Property Invests
Bowers said Century 21's support of technology and marketing, lead generation, agent learning and coaching were among the offerings that attracted her to the brand — as well as its "unparalleled name recognition not only in the real estate industry but also to general consumers as a whole," she said in a news release.
The events of the past few years have been a shock to the system for residential real estate: Lawsuits that have changed how agents get paid and challenged their value, a frozen housing market, NAR upheaval.
A consumer watchdog's perspective on listing agreements: Ahead of the new industry practices that took effect in August, many brokerages, MLSs and associations spent the summer revising or creating buyer and seller contracts.
While some may criticize platforms like Zillow or Realtor.com, not listing a home on the largest real estate portals is, in my view, a breach of fiduciary duty and could easily lead to Fair Housing violations by hiding inventory from certain buyers.
Winners were selected from a pool of finalists across four regions, with RE/MAX Results leading the Midwest, @properties Christie's in the Northeast, Levin Rinke Realty in the Southeast, and Windermere on the West Coast.
"Barcelona's allure, with its rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and artistic vibrancy, makes it an exceptional location for our newest office," said Mauricio Umansky, Agency CEO and founder, in a news release.
"Lofty has the massive scale we need to grow our business, the features our agents require to be successful, and the powerful technology backbone to support our commitment to innovation."
Broker Stanley Ginsberg, who has more than 35 years experience in the Manhattan real estate industry, is joining the firm along with agents Petar Vojvodic, Pia Elbling, Kristina Tichner and Akilah Williams.
"The worldwide brand recognition and broad global network that Christie's International Real Estate provides, along with our exclusive product offerings, will enable our firm to establish a prominent position in this marketplace in a short timeframe."
One tech firm to lean into real estate's new era is Seattle-based MoxiWorks, which announced a major update this week to its software suite and new web products to help agents conduct business in compliance with the rule changes.
As she looks to the remainder of 2024 and into 2025, those solutions will continue to include investments in technology, training and tools to support brokers and agents through the changing industry landscape.
So agents have to be considerate when working with others in the field or discussing changes with real estate professionals online as rules and practices vary at the local level.