How Seller's Agents Can Succeed Locally
In the dynamic world of real estate, the role of a seller's agent is pivotal in connecting homeowners with potential buyers. With the ever-evolving landscape of technology and communication, establishing a strong local presence has become more crucial than ever. Achieving local success might sound daunting, but there are several effective and relatively simple ways to accomplish it. 1. Embrace Social Media Power Social media platforms are your digital playgrounds for establishing a hyper-localness. Create profiles on major platforms like Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, focusing on content that resonates with your local audience. Regularly post about local events, market updates, property listings, and community stories. Engage with local groups and forums to showcase your expertise and build a reputation as the go-to real estate source in the area. 2. Leverage Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Optimizing your online presence for local search is vital. Ensure that your website is optimized for local keywords such as "top seller's agent in your city" or "your city real estate expert." Claim and complete your Google My Business profile to appear in local searches and provide accurate contact information, business hours, and client reviews. Consistent and accurate information across various online platforms will boost your visibility in local search results. 3. Collaborate with Local Businesses Forge partnerships with local businesses like moving companies, interior designers, and contractors. This not only enhances your network but also showcases your dedication to the local community. Consider-cohosting events, workshops, or seminars that cater to homeowners' needs, thereby positioning yourself as a trusted local resource. 4. Produce Hyper-Local Content Create content that centers around the local community. Write blog posts, create videos, or record podcasts about neighborhood spotlights, local market trends, and insider tips. By providing valuable information, you not only establish your authority but also foster a stronger connection with local homeowners. Share this content on your website and social media channels. 5. Attend and Host Local Events Participating in local events like farmers' markets, charity drives, or town hall meetings can put you in direct contact with potential clients. Additionally, consider hosting your own events such as open houses, homebuyer seminars, or real estate investment workshops. These events provide opportunities to interact with the community and showcase your expertise. 6. Engage with Local Media Reach out to local newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and community blogs. Offer to provide expert insights on real estate trends, housing market updates, or home improvement tips. Being featured in local media outlets can significantly boost your visibility and credibility within the community. 7. Implement Responsive Communication Ensure your responsiveness across all communication channels. Promptly respond to emails, messages, and calls from potential clients. A reputation for being accessible and reliable can greatly enhance your hyper local image. 8. Cultivate Client Testimonials Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews and testimonials highlighting their positive experiences working with you. Positive feedback from local homeowners can influence potential clients and contribute to your hyper local reputation. Achieving success as a seller's agent requires consistent effort and a genuine commitment to the community you serve. By embracing these strategies, you can create a lasting impact on your target locality, positioning yourself as the ultimate resource for all things real estate. To view the original article, visit the Realtyna blog.

3 AI Prompts That Really Work for Real Estate Agents
One of the most extraordinary things about artificial intelligence is how swiftly the real estate industry has embraced many new AI-powered tools. An industry known as a technology lagger has become an AI leader. 3 Best AI Prompts for Real Estate Agents Real estate agents are eager to harness the potential of AI. If you haven't taken the AI plunge, here are three top AI prompts when using ChatGPT that can dramatically improve your marketing and client communications efforts, saving you time and money. Note: For real estate content, there are alternatives, but ChatGPT and DALL-E, both by OpenAI, are the most popular and proven for creating real estate content, especially ChatGPT 4.0, the subscription service at just over $20 a month. 1. Teach ChatGPT to Write Like You Every real estate agent has a unique style of communication. By training ChatGPT to emulate your personal writing style, you can maintain your consistent brand voice across all platforms without investing hours into writing every piece of content. But with all outputs from ChatGPT, remember two rules: never cut and paste but use the output it provides for writing ideas and better descriptions; always verify any data or fact reference and remind it to write for you with fair housing regulations in mind. You are putting your reputation at risk if you don't follow these requirements. Prompt instructions: Step 1: Collect samples of your writing. This can be your previous newsletters, blog posts, property descriptions, client letters, emails, or any other text representing your style that is already public. Step 2: Input your writing samples into the platform. To do this, instruct ChatGPT that you want it to learn your writing style. Ask it to respond, "GO AHEAD," when ready, and you will submit writing samples until it has learned your style. When it has learned your style, tell ChatGPT to "STOP" and wait for instructions for what you want to write in that style. This will allow the AI to learn your writing nuances and patterns. Step 3: Test your new writing model by providing ChatGPT with prompts related to the real estate writing you need. See if the output matches your style. If not, remember iteration is the key: you can give ChatGPT more instructions to adjust and retrain as necessary. Example: Suppose your writing often includes a particular flair for describing homes in poetic terms. Once trained, when prompted with "Describe a beachfront property," the AI might produce: "Nestled where the horizon kisses the ocean, this beachfront haven promises serenity with every ebb and flow of its tides." Make sure you add to every prompt for property descriptions "meeting Fair Housing regulations," again, proofread carefully, and modify for accuracy! 2. Get AI to Organize Your Input in Columns As a real estate agent, you deal with vast amounts of data, from property specifications to client information. Organizing this information can be time-consuming. By using AI, you can quickly categorize and place data into structured columns, saving you time and ensuring accuracy. While at this time we do not recommend entering proprietary or sensitive personal information into ChatGPT, for information that is already public or generic, it could be very helpful. Prompt instructions: Step 1: In ChatGPT, input the raw data you wish to organize. This could be a list of properties with details, client queries, or even a list of blog topics, writing, and publishing dates. Step 2: Specify the columns and titles you want to create. For instance: "Property Address," "Square Footage," "Number of Bedrooms," "City," etc. Step 3: Let the ChatGPT process and organize the data, which will only take seconds to create. Review your results and make any necessary adjustments. Example: The key is letting ChatGPT know that you want the data you provide organized and placed into columns. To create a column-centric document, such as a content or social media plan and calendar, give ChatGPT a list of your blog or social post topics, description, writing deadline due date, and publishing date. Commas should separate the information you provide. It would look like this: "3 ways to maximize your curb appeal, Focus on landscaping – reducing clutter and value of free paint, 11/7/23, 11/9/23, Notes." ChatGPT can automatically place your content into columns and organize them automatically by date. You then can copy and paste the content into your Google Doc, Word doc, or Pages doc for final editing. 3. Use AI Prompts to Create Your Own Royalty-Free Stock Photos High-quality visuals are crucial in the real estate industry, but when you put a photo on your website, in a social post, or a brochure or other promotional piece, have you secured the copyright? Violating copyright law can be expensive, as the fines are steep. Buying stock images can be expensive. Even when you hire a photographer for a photo shoot, it doesn't always mean you have secured all the rights you need to use the images. AI has a solution: platforms. One free option is DALL-E, an AI model by OpenAI, creators of ChatGPT, that generates images based on textual prompts. With the proper AI prompts, DALL-E can develop stock-type photos, offering a cost-effective solution. Best of all, if you have a ChatGPT 4 account, you automatically have access to the power of DALL-E. Prompt instructions: Step 1: Access DALL-E at https://openai.com/research/dall-e, and if you don't have a ChatGPT account, create a new account with OpenAI. Step 2: In the description box, provide a detailed description of the image you want. The more specific, the better the results. Step 3: Let the AI process your request and generate an image. DALL-E will typically provide you with four different versions. Step 4: Review the images. Adjust your prompt and try again if they don't match your expectations. Example: If you're writing a blog post about luxury living, you might prompt the AI: "Generate an image of a luxurious living room with large windows, a modern fireplace, and gold accents." The AI will then produce an image matching that description, ready for you to use. Take the leap! While every real estate agent doesn't have to use AI, those who use AI correctly will be vastly more productive. Remember that the magic lies in the prompt! From crafting communication that resonates with your unique voice to organizing intricate data with ease and even creating striking visual content on demand, the possibilities of finding ways to use ChatGPT every day to improve your communications and marketing are boundless. But like crafting a Comprehensive Market Analysis (CMA), ChatGPT's accuracy hinges on the quality of the input. When creating a CMA, the more relevant and well-selected the comparable properties, the sharper and more reliable the analysis. Similarly, with ChatGPT, the more precise and detailed your AI prompts, the more dynamic and targeted the content you'll receive. Dive into the world of AI with specificity in mind, and you'll begin to unlock a tool that has the potential to elevate nearly every facet of your real estate business. Remember that even though your support team at Tech Helpline are not AI experts, we are here to help you with all of your technology questions and challenges. To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.

Lone Wolf Transactions (zipForm edition) + Earnnest
Multiple dates Earnnest allows for a fully digital transfer of funds in real estate transactions. Think about us as the "Venmo for real estate." We provide total transparency with real-time payment tracking and an auto-generated payment receipt once the buyer clicks pay in our system. This digital platform saves you — and your clients — time In this exclusive webinar, we'll show you how to use Earnnest within Lone Wolf Transactions (zipForm edition) so you'll be able to: Send money faster than a check Remove the risk of wire fraud Save time and effort contacting clients Register now!

Elevating Real Estate Marketing: The Power of Live Streaming
In the dynamic world of real estate, staying ahead of the game is all about embracing innovative strategies that capture the attention of potential buyers. One such strategy that has taken the industry by storm is live streaming. So, grab your smartphone and get ready to dive into the exciting realm of live streaming in real estate marketing! Lights, Camera, Action: The Rise of Live Streaming Real estate agents can now give clients an immersive, in-the-moment experience with live streaming, bridging the gap between actual and virtual tours. The appeal is in its spontaneity because viewers get a real sense of the atmosphere, eccentricities, and charm of a place. The Personal Touch: Building Authentic Connections Relationship building and trust are essential when selling a home. Agents can communicate with potential customers in real-time thanks to live streaming, which humanizes the procedure. Not only should granite countertops and square footage be displayed, but also a personal connection should be made. Imagine answering viewers' questions live and providing anecdotes about the cool things in the area. Through this engagement, a sense of transparency is fostered, which increases client trust. From Virtual Tours to Reality: Tips for Incorporating Live Streaming 1. Choose the Right Platform - Select a live streaming platform that aligns with your target audience. Instagram Live, Facebook Live, and even YouTube Live are popular choices that offer real-time interaction and reach. 2. Plan Your Content - While spontaneity is encouraged when live streaming, having a loose plan can help avoid awkward pauses. To keep your audience interested, outline the key points you want to emphasize and prepare engrossing anecdotes. 3. Promote Before You Go Live - By announcing it on your mailing lists and social media channels, you can create buzz before your live session. This guarantees that when the time comes, you will have an attentive audience. 4. Engage with Viewers - Live streaming is a conversation, not a monologue. Encourage viewers to comment and ask questions in real time. They remain interested and invested due to this interactivity. 5. Highlight Unique Features - Consider what makes the property unique. Is that a pretty bay window? A dream kitchen for a chef? A backyard haven? The highlight of your live stream may be these features. 6. Showcase the Neighborhood - Remember, you're not just selling a home – you're selling a lifestyle. Take a stroll around the neighborhood and point out nearby parks, restaurants, and shopping centers. 7. Professional Presentation - While live streaming can be casual, maintain a professional demeanor. Dress appropriately and ensure your surroundings are tidy and well-lit. The Benefits: Why Agents Should Embrace Live Streaming 1. Wider Reach: You can connect with potential customers from all over the world by live streaming because it cuts across geographical boundaries. An online live stream can be viewed immediately or recorded for later viewing. 2. Time Efficiency: Without having to physically move between properties, you can give several tours in a single day using live streaming. You and your clients both profit from this time efficiency. 3. Cost-Effectiveness: Reduce costs associated with holding actual open houses, such as travel and staging fees. Live streaming reduces costs while maximizing output. 4. Data Insights: Numerous live streaming services provide analytics that reveal information about viewer engagement. You can use this information to improve your content strategy and mold it to the tastes of your target audience. In conclusion, streaming has revolutionized the way real estate agents market properties. It's not just a trend; it's a powerful tool that offers authenticity, engagement, and a personalized touch. By incorporating live streaming into your marketing arsenal, you're not just selling houses; you're selling experiences and forging meaningful connections with potential buyers. So, next time you're getting ready to showcase a stunning property, consider going live. Lights, camera, action – it's time to bring the charm and essence of each home right to the screens of eager buyers. Embrace the future of real estate marketing and make every stream a journey of discovery! To view the original article, visit the Transactly blog.

Real AI: Green Catch-22, AI Webinar, and The Creator (Ugh)
Real AI is a 100% human-created weekly roundup of all things AI in real estate and emerging AI innovations in other sectors likely to impact real estate. AI and the Green Catch-22 Among the biggest risks that AI faces on its trajectory to impact nearly every aspect of our daily lives before we know it is the Green Catch-22. The paradox: On the positive side, AI has the potential to tackle the environmental impact of humans, from dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing waste to increasing farming yields and reversing the effects of climate change. Startups are beginning to proliferate, as this Google Blog provides a few examples. On the negative side is the impact of AI on Mother Earth itself. Training a single AI system can emit over 250,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. Experts estimate that using AI tech across all sectors already produces carbon emissions comparable to the entire aviation industry. Just as concerning is AI water consumption. Google's global data centers guzzled 15 billion gallons of water in 2022. Microsoft's global water consumption jumped 34% from 2021 to 2022 to almost 1.7 billion gallons. That's the equivalent of 2,500 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Researchers attribute the spike to its AI research. It doesn't sound like a lot, but a system like ChatGPT consumes about 500 milliliters of water for every dozen or so prompts. For some, the cost is already hitting home. ChatGPT has data centers in Iowa. It should not be surprising that the Des Moines Water Works saw a nearly 80% increase in residential rates since 2007, reaching $5.19 per 1,000 gallons for city residents. Just like the job paradox of AI – supporters argue AI will create more and better jobs than it eliminates – the Green Catch-22 for AI is real. So, it's not just Singularity we have to worry about when it comes to the advancement of AI. Webinar: Unveiling the Future: AI Revolution for MLSs and their users – Sept 19 RE Technology is hosting a webinar with Liz Sturrock, Chief of MLS Innovation at Miami Realtors. I recently met Liz at the Florida Realtors convention after I presented to the Emerging Technology Committee. This webinar should be a blast as Liz will talk about some of the real stuff in the MLS landscape today, not just what's coming (which is also exciting but not as actionable). For MLS staff and execs, this is a terrific opportunity to learn and ask questions about the practical applications of AI by MLS and how to best serve – and educate – members. A no-cost webinar, the registration link is here. Headlines: AI Take 5 These Prisoners Are Training AI | Wired - 9/11/23Finland's AI firm Metroc is paying prisoners $1.67 per hour to train its large language model. Chuck Schumer says he asked Musk, Gates and others about whether to regulate AI: ‘Every single person raised their hands' | Fortune - 9/13/23And so it begins, as legislatures play catch-up to try and regulate advanced tech once again. Just think about how successful they have been with social media. Amazon launches generative AI to help sellers write product descriptions | About Amazon - 9/13/23Like the real estate property descriptions that Restb.ai creates using computer vision, Amazon offers ChatGPT-like help for seller product descriptions. TurboTax-maker Intuit offers an AI agent that provides financial tips | Ars Technica - 9/6/23Using a large language model platform called GenOS, TurboTax users can now access a new AI assistant. It's expected to roll out to other Intuit properties, including Credit Karma, Quickbooks, and Mailchimp. Here's where the top startup investors are placing their bets | Albany Inno - 9/7/23Perhaps not surprisingly, artificial intelligence and machine learning investments lead the way in total deal value, with top investors pumping $646 million into the sector last quarter. E-commerce was second on the list in terms of deal value. Bonus: The Creator | YouTube trailer - Released 9/29/23Hollywood's dystopian view of what happens when Singularity is achieved. Quote of the Week To view the original article, visit the WAV Group blog.

Smartphone Photography Basics for Realtors
Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 12:00 PM PDT When consumers are looking for the home of their dream, they often begin their search on the internet and as a result, they're looking at listing photos. Photos are the easiest way to show off a property without the consumer being there and it's often the consumer's first impression of the home. Therefore, photos are an integral component in the consumer home search process. This session is for REALTORS looking to learn the basics of how to use their smartphone cameras to capture listing photos. We will cover equipment needed, staging and camera techniques to showcase your properties in the best possible light. Join us for this session and get a jump start in becoming your own listing photographer. Register now!

Monitoring Your Keyword Rankings
Thank you to Real Estate Webmasters for sponsoring this article on RE Technology: Understanding the power of SEO and keyword rankings is essential to stand out in the competitive real estate landscape. As more Realtors and potential buyers shift their searches online, mastering SEO is not just an option but a necessity. The top spot on search engine results pages trumps a prime billboard location, and being relegated to the bottom means less views on your property listings. Basics of Keyword Rankings Keyword ranking is part of search engine optimization (SEO), and it serves as a guide to the most relevant content based on users' search queries. It determines your search engine result pages (SERP) position, so it is also best to keep track of algorithm changes to maintain your ranking. When choosing keywords, always consider your target audience. Think about the terms and words they're most likely using in their searches and incorporate those in your final selection. Furthermore, refrain from using generic terms like "house for sale," and opt for long-tail keywords like "4-bedroom homes in [specific location]" or "lakefront houses in [city]." Tools for Keyword Ranking Monitoring tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics can be used to analyze your keyword performance and gain valuable data on keyword rankings, click-through rates, and user behavior. Google Trends, on the other hand, is helpful for insights regarding the amount of times your keyword was searched in a year. SEO audits, tracking, and constant adjustments are also essential for sustained success. Conclusion In conclusion, the Real Estate industry has drastically evolved and is now about visibility, relevance, and ranking. By focusing on SEO and keyword ranking, you position your business at the forefront of your client's minds and, ultimately, for success. You can contact Real Estate Webmasters if you're interested in getting professional help to elevate your online presence. This is a condensed version of a blog originally published on Real Estate Webmasters' website.

How Agents Are (Unintentionally) Violating Fair Housing
The homebuying frenzy of the pandemic seems to have died down, but many buyers (more than half, according to a recent survey) are still encountering multiple-bid scenarios when they enter the market. These situations are challenging for both buyers and agents. Buyers don't like them; they feel like it's too hard to compete with investors or cash buyers. And agents struggle to help their buyers stand out from the bidding crowd. A recent WAV Group survey asked buyers who had attempted to purchase the home during the past year whether they'd encountered a multiple-bid situation and what advice their agent gave them to help them win the bid. Fair Housing and buying a home A quick recap: The Fair Housing Act is designed to protect people from discrimination based on the following categories or statuses when they are renting or buying a home. Race Color National origin Religion Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation) Familial status Disability In order to prevent discrimination based on the buyer's identity, it's important for both the buyer's agent and the listing agent to take care to protect the buyer's identity. So what does Fair Housing have to do with multiple-bid scenarios? WAV Group asked buyers who were involved in multiple-bid situations about the advice their agents gave them to help them craft a winning bid. While no doubt well-intentioned, some agents were advising their buyers to disclose their identity to the seller in an attempt to make a personal connection and possibly win the bid. This is (unfortunately) a pathway to Fair Housing violations. 'Love letters' and in-person meetings WAV Group's survey found two problematic pieces of advice that agents are giving in multiple-bid scenarios: "write a letter to the seller to go with my offer" and "meet the seller in person to present the offer." The idea of writing the seller a "love letter" is not new, but it can be problematic from a Fair Housing perspective because those letters reveal personal information about the buyer — often intentionally — such as marital and familial status. Obviously, in-person meetings come with similar caveats or problems. If a seller is meeting a buyer face-to-face, certain details about that buyer (such as their race, national origin, or gender identity) will become apparent to the seller. The survey showed that agents are suggesting face-to-face meetings more frequently than any other option: 49.2% of buyers said their agent recommended meeting the seller face-to-face to present their offer. Somewhat surprisingly, more buyers of color (52.7%) than white buyers (38.7%) said their agent suggested this course of action. About one in five buyers (19.9%) said their agent suggested writing a "love letter" to the seller. This proportion was significantly higher for white buyers (25.3%) than for buyers of color (18.0%). Advice around offer amount and contingencies Of course, agents are only trying to help their buyers submit a winning bid on a home they can afford, which can be increasingly difficult in an era of consistently low inventory and high mortgage interest rates. What other pieces of advice are agents giving their buyers? More than one-third of agents recommended that the buyer offer the full asking price to sellers, and more than one-third of agents recommended offering above asking price if possible (34.3% for both). Agents also suggested that buyers offer to close quickly (31.7%), offer cash (28.6%) and to waive certain contingencies if possible (15.2% for home inspection and 14.1% for appraisal). What can agents do to help buyers win bids? While multiple-bid situations are difficult for both buyers and agents to manage, there are some ways that agents can help smooth the road for their buyers. First, know your market! Multiple bids are not common in all markets, or during every year. As an agent, it's important to understand what's happening in your market in terms of buyer bidding, what the competition looks like, and then convey that information to your buyers. If you explain from the get-go that the market is still hot and they should expect submitting several bids before they find their home, that can help set their expectations accordingly. Next, try to assess what the seller needs most. Money is obviously important, but promising a fast move-out or accepting the home in an as-is condition whenever possible can help give your buyers an edge. Talk to your broker about providing buyer-friendly solutions, such as cash-offer programs or bridge loans. If your brokerage already has these options, make sure you understand how they work and are explaining them to your buyer clients before they submit a bid. Dig deeper for listings. If the inventory is tight in your market, it might be a good time to start looking for landlords who are tired of renting their investment property and might want to sell, or homeowners who want to upsize or downgrade but feel stuck due to interest rates or other variables. If you can unlock some inventory for your buyers that won't involve a bidding war, maybe you can bypass that business entirely! Staying connected to your market and educated about what's happening is critical for any agent, but it's especially important for buyer's agents in multiple-bid scenarios. If you'd like to learn more about what the Fair Housing report uncovered, you can download it now on WAV Group.

