{"id":139594,"date":"2021-08-16T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/?p=139594"},"modified":"2023-03-27T02:30:25","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T08:30:25","slug":"buying-homes-online-rocket-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/buying-homes-online-rocket-homes","title":{"rendered":"Is Fully-Online, Agent-Free Home Buying the Next Step for Real Estate?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n      <iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm?e=BIGPOC3203659847&#038;light=false\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe>  \n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the more peculiar innovations within the last decade was the launch of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carvana.com\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Carvana<\/a>, an online used car dealership that took the traditional dealer out of the picture. With Carvana, buyers can shop for and purchase a car without speaking to anyone or spending hours at a dealership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carvana will even deliver the car to your doorstep and take the car back within seven days if you don&#8217;t like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, if Carvana\u2019s figured out how to turn a traditional sales process upside down through full digitization, why can&#8217;t real estate brokerages pull off the same thing with homes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It seems like things are moving in that direction. In March 2020, just before the pandemic began, I<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-will-the-role-of-real-estate-agents-change-in-20-years\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\"> wrote<\/a> on the changing role of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/agent\/match?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=blog-ad\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\">real estate agents<\/a>. I stated that technology, increased consumer access to real estate data, and the relative purchasing independence of Millennials and Gen Zs will reduce the power a real estate agent has in any given transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The necessity of a real estate agent has decreased with every passing year. Companies like Zillow, Redfin, and others have fully recognized this\u2014and now <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketcompanies.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rocket Companies<\/a>, the parent company of Rocket Mortgage, has entered the fray. Last week, Rocket Companies announced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketcompanies.com\/press-release\/rocket-homes-combines-every-aspect-of-home-buying-and-selling-into-one-simple-customizable-platform\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rocket Homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n  <div id=\"posts_lists-block_611a832c95e7f\" class=\"  my-10\">\n    <div class=\"\">\n      <!-- Column One -->\n      <div>\n                  <h2 class=\"mt-0 mb-1 js-toc-ignore\">\n            More news from BiggerPockets          <\/h2>  \n                  \n                  <div class=\"mt-1 mb-0 text-sm mb-2 excerpt\">\n            <span data-sheets-value=\"{\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{\">Stay on top of the latest real estate news, trends, government policies, and more.<\/span>          <\/div>\n        \n                  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/category\/real-estate-news\" class=\"no-underline text-themeBlue-medium hover:underline uppercase font-semibold text-sm\" target=\"_blank\">News &amp; Trends<\/a>\n        \n        <div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-y-4 lg:gap-y-7 mt-5\">\n          \n<article \n\tid=\"post-185235\" \n\tclass=\"content-card mb-0 flex flex-col  post-185235 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-real-estate-news\">\n\n\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\t\t\t\n\t\t<!-- Image -->\n        \t\t\t<a class=\"post-thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/zillow-faces-major-lawsuit-over-alleged-monopoly\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lawsuit_canva-340x225.jpg\" class=\"size-card w-full  m-0 aspect-[68\/45] object-scale-down wp-post-image\" alt=\"Zillow Faces a New Major Lawsuit Over an Alleged Monopoly\" title=\"\">\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t        \n\n\t\t<!-- Content Wrapper -->\n\t\t<div class=\"py-4 \">\t\n                            <div class=\"flex gap-4 justify-between items-center\">\n                    <!-- Category  -->\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/category\/real-estate-news\" class=\"transition-colors bg-themeBlue\/20 text-themeBlue-medium hover:bg-themeBlue hover:text-white px-2 py-1 mb-2 inline-block rounded-sm no-underline text-sm\" target=\"_blank\">News &amp; Trends<\/a>\n                    \n                                            <span class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 hidden lg:inline-block\">5 min read<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n           <div class=\"flex gap-3 items-center my-2 flex-nowrap text-base\">\n                <!