Advice for Real Estate Pros: Why Your Handshake Matters
At least 55% of human interactions is non-verbal. Are you projecting a confident image and your first impression is the one of a knowledgeable and caring real estate pro? How is your handshake? The first impression is formed in seconds, not minutes — make it count. Here are the five how-to's of a successful handshake for real estate pros: 1. Be Prepared In any environment where you're meeting people, make sure your right hand is free. Shift anything you're holding to your left hand well in advance — you don't want to have to fumble at the last moment. You should definitely avoid holding a drink in your right hand, especially if it's cold, as the condensation can make your hand feel clammy. 2. Consider Your Body Language Remember, a handshake isn't just about a single action — there's a lot more that goes into it. If you're seated, always rise before shaking someone's hand. If you're standing, keep your hands out of your pockets. Visible hands make you look more open and honest. Keep your head straight, without tilting it in any way, and face the person fully. Make sure to use plenty of eye contact, and smile warmly, but briefly (too much smiling could make you appear over-eager). 3. Get in Position When you're reaching out your hand to shake, keep it perfectly perpendicular, neither dominant (palm down) nor submissive (palm up). When in doubt, angle your thumb straight up to the ceiling. Open wide the space between your thumb and index finger, which will ensure you get optimal thumb-web contact, which makes for the ideal handshake. 4. Make Contact and Shake To ensure the right level of contact between your hand and your partner's, keep your palm flat, not cupped, when you reach out to shake. Once full contact is made, lock your thumb down and squeeze firmly — you can mirror your partner's handshake if it's firm and assertive. Shake from your elbow (not your wrist) about 2-3 pumps. You can linger for a moment if you want to convey particular warmth, then release and smile. 5. Practice Often Sound like a lot? It is, until you get the hang of it. Try practicing with friends or family, people who will give you truly candid feedback. This type of practice is what will truly make your handshake perfect, and make a dramatic difference in how prospective and existing clients and business partners perceive you. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

Team Leaders: Here's How to Help New Agents Become Profitable, Faster
We've all had our first day on the job and remember how it felt to be the "new kid." Any agent that joins your team must undergo the inevitable learning curve on their way to closing their first deal and proving themselves as a powerful — and profitable — addition to the business. Building a strong foundation through solid, consistent training can help new agents and up-and-coming teams: Boost their productivity and motivation Build stronger loyalty and sense of self Require less supervision from leadership Encourage growth and innovative thinking Avoid frustrating — or even costly — errors A Two-Phase Approach While it might be tempting to throw new agents into the deep end, taking a beat to train them properly can make a world of a difference. You don't want to cut corners or skip hands-on, dedicated training — you want to set them up for success. It's important to keep in mind that speed isn't always an indicator of success, and that forcing a newcomer to jump right in and figure it out as they go can actually lengthen that pesky learning curve. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Don't double back to correct mistakes or undo bad habits that could have been prevented with solid training from the start. Once an agent has joined your team, it can take months before they close a deal. By investing the time to offer intensive, strategic, and involved training from the start, you can help shorten this timeframe. We like to take a two-phase approach to training: Initial Onboarding and Ongoing Refinement. Both are equally important in their own right, and we'll break down the ins and outs of each. Free Checklist: 20 Daily Activities for Profitable Agents Phase One: Initial Onboarding Consider this phase of training to be the building of the foundation for your new agent. Just like a house needs a strong foundation to withstand the test of time and the elements, your agent needs a solid start to ensure they'll have long-lasting, enduring success in your business. It is imperative to ensure your new agent learns and becomes deeply familiar with the systems your team uses, has a deep understanding of and alignment with your vision and goals, and is up to speed with how things work within your business from a day-to-day perspective. Taking the time to invest in phase one can set the stage for your new agent to shine. Hands-On, Thorough Systems Training This is absolutely critical. Focus here first. Do we have your attention? Excellent. The technology your business uses, like a CRM, lead generation software, or transaction management tool, all requires hands-on training. Your agents must know how to use your systems, and how to use them effectively. Technology is a critical investment to stay competitive in real estate, and getting your agents on board and actively using your technology is key to driving the success of your business. Failing to train agents to use your systems can cost you in both time and ROI. Pro Tip: If you're not sure where to begin, dig into what your software company can offer. Oftentimes, they'll have training materials and resources on their website, or even a hands-on team of experts to train your agents one-on-one. It's also a good idea to stay on top of system updates, new training courses, and regular refreshers to ensure you maximize your investment in software and use it to its fullest potential. Lead with Purpose As the leader of your business, you are the captain of the ship. Your team looks to you and your vision. As such, the responsibility of training — whether you do it yourself or select your top performers to do so — falls on you. To help speed up your agent's ride along the learning curve, you should: Enforce that they take every opportunity for training and resources that the software company has available. Develop and implement an accountability system across the business to make sure your agents are properly and accurately using the technology. Make it a priority to hold regular check-ins with your team to address and discuss any questions, concerns, or issues they may face with your technology, or share any new features and updates that may have been rolled out by the software company. Dedicating this much time to training may seem overwhelming or counterintuitive. We get it, time is money. But think of it like putting together Ikea furniture. You could skip the manual and spend two hours putting it together blind… or spend 10 minutes reading the manual and build it in half an hour. Internal Operations Internal operations, or the day-to-day activities, of your business are also key for a new agent to be immersed in as they are trained. These operations can be both formal and informal in how they are documented, so spending time training your new agent from the very start on how things work within your business can help prevent numerous interruptions down the line. No matter how you run your team or manage your business, be crystal clear about protocol, processes, and practices. Give your new agent an in-depth rundown of every detail, even allowing them to shadow other agents for a week or more and document questions or curiosities that arise as a result. As an added benefit, these questions can also help you develop a training manual and process if you plan to expand and hire more agents. Align with Business Goals and Mission Statement Odds are, you've sussed out the quality of talent in your agent during the interview process, including how they align with the goals and mission of your business. Regularly communicating your team's goals and having a crystal-clear mission statement is important: taking your compelling vision and infusing it into regular training will help keep everyone on the same page and motivated to deliver their best work. Continual Refinement Now that your new agent has gotten their feet wet and is settling into their groove as a team member, phase two of continual refinement can begin. Think of this as continuing to smooth out any rough edges as their integration into your team becomes more and more seamless. Continual refinement looks like having ongoing training sessions, maintaining regular check-ins, and even pairing your new agent with a mentor. Not only will this second phase help keep agent performance on par, it will also help them build upon their strong foundation and develop their own flair and strengths as a real estate professional. Making regular training a part of your company culture helps foster teamwork, and also ensures that any new agents can join the business with minimal friction and quicker pipeline to success. What are some other ways to continue to refine your agents' success? Stay Up-to-Date The real estate industry is constantly changing. There's always something new to learn and transformations taking place. In the last three years alone we've seen a tremendous shift in real estate, all of which means it's more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve and afloat of new changes. Some different ways to help your team stay fresh in their industry knowledge include: Downloading industry reports Monitoring market trends Signing up for real estate newsletters and blogs Watching webinars or virtual training Attending seminars and conferences Give Your Marketing Strategy a Refresh Your online presence is everything, and technology is also constantly changing. Best practices for online lead generation are always shifting, and staying ahead of trends to promote your business is key. Consider implementing a social media strategy, search engine marketing best practices, or investing in online marketing campaigns. Keep your eye on the ROI to ensure your refresh is maximizing your dollar spend. Fine-Tune Sales Skills Are you sensing a pattern here? Training isn't a one-and-done event, it should be a constant. This is how you ensure greatness on your team, and keep innovation and collaboration alive in your business. From brand new agents onboarding to industry veterans that need a nudge to adopt new trends, refining sales skills through sales training is critical. Consider investing in a real estate coach, implementing a mentorship system, or requiring your agents to attend annual trainings or conferences, and even earn certifications. To view the original article, visit the BoomTown blog.

April Is Fair Housing Month: 4 Easy Ways to Get Involved
April 11 marks the 55th anniversary of the enactment of the Fair Housing Act, and April itself is designated as Fair Housing month in commemoration. Real estate agents can celebrate Fair Housing Month by taking proactive steps to promote and uphold fair housing principles. Here are some ways that agents can do just that this month—and throughout the year: Review Fair Housing laws and regulations Take time to review Fair Housing laws and regulations to ensure you are up to date on any changes or updates. Fortunately, NAR has an entire resource section dedicated to Fair Housing, as well as a resource page for Fair Housing month, which includes links to training, posters, social media graphics, videos, book recommendations and more. Freddie Mac last week released a progress report on its three-year plan to promote access to equitable and sustainable housing. See that here: Freddie Mac Equitable Housing Finance Plan 2022 Performance Report. Technology, including online ads, can run afoul of Fair Housing laws. Don't let this happen to you! See this article to ensure your online marketing stays fair: One Simple Rule to Ensure Your Ads Don't Violate Fair Housing Laws. Attend training sessions Speaking of training, NAR is offering two live, online events this month on Fair Housing. You can check those out here. If those don't quite fit into your schedule, this recorded workshop on implicit bias may be more your speed. Prefer books, articles, or podcasts for learning? Check out these two articles we published during Black History Month for a wealth of helpful, relevant information: Black History Month: Resources and Trainings Black History Month: Books to Learn About Racial Disparities in Real Estate Display Fair Housing posters You can display Fair Housing posters in your offices or on your website to demonstrate your commitment to fair housing principles. HUD and NAR both offer versions you can download and print, and you can also check with your local associations or state agencies for similar resources. Educate clients You likely underwent training on Fair Housing in order to get your real estate license. So while you may be familiar with the laws, your clients may not be. Be prepared to educate them on Fair Housing laws and regulations during their home buying or selling journey. Do they know, for instance, that writing "buyer love letters" could violate Fair Housing regulations? Or perhaps members of your community are simply unaware of the housing opportunities available to them. In that case, you can take inspiration from Sabrina Brown, a winner of last year's Fair Housing Champion Awards. Brown hosts workshops to help first-time buyers, especially those of color, connect with programs to help them achieve the dream of homeownership. Speaking of homeownership opportunities, many would-be buyers view the down payment as a barrier to buying a home. It doesn't have to be, though! Many down payment assistance programs exist, including those for people of color and the LGBTQ community. Many MLSs display down payment assistance eligibility information on their listings. Realtor.com and Zillow do, as well, so this information is out there for both real estate pros and consumers alike! You may only have to point this data out to leads and clients to get them started down the path to homeownership.

[Podcast] Finding the Right Brokerage for You, with Brittany Walter
Brittany Walter has been a real estate agent for the past 10 years at the esteemed Keller Williams Los Feliz. She won the 2020 Diamond Award for her accomplishments and has served on the Agent Leadership Council. In this episode of "Real Talk, with Realtors," hear how to find the right brokerage for you and your career, educate and train your team, give back to good causes, go the extra mile for sellers and buyers, and the epiphany that got Brittany into real estate. This episode covers everything from company culture to incentives for buying. Here's a small sample of what you will hear in this episode: Where did Brittany's epiphany come from? How did Brittany decide to work at Keller Williams Los Feliz? What should you think and ask about when considering brokerages? Any plans for her own broker license? How important is it to be involved in the office? How achievable is the top 20% for someone in their first year? How did Brittany start partnering with Revive? Real talk...not Real talk: Trying to buy a home today Connect with Brittany on social media at @BrittanySellsLA. Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail. Listen on: Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Visit the episode homepage for show notes and more detail.

Real Estate Tips: Use Confident Body Language to Generate Business
When you are trying to build rapport, engage real estate clients in a conversation or influence an action, you need to be conscious of how your approach is impacting clients. Awareness of what you're saying is just the tip of the iceberg. Words are important, but you also need to be aware of how you're saying it and what your body language is communicating. As a real estate professional, you should always be mindful of your body language. It influences the first impression you make on others and can attract or repel potential clients. Do you fidget when you're talking to your prospective clients? Where are your hands? What is your posture like? Are you authentic and welcoming? If you're confident, you will not only impress those your talking to, but you'll have a more self-confidence as well. Follow these five real estate tips on using confident body language to excel in your business and personal interactions: Claim Your Territory When you walk into a room, be confident in your movements. Don't cross your arms or hunch your shoulders. When sitting, practice an expansive body language — take up as much space as possible without invading your client's personal space to appear powerful and assertive. Pay Attention to Micro Expressions Our brain makes snap judgments based on facial micro expressions — very brief, involuntary facial expressions displayed when someone experiences an emotion. Pay attention to whoever you are talking to "flashing' any of these seven micro-expressions so you can address them right away: disgust, anger, fear, sadness, happiness, surprise or contempt. Don't Fidget Be aware of any fidgeting, nervous cues or self-soothing behaviors (e.g. wringing hands, touching your hair, cracking knuckles, rubbing arms, biting your lips). These are all signs of being self conscious. To portray confidence, keep your arms loose and open and remain calm and composed. Steeple Your Hands "Steepling' is when someone brings their hands up in front of their chest and presses the tips of their fingers together. This is a gesture of confidence and self-assuredness. Use it strategically when listening attentively to your clients or prospects. Don't Nod Your Head Too Often While you want to appear friendly, don't overdo it by nodding your head too much. That can create an impression that you are a pushover. Only nod when you really agree with someone to give your opinion more weight. In some cases, you can also use a triple nod to encourage someone to keep talking. Use these tips as a handy reference on how to portray confident body language when you're about to have a meeting with one of your prospective or current clients. Keep in mind, your non-verbal and verbal communication must match. People will always pay more attention and give more credence to your body language that to what you're saying. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

Balancing the Roles of 'Agent' and 'Advocate'
Ideally, advocacy is part of your practice as an agent. Agents are, by definition, active—you work to produce the desired outcome for your clients when it comes to their real estate journey. To do that, you defend, promote, and support their interests—you advocate on their behalf. There are so many moments, big and small, throughout any real estate transaction—and it's important to consider how you can prioritize and advocate for the client experience at every step in the process. Stay responsive Advocating for a client doesn't always happen during momentous occasions. While it's critical to stand up for their interests during counteroffers and similar negotiations, you'll also find many smaller opportunities to show your client that you have their back. If a homebuyer needs advice or extra support during a transaction, you want them to feel as though they can—and should—reach out to you. With mobile, easy-to-use tools that help agents to consolidate communication channels and information, you can ensure that you're available when your clients need you—and that all the details for their transaction are within reach. Offer convenience and avoid complexity Today, potential buyers can search for and purchase a home entirely online—though many still seek out the support of an industry professional when considering a purchase this substantial. This shift in client expectations can create both opportunities and obstacles for agents who need to balance their client's specific needs and expectations while negotiating a transaction on their behalf. When it comes to an event as important as signing, for example, being able to offer simplicity can often be a great source of comfort for clients. With features and tools that include eSignature, ways to order title insurance or home warranties, and access to the most complete library of forms for any situation, the right transaction management tool should help you deliver a complete—and completely unmatched—client experience. Enjoy the journey and the destination Sometimes, advocating as an agent is going to mean adapting your strategy and style to match the needs of your client—and ensuring that you have the right tools and technology to successfully adapt is crucial. For example, recently, we've seen that in-person open houses are returning—but digital walkthroughs are also here to stay. Regardless of which option suits your client, you need to have the right tools to facilitate an organized, impressive showing. There are solutions designed to help you focus on open house guests and their questions, whether their tour is digital or otherwise, gathering contact details automatically and adding them into your CRM for easy follow-up phone calls and personal emails. Tech and tools like these are making it simpler than ever to convert interested guests into potential buyers, and potential buyers into happy homeowners. To view the original article, visit the Lone Wolf blog.

