Click HERE to download the white paper.

Use code “REALTOR” at checkout for your free copy, for a limited time.

For MLSs, this is more than an interesting data point. It’s a reminder of the role MLSs play in protecting home sellers, supporting agents, and sustaining a transparent market. When MLSs publish work like this, they reinforce the value of a cooperative system that brings structure, visibility, and accuracy to the real estate transaction. Consumers may not always see that value on their own, but brokers and agents do when research makes it undeniable.

The core message is simple: homes listed with an agent in the MLS generate more exposure and stronger offers than FSBO homes. The MLS ensures every buyer has access to the same information and every seller gets broad, fair, and competitive market reach. It’s the marketplace that balances transparency with professional accountability, and it continues to outperform any alternative.

WAV Group’s whitepaper, “Why FSBOs can’t compete with REALTOR® reach” also highlights the work agents perform behind the scenes. Pricing strategy, property preparation, marketing execution, lead qualification, negotiation, contract management, and closing coordination require experience. FSBO sellers often underestimate the time, risk, and complexity involved. When things go wrong, they usually lose far more than the commission they intended to save. The research makes this clear, and MLSs are in a strong position to amplify that message to the industry.

We highly encourage MLSs to publish this whitepaper and incorporate it into their agent communications.

Use it in newsletters, broker updates, training programs, listing strategy discussions, and consumer education campaigns. It’s a tool that strengthens the industry’s narrative, reinforces the value of the MLS, and gives your subscribers the data they need to articulate the advantage of a professionally managed listing.

Reach out below if you would like us to help you get started with this effort.

The post Why FSBO sellers lose money and why MLSs should share this research appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

According to the NAR’s just-released 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the number of buyers who cited proximity to their job as a top factor in choosing their neighborhood has dropped to just 31%. That’s nearly half the share from 2014, when it was 52%. It’s a striking reversal, given that many employers have tightened their return-to-office policies over the past year.

So, what’s really going on here?

The great reshuffle is aging, literally

It turns out today’s homebuyers are the oldest in modern history. The median age hit 59, while first-time buyers are now on average 40 years old, up from 38 last year and the late 20s in the 1980s. With age comes equity and flexibility. More repeat buyers, now with years of appreciation in their pocket, are making larger down payments (23%) or paying cash (30%), giving them freedom to move for lifestyle reasons instead of job proximity.

Half of repeat buyers are over 62, and nearly one in five cite being closer to friends and family as their top motivation, a theme echoed throughout the report. Affordability challenges have slowed the entry of younger buyers, but older generations are still buying, just differently.

The family home isn’t full anymore

Only 24% of homebuyers have children under 18 – the lowest share ever recorded! That figure was 35% a decade ago. The drop reflects both demographic and economic shifts: lower birth rates, rising childcare costs, and delayed family formation.

It’s no wonder that 14% of buyers purchased multigenerational homes, often to care for aging parents (41%) or save on housing costs (29%). Blended households are replacing empty nests

Boomers are the stay put Gen

Another subtle but powerful shift: Sellers are staying put longer, 11 years before moving. When they do, many are cashing out and buying newer or larger homes. Fifty percent of sellers traded up to a newer property, while one-third upsized.

With older, equity-strong sellers driving most transactions, the market increasingly favors those who already own. That’s the heart of the “two cities” story NAR’s economists describe: owners with cash versus would-be first-time buyers still locked out.

The diversity gap quietly narrows

Buried deeper in the report is a hopeful data point: 34% of first-time buyers identified as non-White, compared to just 15% of repeat buyers. That suggests new buyers, though fewer in number, are helping diversify homeownership, even in a tough affordability climate.

A market of late bloomers and long stays

The 2025 NAR Profile reads like a snapshot of a maturing housing market: older buyers, later starts, longer ownership, and fewer kids at home. The traditional “starter home to family home to downsizing condo” progression has fractured. Today’s buyers might skip steps entirely or stay in one place for decades.

That shift has profound implications for both agents and housing policy. For agents, it’s about serving a clientele that’s less defined by life stage and more by lifestyle. For policymakers, it’s a warning sign: when homeownership begins at 40 instead of 30, the ripple effects can last a generation.

Bottom line: When you think about “first-time buyers,” picture your parents – not your kids.