Do You Need to Upgrade Your iPhone? An Agent's Guide to the Latest Apple Release
Almost every September, Apple unveils a new series of iPhones for the masses. The release on September 12 was no exception to the rule: There are four new versions of the iPhone now available for ordering or purchase. Is it time for you to upgrade your phone? The short answer: If you already have some version of an iPhone 14, the updates to this series are pretty minimal, and you may decide to wait until September 2024 to buy a new phone. But if you have an iPhone 13 or older, then the iPhone 15 may have quite a few different options for you that could help you out in your working life. Let's review what's new. iPhone 15 Pro Max The iPhone 15 Pro Max is now the most powerful (and expensive) mobile device available from Apple. It's available in four different colors. If you were partial to the purple or gold, then you'll want to hang on to your iPhone 14 Pro Max, because those colors have been replaced with dark blue and a slate gray. The new iPhone 15 Pro Max does not have a ring/silent switch on the side of the phone like the previous version did. There is now an "action button" that can be used to access different phone features. There's a new processing chip in this iPhone, the A17 Pro. An upgraded chip usually means faster, more responsive phone performance. Apple didn't change much in terms of the camera on the 15 Pro Max, either. The optical zoom can go up to 5X (compared to 3X with the 14 Pro Max or the 13 Pro Max). Like the 14 Pro Max, the new 15 Pro Max comes with Emergency SOS (also available via satellite), as well as crash detection and roadside assistance via satellite built into the phone. In terms of battery life and charging speed, there have not been any significant improvements since the iPhone 13 Pro Max: The Pro Max phones offer about 29 hours of video playback, 95 hours of audio playback, and can charge up to 50% in 35 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. There is a new charging port for the 15 Pro Max, so if you do decide to upgrade, you'll need to buy some new cables, too! It's using the standardized USB-C port instead of Apple's proprietary Lightning charger. iPhone 15 Pro Like the Pro Max, the new iPhone 15 Pro has lost the ring/silent switch and added an "action" button. The button defaults to switching the phone between "ring" and "vibrate," but users can customize what the button does in the Settings if they would prefer a different action option. The latest iPhone Pro has also upgraded the processing chip to an A17 Pro, meaning it likely has better performance and responsiveness than previous models. And this version has also swapped out the Lightning port for a USB-C charging port. The cameras on the 15 Pro haven't changed significantly from the 14 Pro, but if you're still using an iPhone 13 Pro, the camera could be a good reason to upgrade: Both the 14 Pro and 15 Pro offer 48 megapixel main cameras, compared to the 13 Pro's 12 megapixel main camera. If you use your phone for listing photos or to create marketing or other types of content for your business, and you're currently using a 13 Pro or older version, then upgrading the camera could be a solid move. The cameras on the 14 Pro and 15 Pro both take better photos in bright outdoor light than the 13 Pro does. iPhone 15 Apple changed up the colors for its basic iPhone again — pink instead of purple, the yellow is more gold-hued, and white and red are sitting out this round to let green have some time on stage. And the new basic iPhone 15 now includes Apple's Dynamic Island technology, a little pill-shaped display at the top of a phone that can offer details from other "important" apps, such as how long is left on your timer, or who's on the other end of that phone call. The main camera on the iPhone 15 is a solid upgrade from the 14 or 13. The main camera is a 48 megapixel shooter, while the 14 and 13 only offer 12 megapixels on their main camera. The 15 also offers a 2X optical zoom option, which is not available for previous models. The iPhone 15 also includes a new charging port (USB-C instead of Lightning). The memory sizes are the same ones offered for the 13 and 14. It still has the same ring/silent switch as the 13 and 14. iPhone 15 Plus Like the iPhone 15, but a bit bigger and heavier, the 15 Plus is for those who have decided they prefer a larger screen. It's kept the ring/silent switch from previous versions but now includes the Dynamic Island on the screen. And it's also swapped out the Lightning charger for a USB-C. If you use your phone a lot for taking photos and you're currently using a 14 Plus or a 13, then upgrading could be a smart move. The iPhone 15 Plus offers a 48-megapixel main camera, compared to 12 megapixels for the 14 Plus. And it also offers a 2X optical zoom instead of just 0.5X or 1X like the 14 Plus. This camera is also more adept at capturing images in the bright outdoors, at up to 2000 nits peak brightness. The more things change … There are a few things that didn't change with the new release. Here's what you should not expect from a new iPhone: Increased memory or capacity: If you're hoping for Apple to release a phone that provides more than 1TB in storage, you'll be waiting at least another year. The latest iteration maxes out at 1TB, as did the 14 and the 13 rollouts. Water resistance: You still should not take your iPhone swimming with you. (You can submerge more recent versions of the Apple Watch if you need something that you can take swimming with you.) Portrait and Night Mode: These features (while some of our favorites on the iPhone) have not changed significantly with recent updates. Face ID: This feature has not changed significantly in its most recent iteration. Charging speed and battery life: The iPhone 15 version of each phone does not provide more battery life or a faster charging speed than its predecessor, the iPhone 14 version.

10 Real Estate Photography Tips to Help Your Listings Shine
In today's competitive real estate market, effective property presentation is crucial for attracting potential buyers. And when it comes to showcasing properties, photography plays a vital role. High-quality real estate photography can capture the essence of a property and entice potential buyers to schedule a viewing. Whether you're an experienced agent or just starting in the industry, these real estate photography tips will help you present properties in the best light. Invest in Quality Equipment It's crucial to invest in high-quality equipment to take beautiful pictures. For real estate photography, a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera with a wide-angle lens is best. By capturing more of the space, you can give viewers a better sense of scale. Additionally, a strong tripod will enable you to take clear, well-composed pictures, particularly in low light. Prepare the Property Verify that the location has been properly prepared before you begin shooting. To create a tidy and welcoming atmosphere, clear the area of personal items, arrange the furniture, and declutter the area. Open the curtains to let in natural light, tidy up any outdoor spaces, and clean the counters. The overall appeal of the property can be greatly altered by minor details. See: How to Prep Your Listing for a Photo Shoot See: How to Improve Your Real Estate Photography Utilize Natural Light The quality of your real estate photos can be significantly impacted by natural light. Plan your shoots as much as you can during the day to benefit from natural lighting. To let more light into the rooms, open the blinds and curtains. Be mindful of harsh shadows and overexposure, though. To find the ideal balance, try out various exposures and angles. Capture Key Selling Points In your photos, emphasize the property's main selling points. Whether it's a breathtaking view, a roomy kitchen, a welcoming outdoor area, or a first-rate living room, make sure to prominently display these features. To highlight these focal points, think about using compositional strategies like leading lines or the rule of thirds. See: How to Shoot Bedrooms See: What Are the Most Popular Listing Photos? How Computer Vision Helped Answer This Question Stage the Property Potential buyers may find it easier to picture themselves living there by staging the property. To create a welcoming atmosphere, use tasteful furnishings, fragrant flowers, and thoughtfully positioned accessories. To make the property look its best, pay attention to details like arranging furniture, straightening pillows, and adding finishing touches. Show Different Perspectives Take pictures from various angles to give prospective buyers a complete picture of the property. Include wide-angle pictures to demonstrate the room's general arrangement and flow. Take close-up pictures to draw attention to special details or finishes. You can provide viewers with a comprehensive understanding of the potential of the property by offering a variety of viewpoints. See: The 3-Shot Approach to Better Listing Photos Edit Professionally Post-processing is an essential step in real estate photography. Use photo editing software to enhance your images, adjusting the exposure, contrast, and colors if needed. However, be mindful not to over-edit, as it can create an unrealistic representation of the property. Strive for a natural and balanced look that accurately reflects the space. See: Cheat Sheet: Photo Editing Terms for Real Estate Agents See: The Ethical Use of Photoshop in Real Estate Marketing Consider Virtual Tours In addition to static images, virtual tours have become increasingly popular in real estate. They give potential buyers an immersive experience that enables them to virtually explore the property. Consider incorporating virtual tours or 360-degree images to enhance your property presentations and attract a wider audience. Explore Virtual Tour solutions in our Product Directory. Hire a Professional Photographer If you're not confident in your photography skills or simply don't have the time to dedicate to capturing high-quality images, consider hiring a professional real estate photographer. They have the expertise, equipment, and knowledge to showcase properties in the best possible light. Professional photos can make a significant difference in attracting potential buyers and ultimately closing sales. Stay Consistent Consistency is key when it comes to real estate photography. Develop a consistent style and apply it across all your listings. This will help create a recognizable brand and make your listings stand out. Consistency also builds trust with potential buyers, as they know what to expect when viewing your listings. In conclusion, real estate photography is a powerful tool for presenting properties in the best light. By following these tips, you can create compelling images that entice potential buyers. And when you stay consistent in your approach, you'll enhance your property presentations and increase your chances of attracting qualified buyers. To view the original article, visit the Transactly blog.

Revive Uses AI to Introduce a New Era of Pre-sale Renovations
It's a $300 billion opportunity. That's how much homeowners collectively leave at the closing table when selling a home and not opting for the pre-sale renovation route to maximize their home's sales price. The lost equity is so staggering that it gave birth to the pre-sale renovation industry, led by companies like Irvine, Calif.-based Revive. Compass was first with its Concierge program, but now Revive is introducing its own "first." Revive launched Revive Vision AI: a game-changer for agents and home sellers alike. Think smart CMA meets AI-powered AVM, providing a more detailed foundation for pre-sale renovation discussions to help agents with their listing and pricing strategy. What took days is now seconds with AI What used to take days is now taking seconds because of the built-in generative AI leveraging computer vision and machine learning in this mobile app. It allows real estate agents to provide a homeowner at the listing presentation a complete pre-sale renovation game plan with the total budget and the ROI gain if the homeowner goes the zero-dollar out-of-pocket renovation before they list to maximize their sales price. Here's how the Revive Vision AI mobile app works Real estate agents upload at least 10 photos of their client's property into the Revive admin dashboard via the mobile app or desktop. Second, Vision AI compares the subject property with similar homes in the area by analyzing photos available in MLS records. Next, the data obtained from the photo analysis and comparative analysis is processed using advanced machine learning algorithms. This enables Vision AI to estimate renovation costs, potential market value and projected return on investment. Finally, a report is generated providing investment insights and recommended home improvements. Benefits of Vision AI According to Dalip Jaggi, COO and Co-founder at Revive, empowering agents are four major benefits that include: Foundation for discussion: The Vision AI report is a starting point, fostering meaningful conversations with clients about their property's potential and the best strategies to realize it. Confidence and credibility: Whether you're using Vision AI to obtain knowledge or use it as confirmation of things already known or an illustrative educational tool with your clients, you can speak with confidence and credibility, knowing you are making decisions backed by empirical data and professional analysis. Competitive advantage: By utilizing Vision AI as an early adopter, you will be one of the first professionals using machine learning and computer vision technology to help guide and confirm listing and pricing strategies. Quick property assessment: Within seconds, agents can generate valuable property insights for themselves and their clients at the listing appointment stage. Agents using this during their listing presentation will escalate their success rate and set themselves far apart from their competitors with this powerful differentiator. Agent-centric strategy Smartly, Revive understands the agent is at the center of the transaction, and this tech was built for them – easy to use and explain. Michael Alladawi, CEO and Co-Founder at Revive, emphasized, "Agents are the powerhouse of the real estate industry, and sellers expect them to be knowledgeable on all things real estate. Revive Vision AI is an easy way for real estate professionals to present more detailed and accurate information to their clients in a digestible, easy-to-understand way," he added. And the mobile tech is mind-blowingly impressive with five major components: Current Condition Home Value: The estimated current market value of the property in its existing condition, without any renovations or improvements. Future ARV (After-Remodeled Value): The projected market value of the property after completing the recommended renovations and improvements outlined in the renovation plan. Potential Score: A score that signals the property's value-added potential; a higher score means greater opportunity, while a lower score indicates limited opportunities for enhancement relative to its surroundings. Renovation Scope and Budget: A detailed outline of the recommended renovations and improvements, including specific tasks and estimated contractor-backed costs for each item. Renovation Investment Plan: A comprehensive plan outlining the estimated profit potential for the homeowner if they complete the recommended renovations before selling the property. Every once in a while, a true breakthrough technology resets the playing field. AI is doing this in real estate today, and the latest example comes from Revive. And if that were not enough, Revive's Alladawi teased, "This is only the beginning of how AI will be leveraged to help real estate agents and homeowners." More to come from AI for real estate, for sure. To view the original article, visit the WAV Group blog.

Fraud Alert! Legit Email or a Scam? 4 Ways to Tell the Difference
Thank you to Tech Helpline for sponsoring this article on RE Technology: Email scams are on the rise. The numbers are scary: Forbes shares that 500 million phishing attacks (tricking people into providing personal details over the internet) occurred last year, double of last year's. In 2022, nearly one-third of a million victims lost over $52 million in the US alone. Business Email Compromise (BEC) – a deceptive scheme targeting individuals and businesses that are transferring money – in real estate is also spiking. According to FBI data, nefarious real estate-related scams increased 27% in the last two years. More worrisome, the total losses suffered by victims soared – up 72%. And you can read some of those sad stories here, here, and here. Business-related phishing emails are becoming more sophisticated. Seemingly from reputable sources, they can trick almost anyone. Real estate professionals are at increased risk because they live in a world of high-value transactions and have become more digitally empowered. The stakes for real estate agents and brokers are high: it's not just your reputation on the line, but potentially tens of thousands of dollars – and your client's trust. Let's delve deeper into four critical strategies for identifying deceptive emails, ensuring that you and your clients know what to do to avoid falling into costly traps: 1. Closely examine the sender's email address Spotting impostors: Often, scammers create email addresses that mimic legitimate ones. For instance, instead of [email protected], you might receive an email from [email protected]. Such minor variations can be easy to miss, especially during a busy day of property showings and client meetings. Make it a practice to closely study the domain of any unexpected email, especially those related to a financial request. Trusted senders: Maintain a list of known email addresses for clients, title companies, and other agencies you regularly deal with. Cross-referencing your list can often quickly sort genuine communications from fraudulent ones. 2. Be wary of emails requiring immediate action The pressure tactic: A favorite tool in the scammer's arsenal is creating a sense of urgency. By pressuring you to act quickly, they aim to prompt hasty decisions, hoping you'll overlook red flags. They know you are busy and deadline-driven and will try to leverage that with a message that requests a quick response – directing you to click on a link. Legitimate organizations understand transactional processes and are less likely to rush you unduly. Verification is vital: Upon receiving an urgent request, especially one involving financial, account information, or other personal data issues, take a breath. Don't reply to the email. Instead, call the requesting party directly using previously known numbers, not the contact details in the suspect email. Verifying could mean the difference between a secure transaction and a hefty loss. 3. Scrutinize links and attachments Decipher deceptive URLs: Before clicking on any link in an email, hover your mouse over it. This action should display the link's destination. If it doesn't lead to the official website or looks suspicious, don't click on it to avoid the risk. Malware menace: Unsolicited attachments, especially from unknown senders, can be Trojan horses for malware. This malicious software can give hackers access to your computer, compromising client data and other sensitive information. Always ensure your antivirus software is up-to-date, and if your settings don't already do it, run any dubious files through an antivirus tool before opening. 4. Look for spelling and grammatical errors Branding blunders: Look closely at the email's artwork. Scammers often use logos, branding colors, or company slogans that are slightly off. Compare the email's aesthetics to official correspondence or the organization's website. The language of scams: While everyone can make an occasional typo, scam emails often exhibit poor grammar, strange phrasing, and glaring spelling mistakes. Such errors can be due to translation software or the scammer's unfamiliarity with the English language, particularly the unique terminology, acronyms, and phrases commonly used in real estate. An email about an urgent financial matter riddled with such mistakes? It's likely a candidate for your email trash. Bonus: Educate your clients about wire transfer fraud Because of their substantial sums, real estate transactions are a prime target for wire transfer fraud. Earnest money and down payment transfers can attract nefarious actors, so everyone should exercise extra caution. Here are a few ways to be preemptive: Proactive client communication: During initial meetings, educate your clients about the potential risks of wire transfer fraud. Ensure they know that last-minute changes to banking details are uncommon and should immediately raise alarm bells. Change Passwords: Before starting the transaction, ask your clients to change their email password to one that is strong and unique. Explain that this is in case their credentials were breached and sold on the dark web in the past without their knowledge. Two-step verification: Encourage your clients always to confirm wire transfer details, especially if received via email. A quick phone call using a known number may prevent a significant financial loss. Banking safeguards: Suggest clients liaise with their banks to set up transaction alerts for substantial amounts. Instant notifications of large withdrawals or transfers can be the first line of defense against unauthorized transactions. Use a highly secure software tool like TrustFunds: Many MLSs across the country offer a service like TrustFunds to secure earnest money transfers and save agents from driving around collecting and delivering escrow deposit checks. Enterprise-grade encryption protects agents and their clients. Be prepared The modern real estate agent wears many hats: negotiator, confidant, market expert, and now, digital guardian. Each email you open, link you click, or attachment you download may carry a profit potential but also the risk of deception. While digital tools enrich today's real estate landscape, they also demand that real estate professionals remain diligent to avoid being scammed by bad actors. The nuanced threats hiding in deceptive email addresses, the false urgency created by scam emails, the dangerous lures of malicious links, and the often-overlooked errors in scam emails have made it imperative for agents and brokers to remain vigilant consistently. The integrity of the real estate industry is built upon clients' trust. To maintain this trust, agents must help navigate these digital pitfalls. Remember, knowledge is your superpower, and with these high stakes, it's not just about securing the next sale but safeguarding yourself and your clients. Finally, if you are one of the 750,000 Realtors in North America with free access to Tech Helpline as a member benefit from your MLS or association, reach out for professional assistance whenever you have a question about a digital risk. Other related posts: Is Your Computer Protected from All The Newest Cyber Threats? A Quick Checklist Top 5 Ways for Real Estate Agents to Protect Their Data and Personal Privacy Don't fall for it: 4 new online + offline scams and how to protect yourself Tricia Stamper is Director of Technology at Florida Realtors®, which owns both Tech Helpline and Form Simplicity.

8 Real Estate Marketing Ideas for September
The seasons, they are a-changin' -- and your marketing plans likely are, too, now that the summer selling market has died down. If you need new outreach ideas for these slower days, pull up a chair and dive into these eight real estate marketing ideas for September: 1. Post idea: Where to Find Fall Colors in [Your Area] Whether a social media post, a video, or a blog post, the idea for this is the same. Make a post that highlights where to see fall colors in your area. This autumn foliage map can help you estimate peak times. You can also recommend nearby getaways — or even great "Sunday drive" routes — where the changing leaves can best be seen. 2. Create a 'How's the market?' video Now that the peak sales time for the real estate market has passed, take a moment to create a recap and talk about how the market is in your area. Need some inspiration? Take a cue from the winners of RPR's recent market video contest. 3. Feature 'move-in ready' listings Autumn buyers have different motivations than summer buyers. Where summer buyers may want to move by the start of a new school year, buyers in fall look to move before year's end — and they're starting their home search now. To capture these buyers, highlight properties that are move-in ready. As always, you can make this a social media post or blog, but for this idea, we're particularly partial to using it in an online ad campaign. Create a landing page that showcases move-in ready listings and run Google or Facebook ads that link back to that page. 4. Lead magnet idea: Fall home maintenance tips guide Everyone's heard of spring cleaning, but how many people think to give their house a deep cleaning in the fall? Create a guide to help your audience prepare their houses for winter while the weather is still temperate. Include to-do items for both inside and outside the home. Your "inside" list can include typical "spring cleaning" activities, but you should recommend winter-specific tasks like checking the furnace. Your "outside" checklist should include checking caulk around windows and doors, cleaning and storing patio furniture, draining and storing garden hoses, etc. (We won't tell if you use ChatGPT to help you write this guide, but make sure to give it an edit to add your own voice and to check for accuracy.) 5. Create a 'Fall Home Decor' Pinterest board Pinterest is the unsung hero of driving internet traffic to your website. If you're active on Pinterest, curate a Pinterest board filled with fall home decor ideas and inspirations. Include pins for both buyers and sellers to help them envision seasonal changes in a property. For more Pinterest inspiration, check out: How to Crush It on Pinterest for Real Estate Pinterest Ads for Real Estate Agents: How to Get Started? 6. Host a home energy efficiency webinar As the weather cools, homeowners become more concerned about energy efficiency. Host a webinar about making homes more energy-efficient, which can be a selling point for listings. Team up with relevant local professionals, like installers of energy efficient windows, HVAC pros, etc. Not only can they provide great information, they can cross-promote the event to their sphere. Have a tech geek streak? You can also talk about the smart home gadgets that help homeowners measure and control their energy usage. Learn more about smart home features vs. green home features here. 7. Launch a client testimonial campaign We hope you had a successful selling season, and that summer left you with many satisfied clients. If so, now's the time to ask those clients for a testimonial while the experience is still fresh in their minds. Share success stories and testimonials from past clients on your website and social media. Bonus points if you can create a few video testimonials! For more ideas on soliciting and using testimonials, see: Success with Testimonials: 3 Steps to Getting Them with Ease Online Reviews and Testimonials: A Real Estate Agent's Best Marketing Tool How to Use Real Estate Testimonials Online the Right Way 8. Evergreen post idea: How to Prepare for Your Final Walk Through An "evergreen" post is a piece of content that's timeless; years can pass, and the post is not outdated. For agents, posts like these focus on something that's unchangeable in the home sales process — for example, a blog, social media, or newsletter post that explains how buyers can prepare for their final walk through. New homebuyers will find this post particularly helpful. This should be an educational post or video that explains what a final walk through is, why it's important, and what buyers should expect. We recommend including a checklist of things like turning on and off all light switches, flushing toilets, testing faucets for leaks, opening and closing windows, and more. Buyers should also check that all agreed upon repairs were completed satisfactorily. Don't forget, this article benefits you, too — a smooth walk through experience helps facilitate a smooth closing!