4 Pre-listing Steps to Boost Your Commission and Add Value to Your Clients
When you're focused on adding value for your clients, increased and more steady commissions naturally follow. 4 Things to Do Before You List a Home While some pre-listing tasks are the same in any housing market, you may need to tweak your planning as the market in your area shifts. 1. Provide the best possible comparative market analysis (CMA). The most important thing you can do for your clients is to help them price their home accurately when it first goes on the market. Your sellers rely on you to help them understand how much they can expect to receive for their property. When markets shift, it's often wiser to base your CMA on the current competition of listings, including homes that linger on the market, rather than sales from even two or three months ago. Bring net sheets to your listing presentation to help your sellers visualize their potential profit from a sale under various scenarios. A home that's priced right will sell faster and for a higher price than one that lingers, which impacts your bottom line and your time. 2. Advise your clients on the most cost-effective presale prep. Depending on the property, a quick decluttering, some plants and fresh paint may be enough to get their house buyer ready. But homes that need more work may be best served by a presale renovation program such as Revive. After a thorough analysis of the costs and return on investment of needed renovations in consultation with you, Revive funds and coordinates the project and is reimbursed after the closing. The sellers are likely to receive a bigger profit and your commission will therefore be higher, too. 3. Pay for pro photos and videos. Buyers start house hunting online and tend to visit fewer properties in person than in the past. According to the 2022 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors, buyers looked at a median of five homes before making an offer – and four of those visits were online only. Great photos and videos can make a difference in the speed of a sale and the size of the offer. 4. Use every marketing tool available. Higher prices, higher mortgage rates and a slower pace of sales encourage buyers to be pickier when looking for a home. Make sure your listing gets seen by as many buyers as possible through your MLS, your website and social media. The more prospects that see your listing, the better your chances of getting a higher offer and a bigger commission. To build a long career as a real estate agent, use the best available tools and focus on serving your customers in every market. To view the original article, visit the Revive blog.

Real Estate Hindsight: Analyzing Your Successes and Failures
A recent NAR report indicates that the hot housing market is starting to cool off. This is triggered by rising interest rates, a weaker economic outlook and an increase in inventory. This means you must use all the tools at your disposal to stay in the game. It's time to take inventory and analyze the real estate mistakes you made over the past year. It is also a time to look at your successes to understand the important role technology has played. Everyone has an opinion about the optimal time to sell a home, but selling a home is more than just timing. Getting a house sold requires a well-thought-out marketing plan, accurate information and capturing the eyes of potential buyers. So how can you focus on increasing your leads to keep your listing inventory and sales up? What went wrong Whether you are new to real estate or are a seasoned agent, you can avoid repeating mistakes by learning from them. Keeping up with the latest TikTok social media trends may have had you spending time and energy on the wrong demographic. Home sellers are not looking for an agent with the most followers in the 16-24 age group. Your seller is concerned with getting the attention of qualified buyers. Real estate strategies that work focus on the buyer's needs, like finding the right floor plan with accurate measurements. 3D virtual tours can make all the difference when the consumer is choosing a property. If you haven't been including these marketing tools, you are missing the mark. How you can improve Education benefits everyone. Understand why it is important to include floor plans and accurate measurements with every listing. The recent implementation of RMS (Residential Measurement Standards) in some jurisdictions focuses on a standard of measurement for all residential properties. Having a standard removes discrepancies in how and what is to be measured. You will note that Fannie Mae has recently mandated that all home appraisals in the United States are required to adhere to their ANSI-Z765 2021 measurement standard when calculating and reporting gross living area. Real estate agent strategies going forward can take advantage of the changing landscape regarding measurement requirements and get a step ahead of their peers. Choose to include floor plans that comply with the new standard to speed up the mortgage approval process for every sale. Time is valuable for the seller, buyer and everyone involved in the transaction. What was a success 3D virtual tours are the biggest success stories of the past two years and continue to be the top technology trend in demand for both home sellers and buyers. Not only does the virtual tour provide benefits to the consumer, it also helps you win listings and sell your listings faster. Statistics from Redfin, Realtor.com and multiple brokerages all report that virtual tours receive up to 87% more views than listings without. From the seller's standpoint, the 3D virtual tour showcases their property in an easy-to-use format, pre-qualifies potential buyers and saves time. Buyers can determine if the property matches their search criteria before in-person viewing. The ability to virtually walk through the property at any time day or night provides flexibility for both sellers and buyers. Sure, you will still make some mistakes, but if you want to stay successful in the years to come, focus on using technology from cutting-edge companies like iGUIDE. Not only can you use analytics to track your listing views, you can also share the data with sellers to highlight your marketing efforts. What can you do differently? Change is good. Without it, you would still be measuring homes with a retractable tape measure and handwriting listing agreements and memorandum. Changes in the real estate industry are happening due to the demands of the consumer and to provide accountability. Your strategies should continue to be adjusted to meet the requirements of your clients and drive engagement with buyers. Using technology keeps you at the forefront of the consumer's mind, offers ease of use and is current. Your brand becomes synonymous with professionalism when you demonstrate value by using virtual tours, floor plans and analytics to share information in every real estate transaction. Hindsight is 20/20 and can give clarity to your mistakes and successes. In the real estate industry, numbers account for every aspect of a property listing. From accurately measured floor plans and square footage to days on the market and 3D virtual tour analytics, iGUIDE can help.

5 Roadblocks Getting in the Way of Your Real Estate Success
Here are the top five roadblocks you need to address to stay ahead of the competition, position yourself for growth, and put the right systems in place to seize every opportunity. Real Estate Success Roadblock #1: Time Time is money (louder for the folks in the back). Time is money! But so many folks are not focusing on their most dollar-productive activity. They're swamped in admin work, or chasing cold leads with a manual approach. If you want big things, you need to focus on the right things. This means getting support to help you prioritize. It could be hiring an assistant, or ISA (or buyers agent, transaction coordinator—whatever will help you focus where you're using your skillset to the fullest). Or it could mean outsourcing tasks and avoiding the overhead with a third-party service of experts at your back. Whatever the case in your own business, take stock of the time vampires, and where you excel, so you're not stretched too thin and stuck in the overwhelm to see real gains. Real Estate Success Roadblock #2 Not Diversifying your Lead Sources and Working your Database Too many business plans look just like the year before, and that doesn't set you up for exponential growth and success. If you're just checking boxes and doing the same thing every year, it's time to shake it up. Competition will be brutal this spring, so you have to have the lead gen edge. This means improving and diversifying your current lead sources, and really maximizing your efforts for your existing database. It means having the tools, to engage, re-engage, and re-engage some more. Think about which lead sources are bringing in the ROI, and which ones need to be rethought. (And are you leveraging the right technology to track each source properly?) You need tools in your marketing arsenal to engage and re-engage (and re-engage) your existing database, and market to new clients in an engaging and personalized way. Automated email, texting, social media marketing, custom landing pages to promote exciting things like new listings, featured properties, a new homebuyer seminar—you name it! Real Estate Success Roadblock #3: Not Tracking Actions and Measuring Results We feel like a broken record talking about tracking everything, but it's just because we know it works and it's the proven way to optimize your marketing, your business, and your growth. But so many agents fail to do this because they're too busy, and don't have the right system to make it easy. (Like…automatic easy.) When you're tracking everything (website visits, email open rates, website traffic sources), you get a clear picture of what marketing efforts are bringing the ROI, what leads are ready for action, and what is converting. This is critical information to help you focus on what matters and what will ultimately drive your growth. As Tom Ferry says, "Marketing is math and there's a direct correlation from the numbers in my savings account to the numbers in my marketing." So make it easy on yourself. Get the tech system in place to track every single click, view, open and action. Real Estate Success Roadblock #4: Not Enough Accountability The most successful businesses are built on systems. This means they are run with the structure of the right software, and repeatable systems for success built around it. It's a process, it's a culture, it's a direct line to success. Every year, you should take an audit of your software and services and make sure you're leveraging them to improve your service offering. Investing in this means you can step back from the whirlwind. It means your direct involvement in every fire drill is unnecessary, and the fire drills are few and far between. It also means that your team understands the expectations and they "why." They know that when A happens, the next step is B, and then we move to C. Find a tech partner that gets this. You don't want a platform that doesn't have a system. That means it's a complete package and a real partner with training on the best practices, dedicated advisors to help you improve and optimize, and coaches who have been there and succeeded, and now they're here to share and help you succeed too. Real Estate Success Roadblock #5: Doing it All Penny wise, pound foolish. The cost vs. the growth mindset. However you'd like to phrase it, many agents are operating under the misconception that technology, good marketing, and outsourced services are a cost, rather than an investment. They're not running their business with a business mindset, and it will cost them their growth and success. By nature, real estate professionals are go-getters and entrepreneurs, but one person trying to "do it all" will ultimately not empower the business to succeed. You have to have the leadership and growth mentality to put the right technology and tools in place to handle your email marketing and automation, your digital marketing and social media marketing. You need the tools to track performance, test new campaigns, and drive traffic back to your site. Every lead needs to be followed up with and nurtured. And the list goes on. This is a list that should be divided between experts and savvy tech. When the right ones are in place, the results are astounding. To view the original article, visit the BoomTown blog.

How to Network Successfully to Grow Your Real Estate Business
Successful networking is about developing strong interpersonal skills, increasing your brand awareness and discovering hidden possibilities others have to offer. It can help you build your sphere of influence and create valuable connections for you to tap into. We all know well-developed, in-person relationships keep on giving in more ways than one. Successful networking is a combination of confidence and preparation. Knowing how to network is a key skill in today's business world. Let's bring your networking skills to the next level! Here are five must-have's for killer networking to grow your real estate business: 1. Have an open and confident body language for the memorable first impression. You have about seven seconds to make a first impression. You want to come across as a confident business professional — a mover and shaker. Confident body language can help you accomplish just that. Open torso with uncrossed arms Head and chest up Shoulders pulled back Expand your body to take up space Mirroring other's body language Smile at people walking by Always offer to shake hands – this leads us nicely to the next networking technique. 2. Have a firm and welcoming handshake. A handshake is an act of confidence and respect when meeting another professional – approach it as such. Make it firm, warm and authoritative. I think the handshake is a secret strategic weapon. 3. Have intriguing conversation openers at the ready. Don't start your line of questioning with "What do you do?" It's tired and old. You want to be memorable. Here are a few suggestions for killer conversation starters: What is your favorite blog or podcast? What are you passionate about? What are your hobbies? 4. Have your mindset set to the giver mentality. Think how you can help other people, not how they can help you. The giver mentality results in authenticity and confidence. When we are in the taker mentality, we are in the scarcity mode and come across as needy. When we are in the giver mentality, we are in the abundance mode and we are at ease and a magnet for people. Being a giver helps you make meaningful business and personal connections. 5. Have a well-developed elevator pitch. Prepare your elevator pitch beforehand. Tailor it to the networking even you're attending. Stick to one to three sentences describing what you're all about – make it interesting by injecting a few interesting personal tidbits that can lead to a more in-depth discussion. An elevator speech is the easiest way to share who you are, what you do, and why you want to get to know another person in a quick efficient manner. When combined with a positive first impression and a confident handshake, this can lead to building valuable connections. Practice displaying a confident body language. Practice making a positive first impression. Practice your handshake. Practice and play around with your conversation starters. Practice tailoring your elevator speech to various audiences. Practice makes it more natural and second nature. To your networking success! To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

Top 5 Reasons Why Homes Today Need to Be Move-in Ready
The real estate market is changing dramatically. Home buyers are exerting a greater influence on today's housing market than they have in years. Home inspections, seller concessions, finance contingencies, and price adjustments are back. Real estate agents are facing this latest shift by educating sellers about what today's market means to them and the sale of their house. The challenge one veteran agent observed is that "sellers are viewing the real estate market today as if it were six months ago, while buyers are looking at it as if it is six months from now." Home buyers have more power in this market, and what they want more than anything else is a move-in-ready house. Where in the previous market, sellers didn't have to think about their home's condition, updates or upgrades, in this market, it's vital to at least have that conversation. While there will always be circumstances where an "as-is" listing is the best option for a seller, innovative new ways for homeowners to offer a move-in ready home solves the most common seller obstacles. Today, presale renovation services, like Revive's complete turnkey solution, are available for real estate agents to share with their homeowner clients. Revive offers home renovations — from minor prep work to full remodels that cost up to $300,000 or more — with $0 due from the homeowner until closing. Why is it vital that sellers avoid an "as-is" listing and bring their home to market move-in ready? Here are the top five reasons sellers will want their agents to list a move-in ready home: 1. Market shift: "As is" homes are now tougher to sell. Buyers are gaining more negotiation power and no longer must settle for a purchase without contingencies. In addition, an as-is home sale can break apart when that home requires traditional financing, as lender requirements have standards that all homes must meet. With the return of inspections, buyers can see all the features — and flaws — a home has before the purchase is complete. Many buyers will not want to make needed repairs after the sale. These changes in the real estate landscape cry for move-in ready homes. 2. Millennials want move-in ready homes: Today, Millennials comprise 43% of homebuyers, the highest share of any generation, according to a study by the National Association of Realtors. What's more: A recent TD Bank study found that nearly 80% of Millennials want move-in ready homes. They want to avoid fixer-uppers. The NAR study also found that 70% of Millennial home buyers would choose a smaller home, giving up the need for more space, to secure a move-in-ready home. 3. Move-in ready homes sell faster, helping real estate agents sell more homes: Real estate agents nationwide report that as-is homes are staying on the market longer. Revive's research shows that renovated homes sell 72% l faster than other homes listed for sale. The quicker a home sale can be closed, the more time agents will have to help other sellers. Move-in ready homes and speed up an agent's pipeline, allowing them to sell more homes. 4. Move-in ready homes sell for more: When a home is renovated to maximize its appeal to the greatest number of sellers — Revive's tactic — these move-in ready homes become an immediate equity builder. Homes renovated by Revive, for example, generate an average $186,000 gain in profits because move-in ready homes sell for more money. In addition, when agents recommend their homeowners use a renovation solution like Revive, they boost their average return on their investment, or ROI, by a stunning 257%. 5. Competitive differentiator for agents: Most real estate agents are unaware of new presale renovation solutions that innovative companies like Revive provide. Also known as Concierge firms, the programs and services provide renovations without advance funds from the seller. At Revive, a team of designers and advisors connect agents and their sellers to a vetted network of contractors to swiftly complete high-quality work without the risks of going it alone. Once the home is renovated, the agent lists the move-in-ready home, which sells for more money than it would have if marketed as-is. Agents who work with a renovation solution, like Revive, differentiate themselves in their local market. Take real estate agent Chalon Williams, a Keller Williams real estate agent in the Seattle area. She and her seller worked with Revive to turn what would have been an as-is listing estimated at $875,000 into a $1,300,000 sale. The Revive-led renovation provided flooring, interior painting, kitchen remodel, lighting enhancement, staging and more. The total renovation cost was $157,756 netting $267,244 in additional profits for William's seller. Revive reports it has already helped its sellers like the one on Bainbridge Island create more than $60 million in greater profits. Dozens of examples are online here. For agents, a presale renovation means higher sales prices, which translates into a triple win: it often creates life-changing wealth for sellers, a higher net commission for agents, and greater profits for their brokerage. To learn more about how presale renovations work, visit revive.realestate. Michael Alladawi, CEO and Founder of Revive, is a Southern California real estate veteran with a proven track record as a builder, investor, and respected home flipper. Michael created Revive to share his spectrum of knowledge and help homeowners maximize their profits when selling their homes.

