Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of November: Commissions lawsuit, AI agent recommendations, tech gifts, and more

Staring down the barrel of the future can be intimidating, especially when that future contains the potential for major — and perhaps uncomfortable — change. That's the scenario real estate pros found themselves facing when the verdict for the commissions lawsuit came in. But there's no need to tie yourself in worried knots just yet, as our #1 most-read article of November expresses. Check it out below for insight on the case.

Speaking of the future, will AI bots like ChatGPT ever be a source of agent recommendations? And is that something you should be concerned about? To find out, see article #2. In the meantime, scroll down to article #6 to see how consumers are actually finding a Realtor right now.

If this time of year has got you stressed, article #5 offers 36 resources for destressing, getting motivated, and more. Finally, indulge in some self-care by buying yourself a gift inspired by the suggestions in #3.

To see what else agents and brokers were reading in November, check out our full list of the most popular articles of last month below:

1. The Jury Has Ruled on Commissions: What Are the Next Steps?
So many lawsuits, what happens next? The answer is: it depends. For now, agents need to pay attention to the information from their MLS and their association of REALTORS, and talk to their broker. The final settlement in the case, or the appeal – or whatever happens next – does not really matter unless you are named in the litigation. For everyone else, think about how you can change now to avoid this sort of business uncertainty in the future.

2. We Asked 6 AI Bots to Recommend a Realtor. Here's What Happened
What happens when someone asks ChatGPT (or similar AI models) to recommend a real estate agent to them? And is this a marketing channel that agents should start thinking about? To find out, we asked six AI chatbots the same question: I'd like to buy a house in San Luis Obispo county. Can you recommend Realtors to me? Here's what we found.

3. Top 5 Tech Gifts to Buy Yourself
As the gift season is approaching, it's important to note that technology has become omnipresent in our daily personal and professional lives. Given this, many of today's gadgets promise to improve efficiency, be fun, and help your well-being. Here are five top tech gifts for self-indulgence that can help elevate your game, save time, protect you from wasting time, capture fun and memorable moments, and maybe even save your life!

4. 4 Things You Should Always Have in Your Listing Presentation or Open House
As you prep for your listing presentation or open house, there are four key things you should always make sure you have included. These action items help ensure you're well-prepared, building trust, and offering a superior client experience. We'll break each one down, along with the reasons why they're so important.

5. Be a Better Realtor: 36 Tips and Tricks on Productivity, Goal Setting, and Self Improvement
As the year draws to a close, thoughts begin to turn towards achievement: Have I met the goals I set for myself this year? How can I achieve more next year? We want to help you realize your ambitions and be the best version of yourself that you can be. That's why we're sharing these resources about productivity, goal setting and self improvement.

6. How Are Buyers and Sellers Finding Agents in 2023?
When it comes to hiring a real estate agent, there are typically hundreds, if not thousands, of options for consumers to tap. How are buyers and sellers finding their agents in 2023? The latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) sheds some light on the situation.

7. Movin' on Up: 15-Point Checklist for Switching Real Estate Brokerages
Has your current brokerage lost some of its shine? Part of career growth is recognizing when you've grown beyond your current situation. But switching brokerages can be an involved process with multiple steps. To make it easier for you to move on to bigger and better things, we've put together this handy checklist of tasks you need to complete when you change real estate firms.

8. How RPR Can Enhance Your Real Estate Marketing Strategy
With interest rates still high and inventory still down, agents across the country are feeling the pinch. However, now is actually the perfect time for REALTORS® to re-evaluate and revamp their marketing strategies. And RPR® (Realtors Property Resource®) can help you do it!

9. Protecting Your Identity for Free: A Quick and Easy Guide
In an age where our personal information is more vulnerable than ever, it's crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard your financial well-being and personal privacy. Particularly when it's FREE and takes less than hour! In this article, we will guide you through the process of placing a credit freeze and provide you with essential tips to fortify your financial security.

10. The Evolution of Pre-Sale Renovations: How the industry has changed over the past decade
Over the last decade, the landscape of pre-sale home renovations has undergone a significant transformation. Just 10 years ago, the notion of pre-sale renovations was a hands-on, do-it-yourself affair. The transition from a do-it-yourself ethos to a more sophisticated, turnkey service approach has significantly altered how modern real estate agents help homeowners prepare their properties for the market today.