Changing Markets – Issue #9 The Brokerage Divide Has Begun Big Ships Turn Slowly.

Posted by Tim Bray on May 8th, 2026

Changing Markets · Issue #9

The Brokerage Divide Has Begun

Big Ships Turn Slowly.

Many agents are making long-term career decisions at the exact moment the real estate industry is becoming faster, leaner, more technology-driven, and less forgiving.

82% of real estate agents currently use AI according to RPR’s 2026 survey. 32% of REALTORS® had not yet actively adopted AI tools in NAR’s 2025 survey. 58% of REALTORS® using AI reported using ChatGPT as their primary tool. $4.4T in potential annual economic impact may be created by generative AI according to McKinsey. The Career Decision Nobody Is Talking About

Agents are not just switching brokerages. They may be choosing how flexible their future…

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Town Meeting Minute™ — Issue #8: The Filter on Future Supply

Posted by Tim Bray on April 12th, 2026

CT & RI Growth Watch — Investor Brief

Town Meeting Minute™ — Issue #8

The Filter on Future Supply

Produced by Seaport Real Estate Services

Before pricing moves, policy and infrastructure determine what is actually possible.

Real estate markets rarely move because of headlines. They move because of zoning changes, infrastructure decisions, development approvals, and environmental constraints that occur quietly at town halls and commission meetings.

This cycle, the clearest message across the shoreline is simple: future supply is not simply coming to market — it is being filtered.

Some towns are reviewing real housing applications. Some are reshaping the rules that govern future projects. Some are dealing with…

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The Market Is Splitting: Why Some Homes Are in a Seller’s Market While Others Are Not

Posted by Tim Bray on March 5th, 2026

The Market Is Splitting: Why Price Range Now Matters More Than Ever

Series: When the Market Changes – Lessons From Real Estate Cycles

In real estate, markets rarely move in one single direction.

Instead, they tend to evolve gradually. Certain segments begin to change first while others remain strong. Over time those shifts spread across the broader market.

Today we are beginning to see the early stages of that process.

Across many towns in Southeastern Connecticut and coastal Rhode Island, the market is no longer behaving as one unified environment. Instead, it is fragmenting by price range.

Some price tiers remain firmly in seller territory, while others are moving toward balance.

Understanding this shift requires returning to…

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The Low-Interest Bridge Loan Dilemma: A Financial Tightrope

Posted by Tim Bray on March 25th, 2023

Commercial real estate projects can be a lucrative investment opportunity for those who are willing to take on the associated risks. While financing options for these projects vary, bridge loans are often used to cover the gap between the initial investment and the eventual long-term financing. However, recent trends in the market have shown a rise in bridge loans with radically lower interest rates than the current rate. This may seem like an excellent opportunity to save on interest costs, but it poses significant risks to investors and lenders alike.

First, it's essential to understand what a bridge loan is. A bridge loan is a short-term loan used to finance the gap between the purchase of a property and long-term financing. Typically, these…

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