From data-driven platforms to safety apps and legal support, Realtor associations are investing in tools and services to help agents compete in a rapidly changing industry.

Leadership from Florida Realtors and Virginia Realtors told HousingWire their focus is on delivering simplicity, integration and education to ensure members have every advantage when serving clients.

Tim Weisheyer — president of Florida Realtors — said his association is prioritizing technology designed and built specifically for agents.

Among the most widely used tools is SunStats, an in-house platform offering statewide real estate data.

“Sun Stats aggregates real estate data across the state of Florida,” Weisheyer said. “It is the most recognized and accurate real estate database in the state, and members have access to it by virtue of their membership.”

The platform allows agents to analyze everything from absorption rates to average prices. Weisheyer said updates are ongoing.

“We know that with technology, what we built yesterday may not be as relevant tomorrow,” he said. “So we’re really working intentionally internally to make sure we’re constantly building it out.”

Florida Realtors also offers Form Simplicity — a transaction management system used nationwide — and Sabal Sign, a new in-house e-signing platform.

“We said, ‘Wait a second. We can build this ourselves, save money, and have the entire ecosystem built and owned by Florida Realtors,” Weisheyer said. “We wanted to go with the mindset of ‘built by Realtors for Realtors.’

“E-signing is incredibly important, not just in our vertical, but multiple verticals, and we recognize that we’ve built a technology that could be used and purchased by other industries too.”

The organization also runs a Tech Helpline, which Weisheyer described as a Realtor version of Geek Squad.

“It doesn’t matter what device or technology it is, we have our tech helpline,” he said. “Not only do we provide it as a member benefit, but we actually sell our tech helpline to other organizations and Realtor associations, as well.”

Adoption through awareness and training

Florida Realtors takes a phased approach to getting members comfortable with new tools. Weisheyer said the emphasis is on clarity and support.

“The first step for us is saying, ‘Let’s make sure we build it with the Realtor in mind, not some third-party platform that then has to be adapted into the real estate ecosystem,’” he said. “Then it becomes a conversation of, how communicating that to our almost quarter of a million members across the state of Florida.”

Awareness is followed by tutorials and parallel rollouts.

“It’s not a hard start and a hard stop,” Weisheyer said. “It’s a natural flow of you saying, ‘OK, I’ll run this transaction through this one and this one through (the new) one.’ We found that’s a very helpful process.”

Innovation and partnerships

Weisheyer recently launched an innovation fund to invest in technology that benefits members while creating revenue for the association.

“We really changed the conversation from us just being an avenue for people to sell their products, to saying, ‘We want you to partner with us,’” he said. “Whether that’s through a capital investment or some type of strategic partnership, everybody wins — the vendor wins, the member wins, and the association wins.”

Florida Realtors is exploring tools for safety, brokerage valuation and end-to-end transaction management. Integration is the common demand.

“The biggest request from our members is ease, simplicity, and integration,” Weisheyer said. “The more that we can create one unified ecosystem that enables our members to go into one place, one vertical technology stack, and get access to all of their tools with ease and simplicity, that’s the biggest thing people want right now.”

Virginia Realtors: Legal and safety support

In Virginia, the focus is also on protecting members and their businesses.

Rick Lugg — CEO of Virginia Realtors — said the association’s legal and safety tools stand out.

“Our members deserve every advantage when it comes to protecting their business, their clients, and themselves,” Lugg said. “Two invaluable benefits we provide include quick, reliable guidance from our Legal Hotline — typically within just a few business hours — and complimentary access to the FOREWARN app, which empowers Realtors to instantly verify prospects and add a critical layer of safety and confidence to every interaction.

“Together, these tools help ensure that our members can focus on what matters most: serving their clients with professionalism and peace of mind.”

Like Florida Realtors, Virginia Realtors face the challenge of adoption across a large membership base.

“With nearly 34,000 members, ensuring everyone knows about the wide range of valuable benefits available to them is an ongoing priority,” Lugg said. “From there, the next step is helping them put these tools into practice. To support that, we offer everything from quick how-to videos and live webinar trainings to peer testimonials that show how other Realtors have successfully integrated these resources into their daily business.”