Unleashing the emotional appeal: Creating an authentic brand story on social media
Thank you to iGuide for sponsoring this article on RE Technology: In today's digital age, social media has become an essential tool for real estate agents to connect with their audience and build a strong brand presence. By effectively telling a compelling brand story on social media, agents can attract and engage potential clients, differentiate themselves from competitors and ultimately drive sales. Understanding the power of brand storytelling Brand storytelling is the art of conveying your brand's values, personality, and unique selling proposition through captivating narratives. A great brand story not only educates and entertains, but also establishes an emotional connection with your target audience. This emotional bond can significantly influence their purchase decisions and foster long-term loyalty. Crafting a compelling narrative To tell a great brand story on social media, REALTORS® should follow these key steps: 1. Define your brand identity Before you can effectively tell your brand story, you must first clearly define your brand identity. Start by identifying your unique selling proposition and core values. What sets you apart from other REALTORS® in the market? What do you want your audience to associate with your brand? Once you have a clear understanding of your brand's identity, you can align your messaging and storytelling accordingly. 2. Identify your target audience Knowing your audience is crucial in crafting a brand story that resonates. Research and identify your target audience's demographics, interests, pain points and aspirations. This will help you tailor your content to their specific needs and desires, ensuring maximum engagement and relevance. 3. Be authentic and transparent In a crowded social media landscape, authenticity is key. Your audience wants to connect with real people, not faceless entities. Share personal anecdotes, experiences and success stories to humanize your brand. Transparency builds trust and credibility, so don't be afraid to show the behind-the-scenes of your real estate business. 4. Leverage visual storytelling Incorporate visually appealing content such as high-quality images, accurate floor plans, 3D virtual tours and videos into your brand story. People are naturally drawn to visual content, which can help convey your message more effectively. Showcase stunning properties, before-and-after transformations, and happy clients to capture attention and inspire your audience. 5. Engage and interact Social media is a two-way street, so actively engage with your audience by responding to comments, asking questions and initiating conversations. This not only strengthens relationships but also provides valuable insights into your audience's preferences and concerns. Use this knowledge to refine your brand story and better serve your clients. Optimizing Brand Storytelling for SEO While crafting your brand story, it's essential to optimize it for search engines. Here are a few SEO best practices to consider: 1. Research relevant keywords Identify the keywords your target audience uses when searching for real estate services. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your social media posts, captions and meta descriptions to improve your visibility in search engine results. 2. Create quality content Ensure your content is informative, engaging, and valuable to your audience. Search engines reward high-quality content, so focus on providing in-depth information, tips and insights that genuinely benefit your readers. 3. Encourage social sharing Make it easy for your audience to share your brand story on social media. Include social sharing buttons on your website and blog posts to amplify your reach and enhance your brand's online presence. 4. Optimize image and video descriptions When sharing images and videos on social media, optimize their descriptions with relevant keywords. This helps search engines understand the context and improves your chances of appearing in image and video search results. By effectively telling a great brand story on social media, you can establish a strong online presence, attract qualified leads and ultimately grow your real estate business. Remember to define your brand identity, be authentic, leverage visual storytelling and optimize your content for SEO. Embrace the power of social media to connect with your audience on a deeper level and create a lasting impression. To view the original article, visit the iGuide blog.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of August
Labor Day has come and gone, and summer -- for all intents and purposes -- is over. But before we fully switch gears into fall, let's take a look back to see what RE Technology subscribers were reading during the final month of summer. Scroll down to article #5 to learn about the value of "green" homes features, and then explore remodeling projects that can bring a higher listing price in #3. Want to hear about the new eSignature feature coming to Google Docs? See our most-read article of August at #1. For marketing and advertising ideas, check out articles #8 and #9. Want more? Check out the full list of August's most-read articles below! 1. Beware, DocuSign: Google Docs now offers eSignaturesDocuSign (and other web-based document management systems that allow users to securely and legally sign forms) might want to start watching their backs right about now. On Wednesday, August 9, Google introduced beta launches for a new native electronic signature tool that certain users can find embedded directly in Google Docs and Google Drive. 2. Are multiple-bidding situations inherently unfair for buyers?Trying to help a client win in a multiple-bid situation is a big challenge, and it's frustrating for both buyers and agents. Multiple-bid situations can feel inherently unfair to buyers, especially if they've been bidding on homes for weeks or months, and they still are no closer to buying a house of their own. Recently, WAV Group conducted a survey of people who tried to buy a house, asking them questions about their experience as it relates to Fair Housing. Here are some early results from the study. 3. Research-backed Remodeling Ideas that Net a Higher Sales PriceHome remodels and upgrades have long been a way to increase the perceived value of a home. But belts are tightening in the current economy, and homeowners are turning away from big remodeling projects. But just because homeowners are spending less doesn't mean they're willing to spend nothing at all — especially when an improvement can result in a higher sales price. That's why we've rounded up a handful of remodeling ideas that, according to research, either offer a positive ROI, can be accomplished on a budget, or both. 4. The RPR mobile app keeps getting betterRPR (Realtors Property Resource®) has made major improvements to its mobile app to elevate its form, function and design so REALTORS® can get more done, and do it more efficiently, especially when they're away from their desktops. Here are some examples of how RPR has been doing just that. 5. How much are those 'green' features really worth? Ask Pearl CertificationI live in a passive house. Don't know what that is? Neither did the listing agent who represented the sellers when I bought my home in 2016, which is why the price was reduced twice before we made an offer (and purchased the property) for $55,000 less than what the sellers wanted for it. Concerned you might make a similar mistake? The professionals behind Pearl Certification want to teach you how to avoid it. 6. Try This Expired Listing Script to Win More AppointmentsExpired listings can be a prickly source of real estate leads. On one hand, the owner clearly wants to sell, otherwise they wouldn't have listed their home in the first place. On the other hand, something went wrong during the for-sale period, and you don't know what. Learn just how to handle expired listings — and get a script that can help. After all, when approached with empathy and curiosity, expireds can be a profitable lead source. 7. Legal Tips for Using AI in Your Real Estate BusinessChatGPT offers real estate agents plenty of time-saving advantages, but it's not without its risks — especially when it comes to copyright issues. Watvj this short video, from the National Association of Realtors' "Window to the Law" series, to clarify AI's risks and limitations. 8. 8 Campaign Ideas for Finding More ListingsRealtors are always looking for more homes to sell. But in a tough market, how do you do that? The key is smart prospecting, and one tool can help you in this endeavor — your MLS's property data tool. You can use your MLS's property data tool to identify prospects, create mailing lists and even print out mailing labels for marketing campaigns. Need campaign ideas? We've got you covered! Here are eight marketing campaign ideas for drumming up new business. 9. 8 Real Estate Marketing Ideas for AugustSummer: blink and you'll miss it. Real estate's busiest time of year may be winding down, but there's still time to drum up new business and promote your brand this season. To help you out, we've rounded up eight marketing ideas for August that are just right for summer's last blast. 10. 4 Tips for Working with AI as a Real Estate AgentTricia Stamper, director of technology at Florida REALTORS®, shares her top guidelines around how agents can (and should) be thinking about using AI, from how to write a prompt that works to how to keep your brand's proprietary information protected and private.

The Fundamentals of Real Estate PPC Services
Thank you to Real Estate Webmasters for sponsoring this article on RE Technology: Understanding PPC Basics In the competitive realm of real estate, distinguishing oneself is paramount. PPC (Pay-Per-Click) emerges as a pivotal tool for Realtors aiming to enhance their visibility. This blog delves into the nuances of PPC, specifically tailored for the real estate domain, and offers insights into leveraging this digital instrument for business growth. This blog is a summary of the original found on Real Estate Webmasters' website. What is PPC (Pay-Per-Click)? PPC is a digital advertising model where advertisers incur a fee each time their ad is clicked. Unlike organic traffic, which accrues over time, PPC facilitates businesses to purchase site visits, ensuring immediate online visibility. Key features include: Cost Models: Charges apply upon ad clicks. Ad Platforms: Popular platforms encompass Google Ads, Bing Ads, and various social media sites. Instant Results: Contrary to SEO, PPC yields immediate traffic and leads. Why Realtors Need PPC The real estate sector is intensively competitive. PPC offers Realtors a direct channel to showcase their listings and services to a targeted audience, ensuring heightened visibility and quality leads. Key benefits include: Direct Access: Engage potential clients actively seeking real estate services. Brand Visibility: Cement a robust online market presence. High ROI Potential: With strategic planning, PPC can yield significant results. Components of a PPC Campaign Any good real estate PPC campaign hinges on multiple foundational elements, from keyword selection to compelling ad copy and effective landing pages. Key components include: Relevance: Align keywords, ad copy, and landing pages. Quality Score: A metric on Google's PPC platform influenced by relevance and user experience. Continuous Optimization: Regularly refine campaign elements for enhanced outcomes. Targeting the Right Audience Effective PPC campaigns in real estate focus on precision targeting rather than broad outreach. Key strategies include: Local Focus: Employ geo-fencing for specific areas or neighborhoods. Audience Segmentation: Categorizing audiences based on demographics or interests. Retargeting: Reconnect with users who've previously engaged with your site. Measuring and Optimizing PPC's strength lies in its quantifiability. Realtors can monitor every interaction, deriving insights into successful strategies and areas necessitating refinement. Key practices include: Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing analytics for campaign refinements. Platform Insights: Platforms like Google Ads offer comprehensive performance reports. A/B Testing: Experiment with varied ad versions to discern audience preferences. Common Challenges Despite its advantages, PPC presents certain challenges, from ad disapprovals to variable costs. However, with proactive strategies and adherence to best practices, these challenges can be adeptly navigated. Key considerations include: Ad Compliance: Ensuring ads comply with platform guidelines. Budget Management: Regularly adjust bids for cost-effective management. Stay Updated: Remain informed about platform updates and algorithm changes Conclusion Quite simply, Realtors must harness tools like PPC to remain competitive. Embracing PPC, from understanding its basics to mastering its complexities, can substantially uplift one's business. As Realtors navigate the PPC landscape, adaptability, innovation, and audience-centricity remain crucial. If you want to elevate your real estate business to the next level, contact Real Estate Webmasters to learn how.

Meeting Home Buyer Expectations: Understanding the Millennial HGTV Generation and Their Preferences
Thank you to Revive for sponsoring this article on RE Technology: Millennials, stereotyped for their love of avocado toast and HGTV, are beginning to redefine real estate's landscape. The largest generation, with 72.1 million millennials in the US, also represents 43 percent of homebuyers -- the highest share of any group. But decoding the millennial homebuyer can often feel like navigating through an intricate maze. Born between the early 1980s and mid-1990s, experts had prophesied that these young adults would be content with being urban renters, forever forgoing the suburban white picket fence. Yet, today's data tells a different story. Two-thirds of millennials see homeownership as the quintessential American dream, a Bankrate study found. Now 45% plan to buy a home in the suburbs like their parents, a stark contrast to early predictions. However, their journey to homeownership has not been smooth. High student debt, accelerating housing prices, dwindling inventory, and rising mortgage rates have formed a formidable barrier, especially for millennials. As a result, the dream of homeownership has been delayed for many. But as they step onto the property ladder, what truly drives their home-buying decisions, and how are they shaping the future of real estate? Barriers to Homeownership Despite their deep desires, millennials have not changed the housing markets because many struggle to become homeowners, negatively impacted by affordability issues, including the need for a down payment, the burden of student debt, escalating housing prices, and a lack of entry-level homes. Millennials hold 30.4% of the total debt. In fact, 15 million millennials are grappling with student loan debt, more than any other generation. They carry an average balance of $33,173 per borrower. And research shows over 79% see student debt as a significant issue for their generation. Moreover, personal affordability issues keep 78% of aspiring-homebuying millennials from purchasing a home, while the current housing market and economic conditions hold back 59% of them. A National Association of Realtors report from 2022 revealed that 27% of younger millennials saw accumulating funds for a down payment as the toughest step. A Bankrate.com survey found that many millennial non-homeowners cited limited savings and too-high home prices as reasons for continuing to rent. Over half (53 percent) of the older millennials, who aspire to be homeowners, said they could not afford the down payment and closing costs, higher than any other age group. Younger millennials noted other hurdles, including not having enough income (49 percent), home prices being too high (47 percent), and not being able to afford the down payment and closing costs (42 percent). Why millennials are different Because of the challenges millennials face, their entry into the real estate market has looked different from that of other generations. Overall, millennials are buying their first homes later than their baby-boomer parents. There are many reasons they are delaying homeownership. Still, studies show that high student debt, the enduring effects of career stagnation caused by the Great Recession, and the impact of the pandemic are among the most cited reasons. But it's not only about money. Many millennials also are delaying traditional milestones. In 2020, the median age for a man's first marriage crossed 30; for a woman, it was over 28. Correspondingly, the typical first-time homebuyer age has increased to 36, the oldest ever on record. One of the biggest influencers of changing housing is when a couple starts a family. Compared with earlier eras, people today have their children later in life. That also contributes to delayed homeownership for millennials. According to demographers at Ohio State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, despite the recent fall in US birth rates, most young people still plan to become parents but are delaying childbearing. Another Bankrate survey found nearly two-thirds of Americans (64 percent) are willing to sacrifice to find affordable housing. Among millennials, 33 percent would buy a fixer-upper, 32 percent would move out of state, and 31 percent would downsize their living space. Home and design preferences For the first time, in 2022, more than half of millennials (51.5%) owned a home. However, reaching this milestone took millennials longer than any other generation. But their real estate influence continues to grow, as does their impact on home designs and features. Research shows millennials prefer buying a smaller move-in ready home than undertaking a fixer-upper. More than any other demographic group, Millennials prefer move-in ready houses over fixer-uppers. Designers say millennials opt for open spaces, connecting living and dining areas with the kitchen. Millennials also desire outdoor living spaces. Because millennials are digital natives, they expect homes to have technology with smart features such as home security, automated lighting, smart locks, and thermostats. Working from home is driving millennials' desire for home office space and workout space in the house. Pets are also a priority for millennials, influencing their home-buying decisions. For example, 79 percent of pet-owning new homeowners surveyed by Realtor.com said that they would pass on an otherwise perfect home if it didn't meet the needs of their pets. A Harris Poll found that 33 percent of millennial home buyers said their dog influenced their home-buying decision, outranking marriage and kids as the motivation. The study found this true among future millennial home buyers, with 42 percent surveyed saying a dog will be a crucial factor in their home purchasing decision. Renovation and remodeling trends among millennials The post-pandemic home improvement wave also spread to millennials. Although millennials account for less than 10% of homeowners who renovated last year, their renovation spending spiked 33% from the previous year, averaging $20,000. With the median age of the US home approaching 40 years, remodeling and renovation is rising rapidly. Fueled by the fact that more than half of America's homes were built before 1980, 55% of homeowners reported renovating at least part of their homes in the last year. In 2022, Americans spent an estimated $427 billion on home improvement projects. It's an accelerating trend over the last several years and is expected to continue, eclipsing $600 billion in 2025. While kitchen renovations and bathroom remodeling were the most popular home improvement projects, a Houzz study found that millennials did more home system upgrades than any other generation, focusing on automation and security enhancements. Upgrading home offices also were a priority for millennials more than any older generation in 2022. Not surprisingly, older millennials make the most renovations of their homes, but nearly all enjoy the result of home improvement. Researchers found that 93% of all homeowners felt they had a better quality of life after renovating. Interestingly, millennials overall shun taking on significant home improvement debt. Industry research shows that most millennials, nearly 88%, utilize cash savings for renovations. However, 35% also rely on using credit cards, a higher percentage than older generations. A blueprint for tomorrow's real estate As millennials continue to navigate the intricate dance between dreams and financial realities, one thing becomes evident: they are not just participants in the housing market; they are active sculptors. With their tech-savviness, appetite for digital information, and a strong desire to become homebuyers, they offer a fresh perspective on what they want as homeowners. Their journey teaches the real estate industry invaluable lessons about adaptability, resilience, and the undeniable power of understanding consumer needs. In embracing the millennial HGTV generation's unique blueprint, real estate professionals aren't just staying relevant; they're setting the stage for a vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic future in housing. For real estate agents and brokers, understanding and catering to this generation's nuanced needs isn't merely a sales strategy; it's a roadmap to the housing market's future. Jessica Morrow, a seasoned real estate veteran, is Head of Operations for Revive. Revive's mission is to guide home sellers through pre-sale renovations without upfront costs. Working with Revive, home sellers maximize their profit when selling their homes.

Real AI: Florida, Headlines and The Beatles
Introducing Real AI -- a human-curated weekly roundup of all things AI in real estate and emerging AI innovations in other sectors likely to impact real estate. AI is Florida's "Rockstar" I just returned from the Florida Realtors annual convention, where the real star of the show was artificial intelligence – apologies to Tim Tebow, the keynote, who was surprisingly quite good. Agents and brokers packed every session that has AI in the title. When highlighting AI as it relates to public relations in my first presentation ("5 Takeaways to Enhance Your Business with Public Relations"), the crowd actually went, "Wow." At the Emerging Technologies Committee, Craig Grant, founder of the Real Estate Technology Institute, and I did a one-two take on AI. Craig's talk was "How AI and ChatGPT Are Transforming Real Estate," packed with excellent practical examples of AI touching nearly every part of the real estate ecosystem. My 20-minute talk was "AI in Real Estate: Where we are now, where we are going," and also touched on some of the social, ethical, regulatory and legal obstacles ahead. The committee typically has 50-60 people in the room, but it was packed at nearly three times that. The AI in real-time video from Restb.ai that I shared during the conference continues to get a "wow" reaction every time: it is here. AI headlines Here's a dozen recent headlines to give you an idea of how obsessed we all are about AI right now: The $900,000 AI Job Is Here | WSJ – 8/14/2023 Can States Learn to Govern Artificial Intelligence – Before It's Too Late? | Foreign Affairs – 8/16/2023 AI Can't Build a High-Rise, but It Can Speed Up the Job | NY Times – 8/15/2023 Google DeepMind testing ‘personal life coach' AI tool | The Guardian – 8/17/2023 The World Isn't Ready for the Next Decade of AI | Wired – 8/16/2023 AI is coming for your audiobooks. You're right to be worried. | Washington Post – 8/16/2023 AP, other news organizations develop standards for use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms | AP – 8/17/2023 Snapchat just confirmed people's worst fears about artificial intelligence | The Street – 8/16/2023 How artificial intelligence could help us talk to animals | Science News Explores – 8/17/2023 Artificial intelligence could help us reduce plane emissions | CNN – 8/17/2023 Barbie and the dark side of generative artificial intelligence | Salon – 8/17/2023 The Worst Thing You Can Do With A.I. | Entrepreneur's Handbook – 8/21/2023 Speaking of AI as a "Rockstar" .... How long will it be before AI-creates a new in-person Beatles concert? Read this, this, and this. Image from Reddit: AI Take Four: Cool tech tools (Shoutout to Craig Grant, Reti.us, for many of these sources) D-ID – Video AI: Uncomfortable on video and not a one-take wonder? Generative AI allows you to upload your photo to create your own talking avatar – or use a template – and then type your script to create a video instantly. Test it out with a free 5-minute video. Paid plans start at $60 a year for longer videos. www.d-id.com – Also: Synthesia – www.synthesia.io Durable.co – Website building AI: Build a complete website in less than a minute, including images, copy and contact form. durable.co Otter.ai – real-time transcription: We've been using Otter for several years, and it keeps getting better and more accurate. Otter now offers free Zoom, Google Meet and MS Teams plug-ins to transcribe your meetings automatically. otter.ai – Also: Tatiq – tactiq.io Canva – new AI tools: One of the most important AI trends is the integration of ChatGPT (typically 3 or 3.5) into existing popular platforms and software like the Photoshop alternative Canva. Canva developed its Magic Write text-to-image tool with ChatGPT 3. The creation of images and memes for social media has a ton of applications for real estate. It is a free add for subscribers. canva.com/ai-image-generator AI Company to Watch: Restb.ai Kevin wrote about Restb.ai in a recent WAV Group blog post, Computer vision is revolutionizing MLSs: The appraisal industry is next. The bigger news is Restb.ai just won the Inman Innovator Award for Technology. Lisa Larson and Nathan Brennan, two Restb.ai leaders, are becoming go-to AI conference speakers as Restb.ai dominates the MLS industry and is now expanding to the appraisal and valuation industry. Keep an eye on real estate's computer vision leader Restb.ai. AI Quote of the Week Content suggestions welcomed: email [email protected]. To view the original article, visit the WAV Group blog.

40 Tools, Tips and Scripts for Finding More Listings
It's a tough time for finding listings -- but we probably don't have to tell you that. What we do want to tell you about, however, are the strategies and tools that can help you unearth more homes for sale. That's why, over the month of August, RE Technology has been running a series of articles every Tuesday to help you do just that. It's part of our "Tips and Tricks Tuesday" series. This month, our theme has been "How to Find More Homes to List." Below is an overview of the topics we covered — and you can download our free eBook to read these articles compiled in one convenient place. Embracing Technology and Direct Mail: Solutions to Ease the Inventory Issue - Learn about a high-tech way to implement direct mail outreach to homeowners. Lead Gen Meets Next Gen with RealtyCandy's New AI-powered Home Valuation Widget - Find out how to use a new home valuation tool to attract seller leads. Why Is Housing Inventory So Low? Tips for Overcoming Market Challenges - Real estate coaches Johnny Pfeiffer and Brandon Doyle discuss today's inventory issues, the causes, and how agents can thrive despite these challenges. Looking for Better Leads? Remine Pro Could Be Your Best Solution - Real estate data can help you find new prospects — and Remine Pro is just the tool for the job. Try This Expired Listing Script to Win More Appointments - Expired listings want to sell, but getting them to list again can be tricky. Get a script to convert these leads into clients. Plunk Unlocks Confident Investing in Real Estate - Learn about a new tool that gives real estate investors, advisors and analysts access to real-time property valuation data and analysis. 8 Campaign Ideas for Finding More Listings - Your MLS's property data/public records tool is a powerful tool for finding leads. Here are eight campaign ideas you can execute with the help of that tool. How to Win Over Tough FSBOs (and a Script to Help) - FSBOs can be a prickly bunch who are reluctant to use an agent to sell their home. Learn how to approach FSBOs and what to say to counter their objections and concerns. Why Absentee Owners May Be a Gold Mine for Seller Leads in Today's Market - Most would-be sellers today don't want to give up their existing low interest mortgage to jump into today's expensive real estate market. But there's one set of property owners who are less likely to have these concerns — absentee owners. Find out how to tap into this niche. We hope these articles were helpful to our readers. However, you should know that great advice about finding seller leads isn't something we share just one month per year — we do it year-round! To help round out our listing-focused month, today we want to share more resources that we've published over the years. Let's dive in… Where are all the leads? So you want to grow the listing side of your business. First things first: where should you look for leads? If you're looking for motivated sellers, try these three sources. Want to turn your sphere of influence into a lean, mean, lead-generating machine? Check out our article, 65 Sources of Real Estate Referrals You May Have Overlooked. Finding and converting seller leads is a process. Learn how to make that process work for you in 5 Strategies to Generate Seller Leads and Build Better Relationships. Tap into the power of online marketing We don't call ourselves RE Technology for nothing. Helping real estate professionals use technology to better their business, including finding more homes for sale, is part of our raison d'etre. Here's a sampling of advice we've published on various online marketing methods: Google Ads Facebook boosted posts Hyperlocal blogging Email marketing Landing pages Social media is another key way to stay top-of-mind with your sphere of influence. It's a highly visual medium, however. Fortunately, if you aren't graphically inclined, you can lean on pre-made templates like the ones highlighted in the articles below: How to Create Instagram Posts for Your Real Estate Business with Canva Free Templates to Help You Create Social Media Market Updates Use scripts for easier outreach and follow-up Sometimes the toughest part of reaching out to leads or following up is knowing what to say. If that's a struggle for you, jumpstart your communication with these handy scripts: Real Estate Prospecting Letter Examples and Tips 4 Real Estate Emails that Convert Like Crazy (+Templates!) 3 Free Drip Marketing Emails to Send to Home Seller Leads Get a Smarter Door Knocking Script from an Outreach Expert The Ultimate Script for Reconnecting with Past Real Estate Clients Ultimate Real Estate Scripts to Keep in Touch and Get More Business Real Estate Scripts and How to Use Them 4 Lead Generating Scripts for Listing Agents Scripts and Templates to Turn Expired Listing Leads Into Clients Strategies for converting leads So you've got a great lead. How do you get them to convert? Try the tips and strategies outlined below. (And, bonus, there are a few more scripts tucked away in these articles.) What's in Your WOW Package? 5 Agents and Brokers Share Top Strategies How to Create a Conversion Engine for Your Online Seller Leads The Only Follow-Up Plan You Need for Seller Leads How to Turn Your Real Estate Buyers into Seller Leads 3 Tips You Need to Convert Every Seller Lead (No Matter Their Objection) How to Market to Expireds the Right Way The Ultimate Guide to Geographic Farming Don't forget referrals! Some of the best, most transaction-ready leads are referrals. Learn how to encourage more referrals and how to handle the ones that come your way: 10 Things to Do When you Receive a Referral How to Ask Your Clients for a Referral The Real Estate Referral Machine for Lifelong Business Remember all the things you do for your clients Finally, we want to wrap up on a positive note — and give you ammo to counter any objections from sellers who ask, "Why should I hire an agent?" (We're especially looking at you, FSBOs.) Ready? Next time anyone questions the value of using an agent, refer to this list of 184 Things You Do for Real Estate Clients (and they don't even know it). Happy selling! To explore helpful lead generation solutions, check out our Product Directory. And don't forget to download our ebook of this month's Tips and Tricks Tuesday articles!