-- Avatar and Author Name -->\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/cropped-Jeff-V-Garcia-Photography-71788-scaled-1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"w-8 h-8 object-cover my-0 inline-block rounded-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><span class='leading-snug text-slate-500 flex items-center'><span class='hidden whitespace-nowrap sm:inline-block md:hidden lg:inline-block pr-1'><span class='posted-on'><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-10-17T10:26:15-06:00\">Oct 17, 2025<\/time><time class=\"updated\" datetime=\"2025-10-17T10:26:42-06:00\">Oct 17, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/contributors\/jeffvasishta\" class=\"no-underline line-clamp-1\" target=\"_blank\">Jeff Vasishta<\/a><\/span>            <\/div>\n\n            <!-- Post title -->\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title js-toc-ignore mt-4 mb-0 text-xl leading-snug text-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/zillow-faces-major-lawsuit-over-alleged-monopoly\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"whitespace-normal no-underline font-bold  text-slate visited:text-slate hover:text-themeBlue\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\tZillow Faces a New Major Lawsuit Over an Alleged Monopoly\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n                        <p class=\"text-lg font-normal mt-3 text-slate-500 mb-1 line-clamp-3\">If you want to buy, sell, or rent real estate in the U.S., Zillow appears to be the only game in town. That\u2019s according to the Semrush Traffic Analytics tool,&hellip;<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n     <footer class=\"flex justify-between mt-auto\">\n        <!-- Comment Count -->\n        \t\t<span class='flex items-center space-x-2 text-sm' x-cloak x-data='commentCount()' :class=\"parseFloat(commentCount) < 1 || commentCount == '' ? 'hidden' : 'flex'\">\n\t\t\n            <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"h-5 w-5 text-slate text-opacity-50\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M17 8h2a2 2 0 012 2v6a2 2 0 01-2 2h-2v4l-4-4H9a1.994 1.994 0 01-1.414-.586m0 0L11 14h4a2 2 0 002-2V6a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v6a2 2 0 002 2h2v4l.586-.586z\" \/>\n            <\/svg>\n\n            <span x-ref=\"comment_count\" class=\"disqus-comment-count text-slate text-opacity-80\" data-disqus-identifier=\"185235\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n        <\/span>\n\t    <\/footer>\n<\/article><!-- #post-185235 -->\n<article \n\tid=\"post-184780\" \n\tclass=\"content-card mb-0 flex flex-col  post-184780 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-real-estate-news\">\n\n\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\t\t\t\n\t\t<!-- Image -->\n        \t\t\t<a class=\"post-thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/fed-cuts-rates-as-employment-softens-but-real-estate-recovery-remains-uncertain\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/fed_canva-2-340x225.jpg\" class=\"size-card w-full  m-0 aspect-[68\/45] object-scale-down wp-post-image\" alt=\"Fed Cuts Rates as Employment Softens, But Real Estate Recovery Remains Uncertain\" title=\"\">\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t        \n\n\t\t<!-- Content Wrapper -->\n\t\t<div class=\"py-4 \">\t\n                            <div class=\"flex gap-4 justify-between items-center\">\n                    <!-- Category  -->\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/category\/real-estate-news\" class=\"transition-colors bg-themeBlue\/20 text-themeBlue-medium hover:bg-themeBlue hover:text-white px-2 py-1 mb-2 inline-block rounded-sm no-underline text-sm\" target=\"_blank\">News &amp; Trends<\/a>\n                    \n                                            <span class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 hidden lg:inline-block\">4 min read<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n           <div class=\"flex gap-3 items-center my-2 flex-nowrap text-base\">\n                <!-- Avatar and Author Name -->\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/cropped-Jeff-V-Garcia-Photography-71788-scaled-1-150x150.jpg\" class=\"w-8 h-8 object-cover my-0 inline-block rounded-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><span class='leading-snug text-slate-500 flex items-center'><span class='hidden whitespace-nowrap sm:inline-block md:hidden lg:inline-block pr-1'><span class='posted-on'><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2025-09-17T13:01:25-06:00\">Sep 17, 2025<\/time><time class=\"updated\" datetime=\"2025-09-17T13:01:29-06:00\">Sep 17, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/span>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/contributors\/jeffvasishta\" class=\"no-underline line-clamp-1\" target=\"_blank\">Jeff Vasishta<\/a><\/span>            <\/div>\n\n            <!