Expanding education, staying competitive

Lugg said staying competitive means delivering ongoing, practical education on critical topics.

“In today’s fast-moving real estate market, staying competitive means staying educated,” he said. “At Virginia Realtors, we’re expanding our Learning Center website to deliver timely, forward-thinking education in the formats our members want most.”

On-demand access to educational content is No. 1 on many members’ wish lists, Lugg added.

“We’re focused on providing content on critical topics like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, legal and contract updates, and evolving generational buyer and seller trends,” he said. “Just as importantly, we’re listening to our members so that what we offer reflects both what they want to learn and how they want to learn it.”

Looking ahead

Both associations said they’re constantly working to streamline tools, support members and anticipate future needs.

Weisheyer specified that Florida Realtors wants to set a national standard.

“What Florida Realtors was working to do is to not only be the leader of real estate in Florida, but to truly be the leader across the United States,” he said. “We know that as the largest Realtor association — and one of the most forward-thinking and innovative associations in the nation — we want to make sure we’re doing the best we can to lead for the rest of our peers across the nation.”

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation aimed at repurposing vacant buildings into affordable housing.

Reps. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.), Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) announced the Revitalizing Empty Structures Into Desirable Environments (RESIDE) Act — which would create a pilot grant program for communities to rehabilitate empty offices, malls, motels and other properties into homes.

“As a contagion of housing crisis has spread to nearly every major U.S. metro, ample sites with vacant office buildings, empty malls, and declining motels languish,” Liccardo said. “With RESIDE, we can help transform downtown ‘doom loops’ and strip malls into flourishing, vibrant communities.”

Salazar said the bill could help improve affordability in her district.

“Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of the American dream. In Miami, that dream has become increasingly unaffordable, especially for young people,” she said. “The Revitalizing Empty Structures Into Desirable Environments Act is a bipartisan, budget-neutral, and commonsense solution that would increase the supply of housing and make the dream of homeownership a reality.”

Olszewski said the legislation offers a thoughtful and effective solution to a pressing need — adding that “no family should worry about having a warm and safe place to sleep at night.”

“Repurposing vacant buildings both meets the growing demand for attainable housing in this economy and revives local spaces,” he said. “I’m proud to support this creative legislation to address the housing crisis affecting every community in our country.”

Fitzpatrick called housing affordability “one of the defining challenges of our time.”

“By bridging the gap between underused buildings and unmet housing needs, (the RESIDE Act) empowers local governments to transform abandoned warehouses, hotels, and strip malls into affordable homes without adding a dime of new spending,” he said. “In doing so, we can reinvigorate main streets, make smarter use of existing infrastructure, and help more families achieve the American dream of homeownership.”

The RESIDE Act recently advanced in the Senate as part of a bipartisan housing package led by Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.).

Should the act become law, the Department of Housing and Urban Development would administer the program through its HOME initiative — giving priority to municipalities with fewer regulatory barriers for conversions.

From Hollywood heavyweights to martial arts masters, these action stars of the ‘80s and ‘90s captivated audiences with their on-screen heroics.

But beyond the silver screen, many of these screen icons were quietly building impressive property empires, making shrewd real estate investments that rivalled their blockbuster earnings.

Here’s a look into the secret property portfolios of action legends.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger became a box office giant in the ’80s and ’90s, thanks to hit action films such as Conan the Barbarian, The Terminator franchise and Total Recall.

Fans might be surprised to know that the movie star and former California governor made his first $1 million in real estate before his big break in Conan the Barbarian.

Schwarzenegger emigrated to the US in 1968 at the age of 21. He saved $US27,000 ($A41,000) and borrowed $US10,000 ($A15,000) to make the down payment of a $US215,000 ($A326,000) apartment building of six units.

The former bodybuilding champ took the best apartment for himself and rented out the others to actors he met at the gym to build connections in Hollywood while paying off his investment.