The RPR mobile app keeps getting better
At a recent industry event, we overheard the following from an unknown REALTOR®: There's not an agent who can't benefit from having this app on their phone.   — Anonymous REALTOR® Unfortunately, we couldn't flag them down to attribute the quote. But in a textbook case of blatant self-promotion, we couldn't agree more! RPR makes more upgrades to its digital app RPR (Realtors Property Resource®) has made, and will continue to make, major improvements to its digital application. We pore over user feedback and continually conduct usability tests to help determine how we can improve our users' experience with it. It's RPR's goal to elevate the form, function and design of the mobile app so REALTORS® can get more done, and do it more efficiently, especially when they're away from their desktops. Here are some examples of how we've been doing just that, and a promise to bring even more to the app in the coming weeks and months. Market Trends and Shareable Market Trends for RPR Mobile™ Earlier this year, we brought the Market Trends feature over from the website to the mobile app. The Market Trends charts and graphs are a collection of hyper-local housing market stats and metrics. The Market Trends areas depend on your search: you can start big with state and county areas, or you can drill down to towns and neighborhoods for a more specific search. RPR then takes recent market numbers and presents them to agents in an easy-to-understand layout. These metrics include the type of market, Months of Inventory, List to Sold Price Percentage, Median Days in RPR and Median Sold Price. Having this type of information at your fingertips is a very valuable tool when it comes to explaining questions such as, "How's the market?" And then, after popular demand, we unveiled Shareable Market Trends on the app. With this great feature, users can simply tap a button on their phone to take this market information and share it directly to their go-to social media platforms. There's also an option to save the Market Trends charts as an image for email, texting or placing just about anywhere. For more details, check out: Market Trends and Housing Stats now Available in RPR Mobile™. Improved Property Details on the RPR app The Property Details section in the RPR Mobile™ app was also recently updated with a refreshed UI (that stands for User Interface). In non tech terms, it means our designers made the app easier to use, prettier to look at and beefed up the functionality. This upgrade was achieved by improving the layout, introducing color schemes and increasing the font sizes. This new Property Details section is what comes up after you search for a property. Simply enter in an address, and then click on the property, and you'll be taken right to it. Next comes the scrolling, the ooohing and the ahhhing. We can't wait for you to check it out! Here's what's new: Media Viewer Also referred to as the "Photo Viewer," this area is bigger and packs more pics than ever before. It includes a new List View that lets users quickly scroll through the photos while still offering the ability to tap to view larger photos. This lets users jump to a kitchen or backyard photo, without having to swipe through all the photos to get to there. (In a future release, users will be able to zoom in on photos as well.) There is also an option for satellite/street/map views, as well 3D tours, all centrally located within the viewer. Property Summary More info at a glance! And much easier on the eyes. The property summary details have been reorganized into three rows and the text size is larger. This is a complete facelift which standardizes how the app displays information for listings and public records. Now included are the list status date and listing ID, which is a new addition. Basic Facts The Basic Facts are now easier to find and as they reside right below the property summary. This section now displays the APN and owner(s) names, which has also been requested by users. Pricing Tools A new color-coded Pricing Tools section has been added just below the Property Facts. It includes the CMA tool and access to a Seller's Net Sheet. And we'll be adding more tools to this section very soon! Additional Resources The Additional Resources takes you directly to helpful and relevant real estate assets, such as links to Valuate® and ShowingTime, with more to come. Again, more resources on the way. In terms of "user friendly," the RPR app might be your new best friend The RPR Mobile™ app has recently been improved with enhancements such as Shareable Market Trends, an updated interface, and a plethora of data you can access while you're on the go and in the field. If you haven't seen it in a while, we urge you to fire it up and try out the new look and feel. And under the heading of "Coming sooner and soon," we've got even more great updates and improvements dropping in the next few months. Stay tuned… Download the RPR Mobile™ app today in the App Store or Google Play. To view the original article, visit the RPR blog.

Are multiple-bidding situations inherently unfair for buyers?
Years ago, multiple bids on a home were not all that common. Certain markets saw them more frequently than others, but most homebuyers were not necessarily competing against dozens of others for the same house. That scenario has changed in recent years. Housing inventory has been low for a long time, and then the coronavirus pandemic sparked a wave of interest in homeownership, which meant that engaging in bidding wars became an everyday occurrence for many would-be buyers. Trying to help a client win in a multiple-bid situation is a big challenge, and it's frustrating for both buyers and agents. Multiple-bid situations can feel inherently unfair to buyers, especially if they've been bidding on homes for weeks or months, and they still are no closer to buying a house of their own. And for agents, crafting an offer that stands out among a crowd isn't always easy, especially when you can't share any personal information about the buyer. Recently, WAV Group conducted a survey of people who tried to buy a house, asking them questions about their experience as it relates to Fair Housing. Here are some early results from the study; the full results will be available soon. 'Did you have a fair chance to win the house?' With multiple-bidding scenarios becoming increasingly common, we wanted to ask how buyers felt about their own experience with multiple bids. Did they feel they got a fair chance to win the house? And why — or why not? Just over half of our respondents said they were involved in a multiple-bid situation (50.94%). The remainder were either not involved in a multiple-bid scenario (38.00%) or were unsure how to answer the question (11.06%). These proportions remained when we broke down the results by race between self-identified white respondents and respondents of color. Almost half of all respondents (46.46%) said that they felt like they had an equal opportunity to win the bid for the house they were trying to buy. This percentage was a bit higher for white respondents (49.33%) than for our respondents of color (45.50%). For those who did not think they had an equal chance to win the bid for a house, we wanted to dig a little deeper and learn why they felt that way. So our next question asked why they felt they did not have an equal opportunity to win the bids they submitted. For the most part, white respondents said they didn't win the bid because they were outbid by buyers who could offer more money. Nearly three-quarters (68%) of white respondents cited finances when asked why the multiple-bidding process was not fair to them. Many respondents also discussed the difficulties of competing against cash offers and investors or "flippers" with deep pockets. The remainder of white respondents either said that the seller already had a favored buyer in mind, or that they got bad advice from their real estate agent. We saw more variation in answers from respondents of color who were involved in multiple-bidding situations, although almost as many of them (62%) cited finances as the reason why they didn't win the bid. About 6% of respondents of color believed that race played a factor in their multiple-bid situation. This group of respondents also mentioned competition against investors or buyers who could pay cash, and they were more likely to say that they felt they were not able to purchase homes in certain neighborhoods due to those areas being "out of their league." They also mentioned reasons other than race that could explain why they might not have won the bid, including marital status and other demographic indicators, such as "I'm not professional enough." Want to learn more about homebuyers' experiences with multiple bids and Fair Housing during the past year? WAV Group's Fair Housing survey report is coming soon!

125 real estate blog post topics for agent websites
Writer's block stinks! Make it go away with this great topic list, relevant to any agent or broker who wants to grow their real estate blogging efforts. This is a long list, so let's get right to it! Here are 125 real estate blog topic ideas for agents and brokers: About Your City Overview of the current real estate landscape, and what it means to buyers and sellers Cost of living analysis broken down by category (groceries, entertainment, housing, etc.) Industry snapshot; overview of prominent work opportunities Things every commuter needs to know about traffic in your city Past, present and future real estate market trends Five excellent restaurants locals love Best family-friendly neighborhoods and their perks List of little-known neighborhood gems (bars, restaurants, shops) Unique, independently-owned businesses that are worth a visit Review of well-known community event(s) Details on networking opportunities List of top 10 things people considering moving to your city should check out Overview of schools in your area – info on and links to each (breakdown by level) Information on common architecture types (with photos) Feature on popular outdoor activities (parks, beaches, pools, bike trails, etc.) List of all the museums and galleries in your area Unique elements of different neighborhoods in your town Best companies to work for in the area Best movers / lenders / agents in your area (include testimonials!) List of resources that provide more info on the area Interview clients who moved to your town on why they love it Highlight local public service resources (libraries, community centers, etc.) Write about available volunteer opportunities Feature a day in the life of a high school or college student / business man or woman City vs. suburbs – pros and cons For Buyers Benefits of hiring a buyer's agent How to find a high-quality real estate agent What makes you the best agent in your city A guide to mortgage rates (plus current market evaluation) First-time homebuyer programs Understanding inspections Guidelines for first-time buyers (what to expect) Information on exclusivity agreements and why (or why not) to sign them Benefits of buying vs. renting List of (and explanations of) tax deductions for homeowners Historical and current market values and how they impact buyers Relocation guide (how to plan, the best way to find a new home, etc.) Condos vs. townhomes vs. single family homes (pros and cons, appreciation rates, etc.) Tips for first-time home shoppers (focus on things you can't change vs. cosmetics) Appreciation rates by property type in your area Step-by-step guide on pre-approval (be sure to list your preferred lender) Information on various loan types (FHA, traditional, VA, etc.) 10 things no one ever told you about shopping for a home Understanding architecture; a guide to your city Real estate lingo buyers need to know (conveys with sale, MLS, pending, etc.) Homeowner's insurance 101 (cost, options, local considerations — e.g., fire or tornado risk) A guide to HOAs – where the money goes and what HOA fees cover Things retired couples need to consider before buying a property Understanding credit scores and how the impact potential homebuyers Traditional sales vs. short sales vs. foreclosures Buying process steps and timeline Apps to simplify the house hunting process Biggest mistakes first time homebuyers make Benefits of a pre-approval How to manage stress during the house hunt List of things to tell your Realtor at the beginning of the home shopping process List of documents you need for pre-approval Links to planning tools (mortgage calculator, home search site, etc.) Buyer testimonials Interview with a past client (buyer) Is it a good time to buy? (and why or why not) Types of properties in your area / details of each (SFH, twinhome, townhome, etc.) Location vs. space – tips on maximizing your budget Things young couples need to consider before buying a property Questions to take into account when deciding which area to move to Advice on how long you should own a starter home Rent vs. mortgage – similarities and differences What you can afford in your city ($300k will get…, $400k will get…, etc.) A guide to interest rates (history, current, future) How much impact should rising (or falling) prices have on your home search? How marriage impacts your home loan Things parents need to consider before buying a property How to stay organized during your house hunt Additional cost considerations for home shoppers (besides the mortgage payment) How to narrow down neighborhoods to consider during your house hunt For Sellers Benefits of hiring a listing agent How to prepare your home for sale Home upgrades that pay off in resale Inexpensive ways to upgrade your home prior to showing Staging tips for sellers How to determine your home's market value with a call to action for a personalized CMA Preparing for inspections Inconveniences of selling and how to deal with them Being prepared for negotiations after the home inspection Tips on how to help buyers envision their lives in your home Selling process timeline Pros and cons of giving buyers a price range How many homes to look at prior to putting in an offer Strategy behind making an offer Negotiation tactics for sellers How marriage impacts home ownership Tips for first-time home sellers How to create a stellar curb appeal Overview of your marketing strategies How to prioritize need vs. nice-to-have in your house hunt Top mistakes first-time sellers make How to sell your own house – a guide (with a CTA to hire you for help!) Agent vs. FSBO – benefits of choosing an agent Understanding Realtor fees and how they fit into the overall cost of selling How to choose the right seller's agent (experience, location, sold homes, etc.) How to manage stress during the selling process How to handle a property sale after a divorce Tips to keep your real estate contract moving along Is it a good time to sell? (and why or why not) Potential roadblocks and how to deal with them Understanding CMAs – an overview How to spot market trends and what they mean to sellers Tips for or against "timing" the market Selling seasons and how the impact your home's value How to estimate your home's value What to fix and what to leave for the new owners How to sell an inherited property How to prepare to meet with a listing agent How to decide what to keep and what to sell with the property Advice on upgrading a home you eventually want to sell How to sell your home fast How to market your home to your personal network Things to ask your listing agent during your first meeting How to get the best price for your property Pros and cons of open houses Benefits of a pre-inspection home inspection Preparing for your home appraisal Common inspection requirements for your area What's public record when you sell a home? What to expect during escrow I hope you enjoyed and got inspired by this extensive list of blog topic ideas. Time to start writing! To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

6 quick ways to get started with Cloud Agent Suite
Have you just signed up for a free pass to Cloud Agent Suite, but aren't sure exactly where to start? Or maybe you're nearing the end of your pass and want to make sure you've taken complete advantage of exploring everything this suite has to offer. Good news: Either way, we've got your back! Cloud Agent Suite includes Cloud Attract, Cloud Streams, Cloud MLX, and Cloud CMA, which makes for a lot of ground to cover. That's why we've compiled six quick tips to help you make the most of your free-pass access. 1. Find new sellers with Cloud Attract With Cloud Attract, you can play around with creating a custom landing page that will appeal to sellers. Let's say that your area of focus is Huntington Beach. First, launch Cloud Attract. Create a new landing page, then share it on your social media. When someone clicks and fills out the page, they'll receive a quick CMA email that lets them know you'll follow up soon. Watch it in action: 2. Be the first to know with Cloud Streams Cloud Streams is a great way to make sure your buyers are the first to know when new listings hit the MLS via text alerts. But it's also a great way for you to stay informed about market activity. Here's a look at how you can create your first stream: 3. Share your saved searches with clients Cloud MLX is like an easy button for your MLS. Instead of many tiny checkboxes and an endless cascade of drop-down menus, now you can search the MLS just like how you'd search with Google. But did you know that Cloud MLX makes it easy to share saved searches with your clients, too? With it, you can share personalized websites (with your branding, of course!) with each of your clients so they can see the latest market activity in their neighborhoods. Here's how: 4. Do your next listing presentations, anywhere With Cloud CMA Live, you can do your listing presentations virtually (and with interactive features, too!). Just create a Cloud CMA like you usually do, then click on the "Live" link. Now, you can launch Zoom from inside Cloud CMA and present comps, analyze pricing, and walk clients through scenarios. You can even use the telestrator feature to draw directly on the screen, making it easy to emphasize specific points. Here's how it works: 5. Keep clients updated with Homebeat With Homebeat, an add-on feature to Cloud CMA, you can send CMAs to homeowners on a regular basis. This report gives them a comparison review of their home and other homes in their area, so they always know their position in the housing market, and you'll stay top of mind when they're looking for that next move. They can also request free home evaluations and send you a message when they're ready. See it in action here: 6. Keep on learning We've covered a lot so far in this post, but one thing's for sure: There's always more to learn. Check out our learning resources to watch tons of how-to videos, sign up for live webinars, and access training recordings on demand. For even more resources to help you take advantage of the most powerful tools in real estate today, visit the Cloud Agent Suite site here. These are just a few of the many features that Cloud Agent Suite has to offer. With a gorgeous landing page builder, efficient listing alert system, smart MLS platform, and reader-friendly client material generator, Cloud Agent Suite is ready to help you turn buyers and sellers into long-term clients. To view the original article, visit the Lone Wolf blog.

How to Win Over Tough FSBOs (and a Script to Help)
Welcome back to another edition in our Tips and Tricks Tuesday series on "Finding More Homes for Sale." Last week, we highlighted a script for talking to expired listing leads. While those leads can be challenging, FSBOs are often a harder nut to crack -- and sometimes outright hostile to real estate agents. But with the right approach (and a thick skin), they can be a solid source of new listings. In fact, Realtor Chris Molenaar began his real estate journey by cold-calling For Sale By Owner properties to find potential listings. It took a year and a half, but finally Molenaar's efforts began to pay off when he listed three FSBOs in a single day. His secret? Establishing rapport and trust with FSBOs and using a script to build credibility and handle the inevitable objections. In the video above, Molenaar shares his strategy for turning tough leads into promising clients. Watch the video to learn: The questions to ask to engage FSBOs in a productive conversation Approaches for handling FSBOs' previous negative experiences with agents How to highlight the challenges in a slow market Tips for managing resistance and skepticism How to make FSBOs feel important and validated How to win over FSBOs And more! Related Reading Converting FSBOs to Clients: 4 Tips Are You Unknowingly Encouraging Sellers to List as FSBOs? True Confessions of a FSBO 184 Things You Do for Real Estate Clients (and they don't even know it)

Buyers have school questions? Learn how to answer them with RPR Mobile
Schools are involved in a ton of real estate decisions, but unless you have school-age children yourself, or unless you just happen to know a lot about the schools in your market (because you attended school there, for example), then it might be difficult for the average real estate agent to answer a buyer's questions. How is the school rated? How close is it to different homes the buyer is considering — and are there possibly multiple school zones involved? If someone wants their kids to attend a specific school, where are the boundary lines? Learn how to generate a school-centric home report using the RPR Mobile app, a REALTORS® Property Resource tool. If there's one app that every REALTOR® should have on their phone, it's the RPR Mobile™ app. The app not only provides access to on- and off-market properties and market trends, it also streamlines your search process by offering other essential data sets, including school information — an efficient way to provide meaningful data to your clients and save you precious time. As August has arrived and many families are gearing up for the "back to school" season, it's important to understand the role school information plays in real estate decisions. Whether your potential buyers have school-age children or not, the proximity and quality of local schools can influence the appeal and value of a property. Welcome to our deep-dive into why every REALTOR® should be maximizing the "School Search" function found in the RPR Mobile™ app to better serve their clients. Finding Schools from the Map Verifying schools near a property can be vital during your buyer tours — and doing so is effortless with the RPR mobile app. This tool provides easily accessible and actionable information in a user-friendly format. See for yourself: Begin by tapping on the location symbol at the top of the screen From within the map, tap "Map Actions" Tap on "Schools" Select the desired school type: Elementary, middle or high school; Public, private or charter Confirm with a tap on "continue" Now schools matching that criteria display on your map as graduation-cap icons alongside the property pins Tapping these icons reveals information about each school including their names, ratings, addresses, etc. Finding Schools Near a Property Perhaps you're looking at a property in RPR Mobile and want to see the schools in the area? Just tap on "Schools" under the photos on the Property Details screen. Instantly access all of the important data about local schools and even see these schools on a map in relation to your property. School Reports Time for your final project! Pull all that school info into a branded RPR report. From details about specific schools, their ratings, attendance zones, and local properties for sale, everything can be neatly presented in a client-friendly report format. Make the grade with school stats using the RPR Mobile™ app Use this back-to-school season as an opportunity to dial-in your local school searching using RPR Mobile. If you haven't installed it yet, don't wait any longer; download the RPR Mobile app from Google Play or App Store today! To view the original article, visit the RPR blog.

Podcast App Stitcher to Shut Down: How to Transfer Your Favorite Shows to a New App
Real estate agents who use Stitcher to listen to their favorite podcasts are going to need to find a new app. The service announced that they are shutting down on August 29. SiriusXM, which owns Stitcher, is closing the app to focus "on incorporating podcasts into its flagship SiriusXM subscription business." Most crucially for dedicated users, after August 29, "you will no longer be able to access your shows, downloads, preferences or listening history," the company said in an email to users. Fortunately, there is an easy way to transfer your favorite shows and listening history to a new app. Let's take a look… Exporting Your Favorite Shows Stitcher offers easy, step-by-step directions for exporting your favorite shows and listening history. We've shared the process for doing that on your mobile phone below, along with a few helpful screenshots. If you'd prefer to undertake this process from your computer, read the instructions here. 1. Open the Stitcher app. 2. Go to Settings. 3. Click on "Export My Shows." This is close to the bottom of the Settings page. (If you don't see this option, update the Stitcher app to the latest version.) 4. Click on "OK. I'LL SAVE IT" 5. Save this file or email it to yourself for future use. 6. Import the file to a new podcast app of your choice. The details of this process depend on the app you're importing to. Check the new app's FAQ or help documentation to do this, or contact their customer assistance. Alternative Podcast Apps Speaking of new apps, which podcast apps are available for agents to switch to? We're happy to report that there are a wealth of options. Here are a few of the top ones: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Podbean Castbox Pocket Casts Overcast Player FM Podurama Podcast Guru What If I Host a Podcast? If you're a real estate agent who hosts your own podcast, be sure you've got backups of all your audio files if you host your podcast on Stitcher exclusively, and put a plan in place to move to a new platform (or platforms — more is always better!). If you distribute your podcast to multiple platforms, you should be fine when Stitcher shuts down. Just notify your listeners that Stitcher is closing and let them know where else they can find your show. You can do this via social media, email, or you can even upload a brief audio clip to Stitcher about the change.

IAmA real estate agent: 25 Subreddits for you to bookmark
If you've tried to Google anything lately, you've likely noticed that search results are less than stellar these days (as tech journalists and bloggers alike have opined). Looking for a solution, internet users have taken to adding "reddit" to their search terms, e.g. "marketing ideas reddit." That's because Reddit is a massive online public community where users can converse with each other on just about every topic under the sun. It's likely that if you have a question about something, someone on Reddit has already answered it — including questions about real estate! If you haven't visited Reddit before, the site is organized like a forum, and each area of interest has its own message board, or "subreddit." Users subscribe to the subreddits that interest them, and posts from each sub they follow are aggregated into a personalized newsfeed. It's a great way to keep an ear to the ground for the latest buzz on the topics you care about most. But like we said, Reddit is massive. The site is home to 130,000+ active subreddits, so it can be daunting to find the ones that matter to you. Don't worry, though — we're not sending you into the Reddit jungle without a map. To help you get your bearings, we've rounded up 25 real estate related subreddits. You can follow them to keep up with the industry, get advice and ideas, find interesting content to share, and more. Talking with peers and colleagues There are lots of real estate subreddits geared toward consumers. These, however, are just for real estate pros to get together and communicate: /r/Realtors - Connect and chat with your fellow agents here. A great place to get advice from your peers. /r/RealEstateMarketing - Need fresh ideas to market your listings or attract new leads? Visit this subreddit to see what strategies your peers are using, and get advice on what works and what doesn't. Keeping up with the market What's going on with the real estate market today, and what's on the minds of the average real estate consumer? Take the pulse of the industry by visiting these subreddits: /r/REBubble - There's a lot of anxiety about the state of today's real estate market (not that we have to tell you that). Visit this subreddit to talk about the current real estate bubble, see recent news stories, and spot trends. /r/realestate and /r/Real_Estate - These two subreddits are aimed towards consumers. Use them to understand what today's buyers and sellers are thinking, wondering, and worrying about. The questions consumers ask here are wonderful fodder for blog post ideas. Simply find a question you connect with and write an article that answers it. /r/CommercialRealEstate and /r/realestateinvesting/ - If you specialize in working with investors or with commercial properties, try these two subs. You can leverage them in a way similar to the pair above. Both investors and real estate pros frequent these subreddits. /r/RealEstateAdvice - Buying and selling a home is a complicated process, especially for the average consumer who only transacts a handful of times in their life. That makes for a lot of questions about the sales journey. Dive in to offer your advice — or just sit back and get a sense of what real estate consumers (and sometimes other agents!) are asking. /r/RealEstateFinance - Financing is a big part of any real estate transaction. This subreddit offers in-depth conversations on mortgages, interest rates, 1031 exchanges, and more. The lighter side of real estate Nothing relieves the tensions of a work day like a good laugh! Check out these two subreddits for crazy listings, ridiculous real estate photos, absurd home features, and more: /r/RidiculousRealEstate /r/ZillowGoneWild The geekier side of real estate Love both technology and real estate? You'll appreciate these subreddits then. Beware, though — the atmosphere in this neighborhood is unrepentantly geeky and there are a ton of technical terms flying around. /r/RealEstateTechnology /r/HomeAutomation /r/SmartHome Home-centric subreddits If you're looking for content ideas, remember that consumers don't spend much of their lives actively buying or selling a home. They spend most of it living in their home! The following subreddits are a great source of content ideas to share with current homeowners. Visit them to inspiration for your newsletter, social media, or blog: /r/Gardening /r/InteriorDesign /r/ExteriorDesign /r/Landscaping /r/DIY /r/HomeImprovement /r/Homeowners /r/HOA Local real estate subreddits As the saying goes, "All real estate is local." Reddit offers a lot of subforums for location-specific real estate conversations. This is great for networking with both local real estate pros and consumers. Many larger areas already have local real estate subreddits up and running, like /r/FloridaRealEstate, /r/LosAngelesRealEstate, and /r/BayAreaRealEstate, to name a few. To find one for your area, type "real estate [your city or state]" in Reddit's search area. Can't find one? Consider starting your own! Above all, remember that while Reddit isn't the place for self-promotion (that will get you kicked out of most subreddits), it's a great place to network, build your reputation, track trends, and get advice. There you have it — the nickel tour of the best real estate subs that Reddit has to offer. Happy Redditing!

