From Hoby Hanna to Wherever’s Sue Yannaccone, actual property leaders are cautiously optimistic in regards to the new yr, telling Inman the worst of 2024’s tumult could also be fading within the rearview mirror.
Whether or not it’s refining your online business mannequin, mastering new applied sciences, or discovering methods to capitalize on the subsequent market surge, Inman Join New York will put together you to take daring steps ahead. The Subsequent Chapter is about to start. Be a part of it. Be part of us and hundreds of actual property leaders Jan. 22-24, 2025.
Twenty twenty-four was one thing else, wasn’t it?
Because of a jury verdict in 2023, fee litigation appeared, at first look, to show a nook within the early months of 2024, towards some kind of conclusion. Economists predicted charges would fall. Inflation was enhancing.
However alas, 2024 ended up, in some ways, extra tumultuous than the previous years. With a lot of that tumult now within the rearview mirror, although, Inman reached out to varied leaders throughout the trade to get their tackle 2025.
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When reporters ask executives for predictions, they often start with a caveat that they don’t have a crystal ball. However some did enterprise a guess at what lies forward, and the massive takeaway this yr was their sense of optimism for 2025. The market will enhance, many speculated, whereas actual property establishments will evolve with out being obliterated. No one thought 2025 could be a repeat of 2024.
What follows are 25 of the predictions trade leaders shared with Inman, edited for size and readability. These aren’t all of the predictions Inman gathered, however they’re attribute of total themes and subjects that got here up repeatedly.
The market in 2025
Hoby Hanna, Robert Reffkin, Geoff Wooden, Amy Lessinger, Ruben Gonzales, Ryan Serhant, Mauricio Umansky
The consensus: Trade leaders seem like cautiously optimistic in regards to the 2025 market and consider current sluggishness is on its manner out. Although no one anticipated the return of the pandemic-era feeding frenzy, and plenty of talked about affordability challenges, most envision charges declining and stock rising.
Hoby Hanna, CEO of Howard Hanna: We’re seeing some artistic issues there that I believe will open up stock. I believe costs will stay robust. And purchaser demand, I consider, will solely get stronger while you take a look at the demographics of millennials after which Gen Z. […] Charges, I consider, will come down in perhaps the top of the primary quarter, the second quarter. To not COVID ranges, however to fives and sixes as a norm. I believe that’s going to gas extra shopping for and extra shopping for energy. So all that being mentioned, we’re optimistic in regards to the yr.
Robert Reffkin, CEO of Compass: Transactions have elevated within the yr following 10 of the final 11 presidential elections.
Geoff Wooden, CEO of Windermere: The final a number of years have been something however regular relating to the housing market, however in 2025 we anticipate issues to begin to normalize. This contains additional modest declines in rates of interest and a more healthy provide of stock. All of this could assist gas a rebound in house gross sales exercise whereas retaining a lid on worth development, which we’re hoping may even serve to enhance housing affordability.
Amy Lessinger, president of RE/MAX: I believe that 2025 goes to be a market of cautious momentum. We’re going to see some gradual normalization. I believe demand goes to stay robust and that’ll be pushed by millennials and a few in Gen Z getting into the market. However on the identical time, it’s coupled with affordability challenges, and I believe that may stay in 2025.
Ruben Gonzales, chief economist at Keller Williams: We anticipate a steadily enhancing housing market within the yr forward. Rising stock ranges will assist ease provide constraints in markets the place stock stays restrictive, and a sluggish however regular decline in mortgage charges ought to help stronger demand — although nonetheless extra subdued in comparison with current years. It appears seemingly charges will fall however stay above 6 %, shaping a cautiously enhancing atmosphere for consumers and sellers alike.
Ryan Serhant, CEO of SERHANT.: I believe charges will come down subsequent yr. I don’t assume they arrive down considerably. They may need to worsen earlier than they get higher. However I believe you will notice charges lower as a result of I believe the Fed, the mortgage trade as a complete, there’s actual incentive to create house gross sales. […] I believe 2025 will likely be a great market, and individuals are adjusting to the brand new regular.
Mauricio Umansky, CEO of The Company: I predict a a lot stronger market in 2025. Rates of interest are anticipated to maintain falling, which can decrease borrowing prices for homebuyers. With the U.S. presidential election behind us, we anticipate purchaser confidence to rise, resulting in an total uptick available in the market. I additionally anticipate a rise in stock, as many sellers who’ve been holding on to properties because the pandemic might now really feel able to commerce up.
