Rental Rift

Splits and Caps Daily: Action for Agents

January 8, 2025

📈 Market Move:

Algorithms, Affordability, and Antitrust Action

Big news in the world of rentals: the DOJ is doubling down on its antitrust battle with RealPage, expanding the lawsuit to rope in six major multifamily landlords managing over 1.3 million units across 43 states. The issue? Allegedly using RealPage’s pricing algorithms to keep rents artificially high by coordinating pricing and sharing sensitive data.

Why it matters: The case spotlights the growing tension between tech-driven rental pricing and affordability concerns. While RealPage defends its practices, claiming they help optimize rents for market conditions, the DOJ and its co-plaintiffs see it differently—arguing the system unfairly exploits renters.

One landlord is already cutting deals: Cortland, a major operator, is offering cooperation in exchange for stepping away from algorithm-driven pricing under government oversight.

The takeaway: If this case sets a precedent, it could shake up how rents are priced across the country, giving renters a leg up in affordability. For now, keep an eye on how tech and regulation collide in real estate.

🌟Quote of the Day:

"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." — Confucius

⚡ Quick Win:

Run a Mini Client Survey: Send a 3-question survey to past clients about their home-buying/selling experience. It’s a goldmine for feedback—and testimonials! Bonus: they feel valued when you ask for their input.

🎉 Fun Fact of the Day: 

Underwater Real Estate: In Florida, there's an underwater hotel where you can spend the night with fish swimming past your window. And yes, it's technically real estate... just below sea level.

📚 Book Recommendation:

"Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself" by Mike Michalowicz—Picture this: You’re sipping a margarita on a Tuesday afternoon, not because you’re slacking but because your business is crushing it... without you. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, Mike Michalowicz is here to show you how to make it real in Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself.

This isn’t some pie-in-the-sky, "manifest your destiny" fluff. Mike breaks it down into bite-sized strategies, like identifying your "Queen Bee Role" (the one thing your business absolutely cannot function without) and how to make sure the day-to-day chaos doesn’t swallow you whole.

Think of it as your blueprint to go from being the overworked hamster-on-a-wheel to the chill CEO who’s got systems doing the heavy lifting. If you’re tired of being your business’s bottleneck, this book is the ultimate reset button.

P.S. If you’re not into margaritas, substitute it with your beverage of choice—Mike won’t judge.

Make today the day you stack small wins that lead to massive momentum.

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