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Each week on The Download, Inman’s Christy Murdock takes a deeper look at the top-read stories of the week to give you what you’ll need to meet Monday head-on. This week: After a topsy-turvy spring, some markets are seeing more inventory this summer. Here’s how to lead gen for buyers and listings to take advantage of the opportunity.
For many agents who were convinced that spring 2025 would make up for the sluggish markets of the post-pandemic years, the past few months have been pretty disappointing. Despite increases in inventory, a combination of political and economic uncertainty combined to keep many buyers on the fence, hoping for lower interest rates or worrying that their jobs were in jeopardy.
Within the industry, ongoing sturm und drang around private listings, major brokerages and powerhouse portals have kept agents on edge, unsure about how to move forward in today’s market and what to tell leads when they call. Will the advice you give today come back to bite you months or even years from now? Will your brokerage’s listings philosophy make it harder to sell your services? Who really knows at this point?
Well, the good news is that Inman’s staff writers and contributors always keep their boots firmly on the ground, bringing you up-to-the-minute news and advice designed to ensure that you’re always the most informed real estate pro in your market.
We want to get you all caught up on the latest lead gen and lead nurture strategies, plus marketing ideas for your business and your listings. (Done the right way, you won’t just get that listing sold. You’ll develop a whole host of new leads for the months and years ahead.)
Bookmark this story: You’re going to want to come back to it. Then send the link to your favorite agent — mentee or colleague — so they can put these ideas to work, too. After all, we’re all in this market together.
Inman staff writers
Zillow’s listing ban has begun. Here’s what you need to know by Taylor Anderson
The nation’s largest real estate portal has begun enforcing its ban on private listings, 10 weeks after announcing its new standards. Here’s what you need to know now.
With an eye on future lawsuits, Compass formally repudiates CCP in letter to NAR and by Andrea Brambila
CEO Robert Reffkin said the real estate brokerage doesn’t consider “any national NAR MLS rule impacting clients as binding,” but will continue to train agents to comply with local MLS rules.
Inventory has doubled in nearly half of the US’s largest by Marian McPherson
Robust new construction activity and subdued homebuyer demand has led to an inventory boom in 22 of the 50 largest markets, with some metros seeing active inventory double vs 2019.
Mauricio Umansky’s ThePLS.com sues NAR over private by Taylor Anderson
Umansky’s PLS alleges NAR controls competition in the residential real estate industry by controlling a large network of MLSs in the country.
Bernice Ross
The secret to making your clients love you: Save them
Saving clients and prospects money is the best marketing you’ll ever do. You’re building trust and creating an unbeatable personal connection.
Carl Medford
Hiring a home staging company? Ask these essential questions
After owning a staging company for 20 years, the team leader lists seven categories of critical questions to ask before selecting a stager for you and your listings.
7 critical activities for effectively working with buyers in
Those who understand the requirements of today’s market and are willing to roll up their sleeves will reap the rewards.
Is Zillow skating dangerously close to thin
Zillow’s brokerage license and algorithmic pricing suggestions could be setting it up for a legal showdown that threatens its entire business model.
Ken Baris
Your next referral source is already in your phone
The best lead generation comes from genuinely valuing and nurturing the relationships you already have and keeping in touch with your network.
Lindsey Harn
Multi-gen mayhem: Selling a home with 4 generations of
An organized and proactive process can help keep the peace between family members and sell your client’s home efficiently.
Josh Ries
Sellers don’t care about your fancy CRM. They care how you use
The broker and lead gen consultant shares strategies for demonstrating to sellers how your tech tools will get the results they’re looking for.
Your circle prospecting plan is outdated. Here’s how to fix
Stop chasing leads and start creating memorable outreach in person and online with these helpful circle prospecting strategies.
Molly McKinley
How AI is transforming the role of real estate
While competitors focus on traditional SEO tactics, forward-thinking pros can build a review foundation to drive AI recommendations for years to come.
Chris Pollinger
7 secrets that sell: Summer staging on a smart budget
The leadership team at LA’s Elite Home Staging talk about the features that get luxury homes sold in the summertime.
Amy Stockberger
How dialed-in perks turn forever clients into lead-gen
Serve your clients so well that they can’t help sharing the good news about the service you provide, sending new clients to you along the way.
Darryl Davis
How being a successful agent is like being a Broadway
Success in real estate is a lot like producing Broadway — build the right cast, believe in your story and deliver an unforgettable experience.
Jessi Healy
Trending: Has your Facebook group disappeared? Thanks,
Meta’s mass group bans are the latest sign that automated moderation is breaking the platforms we rely on.
Trending: TikTok sales, Meta fails and what actually
Livestreams are selling, AI is oversharing, and Facebook is quietly confirming what we already knew about links. Here’s what to pay attention to now.
Trending: Lessons in Pride and building brand equity that
Real estate pros can build trust — and a lasting brand — by leading with values, not just visuals.
Trending: Agents, it’s time to show your face (and find your
From voice notes to video hooks, the latest updates across Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn prove one thing: Connection is personal.
Verl Workman
Rookie to rockstar: What every new buyer’s agent needs to
Just starting out on a real estate team as a buyer’s agent? Here’s what you should know to hit the ground running and help your clients.
Alyssa Stalker
6 dead giveaways your marketing content was written by
From odd punctuation to generic phrasing, here’s how to spot AI’s fingerprints, and keep your real voice front and center.
Just got your real estate license? Time to get
Starting strong means building systems early. Learn how to set up the right tools and habits from Day One.
Troy Palmquist
I’m going back into production. Here’s the tech helping me do
After years being out of production, the broker is going back to sales, and he’s betting big on this platform to help him maintain consistent, smart communication with his sphere.
Best listing on the street: Differentiate your service with home repair
As the market shifts, it’s important that your listing stands out from the competition. Here’s how to help your sellers get market-ready fast.
Holly Brink
Facebook Marketplace: The effective tool most agents
Learn agent Abby Goodell’s no-frills strategy for turning Facebook Marketplace posts into legit buyer leads, and examine why most agents overlook the platform.
