WELCOME

Turns out, one of the most cost-smart upgrades a seller can make isn’t in the kitchen or bath—it’s right at the front door. According to the latest Remodeling Impact Report by NAR, replacing an old entry door with an on-trend steel or fiberglass door can recoup nearly 100% of its cost at resale, outpacing most interior renovations. Wood grain and black doors offer the highest ROI potential, particularly if they’re tall, minimalist in design, or pivot. 

The survey shows first impressions still rule in real estate, and a fresh entryway can be the doorway to a great deal.

SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS: Today’s Top Podcast Rec 🔊

With over 10M landlords self-managing their properties in the US alone, the need for a simple solution to handle administrative tasks like application management, renter portals, and autopayments was clear. That’s what led landlord and TurboTenant CEO Seamus Nally to push for better software—and greater tech adoption—for the small-time rental owners managing a handful of properties in their hometown. In this Glennda’s Guru interview, Seamus shares how TurboTenant customers use the software to scale their rental income and take the headaches out of investment property ownership, all through one easy-to-use tool.

TRACK THE MARKET: What the shutdown means for your next deal

As the federal government shutdown stretches into its third week, its ripple effects are starting to show in the housing market. While the direct impact to real estate may take weeks or months to show in the data, the psychological impact is already here. Buyers using FHA, USDA, or VA mortgages are already facing paperwork processing delays, sellers feel the demand slowdown, and builders who rely on fast and straightforward sales are hesitant to start new projects, further limiting supply. 

According to HousingWire, here’s how a shutdown directly and indirectly impacts national real estate:

• Nearly 20% of the U.S. GDP—about $4.9 trillion—is tied to real estate, making housing one of the most sensitive sectors in a federal shutdown.

• FHA and USDA loans, which support many first-time and rural buyers, are facing delays as agency staff are furloughed, threatening the timeline of thousands of closings.

• During the 2018 shutdown, mortgage applications dropped by 7%, and existing home sales fell by over 4% before rebounding post-reopening—signaling the potential trajectory this time around.

CoStar Chief Economist Carl Gomez says as a general rule of thumb, government shutdowns that last less than two weeks have a minimal impact on the housing market. But as we enter week three with no clear path forward, agents should be prepared to help their clients manage loan delays and slower closings until the government re-opens.

DIVE IN

The Friday Five

📖 Cohost confessions. How AirBnB “cohosts” empower truly passive rental income. 

👀 Spelling s-a-l-e. The Spelling Manor found a new owner—and represents one of priciest deals in LA history. 

👀 Buying Tribeca. See inside Sabrina Carpenter’s new Tribeca duplex with a $6.5M monthly mortgage.

💡 Stop the stairs. Is this new trend peak laziness or is NYC onto something?

💡 Responding to rejection. How successful agents stay consistent through rejections, cancellations, and countless “no’s”.

Your clients are online every day, are you showing up where they are? The Agent Growth Program is designed for agents who want to grow their social media presence without spending hours creating content. From scripting and filming to editing, posting, and tracking, our team takes care of everything. Start expanding your reach and converting more leads with less effort. Roundup readers get a free social media audit.

WHAT’S NEW FROM ESTATE MEDIA

Nothing can make or break a deal faster than a bad contract. Yet many agents, especially rookie ones, don’t know what red flags to avoid when it comes to interpreting contracts or communicating the most crucial details with their clients. That puts your reputation at risk and can even lead to legal consequences later down the line. 

In this soundbite from Rise Above the Ranks, James Harries breaks down four things to watch for in your next real estate contract, so bad terms don’t turn your sale into a bad deal: murky languaging, untrustworthy partners, unethical terms, and the signal that shows it’s time to walk away.

FEATURED LUXURY LISTING

TIPS & TAKEAWAYS

Clearing out the Clutter

“The act of cleaning [clutter from your life] and letting it go is so freeing and so transformative.”

Organization expert Carrie Powell helps busy professionals simplify their homes so they can free their time and mental space. The most common cause of distracting clutter? Being stuck in the “sandwich” season of life—caring for growing kids and aging parents at the same time. 

If your living space feels more like constant chaos than a calm sanctuary, tap here to catch her full advice on clearing out your home to shift your daily mindset.

HANGS & HAPPENINGS

CREtech New York | New York City, NY | October 21 – 22
Over two action-packed days, you’ll connect with top C-suite executives, industry leaders, and dealmakers from the world’s largest real estate firms, all shaping the future of the built environment. As the Flagship Event of NYC Real Estate Tech Week, this is your opportunity to make meaningful connections and walk away with tangible business outcomes.

NAR NXT 2025 | Houston, TX | November 14 – 16
Gain laser-focused business intelligence and insights on AI, interest rates and inventory. Access strategic insights, tactical tools, and innovative solutions to highlight your mission-critical role for today’s ever-changing market.

Inman Connect | New York City, NY | February 3 – 5, 2026
The biggest names in real estate share their secrets to success with our attendees in curated sessions that will equip you with the skills to level up.

Before we go…

• Share. Forward this newsletter to another real estate pro. It only takes three clicks.

• Connect. Say 👋 on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

ESTATE RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

📣WANT TO REACH 100K+ REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS RIGHT IN THEIR INBOX?

Promote your brand with Estate Weekly and get noticed by the leading professionals in the real estate industry. Our subscribers include high-income decision-makers, investors, and key players in the real estate sector. For more information, please email partnerships@estatemedia.co.