The post NAR Report: Americans are buying homes farther from work and waiting longer to do it appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

Rising insurance premiums and coverage changes are putting flood risk in the spotlight. Flood damage often isn’t covered by standard homeowners insurance, which makes consumer awareness even more critical. Buyers are increasingly asking not just if a property is in a flood zone, but what that means for their long-term costs and protection.

Our 2025 WAV Group Natural Disaster Homeowner Sentiment Survey makes it clear that the expectation falls squarely on agents. When homeowners were asked who should disclose flood risk, real estate agents came out on top—well ahead of inspectors, appraisers, or local governments. 

The challenge is that agents can’t meet this expectation without the right tools and support. MLSs and brokers can help by integrating flood risk data into listings, offering training on interpreting FEMA maps, and providing clear disclosure templates that agents can use with confidence.

It’s not just about checking a box. Helping agents meet this expectation strengthens credibility, reduces risk, and shows clients you’re on top of what matters most.

Get the full report

The 2025 WAV Group Natural Disaster Homeowner Sentiment Survey is packed with actionable insights for MLSs, brokers, and agents.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY!

The post Real Estate Agent’s Need to Lead the Natural Disaster Risk Education Process appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

It’s a hard truth, but one that WAV Group has seen play out again and again. That’s why we created a new resource: Principles and Concepts for Operating a Successful Real Estate Brokerage. It’s a guide built from decades of firsthand consulting experience with some of the most profitable and strategically sound firms in the industry.

We’ve worked with brokerages of all sizes. Some were thriving. Others were barely holding on. The difference wasn’t market size, brand, or even production. It was leadership.

Here’s what the top-performing firms are doing that others miss:

• They don’t run solo. Profitable brokerages are built on strong leadership teams that work together, not one person trying to do it all.
• They use their data. Business intelligence isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the foundation for better decisions on recruiting, compensation, and operational strategy.
• They rethink comp plans. Growth without margin isn’t success. Smart comp structures reward performance while protecting the bottom line.
• They diversify their revenue. Top firms earn more than just commission. They build in profitability with transaction fees, retention programs, affiliated services, and a system for referrals and repeat business.
• They evolve constantly. The most successful brokerages invest in tools, tech, and training. They don’t wait until something breaks to fix it.

This guide, co-authored by WAV Group founding partner Victor Lund and brokerage profitability expert Ron Hurak, CEO of LanTrax, Together, this work distills these insights into actionable strategies you can apply today.

If you’re serious about running a smarter, more resilient brokerage, start here.

Get the Guide: Principles and Concepts for Operating a Successful Real Estate Brokerage
Use code Profit to download it for free for a limited time.

The post What Makes a Brokerage Truly Profitable? Here’s What the Top Firms Do Differently appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

According to the WAV Group Brokerage Utilization and Access Study Part 2, nearly 80% of brokers say they’re not satisfied with their ability to monitor agent usage of the technologies they provide. The reasons vary, but the outcome is the same: brokers don’t have the information they need to make informed decisions about what to keep, promote, or sunset. WAV Group has worked with several brokers trying to help them critically evaluate engagement and appreciation of technologies before they decide to sunset it. It is an arduous and expensive task. 

One of the core broker challenges related to monitoring technology engagement is that most vendors don’t provide brokers with usage data in a consistent, easily digestible format. Some provide monthly spreadsheets. Others require logins to admin dashboards that are rarely user-friendly. And still others don’t share usage data at all. Without a standard reporting framework, it becomes nearly impossible for brokers to assess the return on their technology investments.

Download WAV Group Brokerage Utilization and Access Study Part 2

This lack of transparency hurts more than the bottom line. It also makes it harder for brokers to promote tools effectively. If you don’t know what’s being used, or more importantly, not being used, you can’t target training efforts where they’re needed. You also can’t identify and spotlight the agents who are getting great results from a particular product. And without success stories, it’s hard to generate excitement or adoption across the rest of your office.

The WAV Group Brokerage Utilization and Access Study Part 2 showed that brokers are looking for more than basic login counts. They want insights into usage patterns. Which tools are being opened regularly? Which ones are part of an agent’s daily routine? Which ones drive better client follow-up, smoother transactions, or increased conversions? 

Brokers also want to be proactive. If a tool is being underutilized, they want to know early before contract renewal discussions. Having access to usage data at their fingertips gives brokers the chance to intervene, retrain, and reposition tools to get better engagement.

