REALTOR Roundup

That half-empty office building on your commute with a shiny “Coming Soon: Luxury Apartments” banner isn’t just another facelift—it’s part of a nationwide transformation. In 2025 alone, a record 70,700 office units are being converted to housing, reshaping urban markets and creating new opportunities for residential brokers.

When most people think of real estate investments, they think of houses. But there’s a whole other world out there—and it’s commercial.

Purchasing a home is often seen as one of life’s most meaningful milestones. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, the journey requires thoughtful planning, research, and a clear understanding of each step along the way. It’s easy to focus on the big moments—the excitement of finding the home that feels just right, securing a contract, reaching the closing table, and finally receiving the keys before making the space your own. Yet many of the finer details are just as important and deserve careful attention.

Safety is always top of mind for Realtors, but it’s not something we often talk about out loud. The truth is, our work puts us in vulnerable positions regularly because we typically broadcast our schedules publicly through open house announcements, get calls from strangers asking us to meet at properties with little notice, and even sometimes drive clients whom we have only just met in our own vehicles. Because of these realities, it’s critical to put safety measures in place and stick to them.

As a Realtor at a small-town brokerage, I spend every day helping people make some of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s the fact that local elections matter—big time—especially for the housing market.

Artificial intelligence isn’t just on the horizon anymore; it’s here. Over the next year, the playing field in real estate is going to change drastically. Tools like ChatGPT, predictive analytics, and AI-driven CRMs are leveling the knowledge gap. The truth is, very soon every agent will have access to the same market data, scripts, listing insights, and transaction checklists at their fingertips.

Recently, I received a garnishment notice at my business for someone I’ve never employed and do not know. This individual claimed to work for my company, and as a result, the sheriff's office attempted to serve me with paperwork demanding that I withhold wages to satisfy a debt. I immediately called my Principal Attorney, Jennifer McCoy.

A major shift in mortgage lending is here—and it’s one that every real estate agent should be aware of, especially if you work with first-time buyers or clients with limited credit histories.