October 01 2018
September--it's not just the first month of fall. In real estate, it's also Realtor Safety Month. We observed the month here at RE Technology by debuting a video series on safe selling. You can watch the most popular of these videos at #9 on the list below of our most read articles of September.
What else happened last month? Well, .realestate website domains went on sale early for NAR members only (see article #4 for more details). Apps were top of mind with agents and brokers (see #2 and #6), but ideas for memorable closing gifts won the day--you can see that article at #1 below.
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1. Memorable Closing Gifts Your Clients Will Love
Closing gifts are a great opportunity to show your client how much of a pleasure it has been working with them throughout the entire home purchasing process. Closing gifts are also the perfect way for your client to remember you fondly after the home closing and hopefully refer you to friends or even hire you as their Realtor again sometime in the future. Here are a few gift ideas for you.
2. 10 Apps that Boost Your Real Estate Marketing Firepower
For this year's awesome apps article, we've focused on apps REALTORS can use to quickly and effectively ramp up their marketing prowess. Some of these apps have been around for a while, while others are new, but they all provide a unique and polished offering.
3. 16 Definitions Every New Real Estate Agent Should Know
A key component to understanding the general lay of the land as a new real estate agent is to get a handle on the language real estate agents use every day. We've compiled the top 16 definitions you need to know to jumpstart your real estate vocabulary and set you on the path to being a rock star agent!
4. How to Snag Your .realestate Website Domain Before Your Competition
A new website domain extension is set to debut next week, and Realtors looking for a memorable web address with plenty of SEO potential should take notice. Website names with a .realestate domain extension go on pre-sale Tuesday, Sept. 18. That means Realtors will be able to purchase domains like Chattanooga.RealEstate or SmithandBrooks.RealEstate. Here's what you need to know to claim your .realestate domain name.
5. 5 Ways to Lose a Client
It's difficult to navigate your emotions when you find out a client has rejected your services to work with another agent. It happens--it's mostly not about you as a human, but unknowable variables that influenced their personal choice. Here are a few ways that you may be pushing clients away unintentionally, and how can turn things around.
6. 6 Apps to Help You Take Better Listing Photos
Photos are often the first thing a potential buyer sees, and they leave a big first impression — buyers spend just seconds looking at that first photo before deciding whether they're interested. So if you're playing the part of photographer and agent, check out these tips and apps that you can use to show your listing in the best possible light (there's really an app that can help you find the best light!
7. Amazon Automates the Open House
The smart home market keeps growing, largely thanks to devices enabled by Google Home and Amazon Echo platforms. The smart home is also getting smarter. Artificial intelligence is built into these virtual assistants. And because they are voice-controlled platforms, they couldn't be easier to operate. That's good news for homeowners, but it is also good news for real estate agents, as Alexa can now help agents host their next open house. This breakthrough comes from Amazon's game-changing technology they call "Blueprints."
8. Farming and Facebook: Getting It Right
The world moves fast, and yesterday's geographic farming just won't cut it in today's real estate market. The competition is too steep -- and too technologically advanced -- to limit yourself to door-knocking and leaving flyers in a neighborhood. The current connected world demands an online approach to complement and work alongside your offline strategies.
9. Safe Selling: Understanding How a Predator Thinks
What do alcoholics and predators that prey on real estate agents have in common? Find out in this week's Realtor safety video. We're taking a deep dive into the mind of the predator to learn how they think. Why? Because understanding their behavior allows us to prevent them from committing crimes. Find out more in this video.
10. Buyers vs. Sellers: What They Need and How to Adjust
Client expectations can vary greatly depending on whether your clients are in the process of buying a new home or selling their current one. The differences between buyers versus sellers require you to constantly adjust how you go about your role as an agent. Below are a few ideas for ensuring your sales strategy truly delivers on your client's expectations.