-- Post title -->\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title js-toc-ignore mt-4 mb-0 text-xl leading-snug text-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/fed-cuts-rates-as-employment-softens-but-real-estate-recovery-remains-uncertain\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"whitespace-normal no-underline font-bold  text-slate visited:text-slate hover:text-themeBlue\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\tFed Cuts Rates as Employment Softens, But Real Estate Recovery Remains Uncertain\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n                        <p class=\"text-lg font-normal mt-3 text-slate-500 mb-1 line-clamp-3\">Following a weakening labor market, the Federal Reserve&#8217;s announcement that it will cut interest rates by 0.25% on Sept. 17 comes as welcome relief to the real estate industry, as&hellip;<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n     <footer class=\"flex justify-between mt-auto\">\n        <!-- Comment Count -->\n        \t\t<span class='flex items-center space-x-2 text-sm' x-cloak x-data='commentCount()' :class=\"parseFloat(commentCount) < 1 || commentCount == '' ? 'hidden' : 'flex'\">\n\t\t\n            <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"h-5 w-5 text-slate text-opacity-50\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M17 8h2a2 2 0 012 2v6a2 2 0 01-2 2h-2v4l-4-4H9a1.994 1.994 0 01-1.414-.586m0 0L11 14h4a2 2 0 002-2V6a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v6a2 2 0 002 2h2v4l.586-.586z\" \/>\n            <\/svg>\n\n            <span x-ref=\"comment_count\" class=\"disqus-comment-count text-slate text-opacity-80\" data-disqus-identifier=\"184780\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n        <\/span>\n\t    <\/footer>\n<\/article><!-- #post-184780 -->\n<article \n\tid=\"post-146041\" \n\tclass=\"content-card mb-0 flex flex-col  post-146041 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-real-estate-news category-biggerpockets-daily\">\n\n\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\t\t\t\n\t\t<!-- Image -->\n        \t\t\t<a class=\"post-thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/when-will-the-fed-lower-rates-again\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/federal-reserve-1-768x388-1-340x225.webp\" class=\"size-card w-full  m-0 aspect-[68\/45] object-scale-down wp-post-image\" alt=\"When Will The Fed Lower Rates Again? Sooner Than You Think\" title=\"\">\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t        \n\n\t\t<!-- Content Wrapper -->\n\t\t<div class=\"py-4 \">\t\n                            <div class=\"flex gap-4 justify-between items-center\">\n                    <!-- Category  -->\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/category\/real-estate-news\" class=\"transition-colors bg-themeBlue\/20 text-themeBlue-medium hover:bg-themeBlue hover:text-white px-2 py-1 mb-2 inline-block rounded-sm no-underline text-sm\" target=\"_blank\">News &amp; Trends<\/a>\n                    \n                                            <span class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 hidden lg:inline-block\">2 min read<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n           <div class=\"flex gap-3 items-center my-2 flex-nowrap text-base\">\n                <!-- Avatar and Author Name -->\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e8ccac5c5e56c35ffe5ca19e1c938129c6a3c884b861fc443e53c35f5ca54328?s=150&#038;d=mp&#038;r=g\" class=\"w-8 h-8 object-cover my-0 inline-block rounded-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><span class='leading-snug text-slate-500 flex items-center'><span class='hidden whitespace-nowrap sm:inline-block md:hidden lg:inline-block pr-1'><span class='posted-on'><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2022-12-19T08:59:28-07:00\">Dec 19, 2022<\/time><time class=\"updated\" datetime=\"2023-08-09T10:43:28-06:00\">Aug 09, 2023<\/time><\/span><\/span>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/contributors\/lindsayfrankel\" class=\"no-underline line-clamp-1\" target=\"_blank\">Lindsay Frankel<svg class=\"h-5 inline ml-2\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 21\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><g clip-path=\"url(#a)\"><path d=\"M19.253 5.25a1.75 1.75 0 0 0-1.663 2.29l-1.42.902a2.188 2.188 0 0 1-2.868-.46L11.91 6.28a1.73 1.73 0 0 0 .342-1.03 1.75 1.75 0 1 0-3.5 0c0 .37.12.732.34 1.03L7.701 7.982a2.188 2.188 0 0 1-2.868.46l-1.42-.903a1.75 1.75 0 1 0-1.816 1.203l1.035 6.205a.438.438 0 0 0 .43.366H17.94a.437.437 0 0 0 .431-.366l1.035-6.204a1.75 1.75 0 0 0-.153-3.494Z\" fill=\"#FFC107\"\/><path d=\"M10.502 17.064c4.108 0 7.438-.98 7.438-2.188 0-1.208-3.33-2.188-7.438-2.188-4.109 0-7.439.98-7.439 2.188 0 1.208 3.33 2.188 7.439 2.188Z\" fill=\"#FFA000\"\/><path d=\"M10.502 17.501c-3.915 0-7.877-.901-7.877-2.625s3.962-2.625 7.877-2.625c3.914 0 7.876.9 7.876 2.625 0 1.724-3.962 2.625-7.876 2.625Zm0-4.375c-4.597 0-7.001 1.137-7.001 1.75s2.404 1.75 7 1.75c4.597 0 7.002-1.138 7.002-1.75 0-.613-2.405-1.75-7.001-1.75Z\" fill=\"#FFD54F\"\/><\/g><defs><clipPath id=\"a\"><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M0 0h21v21H0z\"\/><\/clipPath><\/defs><\/svg><\/a><\/span>            <\/div>\n\n            <!