That beautiful vacant lot you just found might be a great investment—or it might be a great setup for a scam. In 2026, fraudsters are getting increasingly creative when it comes to real estate. One growing scheme involves pretending to be the owner of vacant land, hiring a real estate professional to list it and …
Tag: tips
Sep 29
Can You Put a Floor Plan on a Real Estate Listing? A Court Case Says: It Depends.
You’ve found the perfect house online. You love the kitchen photos, the backyard looks great—and then you spot the floor plan. Suddenly, you know exactly where the kids’ rooms could go, whether your sofa will fit, and if that “open concept” claim is actually true. But here’s the surprising part: who owns that floor plan—and …
Sep 24
Co-Op Housing in 2026: What Buyers Should Know Before Applying
You found the co-op you love. You’re ready to make your move. Then comes the application—and suddenly, you’re handing over financial records, paying fees, answering personal questions and waiting for a board’s decision. What happens if you’re turned down and aren’t told exactly why? For buyers, that uncertainty can be more than frustrating. It can …
Sep 23
Buyer Representation Is Still Very Much Part of Real Estate in 2026
Buying a home in 2026? You may have heard that the rules around buyer’s agents, commissions and representation have changed. They have—but that doesn’t mean buyer representation has gone away. If you’re shopping for a home today, you’ll likely encounter something that may be new to you: before touring a home with a real estate …
Sep 22
Think That Five-Star Review Is Real? Think Again.
Before you hire a real estate agent, choose a contractor, or make just about any major purchase, there’s a good chance you check the reviews first. Five stars can be persuasive. But what happens when those stars aren’t telling the whole story? The FTC is paying attention. The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Reviews and Testimonials …
Sep 21
The Hidden History Behind Your Home May Surprise You
What if the paperwork for your home contained language you’d never expect to see in 2026? It sounds like something from another era—and in some cases, it is. But old property records can still contain restrictive language created decades ago to keep people of certain races, ethnicities or religions from buying or living in particular …
Sep 18
Independent Contractor Status: Keep Your Brokerage on the Right Track
Real estate agents love independence—and for good reason. Flexible schedules, running your own business and getting paid based on results are all part of the appeal. But for brokers, keeping that independent-contractor relationship on solid ground takes more than simply putting “independent contractor” on a contract. In 2026, it’s worth taking a fresh look at …
Sep 17
Referral Marketing: Helpful or Too Close for Comfort?
Real estate referrals can be a win-win. A homeowner gets connected with a trusted professional in another market, and an agent gets to grow their business. But there’s a fine line between making a legitimate referral and using another agent’s client information to drum up business. That line starts with Article 16 of the REALTOR® …
Sep 15
Sitzer-Burnett: The Real Estate Shake-Up Buyers and Sellers Should Know About in 2026
Real estate has always come with plenty of paperwork, negotiations and questions. But in recent years, one lawsuit has added a whole new chapter to the conversation: Sitzer-Burnett. So, what does this legal saga have to do with your next home purchase or sale? Quite a bit. The lawsuit challenged long-standing practices surrounding real estate …
Sep 14
Floor Plans and Copyright: What Real Estate Pros Need to Know in 2026
Floor plans have become a valuable marketing tool for real estate professionals and buyers alike. They help shoppers understand how a home flows before they ever walk through the front door. But for years, questions about copyright made using them a legal gray area. That picture is much clearer in 2026. The U.S. Supreme Court …
Sep 11
The NAR Settlement: What Home Buyers and Sellers Really Need to Know in 2026
Heard that the real estate rules changed? You heard right. But don’t panic—buying or selling a home in 2026 isn’t as complicated as the headlines may make it sound. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settlement changed some of the traditional ways real estate agents and consumers work together. By now, these changes have become …
Sep 09
That Phone Call Could Cost You: Telemarketing Rules Every Realtor® Should Know in 2026
You see a homeowner’s number. You think, “I should call them.” Five minutes later, you’re wondering why nobody answered. Fast-forward a few months—and suddenly that unanswered call is attached to a lawsuit. Welcome to the not-so-fun side of real estate marketing. Cold calling and texting are still valuable tools in 2026. But the days of …
