KCRAR Contributes to Wildfire Relief Efforts in California
The KCRAR Charitable Fund contributed $20,000 to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) after wildfires recently devastated communities in Southern California. RRF announced that 100% of contributions through Jan. 31 will go directly towards those impacted by California wildfires. “The devastation caused by the recent wildfires in California has been heart-wrenching to see,” said Andrew Mall, […]
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First-Time Home Buyers Shrink to Historic Low of 24% as Buyer Age Hits Record High
National Association of REALTORS® Key Highlights The first-time homebuyer market share decreased to a historic low of 24% (down from 32% last year), while home buyers’ ages hit all-time highs of 56 years overall (49 last year), 38 years for first-time buyers (35 last year) and 61 years for repeat buyers (58 last year), according […]
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NAR Opposes Federal Rent Cap Proposal
Guest column by Derek Ramsay, KCRAR Senior Vice President for REALTOR® Advocacy & Commercial Services The Biden administration recently proposed what is effectively a nation-wide 5% cap to rent increases. The proposal would take away the accelerated depreciation tax provision from housing providers with 50 or more units who raise rents by more than 5% […]
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The Truth About the NAR Settlement Agreement
From REALTOR® Magazine The national conversation around real estate commissions reached a crescendo since the National Association of REALTORS® announced a settlement agreement that would resolve litigation brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions. Brokers and agents have their own questions about what comes next for their businesses, while at the same […]
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Correcting the Record: NAR Does Not Set Commissions
Following recent inaccuracies in media coverage, including the false representation or suggestion that the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) requires a standard 6% commission, NAR has issued the following statement: CHICAGO (March 19, 2024) – The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) does not set commissions – they are negotiable. The rule that has been the […]
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NAR Offers ABR® Designation Course at No Cost to REALTORS®
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) announced this week that it is making the popular Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation course, which is typically $295, available to REALTORS® at no cost through 2024. The ABR® course is the first step toward earning the ABR® designation and focuses on the key information and skills agents need today […]
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Racial Minority Groups Increased Their Homeownership Rates While Still Facing Significant Homebuying Challenges
National Association of REALTORS® Key Highlights Homeownership rates for racial minorities increased in 2022, with Asian and Hispanic Americans achieving historic peaks.2 Despite these advancements, disparities persist among racial and ethnic groups, notably with Black homeownership lagging. People of color continue to endure significant buying challenges throughout and after their home purchases, according to a report […]
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KCRAR Member Selected as National Volunteering Works Mentor
KCRAR member Craig Conant was selected by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as a mentor for the 15th annual Volunteering Works program. Conant, who is a 2001 National Good Neighbor Award winner, will be mentoring Arlin Fisher, a REALTOR® from North Dakota. The Volunteering Works program, which matches real estate agents who work on […]
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Existing-Home Sales Slid 1.0% Nationally in December
National Association of REALTORS® Key Highlights Existing-home sales retreated in December, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. Among the four major U.S. regions, sales slipped in the Midwest and South, rose in the West and were unchanged in the Northeast. All four regions experienced year-over-year sales decreases. On an annual basis, existing-home sales (4.09 […]
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Pending Home Sales Fell 1.5% Nationally in October
National Association of REALTORS® Pending home sales dropped 1.5% in October, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. The Northeast posted a monthly gain in transactions while the Midwest, South and West all recorded losses. All four U.S. regions noted year-over-year declines in transactions. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI)* – a forward-looking indicator of home […]
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