Family-owned Brokerage Recognized for Industry Innovation and Adaptability

NORFOLK, Va. (Dec. 3, 2019) — The RISMedia Tech Titan Award was presented to Dan Elsea, president, Brokerage Services, and Stuart Elsea, president, Financial Services, for the Real Estate One Family of Companies for their 2019 technological achievements. Michigan-based brokerage, Real Estate One, was recognized during the November 8th RISMedia Power Broker Dinner as part of The National Association of REALTORS® 24th annual conference in San Francisco. Homes.com®, leading online real estate destination and provider of real estate marketing solutions, sponsored this year’s RISMedia’s Tech Titan Award. 

The Tech Titan award is presented to individuals transforming the industry by integrating new forms of technology into their companies to improve and enhance overall consumer experience. Striving to provide a simply smarter home search experience for consumers has inspired Homes.com’s desire to award excellence in industry innovation. 

“It really is a great honor,” stated Dan Elsea. “The baseline, not just for our business, but for any commerce, is that we can always have someone in a garage coming up with a new idea that’s faster, more innovative and more interesting than the last.”

The Elsea brothers and the Real Estate One team are on the cutting edge of industry practices with a strategic focus on artificial intelligence currently being developed and vetted. The family of companies is adopting intuitive, automated support to elevate the productivity and visibility of their agents.

“For Real Estate One, innovation isn’t just a tool or technology, it’s our culture. We constantly try new ideas and we empower our people to experiment with different concepts and technologies knowing that in some cases they will fail, but that’s how we learn, that’s how we grow and that’s how we succeed in business,” said Stuart Elsea.

“Homes.com is pleased to recognize Dan and Stuart Elsea and Real Estate One team with the RISMedia Tech Titan award for their technology accomplishments,” added Dave Mele, president of Homes.com. “As Real Estate One continues to advance cutting edge technology into our industry, Homes.com is proud to recognize their progress and hard work.”

About Homes.com

Homes.com offers today’s demanding homebuyers, renters, and those somewhere in between a simply smarter home search with a more personalized and conversational way to find their next home. Since its launch over 25 years ago, Homes.com offers real estate professionals brand and property advertising, search engine marketing, and instant response lead generation to help them succeed online. For more information, visit Homes.com.

About the Real Estate One Family of Companies

The Real Estate One Family of Companies is a Michigan based company and the largest real estate broker in the state and ranked 10th nationally. In their third generation of family ownership, The Real Estate One Family of Companies consists of four real estate brands, Real Estate One, Max Broock, Johnstone & Johnstone and the Charles Reinhart Company, as well as a one-stop shop of real estate services including John Adams Mortgage, Capital Title Insurance Agency, Insurance One and more. 

From their co-workers to clients, the members of this company-wide family dedicate themselves to the core values of excellence, caring, integrity, teamwork and empowerment. Demonstrating these values to their fullest potential has earned the honor of being one of Michigan’s Top Workplaces eight years in a row. In 2018, The Real Estate One Family of Companies was ranked as the 6th Top Workplace in Michigan. Every day is spent striving towards their mission of creating the best real estate experience through their family of services.

 For more information on the Real Estate One Family of Companies, visit www.realestateone.com.

NORFOLK, VA (October 30, 2019) — Homes.com announced today the launch of a new podcast designed to inspire collaboration and innovation within the MLS industry. Hosted by Andy Woolley, Vice President of Industry Development for Homes.com, the “Secrets of a Smarter MLS” podcast invites MLS leaders to share ideas about the intersection of strategy, operations, and execution that result in a smarter MLS. 

“In an increasingly challenging industry, demanding an increasingly smarter MLS, this podcast is an opportunity for MLS operators of all sizes to learn from their peers around the country,” says Woolley. “My hope is that this podcast will be a platform for collaboration, sharing ideas to empower all MLSs to operate smarter.”

