You might have heard the buzz about the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the groundbreaking $418 million settlement. This isn't just news; it's a revolution in the real estate realm, and it's time to strap in and rise to the occasion. Big changes are afoot, and this could be the launch pad moment for your next big leap in real estate!

The Background 

NAR, a titan of industry standards and practices, faced lawsuits that cracked the bedrock of real estate commissions wide open. The heart of the matter? Allegations that their policies kept commission rates high and competition low. This settlement isn't just a penalty; it's a declaration that the old ways won't fly in today's transparent, competitive market.

Key points:

• NAR will pay the nearly half-billion-dollar settlement in installments, with a $197 million payment due within 90 days of final settlement approval.
• Offers of compensation can no longer be made through the MLS, and MLSs will have just 150 days to update...

I often hear people say that they feel more comfortable investing in the stock market or keeping their money in a bank account. To them, this choice feels safer and more reliable. But this is a myth. I believe that they say this because they have not done the work of comparing how money grows in different investments. So I’ve broken it down for you.

Let’s say you start with $50,000. Now if you put that money in a bank account, where it compounds at 1% interest, after 20 years you will have made a profit of $11,009.50.

Now let’s say you want to invest that money and you choose to invest that $50,000 in the stock market, which averages a 7% annual return on investment. So after 20 years compounding at 7% you will make a profit of $143,484.

Now let’s compare those two options to real estate investing. Let’s say you purchase five 3/2 single-family houses in Cleveland, OH for $50,000 down (20% of value - $250,000 total in assets). The average rent for that...