The team formerly known as the Southern District Properties Group at Compass will now become Sotheby's newest affiliate in Texas, Southern District Sotheby's International Realty.

Working with a team is as much of an exercise in self-improvement, commitment to excellence and accountability for the team leader as it is for members on the team, writes broker Cara Ameer. The goal is to create a happy and inspiring place to prosper. 

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Most of us are well aware by now that higher mortgage rates—combined with already towering home prices—have driven a severe home affordability crisis over recent months. But just how much are they affecting the actual monthly costs needed to own a home in today’s market?

When mortgage interest rates move a fraction of a percentage point, it might not seem like much. But even the smallest movements can add up to big savings—or make homeownership unaffordable for many would-be buyers.

For a home at the current median listing price, a buyer will pay about $800 more every month than they would have just a year ago, largely due to higher mortgage rates.

Last week, mortgage rates ticked up again to the mid-6% range for 30-year fixed-rate loans, according to Mortgage News Daily, up from just below 6% last month. While those rates are down from more than 7% in November 2022, the small increase last week is affecting the bottom line for many buyers already frustrated by stubbornly high home prices.

The "tax" varies widely depending on the market with renters in expensive markets, such as New York City paying up to $19,500 more in rent annually.

Why is it that in 2023 our culture is still determined to enforce dated and ridiculous dress code stereotypes? Trainer Rachael Hite says that brokers need to focus more on providing great customer service to consumers and better training for agents and worry less about what they are wearing.

Learn how proactive AI can give you an almost unfair advantage and fill your pipeline with opportunities.

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Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Commanders football team, has listed his Potomac, MD, mansion for a whopping $49 million. At the current asking price, it’s the state’s most expensive residential listing.

But Snyder doesn’t have to worry about having a place to stay in the D.C. area. He also owns an enormous property on a historic parcel of land in Alexandria, VA. Snyder paid $48 million for his Virginia spread in October 2021. When the this property came onto the market for $60 million in October 2020, it was the priciest property for sale in Virginia.

The Maryland mansion boasts five bedrooms, 6.5 baths, and loads of living space, arranged over a staggering 30,000 square feet and set on nearly 10 acres.

This home is lavishly regal, thanks to its chateau design and limestone exterior. And the property even comes with an actual royal pedigree: It was once owned by Jordan’s King Hussein and Queen Noor.

A Mediterranean-style house in the Hollywood Hills, a four-bedroom condominium in San Clemente and a Spanish-style home in Tustin.

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For many home shoppers, buying a house right now can seem like a very pricey pipe dream. Mortgage interest rates still hover at an uncomfortably high mid-6% range for 30-year fixed-rate loans. And the Realtor.com® economists expect home prices will rise 5.4% year over year in 2023.

Those factors mean buying a home right now is an expensive endeavor. But this doesn’t mean your goal of homeownership is out of reach.

“The key to buying a house on the cheap is knowing how to balance achieving your dreams while staying within your budget,” says Casey Ames, owner and CEO of Taylor Jene Homes in Boise, ID.

If buying a home is on your horizon but affording things like a down payment feels like an uphill battle, take a look at these tactics for getting a house on the cheap. Relatively.

Illustration by Realtor.com; Photo: Getty Images

Is the housing market back?

A surge in mortgage interest rates last year ground the real estate market to an abrupt halt, as scores of would-be buyers could no longer afford to purchase homes. But last month, as mortgage rates dipped and home prices fell from their peaks, home shoppers dipped their toes back in.

Real estate agents across the country reported buyers returned to open houses, the number of mortgage applications surged, and the most desirable homes received multiple offers again.

“What we’re seeing are the seeds of a potential spring thaw,” says Realtor.com® Senior Economist George Ratiu. But he warns that it’s too early to tell if the market will rebound this year.

Real estate's top thought leaders shared their best advice for thriving in a slower market during CEO Connect in New York last month. Here's what they had to say.

A chef who had worked in many kitchens wanted to be her own boss. After a couple of detours, including on the Food Network’s “Chef Boot Camp,” Mott Haven beckoned.

Everyone has the ability to be a great leader, but not everyone has the drive. Developing leadership skill takes time, dedication and perseverance.

Sometimes, the agent on the other side of the table can't get out of their own way. The next time you experience a hot-headed real estate agent on the other side of the deal, try these tips from Amie Quirarte to cool it down. 

On a stage at Inman Connect New York, industry insider Kendall Bonner welcomed a full house to an expert panel discussion on AI including Omer Granot, Jonathan Klein, and Ori Freiman.

I’ve been showcasing properties in front of the camera for much of my career. I’ve uncovered my own formula for what works when streaming video to a live virtual audience and what doesn’t. Here are my top tips.

After Two Trees took over the restoration of the refinery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the plan for offices, retail, housing and open space is coming into focus.

Quitting gas makes sense for the environment and your health, but not all buildings are equipped to go electric.

Clever Real Estate finds its leads with extensive content marketing to educate consumers on a vast range of real estate topics.

Rising mortgage rates have many lenders looking to sell servicing rights, creating an opportunity for a Dallas-based company that now collects payments on $870 billion in loans.