Industry ‘needs to stand up’ on real estate agent safety
Agents are often alone when they meet with new clients — and “a lot can happen in five minutes,” warned Niall Phelan, founder of Agent Buddi.
September 5, 2026
Agent News
Insights, advice and essential news to help agents keep moving forward.
- Only 1 in 3 sellers are negotiating agent commissionsMany agents will lower their commission when asked, but sellers are still largely in the dark about how the process works and what they’re required to pay.August 26, 2026
- Why real estate can be a good choice for career changersOlder professionals often bring experience that translates directly to a career as an agent, giving them a head start as they learn industry-specific skills.August 24, 2026
- The ‘secret to success’ for ambitious agentsAfter working for years as one of Manhattan’s top luxury brokers, Lisa Lippman says “staying grounded” and doing “the real work” has been key to her success.August 15, 2026
More in Agents
- Divergent views on what benefits buyers, what’s best for agentsA new Zillow survey found that nearly 9 in 10 agents believe independent representation is good for buyers — but less than two-thirds think it helps agents.August 3, 2026
- How to help buyers ‘know what they’re getting into’ with insuranceAs homeowners premiums continue to rise, agents should discuss the cost realities with their clients early, a Howard Hanna Insurance Services exec advised.July 31, 2026
- Better-informed sellers are raising the stakes for CMAsAs sellers gain access to more pricing data through online tools or AI research, agents believe a strong, refined CMA is where they can show their value.July 27, 2026
- How home inspections fit into the housing affordability pictureFor buyers with stretched budgets, unexpected repairs can break the bank. Yet home inspector regulation is spotty, and the cost of incompetence can be high.July 21, 2026
- Agents a ‘powerful’ influence on private listing choiceA recent survey of homesellers revealed marketing preferences, expectations (and disappointments), and how sellers use AI to second-guess agent recommendations.July 20, 2026
- How agents can help young adults facing ‘emotional’ housing crisisThough recent industry debate has mostly focused on sellers, buyers are the ones facing extreme challenges in today’s market, HomeServices CEO Chris Kelly says.July 17, 2026
- Why a one-size-fits-all luxury strategy doesn’t workA $5M home might sell overnight while a $20M trophy lingers for months, because "luxury" isn't one market — and one pricing playbook can't serve both ends.July 13, 2026
- When did we start caring more about metrics than clients?In an era of influencers and personal branding, more agents are prioritizing performative metrics over true agency — but consumers are losing patience.June 27, 2026
- ‘Playmakers’: How to impress sellers and win listingsHear listing appointment tips from three pros who explain how an agent’s arrival, prep, AI savvy — and even attention to pets — can give them an edge.June 27, 2026
- Why agents should talk ‘more about payments than price’Florida-based Keyes Company wants prospective buyers to arrive at a showing “understanding the full costs” of homeownership, President Christina Pappas said.June 22, 2026
- For real estate to be a true profession, we must first raise the barAgents help clients with one of the most significant financial and legal transactions of their lives, yet the industry requires minimal standards for licensure.June 20, 2026
- NAR: Stop calling yourself a ‘top Realtor’The association’s trademark lawyer told attendees at NAR’s midyear meetings that Realtor is not a job title — and encouraged members to report use violations.June 17, 2026
- What today’s agents want from tomorrow’s brokeragesStrong tech offerings are crucial, agents said during a recent T3 Sixty webinar — but brokerages shouldn’t sleep on networking and marketing support.June 9, 2026
- Survey: Most CRMLS users support Clear CooperationMore than two-thirds of agents took a supportive or neutral stance. Criticism was largely focused on the difficulty of meeting the one-day listing requirement.May 12, 2026
- Today’s housing market favors storytellers — and video is kingVideo can no longer be viewed as an extra in marketing, argues Real exec Jason Cassity — it is now “the most efficient distribution channel for your brand.”May 5, 2026
- Most homebuyers go over budget — a concern for lendersA survey of recent buyers and LOs found that affordability is a top stressor, and nearly half of young buyers have been at risk of missing a mortgage payment.May 4, 2026
- What works — and what doesn’t — in agent-vendor relationshipsAgents today are inundated with options for services and partnerships, but alignment is key, according to a panel of real estate professionals.May 2, 2026
- ‘Playmakers’: ‘Where most agents go wrong’ and how to fix itWatch the conversation as $6B agent James Harris champions old-school door-knocking and modern AI tools — and explains how saying “no” to clients builds trust.April 25, 2026
- Majority of agents ‘would not recommend’ private listingsConsumer interest also appears low, with nearly 70% of agents saying no client has asked for their home to be marketed privately, a Real Brokerage survey found.April 20, 2026
- Confronting real estate’s ‘very destructive’ narrativeBrown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman draws a clear line between private listings and PLNs: “You have to be honest” about days on market, she says.April 4, 2026