How to stop worrying and learn how to love ChatGPT (and its uses in real estate)
There is a lot of excitement about the promise of AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, and a lot of confusion about some of their (false) promises. There's also no small amount of anxiety about the future of the industry as automation becomes increasingly popular, widespread, accurate, and inexpensive. Do agents need to worry about their jobs? Or can AI be a tool for good? This article will attempt to answer some of these questions, with a (little) help from ChatGPT itself (but we can assure you, most of this article was written by a living, breathing human). What is artificial intelligence (AI)? Last year, we predicted that artificial intelligence was one of the top trends to watch in real estate tech. We couldn't have been more right. Since then, broad-scale application of AI has taken off, and innovative companies are finding novel ways to use it in every single industry. But what is artificial intelligence (AI)? Let's recap: AI uses the power of computers to do things that used to be reserved for humans: "seeing" and recognizing things from pictures, recognizing and processing human speech, making complex decisions, writing text, and even driving cars. AI relies on vast amounts of data, computer programming, machine learning, and deep learning. It is incredibly complex, and until very recently, was reserved for a select few and the scientists working on the models that power it. How can AI be applied to the real estate industry? Real estate is a data-driven industry, and artificial intelligence has the superpower of being able to sort through and spot patterns in data faster than any human ever could, and faster than computers traditionally could in the past, too. This means that there are dozens of applications for AI in the real estate space, including: Property search and recommendations: More accurate and more personalized property searches based on consumer preferences and needs. Market analysis and accurate pricing: AI algorithms can look at historical data to identify trends, current market conditions (when provided), and predictive analytics to estimate exactly what a particular property will sell for. Chatbots and virtual assistants: Chatbots can help brokers and agents serve consumers better by being available 24/7 to answer questions and provide support. The buyer or seller's agent can pick up where the chatbot left off when they log back in. Is AI going to put real estate agents and brokers out of business? Real estate has always been a relationship business. It's about who you know, who you can connect to whom, and how well you serve your clients. Tech tools are a great way to serve them better, but without human connection, your business will be sunk before it even sets sail. AI can help real estate professionals save a lot of time and think outside the box. It can speed up brainstorming, writing listing descriptions, editing text, finding higher quality leads, and more. But it is not a replacement for professional expertise. Not convinced? Here's what ChatGPT has to say itself: How can real estate agents and brokers use ChatGPT? There are many ways agents and brokers can use tools like ChatGPT to make their work easier. Here are a few that we came up with ourselves: 1. Listing descriptions Sometimes, the inspiration simply isn't flowing. In some offices, an admin writes all the listing descriptions being input into the MLS, not the listing agent, which means that during busy periods, an admin could be writing a dozen descriptions in a single day. By the tenth one, they're probably running out of things to say. A tool like ChatGPT can help write a great first draft. Our headquarters is in Newport Beach, California. To test this tip, we asked ChatGPT to write a 150-word listing description for an unlisted property down the street from our office. This is what it wrote (we have not made any edits except redacting the address): Introducing [address], a captivating residence nestled in the desirable Newport Beach, California. This stunning property offers a harmonious blend of modern elegance and coastal charm. The meticulously crafted architecture showcases a timeless appeal, while the location provides convenience and tranquility. Step inside to discover an inviting interior flooded with natural light. The open floor plan seamlessly connects the spacious living areas, creating a perfect environment for entertaining guests and enjoying everyday living. The gourmet kitchen boasts top-of-the-line appliances, sleek countertops, and ample storage space. Retreat to the luxurious master suite, featuring a private balcony and a spa-like en-suite bathroom. Additional bedrooms offer comfort and versatility for family members or guests. Outside, the landscaped backyard invites relaxation with its lush greenery and a serene patio area. Conveniently situated near pristine beaches, renowned schools, and vibrant shopping and dining destinations, this residence offers the epitome of coastal living. Don't miss the opportunity to call this house your home—an idyllic sanctuary in Newport Beach. Is this description perfect? Far from it. But it is a highly perfectible first draft that the listing agent or admin can customize with the relevant details. They can even ask additional questions or provide additional details (like number of rooms, featured amenities, etc.) to refine the description even more, or ask ChatGPT to make it sound more luxurious, more casual, or easier to read. 2. Nurture campaigns Nurturing new leads is one of the most important things real estate agents do. Considering that real estate leads can take months, if not years, to convert, keeping them warm is key. We've shared our own tips for effective nurture campaigns, and ChatGPT can be a helpful resource for designing a whole persona-based nurture campaign and even creating a first draft of the emails you can send. We asked ChatGPT to design a five-email nurture campaign for a first-time homebuyer, and here are the subject lines of the five emails it suggested: Welcome to the Exciting World of Homebuying! Discovering the Perfect Place to Call Home Let's Find Your Dream Home! Crafting a Winning Offer for Your Dream Home Closing Day Is Almost Here! A great nurture campaign is the foundation, but the most efficient, successful agents also have a real estate CRM to help them put their campaigns into action. 3. Social media posts Social media is a goldmine for real estate leads, but it can also be a tough medium to master. And while tips abound to help real estate agents get the most out of social media, sometimes, it's just too challenging to come up with relevant, readable content on your own. This is where chat ChatGPT can come in handy: type a prompt like, Please help me write three tweets to encourage potential homebuyers to visit my open house at noon on Sunday, and watch as ChatGPT helps you write and format three tweets, complete with hashtags. You can edit them, find the perfect listing photos to go with them, and schedule them to post throughout the week. Better yet, you can pair tweets that ChatGPT helped you write with an automated social publishing tool like Constellation1's Digital Marketing Suite, which puts your social media marketing on autopilot and generates relevant posts from your active listings, industry news, real estate tips, and more. We thought there must be other ways ChatGPT could help agents, so we asked it to suggest the top three ways it can help make brokers' and agents' work easier. Here's what it said (shortened from the original output, but not substantively edited): Lead Generation and Qualification: ChatGPT can engage with potential clients, capture their information, and qualify leads. Customer Support and Information Provision: ChatGPT can handle basic customer inquiries, provide information about properties, schedule appointments, and answer frequently asked questions. This frees up agents' time by automating routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex client needs and providing personalized assistance when required. Market Research and Insights: ChatGPT can be trained with up-to-date market data, enabling agents to quickly access information on property prices, market trends, and neighborhood demographics. As you can see, there are a lot of ways agents and brokers can harness the power of ChatGPT. However, the first claim about being able to generate and qualify leads is an interesting one. If you ask ChatGPT to elaborate on how to do this, it gives you a whole list of tasks that include finding a ChatGPT-compatible platform, training it on your lead criteria, setting it up with lead capture, teaching it how to qualify a lead, then integrating the platform with your CRM, and finally assigning leads to a nurture campaign. It's a lot! Thankfully for you, there are already lots of tools available that can help you capture and route leads with incredible speed and accuracy. Why not save time and effort and look into the best real estate CRM that already exists on the market? Some important warnings about ChatGPT for real estate There has been a lot of hype and excitement about AI in general and ChatGPT in particular in recent months, and given how quickly things are advancing, this hype is not going to die down anytime soon. Even still, there are well-documented issues with large language models like ChatGPT that all real estate professionals should be aware of: Hallucination: Hallucination is a phenomenon where the model generates responses that seem plausible (and confident) but are not based on factual information or have no grounding in reality and are in fact completely false. This could be about something as simple as a fact about the neighborhood a property is located in or something more complex, like disclosure requirements in a neighboring state. This is why your expertise as a professional is always important. Lack of Common Sense and Context: ChatGPT is predictive, it's "guessing" what the next likeliest word in a phrase should be to answer the prompt you've given it. It's not actually thinking, and it isn't "smart." This means that answers are based on statistical patterns, not intelligence. So, oftentimes, answers are completely nonsensical. Bias: Models are trained on data that was necessarily generated with some sort of bias, and therefore answers will always exhibit a certain level of bias, too. Looking at answers through this lens will help you identify and reduce bias in anything ChatGPT gives you. Ethical Concerns: ChatGPT has been accused of plagiarism, privacy violations, copyright violations, and more. Anything that you input into ChatGPT becomes part of the public domain, and so using it with confidential information can pose a potential legal risk to you or your brokerage. Avoid typing in any personal identifying information (names, phone numbers, etc.) or anything confidential. You may also decide to include a disclaimer identifying any material that was generated using AI, so readers know when they're looking at content that an expert on your team wrote, versus a tool like ChatGPT. Parting wisdom for real estate professionals who want to work well with ChatGPT Here are a few common-sense rules to help you add ChatGPT to your work while minimizing the risk of any issues: Take everything you read with a grain of salt. Don't assume anything is correct because ChatGPT said it is. The consequences could be serious. Put your own spin on it. Reword, paraphrase, add your own flair, whatever you need to do to make ChatGPT output sound like your own writing, in your own voice. This will help you sound authentic and personable, even when it's a computer helping you write. Perfect your prompts. Answers can vary widely depending on what you ask. If you don't get an answer that satisfies you, ask your question another way, or ask ChatGPT to refine its answer. You may be surprised what new nuggets you find. In the end, ChatGPT says it best: While ChatGPT can support real estate agents, it is important to note that it is not a substitute for the personalized expertise and guidance that agents provide. Agents should still maintain a hands-on approach in complex negotiations, building relationships with clients, and offering tailored advice throughout the home-buying or selling process. To view the original article, visit the Constellation1 blog.

Try This Expired Listing Script to Win More Appointments
Expired listings can be a prickly source of real estate leads. On one hand, the owner clearly wants to sell, otherwise they wouldn't have listed their home in the first place. On the other hand, something went wrong during the for-sale period, and you don't know what. Was the previous agent bad at their job? Was the seller difficult, or insistent on a price that was too high for the market? Whatever the case, the seller may not be feeling too great about the process of putting up their home for sale again. In our latest "Tips & Tricks Tuesday" article, we want to highlight just how to handle expired listings. When approached with empathy and curiosity, expireds can be a profitable lead source. Watch the video above to learn how Realtor Brandon Mulrenin approaches expired listings. He role plays a conversation between agent and homeowner, demonstrating the script he uses to convert expired listing leads. Watch the video to learn how to: Initiate a conversation with the owner of an expired listing Establish rapport with the homeowner Pique the homeowner's curiosity to keep the conversation flowing Unearth why the home didn't sell previously Close the call and get the seller to agree to meet with you And more! Related Reading How to Market to Expireds the Right Way Scripts and Templates to Turn Expired Listing Leads Into Clients What's the Best Way to Contact Expired Listings without Being Intrusive and Rude? 6 Easy Questions to Ask an Expired Listing

How to guide clients through market uncertainty using data with Shareable Market Trends
People who are serious about buying or selling a house in 2023 tend to do a lot of research -- and thanks to the proliferation of real estate portals and other sources of information, it's no surprise that they are often quite educated about what's happening in your market, at least at a surface level. As a real estate agent, one way to showcase your value is to help explain how what they're seeing online relates to wider trends, and what it all means for them vis-a-vis their current goal of buying or selling a home. Shareable Market Trends is a tool offered as part of Realtors Property Resource® that can help you do just that. It's a set of charts and graphs that provide an in-depth view of what's happening in your market, which you can share with your clients. When you're having conversations with buyers about inventory levels and just how long they might be searching before they find the right home, or with sellers around pricing in a shifting market, Shareable Market Trends can help bring your words to life.  The real estate industry, with its ever-shifting trends and complex market dynamics, can often leave consumers feeling overwhelmed and confused. As REALTORS®, one of your key roles is to demystify this complexity and provide clear, data-backed insights to your clients. This is where Realtors Property Resource® comes into play and will help strengthen your position as a local market expert. Introducing RPR's versatile data tools Shareable Market Trends is just one example of the powerful tools offered by RPR. This set of charts and graphs provides an in-depth view of the real estate market by presenting comprehensive data that can be tailored to specific local markets and property types. In addition, you can leverage other resources like the RVM® (Realtors Valuation Model®) and our Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to further enhance the data, allowing you to compare properties and refine your analysis. Yet, these tools are only the tip of the iceberg. RPR offers layers and layers of data points and analysis options, so you can select the most relevant information for any conversation with your client. Turning data into dialogue The real power of RPR's Shareable Market Trends lies in its ability to transform data into impactful conversations. Here's how it works: RPR provides the numbers and charts — whether it's median sales price trends, days on market averages or inventory changes — and you, as the REALTOR®, translate these numbers into digestible insights. You might explain how a decrease in local inventory over the past six months could impact a buyer's home search or how a steady increase in median sales price could influence a seller's pricing strategy. The key is to frame these data points in a way that is directly relevant to your client's specific situation and needs. Let's review some real world applications Here are some situations and scenarios where RPR's Market Trends data can really be useful in guiding and informing your clients: Scenario 1: Guiding a Seller on Timing and Pricing Strategy Imagine a seller who's unsure about the right timing to list their home or how to price it competitively. You can leverage inventory trends to illustrate recent local market data that shows a shortage of available homes in their specific area and price range. You can then convey how this inventory shortage could increase demand for their home, suggesting that the timing might be right for a sale. Furthermore, RPR's Realtor Valuation Model® (RVM®) and Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) can be invaluable tools to accurately price the home. The RVM®, a state-of-the-art automated valuation model, can give you a reliable estimate of the home's value, while the CMA allows you to compare the home with similar properties that have recently sold in the area. Together, these insights can help you advise the seller on a pricing strategy that is competitive and aligned with current market trends. This data-driven approach not only reassures your client but also helps them make an informed decision, demonstrating your value as their trusted real estate advisor. Scenario 2: Helping a Buyer Understand Market Conditions For buyers, understanding the state of the local market can be critical in deciding when and what to buy. For instance, a buyer interested in a specific neighborhood might be concerned about increasing home prices. You could use RPR's Shareable Market Trends to show data on the neighborhood's median home prices over time, discussing whether the market is appreciating, stabilizing or depreciating. Such data-driven insights can provide the buyer with a realistic understanding of what they can afford, potentially saving them time and avoiding disappointment. Scenario 3: Reluctant Investor Investors often rely heavily on market trends to make investment decisions. Suppose you have a client interested in investing in residential properties, but they're worried about recent news of an impending recession. With RPR's Shareable Market Trends, you can provide a comprehensive picture of the local market's health, including data on sales volume, median sales price trends and housing inventory. This data-driven approach can help assuage fears and guide the investor towards making a well-informed decision. Scenario 4: Facilitating Regular Market Updates Regular updates about the market conditions can be of immense value to all types of clients: sellers, buyers, investors, and even past clients who like to keep tabs and stay informed. RPR's Shareable Market Trends allows you to provide these updates with current, local data, reinforcing your role as a knowledgeable market expert and keeping you top-of-mind for future real estate needs. Through these scenarios, we see how RPR's Shareable Market Trends can be used to facilitate in-depth, data-informed discussions with clients. It's not just about giving an opinion, but about providing evidence-based recommendations that foster trust and credibility. Tips for successful data-driven conversations For effective data-driven conversations, it's important to do your homework and come prepared. Familiarize yourself with the data before meeting with a client, and plan how to present it in a way that addresses their unique concerns. Practice translating data into straightforward insights, but don't shy away from the details if your client is interested in diving deeper. Remember, data is not a replacement for a conversation, but a tool to enrich it. In the often confusing world of real estate, data serves as a guiding light. RPR's Shareable Market Trends offer a valuable resource for REALTORS® to turn numbers into narratives and facilitate insightful, productive conversations with clients. The more we can leverage data to inform these discussions, the better we can guide our clients through their real estate journeys. To view the original article, visit the RPR blog.

Beware, DocuSign: Google Docs now offers eSignatures
Do you remember MapQuest? It launched in 1996 and was, at one point, the go-to place to find internet-based directions to anywhere you might want to drive. (You had to print them out or write them down, but still!) What happened to the startup? Nine years after MapQuest's debut, Google made Google Maps available to the general public. MapQuest is still around, but ironically, it's probably more widely used as an app downloaded on the Google Play or Apple app stores than it is anywhere else. DocuSign (and other web-based document management systems that allow users to securely and legally sign forms) might want to start watching their backs right about now. On Wednesday, August 9, Google introduced beta launches for a new native electronic signature tool that certain users can find embedded directly in Google Docs and Google Drive. The tool, eSignature, is in open beta for Workspace Individual subscribers and beta for Google Workspace customers. This means that these users can create contracts in Google Docs and get any required signatures right there in Docs, without having to move the contract to DocuSign or another platform. Image source: Google "But it's not a PDF," we hear you objecting. Well, Google also announced that it will be rolling out additional features later this year for eSignature users, including: eSignatures on PDFs that are stored in Google Drive eSignatures submitted from non-Gmail email addresses The ability to request signatures from more than one person on the same contract An audit trail report If you have a Google Workspace Individual account, you can already use this feature. Visit the eSignature help section for step-by-step instructions around how to get started. If you have a Google Workspace Business account — including Business Sandard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Sandard, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Education Plus, and Nonprofits — then you can apply to participate in the beta test.

How much are those 'green' features really worth? Ask Pearl Certification
I live in a passive house. Don't know what that is? Neither did the listing agent who represented the sellers when I bought my home in 2016, which is why the price was reduced twice before we made an offer (and purchased the property) for $55,000 less than what the sellers wanted for it. A passive house is a type of high-performing home that's much more common in Europe than in Colorado. The insulation envelope, air exchange systems, and HVAC setup are all dead giveaways that the house is highly energy efficient. But because the sellers were using my now-home as a vacation rental, they weren't able to clue in their agent, and so the house was listed and marketed without including any of the amazing features that lower my energy bills while keeping my family perfectly comfortable. It worked out to my advantage, but those sellers (and their listing agent) forfeited a significant amount of money as a result. This is a scenario that probably makes a lot of listing agents' shoulders crawl up around their ears just reading about it. Concerned you might make a similar mistake? The professionals behind Pearl Certification want to teach you how to avoid it. What is Pearl Certification? Imagine a certification program that categorizes homes according to the different energy savings features they possess, documenting all of the little things that add up to a high-performing home and placing each item on a weighted scale. The assessment examines the building shell, heating and cooling systems, baseload equipment, home management features, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging setups. Homes can achieve four different levels of Pearl Certification: Pearl Platinum, Pearl Gold, Pearl Silver, and Pearl Asset. The company also awards "badges" that signify a home's high performance in certain categories, such as a solar badge. The certification report includes details on a home's special performance features, and homeowners who request a report will automatically get enrolled in Greendoor, an app powered by Pearl that helps them understand what upgrades will elevate their property to the next certification level. Pearl Certification includes an official appraisal addendum that's generated in order to provide Green Certification for the home and thoroughly document the extent of any energy upgrades. How does Pearl Certification help agents? Pearl Certification is building an elite network of real estate agents who have been trained on the high-performing home standards. After registering, agents are provided with education and background, then must prove their knowledge before they can fully join the network. Participating agents can request home certifications for their clients, and the network connects homeowners with agents who understand high-performing homes and how to market them. We know what you're going to ask: What's the referral fee? Here's a pleasant surprise — Pearl Certification is not a brokerage and has no plans to become one, so the referrals sent to agents through the network are yours to work for free. And the company also offers training on navigating MLS Green fields (if your MLS has them) so that any energy-efficient homes you're listing can be properly marketed to interested buyers. Heather Elias, Vice President of Real Estate at Pearl Certification, notes that the solar badge could be useful for agents listing homes with solar panels. "Solar has been a bit like the Wild West," she says, "and the solar badge can go along with a full certification, but it can also stand by itself in helping sellers and their agents calculate the equity of the solar system that's on the house and properly market that information on the listing, as well as walk through conversations around the loan or lease that's on the solar systems." And don't forget: Pearl Certification isn't just for passive homes like mine. "It doesn't have to be a house with rain barrels and solar arrays and all the energy-efficient things you'd expect to see," Elias notes. "We can help with any house."

