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Rocket and Redfin are official

#95
WELCOME
Rhode Island just dropped a $14B budget plan—and with it, a tax hike that has this feeling like an especially cruel summer for sellers in the small state. Dubbed the Taylor Swift tax because the singer could owe six figures in additional taxes on her beachfront mansion, it targets second homes worth over $1M that sit empty half the year. Add in a steep hike to the state’s conveyance tax, and local agents worry it’s more than sellers can shake off, especially with average home prices sitting at just over $500K.
When real estate investor and business strategist Sharran Srivatsaa worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, one of the things that bothered him the most was the connection between complex, jargon-filled language and perceived status on the job. The ‘most successful’ investors in high finance lived in nuance. In real estate, he noticed agents doing the same—and missing opportunities because of it. Catch the latest episode of Glennda’s Guru for Sharran’s best advice on showcasing the complexity but delivering simplicity, so clients see you as an invaluable resource.
TRACK THE MARKET: Rocket and Redfin Join Forces

Last week, Rocket Companies closed its $1.75B all-stock acquisition of Redfin, merging one of the country’s largest online brokerages with one of its biggest lenders. The consolidation creates an all-in-one experience from home search to mortgage—and includes a new incentive program offering interest rate discounts or closing credits to buyers who use both Rocket Mortgage and a Redfin agent. While Rocket says it’s not actively trying to cut brokers out of deals, some industry voices aren’t so sure.
Here’s what agents need to know:
Buyers who use Rocket and Redfin together can get a 1-point rate reduction or up to $6,000 at closing—but only through Rocket’s retail mortgage lending channel.
Redfin now operates under the brand “Redfin Powered by Rocket,” with integrated tools and services expected to roll out in the coming months.
Rocket says this is a platform-boosting move, not an attempt to push non-Redfin agents out of the market—but critics warn it could increasingly steer buyers toward in-house agents and financing.
For agents, Redfin and Rocket’s built-in buying incentives may increase competition to land new clients. Even if the move is simple consolidation, it’s a trend worth watching as Rocket continues its acquisition spree.
DIVE IN
The Friday Five
📖 Breaking down payments. How first-time buyers actually fund their downpayment—and it’s not 20%.
👀 Dan Levy does real estate. Josh Flagg tours one of LA’s quirkiest homes with comedian and TV writer Dan Levy.
👀 Fabulous farmhouse. See inside Cameron Diaz’s impeccably decorated LA home, now listed for $16.5M.
💡 Inman’s brand empire. Learn how the most trusted name in real estate media launched the Inman brand.
💡 Compass cuts ties. Why Compass is ignoring NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy, and what it’s doing instead.
WHAT’S NEW FROM ESTATE MEDIA
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FEATURED LUXURY LISTING
TIPS & TAKEAWAYS
Are you priced to sell or sit?
Glennda Baker is seeing it across Atlanta: sellers holding on to dream 2021 prices and listings sitting with no showings for weeks. Her advice is if no one is looking, it’s price that’s the problem.
Don’t let your client’s listing sit like a market zombie for one more week. Read Glennda’s advice for curing the “hope hangover” and getting your listings looked at—and sold.
The Challenge Has Started — But You’re Not Too Late
The 90-Day Multi-Million Dollar Listing Challenge officially kicked off yesterday with Tracy Tutor—and it’s not too late to get in.
Agents are already diving into the strategies, scripts, and coaching designed to help you land $1M+ listings by fall.
✔ Learn directly from Tracy Tutor, Josh Flagg, Glennda Baker & more
✔ Get weekly live coaching and real accountability
✔ Access proven templates, prospecting plans, and social content strategies
✔ Join a high-level community pushing each other to new heights
You can still claim your 30-day free trial and catch up on this week’s assignments before the next live coaching session.
Start your journey to luxury today.
HANGS & HAPPENINGS
Inman Connect | San Diego, CA | July 30 - August 1. Sharpen your real estate game with immersive discussions, interactive workshops, top-tier networking, and more, alongside some of the biggest players in real estate, proptech, and lending.
RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference | Washington, DC | August 3 - 5. Connect with RE/MAX leaders and fellow broker-owners for three days of strategy sessions, networking, and fresh ideas to drive brokerage growth and your team’s success.
Tom Ferry Success Summit | Dallas, TX | August 26 - 28. Join thousands of top-producing agents for Tom Ferry’s signature event, packed with actionable strategies, mindset shifts, and high-energy coaching.
Before we go…
ESTATE RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
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