Every few weeks, Woolley will interview a top executive from the MLS industry and examine the challenges they face in the rapidly evolving real estate industry. Guests will discuss industry trends, share helpful resources for MLS leaders, and offer advice for overcoming organizational challenges. The insights gleaned will equip veteran MLS executives and up-and-coming leaders alike.

The first episode features Jeremy Crawford, CEO and President of First MLS, and is now available for streaming. Interviews with Karen Cage, CEO of Realcomp II Ltd., and Glenn Cristoph, CEO of Intermountain MLS are scheduled for release in the coming weeks.  

“As the Council of Multiple Listing Services proudly promotes, each local MLS is ‘Making the Market Work,’ but no one is talking about what it takes to make the MLS work,” says Woolley. “I hope to pull back the curtain and show the remarkable behind-the-scenes effort involved in operating a successful MLS.”  

For more information on the Secrets of Smarter MLSs podcast, visit
https://secretsoftopsellingagents.com/smarter-mls-podcast/.

About Homes.com

Homes.com offers today’s demanding homebuyers, renters and those somewhere in between a simply smarter home search with a more personalized and conversational way to find their next home. Since its launch over 25 years ago, Homes.com offers real estate professionals brand and property advertising, search engine marketing, and instant response lead generation to help them succeed online. For more information, visit Homes.com.

About Andy Woolley

A 23-year veteran of the real estate media and technology industry, Andy Woolley has been closely working with the MLS industry dating back to his time with IRIS, eNeighborhoods, and WyldFyre Technologies from 1996 through 2010. More recently, Woolley was named Vice President of Industry Development for Homes.com, a division of Dominion Enterprises, and is responsible for cultivating and developing MLS, broker, franchise, and other growth-oriented industry partnerships.
https://marketing.homes.com/about/about-us/andy-woolley/

About Secrets of Top Selling Agents

The Secrets of Top Selling Agents webinar program was launched in 2006 to share the secrets of top selling agents with those still finding their path. The Secrets of Top Selling Agents platform has grown to include an Amazon best-selling book, live events throughout the country, and multiple real estate industry-specific podcast series.
https://secretsoftopsellingagents.com/

Homes.com Survey Shows Multiracial Support for Diversity as a Social Goal

NORFOLK, VA (October 24, 2019) – Nearly half of future Generation Z homebuyers who plan to buy a home in racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods are motivated by a belief that diversity is a positive force in society, according to a new Homes.com survey of 1,300+ 18- to 24-year-olds. These opinions are shared almost equally by white, Hispanic, African-American and Asian respondents, suggesting an emerging post-racial mentality. 

When asked to select the two major reasons for preferring to purchase a home in a heterogeneous community, 44% of those who expressed that preference answered that diversity is “good for America” while almost 36% said they were interested in being exposed to other cultures. Just 13% of respondents cited either their own racial or ethnic identity or that of a spouse or partner as a factor in their choice.

 The new survey followed an April Homes.com poll that found 58% of future Gen Z homebuyers prefer a diverse community compared to 12% who prefer a homogeneous neighborhood with people who “look like me.” The followup survey examined the reasons why these young Americans value living in a diverse neighborhood as well as the amenities and house types preferred by this age group.

“Gen Z homebuyers have more opportunities to live in racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods than previous generations because of demographic shifts that have occurred over the last few decades,” said David Mele, president of Homes.com. “Both of our surveys indicate that Gen Zers will take full advantage of these opportunities and continue to change the complexion of U.S. neighborhoods, given that they are the largest generation in history to soon become homeowners.”  

Homes.com’s recent survey also found that:

• Only 33% of Gen Z members grew up in diverse neighborhoods. Nearly 60% of white respondents grew up in homogeneous neighborhoods, while a majority of Hispanic, African-American and Middle Eastern or North African respondents lived in diverse communities as children.
• 48% of respondents now live in communities with heterogeneous populations, reflecting shifting neighborhood demographics as well as Gen Z relocations during their college and post-college years. This trend will continue to accelerate as Gen Z overtakes millennials to dominate real estate markets. 