4 Tips for Working with AI as a Real Estate Agent
Lately, news about artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere; this emerging technology has reached an inflection point, and we can expect to see it become increasingly ubiquitous in the coming months and years. New technologies are exciting, especially for people who love exploring ways to maximize their efficiency and work smarter, not harder — including real estate agents. But new technologies also come with a learning curve. It can take some time to understand the best way to use and implement these tools in your business. Tricia Stamper, director of technology at Florida REALTORS®, did the work so you don't have to. Read her top guidelines around how agents can (and should) be thinking about using AI, from how to write a prompt that works to how to keep your brand's proprietary information protected and private. People have often feared new technologies. In the late 1800s, after the invention of the telephone, many people were frightened by it. Historians note that many people wouldn't touch a telephone because they feared they would suffer an electric shock. A greater fear among others was that the phone would somehow attract evil spirits. Misconceptions of new technology accompany innovation. Electricity, telephones, bicycles, elevators, and automobiles were all feared, boycotted, and eventually regulated. Artificial intelligence is no different. As early as 2015, one survey found that Americans are more afraid of robots than death. While some real estate agents may fear AI, others are embracing the power of AI to help them save time for many tasks that AI is well suited to assist. When your competitors use new technology to make them more productive, it's at least worth understanding how your competition uses it. One caveat: the impact of the AI landscape is rapidly changing. When you finish reading this, numerous new AI applications will likely have been conceived and launched. With that in mind, here are four indispensable guidelines for adopting AI best practices fearlessly in real estate today. 1. Perfecting the prompt: The quality of the information and specific direction you provide an AI tool will be proportional to the quality of the results it returns. The biggest mistake most people make when using an AI tool like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Bard, Microsoft's Bing, and Anthropic's Claude is that they provide too little information with too little guidance. The secret to success is specificity. For instance, if you need ChatGPT to compose a blog post, offer more than a topic. Supply a detailed prompt outlining the target audience, word count, key points to include, relevant research, tone (casual or formal), and even your writing style. With the proper prompts, you can even teach ChatGPT how you write like you so it can better mimic your writing style. But don't rely on ChatGPT to provide accurate research and URLs. If you do, test the links and validate the referenced study, as the information from ChatGPT only extends until September 2021. 2. Encourage improvement: The first response from an AI tool is not necessarily the best it can offer. You'll likely receive more creative and valuable suggestions by requesting revisions or reiterations. Interactive use of AI amplifies its capabilities, especially for writing bios, resumes, blog posts, property descriptions, or brochures. For example, if you don't like the suggested writing output, ask for a version with a different tone. Ask it to create another version that is more casual, more formal, clever, or funny. If the ending doesn't summarize your blog post, ask for a more compelling conclusion summarizing the key points. Providing specific feedback is vital for maximizing the value of AI tools. AI image tools like DALL-E2 can create unique and license-free house photos but remember to provide clear and detailed instructions for the best results – and to iterate. Remember that tools like ChatGPT are idea machines. You name it, not just for blog posts but for video scripts, emails, letters of recommendation, testimonials, content plans, and SEO enhancement ideas. And the best way to maximize the value of what you get back is by giving specific feedback on how to improve it. 3. Impersonate to innovate: When asking for assistance – say you want to create a new marketing plan – tell it to provide you the information from an expert's perspective. You might say, "You are a real estate marketing expert" or "Imagine you are Gary Vaynerchuk…" and then make specific requests: what you need in terms of your marketing plan, the audiences you are trying to reach, the tools or channels you would prefer to use, and more. You can also seek advice similarly, for example, "Assume you're Warren Buffett and advise me on improving my real estate business…" However, you must share your current strategies and accomplishments for more personalized and relevant advice. 4. Preserve privacy and verify: If you don't want your competitors to see it, don't feed it into ChatGPT, Bard, Bing, or Claude because there is no guarantee of privacy. We have already seen data leaks, and the experts warn that what you share is stored and just might be used for future AI training. Most importantly, make sure you verify the AI-assisted content you provide. It takes an agent years to build trust with their sphere of influence, and you can decimate that trust in seconds by giving your clients wrong information. The good news is that when used right, AI should save you significantly more time than you will spend fact-checking. The bottom line AI holds immense potential for the real estate industry, and these guidelines can help professionals navigate this rapidly evolving landscape. Perfecting your prompt, pushing for more drafts, leveraging expert impersonations, maintaining privacy, and checking the facts are keys to maximizing the utility of AI tools. Real estate professionals can gain a significant edge in productivity, creativity, and efficiency by embracing AI fearlessly and strategically. The future belongs to those who are prepared for it today. And remember that if you have access to Tech Helpline, while our analysts are not experts on AI, they can help you discover where to find many of these new AI tools. Other related posts: To AI or not to AI: What are the risks and rewards? 6 ways you can use technology to reduce your stress 6 new cutting-edge iPhone features coming soon with iOS17 Tricia Stamper is Director of Technology at Florida Realtors®, which owns both Tech Helpline and Form Simplicity.

Looking for Better Leads? Remine Pro Could Be Your Best Solution
Welcome back to our "Tips and Tricks Tuesday" series, which highlights articles around a monthly theme. August's theme is "Finding more homes for sale." Did you know that Remine Pro (which might be available for free in your market through your MLS!) can help you customize filters to find your niche — the buyer and seller clients you're trying to reach? Learn more about Remine Pro's tools and how to use this powerful resource: For agents looking to enhance their prospecting strategies and maintain a steady stream of leads, Remine Pro is an ideal solution. By providing the ability to personalize the way filters are applied, Remine Pro offers greater chances to pinpoint prospects in your area, making it an essential tool for maximizing lead generation in a changing market. One of the many benefits of using Remine Pro is that it provides you with easy-to-access data at your fingertips through your MLS membership. With Remine Pro's search tools, you can easily pinpoint high-quality buyer and listing leads, helping maximize your prospecting efforts. Tap into data that helps you win more business When you are looking to find buyer leads, Remine Pro offers several search filters that can help you engage renters and establish yourself as an area expert. For example, by using Remine Pro's Absentee filter, you can target properties that are not owner-occupied, which are most likely being used as rentals. By focusing on the current residents of these properties, you increase your chances of gaining potential buyers. Absentee Filter Remine Pro makes it easy to narrow your search by selecting a ZIP code, a specific neighborhood, or a building type. You can also pinpoint your desired area on the map and utilize the Carts feature to send mailers to renters you have identified through this workflow. These features make your prospecting efforts even more effective, allowing you to reach potential buyers with ease. Mailers with Remine Pinpoint opportunities on the map and activate listing leads If you are interested in finding listing leads, Remine Pro offers valuable filters to help you refine your seller search. By using the Ownership Time and Mortgage filters, you can infer which owners might be looking to sell. The Ownership Time filter shows you properties on the selected area of the map based on the length of time the current owner has owned the property, making it a useful tool for finding potential new clients interested in listing their property. Ownership Time Filter Remine Pro also offers two filters associated with a mortgage, the Mortgage Age and Mortgage Rate filters. These filters can help you narrow down your search even further by gathering information about the current interest rate of the active mortgage associated with the property. Mortgage Age Filter Mortgage Rate Filter Additionally, you can use the Off-Market filter to filter out properties that are not currently on the market or recently closed. This, combined with the Ownership Time and Sell Score filters, can help predict how likely a property is to list within the next 6 to 12 months. Off Market Filter Activate your trusted source for prospecting, Remine Pro Remine Pro is a powerful tool that can help you optimize your prospecting workflow and keep leads in your pipeline built specifically for agents like you, making it the best resource for finding leads and enhancing your toolkit. So why wait? Find out if Remine Pro is available through an MLS in your market by visiting info.remine.com/contact-us and start taking advantage of these lead-generating tools today!

'How's the market?' Learn how to respond with RPR Market Trends
It's probably the question you hear the most frequently, especially by people who might be interested in buying or selling at some point in the near future. Answering it regularly via an email blast or social media posts, using data, can help establish you as a local expert and the go-to source for buying and selling advice. But those three words can trip up even the most experienced agent if you haven't practiced how to respond. RPR's Market Trends ScriptWriter is a ChatGPT-powered market analysis tool for real estate agents that can help you automatically write market updates, custom video scripts, social media content, and much more. Read all about how to use the RPR Market Trends ScriptWriter in your own business with a step-by-step guide. A How-to on Empowering Clients with RPR's Market Trends ScriptWriter Market uncertainty often creates confusion, leading to consumer apprehension. As a REALTOR®, you have an opportunity to educate and inform clients by offering valuable market insights and regularly sharing local updates. This not only helps consumers better understand the real estate landscape, but also alleviates fears associated with national or regional headlines. But does the thought of staring at a blank screen while trying to write a market update for your clients and prospects make you cringe? Maybe diving into data and metrics isn't your favorite topic, or your to-do list is piling up with other important tasks. Worry no more, as this guide will walk you through utilizing RPR's Market Trends ScriptWriter for a seamless and efficient experience in delivering high-quality content to your clients. Unlocking the power of RPR Shareable Market Trends and ScriptWriter RPR Shareable Market Trends itself cover a wide variety of data points. But the heart of any market update revolves around key metrics such as Months of Inventory, List to Sold Price Percentage, Media days in RPR and Median Sold Price. And that's exactly what the Market Trends ScriptWriter tool uses for its analysis. To harness the power of RPR's Market Trends ScriptWriter, follow these steps: Log in to RPR: Visit the RPR website (narrpr.com) and log in using your credentials. Go to 'Research': After logging in, locate and click on the 'Research' button in the main navigation at the top of the page. Select 'Residential Market Trends': After selecting 'Residential,' you will find several options; click on 'Residential Market Trends.' Define Geographic Area: Enter the geographic boundaries of the area you are interested in researching – this can be county, city, ZIP code or even certain neighborhoods. Create Script Button: On the Market Trends results page generated by your search input, locate and click on the 'Create Script' button. Customize Your Script: From the dropdowns, choose options for tone (e.g., casual, formal), audience type (e.g., existing clients, potential buyers). Now select the content to generate: The Market Trends ScriptWriter generates tailored content based on your selections—video script text, social media post ideas and messaging or analysis of Months of Inventory, List to Sold Price Percentage, Media days in RPR and Median Sold Price. Create Video Script Create Social Campaign Analyze Metrics Copy Text: Once finalized, select the "Copy Text" button to copy the newly generated text. Now paste this into a document where you can refer back and edit (i.e., Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.). Email Yourself the Content: Select "Email Content" to send a copy of this text to the account email address. Maximizing the potential of RPR's Market Trends ScriptWriter: a three-pronged approach Now that you know how to access the Market Trends ScriptWriter, let's dive into the benefits it offers. In this section, we'll explore three ways the ScriptWriter can boost your real estate communication strategies: by creating captivating video content, crafting engaging social media posts and interpreting metrics for informed decision-making. Creating Market Analysis Video Scripts with RPR's ScriptWriter Video offers a dynamic and engaging way for REALTORS® to deliver market updates to prospects and clients. However, getting started can sometimes be the biggest hurdle. Thankfully, with RPR's Market Trends ScriptWriter, you can generate personalized video scripts that effectively educate clients, build trust, and capture potential leads' attention while considering their preferences and expectations. After generating and customizing your video script, it's time to bring your content to life. Utilize the equipment you have at hand, such as your smartphone, webcam, or DSLR camera, and create a compelling video that highlights your local market. This data-driven video content not only enhances your credibility as a knowledgeable real estate pro, but also showcases your market expertise in a visually appealing manner. Ultimately, incorporating engaging video content into your market analysis updates empowers you to stand out and foster meaningful connections with clients on a more personal level. Crafting Engaging Social Media Content Consistently sharing market insights on social media platforms is important to keep your audience engaged and informed. RPR's ScriptWriter enables you to create tailored content focusing on local market metrics, ensuring that your message remains relevant. To optimize social media engagement, consider factors such as appropriate posting frequency, a balanced mix of educational and promotional content, and leveraging visuals like RPR's Shareable Market Trends charts and graphs. Analyzing Metrics for Informed Decision-making Metrics analysis is an essential component in guiding your clients through their real estate journey and determining your marketing and pricing strategies. RPR's Market Trends ScriptWriter allows you to review crucial metrics like months of inventory, list-to-sold price percentage, and median sold price while highlighting correlations and trends. Armed with this valuable insight, both you and your clients will be better equipped to make data-driven decisions and move forward with confidence. Leveraging Local Market Data for Better Client Experiences By using RPR Shareable Market Trends ScriptWriter to address consumer concerns, you'll be able to create a stronger rapport with your clients, solidify your expertise and differentiate yourself as a go-to real estate professional in your market. Here's how: Build credibility and trust: Providing accurate, timely and relevant local market data demonstrates that you are knowledgeable, professional and committed to your client's success. Becoming a trusted source of information fosters long-lasting relationships with your clients, leading to a loyal customer base and repeat business. Enhance communication and help clients make informed decisions: Consumer concerns can often arise from a lack of information or understanding of the real estate market. With RPR Shareable Market Trends ScriptWriter, you can easily communicate complex data in a digestible format, empowering clients to make educated choices about buying and selling properties. This will not only boost client satisfaction but also streamline your decision-making process, ultimately saving you time and effort. Generate leads and secure word-of-mouth referrals: Providing exceptional client experiences, backed by accurate market insights, turns your satisfied clients into enthusiastic advocates for your services. A happy client is more likely to refer your services to friends, family members, and colleagues, growing your network and expanding your potential for new leads. You are your market's resource. By effectively interpreting market data and presenting it in an accessible way, you can simplify complex concepts, promote understanding and empower your clients to make informed decisions. Try it today and happy script-writing! To view the original article, visit the RPR blog.

Research-backed Remodeling Ideas that Net a Higher Sales Price
Home remodels and upgrades have long been a way to increase the perceived value of a home. But belts are tightening in the current economy, and homeowners are turning away from big remodeling projects. In fact, the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University predicts that spending on home improvement projects will fall by 2.7% and 5.9% in the first and second quarters, respectively, of 2024. But just because homeowners are spending less doesn't mean they're willing to spend nothing at all — especially when an improvement can result in a higher sales price. The trick is to determine which projects will net a positive return on investment and/or can be accomplished on the cheap. That's why we've rounded up a handful of remodeling ideas that, according to research, either offer a positive ROI, can be accomplished on a budget, or both. You can use these ideas to advise sellers, or to connect with your sphere of influence by sharing them on social media, blogs, newsletters, or via your preferred outreach channel. Budget Projects: The Power of Paint Colors Let's start off with some good news: one of the easiest ways to boost the value of a listing is by simply changing up the paint colors, according to a 2023 Zillow study. That's low-hanging fruit that nearly every homeowner can reach, no matter their budget. According to the study, homes with these colors sell for more than similar listings: Deep graphite gray kitchen: +$2,512 Midtone pewter gray kitchen: +$2,553 Dark gray in living room and bedrooms vs. pale neutrals: +$1,755 Terra-cotta brown bathrooms: +$1,624 There's bad news for homes with white kitchens, however: they sell for $612 less than similar homes. Fortunately, if your seller has a white kitchen, all it takes is a quick coat of paint in a more desirable color to fix the drop in perceived value. Interior room colors aren't the only thing that impacts buyer perceptions. Zillow says that a midtone gray, or a "cement gray," front door decreases a home's sales price by $3,365. Meanwhile, a door that's a midtone rosy brown can bring in an extra $300. An earlier Zillow study from 2022 has more to say on the impact of door colors. Slate-blue doors bring in an extra $1,537, and black doors a whopping $6,449 (though they can be controversial). Pale pink doors, however, should be avoided — they decrease purchase prices by $6,516 (sorry, Barbie). Bigger Projects: A Look at ROI Sometimes a listing needs a little bit more than a paint job. But before your client breaks out the sledgehammer, use a little bit of data to advise them on which projects are most worth their while. According to NAR's 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, only two remodeling projects net a positive return on investment: hardwood floor refinishing and installing new wood floors. Owners break even on insulation upgrades, so they need not fear losing money if this is a needed project for their home. A more recent study, NAR's 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features, looked at the ROI of outdoor projects. The report hints that it's all about curb appeal and regular maintenance — standard lawn care service recouped owners 217% of its cost, while landscape maintenance offered a 104% ROI. Homeowners broke even on landscape upgrades and installing an outdoor kitchen. The research above reflects broader national trends, and the ROI may vary in different regions of the country. For example, an outdoor kitchen is likely a poor investment in the snowy Northeast, but may be a stronger one in places with year-round warmth like California, Florida, and the Southwest. Lean on your personal judgment and experience when advising clients. You can also rely on experts, such as pre-sale renovation firms like Revive, which offer professional renovations aimed at increasing a home's market value.

8 Real Estate Marketing Ideas for August
Summer: blink and you'll miss it. Real estate's busiest time of year may be winding down, but there's still time to drum up new business and promote your brand this season. To help you out, we've rounded up eight marketing ideas for August that are just right for summer's last blast: 1. Create a back-to-school homebuyer/seller guide The biggest transition in August is the start of a new school year. Create a school-themed guide tailored to families who are looking to buy or sell a home. School district quality is, after all, a major driver of home values. Include information on school districts, including school ratings, in your guide. To make this a quick process, consider creating a School Report on RPR, which will give you metrics like school enrollment, class size, proficiency scores, graduation rate, and more. 2. Send out promos highlighting "affordable" listings We've said it before, and we'll say it again: it's a tough time to be a home buyer. Help ease reluctant buyers off the fence by highlighting "affordable" (relative to your area, of course) listings in your area. While you can mail traditional posters or flyers with this information, it's possible that those homes may be off the market by the time you get your marketing materials back from the printer. Instead, distribute the information digitally, whether on your social media, email newsletter, website, or blog. Don't forget to add a call-to-action and your contact information! Alternatively, if your IDX website allows you to create custom search URLs, you can set up a page for "Affordable Homes in [Your Area]" that links to homes or condos under a specified price point for each neighborhood you serve. Use it as a landing page for digital ads, link to it from social media, or tie it into a blog post on affordable homes. 3. Work the leads you've gathered from recent open houses Summer is the season of the open house. Now that the season is winding down, it's likely you've got plenty of leads from your sign-in sheets or apps to deal with. If you haven't already added these leads to your CRM, do so now. Go ahead and reach out and see where they're at in their home-buying journey and if they need any help buying or selling. Add them to a nurture campaign, as appropriate, to keep you top-of-mind for when they're ready to transact. 4. Create an account on Threads Now that Twitter has inexplicably rebranded to X, the exodus to alternative platforms has begun. If you've been active on Twitter and are looking for a similar platform, consider creating an account on Meta's new social media app, Threads. Signing up is a breeze, and the app automatically imports your Instagram followers so that you're not starting from zero. Even if you're not ready to start posting yet, it's not a bad idea to claim your brand name there while you still can. 5. Create a "Home Improvement on a Budget" series It's a budget-conscious time in America right now. Homeowners who may have previously hired a contractor for home improvement projects may now be looking to do it themselves to save money. If you have home improvement chops, consider starting a series full of practical tips and DIY ideas for homeowners looking to improve their properties without breaking the bank. Host this series on your favorite medium of choice: short, off-the-cuff videos on Instagram or TikTok, or on your blog or in your newsletter if the written word is more your thing. If you need home improvement ideas or advice, consider talking to your local hardware store. They may even want to team up on the series with you! 6. Organize a school supplies drive for the community Raise your profile and spread community goodwill by partnering with a local charity or school to collect school supplies for children in need. Use your office as a drop-off location and promote the initiative on social media. 7. Host a real estate market update webinar The summer selling season has, for the most part, drawn to a close. How'd your local real estate market perform? Host a webinar to connect with clients and prospects and keep them informed about the latest market trends, interest rates, and changes in the real estate landscape. Spice up the event with beautiful market graphics. Your MLS's public records tool can help here, as can RPR's new Shareable Market Trends feature. Be sure to let attendees know that they can reach out to you for a free market report or home valuation. 8. Offer a pet-friendly homes guide Did you know that 72% of potential buyers with pets would pass on a "dream home" if it couldn't accommodate their pets? That's a huge chunk of the market! Cater to them by creating a resource for pet owners looking for homes that are furball-friendly. Include information about nearby dog parks, pet-friendly businesses, and pet amenities in the area. If you prefer to target sellers, create a guide about showing a home with pets. Provide tips for managing the logistics of selling a home when the seller also has pets, especially dogs. You should include: Tips for getting the "wet dog" smell out of carpets and furniture Managing a barking, aggressive dog during a showing or open house Keeping the backyard dog poop free for showings Both of these resources can be shared as a blog post, newsletter article, PDF, or as a series of social media posts or videos. If you go the PDF route, you can use the guide as a lead magnet. Offer it on a web or landing page in exchange for a lead's contact details. Happy marketing!

Legal Tips for Using AI in Your Real Estate Business
ChatGPT offers real estate agents plenty of time-saving advantages, but it's not without its risks — especially when it comes to copyright issues. If you're a regular RE Technology user, you're likely not unaware of these issues. In fact, just last month, an article published here, Using ChatGPT Is Probably an MLS Violation, quickly became one of our most-read posts of the year. Clearly, there's a hunger for this kind of information. That's why we're sharing this short video from the National Association of Realtors. Part of NAR's "Window to the Law" series, this video helps clarify AI's risks and limitations. Watch the video above to learn: How NAR's Code of Ethics suggests Realtors should use AI Why you should always review AI-generated content for accuracy The importance of protecting personal information from being shared with AI platforms Why you should avoid using AI to draft contracts, modify standard forms, or provide legal adviceAnd more! Related Reading Using ChatGPT Is Probably an MLS Violation Who Owns Your Content: You or OpenAI?

Embracing Technology and Direct Mail: Solutions to Ease the Inventory Issue
Welcome to a new month of our "Tips and Tricks Tuesday" series, which highlights articles around a theme. August's theme is "Finding more homes for sale." Read on for tips and tricks for finding business even in challenging market: The real estate market has always been dynamic, with fluctuating inventory levels a common challenge for real estate agents. As the demand for properties continues to surge, many markets face an inventory issue, leading to fierce competition among agents to secure listings. In such a scenario, leveraging technology and direct mail strategies can prove instrumental in generating more listings and winning coveted listing appointments. This educational article will explore the best tips for real estate agents to tackle the inventory issue and thrive in a competitive landscape. Harnessing Technology for Listing Leads In the digital age, technology plays a crucial role in connecting agents with potential sellers. Use the following tech-savvy strategies to boost your chances of acquiring more listings: 1. Online Lead Generation: Leverage various online platforms like social media, real estate websites, and paid advertising to reach a broader audience. Create engaging content and lead magnets to attract potential sellers and encourage them to provide their contact information. 2. Real Estate CRM: Adopt a robust Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to manage leads efficiently. A CRM helps track prospects, automate follow-ups, and nurture relationships over time, increasing the likelihood of conversion. 3. Virtual Tours: With the ongoing advancements in virtual reality and 3D technology, offer virtual property tours to potential sellers. This not only saves time but also showcases your commitment to embracing innovative marketing methods. 4. Targeted Email Campaigns: Utilize email marketing to stay in touch with your database of potential sellers. Segment your lists and personalize messages to create meaningful connections with prospects. The Power of Direct Mail Marketing Amidst the digital age, direct mail remains an effective and tangible marketing strategy. It can add a personal touch to your outreach efforts and create lasting impressions. Here are some tips for incorporating direct mail into your listing generation strategy: 1. Targeted Prospect Lists: Work with a reliable data provider to build a targeted mailing list. Consider factors such as homeownership duration, neighborhood demographics, and property age to identify potential sellers more accurately. 2. Compelling Content: Craft eye-catching and persuasive direct mail pieces. Include engaging visuals, success stories, and personalized messages that resonate with the recipient's specific needs and aspirations. 3. Consistency: Consistency is key in direct mail marketing. Create a well-thought-out campaign with multiple touchpoints to reinforce your brand and increase your chances of eliciting a response. 4. Track and Measure: Implement tracking mechanisms in your direct mail campaigns to monitor response rates. Use unique URLs or QR codes to gauge the effectiveness of each campaign and adjust your approach accordingly. Nurturing Relationships with a Personal Touch In a competitive market, the value of personal connections cannot be overstated. Building trust and rapport with potential sellers can set you apart from other agents. Here are some ways to foster meaningful relationships: 1. Neighborhood Involvement: Become an active member of the communities you serve. Attend local events, sponsor neighborhood activities, and engage with residents on social media. This involvement will position you as a local expert and build trust with potential sellers. 2. Handwritten Notes: In the digital age, a handwritten note can make a significant impact. Send personalized notes to homeowners expressing your interest in selling their property and explaining how you can help them achieve their goals. 3. Thought Leadership Content: Establish yourself as an industry expert by creating thought-provoking content. Publish blog posts, host webinars, or create video content that addresses common seller concerns and offers valuable insights. The inventory issue in real estate markets demands innovative strategies from agents looking to generate more listings and secure listing appointments. By embracing technology, harnessing the power of direct mail, and nurturing personal relationships, real estate professionals can overcome the challenges posed by low inventory and thrive in a competitive landscape. By combining digital efficiency with genuine human connection, agents can position themselves as trusted advisors, ultimately attracting more sellers and achieving long-term success in the real estate market.

