by Jen Dillard | Jul 9, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
Systems aren’t just a tool for growth, Jen Dillard writes. They’re a foundation for sustainability in your real estate business.
Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!
Let’s talk about something that isn’t said enough in business circles: You do not have to be everything to everyone. You do not have to be constantly buried in the day-to-day to prove you’re committed. And being busy all the time isn’t a badge of honor. It’s often a sign that something deeper needs attention.
This is especially true in the real estate industry. Agents are working hard, putting in the hours, yet they feel stuck in the daily chaos. The overwhelm becomes the norm. But here’s the thing: It doesn’t have to be.
Most of us were never taught how to scale sustainably. We’re told to hustle harder, but not how to structure smarter. And that’s where systems come in — not complicated, rigid structures but simple, intentional systems that protect your time, reduce stress and make your business easier to run.
If you feel like your business is running you instead of the other way around, here are five steps to success:
1. Get clear on what you’re repeating
Before you can build a system, you need to identify the tasks that are repeatable. Start by paying attention to your week. What are you doing over and over again? Perhaps it involves following up with leads, scheduling appointments, onboarding new clients or writing repetitive emails.
These are not one-off tasks. They’re patterns. And patterns are where systems are born. When you start seeing your work through that lens, you’ll find a dozen opportunities to save time and simplify.
Sometimes, simply making a running list for a few days can open your eyes to how many tasks are consuming your time. You don’t need to organize them right away — notice them. That awareness alone is powerful.
2. Document the process (even if it’s messy at first)
One of the most significant barriers to building systems is the idea that it must be perfect. But that idea is false.
Start by writing things down step-by-step, just the way you do them. Whether it’s how you respond to new inquiries, set up listings or manage your calendar, get it out of your head and into a document. These become your checklists, your templates, your standard operating procedures.
This step is about clarity, not perfection. Once it’s documented, you can tweak it, improve it and most importantly, delegate it.
And the best part? Once it’s documented, you don’t have to rely on memory. You’ve created something that can be used again and again, by you or someone else, which saves energy and mental space.
3. Automate and delegate where it makes sense
There is no trophy for doing everything yourself. Once you’ve documented your process, look for areas where a tool or team member can assist.
Use a CRM to automate lead follow-ups. Use a scheduling tool to eliminate the email ping-pong. Create email templates for FAQs. And when the time is right, hire support, whether that’s a virtual assistant, transaction coordinator or marketing help.
One practical tip: Pick one central platform to house everything. When your systems are all in one place, your team knows where to go, your clients get a better experience, and you eliminate unnecessary confusion and expenses.
Consider the tasks that drain your energy the most and start there. Can a tool do it? Can someone else? If the answer is yes, take the next step to delegate those tasks.
4. Structure gives you freedom
It might feel counterintuitive, but structure doesn’t confine you. It frees you up. Every system you put in place buys back your time, reduces stress and builds a stronger business that isn’t dependent on you doing everything.
And this isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about peace of mind. When you have systems in place, you can take a vacation without your business falling apart. You can focus on higher-level strategy. You can be more present in your life outside work.
Freedom in business isn’t about doing less work. It’s about doing the right job and trusting the rest will be handled because you took the time to create a foundation that supports it.
5. Start small, but start now
You don’t need to overhaul your entire business this week. Start with one repeatable task, checklist or template. It’s the accumulation of those small changes that will transform the way your business operates.
Remember, systems aren’t just a tool for growth; they’re a foundation for sustainability. And building them isn’t about being more robotic; it’s about creating space for greater clarity, creativity and control.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, let that be your cue — not your excuse — to start simplifying. Your future self will thank you.
Jen Dillard is a top-producing real estate agent serving the Columbia River Gorge region of Oregon and Washington. Connect with her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
by Julie Busby | Jul 9, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
House hacking is a mindset shift that turns today’s real estate market challenges into strategic advantages, broker Julie Busby writes.
Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!
In a market squeezed by higher interest rates and low inventory, we’ve got to get creative. Lately, I’ve been leaning into an old concept with a fresh twist: house hacking — and it’s working.
Instead of buyers feeling stuck, they’re seeing opportunity: Rent out a unit, a basement, even a spare room to offset the mortgage. It’s turning “Can I afford this?” into “How can I make this work for me?” If you’re not already talking to your clients about this creative solution, here’s why you should be.
What is house hacking?
House hacking, in its most basic form, means buying a property and then renting out a portion of it, using the new income to cover mortgage payments, property taxes and other costs associated with homeownership. For some, house hacking is a great entry point into real estate investing, providing an affordable way to own a property without having to bear the entire financial burden alone.
