Commerical Connections

Commercial Connections is released four times a year and is sent to members of the National Association of REALTORS® as well as influential figures in the commercial real estate sector.

National, Trade/B2B

English

Magazine

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Ranking

Global

#70957

United States

#14905

Business and Consumer Services/Real Estate

#177

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Articles

Wire Fraud Is Targeting First-Time Buyers: Are You Doing Enough to Protect Them?

3 days ago | nar.realtor | Melissa Tracey

© ChadaYui / iStock / Getty Images Plus A young, first-time home buyer was filled with excitement to finally own a home. She had her offer accepted and secured her loan in the fast-paced, COVID-era, 2020 housing market, when home prices were climbing fast. But on the eve of closing, the $30,000 downpayment she wired vanished. A scammer had intercepted the transaction, impersonated a trusted party and diverted the buyer’s entire life savings. It took two years to recover the money.
Instant Reaction: CPI, May 13, 2025

3 days ago | nar.realtor | Lawrence Yun

We are one step closer to a rate cut by the Federal Reserve as consumer price inflation continues to calm down. The latest inflation rate of 2.3% is the slowest rise in about four years, but still above the target inflation rate of 2%. Prescription medicine prices rose by 2.3% even as non-prescription drug costs fell by 1%. These costs could dramatically change in the upcoming months, though they comprise just 1.3% of the overall consumer budget and inflation calculation.
Following Rise in Pending Sales, Mortgage Applications Surge

1 week ago | nar.realtor | Melissa Tracey

Mortgage applications for home purchases—a gauge of future homebuying activity—were up 13% in the week ending May 2 compared to a year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Thursday. Mortgage rates have barely budged but home buyers appear to be jumping into the market this spring, despite elevated home prices in most markets.
Home Prices Are Still Rising-Even by Double-Digits in Some Markets

1 week ago | nar.realtor | Melissa Tracey

Ariel Skelley / DigitalVision / Getty Images Homeowners are the clear winners in the housing market, continuing to experience strong appreciation as home prices remain on a steady upward march nationwide. Some markets are still seeing double-digit gains. Syracuse, N.Y., has seen the largest home price increase in the country over the past year—up about 18% annually, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ latest quarterly report, based on first quarter metro sales data.
The First 100 Days with Sherry Chris: Bringing Forward Broker Voices at NAR

1 week ago | nar.realtor | Melissa Tracey

At the REALTOR® Broker Summit in Louisville, Ky., in April, from left, Sherry Chris, Shannon McGahn and Nykia Wright discuss how local, state and national REALTOR® organizations are working on behalf of the nation’s real estate brokers. Since early January, real estate brokers have had a familiar ally at the National Association of REALTORS®. Sherry Chris, the longtime Anywhere Real Estate executive, has been moving full steam in a new advisory role.
Staging to Sell: The Real Estate Shift Toward Picture-Perfect Homes

1 week ago | nar.realtor | Melissa Tracey

© sl-f / iStock / Getty Images Plus In real estate, where almost every buyer is looking online before they tour a property, first impressions are everything. Increasingly, buyers expect homes to look like they belong on TV design shows or worthy of an Instagram reel.
Organize Your Way to a Better Bottom Line

1 week ago | nar.realtor | Dina Cheney

© Jay Yuno / E+ / Getty Images Years ago, South Florida–based Steve Snider, managing broker at One Sotheby’s Realty, received a day planner at a conference held by the late Stephen Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” But when the program ended, he drove off, leaving the planner on top of his car. When he realized he’d lost it, Snider wasn’t disappointed. Such structured planning wasn't his cup of tea. “I haven’t had a planner since,” he admits.
A Dark Secret in Real Estate … About Paint, That Is

1 week ago | nar.realtor | Melissa Tracey

Real estate pros are often likely to recommend a fresh coat of paint before selling a home, whether that’s the entire home or at least just one interior room, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2025 Remodeling Impact Report. Paint is known as one of the most affordable house projects, and it can make a big difference in the look of a home. Home staging and real estate professionals have long-favored neutral colors—whites, beiges and grays—to appeal to prospective home buyers.
Mortgage Rates Ease Slightly: Is It Enough to Grow Spring Sales?

2 weeks ago | nar.realtor | Melissa Tracey

© sarayut Thaneerat / Moment / Getty Images Home buyers this spring are locking in lower mortgage rates than they could a year ago, when rates pushed above 7%. But even with the latest decline—bringing 30-year fixed rates to a 6.76% average—many prospective buyers aren’t ready to take action. Purchase mortgage applications—a gauge of future buying activity—fell 4% last week compared to the previous week, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported April 30.
Instant Reaction: Jobs, May 2, 2025

2 weeks ago | nar.realtor | Lawrence Yun

In April, a total of 177,000 payroll jobs were added to the economy, with average weekly earnings of $1237. Income growth is outpacing consumer price inflation. Regardless of what may be happening on Wall Street, where half of the stock market valuations are held by the top 1% of the population, Main Street America continues to move forward. Homeowners across the country are also faring well as housing equity continues to reach new record highs.