A centralized dashboard isn’t just helpful for agents. It’s also a strategic resource for broker-owners and office managers. A smart dashboard can track logins, tool engagement, and task completion. It can surface alerts when usage drops or when agents go long stretches without engaging with the core technologies that support their business. And it can create a baseline that helps brokers evaluate the effectiveness of each solution.

Download WAV Group Brokerage Utilization and Access Study Part 2

The study also found that 57% of brokers are very or extremely interested in a way to monitor how often agents log in to the technologies provided. And 68% want a dashboard that increases usage and provides better visibility into engagement. That level of interest speaks to a growing demand for smarter systems that help brokers connect the dots between what they’re paying for and what’s helping agents succeed.

Too many brokers license technologies as a recruiting or retention tool, not a true drive of productivity improvements. Brokers are trying to deliver value, support performance, and make wise financial decisions. When vendors and MLSs don’t provide adequate usage data, they’re forcing brokers to operate in the dark.

If your brokerage technology strategy is to help agents be successful, then access to evidence of tech engagement is critical. You deserve systems that show you what’s working and what’s not so you can invest with confidence and clarity.

Download WAV Group Brokerage Utilization and Access Study Part 2
Missed WAV Group Brokerage Utilization and Access Study Part 1? Click here to download it now

The post Why Brokers Need Better Visibility into Tech Engagement to Deliver more Effective Training appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

Brokers and MLSs who want to grow and protect their businesses can’t afford to overlook Virtual Office Websites (VOWs). WAV Group’s latest white paper,

The importance of VOWs is only increasing. New policies from the National Association of REALTORS® now limit the data available through IDX sites. As a result, brokers who want to offer a full view of the market must rely on VOWs to deliver a complete experience to their clients. MLSs, too, have a critical role to play in supporting this shift.

A VOW is not just another website. It’s a powerful brokerage platform that allows firms to offer comprehensive online services. Unlike traditional Internet Data Exchange (IDX) sites, VOWs give consumers access to richer MLS data – including sold listings, listing histories, tax information, and delayed marketing listings. This deeper transparency helps brokers build greater trust with buyers and sellers who want real answers, not just active listings.

The paper shows how VOWs can drive stronger lead generation, fuel business growth, and create better communication with buyers. Because VOWs require consumers to register before viewing information, brokers can establish real broker-client relationships early. This structure opens the door to more personalized service and stronger long-term loyalty. Early adopters of VOW platforms have already seen a major lift in serious buyer and seller engagement.

Click Here to download your copy!

For $50 off today, use code: VOW2025

The research in WAV Group’s new white paper is a practical guide for brokers and MLSs ready to adapt, compete, and lead. To learn more on how to put VOWs to work for your business, contact us below.

The post Unlock the power of virtual office websites for brokers and MLSs appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

Most brokerage leaders know their commission plans play a big role in agent recruiting and retention. But far fewer realize how much those same plans can either erode or elevate profitability.

WAV Group has conducted dozens of commission plan analyses for brokerages of all sizes, revealing one consistent truth: outdated, overly complex, or misaligned compensation models are often the silent killer of brokerage margins. In contrast, brokerages that take a data-driven approach to commission management often discover untapped profitability, sometimes increasing broker dollars by 30% or more without sacrificing competitiveness.

Our latest case study dives into two real-world brokerage examples. One firm came to WAV Group looking to validate a newly modeled commission structure; another sought insight into whether its proposed plan would improve financial performance. In both cases, leadership wanted clear, objective data before rolling out changes that could impact culture, retention, and revenue.

Here’s what we found:

• Plan consolidation matters. One firm reduced dozens of commission permutations down to three structured tiers—each designed around agent performance, GCI thresholds, and business type (e.g., relocation, company-generated). This simplification allowed for clear modeling of agent earnings and broker dollar outcomes.
• Profitability gains can be substantial. When modeled against historical data, the simplified commission structure showed an increase in total company earnings of approximately 30%, even while most agents saw only a modest decrease in income (5% or less).
• Blended models outperform rigid plans. By applying blending techniques—where commission levels scale during the year rather than resetting annually—firms were able to ease transition risk and reduce the severity of income swings for agents. This also mitigated resistance when implementing changes.
• Customization is critical. In the second brokerage case, leadership discovered that a one-size-fits-all plan wouldn’t work across the counties they serve. Regional differences in transaction volume and average sale price meant that a flat adjustment could have unintentionally penalized productive teams in slower markets.
• Communication strategy is key. Both brokerages underscored the importance of having insight into the outcomes of their models. The process enabled them to think and build an internal narrative around why changes were being made, whether to anchor the company’s growth, invest in agent support, or increase the long-term value of the brand. It just was not for profitability’s sake. WAV Group helped them test models privately before rolling out any public messaging.

