you launch new listings. 

👀 Luxury, location, and lifestyle. See what $4.3M gets you in Beverly Grove, LA.

💡 Comfortable on camera. How to look natural on camera, whether you’re recording or going Live.

💡 Find your following. Tracy Tutor’s best advice for curating your content to fit your true followers.

How Does Your Social Strategy Stack Up?

We’re mapping how real estate agents are using social media in 2025—and we want your input.

At Estate Elite, top-performing coaches say social is one of the biggest drivers of visibility, trust, and leads. This 2-minute survey helps benchmark how your strategy compares.

✅ See what platforms agents are using
✅ Discover the biggest pain points + goals
✅ Contribute to insights we’ll share with the Estate Media community

🎁 Bonus: Complete the survey for a chance to win a FREE Estate Elite membership ($1,500 value).

WHAT’S NEW FROM ESTATE MEDIA

How well do you really know your real estate lingo?

Josh Flagg sat down with comedian and fake-agent-for-the-day Amanda McCants for a rapid-fire real estate term challenge—and let’s just say, the results were… mixed. From amortization to as-is listings, they test each other (and their patience) on the most common—and commonly misunderstood—phrases in the business.

If you’ve ever had to explain “contingent” to a client five times in one conversation, you’ll enjoy this one.

FEATURED LUXURY LISTING

TIPS & TAKEAWAYS

Own Your Opens

In luxury real estate, every open house you host should feel intentional and elevated. How can you turn your opens up a notch?

• Start with invitation-only access to create a sense of exclusivity.

• Set the tone with curated lighting, music, and scents.

• Provide thoughtful refreshments, like wine pairings, to reinforce your brand and the caliber of the listing.

Want more tips for turning your next open house into a deal-making event? Tap here.

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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