Why house hack?
House hacking offers a wide variety of benefits for homeowners, some of which include:
Added income: Mortgage payments and property expenses are offset by the added rental income. Depending on the situation, some house hackers even end up with little to no housing costs.
Real estate appreciation: House hacking enables the accumulation of equity in a property and an increase in net worth, particularly when compared to renting.
Potentially afford more: When a buyer knows they will rent out a portion of a property and receive a return, they can usually afford more. One of our clients is working with one of our favorite lenders and was initially targeting condos and townhomes for $650,000.
Now that she’s house hacking, though, she’s looking at a $1.2 million multiunit property with a larger backyard and two-car garage. Additionally, she’s building her real estate portfolio for better returns in the future.
Tax benefits: Owning property often comes with tax advantages, such as deducting property-related expenses, such as mortgage interest, repairs and property taxes.
Advice for getting started with house hacking
Here are a few things buyers should consider:
Analyze finances: Buyers should take a financial deep dive and figure out everything from what they can afford for a down payment, full monthly costs and projected (realistic!) rental income.
Choose the right property: This part is crucial. Our favorite property for house hacking setups is a multiunit, where the owner lives in one unit and the renter lives in the other. This way, you can keep a good eye on your property.
Get a feel for financing options: House hackers may be eligible for some really great loan programs and products. Right now, we have a client using a loan program where she can finance any improvements she makes to the property.
Understand landlord responsibilities
It’s a good reminder that house hackers become landlords! Remind your buyers to check into local regulations regarding renting out a portion of a property.
One way we got started was to ask our clients for a weekly chat and bring up the idea during that informal meeting. We then gauged interest and made the relevant introductions.
House hacking is a powerful tool that we love to discuss with clients, and it is not just a workaround; it’s a mindset shift that turns today’s market challenges into strategic advantages. As brokers, we have the opportunity to educate our clients, expand their options and help them build wealth in creative ways.
Julie Busby is the founder and president of Busby Group, and in the top 1 percent of Chicagoland brokers. Follow her on Facebook and LinkedIn.
by Marian McPherson | Jul 9, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!
Last year, Jim D’Amico survived Hurricane Milton.
The storm tore through Florida’s Gulf Coast, leading to the deaths of three residents and more than $35 billion in residential and commercial damages. Amid the chaos, D’Amico, who owns Century 21 Integra, leaped into action, using funds from the brokerage’s longstanding nonprofit, Fresh Start, to help Floridians who’d lost their homes and livelihoods get their lives back on track.
The footage of cars, homes, and torn belongings floating through Texas’s Hill Country after a 26-foot river surge, which resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people on Friday, reminded D’Amico of the aftermath of Milton. He realized he needed to step in once again.
“Fresh Start was developed originally for people in recovery who might need a place to live, people returning from the military, or anyone who had a situation where they couldn’t make ends meet to fulfill their basic needs, like housing,” he said. “And then the last couple of years, it’s kind of evolved into more of like an aid mission when areas are hit with storms.”
Jim D’Amico
D’Amico opened Fresh Start’s coffers and turned his four Hill Country offices into supply stations, with agents in Fredericksburg, Seguin, and San Antonio gathering essential goods, like bottled water and nonperishable food, and delivering them to the Kerrville office for distribution.
“This is a situation where there’s no amount of money that can help heal some of the losses that have taken place in this particular catastrophe, and honestly, you know, prayers are probably more needed than anything else to help people deal with the loss of their children and other loved ones,” he said. “But, we’re doing what we can.”
“We started fundraising on Monday, and in less than 24 hours, we’ve received $5,000,” he added. “We plan to match $25,000 in donations, with a long-term goal of raising $100,000. One hundred percent of everything that’s donated is given directly to people in need.”
Alongside individual brokers, major players are stepping up to the plate, using their broad networks to support survivors, affected families, and first responders who are still navigating dangerous terrain to locate missing victims before another week of dangerous thunderstorms rolls in.
KW Cares, the philanthropic arm of Texas-based franchisor Keller Williams, has spent the past several days checking on KW’s Hill Country offices and supporting first responders. KW Cares CEO Alexia Rodriguez said all of the franchisor’s Hill Country agents have been contacted and given assistance, which includes coverage of immediate needs and eventual access to emergency grants up to $5,000 and catastrophic hardship grants up to $30,000.
The franchisor also donated $150,000 to Texas Search and Rescue and Mercy Chefs on Tuesday.