Leaders who had been slightly extra cautious than optimistic:
Bess Freedman, Hilary Saunders and Pam Liebman
Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens: I believe that there will likely be loads of challenges within the housing market as we kick off the brand new yr, particularly for first-time consumers. Mortgage charges aren’t as little as we’d hoped. The availability isn’t there, however the demand definitely is. Inflation has actually taken a toll on lots of people, however on the identical time, the financial system appears to be chugging proper together with wholesome job development and comparatively steady unemployment. Even with further charge cuts, I don’t assume we’re going to all of a sudden transfer right into a dynamic market come Jan. 1. We’d like extra housing, builders must be incentivized to construct, and I believe there needs to be an actual synergy between non-public and public sectors to get the market again on observe.
Hilary Saunders, co-founder and chief dealer officer at Aspect: I anticipate costs will stay excessive, notably on the coasts. Hopefully, rates of interest will stabilize and the brand new administration will help new-home development by incentivizing builders to create extra inexpensive housing choices in markets with excessive obstacles to entry.
Pam Liebman, president and CEO of the Corcoran Group: I anticipate some moderation. Nevertheless, it’s vital to acknowledge that even with potential charge changes, the shortage of stock stays a serious challenge. Low housing provide continues to place upward stress on costs, creating challenges for consumers no matter the place charges land.
The way forward for Clear Cooperation
Amy Lessinger, Hilary Saunders and Hoby Hanna
The consensus: Inman beforehand requested actual property leaders the place they stand on NAR’s Clear Cooperation Coverage. The subject is extraordinarily divisive. For this story, nonetheless, Inman additionally requested what they consider will occur, no matter their views on the problem. Amongst those that ventured a prediction, the concept of reform was a recurring theme.
Amy Lessinger, president of RE/MAX: The Clear Cooperation coverage was designed to make sure that listings are accessible to everybody. And I consider that core precept, equity and transparency, stays very important. That mentioned, the trade is evolving. So might there be alternative for reform? I believe there’s room to have a considerate dialogue about enhancing the coverage to higher serve consumers, sellers and brokers whereas preserving its intent.
Hilary Saunders, co-founder and chief dealer officer at Aspect: Clear Cooperation definitely isn’t good, however the underlying idea behind it’s sound. Eliminating Clear Cooperation in its entirety would profit solely the very largest brokerages, whereas the patron could be frolicked to dry. Too usually, massive conventional brokerages advocate for self-serving insurance policies they declare will profit everybody. There are millions of unbiased brokerages whose shoppers might lose entry to a good portion of the nation’s listings. I’ve religion that on the entire, as an trade, we are going to combat to keep up some model of this coverage.
Hoby Hanna, CEO of Howard Hanna: What I believe will occur is that NAR goes to punt on this and attempt to keep out of it. They put totally different surveys and there are totally different voices arguing. […] I do assume that good MLS government officers are going to start to say, “You already know, perhaps we have to return to what it was earlier than. Perhaps we don’t have to comply with Clear Cooperation.”
What comes subsequent for NAR
Hoby Hanna, Ryan Serhant, Hilary Saunders, Amy Lessinger and Sue Yannaccone
The consensus: Many leaders anticipate NAR membership falling within the coming yr. One other recurring theme was the necessity for NAR to evolve and handle current criticism over subjects comparable to spending.
Hoby Hanna, CEO of Howard Hanna: I believe [NAR membership] ought to go down by way of simply loads of brokers that had been within the enterprise on a experience for the final couple of years. […] When markets go up and grow to be frothy like they had been post-COVID to slightly little bit of a down market this yr, you’re going to see some exit from the trade on the whole.
Ryan Serhant, CEO of SERHANT.: Clearly, there at the moment are opponents to NAR. Typically you take a look at a serious union like that, and it’s potential it’s too huge to fail, proper? However that doesn’t imply it’s not too huge to fail over time, proper? It’s too huge to fail in anybody second.