7 Staging Tips to Help Your Listings Sell Faster
Staging a home for sale may require some extra pre-sale prep, but the time and money reap plenty of rewards. The majority of buyers' agents (82%) said that staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize a property as their future home, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors. Nearly a quarter (23%) of buyers' and sellers' agents said that a staged home received an offer 1% to 5% higher than a similar home that hadn't been staged and 18% of sellers' agents said the value of a staged home was 6% to 10% higher. In addition, 31% of agents said that staging decreased the days a home spent on the market. Among the places to stage, living rooms and kitchens are the most popular, followed by the master bedroom, dining room, and home office. Revive provides professional guidance and services to help you and your clients decide which areas to stage before a sale to help buyers see themselves living in a home. While each home is different, these seven tips offer a starting point for every listing: 1. Update the kitchen. While a complete kitchen upgrade may be too costly, painting the cabinets, changing the faucet, updating the backsplash or changing the hardware can provide an instant lift to any kitchen. Homeowners with a bigger budget can upgrade their appliances or install a new counter. Revive can provide the funds upfront for a renovation and recoup the costs after the sale. 2. Add an office. Whether it's staging a bedroom for an office, redesigning a closet into a workspace or creating a desk space in an underused nook, a place to work or do homework is increasingly valuable to buyers. 3. Touch up the bathroom. Besides a deep clean, bathrooms often need new caulk around the tub or shower or have cracked or old grout to replace between tiles. Painting the walls or updating the mirror are minor fixes that have a maximum impact. 4. Organize the closets. Sellers should always empty their closets to pack items that aren't urgently needed, but before they put everything back, they may want to invest in new shelves, racks and bins. Storage is a top priority for most buyers, so flexible organizers can be a big attraction. 5. Add lighting. Brighter lightbulbs are one of the simplest ways to stage a home. Adding under cabinet lights or pendant lighting can be an inexpensive yet valuable asset to a home. Replacing older light fixtures with more modern ones is another simple fix to appeal to buyers. 6. Do minor repairs. Loose hinges, corroded doorknobs, small holes, sticky windows, dented heat vents and dripping faucets may go unnoticed by homeowners but will send buyers a signal that some maintenance may have been deferred. Painting the front door and replacing its hardware can make an important first impression. A contractor can typically do multiple minor repairs in a few hours. 7. Upgrade the floors. Replacing small floors such as in the kitchen and bathroom can have a big impact on the appearance of those rooms. Depending on the budget, adding hardwood floors or luxury vinyl tiles or planks can elevate larger spaces. Whether your clients' home needs an extensive makeover or a few tweaks to help buyers see the property as their new home, contact Revive to find out how we can streamline pre-sale prep with reliable contractors and efficient service. To view the original article, visit the Revive blog.

Friday Freebie: 67 Tips and Strategies from Real Estate Professionals
A real estate coach or mentor can be a powerful influence on your career. Not everyone, however, can afford the luxury of a coach or has a mentor readily available to them. That's where this week's Friday Freebie comes in. We're highlighting a collection of 67 insights from top real estate agents on everything from showings, closings, client management, time management, life lessons, tech advice, and beyond. Consider this guide a digital real estate coach you can take anywhere! Read on to learn how to claim your free copy. Free download of Agent Insights, courtesy of Zurple Learning from your peers is one of the best ways to avoid professional mistakes—and to discover the tricks and shortcuts for doing your job better. We all want to work smarter, not harder, and taking advice from those who have been there before is one of the smartest strategies you can employ. But short of a real estate conference or multiple conversations over a long period of time, that advice can be hard to come by. Agent Insights puts that advice in one, easy place. It offers 67 tips, strategies, and more from real estate professionals around the country. Here's just a peek at some of the insights this guide contains: Business Lessons from the Golf Course Don't Get Bullied by Pushy Real Estate Clients If We Can't Show It, We Can't Sell It! 3 Underestimated Sources of Advertising Inspiration for Realtors I Won't Discount, But I'll Give You an Extra Perk And more! Each insight offers actionable advice or steps to take that agents can use right away, as well as information on the Realtor giving the advice, and the option to learn more. Get advice you can use today! Download Agent Insights: 67 Tips and Strategies from Real Estate Professionals now.

10 Real Estate Networking Tips to Live By
The life of a Realtor is a never-ending networking event. Each person you meet is a potential lead, or may even have a referral (including other agents and real estate industry professionals). It's important to stay connected and network with your local community members if your business is to survive. The internet may have leveled the lead generation game to an extent, but other networking and lead generation tactics have stood the test of time. We've put together this list networking tips that all agents should live by no matter the latest social media trend or hottest CRM platform. Here are 10 real estate networking tips all agents should live by: 1. Attend Real Estate Events This is probably the oldest rule in the book. The only way grow your real estate business is by finding out what other others are doing. Just because other agents don't seem likely to turn into a lead doesn't mean they can't provide advice or a referral one day. 2. Establish Connections with Complementary Businesses During a the buying/selling process, you are constantly in contact with other businesses, such as contractors, loan originators, landscapers, and other professionals. Having personal connections with may one day lead to a discount or referral. 3. Challenge Yourself If you have been attending the same conference for the past 20 years, maybe it's time to branch out. Meeting new people is the only way you'll grow your real estate business. 4. Attend Local (Non-Real Estate) Events Real estate agents should be fully immersed in their local communities. Buyers and sellers want agents that know all the right people. Endorsing a local sports team or non-profit group is an easy way to prove your local reputation. 5. Act as Though Your Business Is Paperless In this technology age, it's reasonable to assume most leads will lose or throw away your print marketing materials, such as business cards. When you receive a business card, follow up with that person via email and save their contact information digitally. Also be sure leads can find you with just a Google search. 6. Be a Loyal Customer of Others Purchasing from their business will make people more inclined to purchase from yours. If your lead is a hair stylist, attorney, plumber, or financial advisor, consider using their services first to initiate a relationship. 7. Have a Strong Team One of the easiest ways to expand your personal real estate brand is through other members of your brokerage. If you're carrying the weight of your brokerage's new lead generation, consider finding new team members. 8. Connect with Leads on Topics Other than Real Estate It's okay to talk with clients about non-work related topics. In fact, agents should try to connect with leads on a personal level more often. Leads will be more likely to remember you if you expressed a common interest of theirs. 9. Everyone Is Your Friend Everyone loves gifts! Try sending a pop-by gift related to your ability to ability to sell homes. Include a funny pun related to being quick, helpful, or influential amongst your community. 10. Take Real Estate Internet Leads Seriously Much of networking takes place online, so be sure to treat internet leads with care. If you don't spend time with leads online, why should they have faith you'll spend time with them in person? To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

How to Take Advantage of This Real Estate Market
Agents, how are you viewing this market shift? Rather than seeing it as a slow-down period, you should be thinking about it as your chance to gain the upper hand and boost your business for years to come. Now that you can come up for air, it's time to focus on your business, budgeting, and best practices. With the new year right around the corner, now is the perfect time to be planning out your action plans for 2023 and beyond. Here's how you can take advantage of the market conditions to get ahead in your business. 1. Talk to Your Team With the market slowing down, this gives you a fantastic opportunity to resync with your team. As a first step to making the market work for you, you want to check in with all of the people who power the business and get their feedback on: What's working What's not working What they need help with What ideas they've come up with for improvements What their goals are for the next year This can help you get a real-time status update on your team's collaboration, productivity, and process. Opening the line of communication can also boost team morale and empower every individual to step up and share their unique insights. Pro Tip: To make this process as efficient as possible, we recommend that you give your team time to think about what they'd like to say. Set a formal meeting time and explain to them what you'd like to speak about so they can gather their thoughts in advance, rather than bringing it up unannounced — which may catch your introverted team members off-guard, preventing them from sharing their point of view. 2. Think About Connecting Your Front and Back Office Is your front and back office humming together in perfect harmony? If not, you should be thinking about how you can create seamless collaboration between your client-facing and team-facing tasks. The deeper integration between these two types of software gives your business the bandwidth it needs to create pristine client experiences and more efficient team workflows. Think seamless syncing of systems, instant data access, and a user-friendly transaction management portal that keeps everyone in the loop — helping you work better together. 3. Revisit Your Budget As we're arriving at the end of the year, it's the perfect time to revisit your budget. Take a long, hard look at your finances for the 2022 year. Pay attention to where you were overspending, where you underspent, and where you can cut back on waste. An important thing to think about when looking at your budget is that you want to be investing in tools that will generate solid returns for your business. You don't necessarily want to cut back on the tools and infrastructure that keep your business running strong. Otherwise, you could be cutting back your spending — at the expense of reducing your profitability. A strategic budget puts your dollars to the best use in order to generate more financial gains in the future. 4. Refine Your Tech Toolkit How did your tech toolkit perform for you this year? With the market slowing, it's a fantastic time for you to audit your technology. We're moving into a digital-first world, and the best agents are relying on their technology to empower their business models in the new year. Even if you don't make any changes to your tech, you might want to reach out to support teams to find out if there are any updates that you weren't aware of. You may also want to inquire about any additional training you can get to help lock in your team's expertise with their toolkit. 5. Clean Up Your Database Finally, you should take the time to clean up your database — getting it ready to do its best work in the new year. 5 To-Do's to Improve Your Database Make sure all information is current and accurate Fix any typos or mistakes in your contacts Incorporate any new information you may have gathered into your contacts Segment your contacts into categories Tag your contacts based on where they are in the transaction timeline To view the original article, visit the BoomTown blog.

How to Reduce Stress from Tech: 4 Time-Tested Tactics
Brokers and their agents are stressed out: long hours, a seismic shift in the market, a record jump in mortgage interest rates, not to mention a pandemic that turned so many lives upside down. And because of the pandemic, the entire real estate industry jumped on the tech bandwagon, catapulting the adoption of new technology by industry pros — we Zoom, Dropbox, eSign, Facebook, and Google more than ever. Screen time is soaring with the onslaught of new technology dominating a broker's workday. What can you do to reduce stress, especially from tech? Here are four time-tested tactics experts suggest can help brokers – or agents – reduce technology-induced or aided stress. Digital Detox: You need to take a complete break from technology, starting with your smartphone. Build this into at least a weekend vacation. A few days of near-zero screen time can do wonders to help you learn to relax. That means no social media scrolling or checking texts or emails. No video games playing or even watching the news. It's time to break away. Get help from a coworker or your significant other who can monitor urgent messages that may need your response because we all know real estate happens. Pro tip: Go to your happy place – your favorite vacation spot or getaway to chill out (unless, of course, your happy place is an internet café, but that's doubtful.) Divorcing yourself from all things tech will reduce stress, increase social interaction and give you more time control. In addition, you are likely to discover how much negativity digital devices may be contributing to your daily life. Change your tech tendencies: Most people are creatures of habit. The same is true when it comes to the technology we use. Is your phone by your bedside at night? Do you ever check your email in the middle of the night or pick up your phone immediately after waking up? Do you use your phone in the bathroom? How much total time do you spend looking at a screen each day? Your smartphone tracks that and can tell you. How do you feel after spending time on Instagram or Facebook? Happy or sad; frustrated or angry? Taking a full assessment of your tech habits and how you react when you use technology for different things can help you change your tendencies. Be proactive: create one if you don't already have family rules in place, such as no phones out at the dinner table. Understanding how you cumulatively spend your time and energy now with tech will help you correct or reduce bad habits and discover better, more positive ways to use your time. Increase face-to-face interaction: Are you Zoomed out? A lot of brokers find being in Zoom meetings all day can be exhausting. It's a great tool, but like everything, it requires use in moderation. Have you noticed increased pleasure when spending time face-to-face with other people? Humans hunger for interpersonal interaction, which seems particularly true for real estate professionals. There is no substitute for face-to-face communication as a stress reliever. Spend more time meeting with your agents and other professionals in person. You will likely find it less stressful but a lot more enjoyable, productive and fun! Set a curfew for your tech: Did you know that blue light emanating from your phone that you are looking at in bed can wreck a good night's sleep? According to health professionals, your mobile phone screen reduces the production of melatonin, a hormone controlling your sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm. As a result, using a mobile phone at night can make it difficult to fall asleep and wake up the following day. In addition, researchers note that the circadian rhythm appears extra sensitive to blue light, making your brain think it's daytime. The best advice: unplug at night. Turn your electronic devices off an hour before you go to sleep. Let's also acknowledge that while technology may contribute to your stress load, it can also relieve stress. You can enjoy silly videos or funny memes and listen to your favorite music on your phone. Meditation apps like Calm or Headspace can help you relax – and fast. Your Fitbit or Apple watch can help monitor your physical activity, which also reduces stress. You can even schedule a video session with a therapist to discover more ways and methods you can use to reduce stress. Even broker tech tools such as transaction management software like Form Simplicity can help reduce work-related stress. They help keep you compliant, streamlines your workflow, and help you stay connected to your agents. You can learn more about how Form Simplicity can help brokers at formsimplicity.com/brokers. Tricia Stamper is Director of Technology at Florida Realtors®, which owns and operates Tech Helpline and Form Simplicity.

What Are Today's Millennial Homebuyers Looking for?
What percentage of home buyers are millennials? Millennials constitute 43% to 47% of home buyers, currently the highest percentage of all age groups. Millennials are considered anyone born from 1981 to 1996; the majority of the oldest millennials are currently between the ages of 34 to 41. According to the Arizona Pathways to Life Success study, 29 is the median age for millennials. And 80% of millennials are first-time homebuyers. I'm a real estate agent. What should I know about working with millennial homebuyers? Housing prices have risen substantially over the past decade, and wages have not jumped at an incidental rate. As a result, millennial consumers have waited longer to purchase a home. After graduating college, many millennials moved back home with their parents to pay off some (or all) of their student loan debt. To compound this challenge, millennials have struggled to find high paying jobs. Today's millennials will typically look for homes that will cost between $100K- $200K. Among millennial buyers, 27% pay around $200,000 and 29% pay around $399,999, while 10% spend between $300,000 and $399,999 on first-time home purchases. What kind of houses do millennials want? Millennials are especially attracted to spacious, inexpensive houses in the suburbs. While they want the possibility of public transportation, they'll value locations that benefit their young families, such as parks and well-rated public schools. Millenials who grew up with smart technologies in their parents' homes are likely to want their own homes equipped with gadgets like smart locks, security systems, and Nest thermostats that can be linked and monitored through a website or app. Read this article for more insight into the millennial demographic and how to connect with them on a personal level. How can millennials benefit your business in the short-term and the long run? Millennials who are first-time buyers are a lucrative group for real estate agents to pursue because they can lead to many years of repeat business and valuable real estate referrals. To view the original article, visit the IXACT Contact blog.