“The first thing that we’ve been doing is making sure all of our associates are accounted for. That is always our number one priority, and thank God, we have accounted for everybody in the affected areas. That’s priority number one, right?” Rodriguez said. “Now, what we’re trying to do is assess property damage. But some folks have not been able to make it back to their homes. Roads have been washed out. They just haven’t even had a chance to eyeball their property themselves.”
Rodriguez said KW Cares is working with KW’s top-line and regional leadership to craft a response plan for the coming weeks. Right now, Rodriguez said it’s important to give first responders room to continue search efforts and secure the riverfront, which is currently covered with debris from nearby homes and campgrounds.
“We can’t be boots on the ground because it’s not appropriate for us to do so right now,” she said. “But we do want to take care of the folks that are taking care of the community. So later this week, we are going to start serving lunches through our business center in Kerrville to the first responders in the area. “We want to make sure that we’re giving back to the community in that way.”
Keller Williams is only one of many brokerages and franchisors rallying their networks to support flood relief efforts, with Anywhere Real Estate, RE/MAX, Douglas Elliman, Compass, Ebby Halliday Realtors, and Epique Realty urging agents to donate to their philanthropic partners, like the American Red Cross, or to their nonprofit arms to support relief efforts.
Texas Realtors also announced its coordination with the National Association of Realtors and local Realtor associations, such as the Central Hill County Board of Realtors and Kerrville Board of Realtors, to disperse funds and other resources to communities throughout the Hill Country.
Christy Gessler
“Texas Realtors is working with and contributing to community organizations in affected areas through the Texas Realtors Disaster Relief Fund to get immediate assistance to those who need it most,” Texas Realtors Chairman of the Board Christy Gessler told Inman in a written statement. “We’re also working with local associations to identify other areas that need help, as this tragedy is ongoing.”
“We know the importance of getting funds and resources to these communities as quickly as possible, and these local organizations are actively providing essential assistance for those in need,” she added. “We also know that many Realtors in these communities and from other locations have come to lend a hand—delivering supplies, clearing debris, and helping out in any way they can.”
Although the nation’s attention is currently focused on the tragedy in Hill Country, D’Amico, Rodriguez, REAL Vice President of U.S Operations Jemila Winsey, and Spyglass Realty broker-owner Ryan Rodenbeck said they understand there will be a day when media attention fades.
Ryan Rodenbeck
“It’s going to take a long time to get all of that cleaned up. So many people lost their businesses, their livelihoods, and their family members,” said Rodenbeck, whose brokerage is raising money for the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund and several other area nonprofits. “We have to raise awareness and keep raising awareness. A lot of brokerages have newsletters, and we can use them to keep the story alive and fresh in people’s minds.”
“People are going to be hurting from this for a long time,” he added.
Winsey said the real estate community is in a unique position to help victims walk the long road to recovery.
Jemila Winsey
“What’s been hard to shake is this: just one weekend earlier, we were in Fredericksburg, 31 miles from Kerrville, relaxing with some of our closest friends over wine and laughter. It was calm, beautiful, full of joy,” she said. “And then, just days later, people nearby were clinging to rooftops and losing everything. That contrast has been hard to carry.”
Winsey said this week hasn’t been “about deals or deadlines,” as she’s helped five agents in her circle get to safety. Although everyone can’t make five-figure donations or dedicate a week to volunteering, Winsey said “small acts of kindness” — such as checking in with affected colleagues by call or text, posting links to verified GoFundMe or nonprofit fundraisers on social media, or connecting families with trusted vendors who offer rental, moving or repair services — still make a huge difference.
“Whatever it is, big or small, someone out there could really use it,” she said. “You don’t have to do everything. But doing something from the heart, really makes a difference.”
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by Matt Carter | Jul 8, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s federal regulator will allow mortgage lenders to start using a new credit score algorithm developed by the big three credit bureaus to take on the venerable FICO score.
But when employing the new VantageScore 4.0 algorithm, lenders will still be required to use a “tri-merge” process in which three scores are calculated separately by each of the major credit bureaus.
The Biden administration had proposed requiring lenders to use two credit scoring algorithms — VantageScore 4.0 and FICO Score 10 T — to obtain scores from two credit reporting agencies (in a “bi-merge” report), for a total of four scores.
It’s not entirely clear how the new Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) policy for scoring borrowers will work — if, for instance, lenders will have the option of using VantageScore 4.0 instead of the Classic FICO score now in use, or if they’ll be required to use it in addition to Classic FICO.
