WebCE's Weekly Wrap-Up: June 20, 2025
WebCE Staff
By
June 20, 2025
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Real estate takes center stage this week, with stories that span marketing, leadership, and market dynamics. From redefining what it means to be a broker to navigating buyer-side commission changes and Zillow Zestimate accuracy, the industry is facing both pressure and opportunity. Even “Shark Tank” star and real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran is joining the conversation, sharing the offbeat stunts that helped build her empire, while one podcaster challenges agents to ditch the polish and lead with authenticity.
Meanwhile, Chair Powell urges patience in the face of stagflation concerns, while Governor Waller sees room to cut rates as early as July. We also see two case studies of the dos and donts of responding to a cybersecurity breach as Eerie Insurance faces two class action lawsuits, while a CPA firm is praised for their “textbook response."
Let’s dive in.
Top News of the Week
“At his press conference, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that policymakers are “well positioned to wait” before moving further on rates. He also said that “we’re beginning to see some effects” of tariffs on inflation.”
Fed Governor Waller says central bank could cut rates as early as July (CNBC)
“Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said Friday that he doesn’t expect tariffs to boost inflation significantly so policymakers should be looking to lower interest rates as early as next month. In a CNBC interview, the central banker said he and his colleagues should move slowly but start to ease as inflation is not posing a major economic threat, which he expects to continue.”
How will AI transform insurance? (Insurance Business Magazine)
“Industry stakeholders expect artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the global insurance business model by significantly changing the industry’s skill base and also by facilitating more predictive and less reactive risk management and claims processes.”
Erie Insurance Facing 2 Class Actions Claiming Data Breach (Insurance Journal)
“Not one but two class action lawsuits have been filed against Erie Insurance even as the insurer continues to investigate its cybersecurity incident. One lawsuit was filed by an Illinois customer, Neil Plascencia; the other by Amy Haas, a former Erie employee who lives in Wisconsin. Both claim Erie Insurance was negligent in not protecting their personally identifiable information (PII) and each seeks $5 million in damages.”
Lessons from a CPA whose firm delivered a ‘textbook response’ to data breach (Journal of Accountancy)
“Silent shock engulfed Madeley and the office manager as they realized what was happening. Madeley called the firm’s IT company, and the office manager called the employee. Within 15 minutes, the employee’s access to everything was cut off. “If there was an entry point with her name on it, it was shut down,” Madeley said.”
Map Shows States Where People Are Being Removed From Health Care Plan (Newsweek)
“After federal health care provisions were expanded during the COVID pandemic, Medicaid enrollees have since been continuously pushed off the program as part of the "unwinding" process to roll back pandemic-era provisions. During the three years of the pandemic, states paused Medicaid disenrollment, but after March 2023, they each re-started the process of overseeing and reviewing enrollees' eligibility for the program, meaning many have lost their health care coverage.”
Zillow Estimates Ultimate Guide: What Is It & How Accurate Is It? (The Close)
“Zestimate accuracy can fluctuate depending on the data Zillow has access to. The listings on Zillow get updated when information is publicly available. So, for instance, if a homeowner renovates but those changes aren’t reflected in public records, the Zestimate may undervalue the property. On the other hand, homes listed on the MLS usually have more complete data, leading to more accurate estimates.”
Beyond the License: How to Articulate Your Value as a Real Estate Broker (REALTOR Magazine)
“As a broker, your role extends far beyond holding a license. You are a protector, a mentor, a risk manager and a brand guardian. By effectively communicating these responsibilities to your agents, you not only elevate their understanding of your role but also reinforce the value of your brokerage as a place where agents are supported and can build a business.”
Challenges, opportunities and the choice to adapt — or die (Real Estate News)
“Just when you think you've got a handle on the latest market dynamic or business model, the ground shifts under your feet, usually because of some external factor...We're seeing one of those periods right now — and it's coming at us from two different directions: regulatory pressures that are changing how buyer agents get paid, and a market that's slowly but surely tilting away from sellers toward buyers. Neither of these changes is fatal. In fact, for the professionals who adapt, they can be the start of a stronger, more sustainable business.”
How 6 Companies Approached Digital Transformation (Harvard Business Review)
“Often guiding a digital transformation requires rethinking how your company creates value, its strategy, and the processes by which your employees get things done. Yet while many companies face similar problems, the specifics of their organization, industry, and staff can make it hard to translate big ideas into practice. To better understand how companies succeed in digital transformations, consider the inside perspective from six legacy companies: Moody’s, Honeywell, IKEA, Levi’s, Adobe, and Intuit.”
Top Podcast of the Week
Your “Professional” Persona is Killing Your Business
The Listings Lab Podcast with Jess Lenouvel
33 Minutes
Tired of hiding behind filters and polished personas?
This episode of The Listings Lab challenges the myth of the "perfect" personal brand and shows real estate agents how embracing their quirks, flaws, and unfiltered moments is the key to building genuine connections online.
Discover why your authenticity is your greatest asset, how to ditch the performance and start showing up as yourself, and the mindset shift that will boost your on-camera confidence. If you’ve been playing it safe, this is your call to get real—and get magnetic.
Weekend Wind-Down
From throwing quirky costume parties to staging unique publicity stunts, real estate mogul and “Shark Tank” star Barbar Corocoran shared some of the most controversial steps she took to compete and ensure the success of her brokerage.
In the viral video, which has so far amassed over 67,000 views, Corcoran shared the unusual strategies that she implemented in a bid to grow her business, although she noted that she by no means achieved her success "overnight," adding that it took "years of quick thinking and hard work to materialize."