The shift from “set it and forget it” to active commission optimization isn’t just a financial play; it’s a strategic move that aligns agent incentives with brokerage goals. And in an environment where margins are tight and top producers have options, having a clear, fair, and competitive compensation model can make all the difference.

Click Here to download the full case study

For $50 off your copy today, use code CRO2025

Explore how modern commission strategies can drive profitability, simplify operations, and improve agent alignment.

If your firm hasn’t performed a commission analysis in the past few years, now is the time. WAV Group’s Commission Revenue Optimization service can help you model different approaches and choose the one that fits your business best.

Reach out below to start the conversation – we’re here to help!

The post Brokerage Commission Analysis Case Study: A path to stronger profitability with WAV Group Commission Revenue Optimization appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

The real estate and home improvement industries are undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the growing demand for pre-sale home improvements. ​ The “Improve-to-Sell” model has emerged as a game-changer, enabling homeowners to maximize their property’s value, sell faster, and reduce the stress of the selling process. ​

The research in our white paper explores the evolution of Improve-to-Sell, highlighting its benefits, challenges, and the innovative solutions transforming the industry. ​

Key insights include:

• The Four-Legged Stool: Successful Improve-to-Sell projects rely on collaboration between brokers, homeowners, lenders, and service providers. ​
• The Capital Model: Homes improved before sale can sell for up to 15% more, with financing options that defer payment until closing. ​
• The Challenge: Regulatory compliance and fragmented practices have historically hindered the model’s growth. ​
• HouseAmp’s Solution: The first fully compliant infrastructure for Improve-to-Sell, empowering brokers, agents, lenders, and service providers to streamline processes and deliver better results. ​
• The Future: Platforms like HouseAmp and service providers such as Curbio, Renovation Sells, BOSSCAT, and Revive are paving the way for a more efficient, scalable, and compliant ecosystem.

As the Improve-to-Sell market continues to grow, this white paper provides actionable insights for real estate professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve.

Download the full white paper now to explore how Improve-to-Sell is reshaping the industry and discover strategies to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

Click Here to download a copy

For $50.00 off today use code: ITS2025

The post Unlocking the Future of Real Estate: The Evolution of Improve-to-Sell ​ appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

Here are some things agents will want to know about to better understand the differences in the generations they serve:

Gen X makes the most and buys the most expensive homes
Buyers aged 49 to 58 now top the income charts, with a median household income of $126,900. That puts them ahead of every other generation, plus they’re using their financial advantage to purchase homes with a median price of $380,000, the highest among all age groups.

Millennials still buy the most homes
Younger Millennials (25–33) and older Millennials (34–43) together make up 38% of all homebuyers. They remain the largest generational group purchasing homes, continuing a trend that began in 2014.

Gen Z quietly enters the market
They may be just getting started, but the Gen Z buyers (18–24) market accounts for 3% of all homebuyers. This generation is mostly single and buying their first home. With a median age of 21 and a median income of $71,200, they’re also the most diverse generation of buyers.

Boomers dominate the seller side
Older Boomers (69–77) and younger Boomers (59–68) make up 45% of all sellers: 45 PERCENT! But that’s really not a surprise, as they have the longest tenure in homes at an average of 19 years before deciding to sell.

First-time buyers bounce back
First-time buyers held a meager 26% market share last year but that’s surged back to 32%. While it’s a positive trend, it still falls short of the 38% historical average.

Mom and dad help out
Nearly one in four first-time buyers received a gift or loan from family or friends for their down payment. That figure jumps to 32% for Gen Z buyers. Family help is a required bridge to homeownership.

Longer-distant moves are becoming the norm
Buyers are moving 20 miles from their previous home: double the distance reported in 2021. Gen Z is moving the farthest: a median of 35 miles.

Fewer children at home
Only 28% of buyers had children under 18 living at home, down from 58% in 1985. It’s a long-term trend that will impact demand for family-style homes and school-focused communities.

Most buyers still want help from a real estate pro
Despite the internet and now potentially AI real estate agents, about 9 in 10 buyers used a real estate agent or broker. And it’s not just Boomers: 88% of Millennials and 90% of Gen Z tap a pro to navigate the process.