In addition, the survey revealed clear Gen Z preferences in home design. For example: 

• 46% of Gen Z homebuyers prefer single-family homes over townhomes (7%), detached multi-family units (5%) and condominiums (4%). This is unusual for young first-time homebuyers, but it may change if single-family home prices continue to rise over the next few years before the first Gen Zers begin house hunting.
  
• Outdoor entertainment space and open interior design topped the list of desired home features, with 54% wanting a backyard area with amenities like a patio and deck and 44% looking for rooms that flow into one another. Both factors surpassed traditional preferences such as a garage (40%) and hardwood floors (34%).
• Surprisingly, eco-friendly design and smart home systems ranked last in feature preferences at 22% and 17%, respectively, despite increasing industry attention to both, rising environmental concerns, and the comfort level of younger people with technology.

For more information regarding the Homes.com survey, visit http://go.homes/gen-z-homebuying.

 About Homes.com
Homes.com offers today’s demanding homebuyers, renters and those somewhere in between a simply smarter home search experience. Since its launch over 25 years ago, Homes.com offers real estate professionals brand and property advertising, search engine marketing, and instant response lead generation to help them succeed online.  For more information, visit Homes.com.

Homes.com Survey Reveals Striking Demographic Shifts in Home Purchase Patterns

NORFOLK, Va. (June 25, 2019) – Generation Z, 18- to 24-year-olds who are entering the age bracket for first-time homebuying, is the first generation in American history with a preference for buying homes in culturally diverse neighborhoods, according to a recent Homes.com survey. Polling more than 1,000 young adults in the Gen Z age bracket, the survey is the first to examine how Generation Z and millennial habits differ across several facets of homebuying.

The survey found that 58% of future Gen Z homebuyers prefer a diverse community compared to 12% who prefer a homogeneous neighborhood. Gen Z’s commitment to diversity has important ramifications for national housing policy, cross-cultural enrichment, and the evolution of a post-racial definition of the American Dream.

“Generation Z is more multicultural than ever before, with demographics that include the largest percentage of Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks at 22% and 15%, respectively. Our survey suggests that their preferences will have a substantial impact on homebuying patterns,” said David Mele, president of Homes.com. “That, in turn, may create a new dynamic where diverse communities thrive more than ever before.” 

The Gen Z homeownership survey also found that: 

• The vast majority of Gen Z-ers expect to buy a home. 86% of respondents reported they plan to become homeowners someday. Only 5% don’t, and the remaining 9% are unsure. Since Gen Z is even larger than the millennial generation, strong home demand can be expected for many years to come.
  
• Most expect to buy their first homes before age 35. Specifically, 14% anticipate purchasing homes between ages 18-24, 48% from 25-29, and 25% between 30-34. If they succeed, they will follow the same schedule as Generation X and Baby Boomers. They will also achieve a much higher homeownership rate than millennials, who were stymied by high unemployment and low income levels for young workers from 2008 to 2013.
• ‘A place to call home’ and investment value are among the top reasons to buy. The fact that half want to buy because they believe owning a home is a good investment reflects how far the wealth-building aspects of homeownership have rebounded since the housing crash of 2008 when less than 1% of first-time buyers said financial security was their primary purchase motivation. Having a good home for pets ranked as the #3 reason to buy, outstripping safety and a sense of community as key incentives.
• Proximity to work is Generation Z’s top priority in selecting a place to live. When asked to rank the most important considerations in deciding where to live, proximity to work (71%) as well as to friends and family (52%) surpassed urban location (25%), proximity to shopping (24%) and access to nightlife (12%). That means that employers located in suburban and ex-urban areas will find it easier to attract Gen Z employees.
• Four in 10 are concerned they won’t earn enough to qualify for a mortgage. Even though most are years away from buying a home, Generation Z is more worried about making enough income to afford a home in five or 10 years than about their ability to save for a down payment or pay off student loan debt.
• Gen Z-ers have misconceptions about down payments. Despite the availability of lower-cost down payments like those required with 3.5% FHA loans, many young homebuyers believe they will need to save for two or three years to meet down payment obligations unless they get financial help from friends and family. That scenario is unlikely unless they live in an expensive market or don’t use a low down payment loan. 