A year later, he sold the building for $US360,000 ($A546,000), pocketing a $US145,000 ($A220,000) profit.

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From there Schwarzenegger built his property portfolio. He then traded up to a 12-unit building, followed by a 36-unit building, followed by a 100-unit building.

By the age of 25, the Terminator star was already a millionaire, having built his wealth through real estate.

Schwarzenegger now owns a vast real estate portfolio made up of commercial properties primarily in Southern California.

Not including his personal homes, the portfolio is worth north of $US100 million ($A151 million).

Today, the actor resides in a stunning estate in Brentwood, which he purchased for $US4.9 million ($A7.4 million) in 2002, when he was still married to Maria Shriver. The couple divorced in 2021.

As of 2025, Schwarzenegger is a billionaire, with Forbes estimating his net worth at $1.2 billion.

Sylvester Stallone

From the mid-1980s to the late-1990s, Sylvester Stallone became one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actors, appearing in action films Cobra, Cliffhanger and Demolition Man.

With a net worth of $US400 million ($A606 million), the actor and director has made some impressive property moves over the years.

In 1999, the Rocky actor sold a home in Coconut Grove for a recorded $US16.2 million ($A24.6 million).

The Golden Globe winner and his wife Jennifer Flavin purchased a vacation retreat in La Quinta, California, in 2010 for $US4.5 million ($A6.8 million).

After multiple attempts since 2014, they finally sold their home in May 2020 for $US3.1 million ($A4.6 million).

That same year, Stallone snapped up a waterfront mansion in Palm Beach, Florida for $US35.4 million ($A53.6 million).

According to Realtor, the sprawling compound boasts seven bedrooms and 10.5 bathrooms, as well as a large guesthouse and cabana that sit separately to the main residence.

In addition, the layout includes a gym, wine storage, library, and a family room with a wet bar. Outside, the grounds feature a pool with a beachfront spa that practically touches the lake.

Last year, Stallone sparked outrage from his neighbours over his plans to build an 18-inch (46cm) underwater barrier next to his mansion, in an apparent bid to keep boaters away from his home.

He later abandoned his plan to erect the barrier to protect his home after fierce backlash.

The Demolition Man star offloaded his Beverly Hills estate to singer Adele for $58 million ($A82.8 million) in May 2022.

While that is still a jaw-dropping sum, the Hollywood actor and director first placed his custom-built mansion on the market for a whopping $US110 million ($A168 million) in January 2021

In February 2022, Stallone forked out $US18.2 million ($27.5 million) for a 2.26-acre estate in Hidden Hills, California.

This property attracted negative attention for the actor in August 2022 due to its excessive water consumption.

In May and June 2022, the property’s monthly water allocation was exceeded by 195,000 and 230,000 gallons (739,000 and 870,000 litres), respectively.

The Stallones defended themselves, stating the property featured more than 500 mature trees that required constant watering to prevent them from dying and becoming a severe fire risk.

If the Stallones exceeded their water allocation by 150 per cent in four total months, the local water department would be authorised to install a water restrictor on their property.

Less than a year after purchasing the property, the Rambo star put it on the market for $US22.5 million ($A34 million) in December 2022.

He sold the home to musician John Fogerty in October 2023, for $US17 million ($A25 million), resulting in a $US1.2 million loss ($A1.8 million).

Last year, Stallone bought a Hamptons compound for his daughters in an all-cash deal for around $US25 million ($A38 million).

The screen legend flew to New York from Palm Beach weeks before the closing to tour the mansion for the first time.

The 79-year-old star forked out a hefty deposit to buy the $US24.95 million ($A38.6 million) ritzy residence before he ever laid eyes on it in person.

The Cliffhanger star’s three daughters — Sophia, Sistine and Scarlet — were said to be excited about the purchase.

Stallone and Flavin also plan on spending time in the Hamptons home as well.

Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis gained fame as an action hero for playing John McClane in the Die Hard films.

Over the decades, the actor built up an incredible property portfolio across the globe.

