Contingencies
America Answers: No Agent Left Behind Contingencies Contingencies are suddenly back in vogue this cycle but not a lot of newer agents know what they are or how they’re used to keep a transaction on track. Contingencies are what keep everybody in a real estate transaction honest. They provide a set amount of time where buyers can verify what sellers disclose, inspect the property, confirm financing, and make sure the deal is actually what they thought it was when they signed. The earnest money ...
14% of Home-Sale Agreements Fell Through Last Month—A Record for February
More than 42,000 U.S. home-sale agreements fell through in February, equal to 13.7% of homes that went under contract that month. That’s up from 12.8% a year earlier, and the highest February share in records dating back to 2017, according to a new report from Redfin, the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket. This is based on a Redfin analysis of MLS pending-sales data. The data is seasonal, which is why this February is compared to past Februarys. Nearly one in every seven homebuying deals...
3 in 5 Americans Fear AI Could Replace Jobs, Making it Harder to Afford Homes
Roughly three in five (59%) U.S. residents believe advances in artificial intelligence will eliminate jobs and make it harder for people to afford homes, according to a new survey fielded by Ipsos and commissioned by Redfin, the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket. Half as many people (30%) believe the opposite, that advances in AI will help boost the U.S. economy and help more people afford homes. AI has dominated headlines as rapid advances stoke fears that it could automate a significant ...
Contracts Without the Confusion: Understanding Addendums and Contingencies
For many new real estate agents, the first time an offer turns into a stack of paperwork can feel overwhelming. What starts as a simple purchase agreement can quickly grow into multiple disclosures, attachments, and legal clauses that new agents are still learning to navigate. Two of the most common—and often misunderstood—parts of a real estate contract are addenda and contingencies. Both show up in most transactions, but they serve very different purposes in protecting the buyer, the selle...
April 12-18th is the Best Week to Sell in 2026 According to Realtor.com®
Typical market seasonality and improving affordability conditions are converging to create a highly favorable window for U.S. home sellers during the week of April 12-18th. According to the 2026 Best Time to Sell report from Realtor.com®, the week of April 12-18th is expected to be the best time to list a home in 2026, offering a "Goldilocks" balance of higher prices, strong buyer demand, and a fast market pace. As mortgage rates stabilized in the low-6% range in late 2025 and reached some of t...
Deal Mechanics
America Answers: No Agent Left Behind Deal Mechanics Clients think the deal is done when the offer is accepted. That is the cute part. That is the Instagram moment. The real work starts the second the signatures dry. The paperwork is where deals live or die, and it is where most agents—especially new ones—get crushed. I have watched seven-figure transactions implode because someone blew past a 17-day deadline. I have seen agents lose their entire commission because they did not understand th...
Why St. Patrick's Day Is Important To Americans (And Why We Take It So Seriously)
St. Patrick's Day holds a special place in American hearts, and not just because it gives us an excuse to wear green without looking like we raided a leprechaun's closet. This holiday has become as American as apple pie, except the pie is green and might make you sing Irish folk songs. First, let's talk about the obvious reason: it's the one day of the year when everyone becomes Irish. Suddenly, your neighbor Bob from Wisconsin discovers his great-great-grandmother's cousin once looked at a map ...
The Land Behind the Listing
Surveys, Easements, and Title Issues Every New Agent Should Understand Understanding common land and title concerns can help new agents avoid delays, confidently, answer client questions, and keep transactions on track. One of the most surprising aspects for many new real estate agents is how much of the profession involves understanding land—not just houses. New agents quickly learn that issues such as surveys, easements, encroachments, and legal descriptions can delay closings, raise lender ...
MLS Data Belongs to Us, Agents and Brokers, Time to Take It Back
The war for the right to monetize our, agent’s and broker’s, data from our local MLS boards is not happening during Sunday open houses or in living rooms. It’s being waged in federal courtrooms and corporate boardrooms where the value of our shared data—there would be no Redfin or Zillow or any other platform monetizing MLS data—is being coopted by people that feel entitled to have and monetize it. For over a century, the Multiple Listing Service has functioned as a transparent clearin...