4 Basic Tips for Upping Your Real Estate Game
Excelling as a real estate agent is a lot of work. Absolutely no one is denying that. You essentially become a one-man (or woman) business even when you are associated with a brokerage. You are often responsible for your own prospecting, marketing, network building and, of course, the entire process of helping your clients buy or sell a house. So how do you accomplish all the tasks you are responsible for, and still find the time to get new clients and be the absolute best agent for them? Have a Strong Online Presence Having a strong online presence is the gold standard for real estate agents in this day and age. The first thing any potential client will do when considering hiring you is find your social media accounts. (If, of course, that is not how they came across you in the first place.) Based on the impression they get from your profiles, they will make a decision to contact you or not. So, it is your job to make sure that first digital impression is one they will not soon forget. To accomplish that, follow these tips: Diversify your content. Your content could include blog posts, shared articles, quotes you find motivating, houses you are representing, promotional material, client reviews, etc. Make at least a couple of posts every week to ensure your profile is updated Have your contact information easily accessible. Every post should look professional and carefully thought out. Use a few hashtags and emojis to catch people's attention. Keeping up a strong online presence is a free way to continuously be focusing on self-promotion and client procurement. So, it is well worth your while to find the time necessary to get your profiles in tip-top shape. Put Your Relationships First To be the best agent you can be, you need to maintain and build relationships with your previous clients, and all the business professionals you connect with. Reach out with a meaningful card during the holidays or birthdays just to remind everyone that you are still working in the industry. Staying in touch opens the door to forming partnerships that can greatly benefit your business. Other industry professionals, like bankers or contractors, can recommend you to their clients who they know are planning on moving. Your previous clients can also recommend your services, and are much more likely to if they feel they still have a connection to you. Essentially, your network is the lifeline of your business. Without a focus and commitment to it, you will never be able to keep your pipeline full. Take Care of Yourself At the end of the day, you need to be making your mental and physical health a priority. Without getting enough sleep, breaks from work, or balanced meals, you will not be at your best. Take the necessary steps to make sure you are maintaining your health, and the positive effects will quickly become evident in your work. Here are some strategies you can implement today: Turn off your phone at a certain time every night. Practice mindfulness Go on a short walk when you need a 10-minute break. You will feel more energized, focused, and resilient if you are taking care of yourself everyday. Learn to Delegate You can not do everything on your own—especially if you want take care of yourself and dedicate time to actually growing your business instead of just maintaining it. It's a hard fact to come to for many real estate agents, but all the best agents know it is true. So don't wait until you feel so burnt out and overworked you begin to hate your job to finally invest in some help. Be proactive and do it now, so you can start focusing on tasks that will help propel your business' growth instead of just keeping it afloat. For example, hiring a transaction coordinator can give you back up to 16 hours of your time per transaction. Imagine all the progressive work you could accomplish with that time! Hiring help is not as expensive as you may think, and it is a cost you could potentially pass along to your clients. To view the original article, visit the Transactly blog.

5 Great Daily Habits for Real Estate Agents
Setting daily habits can help you be more organized, have more free time, and see better business results. Here are five we recommend implementing today: Respond Quickly to Online Leads More and more, online response time is a key determinant of successful lead contact, conversion, bookings, and closings. Whether you are using an AI chatbot or manually responding to online leads, having a response system in place — and tracking your metrics with an end goal of staying under 10 minutes or less — will help you capture inbound leads before they move on to someone or somewhere else. Network in Person and Online Real estate is a people business; make a daily habit of engaging with your client base where they work, live, and play. A big part of networking successfully is staying informed with what is happening in your local community and making time to get out and participate. This includes engaging with others on social media before and after an event. Be sure to tag businesses and share content to your channels, when appropriate. Plan Your Day Ahead of Time It may sound like common sense, but planning your day the day before is an excellent way to manage your time and set yourself up for success (starting with that first sip of coffee!). Schedule chunks of time for networking, responding to leads (have a system – see above), and engaging with folks online via social media. Put Your Clients Needs First Modern-day real estate agents offer a value-added service to their clients. To make that experience one that drives referrals and five-star reviews, you need to put their needs first. Every day, find opportunities to provide information and resources both relevant and useful to the home buying and selling process. How can you alleviate stress and facilitate a more streamlined process for gathering information, organizing showings, and more? Invest in and Use Your CRM Using your CRM system every day can help automate and streamline all of these habits, keep you organized with your time, and measure the effectiveness of in-person and digital marketing activities. To view the original article, visit the IXACT Contact blog.

20 Daily Activities for Profitable Real Estate Agents
Need a little structure for your daily routine? As a real estate agent, you're spinning a lot of plates at once and it's easy to feel scattered and burnt out. Becky Garcia, Broker/Owner of The Garcia Group in Arizona, gives her agents this streamlined list of 20 daily activities to stay on task and keep generating business: Hand write letters with your business cards to past clients. Shadow a teammate who has an appointment that day. If nothing is scheduled yet for the weekend, plan an open house to sit. Spend one hour a day strategically on Facebook or Instagram. This means categorizing your clients or people you feel have the highest potential to refer you someone. Once categorized, you can filter your newsfeed so only they show up. Then you send them direct messages to see how they're doing! It's best if you did video, but any message will do. Comment on any photos they post. This will keep you top of mind. Visit one new home sales office that you haven't been to. Talk to the sales rep. Ask how traffic is. What are they seeing? Get the details about the inventory. Shoot video. Video can then be uploaded to social media. You can do a video walkthrough and you then text that video to buyer clients in your system. You can also advertise those homes on social media, like "New homes starting at X price." So, some content for your story, some for your feed, and some for posting to buyer leads. Do you have a bio written out yet? If not, write one up so you can use that on your website and your profiles. Work on creating a "Linktree" link for your Instagram profile. Circle dialing around new listings, just sold, just listed, and open houses—or FSBO and expireds. Preview some new, vacant listings that you can start marketing. (This is also how you learn inventory.) Which of your past clients can you offer a home evaluation to? How can you market any current listings that you have? Study the MLS and check local market sources. Get it on your schedule. What brokerage training can you attend? Research and attend broker tours. This is how you network with other agents and view inventory. Listen to one real estate podcast a week. Set your work goals every week on Sunday. Review that on Friday. Did you keep your commitments? Schedule a time to meet with your marketing department to have a strategy session on what services they can help you with. What can they be creating or sending on your behalf? If you're not working with a brokerage that offers these services, evaluate what should you be creating or sending? What can you outsource? Are there any escrow milestone gifts coming up that you need to arrange? Example: Move-in meal or final walkthrough gift. Do you need to schedule a Zoom with a lender to find out the latest loan programs, interest rates, etc.? Last, but not least, schedule some sort of self-care appointment or activity. To view the original article, visit the BoomTown blog.

[Podcast] Advice for New Agents, Resources, and the LGBTQ+ Community with Anthony Vulin
In this episode of It's Closing Time, RentSpree CEO Michael Lucarelli sits down with Anthony Vulin. Anthony is a very successful broker/agent in Los Angeles, the President of the Greater LA Association of REALTORS, and the National VP of the LGBTQ+ community called The Alliance. Anthony delivers must-have tips for brand new agents entering their careers in real estate, the relationship between real estate and the LGBTQ+ community, and the resources available for agents in that community to be able to thrive in their careers and lives.  

How to Convince FSBOs to Use an Agent
The FSBO. Yeah, you know this acronym inside and out--the challenge is how do you explain to the "for sale by owner" consumer that using a Realtor is more than paying a commission to sell their house? Plenty of homeowners try to sell their own residences by sticking a homemade sign on their front lawn and listing some inaccurate data and self-edited photos online. But when it comes to selling their home privately, the risks outweigh the rewards. Is the consumer really informed about what services and safeguards are offered by you when listing and selling a home? Perhaps it's time to focus on more than being just a typical agent—it is time to get real and highlight the benefits that come with your professional real estate services. The high cost of saving on real estate commissions One of the initial things that comes up when you mention a Realtor is commissions. While selling your home privately may seem like a good idea, it can cost the seller more than the real estate fees associated with an agent's services. First off, the market is not always hot, but whether it's booming or busting, your experience and access to statistical information keeps you in the know about the current market value of a property. Overpricing or underpricing a home can cost the FSBO seller time and/or money. As an agent, you know how to get a property sold by making good use of proptech like 3D tours, floor plans, and comparative market analysis data. According to a recent NAR report, a FSBO sale is very likely to end up netting the seller a lower price than if they worked with an agent. You know how to get top dollar for a home because of your access to information, excellent real estate marketing plan and negotiation skills. Not only do you save the seller the hassle of a FSBO transaction by setting up virtual tours and virtual open houses, but using proptech tools, like those from iGuide, gets the seller the best market price in the least amount of time. When you work as a real estate agent, it is your full-time occupation. Life experiences in the profession have given you a sixth sense about potential home buyers. A FSBO consumer is keen to open their doors to anyone who comes knocking—after all, that is how you sell a house right? An open-door policy is great when you are working in a secluded space amongst trusted associates, but allowing everyone and anyone to enter when selling your home privately may lead to some trouble. Realtors have safeguards in place to protect the consumer from theft, inaccurate information, and misrepresentation. Crimes during open houses are easily avoided with the implementation of virtual tours and virtual open houses. Targeting qualified buyers using proptech tools allows you to bring serious contenders to a physical showing. And when it comes to providing the most accurate information about the dimensions of a home, interactive floor plans and advanced measurements have got you covered. No need to entertain the snoopy neighbour or the would-be thief sniffing around. Protection for the transaction Mistakes happen. But when they do, someone is going to pay the price. A smooth transaction begins with presenting all the facts and figures as accurately as possible. Precision measurements on floor plans, combined with 3D tours, allow you to present a clear understanding of the space to potential buyers. On the flip side, a FSBO listing does not offer any proof of actual size, opening the seller up to misrepresentation. Real estate agents know the value of using disclosure statements to provide information about patent defects or latent defects that could affect the sale of a property. When selling a home privately, these defects could end up causing a lawsuit against the homeowner in a FSBO situation. Failing to disclose a known problem such as mold or previous basement flooding is grounds for seeking damages through the courts. Realtors know how to ask the right questions, follow through with solid marketing plans, and can get the property sold quickly all while protecting the interests of the seller. Should an unexpected mistake occur, your Errors and Omissions insurance is in place to shield you, the seller, and the buyer from costly damages. Ease of process and access According to NAR's 2021 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report, 89% of all home sellers and 87% of all home buyers use a real estate agent for their real estate transactions. One of the top reasons for a seller to use your services is to help sell their home at a competitive price and in the least amount of time. How does a Realtor satisfy the needs of the seller? Make the process easy with minimal disruption to the seller's life. Real estate marketing includes using proptech tools that provide access to the home 24/7 via online 3D tours and laser-accurate floor plans. Intuitive navigation makes it easy for a buyer to uncover the inner beauty of a home without interfering in the seller's daily activities. Selling a home privately only results in a sale about 10% of the time because a FSBO consumer is limited by the lack of skill, proptech, and experience with the whole process. Time is of the essence when you work in real estate. Achieving a sale quickly is dependent on your use of tools to provide a smooth and successful transaction for the consumer. Your expertise, skills, and service are no match for the novice FSBO. The answer to the question of whether or not someone should sell their home privately is to forgo selling by owner for the reasons above. To view the original article, visit the iGuide blog. Futher Reading True Confessions of a FSBO 184 Things You Do for Real Estate Clients (and they don't even know it) Combating FSBO: 3 Reasons Why Agents Rule

What Makes a Successful Real Estate Agent?
The allure of flexible working hours and the potential to make a great income are some of real estate's biggest draws. But like any sales position, becoming a successful real estate agent takes persistence, drive, and a strategy to grow your business. If you're passionate about the role, the first two are almost inherent. But not everyone in real estate has taken the time to create a sound strategy for growth. This is essential, whether you're new to the industry or looking to advance your career, because success is harder to achieve without clear direction. If you're looking for guidance on where to begin, we have you covered. First, you'll need to lay out a plan of action that addresses the most important aspects of a successful real estate business: Be an expert in all things real estate Build relationships and a network Strengthen your online presence Invest in marketing, and be consistent Work the long game There's no one-size-fits-all path toward achieving each step, but there are rules of thumb to follow. Let's break down each of these five areas so you can create a thorough strategy that will lead you to success in your field. 1. Be an expert in all things real estate Expertise is the reason buyers and sellers hire an agent. This includes having extensive knowledge of your farm area and the real estate transaction process so you can answer your client's questions, guide them through the experience and ensure they attain a successful outcome. To hone your real estate and market expertise, you need to learn about: The neighborhood. Know everything about your farm area from schools and local businesses to street names and public transportation options. Who lives there and what they experience. Be up-to-date on local demographics, politics, environmental issues and other information that impacts the area. Recent transactions and valuations. Learn the features and valuations of the homes in your farm, what the average days on market is, and which properties required price cuts and why. Overall market and industry trends. Where do supply, demand and pricing currently stand? Check out these real estate media to stay current on industry news and statistics. 2. Build relationships and a network Warning: if you don't love interacting with people, this job may not be for you. At its core, being a real estate agent is all about building relationships. You want to get to know people who live in your farm area so you can be top of mind when they are ready to sell; maintain open communication with leads and prospects to build trust; and develop strong relationships with fellow agents so you can refer each other when one of you gets a lead outside of your farm area or specialty. Professional relationships also serve a more strategic purpose. Think about it as building a network of trusted colleagues that you can call on when needed (and vice versa). Imagine this: You have a client who puts an offer on a house that has multiple competing bids. But, you happen to have a great relationship with the listing agent. They'd be more willing to negotiate a deal with you than agents they don't know. A win for your client will net you a five-star review and referrals down the road. 3. Invest in marketing, and be consistent Most real estate agents can't rely on their brokerage to fund their marketing activities, making it an out-of-pocket expense. As such, many agents are reluctant to spend their hard-earned money on marketing. The problem is that you can't look at it as an expense. Marketing is an investment. It's the way you will build brand awareness and acquire new leads to keep your funnel full and your business growing. Most marketing tactics won't generate an immediate, quantifiable ROI. That is understood among all marketing professionals. But the results build over time and eventually snowball if you remain consistent in your efforts. When you run ads, keep them up week after week. If someone sees your ad just once, you're making it really easy for them to forget you. But the more impressions you get per person (i.e., the number of times the same person sees your ads), the more likely they are to think of you when they're ready to buy or sell. 4. Strengthen your online presence We live in a virtually connected society, so it should come as no surprise that 95% of people use the internet during their home-buying journey. Whether they are searching for the right neighborhood or an agent to work with, most are using Google over other search engines. Those two stats alone indicate where you should focus a majority of your efforts—and marketing budget—if you want to be a successful real estate agent (online and on Google). When thinking of where to advertise online, Facebook is king. Nearly three quarters of its 223 million U.S. users are on the site daily, while 98% of its users go on monthly. Those are incredible engagement numbers! Although people don't turn to Facebook for real estate searches specifically, homebuyers are certainly on the site. It's the perfect channel to build brand awareness and promote listings with ads. Plus, nearly a quarter of users click on Facebook ads, meaning your ROI is more than just views—you're acquiring new leads. Specific to Google, you'll want to build a real estate website that is optimized for search so that it appears on the first page of results when someone searches for an agent in your farm area. Perhaps even more important is claiming and managing your Google business profile. This is akin to a digital business card and shows up to the right of search results when someone Googles your name or a related search term. It contains your agent bio, headshot, contact information, latest real estate successes and reviews with star ratings. 5. Work the long game In #3, we mentioned how important consistency is. Likewise, taking a long-term approach to all aspects of your strategy is what will help you become a successful real estate agent. You can automate many of the inner workings of your strategy (and even outsource aspects like ad creation or Google business profile management), but as a whole, you cannot "set it and forget it." Keep a long-term outlook when it comes to your client relationships. These are people who can refer you or become repeat business when they are ready to move again, so it's important to stay connected and maintain a good rapport. Put together a marketing plan that helps you stay in touch, whether that's an annual anniversary email, a birthday text, a rewards program for referrals or something similar. Build time into your weekly schedule to brush up on your market knowledge; touch base with prospects, colleagues and past clients; expand your online presence; and manage live digital ads or launch new ones. You will see results when you work the long game, and that is how you will ultimately become a successful real estate agent. To view the original article, visit the Homesnap blog.

