Summer's End: Our 10 Most Popular Articles from August

The end of August means one thing: summer is, for all intents and purposes, over. For agents and brokers, this means that the busy sales pace of summer is over, too. But before you fire up the grill this holiday weekend and toast to the season's end, let's take a look back at all this summer had to offer.

Here's a peek at the articles that most interested our readers in August. Want to see what else your colleagues were reading this summer? Check out our Top 10 lists from June and July.

1. 5 Small Talk Ideas to Break the Ice with Your Real Estate Clients
It's easy to have a conversation with people you know. A new client? Well, that's a different ball game. I find it a challenge to get past the first couple of minutes in a conversation with a stranger. The struggle is real! But, over the years I've gotten better at speaking with strangers. Here are my five small talk ideas that might help you break the ice with your real estate clients.

2. How to Ensure First Time Home Buyers Will Think of You Every Week
The idea of the housewarming gift should be as much a gesture of appreciation for your clients' business as it is a vehicle to have them remember you, fondly. The more they think of you (positively), the more they are apt to consider you again the next time they need the service you offer. Here is a comprehensive list of practical, and affordable housewarming gifts for a first-time home buyer.

3. Overlooked Microsoft Apps for Real Estate Agents
Whether it's Windows, Excel, PowerPoint or Word, many companies rely on Microsoft software for their business needs. But there are a variety of other apps and products that you may have overlooked. These are some great apps for small business owners and, best of all, these are either free or have free versions to try.

4. The Rookie Realtor Guide to Prospecting Like a Boss
So you're the new kid on the block and you're on the hunt for hot real estate leads. The first thing you need to understand is the value of prospecting in your customer hunt. Real estate prospecting is the best way to generate new leads as a rookie Realtor. Prospect effectively and these quality prospects will be your first clients. Here are the top 5 tips to real estate prospecting for rookie Realtors.

5. 4 Tips to Attract Sellers and Win More Listings
Housing inventory is low in many parts of the country, and competition is high among agents looking to win their area's best listings. What can agents do to ensure they're the one that sellers contact first? Here are a few ideas.

6. Why Real Estate Agents Change Brokerages (and a Checklist to Do It Right!)
In 2015, one-third of Realtors started at a new firm. That's up 67% from the previous year, according to NAR. That includes new agents and current agents who were looking for a change. It's something for brokers to keep in mind as they look at their recruiting and retention efforts. And considering the same report says 44% of brokers are actively recruiting, it's fair to say change is in the air.

7. The Photography Tips You Need to Sell Your Listings Now
The photos you put in your listings have the power to convert an interested viewer into a potential buyer. That means your photos are the first tool you have to start selling a property. Take these tips to make effective real estate photos. Watch 2:24 to see how you can copy a pro photographer's techniques.

8. 16 Real Estate SEO Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Marketing
SEO tactics that are outdated or altogether frowned upon by search engines can cause your website pages to be virtually invisible to online searchers. Discover 16 core SEO mistakes that can damage your digital presence and deter your real estate website content from ranking in SERPs.

9. Let's Play 20 Questions: Creating the Perfect Buyer Profile
Buyer questionnaires can help you get to know your clients, find out what they're looking for, and determine if they're ready to make a move. The key to an effective questionnaire is to find the balance between keeping it short and simple, but still getting enough information so you can help your buyer find their perfect home. Here's a list of our top 20 question suggestions.

10. Agent Website Makeover: 8 Winning Ways to Boost Consumer Appeal
One of the easiest ways to spoil the potential of a good agent website is to keep the default content that it came with. Never change it. Never personalize it so that visitors understand who you are and what you offer. Fortunately, this fate's easy to avoid. The trick? Just customize your templated website in a few key places. Here's a look at the 8 places that the top three winning agents customized their website's content.