-- Post title -->\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title js-toc-ignore mt-4 mb-0 text-xl leading-snug text-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/when-will-the-fed-lower-rates-again\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"whitespace-normal no-underline font-bold  text-slate visited:text-slate hover:text-themeBlue\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\tWhen Will The Fed Lower Rates Again? Sooner Than You Think\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n                        <p class=\"text-lg font-normal mt-3 text-slate-500 mb-1 line-clamp-3\">Last week, the Fed raised its benchmark interest rate by&nbsp;half a percentage point, a slowdown from previous sprints. Still, the federal funds rate is at its highest since 2007. While&hellip;<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n     <footer class=\"flex justify-between mt-auto\">\n        <!-- Comment Count -->\n        \t\t<span class='flex items-center space-x-2 text-sm' x-cloak x-data='commentCount()' :class=\"parseFloat(commentCount) < 1 || commentCount == '' ? 'hidden' : 'flex'\">\n\t\t\n            <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"h-5 w-5 text-slate text-opacity-50\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M17 8h2a2 2 0 012 2v6a2 2 0 01-2 2h-2v4l-4-4H9a1.994 1.994 0 01-1.414-.586m0 0L11 14h4a2 2 0 002-2V6a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v6a2 2 0 002 2h2v4l.586-.586z\" \/>\n            <\/svg>\n\n            <span x-ref=\"comment_count\" class=\"disqus-comment-count text-slate text-opacity-80\" data-disqus-identifier=\"146041\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n        <\/span>\n\t    <\/footer>\n<\/article><!-- #post-146041 -->\n<article \n\tid=\"post-145886\" \n\tclass=\"content-card mb-0 flex flex-col  post-145886 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-real-estate-news category-biggerpockets-daily\">\n\n\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\t\t\t\n\t\t<!-- Image -->\n        \t\t\t<a class=\"post-thumbnail\" href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-long-it-takes-to-afford-rent-report\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"340\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/for-rent--340x225.jpg\" class=\"size-card w-full  m-0 aspect-[68\/45] object-scale-down wp-post-image\" alt=\"New Zillow Report Suggests Renters Must Work 63 Hours To Afford Rent In The U.S.\" title=\"\">\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t        \n\n\t\t<!-- Content Wrapper -->\n\t\t<div class=\"py-4 \">\t\n                            <div class=\"flex gap-4 justify-between items-center\">\n                    <!-- Category  -->\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/category\/real-estate-news\" class=\"transition-colors bg-themeBlue\/20 text-themeBlue-medium hover:bg-themeBlue hover:text-white px-2 py-1 mb-2 inline-block rounded-sm no-underline text-sm\" target=\"_blank\">News &amp; Trends<\/a>\n                    \n                                            <span class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 hidden lg:inline-block\">3 min read<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n           <div class=\"flex gap-3 items-center my-2 flex-nowrap text-base\">\n                <!-- Avatar and Author Name -->\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/cropped-profile_small-150x150.jpg\" class=\"w-8 h-8 object-cover my-0 inline-block rounded-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><span class='leading-snug text-slate-500 flex items-center'><span class='hidden whitespace-nowrap sm:inline-block md:hidden lg:inline-block pr-1'><span class='posted-on'><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2022-12-07T14:02:45-07:00\">Dec 07, 2022<\/time><time class=\"updated\" datetime=\"2023-08-09T10:31:18-06:00\">Aug 09, 2023<\/time><\/span><\/span>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/contributors\/annacottrell\" class=\"no-underline line-clamp-1\" target=\"_blank\">Anna K. Cottrell<\/a><\/span>            <\/div>\n\n            <!-- Post title -->\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"entry-title js-toc-ignore mt-4 mb-0 text-xl leading-snug text-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/how-long-it-takes-to-afford-rent-report\" rel=\"bookmark\" class=\"whitespace-normal no-underline font-bold  text-slate visited:text-slate hover:text-themeBlue\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\tNew Zillow Report Suggests Renters Must Work 63 Hours To Afford Rent In The U.S.