How to Create Video CMAs that Connect and Convert
At RPR® (Realtors Property Resource®), we're constantly on the lookout for user feedback that inspires and ignites creative ways to use the platform. And a real zinger just came across our inbox: video CMAs. Here's an email we received from Blake Wallace, a REALTOR® and Broker/Owner of Wallace Realty Group, from Minneapolis, Minnesota: I'm a huge fan of RPR and use it every day! The big game changer for me has been my video CMAs. When I get a request for a valuation or prior to a listing appointment, I'll take the time to put together a Seller's Report and send it in a video email. It puts a face with the name and builds a connection while being able to explain each section of the CMA. I can also track when the video is watched so that I can follow up to see if they have any questions. I can't tell you how often I've shown up to appointments meeting clients for the first time and it's as if we are old friends! Thanks and keep up all the great things you all are doing to make our lives easier. — Blake Wallace From first time to old friends? Well, if that doesn't pique your interest, we don't know what will! While video CMAs aren't a totally new concept, we haven't heard too much about how to use RPR to create them. That changes now… RPR and video CMAs: a game-changing approach to listing appointments With the advent of new technology and video email-focused software and apps, video CMAs have been popular for more than a few years. Here's the gist: an agent takes a CMA (comparative market analysis) or a seller's property report and brings it to life in a brief video walkthrough for the client. This typically entails the agent recording themselves with an attention-getting intro, then guiding the client(s) through an actual report while recording and sharing their screen at the same time. These can be produced with specific video software (which we'll go into more detail later) or simply recording yourself on Zoom. The videos are then sent to homeowners as unsolicited CMAs, or in Blake's case, as a follow-up after a prospecting cold call. One REALTOR®'s way to create a video CMA Here's how he does it: "I run a Seller's Report on their property in RPR and then attach it to an email. I like to use a video platform, called Dubb, which lets you embed video into an email. I record the video, keeping it brief, around 2-3 minutes, where I present this preliminary CMA, which has summaries, some comps and a refined value report from RPR. It's like cold calling on steroids. They see your face and hear your voice. It builds trust." This is where first-time meetings feel like seeing old friends? "Exactly! The other really cool part is, through Dubb, a dedicated landing page is automatically created when an email is sent to them. So they don't click through to YouTube or anything, it plays right there in the message. And this is all trackable! I can see when they open it, how much time they spend engaged with it, what they're clicking on in the email, and so on. Then when I follow up, I know exactly what to focus on and discuss with them." Wow, video CMAs can be quite the icebreaker! If you're curious about your investment of time, Blake says each video takes him about half an hour to complete. For someone like Blake who does cold calls and door knocking for a minimum of three hours a day, that's not so bad. In fact, creating one per day is more than feasible for any agent's schedule. Of course, your first attempts may take longer, but once you get the hang of it, they're more than worth it. Here's an example of the video CMA Blake sends out and a screen grab of what the email looks like in the recipient's inbox. They hit "play" to see your CMA Blake says, "This is a repeatable and a predictable way to build your business." We also asked Blake if he uses any other RPR tools or data to impress or win over clients and prospects. "Absolutely. One thing I really love about RPR is that the reports are super professional looking. They stick to the facts. They can go from a wide scope with Market Trends, all the way down to their home. You share these reports and you come off as an expert, even if you've never even set foot in that neighborhood." Nailed it, Blake! If you're curious about using RPR to create video CMAs, here's a few more things to know and get you going in the right direction: Blake's go-to video email creation software is called Dubb, which is not real estate specific, but more about sales in general. Feel free to check them out, but know that there are many others available, including the popular Bombbomb, loom, and realvolve to name a few. Check out each site for a demo and pricing information. These software subscription sites typically include tracking and metrics, video editing and effects, and some even include AI functionality. For the video recording portion, you can also simply use an RPR Seller's Report and record yourself on Zoom while you share your screen. To really get the attention of your viewer, you'll want a strong opener. Make sure you start out with a full screen of yourself and speak directly to your viewers, using their names and their address. You can also use a dry erase board and write your would-be client's names on it, and use this as your video thumbnail. They'll be sure to open that! Another great trick is to start by putting their address into Google Earth to give a bird's eye view of their home, while you record your opener. For more details and research, and to see how other agents handle the video CMA, check out this video: How I Generated $11M in Listings Doing Unsolicited Video CMAs. We've also recently published a detailed eBook on the video making process — be sure to download and check out: Lights, Camera, Sold! Captivating Consumers with Market Analysis Videos. And good luck in creating your CMA videos! To view the original article, visit the RPR blog.

Instagram Filters and Tools: How to Use Them in Your Real Estate Marketing
We highlighted a lot of apps (and other magical things your phone can do) in our recent article, 52 Resources for Making Money with Your Phone. But the one app we didn't mention is one of the most popular smartphone apps of all: Instagram. We're going to remedy that oversight today by diving into Instagram's most popular filters and editing tools, and the specific ways they can be used in real estate marketing. Let's jump right in… Your Guide to Instagram Filters for Real Estate It's hard to think of Instagram without thinking of the word "filters." Since its debut in 2010, the social media app's extensive filter collection has simplified photo editing for the masses. And while the use of filters is commonly associated with selfies, filters can be used to beautify all types of photos — including real estate photos. While we discourage the use of Instagram filters on official listing photos — you want your representation of a home to be as accurate as possible, after all — filters are a great way to punch up your real estate marketing efforts. Here's a list of popular Instagram post filters and how you can use them to enhance your photos: Clarendon: This filter adds brightness and enhances colors, making it great for exterior shots with vibrant landscapes or photos with a lot of blue sky and greenery. Gingham: Gingham offers a vintage look and works well with photos that have a lot of white or pastel colors, such as classic-style bathrooms or charming cottage exteriors. Lark: Lark enhances the brightness of the image and is excellent for showcasing well-lit spaces, such as rooms with large windows or properties with ample natural light. Juno: Juno increases saturation and warmth, making it ideal for interiors with warm, cozy elements, like living rooms with fireplaces or kitchens with wooden cabinets. Ludwig: Ludwig adds a soft, pastel-like effect to photos and works well for capturing the elegance of a property, such as luxury bedrooms or sophisticated dining areas. Perpetua: Perpetua enhances blue and green tones, making it ideal for images with bodies of water, such as properties near lakes, rivers, or coastal areas. Amaro: This filter adds a warm, vintage feel to photos, making them look like they were taken with a film camera. It's a good choice for photos of interiors, as it can help to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Rise: This filter adds warmth and brightness to photos, making them look inviting. It's a good choice for photos of kitchens, living rooms, and other areas where people gather. Valencia: This filter adds a warm glow to photos and can be used to highlight beautiful sunsets, poolside shots, or cozy outdoor spaces. X-Pro II: This filter is a versatile option that can be used for both indoor and outdoor photos. It enhances the colors and gives photos a slightly retro look. Willow: Willow gives a monochromatic, desaturated effect and works well for artistic shots of unique architectural details or properties with strong lines and shapes. Sierra: Sierra adds a soft, slightly faded look to photos and is suitable for portraying rustic properties or capturing the charm of old-world architecture. Inkwell: This filter turns photos black and white and can be used for a timeless and classic look. It can work with a variety of property shots, especially if you want to emphasize texture and form. When it comes to filters, it's best to use a light hand, especially when sharing photos of current listings. Fortunately, Instagram has a "Filter Strength" option. After you've selected a filter, tap the filter again to pull up a slider. Here, you can choose the strength of the filter. 100 means the filter is a full strength; the closer you get to zero, the more subtle the filter's effect becomes. The Ins and Outs of Instagram Editing Tools Filters are a great start, but you shouldn't rely solely on them. Before you hit "Post," consider giving your photos a finishing touch with Instagram's built-in editing tools. Here are the app's main editing tools and ways you can use them: Brightness: The brightness tool allows you to control the overall lightness of your photo. Realtors should use this tool to ensure that interior and exterior shots are well-lit and showcase the property's features clearly. Avoid overly dark or overly bright images. Contrast: The contrast tool adjusts the difference between light and dark areas of your photo. Realtors can use this tool to make architectural details, colors, and textures stand out. Be careful not to overdo it, as excessive contrast can lead to loss of details or a harsh appearance. Structure: The structure tool enhances the image's sharpness and details. Realtors can use this to highlight specific features or textures in the property. Use it moderately to avoid an overly sharp or artificial look. Saturation: Saturation controls the intensity of colors in your photo. Realtors can use this tool to make colors pop and create a vibrant atmosphere. However, it's essential to maintain a natural look and avoid oversaturated tones. Warmth: The warmth tool adjusts the color temperature of your photo, making it cooler or warmer. Realtors can use this to enhance the mood of the image. For example, warmer tones can create a cozy and inviting ambiance for interiors, while cooler tones can work well for serene outdoor spaces. Vignette: The vignette tool darkens the edges of your photo, drawing attention to the center. Realtors can use this to focus on the property's central elements or to give images a classic feel. Use it subtly to avoid distracting from the main subject. Highlights and Shadows: These tools allow you to fine-tune the brightest and darkest areas of your photo. Realtors can use them to balance exposure and ensure details are visible in both well-lit and shaded areas. Tilt Shift: Tilt Shift is used to create a selective focus effect by blurring parts of the image. Realtors can use this tool to highlight specific areas of interest, such as a beautiful garden or a unique architectural feature. Crop and Rotate: This tool enables Realtors to adjust the composition of their photos. Use it to straighten horizons, remove distractions from the frame, or create a more visually pleasing composition. Best Practices for Using Instagram Filters and Tools Are you getting fired up to share new posts on Instagram? Before you unleash a slew of photos on your followers, keep these best practices in mind. They'll help ensure your enhanced photos look as natural and as accurate as possible: Consistency: Strive for a consistent editing style across your property listing photos to create a cohesive and professional look for your brand. To help, consider using an Instagram feed planner app like Preview, which lets you preview how a new photo aesthetically matches the rest of the posts on your profile. Natural Representation: Avoid heavy editing that alters the property's appearance drastically. The goal is to present an accurate representation that entices potential buyers. Showcase Key Features: Use editing tools to draw attention to the property's unique selling points and features. Balanced Editing: Maintain a balance between enhancing the photo and maintaining a realistic look. Avoid extreme adjustments that may detract from the property's appeal. Test Before Posting: Always preview your edits before publishing to ensure they look good on various devices and screen sizes. See item No. 1 above for an app suggestion that can help. Now that you know the finer details of Instagram's tools and filters, it's time to share your upgraded skills with the world. Ready, set…post!

Do Agents Really Understand Buyers and Sellers?
How well do you understand what buyers and agents go through before they meet you for the first time? Have you ever experienced contacting an agent as a consumer through Zillow or Realtor.com? If not, don't be so sure that you've got a handle on the full buyer and seller journey. As an exercise in empathy building — and in honing your own customer service skills — real estate pros Byron Lazine and Nicole White recommend going through the Zillow and Realtor.com sales funnels yourself. Put yourself in the shoes of a buyer and contact an agent about a listing through those sites. Did anyone call you back at all, or were you inundated by texts or phone calls? How did you feel when (or if) contact was made? But don't stop there! In this video, Lazine and White emphasize the importance of understanding the entire buyer and seller journeys from the viewpoint of the consumer. Watch the video above to learn: How to add value throughout the buying/selling process Why you should experience the moving process yourself to better empathize with clients Why tight margins are a top concern for real estate investors Why it's crucial to build relationships with tradespeople and service providers to provide immediate solutions to clients' needs And more! Related Reading Why Agents Need to Think More About the Consumer Experience Simple Ways to Provide a VIP Client Experience (Even Virtually) 5 Tech Tricks for Better Real Estate Customer Service

ChatGPT Hacks for Real Estate Agents
In November 2022, the internet as we know it changed with the introduction of ChatGPT to the general public. Also known as a chatbot, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence tool that generates written responses to human prompts and is powered by human data. Countless industries felt the effects of the AI tool, with many fearing it'd replace humans altogether. Rest assured, ChatGPT isn't here to take your job. Real estate is a people-first, human-centric industry — a robot simply cannot replace the uniqueness and depth of skill and expertise you bring to the table. Thankfully, you can use the increasingly popular chatbot as a tool to support you. Here are some smart ways to partner up with ChatGPT to make your work life easier. Ways to Make ChatGPT Work for You Before we dive in, we have an important announcement: ChatGPT is a launching point — you need to add your expertise and personal touch. Don't just copy and paste straight from the bot's mouth, or your clients will be able to tell that it's inauthentic. Now that you're up to speed that it's possible to work with ChatGPT instead of against it, here are some of our favorite ways to use the tool. Write Your Listing Descriptions As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. As you prepare for new listings to go live, having an effective, informative, and eye-catching listing description can make all the difference in getting interested buyers in the door… or the listing falling flat. You can use ChatGPT to help you write your listing descriptions quickly and easily. Here's how you can get started: Step 1. Get Clear On Your Ask (a.k.a., The Prompt) ChatGPT works off prompts, or the requests you type into the tool. This is what guides the chatbot to generate a response. For this example, we wrote the following prompt into ChatGPT: Please write a brief, one-paragraph listing description for a 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home in Tulsa, OK. The home has a sizable backyard, renovated kitchen, and a finished basement. It's in a walkable neighborhood also located near Downtown Tulsa. Step 2. Results Are Ready Once you click "Generate Response," ChatGPT gets to work in a matter of seconds. Let's see what it gave us as a result of our need for a listing description for a dreamy home in Tulsa: Welcome to this stunning 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home in Tulsa, OK! Nestled in a walkable neighborhood near Downtown Tulsa, this beautiful residence offers the perfect blend of style, functionality, and location. The renovated kitchen with its sleek design and modern appliances is a culinary enthusiast's dream. The spacious backyard provides ample space for outdoor activities and relaxation. With a finished basement that offers versatility and extra living space, this home truly has it all. Don't miss the opportunity to make this your dream home in an ideal location. Not too shabby, eh? Step 3. Review and Redo (As Needed) It's important to note that ChatGPT is, in fact, a robot. Its response to us lines up with the prompt we gave, but we need to triple-check it isn't creating a listing description that's too lofty. Make sure to review and ensure the response is accurate. You can also click "Regenerate Response" to see other options and iterations the bot has written, giving you a nice variety of descriptions to choose from. How easy is that? Make the Most Out of Your Email, Text, and Call Templates Sometimes it's hard to know exactly what to say or write, especially across the countless channels you have to manage for your business: email, social media, texts, and phone calls. Skip the guessing games and writer's block and ask ChatGPT to help. The tool can write entire email nurture campaigns, caption your posts, craft nifty text replies, and even create personalized phone scripts for you. Try It Out Prompt ChatGPT with the following: Please write a caption for my social media post about my new listing in [CITY/ZIP]. You can then have the tool regenerate the response, or you can ask it to rewrite what it generated in a different tone, like funny, professional, catchy, and more. Get Actionable Marketing Ideas Believe it or not, you can tap into ChatGPT for all things marketing. Think of the tool like an endless provider of ideas and concepts. Thinking back to our agent in Tulsa, let's ask ChatGPT to give three ideas for pieces of marketing content to make using the following prompt: Please give me 3 marketing content ideas I can use as an agent in Tulsa, OK. Check out the robust response ChatGPT provided (who needs a marketing manager, anyway?): Certainly! Here are three marketing content ideas that you can use as an agent in Tulsa, OK: Neighborhood Guides: Create comprehensive guides that highlight different neighborhoods in Tulsa. Include information about local amenities, schools, parks, entertainment options, and any unique features or attractions. This type of content can be valuable to potential buyers or renters who are researching different areas in the city. You can publish these guides on your website, blog, or social media platforms. Homebuyer Tips and Guides: Develop informative content that educates homebuyers about the process of purchasing a home in Tulsa. You can create articles, videos, or infographics that cover topics such as mortgage options, understanding the local market, negotiating offers, and tips for a successful home inspection. By providing valuable insights, you position yourself as a trusted resource and build credibility with potential clients. Client Success Stories: Share success stories or testimonials from satisfied clients you have worked with in Tulsa. This can be in the form of written case studies, video testimonials, or before-and-after home transformation stories. Highlight the challenges the clients faced, how you helped them overcome those challenges, and the positive outcomes they achieved. These stories humanize your business and demonstrate your expertise and ability to deliver results. ChatGPT can be a powerful tool to support your business needs, but artificial intelligence can never replace the secret sauce a human real estate professional can provide. To view the original article, visit the BoomTown blog.

52 Resources for Making Money with Your Phone
Real estate agents are always happy to hear about ways to make more money — and in the current tough market, we could all use as much help as we can get. That's why, over the month of July, RE Technology has been running a series of articles every Tuesday to help you do just that. It's the first month of this series, and each month has a different theme. In July, that theme has been, "How can I make money with my mobile phone?" Below is an overview of the topics we covered. Download our free eBook to read all of these articles compiled in one convenient place. 25 Text Messages You Should Send Right Now - Texting is one of the most effective forms of communication, but it's not always easy coming up with the right messaging. These 25 text message templates make that easy — just copy, paste and send any of these messages for different scenarios like lead generation, follow-ups, referral requests, and more. Get Shareable Market Trends to Keep Your Clients in the Know - Consumers love useful real estate market data, especially when presented via attractive graphics. Learn about a new RPR feature that helps you instantly create beautiful market graphics and share them online. And, bonus, this can all be done from RPR's mobile app. 3 Mobile Strategies for Winning in the Current Market - Get three strategies for winning in the current marketplace that you can accomplish from your mobile phone. Also, learn about an app that can add audio tours to your listings — a unique way to differentiate yourself and handy for the visually impaired buyer. Unlock Your Business's Potential: Meet a Shifting Market's Demands with Data-Backed Insights - Discover how Remine Mobile can help you prospect on the go — and predict who may be able to transact soon with Buy Score and Sell Score data. Unlock Your Real Estate Earnings: Boost Listings with App and AI Technology - Learn about two apps from BoxBrownie.com that can take your iPhone snaps and turn them into professional-looking listing photos, and then generate property descriptions from those photos using AI. We hope these articles were helpful to our readers. However, you should know that great advice about mobile technology isn't something we share just one month per year — we do it year-round! To help round out our mobile-focused month, today we want to share more smartphone resources that we've published over the years. Let's dive in… 47 More Mobile Resources Your smartphone can help you make more money through a variety of ways — through mobile transaction management, productivity apps, creating social media and other marketing content, and so much more. We've shared content on all of those areas throughout the years — and even helped our readers stay up-to-date on the latest technology advancements, including what's new with iOS 17, which was just released on July 11. To explore all the ways you can maximize the use of your mobile phone, check out our list of resources below: Mobile app recommendations The first step on the road to smartphone-enabled success? Having the right mobile apps! To start off, check out this list of the top 10 mobile apps for real estate agents. Those recommendations are more generalized, so from there, let's dive into apps that are recommended for specific purposes: Apps for scanning documents and creating PDFs Free video editing apps Realtor safety apps Apps for taking better listing photos Mobile app overviews Moving on from our lists of app recommendations, let's take in-depth looks at specific mobile programs. The articles below can further your understanding of what each app does and how you can use it in your real estate business: RPR Mobile - From mobile market reports to mobile buyer tours, RPR Mobile has it all — and it's free to NAR members. Trello - A project management app that makes collaboration a breeze. Expensify and MileIQ - Expense management and mileage tracking apps that make the unsexy parts of business management a little less painless. Slack - Make communication between various parties — team members, assistants, clients, and beyond — simpler and more centralized. SentriKey Mobile App - If your association uses SentriLock lockboxes, check out this article to learn about all of the things the SentriKey mobile app can do. Virtual Tours Creator 360 - An app that can create 360° virtual property tours, right from your smartphone. Mobile user tips and tricks Oh, boy. There are a lot of things a smartphone can do — and we probably don't even know the half of it! We're gonna give it the ol' college try, though. From speeding up slow devices, to setting up hotspots, to Notes and Google Keep hacks, here are a bunch of tips and tricks for maximizing the use of your iPhone or Android phones: 3 Magical Things You Can Do with Newer iPhones Real Estate Smartphone Tricks: Using Your Phone's Calendar No Internet? Here's How to Set Up Your Own Hotspot 8 Essential Settings to Extend the Battery Life of Your Smartphone Smartphone Running Slower? Here Are 4 Helpful Tips How to Quickly Switch Between Programs and Apps on Computers and Smartphones Let's Make Your Smartphone Smarter! How to Pair AirPods with Any Device Apple Users: Let's Set Up Notes to the Max! Dictation: One of the Most Underused Features in Apple Notes and Google Keep! How to Set a Location Reminder in Google Keep Collaborating with Others Using Apple Notes and Google Keep Running your real estate business with your mobile phone Now that we've covered the nuts and bolts of using your phone, let's move on to the heart of the matter — running your real estate business via your smartphone. Real estate agents are a particularly on-the-go breed, and we want you to know all of the things you can accomplish on the road using just your phone (including completing an entire transaction from start to finish). Here, we're highlighting a series of articles called, appropriately, "Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone." Here are all the posts in that series: Can You Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone? YES Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Text Replacement Real Estate Smartphone Tricks: Using Your Phone's Contacts as a CRM Real Estate Smartphone Tricks: Using Your Phone's Calendar Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone Using Information Management Run Your Real Estate Business with an iPhone Using Email, Messenger and Text Run Your Real Estate Business with an Android Phone Using Email, Messenger and Text Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Building Social Media Exposure Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone Using Video Conferencing Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone Using Cameras and Scanners Run Your Real Estate Business with a Smartphone: Recap Video and photography Phone cameras have advanced a lot in recent years, to the point that some real estate agents feel comfortable taking listing photos on their phone! If that's you, or if you just want to learn how to take better mobile photos in general, check out How to Take Professional Photos on Your iPhone or Android Phone. If you're an iPhone user, get iPhone-specific photography tips in this article. Photos aren't the only thing your phone does well! Real estate pros also use them for video marketing. To ensure your marketing videos are as polished as possible, see 2 Apps for Editing Real Estate Videos Quickly. Text messaging Text messages are a remarkable thing — with 98% of them being read, they have a far higher success rate than emails or phone calls. Whether you're using them for client communication or for marketing, make sure you're aware of texting etiquette. Speaking of marketing, see 5 Steps to Build Out Your Real Estate Mobile and Text Message Marketing Strategy to learn more about leveraging texts to promote your business. And let's not forget the ways you can use texts with current clients — everything from closing and listing updates, appointment reminders, asking for reviews, and more. Mobile Miscellany As we wrap up, we come to the odds and ends that didn't fit in any of the above categories — but are still good to know. Smartphone Safety: 8 Tips to Protect Your Personal Information What Your Phone Number Says About You 5 Things Every Agent Needs to Know About 5G And, finally, if all this smartphone talk has made you a little tired, see Are You Married to Your Smartphone? How to Divorce Amicably and Still Be a Top Producing Realtor. After all, it's good to take a break once in a while from the devices that rule our lives! Go outside, touch some grass, feel the wind on your face, and come back to your phone when you're ready. It'll be waiting. To explore more mobile solutions, check out our Product Directory. And stay tuned for next month's theme: Finding more homes for sale!