5 Habits That Will Lose Real Estate Agents Money
Real estate is a marathon, not a sprint. Instead of losing all your steam from grinding in the beginning of the busy season, ensure you are producing results year-round. To do this, we have identified five habits that real estate agents should get rid of. 1. Only Focusing on New Leads All your old acquaintances shouldn't be forgotten. Some real estate agents are so motivated to generate new leads that they forget the gold mine that is sitting in their CRM: past clients. You need to find excuses to stay in touch with your book of business, because those relationships you build today can convert into your transactions tomorrow. 2. "Do It Yourself" Solutions A real estate agent building their own website is equivalent to a homeowner trying to sell their own home. It makes sense if the homeowner is also an agent, or if you have studied web development—but, in most cases, it's better to get your real estate website from a company that specializes in the industry. Wordpress, Squarespace, Wix, and other similar hosting sites are pretty and easy to customize, BUT they are not optimized for real estate. IDX solutions won't be built-in. And you'll have to stay on top of any lead inquiries you get, because they don't automatically email new leads like websites that are coupled with CRMs. 3. Dismissing Leads Not Ready to Transact in 28 Days There is a common myth among real estate agents that leads not ready to buy or sell their home in 28 days are not worth the time. This is absolutely not true, and is a surefire way to have those leads work with a different agent when they finally raise their hand. Successful agents understand the homebuyer journey can sometimes take up to a year of just researching before they are ready to look at homes. These agents will nurture those leads until that point. If you are dismissing an internet lead because they aren't ready, other agents that have effective nurturing campaigns are the ones cashing the check. 4. Not Logging into Your CRM Regularly Many real estate CRMs give you consumer insight and give you the tools to convert those real estate leads into clients. Zurple, for example, tracks behavior through lead intelligence and lets you know which leads you should take action on—and which leads you can continue to monitor. One of the reasons a real estate agent fails is because they don't properly follow up with their real estate leads. Part of that reason is not logging into their CRM on at least a weekly basis. 5. Not Having Habits in General Consistency is the key to success. To develop consistency, you need to have good habits. The best practices as a real estate agent must be practiced on a regular schedule. You can't join the gym, run 40 miles in the first week, and then never go again. It'll make a bigger impact if you run one mile a day for 365 days. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

Will Your Real Estate License Transfer to Other States?
Are you thinking about moving to another state but don't know what that means for your current real estate license? Are you wondering if it can transfer to your new state? Read on for more information. Real estate is often a state-specific industry. Thus the laws governing real estate differ by state, and each state has different licensing requirements. However, this does not mean that a real estate agent moving to another state will have to start their real estate education and licensing process from scratch. With real estate reciprocity, agents can transfer their real estate licenses to other states without any hassle. This is, even more, the case for states like Colorado where the process is very straightforward for real estate agents. But we can't say the same for Texas because they do not have license reciprocity. Real estate agents wanting to transfer their real estate license to Texas are required to complete a pre-licensing course and pass the TREC exam. What Is Real Estate License Reciprocity? There are reciprocity agreements in place in several states that allow real estate licensees from other jurisdictions to be licensed. This is very crucial for real estate professionals who live or work across state borders. Real estate license reciprocity is a multi-state agreement that allows licensed real estate agents to become licensed in another state without taking additional real estate pre-licensing courses or passing a licensing test. Note that reciprocity agreements don't inherently mean real estate agents and brokers can work in other states without a license. For example, in some states, real estate agents may take a brief online training course for a few hours to earn their licenses, depending on the licensing board's requirements. How Many Types of Real Estate Reciprocity Agreements Are There? Each state has its own set of rules and regulations for reciprocity, meaning it is state-specific. However, real estate reciprocity agreements generally fall into three distinct categories, as seen below. 1. Full reciprocity: This involves states that allow all real estate agents to use licenses from any state. States with full license reciprocity include: Alabama Maine Colorado Mississippi Virginia 2. Partial reciprocity: Real estate agents from certain states can take a pre-licensing course, and take a license test with partial reciprocity, to use their real estate licenses in the new state. This is available for reciprocal states only. The states that offer partial reciprocity to real estate agents are: Arkansas Connecticut Florida Indiana Iowa Louisiana Maryland Idaho Illinois Nebraska North Carolina New York North Dakota Ohio Nevada Minnesota Massachusetts New Hampshire Oklahoma Pennsylvania South Carolina Rhode Island Tennessee Utah West Virginia Wisconsin 3. No reciprocity: This involves states that deny reciprocity to all out-of-state licensees. The states with no reciprocity are: Alaska Arizona California Hawaii Delaware Kansas Michigan Kentucky Missouri New Jersey Montana New Mexico Texas South Dakota Vermont Wyoming Washington Bottom Line To know more about your state's real estate reciprocity agreements, we recommend contacting the state directly to ensure you have the most up-to-date information and education requirements. To view the original article, visit the Realtyna blog.

10 Ways to Stand Out in a High-Competition Market
In today's world, it is not easy to market yourself as an expert in anything. This is especially true in markets like technology, fashion and, of course, real estate. Not only is competition tough, but customers' attention spans keep getting shorter, making it even harder to showcase your expertise. If you monitor the real estate industry carefully, you will see that some agents keep on growing consistently while others are barely getting new clients. What differentiates them is how they market to their ideal audience. Today, I'll share with you some of the strategies that an make you stand out as an expert real estate agent even when it seems like there's no room for anyone anymore. These tips are simple to follow, but will change your business forever, especially if you're just getting started. A little disclaimer, you don't need to implement all of them right now. Focus on just two or three and you'll notice significant growth in your client acquisition stats. Find a Niche to Specialize in A niche is a specific segment of a market for products or services. When we niche down, we are basically lowering our competition and focusing on putting our resources (time, money, and mind space) into only one portion of the overall industry. Yes, it would also mean that you're kissing a lot of potential customers goodbye… or at least, that's how many newbies would see it. In reality, niching down is the best way to stand out in a crowded market because you can position yourself as the expert in an area. Imagine you have a plumbing issue. Would you rather work with a do-it-all service company or a company with more than 40 years of plumbing experience? Picking a niche is a rule of thumb for any successful agent. However, if you are based in a small town, there is no point in niching down as your competition is already too small, and there might not be enough opportunities in one specific niche. On the other hand, if you are a real estate agent in a big city, niching down can help you develop your expertise and get more clients. In big cities, people are looking for something specific, and they want to go to an expert. It is better to have a small piece of the pie than to get nothing at all. You can create your specialty based on a specific location, or you can choose your specialization based on property types, like luxury homes or condos. Create a Website to Showcase Your Listings and Build Authority First, if you're an agent just starting out, it is better to get a domain that you can use for personal branding rather than a domain to promote your agency. Personal branding is very powerful, and it is an excellent way of marketing to potential clients. When developing your website, hire a developer to ensure the website is well designed and has the necessary features that visitors would like to use. It is vital to have a website optimized for all desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. Note: If you're low in capital, another option is using website builders like Squarespace or Weebly. Although WordPress is a great choice, it has a steep learning curve you'll need to consider if you decide on that route. It is a good idea to start a blog and establish authority by speaking on the subject and answering relevant queries that your clients want to find an answer to. Make sure you optimize your site for search engines like Google (SEO), so your target audience can find your site. Content and sound design is the best combination to build authority in your niche. Provide Free Upfront Value to Your Audience Freebies are a great way to build trust with your audience. Create free products or resources to show your audience you know what you are talking about and help them find the right solutions. A clear example is adding a search feature to your site that helps users better navigate your listings. Maybe a PDF that teaches them how to choose the right property for their needs. Some other freebies that you can gift your prospects are: eBooks Case studies that show your process Infographics Decision flowcharts Also, downloadable resources are useful for generating leads by requesting email addresses or phone numbers for access. Maintain an Active Email List Email is the best way to stay in touch with your potential clients and also update them about any exciting updates in the real estate market. The best marketers acknowledge the power of email marketing and leverage its power to make more sales. Send weekly email blasts to your email subscribers. There are many free email autoresponders you can use or purchase for a small monthly fee. Make sure that the content of your email is rich with quality. Give special attention to the subject line of your email. Eye-catching subject lines will increase your email open rate. Pro tip: 80% of your emails should be helpful and educational (content sharing, free resources, guides, updates) and 20% promotional (new properties available, drop in costs). Use the Power of Social Media You are losing a ton of clients if you are not on social media. People often look for real estate agents on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Similar to email marketing, you need to share valuable information with your audience. In social media, you do it in the form of posts. Make sure you format every post well and use relevant hashtags to get more reach. It is important to reply actively to queries and to reply to the first few comments instantly so a post reaches more people. Pro tip: if you're already creating content for your website, you can repurpose those pieces of information for your emails and social media content. Get Listed on GMB (Google My Business) Traffic from Google is free, and a great way to get it is by listing your business on GMB. You would need to provide locations to your business and your contact info so people can easily find you on Google. People searching for real estate agents nearby would be able to see you if you secured the top spot on GMB. The process looks something like this: Verify your address Upload pictures of satisfied clients, homes, and neighborhoods Add your contact information like phone number, website, and social media Get 5-star reviews from clients to help your GMB profile rank higher Provide the Best Experience to Your Clients All the promotions in the world will get you nowhere if you don't provide excellent service to your clients to back it up. The real estate business is all about forming connections with people, understanding what they need, and delivering what they are looking for. You can give them a sneak peek of how it is to work with you. A glance at your work process would help potential clients with technicalities and ease their minds—remember that investing in property can be a stressful endeavor for many. Word of mouth is still a compelling way to get new clients by referrals. Because of social media, it's become more accessible for people to talk about a service that they love and get tons of value from. Getting that free publicity is not something that you should miss out on. Underpromise and Overdeliver Everyone hates it when they don't get what they expect. Don't be the reason why your client feels that. When you are setting expectations for your client, make sure that you can keep your promises. Don't get overwhelmed and promise them something that you can't deliver. It is always better to underpromise. Consider the risk factors before committing something to your clients. Always tell them what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear. When it comes to executing, make sure you do more than you are asked for. Overdelivering won't go unnoticed, and this is what separates the best from average. Sponsor the Right Events One of the best ways to get in front of your ideal customers is by sponsoring community events. Lots of events are always happening in big cities so you should have plenty to choose from. Sponsor the events that you truly believe in. Sponsoring the right events sets the stage for you to get familiar with ideal clients. Talk to people at the event and build a strong network. Tell them what you do and answer industry-related questions that they might have. Invest Money in Personal Branding Branding is vital to generating loyalty and having a strong recall value. If you are not marketing yourself, nobody will. Here are some of the best investments you can make: Use high-end business cards. Real estate is all about connections and those can happen anywhere and at any time. Hire a graphic designer to design a logo that makes an impression on your potential clients. Improve your social media presence with professional photos of your listings, clients, and yourself. If you can't write great content, find someone that can. Your brand is essential for closing big deals, so treat it as an investment rather than an expense. Wrapping Up: Go the Extra Mile To succeed as a real estate agent, you need to be willing to do things that most agents neglect: If it is raining, offer your prospects a free branded umbrella. Conduct surveys to gain insights into what your clients are looking for. Give your clients the attention that they need and be helpful (not pushy) during negotiations. Answer client calls and reply to their emails as much as you can. Communication is a great way to make a lasting impression. I hope these tips help you carve a space to stand out as a real estate agent in your area and to grow your business, just like they did for me. To view the original article, visit the Wise Agent blog.