Hilary Saunders, co-founder and chief dealer officer at Aspect: We haven’t seen the “mass exodus” from NAR that many anticipated. Whether or not or not that involves cross, I do consider extra part-time brokers will transfer their licenses to referral-only standing and funnel results in full-time professionals. And I hope that transferring ahead, NAR will do a greater job educating the general public on why working with knowledgeable, devoted consultant is so vital.
Amy Lessinger, president of RE/MAX: I believe the scrutiny that they’ve confronted lately does spotlight the necessity for significant evolution. […] I additionally assume that structurally, they span nationwide, state, native associations. That makes swift and significant change a bit difficult. So taking a look at infrastructure to streamline decision-making and create extra agility additionally may very well be a key to adapting to trade challenges. However I do assume that the Realtor model nonetheless holds worth.
Sue Yannaccone, president and CEO of Wherever: I do assume the trade at massive advantages, and we see worth in a commerce group that’s supportive of its membership. So we’ll see the place that finally ends up. I do know we’ve seen some traction round eradicating membership as a requirement of placing a list on the MLS, however that’s nonetheless being challenged, so I believe we’re going to see loads of change.
The subsequent chapter for fee litigation and the DOJ
Leo Pareja, Rob Hahn and Marty Inexperienced
The consensus: All roads appear to result in fee litigation this yr, however typically nobody thinks the story is over. The main target could also be totally different, however 2025 continues to be prone to have loads of courtroom battles.
Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty: This isn’t the top of the litigation and legal responsibility and, you recognize, conversations which can be being had in our area. Sadly, I believe that is the start.
Rob Hahn, actual property strategist: I don’t assume something a lot modifications. If something, I believe the Trump 2.0 DOJ goes to be considerably worse for NAR.
Marty Inexperienced, principal at legislation agency Polunsky Beitel Inexperienced: All of this may occasionally rely on how these [new rules and practices] are carried out. As an example, if I’m a purchaser’s agent and I’m saying, “I’m going to enter into only a one-week exhibiting settlement, […] and I’ll do it at no cost,” that’s most likely not going to have anti-competitive issues to the DOJ. Although, even the method of getting to undergo that settlement is slightly little bit of a cumbersome factor that the DOJ might nonetheless take challenge with. […] However if in case you have purchaser’s brokers who’re wanting a long-term settlement and also you see this stuff grow to be problematic, then I believe it’s extra seemingly that the DOJ or another regulatory physique will take challenge with it.
Who will thrive and who will wrestle
Errol Samuelson, Bess Freedman, Mauricio Umansky and Michael S. Liebowitz
The consensus: On condition that a lot of the tumult of 2024 might bleed into 2025, leaders predicted that the businesses and people who will thrive subsequent yr will likely be those who stay agile and able to coping with change.
Errol Samuelson, chief trade improvement officer at Zillow: Change in actual property is nothing new. The businesses most probably to thrive in subsequent yr’s atmosphere — and past — are these keen to embrace change, whereas staying steadfast to their core ideas. Making short-sighted selections, particularly at the price of the patron, might end in short-term success. However prioritizing shopper wants will profit the enterprise in the long run. Whereas all of us should embrace (and might profit from) know-how, in an trade powered by human expertise, actual property will all the time require a human contact.
Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens: Corporations which can be innovating and adapting will survive; those who combat new concepts and progress will likely be left within the mud. I believe this can be a time when privately held corporations, like Brown Harris Stevens, will actually shine. We profit from our dimension and attain with out the fixed pull of shareholder strings.
Mauricio Umansky, CEO of The Company: In in the present day’s world, the flexibility to pivot is essential for an organization’s success. Those that can’t adapt will wrestle. At The Company, innovation has all the time been at our core, and through the years, we’ve considerably expanded our choices
Michael S. Liebowitz, president and CEO of Douglas Elliman: As in any market or enterprise cycle, the brokerages that thrive are those who stay targeted on offering distinctive customer support and empowering their brokers to overdeliver for his or her shoppers. The businesses that may rise above within the yr to come back are those that make investments additional in AI-powered instruments, superior market analytics, and immersive applied sciences that give brokers an edge, create operational efficiencies, and improve the whole expertise for shoppers. Simply as brokerages should embrace innovation, they need to even be adaptable to altering shopper preferences, attuned to the varied segments of an more and more fragmented market, and versatile within the varieties of companies and levels of engagement they provide to satisfy shoppers the place they’re.
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