\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\n                        <p class=\"text-lg font-normal mt-3 text-slate-500 mb-1 line-clamp-3\">A recent report from&nbsp;Zillow&nbsp;highlights the U.S. affordability crisis creatively. Rather than just focusing on the rapid price growth in rents across the country over the past couple of years, the&hellip;<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n     <footer class=\"flex justify-between mt-auto\">\n        <!-- Comment Count -->\n        \t\t<span class='flex items-center space-x-2 text-sm' x-cloak x-data='commentCount()' :class=\"parseFloat(commentCount) < 1 || commentCount == '' ? 'hidden' : 'flex'\">\n\t\t\n            <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"h-5 w-5 text-slate text-opacity-50\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" stroke=\"currentColor\">\n                <path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M17 8h2a2 2 0 012 2v6a2 2 0 01-2 2h-2v4l-4-4H9a1.994 1.994 0 01-1.414-.586m0 0L11 14h4a2 2 0 002-2V6a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v6a2 2 0 002 2h2v4l.586-.586z\" \/>\n            <\/svg>\n\n            <span x-ref=\"comment_count\" class=\"disqus-comment-count text-slate text-opacity-80\" data-disqus-identifier=\"145886\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n        <\/span>\n\t    <\/footer>\n<\/article><!-- #post-145886 -->        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Rocket Homes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rocket Homes is a one-stop shop for someone\u2019s entire real estate adventure, whether they\u2019re buying or selling a home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Rocket\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/rocket-homes-combines-every-aspect-of-home-buying-and-selling-into-one-simple-customizable-platform-301352134.html\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">press release<\/a>, they\u2019re pulling together a full suite of services that include \u201ccredit reporting, home search, the industry-leading ForSaleByOwner.com process, on-staff real estate agents, a nationwide network of trusted real estate professionals, iBuying services to provide a back-up offer to sellers\u2014along with direct connections to Rocket Mortgage, America&#8217;s largest mortgage lender, and Amrock, a premier closing and settlement services provider.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While not directly eliminating real estate agents, Rocket will be hiring in-house agents and connecting customers with local real estate professionals. However, Rocket will be reducing commissions from the average 3% threshold to just 1.5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, if an agent sells a $200,000 home, they&#8217;ll collect $3,000, not the traditional $6,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So far, this Redfin-like structure simply seems like a way to standardize the transaction process. But Rocket Homes\u2019 in-house agents will be working from a centralized office located in Detroit\u2014meaning this will be nothing like traditional real estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, newcomer agents are typically trained by brokerages to talk \u201cFor Sale By Owner\u201d (FSBO) sellers out of doing it on their own. And experienced agents know that there often <em>are<\/em> a number of benefits to working with a professional. For example, FSBO homes aren&#8217;t typically listed on the multiple listing service (MLS), and many sellers don&#8217;t understand that homes require specific marketing tactics and photos need to be professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But in a hot real estate market\u2014and thanks the existence of home-search platforms like Zillow\u2014homes are selling regardless of whether a listing agent is present or not. Rocket Homes is capitalizing on this by openly encouraging clients to sell their homes by themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By providing real-time data and insights and leveraging its partnership with ForSaleByOwner.com, Rocket Homes will make it easier than ever for FSBO sellers to accomplish the arduous task of selling a home on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is a direct blow to real estate agents who work for traditional brokerages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plus, Rocket is going to guarantee <em>every<\/em> home\u2019s sale within its platform through its iBuyer program. The intended goal is to eliminate the need for buyers who are also selling their home to add a contingency clause to their offers. These clauses enable buyers to put the home they&#8217;re buying on hold until they\u2019re able to sell\u2014and in a hot real estate market like the one we&#8217;re in currently, those types of offers are unattractive to sellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Removing contingency clauses and guaranteeing the sale of someone&#8217;s home is something real estate agents and brokerages haven&#8217;t been able