How to Fire a Real Estate Client Gracefully
Doug Rogers brings us a great post about how to fire a real estate client gracefully. No agent likes to let go of business, but sometimes circumstances just don't play out right and you have to cut someone loose. So how do you initiate an amicable split? Here's Doug: The excitement of working with a new client begins to fade as the showings mount up. Perhaps they write low-ball offers or refuse to keep the listing show-ready. Whatever the case may be, at some you have to pull the plug. Questions to Ask Yourself Before Firing a Client 1. Will this relationship end in a check? Much like the world's oldest profession, real estate is all about the bucks. Ever worked with a client you KNEW would never buy or sell? Yep, me too. 2. Are the clients being realistic based on the market? Would your buyer's offer have been laughed at even during the Great Recession? Good luck getting that junk offer laced with concessions to be taken seriously in a seller's market. 3. Who is REALLY calling the shots? The name on the title indicates the owner, not necessarily the decision maker. Parents selling their home in Memphis may have know-it-all kids in Kansas telling them what to do. 4. Are they missing or chronically late for appointments? I respect my client's time, so a client who can't respect my time will not remain a client for long. 5. Do they take your advice? If not, that's a big red flag. You're the expert, and your expertise is what they're paying you for! 6. Are you dealing with a correctable issue? If so, talk to your client and be specific about what needs to change. Pay very close attention to how this conversation goes—you'll have to use your judgment to decide the fate of the relationship. If You Decide to Fire the Client, End the Business Relationship Gracefully 1. Make the choice to terminate a business relationship. Don't waffle. If you need to move on, decide to do it and stick to your guns. 2. Write down specific reasons why you are ending the relationship. Not only will it help you if your client has further questions, you can also refer back to this list in moments of weakness. 3. Formally end the relationship. The best way to manage this is to have a face-to-face meeting in your office. If there are safety concerns, the phone is your next best option. Whatever you do, don't have this discussion in the driveway at the end of a home tour (I have done this) or while the seller is cooking dinner for her kids (yep, been there too). Let's be honest—firing a client means you are missing an opportunity for a paycheck, right? Not necessarily. Difficult clients can be draining of your time, gas money and energy. Imagine all the LOST business opportunities this client may have cost you! Be sure to treat the soon-to-be fired client with respect and dignity. But most importantly, move on. Real estate is a numbers game! To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

5 Ways You Can Spring Clean Your Tech
Spring is a time of renewal. With warmer weather and sunny days arriving for many of us, spring is not just a time for cleaning the house, but also a time to tidy up your technology. As real estate becomes synonymous with remote work, a disorganized and messy online space can negatively impact your productivity. Worse, digital clutter also slows down your technology. Best practices tell us to keep our technology in good working order and our software programs and favorite web browser up to date. But when you're busy, it is sometimes tough to find the time to keep things current or our tech tools clean. Springtime can be a great time to make sure your tech is in tip-top shape. Here are five tips and tricks for a tech spring cleaning: Declutter your desktop Can you see your desktop's background image? Or are there too many items you saved to your desktop blocking your view? Many people save items to their computer's desktop to remember where to find them. But when you do this too many times, you create a digital mess. It also can be even more challenging to locate the files you need. A quick digital decluttering can get you organized—for example, removing files that you no longer need can free up space. In the end, you'll feel better by organizing your desktop. Pro tip: If you view your desktop files in list view (Finder in macOS and File Explorer in Windows), you can create folders for like files (i.e., "screenshots") or quickly trash the ones you can delete. Remove unused apps How many apps do you have on your smartphone? A better question: How many of them have you opened in the last 30 days? Having too many apps slows you down. It can take you more time to find the app you need. It also can slow down your phone. If the apps you aren't using still are set to run in the background, that can take up Radom Access Memory (RAM). Using too much RAM can make your phone response slower. It even can cause issues such as connecting to Wi-Fi, even if it used to connect perfectly. Pro tip: Conduct an audit of your apps and use the 30-day rule. Determine which ones you haven't used within the last 30 days and are unlikely to use in the next 30 days. For iPhone users, there's a setting to "Offload Unused Apps." It auto deletes the apps, but saves their documents and data and leaves the icon on your phone. When you tap the icon, everything reinstalls, but until then, you free up all that space. Delete old files Have you ever run a date sort on your computer's files? You should, as you might be surprised to find many files from several years ago that you don't need. Also, go through and look for original software files you downloaded to store a program. Not sure which ones those are? Reach out to a Tech Helpline analyst to help you sort for and find files you no longer need. After all, that treasure trove of funny gifs that made you laugh once probably isn't worth saving. Pro tip: If you don't have the time to go through all of your files now, why not at least get them off your computer? By transferring all of your older files to a low-cost data storage service such as Google Drive, you can clear your computer of clutter. That way, you can go back through your files when you find the time. Also, if you move your files online, don't dump everything into one folder. Instead, take just a little time to sort them, even if it's only in folders by years. Synch your phone's photos One of the most common mistakes people make is keeping every picture on their phones. That practice can slow your phone down because images, especially videos, take up a lot of space. You have a couple of options. You can transfer them to your computer or, better yet, move them online to still have access to them at (almost) anytime. The good news is that it has never been easier to have your photos transferred online automatically. Google Photos, Amazon Photos, or iCloud from Apple not only help you store your photos, but their smart software can also automatically help you organize them by like images or location. Pro tip: If you upload your favorite photos to Facebook, did you know you can download all of them at once? After logging in, go to facebook.com/settings. Then, click on "Your Facebook Information," then "view" next to "Download Your Information." This will take you to the Downloads page. Select the "Date range" as "All time" in the pull-down. Just below, at the right of the top of "Select information to download," be sure to "Deselect all" to be sure you only check "Posts." Facebook will send you an email with a link to download your posts with all the high-quality photos you have posted since you opened your Facebook account. It's a great way to make sure you have copies of those photos you are deleting from your phone! Physically clean your tech Your smart devices get grimy over time. You may not even realize it unless you take a good look. Start with your computer's keyboard. If you take a white lint-free cloth and some rubbing alcohol (damp, not wet), you may be surprised how dirty it is and why most keyboards are black. Now clean the sides of your mouse, and if you have a trackpad, clean that too. But don't use that cloth on your computer screens – it's best to clean them with a chemical-free cleaning cloth as you can ruin some screens (i.e., Mac laptops) by using any solution but water. Experts suggest microfiber cloths and distilled water as the safest way to clean. The same goes for your smartphone. And if you are spraying anything to clean a device, make sure you spray on the cleaning cloth and not the device. Pro tip: Compressed air or a mini vacuum can work magic to dislodge or pick up particles from a keyboard or crevices in your device. Amazon and other retailers sell compressed air in a can for as little as a couple of dollars per can, and mini vacuums are available for as low as $20. Members, if you need help with these tech cleaning tips, reach out to us at [email protected] Tech Helpline is your included member benefit. To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.

5 Weaknesses that Make Real Estate Agents STRONG
Do you ever feel that the skills you are lacking are also causing you to lose potential real estate business? Just remember, these characteristics are neither good nor bad. This means your perspective can help mold what kind of real estate agent you want to be. Here are a list of strengths that can also be weaknesses: 1. Brutal Honesty Sometimes being candid can rub people the wrong way. However, with you being the real estate expert, many will come to appreciate the honesty that you deliver whether they want to hear it or not. You'll find yourself in the situation of being the bearer of bad news from time to time, but it's better to maintain open communication with your clients than hide something from them. 2. Being Too Nice Some people will mistake kindness for weakness. However this empathy will allow you to build meaningful relationships easier because of the rapport you are able to build with them. The client experience one offers is a reason that many agents will earn repeat business and more real estate referrals. 3. Being Too Analytical Your quest for perfection can be a hinderance to your productivity. However, this attention to detail can help you stand out among other agents. Maintaining the branding colors on your real estate website can help establish your place in the local real estate market. Or, if you are big into numbers, knowing your performance stats can help you improve month after month. 4. Needing to Always Be the Best Having a competitive nature is a double-edged sword. You might sometimes walk over people on your path to the top. Don't forget, though, your fellow agents are your peers. The community of real estate agents works with each other on a daily basis. Learning from each other helps improve the other person, whether it is through active teaching or careful observation. The better other agents are, the better you can become. 5. You Might Sometimes Seem Aggressive What others may perceive as "aggressiveness," you might call "enthusiasm." This might cause you to clash with others that are just as enthusiastic. What's great about this, however, is this passion to help buyers and sellers is what makes you an amazing real estate agent. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

10 Things You Need to Know about FEMA Risk Rating 2.0
As of April 1, 2022, FEMA Risk Rating 2.0 will apply to all FEMA Flood Policy Renewals. Here are the 10 things you need to know: 1. Risk Rating 2.0 is the biggest change to FEMA flood insurance pricing in the 54-year history of the government program 2. What's news? FEMA Risk Rating 2.0 prices properties by individually, based on elevation, distance to water, replacement cost, what flood zone a property is on, and several other important data points 3. Per FEMA, 77% of all FEMA policies will see a renewal price increase * 4. While pricing is likely to go up for most of the renewals, FEMA has capped the increase in any one year at 18% * 5. If a property is on a flood zone – denoted by AE, AH, VE Flood Zone determinations – a homeowner is still required to purchase flood insurance to secure a mortgage 6. A seller with an existing FEMA policy can assign a policy in good standing to a new owner prior to or at close of the sale 7. Elevation certificates are now optional — because elevation data is part of the Risk Rating 2.0 model — yet may be used to bring down cost of flood insurance 8. FEMA will continue to offer flood insurance at its standard policy limits: $250,000 coverage for the property $100,000 coverage for property contents $2,500 deductible 9. FEMA has created a website to view projected price changes, due to Risk Rating 2.0. Check your own property address for an insight on the changes. 10. Homeowners can seek private flood insurance markets to shop their FEMA flood renewals. This educational top ten is "Powered by CartoFront." * https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/risk-rating

What Type of Car Should Realtors Drive?
As a real estate agent, you've probably asked yourself, "Does it matter to my clients what car I drive?" There are many sides to this argument and many points to be made. We've listed these considerations agents should make with regard to their set of wheels, as well as a list of dos and don'ts. Considerations Luxury Vehicles Only Some agents may argue that a car reflects an agent's level of success as an agent. Driving a higher price vehicle indicates to your clients that you're likely succesful at what you do. Besides, riding around in a nice vehicle only elevates your service, right? Match Your Target Demographic Others think it's best to connect with whomever your client base may be. It could be awkward for you to drive your high-earning client in an older vehicle or vice versa. If you live in a rural area drive, an off-road capable vehicle such as a truck may be a better choice. If you service a beach community, you may consider a convertible. Or, if you serve a lot of young families, consider a crossover SUV or minivan. The Most Fuel Efficient Vehicle Available There are many benefits to driving a fuel efficient vehicle. If work with more buyers than sellers, this maybe is what's best for your customer base. Those driving eco-friendly vehicles can also come off as a environmentally conscious Realtor. Your Brand/Your Personal Preference What is your personal branding strategy? Do clients know you as the "cool Realtor" serving a community's up and coming neighborhood? Or the "family Realtor" with listings near great schools? Are you the "fancy Realtor" with luxury and vacation rentals? Whatever you may be known as, make sure your car matches your persona. Dos and Don'ts: DO's: Do make sure your clients are comfortable Do feel proud and comfortable of what you're transporting clients in Do make sure you can manage your personal errands in your car Do make sure your car is clean Do make sure it matches the terrain you are most likely to travel on. Ensure there is enough room for your target demographic—four doors for a family, etc. Have safety features available such as air bags and working seatbelts DON'Ts: Make your client feel uncomfortable Purchase a car you can't afford Drive a car that is too high-maintenance to manage Do have a car that is unsafe Conclusion So, what type of car should Realtors drive? A mix of your client's lifestyle preferences and your personal preference! Real estate is a people business, and ultimately your leads chose you as an agent because they like you. This is not to say that all of the above points don't matter, but ultimately real estate is about connecting with members of your local community. Consider members of your client base first and go from there! To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

What Kind of Real Estate Agent Do You Want to Be?
Ever wondered if your personality resonates with your profession? Wouldn't it be ideal to have a profession that goes in hand with your personality so you can always be yourself and not have to pretend to be someone else? If you are a real estate agent that is still trying to find your place in this professional space, you are reading the right blog. According to research by T3 Sixty (a real estate research firm), there are four personality types amongst real estate agents broken down into two groups. Prospectors and Converters: These are agents that love to pursue leads, make lots of follow-up calls to strangers and use every technique to close and book those deals. They spend most of their days calling for dollars. Networkers and Marketers: These are agents that are most interested in building long-term relationships with clients. They believe that building relationships will help them get more referrals and repeat business. They spend most of their days meeting referrals and working with clients. The next question you would ask yourself is, How do I do know which kind of agent I am? The answer is simple: if you are a high-powered, hard-driving salesperson, then you might enjoy chasing down leads. But if you are like most of the new Realtors, you have a different concept. You want a business where your contacts, clients and reputation and strong marketing system are driving your success. One of the most important aspects of a networker/marketer is to build relationships. You might wonder why it is important to build relationships. When you focus your marketing strategy on building relationships, then you are building a network of people who are likely to recommend you to others, and past clients are likely to use your services for their next move, too. You become the number one agent in a very exclusive and beneficial niche: your contacts. The more people you know, like and trust, the more referrals and repeat business you will get. Essentially, the next question arises, How do you make it work? How does the relationship-building strategy work? Let's break it down into two basic steps. Build your contact database: Regularly add contacts to your database, especially those that have a higher probability of recommending you to others. Having a good real estate CRM can make all the difference in not only storing contact but also having the tools for building those relationships. Even if you start from scratch, you should be able to create a database with 25-50 contacts just from your friends and family alone. Each week, you can keep adding on to the database. Staying in touch: Once you have set up your contact database, your next goal is to stay in touch with those people every week. Remember that the goal is to become their go-to Realtor. To view the original article, visit the IXACT Contact blog.

Real Estate Advice: Dealing with Disappointment
Dusty Baker, a real estate agent in Santa Barbara, California, shares his sound real estate advice and talks about how to cope and stay positive during moments of disappointment in real estate. Here's Dusty: I'd love to portray a strong demeanor and say that nothing in my real estate practice phases me, but that would be a lie. Because of lost deals, mistakes made, and periods of months without a paycheck, I have had some tough times. There are days that beat me down and make me question my career, my business strategies, even my personality and demeanor. Does any of this sound familiar? So how do we deal with these disappointments in real estate? How do we grow a strong practice while staying strong mentally and emotionally? First Year in the Business Statistics show that 80% of new real estate agents don't make it to their one year anniversary. This incredibly high attrition rate proves that discouragement and disappointment are rampant in the real estate industry. Even the small percentage that make it to years two and three find that the early years of starting a practice are not easy! During these difficult times, here are some helpful things to remember: 1. Persistence pays off A good real estate friend of mine started his career in real estate 10 years ago. After two brutal years in the business with only a handful of homes sold and a tremendous amount of debt incurred, he contemplated quitting. However, after much thought and encouragement from his wife, he stuck with it. Since then, he has won the N.A.R.'s "Top 30 Under 30" award and averages $50,000,000+ in sales each year. Suffice it to say, his persistence paid off! So if you didn't begin your career with a bang and win "Rookie of the Year," don't worry, you're in good company. 2. If it was easy, everyone would do it Making a good living while working for yourself is an incredible luxury. Who wouldn't want to avoid tough bosses, low pay and punching a time clock? If there was an easy route to becoming a successful real estate agent, everyone in the world would do it. But the fact is, it is not easy! They say if you live your life like no one wants to now, then you can live your life like no one can later. Invest in yourself and pay your dues now. Lost Listings or Buyers When I started my career, I was under the impression that there would be a point where I would never lose business. My talent and success would be so renowned that I would win every listing I competed for and represent every buyer in town. This ideology turned out to be false (as I'm sure you saw coming), but for reasons I did not expect. 1. It's not me, it's you The exact same reasons I gain some business are the reasons I lose other business. Here is what I mean. Most buyers and sellers are attracted to our high-volume practice because they want experienced agents that will get the job done. However, occasionally clients think that we are too busy with our other deals and they won't get the attention they desire. So some clients want a successful agent and some want a slow one? How can I win them all? The answer: I can't. Another example that will strike a familiar chord with younger agents has to do with my age. Some clients think that I am too young and want an agent with a bit more grey hair (ironically, they usually end up with an older agent with less experience than me – age means nothing). Conversely, I sold a home last month to a seller who said a major factor in her decision to work with me was my young age; she valued my innovative marketing and energetic personality. The moral of the story? Be confident in who you are because you can't please everybody. 2. Everything happens for a reason Last year, I lost out on a $1.4 million listing to another local agent. That property is still on the market – for $1.6 million. That poor agent has spent a tremendous amount of her time and money dealing with an unrealistic seller. Thank goodness I dodged that bullet! Sometimes it is best not to be the first agent! I could spend hours typing other examples just like this, but for the sake of time, remember that everything happens for a reason, so don't let it affect you. Continue to be yourself, run your business and move on to the next deal. Transactions/Clients from Hell We've all been there before. The buyers lose financing, the inspector finds mold, the seller gets hit by a bus the day before escrow closes. Stuff happens! So how do we continue to enjoy life and "keep on keepin' on" throughout the turmoil? 1. Stay strong, you are the professional Buyers and sellers are allowed to get emotional and irrational; this is not their daily job. We, on the other hand, are professionals and need to stay calm. Act like you have been there before and be the stability that your client needs. 2. Don't give disproportionate attention to the bad My natural inclination is to only focus on the difficult deals and completely forget the ones that go quickly and smoothly. During the hard times, think back to the homes that sold with fun clients in 30 days to an all-cash buyer. They all even out in the long run! 3. Know when to say "uncle" No commission is worth your health or family life. I end up firing a few clients each year that prove themselves to be more hassle than worth. Don't think of these clients as lost business, but gained business. In the time you would have spent running in circles with these terrible clients, you will sell multiple homes—trust me. Don't Find Your Identity in Your Business If you find your identity in your business, your happiness will look a lot like the stock market – up and down. You cannot control the market so don't even attempt to. Control the foundations in which you find your joy and allow business to be separate. True joy does not follow market fluctuations! Learn more about Dusty on his website: www.dustybakergroup.com. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

