Top 10 Most Popular Articles from September

What were agents and brokers reading last month? Our top 10 articles offer insight into which real topics most interested estate professionals in September. From scripts to communication tips to advice for staying safe (September was Realtor Safety Month, after all!), here are the articles that captured the attention of your peers:

1. Do's and Don'ts of Talking Real Estate with Your Friends and Family
"Oh, I didn't realize you were a real estate agent" and "I would have used you if I knew" are some of the most heartbreaking phrases in real estate. Don't let your family and friends "forget" about your real estate business by implementing these four steps.

2. Stop Calling Me! Understanding the Do-Not-Call List for Real Estate
The courts have made it clear that a consumer has the right not to be contacted once they register on the Do Not Call List (DNCL). Don't let these rules scare you. They are there to protect you just the same as any consumer, and there is plenty of business to generate using the phone. It takes understanding the rules to get the leg up on your competition.

3. New SentriLock and Homesnap Integration Helps Agents Shine During Showings
Agents have a new way to impress clients during a showing, thanks to a new partnership between SentriLock and Homesnap. Realtors can now access property data right from SentriSmart, the lockbox maker's mobile app. When obtaining lockbox information from the app, users are able to open the listing's property details from Homesnap in just one click. Here's how.

4. The 6 Best Chrome Extensions for Real Estate Pros
We all love a good time saver, right? And Chrome extensions are often the be-all, end-all when it comes to finding a quick hack during your daily internet browsing or time spent online for work. Before you head to the Chrome Web Store and go wild with downloading every great extension, take a look through our list and use it to create your personalized, curated web-browsing experience!

5. 3 Door Knocking Scripts That Work
Have you ever tried going around a neighborhood knocking on doors to get familiar with an area and its residents? It's an extremely effective strategy, but the challenge is saying the right thing. Here are three different scripts you can use to make a great first impression when you make rounds through a neighborhood.

6. The Beginner's Guide to Video Marketing for Real Estate
When it comes to building your personal brand as a real estate agent, content marketing is important, but photography and videography are essential. People want to see your face, hear your voice, and get their own first impression of you—all before ever meeting you face-to-face. This beginner's guide will give you the information, tools, and resources you need to get started.

7. How Do Homes.com and Realtor.com Compare?
An analysis of online marketing solutions from Realtor.com and Homes.com show that their marketing tools stack up pretty solidly when compared side by side, offering a range of options to suit any agent's CRM strategy, marketing budget, and revenue goals. But how can agents effectively compare the value propositions of marketing between the two?

8. Product Review: MileIQ Is a Hassle-free Way to Track Your Mileage Deductions
Real estate agents drive an estimated 30,000 miles per year, according to the National Association of Realtors. That adds up to over $16,000 a year in tax deductions! The IRS requires that you keep a detailed record of business related drives in order to qualify for the deduction, though. MileIQ is a mobile app that automatically keeps record of your business drives and potential mileage deductions via your GPS-enabled smartphone.

9. 19 Tips to Stay Safe During Realtor Safety Month (and Beyond!)
September is Realtor Safety Month. It's also the first month autumn, which means that the days are getting shorter and darker. But just because there are fewer hours of daylight doesn't mean agents aren't working as much, however. They're still out there showing houses, even in the waning evening light. That's why now is a great time for agents to turn their attention to on-the-job safety. These tips can help!

10. What Does it Mean to Execute a Real Estate Transaction with Excellence?
Do you put a lot of effort into being nice to your clients? Personable and friendly? That's important, but being nice isn't enough. A professional REALTOR has to be outstanding at their job, relentless about meeting deadlines, professional in communications, and knowledgeable about executing a transaction. Are you providing outstanding service to your real estate clients throughout the transaction? Ask yourself these questions.