The past year was full of real issues for the real estate industry — from the continuing effects of the pandemic to rising inflation. But it was also full of real solutions. Check out Atlanta Agent’s most-read Real Issues features to learn from our expert sources and, overall, to consider 2022 in retrospect.

No. 1: Decoupling broker commissions could be coming

Agent commissions of the future could look much different than they do today, as a Department of Justice investigation into the issue of decoupling buyer and broker commissions continues, class-action lawsuits are advancing and associations and MLSs are adjusting their policies.

No. 2: It’s time we talk about crime

If ever there were a third rail of residential real estate, it would have to be the topic of crime. The radioactive issue and its relationship to residential real estate has been a troubling topic for agents for decades. But how is it impacting the bottom line now?

No. 3: How does a community increase home values?

Aside from its location, a neighborhood has many public assets that combine to determine its desirability to buyers, including schools, parks, transit, retail districts and hospitals, to name a few. How do those assets affect home prices — and which ones have the biggest impact?

No. 4: Navigating new-home construction sales

All bets are off in the world of new-construction home sales, where the relationship between builders and brokers often changes with the strength or weakness of the local market. In a tough economy, buyers’ brokers find themselves being courted by builders with larger commissions and bonuses, but when new homes are selling rapidly, like they have been over the last few years, agents not only see lower financial incentives, but often find themselves in direct conflict with homebuilders.

No. 5: Bidding wars with Wall Street

A growing trend in real estate investing is spreading across the nation — particularly in Sunbelt states hit hard by the financial crisis of 2008 — with institutional investors purchasing increasingly large numbers of residential homes and turning them into rentals.