How Are Agents Laying the Groundwork for a Successful Year?
Traditionally, the winter is a slower time for real estate sales. But top agents don't sit on their hands during January and February. Instead, high-performing agents spend the winter laying the groundwork necessary to achieve a spring and summer full of sales and satisfied clients. We asked three top agents what they are doing to ensure they have a productive and successful 2022. In general, the agents told us that they are using real estate technology and marketing strategies to educate prospective clients about the market, earn leads, and close the best deals possible. 1. Helping Homeowners Understand the Value of Their Home Hugo Quintanilla, an agent at Long and Foster in Rockville, MD, has focused his early year efforts on ensuring that homeowners understand their property's value. "Many people don't realize how much home values have gone up over the last two years," Quintanilla said. "For a successful 2022, my groundwork has consisted of calling, emailing, and setting up appointments to talk to more homeowners about the equity in their homes." Quintanilla is aware that prospecting for clients means more than just generally marketing his brand – targeting specific areas, neighborhoods, and individual homes raises the odds of finding new clients. As a Homesnap Pro+ agent, Quintanilla has access to heatmaps and filters that make it easier to identify which homeowners are likely to sell, based on factors such as home equity, whether a property is owner-occupied, or if a property is distressed. By identifying and targeting these leads, Quintanilla believes he is executing both a short- and long-term strategy, simultaneously identifying more immediate clients who want to sell their home and establishing a broader base of credibility and visibility in his local area. "Letting people know you're in the real estate business is the best way to have a successful year," Quintanilla said. 2. Connecting with Clients in Real Time For Ramal Jenkins, the goal for 2022 is to be efficient. "I've integrated fresh technology into my everyday routine," said Jenkins, an agent with Douglas Realty in Annapolis, MD. "Becoming more efficient with my business is a priority so that I can spend as much time as possible connecting with clients in real-time." So far, Jenkins has practiced efficiency by buying listing ads through Homesnap, which automates a marketing process other agents perform manually. Jenkins says that the features included in his Pro+ membership are a significant boon to his efficiency – verifying his Google Business Profile, helping him build a personally branded website, and making soliciting reviews as simple as one click. So far, integrating listing ads and Pro+ into his routine has served Jenkins well. He's already closed on the sale of one home and has two other offers he expects to ratify in the next week. 3. Optimizing Social Media, Video, and Agent Website Sometimes, the most prudent way for agents to lay the groundwork for a successful year involves taking the time to invest in their overall business. Robert Blase of LUX Realty in Denver, CO, has started the year by working on videos, his social media presence, and an updated agent website. Blase believes that by optimizing his digital presence, he will be more likely to reach potential clients who want to learn more about the real estate market. "Educating individuals about all facets of real estate is extremely important," Blase said. "So many people have questions about real estate, and a strong digital presence allows me to hear those questions and answer them." As a Homesnap Pro+ member, Blase has advantages in building his digital presence. Like all Pro+ agents, his membership comes with a complimentary, professional, personalized website. Plus, every time he has a new listing, Pro+ will create a custom listing page for him to post on social media profiles such as Facebook and Twitter. As Blase continues to optimize his online presence in early 2022, he will be able to answer more questions from consumers, turn those consumers into leads, and convert those leads into clients. To view the original article, visit the Homesnap blog.

5 Tips to Stand Out as a Real Estate Agent
The real estate industry is a crowded and competitive space. Having said that, unless you're carving out a brand new sector, so is every industry. In real estate, the key to success is not about reinventing the wheel but rather figuring out ways to get noticed and be remembered. Here are five tips to get you started on your standout path to real estate success. 1. Create a branded agent website. This may seem overly simple, but the important word in this tip is "branded." Many real estate agents are still riding on the coattails of their brokerages with a spin-off website that looks and feels exactly like the broker's site except that it includes a headshot and brief bio. This presents an opportunity to set yourself apart. Develop your own professional website that showcases your brand, not your brokerage's. Think unique content, eye-catching visuals and added value for visitors. The most critical part of this exercise is defining what that personal brand looks and feels like. It's soul-searching time! 2. Have a solid communications strategy. This matters more than you might think. Remember that real estate is a people business and a relationship business. Your people are your contacts and your long-term success depends on the relationships you build with them. Think of how many times you've purchased something or worked with someone on a project, and then quickly forgotten them once the transaction is over. A communications strategy ensures that this no longer happens. The beauty of living in a digital world is that, more than ever before, there are convenient and unobtrusive methods to communicate with your contacts including emails, text messages, e-newsletters, social media, e-book offers and video marketing. Develop a strategy and decide on a schedule that works for you. 3. Identify your specialty, stick to it, and make sure clients know it. This ties right into your brand. Who are you? What are you good at? Where is your territory? Do you focus on a particular type of home? Which neighbourhoods do you know like the back of your hand? What can you offer clients that other agents can't? Here's your bread and butter. Your secret sauce. And once you figure out what it is and how to describe it, marketing those differentiators will make you stand out. For example, let's say you focus on loft condos in a specific neighbourhood and you guarantee your response time to clients is never more than two hours. These are a few of the attributes you build your brand and marketing communications around. 4. Implement a lead capture and nurture campaign. As a real estate agent, you meet and speak to numerous people on a regular basis. But what happens next? Do those people become leads in your database or not? If they do, are there actions you take afterwards in an effort to turn them into clients? Lead capture is when a person becomes a lead. If you're face-to-face, it might be getting their name, phone number and email. On your website, it can be an email-catch when they sign up for your newsletter, a lead capture form that collects their data, or an opt-in request after they read a blog post. Most importantly, have lead capture practices in place. Lead nurture is everything that happens after you capture your lead. It's the process of building those relationships we talked about earlier. The end goal is to turn leads into loyal, paying clients. For example, if someone signs up for your e-newsletter, send them a "thank you" response. Understand the different client personas and groups, and develop targeted content to nurture each. Use multiple touches to stay top of mind in various ways such as social media, video messaging, whitepapers, interactive calculators, direct mail or personal texts. 5. Be highly-responsive and always follow through. We're all busy. And we're all impatient. The faster you respond to new inquiries, interested leads and loyal long-term clients, the more you show your contacts how much you care about their business. Quick response times also demonstrate your consideration, respect for people's time and excellent organizational skills – especially if you do it consistently (because not everyone does, and that's yet another way to stand out). Whatever you say, whatever you promise, whatever you claim to deliver, follow through. Do what you say, fulfill your promises and live up to your clients' expectations. This makes people trust you and rely on you – the perfect recipe for happy, repeat and referring clients. To view the original article, visit the IXACT Contact blog.

How Your Core Values Generate Business
More businesses are talking about "values," but what does that really mean? To an individual, "values" are most often seen in value judgments. These are statements about life that can't be proven or disproven in ordinary ways. They disclose what the person making the statement considers important but aren't necessarily held by other people. For example, many would agree with the statement, "All people have inherent dignity and worth." That statement might be considered part of their desire to embody a given value, say respect or compassion. Values can be boiled down to one word, but they always require interpretation. What does all this mean when it comes to your life as a real estate agent? In short, virtually every brand "says" it has values, but not all values are created equal. It's not enough to simply write down a value statement or publicize it on your website. You also have to make decisions about what those values mean, how they affect your priorities, and how they get rewarded. Let's explore how it all adds up — and what it means for the people who count on you. To Make a Difference to Your Customers, Values Must Be Reinforced and Rewarded Let's take a common example many of us have experienced inside and outside the business world. Growing up, lots of kids are encouraged to value learning. But learning can be a messy process, and it often involves making mistakes along the way. If you aren't comfortable with mistakes, it's very hard to come to grips with starting off in any new endeavor since you always start from scratch. If the same child who was told to value "learning" is punished or yelled at every time they make less than an A+ grade, they will quickly realize learning isn't the goal. It isn't what's valued. What's really valued in that situation is grades, as the difference between word and action shows. Something similar happens in businesses every day! For example, lots of businesses claim to value creative thinking. But creativity requires risks, not all of which will pay. If those risks are discouraged, the conflict between word and action opens up. People will get wise and stop taking risks to be creative – or else they will move on. The smaller your group, the easier it is to make sure your words, actions, and objectives all align with your stated values. Indeed, it's easiest when you're doing it for yourself! But the lesson is this: to adopt a value, you need a concrete idea of exactly how it will affect your day-to-day work. That's what allows you to know your values in action when you see them. To Make Values Tangible, Understand How They Will Influence Your Priorities Here's an example that crops up in the lives of many new real estate agents. In the beginning, most agents need to focus on finding leads, and they don't want to lose a single one. They quickly conclude that they want to stand out for their customer service — "being there for customers no matter what." This is a statement of values. It could be simplified to responsiveness. An agent who values responsiveness is therefore making a choice of priorities. They might interrupt another work-related task in order to return a call. Taking things further, they might also choose to return a call earlier in the morning or later at night than they otherwise would. All these activities would be in keeping with the value of responsiveness. But it's critical to recognize some values-driven behavior can be self-defeating. Agents who find themselves returning texts at all hours of day and night to be responsive could burn out at the same time. Choosing Values that Move Your Business Forward Start the process of deciding on values by listing them out. Then, underneath each one, list the specific actions the value would motivate you to take. What commitments are implied by this value? What will you do when one value is in conflict with another? Which, if any, is your "highest" value? In this way, you can incorporate your values into your business. When your values resonate with those of your ideal customer, upholding them will draw the right people to you. After all, your "brand," in real estate or any industry, isn't just what you say about yourself. It's also what others think and say about you, online and off. As you communicate and demonstrate your values, the kind of customers you want to work with will be inspired to maintain a long-term relationship with you. They will also be more likely than they otherwise would be to share their positive experiences with others, sending you more referrals. Thus, by making a few decisions about what matters to you, you can energize your entire career. To view the original article, visit the Delta Media Group blog.

How to Become a Neighborhood Expert
Your neighborhood is at the heart of your business and at the heart of each buyer's decision-making process when they're considering where to purchase a home. Whether the buyer is part of a family looking for excellent schools, a retired couple looking for the ideal place to spend their golden years, or a younger buyer who wants to be close to the best local attractions, every one of your clients is looking for specific things from their neighborhood. Becoming a neighborhood expert is ultimately key to your success as a real estate agent. It's a great place to focus your energy and put yourself in a position for success in 2022. Become a Neighborhood Expert Why become a neighborhood expert? It starts with smart business. If you work in a big city, then focusing on one neighborhood can help you become the go-to, most recognized resource for real estate needs in that area. If you're in a smaller community where you cover multiple neighborhoods, then knowing the ins and outs of each makes it easier to help buyers find the perfect neighborhood to live, while allowing you to market homes for sellers more effectively by showcasing the perks of the neighborhood where each home is located. Becoming a neighborhood expert also makes it easier to develop and focus your marketing. Integrate local SEO based on your neighborhoods to help your brand stand out where it matters most, send newsletters concentrated on specific aspects of the community, showcase your expertise on social media, build connections with local businesses, and become the face of real estate in the area. And that's just the start! When you're ready to become a neighborhood expert, here's how to get the job done. Learn Everything You Can About the Neighborhood The first step to becoming an expert is learning everything you can about the neighborhood. Some of that will come from online research, which helps you form an overview of the neighborhood. The rest comes from visiting in-person to learn all about the people and places that make the neighborhood special. MLS Data and Demographic Research Start with the basics: learning all about the types of homes in the neighborhood, the value of local homes, and how long properties spend on the market. Then move on to learning all about the demographic data of the neighborhood to discover who lives there, who might like to move there, and how to shape your marketing. Exploring the Neighborhood and Connecting with Residents There's no substitute for exploring the neighborhood on your own, starting conversations with residents, learning about the neighborhood from people who live there, and letting them know what you do for a living. Listen carefully to what residents have to say, and learn what they love about the neighborhood. Building Relationships with Local Businesses Connecting with local business owners is a great way to learn more about what the neighborhood has to offer, build mutually beneficial relationships, establish your real estate expertise, and eventually earn referrals from key members of the community. Getting to Know Local Attractions and Key Services Buyers will want to know what they can do for fun in the neighborhood and where they can find all of the critical services that they'll need. Learn all about the local amenities, along with school districts, parks, and other locations that will be of interest to clients. HOA and Town Council Meetings Suppose you're focused on selling homes in specific housing developments. In that case, attending HOA meetings can be a powerful way to build relationships and learn more about the things that matter most to each development. However, if your eyes are set on a larger neighborhood, then attending town council meetings can help you accomplish the same goals. How to Showcase Your Neighborhood Expertise and Boost Your Marketing Now that you've got a handle on what makes your neighborhood special, it's time to put all of that knowledge to good use! Your real estate website, social media, and online marketing are all places where you'll want to show off your neighborhood expertise. Neighborhood Pages on Your Real Estate Website Your real estate website should be a one-stop-shop for anyone who wants to learn more about the neighborhoods where you sell homes. Creating neighborhood pages is an excellent way to share your local knowledge and help people who are searching for homes fall in love with each neighborhood. Joining Groups on Social Media Joining neighborhood-focused groups on social media – especially Facebook groups – can help you both learn more about the neighborhood and share the knowledge that you have built with new residents. Be helpful, answer questions, and become a resource for the community. Content for Your Real Estate Blog Does your neighborhood have a big event coming up, or would you like to showcase some of the local businesses that make the neighborhood special? Then your real estate blog is the perfect place for doing just that. As long as you get creative, your neighborhood should supply nearly an endless source of content ideas. Email Newsletters with Neighborhood Info Keep your clients up to date on all of the latest neighborhood news by sending regular email newsletters. These newsletters can cover the latest real estate trends in the area, provide advice for local homeowners, or feature fun and lighthearted content focused on the latest neighborhood happenings. Giving Back to the Community Becoming part of the neighborhood also means giving back to the community. Hosting local events like barbecues or block parties is a great way to show your love while presenting plenty of opportunities to demonstrate your real estate expertise to residents. You can also set up food drives, toy drives, or other events to give back to community members in need. Take the Plunge and Live in the Neighborhood Yourself While you can undoubtedly learn tons about a neighborhood and make yourself a known, trusted face in the community even if you don't live there, calling that neighborhood home can really help you take things to the next level. Becoming part of the community is all about building relationships and making yourself recognizable, which is much easier to accomplish when people see your face every day. For new agents, this might be as simple as focusing on the neighborhood that you already call home. If you're an experienced agent and you have your eye on a neighborhood that you want to "own" for your real estate business, then it might be time to move there full-time. When you live in a neighborhood, wear branded gear, start conversations, and make sure everyone knows what you do for a living, you can become the resource that everyone in the community trusts when they have real estate needs. Set Yourself Up for Success in 2022 with Neighborhood Expertise New year, new you... new neighborhood? Whether you're starting fresh with a new neighborhood where you'll focus your energy or redoubling your efforts in your current location, now is the time to formulate your plan for a successful 2022. With so many ways to become a neighborhood expert and so many benefits to doing so, the only thing left to decide is where you'll plant your flag this year. Start 2022 off strong with a free 30-day trial of DeltaNET 6. To view the original article, visit the Delta Media Group blog.