In 1990, the Armageddon star and his then-wife Demi Moore purchased a penthouse in Central Park’s San Remo building in New York City for $US7 million ($A10.5 million).

Shortly after, the pair purchased another two-bedroom apartment in the same building.

The Ghost actress received the apartment in their divorce. In 2015, she put it on the market for the hefty price tag of $US75 million ($A113 million). She sold the pad in 2017 for $US45 million ($A68 million).

In 2014, Willis sold his former Beverly Hills mansion for $US16.5 million ($A25 million).

The Hollywood icon’s family announced in 2022 that Willis retired from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia — a brain disorder that affects his ability to communicate.

The Pulp Fiction actor sold all of his prize property in multiple countries as his health was declining, Page Six reports.

According to the outlet, Willis spent a number of years selling an astonishing nearly $US65 million ($A86 million) worth of luxury properties to focus on life with his family in California.

In December 2019, Willis and wife Emma Heming sold their Westchester estate in New York for $US7.66 million ($A10.1 million) after slashing the asking price by $A5.3 million ($A7 million).

The couple took a $US4.34 million ($A5.8 million) loss on the home, having bought it for $US12 million ($A18.1 million) in 2014.

The 825 sqm home has five bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms, sitting on sprawling 5.5 hectares.

He then handed over $US9.8 million ($A13 million) for a new mansion in Brentwood, California.

In 2018, Willis’ majestic six-bedroom 558 sqm Central Park West duplex went for $US17.75 million ($A23.7 million), with the actor saying he was downsizing to a smaller NYC apartment.

He picked up a smaller condo near Lincoln Centre for around $US7.9 million ($A10.5 million).

In October 2018, Willis unloaded his Sun Valley, Idaho, mountain house for a bargain price of $US5.5 million ($A7.3 million).

He had originally been asking $US15 million ($A20 million), nearly three times the sale price, which still set a record for the area.

And in 2019, Willis and Heming parted ways with their gorgeous, sprawling Turks and Caicos compound for an impressive $US27 million ($A36 million).

The 1255 sqm beachfront property boasts a five-bedroom main house, a yoga pavilion, a huge pool and two guesthouses, each with three bedrooms. It had been listed for $US33 million ($A51 million).

In 2021, Willis also sold a plot of land for $US6 million ($A9 million) on the celebrity-loved island of Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford established him as an action hero and one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, thanks to hit films Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Blade Runner.

The actor has amassed an impressive portfolio of properties over the years.

In 1983, the The Fugitive star purchased an estate in LA’s Brentwood neighbourhood for $US1 million ($A1.5 million). He sold the home in 2012 for $8.2 million ($A12.4 million).

Ford and his wife Calista Flockhart forked out $US12.6 million ($A19 million) on a different Brentwood home in 2011. The dwelling has been their longtime primary residence in LA.

According to property records, the Air Force One actor still owns at least three other homes in LA.

In 2001, Ford snapped up a four-bedroom penthouse in NYC’s Flatiron District for $US5.3 million ($A8 million). He listed the pad in 2010 for $US16 million ($A24 million).

It was eventually sold at the end of 2012 for $US15 million ($A22.7 million).

The apartment features an elevator, 11 rooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen and security system, a gym, an office, and a library.

At the top of the penthouse, there is a private rooftop terrace, complete with a wet bar and views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.

The Patriot Games star purchased a ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the 1980s when he was still married to his second wife, Melissa Mathison.

Ford now primarily lives on the $US13 million ($A19.9 million) estate with Flockhart.

While the exact value remains unknown, similar properties in the area range between $US70 million ($A105 million) and $US250 million ($A378 million).

Jean-Claude van Damme

Jean-Claude van Damme became an action film star with successful films such as Bloodsport, Universal Soldier and Time Cop.

In 2012, Jean-Claude van Damme purchased a newly built spec mansion in Marina Del Rey, California, for $US6 million ($A9 million), exceeding the asking price by $US125,000 ($A190,000).

The six-bedroom house features eight fireplaces, a billiard room, a home gym, an elevator, a rooftop garden, and a spa. The property also boasts fire pits, waterfalls, and a bike path.