Why this data is important to agents
This must-read annual report is a treasure chest to help agents create and refine their sales strategies and marketing plans. It tells us how the real estate market is evolving, why people move, and why they stay in the same place. Most importantly, it puts a spotlight on the different reasons for each generation.

Gen X may have the means. Millennials are still making the most moves. And Gen Z is finding a way in, even if it’s with a little help from family.

For agents, this report helps connect the dots between the market and the people. Take time to study these shifts and you’ll better understand not just the how, but the why behind the motivations of buyers and sellers.

The post NAR Report: Gen X leads in income, Millennials stay mobile, and Gen Z quietly arrives appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

REAL AI is a human-created weekly roundup of all things related to artificial intelligence in real estate and emerging AI innovations in other sectors likely to impact our industry. Note: This content will soon only be available via our free newsletter, delivered every Monday. Please subscribe here!

Delta AI Survey: Real estate is an AI leader

Real estate has been a notorious tech lagger for decades. Despite millions in VC funds pumped into the category, widespread adoption of new tech by real estate agents has always been elusive. In fact, tech agent adoption rates above 30% are considered exceptional. AI is proving to be the ultimate exception to that rule.

Last year, real estate brokerage leaders reported that a stunning 80% of their agents were using AI in their business. This year, that number is approaching 90%. At 87%, that’s a 7% jump in just 12 months – that kind of rapid adoption of new tech is practically unheard of in any industry.

Remember: even though ChatGPT reports some 300 million weekly active users worldwide, just 6.7% of the US population uses ChatGPT daily. In real estate, our usage is off the chart!

What’s driving this? The latest 2025 Delta Real Estate Leadership AI Survey sheds light on the growing role of AI in brokerage operations, the evolution of agent adoption, and why AI is moving from a marketing tool to table stakes technology.

From content to operations: AI’s evolving role

Real estate has long been slow to embrace change, but our industry leans in hard when something works. AI’s real estate takeover started with content creation: listing descriptions, blogs, social media, and emails. But the new Delta AI survey shows brokerages are expanding AI use into deeper operational functions:

• Client services and support
• Data analysis and reporting
• Administrative task automation
• Back office support

The numbers are smaller but growing, indicating a more mature, strategic approach to AI adoption. What started as a go-to marketing tool is beginning to transform brokerage operations, unlocking data and insights that could help increase the efficiency of brokerage operations.

At a time when broker margins are paper thin, leveraging AI to help leaders improve efficiency, scale processes, and better identify and navigate productivity issues and market challenges could be a game-changer.

One other shift to note: Moving from AI skepticism to confidence

The Delta Media survey also shows AI fears are fading. While risk and liability concerns remain, the survey shows a noticeable decline in high-level AI worries.

Last year, 50.4% of brokerage leaders expressed major concerns about AI’s risks. This year, that number dropped to 42.2%, suggesting a growing comfort level with AI’s role in business.

This means brokerages are not hesitating about using AI but looking for the best ways to use it.

According to the survey, the biggest AI adopters are medium to large brokerages with 101-500 agents and transaction volumes between $101M-$500M. These firms have the resources and scale to implement AI effectively with all the right gates and guardrails to ensure responsible AI.

But on the flip side, smaller brokerages (under 20 agents, <$50M in transactions) are adoption laggers. The biggest barrier? Limited resources, not skepticism. AI is becoming more accessible, but cost and implementation hurdles still slow adoption for smaller firms. The risk of using public AI tools like ChatGPT without gates and guardrails increases liability and privacy issues.

If there’s one thing the Delta AI survey makes clear: AI is here and is here to stay. (-Kevin)

What’s Next for AI in Real Estate?

One AI highlight for me at Inman Connect that’s worth sharing some highlights from was a panel moderated by Jonathan Klein, featuring Drew Fabrikant, Founder of Scout, Amy Gromowski, VP and Head of Data Science at CoreLogic, Gaétan Rougevin-Baville, CEO of ProperShot, Mikus Opelts, CEO of Giraffe360.

Drew has a great opening salvo: That AI has the ability to answer real estate’s toughest marketing questions: Who to target? What to say? When to say it? He notes that AI-powered outreach is helping real estate professionals personalize messaging at scale, reaching the right buyers and sellers at the right time.

However, Drew also stressed that transparency is critical: agents must be upfront about AI’s role in their communications and ensure they comply with evolving regulations around data usage.