Elevate Your Business with RPR's Master the Market eBook Series
Want to attend RPR U (Realtors Property Resource® University)? Okay, we'll come clean, that's not really a thing! However, we do offer a comprehensive eBook series that will help you master the market and elevate every facet of your business. Our new collection of eBooks were inspired by RPR's Market Trends charts and graphs. This aggregation and presentation of hyper-local housing market data is the fuel that drives these ultra informative "books." Each one covers crucial topics in real estate that you need to know in order to build your skills and find success. These aren't quick, top lines that you casually browse through — they're detailed, in-depth, step-by-step guides that will immerse you in the topic and arm you with tried and true tactics and techniques. Download one or download them all! You'll learn how to master your messaging, your marketing and your market. RPR's Guide to Market Trends and Housing Charts This insightful eBook is packed with essential information, tips and tools to help you stay ahead of the curve and excel in your real estate career. With a focus on market trends, housing statistics and industry insights, this guide will enable you to become an expert in your field and provide your clients with the best possible advice. Metrics and Trends for Your Next Listing Presentation Are you a REALTOR® looking to elevate your listing presentations and captivate potential clients? Discover the power of data-driven insights with RPR's eBook: Metrics and Trends for Your Next Listing Presentation. This eBook includes tips for leveraging RPR's Shareable Market Trends to craft compelling and successful listing presentations. Enhance Buyer and Seller Guides with RPR's Shareable Market Trends Discover the tools, tips and techniques you need to create top-notch buyer and seller guides that will set you apart from the competition and empower your clients to make informed decisions in today's ever-changing real estate market. Captivating Clients through Social Media and Data-Driven Insights The digital revolution has significantly changed how people search for and purchase homes, making it crucial for REALTORS® to establish an online presence. To assist you in navigating this terrain, we have developed this eBook to show you how to effectively utilize RPR's Shareable Market Trends to enhance your social media presence, captivate clients and broaden your reach. Lights, Camera, Sold! Captivating Consumers with Market Analysis Videos Are you a forward-thinking REALTOR® looking to elevate your marketing efforts? You've come to the right place! Introducing our eBook: Lights, Camera, Sold! Captivating Consumers with Market Analysis Videos. This resource will empower you to combine the proven effectiveness of video marketing with the unparalleled insights of RPR Shareable Market Trends, giving you a winning edge over the competition. RPR's Shareable Charts: A Game-Changer for Webinars and Virtual Events In today's competitive real estate market, utilizing data-driven insights is essential for staying ahead and delivering the best service to your clients. Webinars and virtual events serve as powerful, low-cost platforms for showcasing your expertise and sharing these valuable insights. This eBook is packed with practical tips and strategies that will have you leveraging RPR's Shareable Market Trends for webinars and virtual events in no time! Stand Out in the Mailbox with RPR's Shareable Market Trends Think direct mail is dead? Think again! In the ever-evolving world of real estate marketing, the key to success lies in delivering the right information with the right value — and that's where RPR's Shareable Market Trends come in. Our comprehensive eBook will show you how to harness the power of direct mail marketing by incorporating valuable data-driven content that truly resonates with your audience. The Art of Print: Crafting Market Analysis Printed Materials In today's competitive real estate landscape, staying on top of current trends and adapting your marketing strategies is essential. By blending data-driven insights with eye-catching print materials, you'll provide valuable information and make a memorable impact during open houses, door knocking, networking events, local workshops and beyond. Learn how to effectively communicate your expertise and capture the attention of potential clients through captivating print materials that highlight your in-depth knowledge of the local market. Market Trends Unlocked: A Comprehensive Guide for Real Estate Bloggers By seamlessly incorporating RPR Shareable Market Trends into your blogging strategies, you'll be delivering data-driven insights and current market analysis that will captivate both potential and existing clients, setting you apart in the ever-evolving world of real estate. This eBook is your go-to guide on leveraging RPR Shareable Market Trends in your blogging strategy for optimum results. Get your "Master the Market" degree from RPR! As the saying goes, "We wrote the book." RPR has actually written nine books! Nine eBooks packed with information, strategies and directions on how to reach clients and prospects with RPR Market Trends data. Be sure to download and dive into a good book today. To view the original article, visit the RPR blog.

Unlock Your Real Estate Earnings: Boost Listings with App and AI Technology
Welcome back to our weekly "Tips and Tricks Tuesday" series, which highlights articles around a monthly topic. July's theme is "How can I make more money with my phone?" Read on to learn more about the latest mobile apps and innovations that can help you be productive from anywhere: In today's fast-paced real estate industry, staying ahead of the competition is crucial for success. As technology continues to advance, embracing the latest tools and innovations has become a necessity. Real estate professionals who leverage cutting-edge apps and AI (artificial intelligence) gain a significant advantage — the right tech can streamline workflows, enhance property listings, and ultimately assist in achieving higher levels of success. That's where BoxBrownie.com's photo app, SnapSnapSnap, and cutting-edge AI Copywriting service come in. The proptech company designed these revolutionary tools specifically for real estate professionals looking for convenient marketing solutions. Looking to streamline your marketing and maximize results without compromising on quality? SnapSnapSnap and AI Copywriting can transform the way you work and help you close faster and at a higher price tag. Discover how harnessing the power of this technology can revolutionize your property listings and supercharge your earning potential. Get ready to unlock the full potential of technology and take your real estate marketing to new heights. Transform the Way You Work to Boost Your Bottom Line Time is money in the real estate business — integrate BoxBrownie.com's tech into your every day to streamline your workflow and maximize your earning potential. Designed for real estate professionals who shoot listing photos, SnapSnapSnap enables users to easily capture professional-quality property photos using an iPhone. Simple, fast and cost-effective, the app features point-and-shoot technology, which eliminates the learning curve and accelerates the photo shoot process. Optimized specifically for real estate marketing, AI Copywriting generates free listing descriptions in seconds, saving professionals valuable time and effort in creating captivating online listings. Work Smarter, Not Harder Streamline your photo shoots with SnapSnapSnap's automatic HDR bracketing and effortlessly capture multiple shots at different exposures with a single click. AI Copywriting generates optimized listing descriptions tailored specifically for real estate. With BoxBrownie.com, you can leverage the most powerful AI technology currently available on the market and take the hassle out of creating fresh copy. Simply provide the property details, click submit, and instantly receive compelling descriptions. Cost-Effective Solutions Download SnapSnapSnap and get access to professional photo editing at an affordable price. You can get an elevating Image Enhancement edit for as little as US$1.60 per image or a lead-generating Day to Dusk edit for $4 per image. AI Copywriting is completely free and provides 10 complimentary listing descriptions per month. If you're a regular customer of BoxBrownie.com, you can enjoy even more benefits, maximizing your return on investment. Get Listings Online Lightning Fast With SnapSnapSnap, you can quickly capture property images and receive professionally edited photos within 24 for simple edits, or 48 hours for Virtual Staging. Our AI Copywriting service allows you to submit a job form and receive captivating property descriptions in seconds. With lightning-fast turnaround times, your listings will be online and generating leads in no time. Save Time and Accelerate the Sales Process Reduce your workload while driving conversions with these cutting-edge tools. Shoot properties efficiently and submit photos for editing directly from your iPhone. Get professionally edited images back in record time and listing copy in an instant. Accelerate the sales process by leveraging professional-quality photos and captivating copy. Listings featuring high-quality images have been proven to sell 50% faster and generate up to 118% more online views. Use this tech and create winning listings that captivate potential buyers and drive conversions. Generate an Influx of Leads According to the National Association of Realtors, homebuyers consider listing photos and property descriptions to be the two most critical elements of a real estate listing. Capture buyers' attention and hold it with stunning photos taken with our app and persuasive listing copy crafted by our AI Copywriting service. Win more potential buyers and have more people clicking on your listings, exploring the property online, and scheduling showings. Elevate Your Marketing Efforts with Ease By integrating SnapSnapSnap and AI Copywriting into your real estate workflow, you can revolutionise your efficiency, save time, and increase your income. This cutting-edge technology enables you to capture high-quality property images and create captivating listing descriptions, resulting in more leads and faster sales. Embrace the potential of SnapSnapSnap and AI Copywriting to elevate your real estate marketing in today's competitive market. Get started with SnapSnapSnap today! Create your free account with BoxBrownie.com and unlock a world of benefits. As a new customer, you'll enjoy four complimentary photo edits — plus get 10 free AI Copywriting jobs every month.

6 Ways You Can Use Technology to Reduce Your Stress
The demands of a real estate agent require a constant balance between personal well-being and professional efficiency. Stress is often an inherent part of the job, increased by the deadline-driven nature of the profession. Fortunately, technological advancements offer solutions catering to personal well-being, helping reduce daily stress. Last fall, the Form Simplicity blog featured "How to reduce stress from tech: 4 time-tested tactics." And here's the other side of this coin: Six Ways You Can Use Technology to Reduce Your Stress Also, remember, Tech Helpline analysts are available to assist you with finding and installing any of these tech tools: 1. Mindfulness and Meditation Apps Cultivating mindfulness and practicing meditation can be a powerful strategy for managing stress. Applications such as the Calm app – available for Apple and Android devices, can help. They provide guided meditations, sleep stories, and breathing programs to help reduce anxiety, improve focus, and promote better sleep. A clinical study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology has demonstrated that mindfulness can significantly reduce stress levels and enhance psychological well-being. 2. Exercise Technology Exercise has long been recognized as a stress reducer. With the advent of technology-enhanced exercise programs like Peloton, staying active has never been more engaging or accessible. Peloton offers on-demand and live workouts ranging from cycling and running to yoga and strength training. Studies published in the Journal of Exercise Physiology and other leading medical journals confirm that physical activity also positively impacts mental health. Exercise can reduce stress, increase productivity, and improve overall mental well-being. 3. Sleep Technology Quality sleep is crucial for managing stress and maintaining overall health. Sleep technology applications, like Sleep Cycle, Headspace, and ShutEye, track sleep patterns and provide insights to improve sleep quality. Additionally, Sleep Cycle gently wakes you up during your lightest sleep phase, helping you start the day feeling refreshed and less stressed. Numerous studies, including a comprehensive review in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, support the benefits of improved sleep. 4. Digital Reading and Audiobook Platforms If you're an avid reader, you already know that immersing oneself in a good book can be a great stress reliever. Digital reading platforms and audiobook applications such as Kindle and Audible make it easier to fit reading into a busy schedule. Whether you're between property showings or driving to a client meeting, these platforms allow you to engage with a range of literature at your convenience, promoting relaxation and stress reduction. 5. Stress Tracker Apps Understanding your stress patterns can be the first step in managing them effectively. Stress tracking applications like Stress & Anxiety Companion provide tools to log, identify, and manage stress triggers. It also offers guided breathing exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. New wearable technology, like the Oura Ring, also tracks your stress triggers, sleep, readiness, and activity. A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that stress-tracking apps could effectively reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. 6. Music and Sound Therapy Apps Sound therapy has been recognized for its potential to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. Apps such as Brain.fm and sounds on the free website myNoise, provide a range of soundscapes and music designed to help with focus, relaxation, and sleep. Even Spotify has a selection of green and pink noise: relaxation sounds that can aid sleep. A study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine suggests that listening to certain types of music can significantly reduce stress and improve mood. While being a real estate agent is one of the most personally rewarding careers, it is fraught with potential stressors. However, strategically using personal technology tools can aid in managing stress levels, promoting better emotional well-being. A decrease in stress also can mean increased professional success. Whenever you are "stuck" with a tech issue, remember that stress relief is only a call, tap on our app, or click away for tech support from Tech Helpline! Other related stories of interest: 8 Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Clients The 4 Biggest Mistakes Agents Make When Working With Buyers Don't fall for it: 4 new online + offline scams and how to protect yourself Tech Advice: What Do You Do If You Do The Wrong Thing? To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.

[Podcast] Interviewing Your Real Estate Clients with Dean Sharp
Dean Sharp is a custom home designer, The House Whisperer, and the host of Home with Dean Sharp on KFI AM 640. He first got into the business 35 years ago in Beverly Hills and Bel Air and has been designing homes ever since. In this episode of Real Talk with Realtors, find out what you can learn from interviewing your real estate clients, what questions to ask, how to stage your house, the history of home layouts, and future trends in the real estate design space. This episode covers everything from the history to the future of homes. Here's a small sample of what you will hear in this episode: What is the definition of design? Why is design of an aspirational nature? What are Dean's thoughts on virtual staging? How has house design changed over the years? What should Realtors not do? Will Calcutta countertops stay trendy? What architectural and design changes will we see in the coming years? Real talk...not Real talk: Doing renovations today Connect with Dean at HouseWhisperer.Design and listen to Home with Dean Sharp. Check out the episode and show notes for much more detail. Listen on: Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Visit the episode homepage for show notes and more detail.

3 Mobile Strategies for Winning in the Current Market
Welcome back to our weekly "Tips and Tricks Tuesday" series, which highlights articles around a monthly topic. July's theme is "How can I make more money with my phone?" Read on to learn more about the latest mobile apps and innovations that can help you be productive from anywhere: As interest rates have risen and the number of available homes for sale have reached historic lows, real estate professionals have had to adjust their expectations. At the same time, there are still many buyers looking for homes and owners interested in selling, which means there are opportunities for agents to be successful. Based on our recent discussions with top producers, here are three strategies for winning in the current marketplace that you can follow through on anytime, anywhere from the palm of your hand. Be responsive The National Association of Realtors estimates that the average lead conversion rate in residential real estate is 0.4-1.2%. That means for every 200 leads agents receive, only one or two turns into a client. With the odds for conversion already low, it's important to do everything you can to turn a lead into a client. It sounds basic, but that starts with being responsive. Research has shown that buyers, especially if they are searching online, move on quickly. If they don't hear from an agent within minutes of submitting an inquiry on a listing, they will find one who is responsive. The good news is that our smartphones allow us to stay connected whenever and wherever. Even if you are with a client or at a family gathering, it's easy to respond quickly to a lead by letting them know you received their inquiry and you will call them back shortly. Stay in touch with prospective clients Turning a prospect into a client takes time. Research shows that it can take six to 24 months of nurturing to convert a prospect into a client. Often that's because consumers aren't actively looking for a home when you first connect with them, or they begin their conversation with an agent when they are just embarking on their search for a home. So regular contact is important. Again, this is an area when your smartphone can play a major role in winning business. For instance, Rodolfo Trujillo, a top producer with RE/MAX Advantage Plus in Minneapolis, reports success with a mobile app offered by his brokerage that analyzes his contacts specific to their online real estate activity, prompting him to reach out at the right time. According to Trujillo, the app has resulted in two listings in the past six months. Double down on marketing to expand your sphere Building your brand and differentiating your knowledge is always important, but it's critical when the market slows and the competition becomes more fierce. Check out tools offered by your MLS, association or brokerage, and look for innovative solutions that allow you to cost-effectively and seamlessly reach new audiences, turbocharging your current marketing channels. One solution is DirectOffer's patented DO AudioTours™. With DO AudioTours, you have the ability to add audio to your property listings from your smartphones in one of two ways. You can rely on AudioTour's natural language processing capabilities to auto-generate and add a description in over 20 languages in both voice and closed captions to each listing photo, or you can take the time to personalize the AudioTour by recording a 30-second voiceover to each listing photo. Once complete, your AudioTour can be shared across your marketing channels, including social media, emails and text messages, via your smartphone. In addition to differentiating yourself in listing presentations and reaching your new audiences, leads on your listings are routed directly to you at no cost, making AudioTours both an effective marketing and lead generation tool. To learn more about DO AudioTours™, visit www.doaudiotours.com. Katie Lappe is the CEO and founder of DirectOffer, Inc.

Unlocking Success: How to Create a Referral-Driven Real Estate Business
As a real estate agent, having a robust referral network is an essential requirement that cannot be overlooked or compromised. According to NAR's 2022 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report, referrals remain the primary method by which most buyers found their real estate agent. Establishing and sustaining a referral network guarantees a steady stream of clients. However, constructing such a network requires deliberate efforts in staying connected with past clients, actively engaging in community involvement, and employing other effective strategies. Create a Referral Website Consider creating a dedicated website with a memorable and user-friendly URL for generating referrals. You can leverage your free .realtor™ web address with its free lead-generating website for this purpose. Provide detailed information about your market, making it distinct and memorable. Include noteworthy details that set you apart and leave a lasting impression on visitors. PRO TIP: Tell your clients exactly who you are and what you do with a free website and email address ending in .realtor™. Position yourself as a leader with your own custom .realtor™ web address like http://www.dealcloserdoug.realtor — which includes a lead-generating website. LEARN MORE Build Strong, Authentic Relationships According to Nikki Beauchamp, Senior Global Real Estate Advisor and Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at Engel & Völkers New York City: I think of three Rs (relationships, referrals, revenue), and you can't get to the second and third R without the first. Building strong relationships with other real estate professionals worldwide is key. Actively engage with real estate agents, brokers, and industry professionals in different countries and regions. Attend international real estate conferences, join global networking groups, leverage technology and participate in online communities to connect with like-minded professionals. Use technology to showcase and highlight your local market knowledge and your network (don't sleep on LinkedIn and other social networking platforms). Building trust and rapport with these individuals will lead to valuable referrals in the future — the same as is the case with our clients and customers. Barbara Betts, broker, CEO, and keynote speaker, agrees that: Relationships are the foundation for any business to be successful. The key is understanding the know, like, and trust factor. You've probably heard a sales trainer at one point in your career say something like, "If someone knows you and likes you, they will trust you." I fundamentally believe that is wrong. Just because someone knows you and likes you does not mean they will automatically trust you. Trust is something you have to earn. In the real estate world, I build trust in three ways: Building relationships, deepening relationships, nurturing relationships, and then giving those relationships a reason to trust me by applying a system! That's the key, you can't just sit back and "wish" for referrals; you have to work at it, you have to have a system, and you have to leverage it. At the end of the day, you have to SHOW UP in your people's lives as more than a real estate agent, show them you care about them, whether they ever buy or sell, apply a system to get them to trust you by providing value, and THEN you can ask for business, and what you ask for, you will receive, but only and only if a relationship was there from the beginning. Use Referral Business Cards Craft a distinct set of cards exclusively designed for networking with fellow agents and brokers. Incorporate essential information about your identity, along with a visual or textual representation highlighting your expertise in the market area. Additionally, include a nod to your experience and ensure that your contact details are easily accessible for seamless communication. Leverage the REALTOR® brand on those business cards! NAR offers every REALTOR® a free .realtor™ web address, website, and forwarding email address. According to Harrison Beacher, REALTOR® and 30 Under 30 recipient, "In a world where differentiation is more important than ever, leveraging the powerful REALTOR® brand as a part of your website and email domain is a great way to stand out from the pack. We leverage .realtor™ with our referral partners around the country who recognize and acknowledge the power of the REALTOR® brand." Create Referral Buckets Maura Neill, REALTOR® with RE/MAX Around Atlanta and a highly in-demand speaker/educator, suggests that you: Think referral buckets: you should have a variety of buckets of different types of referral sources and communicate with them differently. Your interactions with your current and past clients — staying top of mind, being a valuable resource, continuing to nurture those "agent for life" relationships — will be different from your interactions with your colleagues and peers, different from your interactions with your family, close friends, and sphere. Being intentional about the way you engage with each bucket is critical — your current clients may want to know about your open houses; your peers across the country likely won't. Your family and close friends should get more personal holiday updates; your past clients may call for something a little less personal, but still want to hear from you. Most importantly, make sure that your communication and engagement feel authentic to you, and to who you are, and help every bucket of possible referrals get to know you better. It's the acknowledgment that it may take a little more work and a little more planning, but in the end, it's worth it for the quality of the relationships that you build. And referrals just don't come without relationships. Harness the Power of Social Media According to the NAR 2022 Technology Survey, social media ranked as the top tech tool for generating high-quality leads. Rebecca Donatelli, REALTOR® with Elite Sotheby's International Realty, 30 Under 30 Recipient, and best-selling author: Most agents think to just connect locally — think big picture. So many people are relocating for jobs, family, etc. Be that person agents reach out to! The key to social media lies in being actively engaged and consistent. Here are a few tips to help you achieve precisely that: Regularly connect with past clients through direct messages and ensure you engage with their content consistently. By appearing in their notifications repeatedly, you stay on their radar. Extend a warm welcome to new followers with a simple message such as, "Thank you for joining my real estate community here on Instagram! I hope you find my tips and ideas helpful!" Keep it concise, and genuine, and avoid a sales pitch. Post content that is valuable to your audience and avoid self-promotion. Provide community and neighborhood information. Be a resource, not a marketing machine. Dedicate at least 10 minutes every day to engage with your followers' content. If you want them to interact with you, you must reciprocate by engaging with their posts as well. Maintain a consistent posting schedule, even if it's only two days a week. Consistency is key to staying top of mind, which in turn drives more referrals and attracts potential clients. When it comes to building a referral network, Sarita Dua summarizes everything really well. She says: 1) Have a goal — a number of referrals to give. Givers gain. 2) Communicate with referral partners often. 3) Come from contribution. 4) Reward the behavior, not the result. For example, thank someone when you receive a referral, not when it closes. Regardless of the outcome, you want to be appreciative that they thought of you. 5) Take referrals seriously. Someone's name and reputation is on that referral when they thought of you. Don't let them or the prospect down. Sarita is the Principal Broker and Team Operator at The askSarita Team powered by PLACE, Keller Williams Sunset Corridor. Written by the get.realtor Team and the National Association of REALTORS®. Leverage the power of the REALTOR® brand to build respect for your referral marketing content. If you'd like to learn how to claim your free web address, lead-generating website, and forwarding email address, go to get.realtor.