The “Muscles from Brussels” sold the house to rapper Ice Cube in 2016 for $US7.25 million ($A10.9 million).

The Street Fighter star now lives primarily in Hong Kong, where he owns an apartment on the 75th floor of a luxury building.

Steven Seagal

Steven Seagal rose to fame playing badass characters in the late ’80s and ’90s.

The martial arts star has a number of homes in his property portfolio.

In the early 1990s, the Under Siege actor and then-wife Kelly LeBrock bought a 90-acre property in Los Olivos, California for $US2.8 million ($A4.2 million).

They paid $US1.8 million ($A2.7 million) for the neighbouring 50-acre vineyard.

A year before their split, the couple sold the combined property in 1995 for $US3.8 million ($A5.7 million).

In 2010, Steven paid an undisclosed amount for a property in Scottsdale, Arizona. He then custom-built a stone mansion.

One of the most unique talking points of the home is its bulletproof floor to ceiling windows which look out onto the desert and downtown Phoenix.

The Above the Law star put the house on the market in December 2012 for $US4.25 million ($A6.4 million). He ultimately accepted $3.55 million ($A5.3 million) in July 2021.

He also owns a ranch in Colorado and in the Mandeville Canyon section of Los Angeles and Louisiana, the New York Post reports.

According to reports Seagal, 69, also bought a house outside of Moscow, in 2018 after becoming a Russian citizen.

He previously had trouble selling his Tennessee estate in 2017, which he eventually sold at a loss.

Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris gained fame as an action star in films such as The Way of the Dragon, Good Guys Wear Black and Delta Force.

The martial artist and actor co-owned a Dallas home with his brother, Aaron. This was the residence where he lived during his time on Walker, Texas Ranger. It was listed for $US1.2 million ($A1.8 million) in 2013.

The property has four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a theatre, a weight room and its own lake.

A separate building on the estate served as a studio during the filming of Walker, Texas Ranger.

Chuck Norris and his family currently live at Lone Wolf Ranch in Navasota, Texas, where they run their water bottling company, CForce.

Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell began his career as a child actor before transitioning to leading roles as an adult in the action films Escape from New York and Big Trouble in Little China.

Over the years, the actor and his partner Goldie Hawn have made huge real estate investments.

In 1997, the couple bought a luxurious penthouse in Manhattan for $US3.8 million ($A5.7 million).

The pair purchased a house in Palm Desert, California in 2003 for about $US3.6 million ($A5.4 million).

In 2011, the duo snapped up a cliff top home in the same area for $US5.7 million ($A8.6 million).

Russell and Hawn’s property portfolio extends to Vancouver, Canada, and Brentwood, California.

In addition to these, the couple also owns several vacation homes, including a lakefront property in Ontario, a vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley, and a $US14.75 million ($A22.3 million) Malibu oceanfront retreat.

In 2019, Russell and Hawn offloaded a property in Pacific Palisades for $US6.9 million ($A10.4 million). They currently live on a 72-acre ranch just outside of Aspen, Colorado.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes is best known for his action films Demolition Man, Rising Sun and the Blade trilogy.

Between 1996 and 2004, the actor earned approximately $US37.9 million ($A57.3 million) from various acting jobs, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Despite earning huge paychecks from his roles, the actor squandered a massive chunk of his wealth due to tax evasion, ultimately losing several homes.

In 2002, the Drop Zone star snapped up a mansion in Alpine, New Jersey for $US5.6 million ($A8.4 million).

Within a few years Snipes stopped paying the property tax bill, owing $US70,000 ($A105,000).

The movie star was forced to sell the home in 2014 for $US3.5 million ($A5.2 million) at a $US2.1 million ($A3.1 million) loss.

According to the Irish Examiner, the Passenger 57 actor lost his Florida home to foreclosure in 2003. His $US5.6 million ($A8.4 million) LA estate was put on the market at a reduced price

Snipes’ apartment in New York City was destroyed during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers.