FHFA Director Bill Pulte summarized the changes on the social media platform X Tuesday, saying they were “effective today.” The FHFA did not issue a press release, and Pulte did not post a copy of the official directive on X, as he has with some past orders.
The FHFA did not respond to Inman’s requests for comment.
Pulte said that Fannie and Freddie will allow lenders to use VantageScore 4.0, but that tri-merge reporting will stay in effect.
TransUnion — one of the credit bureaus behind VantageScore 4.0 — has long opposed plans to move to bi-merge reporting, claiming that using only two credit scores “will often result in an incomplete and inaccurate picture being painted of a potential borrower — particularly if a consumer’s most favorable set of credit data is the one that gets excluded.”
In a statement Tuesday, TransUnion executive Satyan Merchant welcomed FHFA’s decision to keep tri-merge reporting, saying Pulte’s comments “demonstrate a commitment to responsible mortgage lending and preserving the best possible outcome for consumers.”
“Today’s announcement means more choice for lenders and more certainty for mortgage markets, which puts homebuyers on better footing long-term,” Merchant said.
Pulte has said in the past he was “not happy” about price increases levied by the company behind the FICO score algorithm, Fair Isaac, which an industry trade group, Community Home Lenders of America, claims total 700 percent over the last 3 years.
The Mortgage Bankers Association issued a cautious statement Tuesday, saying Pulte’s proposal “could help to accomplish the goals of added competition in the credit score space and reduced consumer costs, if implemented correctly.”
The trade group said there are “numerous implementation questions” that need to be addressed in order to realize such benefits.
The MBA “looks forward to working with FHFA and [Fannie and Freddie]” to address those questions, “as well as the continued conversations around credit reporting competition,” the group said in a statement to Inman.
Assuming Fannie and Freddie will accept three VantageScore 4.0 scores (one from each credit bureau) instead of three Classic FICO scores, that could encourage competition on price.
When FICO changed its pricing structure in 2023, moving away from volume-based pricing, smaller lenders saw their costs go up by more than 400 percent, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Rohit Chopra told industry leaders attending the MBA’s annual convention last year.
But it’s the credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — that typically set the wholesale price that resellers pay, which is then passed on to users, Chopra said.
The credit bureaus maintain files on consumers, tracking their debts and repayment history — information that’s fed into credit score algorithms like FICO and VantageScore to generate credit scores.
VantageScore — a joint venture of Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — claimed Tuesday that implementation of VantageScore 4.0 will boost the eligible pool of mortgage applicants by 5 million borrowers.
Fair Isaac has made similar claims about the new FICO Score 10 T, saying it can help mortgage lenders boost originations by up to 5 percent without taking on additional credit risk.
“FICO Score 10T and VantageScore 4.0 are more predictive than Classic FICO and provide a more precise assessment of credit risk,” Fannie Mae said in a January update on plans to transition to the new scores. “Also, both models consider trended credit data and additional data such as rent, utility, and telecom payments, which are not currently considered as part of the Classic FICO score.”
Legislation signed into law by President Trump in 2018 required mandatory usage of the new credit scores by lenders selling loans to Fannie and Freddie by the end of this year.
But it’s unclear if FHFA will allow mortgage lenders to start using the FICO Score 10 T on the timeline originally proposed by the Biden administration.
Historical data aimed at smoothing the adoption of the new VantageScore 4.0 model was released last year, but similar data for the FICO Score 10 T has yet to be published.
In a statement, Fair Isaac said the company “welcomes competition on a level playing field among credit score providers.” When they’re originating loans not subject to Fannie and Freddie’s requirements, mortgage lenders have “rapidly embraced FICO Score 10 T’s ability to deliver lower costs and greater access for homebuyers,” the company said.
In December, Fair Isaac announced that Cardinal Financial sold the first batch of government-issued mortgage-backed securities to include VA loans qualified using the FICO Score 10 T. More than 21 mortgage lenders use FICO Score 10 T for non-Fannie and Freddie loans, the company said at the time.
Shares in Fair Isaac lost as much as 19 percent of their value Tuesday afternoon, but recovered most of those losses to close down 9 percent.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a comment by Fair Isaac.
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by Craig C. Rowe | Jul 8, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!
In the midst of an up and down market, RentSpree is making it easier for residential sales agents to access the future buying power of renters by partnering with multiple listing services. Its latest partnership is with the North Carolina-based Hive MLS, formerly North Carolina Regional MLS.
RentSpree locked down the agreement before the July 4 holiday, according to a press release shared with Inman.