to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All in all, while Rocket Homes won\u2019t steal everyone\u2019s market share overnight, this is certainly the groundwork towards a digital-centric, agent-less transaction\u2014and an indication that modern agents may need to consider adjusting their business strategy to ensure success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"hero-block_62df1a82bfc88\" class=\"first:mt-0 hero-block py-4    has-background has-slate-200-background-color has-text-color has-theme-gold-color\">\n    <div\n        class=\"gap-10 lg:gap-20 flex flex-wrap lg:flex-nowrap max-w-screen-xl mx-auto px-4 relative lg:items-center \">\n\n        <div class=\"relative z-30 lg:w-2\/3 \">\n            <main class=\"py-4\">\n                \n\n<p class=\"has-slate-800-color has-text-color has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:800\">Buy your first house with your eyes wide open<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"my-3 md:my-5 lg:my-8 has-slate-900-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:16px\">Outsmart the world\u2019s most common financial trap! From BiggerPockets CEO Scott Trench and podcast co-host Mindy Jensen, learn how your home purchase can destroy your wealth\u2026 or generate even more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=button-custom-event-block_64134fe56b103 class='button-custom-event'>\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/store.biggerpockets.com\/products\/first-time-home-buyer?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=marketing_block\" x-on:click=\"window.analytics.track(&#039;Blog Block | Publishing: FTHB&#039;, {\n      referrer: &#039;https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/buying-homes-online-rocket-homes&#039;,\n    });\" class=\" btn-shape inline-block no-underline has-background has-theme-gold-background-color has-text-color has-white-color\" target=\"_blank\">Get Your Copy<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n\n            <\/main>\n        <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"lg:w-1\/3 first:mt-0 relative h-full lg:flex lg:items-center\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"object-cover w-full relative z-20 my-0  rounded-md hidden lg:block\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/first-time-home-buyer.jpeg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\">\n        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How should real estate agents respond?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The future is uncertain. We\u2019re still years away from agent job security being truly threatened by these new programs, but traditional brokerages are paying attention and need to start making adjustments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keller Williams has gone on the defensive by enhancing its <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/technology.kw.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technological capabilities<\/a> and protecting real estate data that it receives from clients. KW Command, the Keller Cloud, and a robust agent training program are prime examples of a traditional brokerage fighting for market share by becoming increasingly consumer-centric in an industry that&#8217;s known historically being skewed towards agents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the real question is whether brokerages will be able to withstand the extreme technological advances of much larger, centralized companies like Rocket and Zillow that invest 10 times the amount of money on digital services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Real estate is a local business, sure. Homes are best toured before purchasing, absolutely. But it would be na\u00efve to assume that real estate agents will always be required to open the door when it is just as easy for a company to extend its door unlocking apps to customers. Agents should consider: What <em>can<\/em> I offer that a digital service cannot? The answer to that may lead to the right strategy for weathering this industry-wide change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This decade will be interesting to watch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One of the more peculiar innovations within the last decade was the launch of Carvana, an online used car dealership that took the traditional dealer out of the picture. With [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":612375,"featured_media":139600,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7119,5528],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-139594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-biggerpockets-daily","category-real-estate-news"],"acf":[],"comment_count":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/612375"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139594"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139594\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/139600"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}