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan gained Hollywood success in Rumble in the Bronx and the Rush Hour films.

Over the years, the action star has invested in real estate across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the US.

The Shanghai Noon actor owns an estate in Hong Kong as well as properties in Shanghai and Beverly Hills.

In 2020, Chan was forced to put his Beijing apartments up for auction due to an ownership dispute.

The martial artist worked with Yujia Real Estate and paid $US4.9 million ($A7.4 million) for the apartments in 2006.

However, the real estate company reportedly didn’t file the paperwork properly.

The property was valued at about $US14.6 million ($A22 million), but it was auctioned in September starting the bid at $US10.5 million ($A15.8 million).

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson became a bankable action star with his roles in the Mad Max films and the Lethal Weapon series.

Over the years, the actor and director has owned a number of impressive properties in Malibu, Los Angeles, Costa Rica, Fiji, and throughout Australia.

In 1994, the Oscar-winner purchased Old Mill Farm, a sprawling 75-acre estate in Greenwich, Connecticut for $US9 million ($A13.6 million).

He sold the property in July 2007 for $US40 million ($A60.4 million).

In 2008, the Hollywood legend purchased the hilltop Malibu mansion from then-married couple, David Duchovny and Tea Leoni for $US11.5 million.

The Gallipoli star has made two attempts to offload it in the years since, most recently in 2019 for $US14.5 million ($A22 million).

However, after delisting the property in July of that same year, Gibson seemed content to hold on to the five-bedroom residence, only for disaster to strike in January when the home was burned to the ground in the California wildfires.

The original estate offered 6,578 square feet of living space, including a five-bedroom, five-bathroom main house, a pool house that was being used as a gym, and a detached guesthouse above a three-car garage.

Back in June, photos obtained by Realtor reveal that the Braveheart filmmaker was rebuilding the mansion.

The images suggested that Gibson is planning to build a structure that is similar to the property that once stood on the 5.5-acre plot.

In April 2007, the Maverick star paid the hefty sum of $US26 million ($A39 million) for a 400-acre ranch in Costa Rica.

This mansion has been put on the market multiple times, with asking prices reaching up to $US35 million ($A52 million).

In December 2004, Gibson unloaded his Australian homestead for $1.825 million. The 21.2ha property including a six-bedroom house is located at Gundowring, about 331km from Melbourne.

Later that same month, he paid $US15 million ($A22 million) for a private island in Fiji called Mago Island.

Parts of this story first appeared in Page Six and Realtor and were republished with permission.

— Additional reporting by Anita Balalovski

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Queensland developer Bocina Group has lodged plans for the first over-50s lifestyle community in Gatton in the Lockyer Valley to provide 267 new homes.

The 16.74-ha Solara Estate on Golf Links Drive is less than 800m from the town’s golf course.

Bocina Group managing director Elijah Turkovic said the proposed land lease masterplan would deliver much needed housing for downsizers wanting to stay in the region close to family and social networks.

“Gatton faces a shortage of more than 600 suitable homes for over-50s with the figure expected to double within 10 years,’’ he said.

“There hasn’t been any new retirement or land lease housing investment delivered to the region in the past two decades.

“When we set about designing the masterplan with BDA Architecture, it was essential that the estate fostered community connection and embraced the area’s character through open green spaces, extensive native landscaping, and quality home designs.”

The development will deliver a mix of single-level two-bedroom and two-bedroom plus study floorplans.

“Extensive recreation amenities are featured throughout the masterplan including an outdoor fire pit lounge, heated indoor pool and spa, steam room, sauna, gymnasium, dance/aerobics hall and yoga lawn, as well as pickleball courts and lawn bowls green,” Mr Turkovic said.

“The Solara Club is a central clubhouse adjoining the recreation spaces and includes an outdoor terrace, library, formal lounge and fireplace, a 33-seat cinema, function rooms and games areas.”

The plan also includes 39 RV storage spaces and gated access.

The post Plans lodged for regional over-50s lifestyle community appeared first on realestate.com.au.