Real Estate News Making Ethics ImportantIn last week's column we emphasized the distinction between ethics as a body of rules and principles and being ethical as a disposition to conform to those rules and principles. We noted that it is certainly possible to teach someone ethics, but it is a different task to lead someone to be ethical -- to internalize those principles and to be guided by them....Read MoreSmart Homes: Backed-Up Your Fridge Lately?Soon it will be hard to buy an appliance that doesn't incorporate smart technology, but integrating appliances and systems may remain a challenge for a while. PJ Wade explores what you need to know about smart home technology....Read More Trelora tells buyers to ditch agents and keep their commissionsAn upstart, low-fee Colorado brokerage that is trying to blow up the way agents get paid has announced it'll support traditional commissions — even as it also offers incentives for buyers to ditch their agents altogether....Read MoreOpendoor is using a $1,000 credit to nudge buyers toward its partner agents and homesThe startup is now offering a more prominent $1,000 credit for buyers who choose to purchase one of the homes Opendoor has for sale, whether they do so directly on their own or by using one of Opendoor's "partner agents."...Read MoreCertifID will now cover up to $1M in wire fraud protectionCertifID, a company providing security and authentication software, just raised its customer guarantee to cover up to $1 million in losses....Read MoreHow to work better with international clientsThe key to working with international clients is understanding the cultures of their home countries. Getting it right pleases your clients and can open a floodgate of referrals. ...Read MoreTrump admin proposes new tax-break rules for developersThe Trump Administration proposed new guidelines Friday that would create tax incentives for developers to build in so-called “Opportunity Zones.”...Read MoreNAR warns government may crack down on real estate teamsThe trade group warned that as teams become more ubiquitous, they will attract the attention of regulators. Already, 24 states have laws in place regarding real estate teams, NAR said....Read MoreLuxury Connect: The biggest news and takeawaysThe industry's top agents descended on Los Angeles this week from all corners of the globe to network, make new connections and hear advice on how to take their business to the next level....Read More$10M Houston mansion most expensive foreclosed home in USA Houston mansion with nine bathrooms and 15,000 square feet of space is now the country's most expensive foreclosed property, clocking in at $9.75 million....Read MoreFair lending policy director to be investigated for racial blog postsNow that Eric Blankenstein's old blog post has come to light, the CFPB has asked an independent group to investigate its top enforcement director....Read MoreIn Pictures: Luxury Connect’s Luxury BashHeld on the rooftop of the beautiful Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Luxury Connect's attendees mingled, networked and relaxed together on Wednesday night after a day of learning, exclusive activities and inspiration. Sponsored by Sotheby's International Realty, it was a wonderful evening to cap a great day. ...Read More