At risk? Trust: the foundation of real estate. Drew noted that clear disclosure and accountability will set the best agents apart as AI becomes more embedded in marketing.

Amy at CoreLogic highlighted AI’s ability to remove the administrative burdens that slow agents down. Instead of manually researching comps or risk factors, AI can instantly generate hyper-specific market insights and will dramatically alter search.

AI search can get rid of the checked boxes and the pull-down filters as home search will instead use natural language queries:

“Show me homes in Chicago priced between $500K-$600K, with a low flood risk and a roof in great condition.”

To do this, Amy notes, AI must analyze spatial data, property valuations, climate risks, and even image-extracted details like roof quality, all in real time. Generative AI is helping to make these processes seamless, allowing agents to spend more time building relationships instead of manually inputting data.

Mikus of Giraffe360 sees AI driving the cost of producing visual content – floor plans, videos, virtual tours, and 3D model rendering – to nearly zero.

He’s talked about going well beyond the Matterport 3D “dollhouse” tours, with the next wave of AI-driven creating a more immersive experience, replacing the plethora of static images. He said buyers will be able to fully interact with digital property models, virtually planning renovations (see Revive Vision), rearranging spaces, and customizing homes before they buy.

The most significant impact of this more immersive and accessible tech, Mikus said, would be faster transactions, predicting days on market will drop by as much as 20% in the next two years.

Finally, Gaétan of ProperShot talked about how AI staging is changing the game for real estate professionals, noting agents will be able to generate multiple AI-powered staging variations instantly, helping buyers envision a property’s full potential.

One looming caution among all the speakers: as AI adoption skyrockets, the industry must tackle critical questions about data quality, gates, guardrails, and privacy. Amy pointed to CoreLogic’s AI Governance Council, which brings together legal, compliance, and data science leaders to address issues like data privacy, ethical AI use, and collaborating with organizations to establish AI best practices. (-Kevin)

AI Facts and Stats

1. 87% of brokerage leaders said that their agents use AI for their business – Delta Media
2. Listing descriptions are the number one use of AI by real estate agents – 26% – Delta Media
3. 75% of brokerage leaders said their agents use AI for content creation – Delta Media
4. 52% of brokerage leaders admit they plan to expand or adapt their use of AI in social media management for 2025 – Delta Media
5. Only 16% of brokerage leaders said that their agents utilize AI for data analysis and reporting – Delta Media

Source: 2025 Delta Real Estate AI Survey (-Korey)

AI Headlines

Why AI succeeds where previous real estate ‘Disruptors’ failed | 1/30/25 Elite Agent
AI is enhancing rather than replacing the human touch in real estate.

Deepfake Deception: How AI Is Fueling Sophisticated Real Estate Scams | 1/30/25 Candy’s Dirt
Bad actors are upping their game using AI for real estate scams – here’s a list of red flags.

Is nuclear energy the answer to AI data centers’ power consumption? | 1/23/25 Goldman Sachs
Nuclear power has a big role to play in meeting the needs of AI data centers.

How AI in Real Estate is Catalyzing a Paradigm Shift – 16 Applications and Real-World Examples | 1/30/25 Appinventiv
Another look at how AI is influencing and transforming real estate.

CoreLogic adds aerial imagery partner for post-disaster AI analysis | 1/24/25 HousingWire
In the wake of the LA fires, data-king CoreLogic leverages a vast image library covering 90% of where the US population lives. (-Korey)

AI Quote of the Week

The post REAL AI: Real estate is an AI leader, What’s next, AI facts, headlines and AI quote of the week appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

At WAV Group, we were inspired to learn more about homeownership portals because of our own very real need to manage four personal properties. Managing properties in three distinct locations required us to keep track of preferred vendors for plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and other essential services. We also needed a way to memorialize vendors we used for repairs, painting, and landscaping. Additionally, we needed reminders for routine maintenance tasks. Managing one home is challenging enough, but managing four is even more complicated. Who remembers the last time they changed a furnace filter or cleaned out a dryer vent?

We started using Homeowner.ai a few years ago, and it has been a game-changer. It helps us track even the smallest details, like paint colors. We upload the paint chip and formula so that when a wall gets chipped, we don’t have to search for an old, empty paint can to fix it. These systems are also excellent for storing important documents such as deeds, mortgage papers, appraisals, rental agreements, and insurance policies. Instead of stuffing these documents into a drawer where they’re hard to find, we upload them for easy reference.