“With Gen Z poised to become the next wave of homebuyers, it’s important to look at how their attitudes and behaviors will affect the homebuying process,” Mele noted. “The insights provided by this survey can help agents anticipate and prepare for the changes that will occur as this age group begins their home search.”

View the full results of the Homes.com survey at http://go.homes/gen-z.

About Homes.com
Homes.com offers today’s demanding homebuyers, renters, and those somewhere in between a simply smarter home search with a more personalized and conversational way to find their next home. Since its launch over 25 years ago, Homes.com offers real estate professionals brand and property advertising, search engine marketing, and instant response lead generation to help them succeed online.  For more information, visit Homes.com.

NORFOLK, VA (Feb. 04, 2019) – While you’re preparing this year’s passionate, you’re-the-best-thing-that-ever-happened-to-me Valentine’s Day tribute for your significant other, here’s a sobering thought: One in five adults who return home to live with their parents do so because of a broken heart. According to a Homes.com survey of nearly 1,100 members of the so-called “Boomerang Generation” and their parents, those that return to the nest due to a divorce or partner breakup is roughly the same percentage as those who return because they’re out of work.

In fact, the collapse of romantic relationships is the #1 move-back-home catalyst for Boomerang-ers ages 26-40 and the #2 incentive overall. More specifically, the survey revealed that:

• Love gone wrong is the primary reason for cohabiting with Mom and Dad for 33% of 26-30-year-old, 37% of 31-35-year-old and 24% of 36-40-year-old Boomerang-ers, outstripping all other considerations by as many as  14 points.
• Saving money for a home purchase or other major investment is the #1 motivation cited by Boomerang-ers in the 20-25 year-old cohort, while the need to care for aging parents tops the list for those 41 and older.
• Joblessness and debt rank just #3 and #4 overall as reasons to rejoin parents, even among 20-25-year-olds. Just 18% of Boomerang-ers in that age group return home because they lost or can’t find a job, and 11% because of student loan or other debt.

The survey also provides intriguing insights into Boomerang-ers’ ages, living quarters, sources of conflict, financial arrangements, and overall rapport with their parental roommates. Among the findings:

• 16% of Boomerang-ers are 31 and older, with roughly half of this group returning home after living elsewhere for 11 years or more.
• 45% live in their childhood bedrooms, with the rest having been displaced either by choice or space limitations. 26% live in a guest bedroom, 12% in the basement, 5% in a guest house, 4% in the living room and 2% in the garage.
• Privacy and noise issues cause the most friction, followed by space constraints, clashes over money, and political disagreements. General tension is also common, with more than one-third reporting “good days and bad days,” constant conflict, or difficult relationships dating back to childhood.
• 25% pay rent to their parents when they move back home, as reported by both parents and children. This is roughly the same across all age groups.
• The two sides disagree about other aspects of the financial arrangement, suggesting that either parents exaggerate their support or children minimize it. For example, 12% of parents claim they cover all of their child’s expenses, but only 5% of Boomerang-ers themselves say their parents foot the entire bill. Similarly, 35% of parents say that each side pays its own bills, but 45% of children make that claim.
• Parents are generally supportive. Only 13% discourage adult children from returning home to live, and 77% place no time limit on the arrangement. The majority also report a relatively smooth relationship, with 58% of parents and 68% of children saying they get along well or “hardly know they’re there.”

More information about the survey, including charts and graphs detailing key results, can be found at www.blog.homes.com.

About Homes.com

Homes.com offers today’s demanding homebuyers, renters and those somewhere in between a simply smarter home search with a more personalized and conversational way to find their next home.  Since its launch over 25 years ago, Homes.com offers real estate professionals brand and property advertising, search engine marketing and instant response lead generation to help them succeed online.  For more information, visit Homes.com.