Michael Lucarelli
“Our collaboration with Hive MLS reflects RentSpree’s commitment to empowering real estate professionals with modern, accessible rental technology,” said Michael Lucarelli, CEO and Co-Founder of RentSpree, in the release. “Together, we’re making it easier for agents to serve a growing segment of the market, especially in high-demand areas like the Carolinas and Georgia.”
RentSpree’s software empowers property managers, landlords and agents to quickly vet potential tenants, process applications and collect payments. It can assist with marketing available units through syndication channels, collect documents and e-signatures and help agents track rental leads as potential buyers.
RentSpree has more than 300 associations and MLSs in its partner network that primarily use its ApplyLink solution, a single browser experience that provides access to its product suite.
Hive MLS operates 19 multiple listing services with an estimated 15,000 annual rental listings.
Its name stems from a major rebrand effort intended to reflect a new commitment to adopting software and modernized operations to better serve its members.
Hive’s agents largely help consumers buy and sell in the North Carolina’s Research Triangle, the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triumvirate that is home to countless technology startups, university tech-transfer programs, pharmaceutical giants like GlaxoSmithKline and Biogen, IBM and SAS, the world’s largest privately held software company — a collective business presence that explains the region’s decades-long population growth.
“At Hive MLS, we’re focused on giving our members the tools they need to succeed, not just today but as the market evolves,” Hive MLS CEO Daniel Jones said in a statement. “RentSpree’s integration helps our members move faster, work smarter, and better serve their clients in the growing rental space.”
RentSpree’s presence in the southeast is growing in unison, with relationships already in place with Georgia Realtors, First MLS, North Carolina Realtors and RESides MLS.
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by Taylor Anderson | Jul 8, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
Mysterious newcomer plans to generate buyer and seller leads quickly after teaming up with Gannett Company to display listings across its news sites.
Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!
A newcomer to the so-called portal wars announced a major partnership on Monday. A new portal named addressUSA has teamed up with Gannett, one of the nation’s largest news publishers, to provide another space for consumers to view home listings and generate referrals for agents.
AddressUSA, an upstart attempt to go national with a platform that has been tested in a few regional markets, would tap into Gannett’s readership as part of the years-long agreement, the companies announced.
With the move, addressUSA joins a crowded group of portals offering consumers a space to view listings online. By teaming up with Gannett, the company lands an audience that could make it a serious competitor, and Gannett gains a new revenue stream via referrals.
“Real estate information and tools are important for our audience of 195 million average monthly unique visitors as they search for a home to buy or sell or simply want to explore properties as real estate enthusiasts,” said Mike Reed, Gannett Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “AddressUSA will enable us to drive further audience growth and engagement, enhancing the overall experience for readers to be inspired by what’s available in their local market.”
AddressUSA now becomes the latest competitor looking to go to battle for consumer attention with behemoths like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin and Homes.com, all of them much larger and more established brands in the space. Rather than leaning on heavy financing, addressUSA appears to be leaning into media partnerships to help it gain momentum in the crowded market.
It appears the announcement was made while addressUSA was still rolling out its website and features, as the website still showed errors and other glitches hours after the announcement, and there was no readily available place to direct questions.
The platform has several articles that were posted in recent weeks and which appear to have been written primarily by artificial intelligence.
It’s not immediately clear whether the company will be available nationwide, either, as the company provides a list of broker information in 27 states.
It appears the platform is using the broker services of a company called RE50, LLC, which offers licensing compliance services for real estate platforms operating in multiple states. That company was founded by Lee Leslie, a real estate legal expert who has served in C-suite and founder roles for companies like LendingTree Loans, HouseTech, Ten-X and Auction.com.
The news release announcing the partnership with Gannett quoted Paul Huntsman as chairman of AddressUSA. It is not yet clear if that’s the same Paul Huntsman who previously owned the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah’s largest newspaper.
Huntsman recently founded the Coronado News outside San Diego and stepped down from his role as board chair of the Tribune. On the top menu of Coronado News is a link to a platform called addressSD, a portal for homes in southern California.
“We are excited to partner with Gannett and the USA TODAY Network launching a groundbreaking real estate marketplace hub for homebuyers, sellers, real estate agents and vendors to connect,” Huntsman said in the release. “Gannett’s unrivaled reach at both local and national levels will allow us to engage with a broad and powerful audience.”
Seven of the eight featured agents listed on the website are based in Arizona. The eighth is in San Diego.
One of those featured agents is Realty One Group’s John Reckard. He said he signed up to be affiliated with the new company as an alternative to the other major portals and to begin receiving referrals.
“I haven’t had much success with it yet,” Reckard said, “but the launch just happened.”
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