Another valuable feature of these portals is the ability to track the value of each property. We receive regular updates on the worth of our homes and insights into market trends. This helps us determine if it’s time to sell, update, or expand a property.

Our Homeowner.ai portal was introduced to us by one of our favorite agents when it was called Milestones. Knowing that we own properties in three states, this tool allows them to support our needs not only in their local market but also by referring us to other agents or contractors as needed in other states. This has significantly expanded our relationship with them.

Having a centralized location for all things related to our properties has been a godsend. Just this week, I used my homeownership portal to find the vendor who installed our furnaces in our Buffalo house. Thanks to this, we were able to get it serviced and repaired within 24 hours because we knew exactly who to call—a contractor already familiar with our home and furnace. It makes life so much easier!

Learn more about the growing consumer interest in homeownership portals in our new report – 2025 Homeownership Management Interest Survey

Download for free with promo code: HUM at checkout

The post Simplifying Homeownership: WAV Group Unveils Survey Insights on Property Management Portals appeared first on WAV Group Consulting.

Already, the press coverage has uncovered several of these key trends from this report:

Historic age spike in first-time buyers

First-time home buyers’ median age is now 38, the oldest recorded in the report’s history, compared to the late 20s in the 1980s. This shift reflects how affordability issues, higher interest rates, and home prices are reshaping home buying. The delay in buying has significant implications for agents and, in the longer term, will ultimately translate into changes in asset accumulation and generational wealth.

More all-cash buying than ever

We have a divided country in more than one way: at a time of acute housing affordability pain, we have a record number of homes being purchased without any financing. More than one in four of all home purchases in 2024 were all-cash transactions (26%). This trend is being driven by the generational wealth Boomers have achieved through homeownership, cashing in on the sale of their homes to buy another one for cash. Investors are also picking up lower-priced homes with all-cash offers, creating barriers for first-time buyers who rely on financing unless they figure out new ways to buy, like the cash offers program that zavvie makes available to first-time buyers through its network of lenders.

Multi-generational homes also hit a new high

Seventeen percent of buyers purchased multi-generational homes, the highest rate recorded – up from 12% in 2021. Why? Cost savings (36%) and caregiving for aging parents (25%). A new term to learn: collaborative homeownership. Housing affordability is very likely to add fuel to this fire.

Affordability emerges as a top priority

Neighborhood quality is a top factor for buyers, but affordability now is a priority for 36% of buyers. Convenience to work has dropped to 34%, down from 52% in 2014, as working from home remains a huge influence.

Record decline in households with children

Only 27% of buyers today have children under 18 at home. It’s the lowest rate since 1981, and our aging buyer demographic is the culprit. Agents will discover that this shift in family composition will likely impact demand for specific home types – and community amenities.

Yet the biggest story for me was this.

Single women first-time buyers on the rise as single men decline

The share of first-time buyers who are single women rose to 24% – that’s a 5% increase in one year. Conversely, single male home buyers dropped to 8% from 10% in 2023.

This significant increase in single female home buyers is a welcomed change. Let me explain.

I moved to Seattle in the 90s to become the Director of its new Seattle Partnership office. About a year into the job, a woman who appeared to be in her 50s walked into our office one early evening. I was the only one there. I asked her if I could help her.

She answered that she needed to be sure she was in the right place. She then retrieved an article from her purse. It was a Seattle Times story from the year before about the opening of our office. The story talked about creating new homeownership opportunities.

She told me a story. She said that about 20 years earlier, she was a teacher and wanted to buy her first home. While she was single, she had a steady job. So, she went to a local bank and met with a loan manager. She told him she wanted to buy a home and needed financing.

His reply, “Where’s your husband?” She explained that she was single and a schoolteacher. She told me he laughed out loud and told her, without taking ANY financial information, that she couldn’t possibly afford to buy a home on her own.

The experience devastated her so much that she said it took her 20 years to come into our office and ask for help. I immediately apologized for our industry, explaining that it should have never happened to her.

I also told her that while our Fannie Mae office did not provide home loans directly to consumers, we worked with lenders who did. I shared that I recently met with a woman who started an all-female staffed mortgage company, retrieved her card, provided her contact information, and assured her she would get the help she was seeking. They met, and she became a first-time buyer in her 50s.

Because of this meeting, seeing how more single women are investing in real estate today, despite affordability challenges, warms my heart and soul.

Keep the research coming, NAR – and see you in Boston.

Note: A summary of the new NAR report is available here.

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