6 Reasons to Accept Offers Before an Open House
Ruth Lerner, a Massachusetts agent with Compass, shares her thoughts on whether it's acceptable to take offers prior to an open house and talks about how today's buyer-hungry market has impacted her business. Here's Ruth: It's been the same story with every listing I've had in Brighton and Brookline recently: I put a condo on the market, and one of the first questions I get from brokers is, "What is the offer schedule?" The market is so tight here right now, multiple offers are the norm, rather than the exception—and most listing agents choose to have a set schedule of reviewing and accepting offers—for example, "Offers are reviewed on Mondays at 4PM." Having a schedule has many benefits. In addition to providing order and organization, buyers know what to expect and having a schedule gives them time to prepare their offer. Conventional wisdom says the traffic at the open house will generate more offers, so it's best wait for the crowd. But I'm not one to accept conventional wisdom. In some situations, I prefer to review offers as they come in so I can get things done before the open house. But why forgo the open house traffic? Here are my reasons for accepting offers before the open house: 1. Serious buyers are ready to buy. They have been ready since before I put the condo on the market, so I like to give them a chance to be first. 2. Savvy agents with serious buyers don't wait for the open house. The call me and say, "Get me in there!" I believe it is in the best interest of my client to work with a savvy agent who will have a cleaner offer and will provide an easier transaction. 3. Tons of offers don't necessarily mean more money. Buyers will pay a premium to avoid the open house and compete against more offers. In today's market, where buyers have been getting squeezed out by the number of offers and outbid by cash buyers, it is often in their best interest to come in early and high. 4. Too many offers can be a big fat mess. My job as a listing agent is to sell properties for the highest amount of money and with as few conditions as possible. Experience has shown me that five offers can get me there just as well as 17. At some point, all the added offers become noise, paperwork and headache and confusion to the seller. Also, when tons of offers roll in, some of the best buyers may decide not to compete. 5. Sometimes sellers prefer to avoid an open house. This past year, I've had several sellers say the idea of having a stampede through their home is unappealing. When given the option to skip having an open house, many will happily take it. 6. When you wait to take offers, they don't come in until the last minute. Everyone wants to submit their offer last—so the seller sits, waiting in anticipation for much longer. In the meantime, buyers may be less enthusiastic days later, when they finally write an offer. The best time to get an offer is early on, when you can capture the excitement of a buyer who doesn't want to risk losing the property. Yesterday, I received five offers for a property I put on market on Thursday and showed to a dozen people on Friday. One of the agents asked me if I would be hosting an open house. My reply was, "If I have five offers now, what exactly will I be doing at an open house?" Today my client chose to sign one of the offers. I am writing this post in anticipation of the angry buyers and agents calling me from the lobby where I've posted a note: "Open House Cancelled." Sorry. Serving the Boston area real estate market since 2002, Ruth is an experienced full-time real estate agent dedicated to helping home buyers, investors and home sellers make the best real estate decisions. To learn more about Ruth, visit her website at www.ruthmalkinlerner.com. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

3 Dumb Tech Mistakes You Should Avoid in 2022
I don't know about you, but this time of year my article feeds are FULL of lists about how to improve myself going into 2022. I have to admit, some of them are really good, others just want to sell me a product. I am always looking for ways to grow and improve myself, both at work and in my personal life. What I have found is the most impactful changes to my life are not focused on doing good things, but instead focused on getting rid of the bad stuff. That's where this list comes in. Here are three dumb tech mistakes to avoid going into 2022 that will help grow your real estate business. Not Using Your Technology Tools Our first dumb mistake is not using your technology tools. Just like a piece of paper and a pen, they are tools to help you. If you don't use them, they cannot help you. For example, your CRM. Ideally, your database has at least 250 people in it. There is NO reasonable way that you can keep track of the notes, tasks and follow-ups for 250 people. Your brain is not built to handle that much information. So you must enter notes and tasks into your CRM to help you keep track of your clients' needs and wants. If you don't, you will miss things and your clients will find someone who does keep track of their needs and wants. That's why the most successful real estate agents and teams use a CRM. Avoid this dumb mistake, use your technology tools. It will grow your business. Overpaying for Technology Our second dumb mistake is paying for technology tools that you can already get for FREE! In most cases, both your brokerage and your MLS offer technology tools. It is the best time of the year to review your tech stack and see what you are paying for that your brokerage and your MLS already offer to you for free. Read this article for more information. Avoid this dumb mistake—don't pay for tech you can get for free. Being Lazy on Your Tech Skills Our third and final dumb mistake is being lazy with your tech skills. As Tony Robbins (and many other people for that matter), says, "If you are not growing, you are dying." This 110% applies to your technology skills. If you are not growing your technology skills, then your business will eventually decline. You might not see it today because of this crazy hot market we are in, but it will happen. Avoid these mistakes while there is still time to fix it. Read this article for more information. Now It's Your Turn Take the next 15 minutes and think, "How does this apply to me? What tech mistakes can I avoid going into 2022?" If you have any questions about tech mistakes to avoid or have suggestions for other articles, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or on LinkedIn.

[Best of 2021] What Salary Can You Expect to Make as a Real Estate Agent?
We're continuing an annual tradition of counting down our top 10 articles of the year. The following article was originally published in July and is #2 in our countdown. See #3 here. You hear about real estate agent salaries all the time. And on top of that, popular reality TV shows are glamorizing the lifestyle of a real estate agent. But, in truth, a real estate agent's salary varies depending on a number of conditions. That aside, once you become a seasoned real estate agent or even a real estate broker, your salary will significantly change. But it's always that sunshine and rainbows in the beginning. This is why we've created this post to show you what you can expect to make as a real estate agent. Please factor in that this will vary state by state. Here Are the Basics Being a real estate agent isn't your basic 9-to-5 office job. Chances are, you will be working from home, working from your car, coffee shop, and the office here and there. You'll also have to consider the fact that some real estate agents choose to dedicate more than 40 hours a week to this, whereas others choose to keep this strictly as a side career. However, according to NAR 2020 Member Profile, 73% of REALTORS® say that real estate is their only occupation. That number is a lot higher for those who have over 16 years of experience is real estate. That being said, you also have to factor in personal expenses, especially in your first year of real estate. Only then can you really consider yourself a paid real estate agent. This leads to our next key point... Are You a Part-time or Full-time Real Estate Agent? Being a part-time or full-time real estate agent will have an effect on your salary. Keep in mind, especially when you're a rookie real estate agent, you need clientele and you need a good strategy to follow up with referrals and gain more leads. The more time you invest into your real estate business, the more effect it will have on your real estate salary. According to a 2020-2021 report by McKissock Learning, the more hours an agent has invested into their real estate business per week, the higher their salary was. For example, an agent investing less than 20 hours a week would get paid an average annual income of about $22,000 compared to a real estate agent investing 51-59 hours a week and getting an average annual income of approximately $85,800. All in all, investing more hours into your lead generation and follow-up, organizing your database, updating your agent website and posting on your social media really makes a difference in what salary you should expect as a real estate agent. Take Brokerage Fees into Consideration In places like Ontario, real estate agents are required to work for a brokerage and, therefore, have to pay a certain percentage to the brokerage. According to a post published by Get What You Want, a real estate agent is required to give a certain percentage of their commission to their brokerage. This could be roughly anywhere between $2,900-$3,825 depending on where you live and what commission you've earned. How You Can Earn More as a Real Estate Agent If you've made it this far, you will have, at some point, felt a little overwhelmed. Especially as a new agent, you are already so overwhelmed with all of your expenses, broker fees, and taxes. Considering all of this, your fantastic-looking gross income could end up looking a little less fantastic. However, there are solutions. While it won't happen within the course of a day, making certain changes to your real estate business can help you earn more as a real estate agent. So how do you increase your salary as a real estate agent? Start by investing in yourself. With the right tools, you can really take your real estate business to the next level. A simple tool to get started would be a real estate CRM. A CRM is a contact relationship management software. This is just the tool you need to organize your database, make notes, schedule and send automated emails and eNewsletters, build a beautiful real estate agent website and so much more! A real estate CRM that will take your real estate business to the next level and have you earning more as real estate agent would also come equipped with a marketing automation system. This is where you will feel like you have your own personal assistant without having to hire someone. So How Will This Affect Your Salary? Making these simple everyday changes will allow you to build your business and keep in touch with your contacts and important referral sources. Once your start growing your database, keeping in touch and nurturing your contacts, while also focusing on promoting your brand, your real estate business will see more action. As mentioned earlier in this article, agents that put in more time into their real estate business see a higher salary than those doing the bare minimum. Putting in more time doesn't mean you need to sit at the computer for long hours. Once you have everything scheduled and automated, you will find it easier to operate your real estate business and you will adapt. To view the original article, visit the IXACT Contact blog.

Keeping the Human Element in the Emerging Age of the iBuyer
Despite some disruption during the early days of COVID-19 shutdowns, the iBuyer model represents a growing segment of the real estate market. In Q2 2021, iBuyers represented a one percent market share, with 15,000 homes sold for $5.3 billion, according to a recent report by Zillow. Like many other technological breakthroughs, the advent of the iBuyer model brought with it fears of industry disruption and a retreat from the human-centered service model that real estate agents strive to deliver. However, the reality is somewhat more complicated. While iBuyer services offer additional convenience to both buyers and sellers, these are generally outweighed by the benefits of a more personal, human approach. In many ways, the unique value proposition (UVP) offered by an iBuyer service is not new. Most promise a quick turnaround of 24-48 hours for an initial offer, removing much of the uncertainty and ambiguity associated with a traditional market sale. In addition, iBuyers generally buy without the need for extensive repair lists, home staging, and long waits for offers from interested buyers. This is a similar service to that provided by many traditional real estate investors, and the seller appeal and overall business model is similar for both. This suggests that iBuyers may not be taking a bite out of the traditional market for most listing agents. They're simply using their data-gathering capabilities to target those homeowners who would have likely sold to and through an investor. Here's how to make the potential of iBuyers work for you: 1. Know and define the service you offer While iBuyers offer some advantages, they are nothing compared to the advantages of working with a well-qualified, knowledgeable real estate agent. These include: Marketing expertise and a professional network that puts you in touch with scores of buyer agents in your area Professional insight and an awareness of home value potential based on real-world experience in transactions and in your local market Expertise in negotiations and in-depth buyer insight along with a fiduciary duty to provide the best possible service to your clients Experience in dozens or hundreds of transactions, so that you can guide clients through every step of the process Ability and willingness to follow up after the sale with home valuations and community information as needed to optimize the potential of the property. 2. Clearly communicate your value proposition It's not enough for you to know the value you bring to the real estate transaction. You must clearly communicate your UVP so that sellers in your market understand what you offer — and how it translates into a higher sale price for them. Whether you send out emails to your SOI, send mailers to your geographic farm, write a blog, host a podcast, or make videos about your local market, getting the word out is an important part of raising your profile in the communities you serve. In addition, by staying in touch with your past clients, you can nurture an important source of referrals and recommendations. Let them know that you are always there for their family and friends and let positive word of mouth help you grow your business. 3. Help clients crunch the numbers for themselves One of the reasons that iBuying isn't for everyone is the reduced sale price they generally offer. This price is normally well below that which could be captured on the open market. Don't be afraid to let your clients entertain an offer from an iBuyer, then show them the comparable values of properties in the area. They will probably find that a traditional sale makes far more financial sense and offers a much greater return on their home investment. 4. Know when working with an iBuyer makes sense By contrast, there are times when an iBuyer just makes sense for your sellers. Perhaps they need to relocate quickly for a new job. Maybe they need to settle an estate or finalize a divorce settlement. Perhaps they have significant equity in the home and are more interested in a quick transaction than in maximizing their profit. Listen to your sellers, and if an iBuyer makes sense in their specific situation, help them explore it as an option, comparing offers from several services if possible. While you probably won't earn your accustomed commission, you'll generally earn a fee provided by the iBuyer. In addition, you'll make a big and lasting impression on your clients by putting their needs before your own. 5. Leverage the power of iBuyers in your market Compare the iBuyers that are active in your market and find ways to connect with them, and use that to your advantage. You may be able to become a partner agent or you may find ways to receive referrals from homeowners who didn't get an offer from the iBuying service. Remember that every movement in the market offers an opportunity. Find the opportunity iBuyers are offering and figure out how to put it to work for you. To view the original article, visit the Transactly blog.

Avoid These Mistakes as a New Real Estate Agent
Sales are your forte, so you decided on real estate as a profession where you can use your skills and charisma to earn a living. You've heard that top Realtors make six-figure salaries or more, so why not get a piece of the action? The educational requirements are a snap and, theoretically, you can apply everything you have learned to real-life situations. But after a few months of no sales, you start to wonder about all the rookie real estate agent mistakes you have made. The realization that real estate is more than merely selling has hit home, and perhaps you should have taken steps to create a marketing plan for your brand, considered a budget for unforeseen expenses, and thought about networking with more than just friends and relatives. As a beginner real estate agent, you can avoid making mistakes by understanding and implementing current proptech, choosing a mentor, and adopting the proper mindset. Mistakes 101 Mistakes will be made even though realistic goals for new real estate agents are your number one priority. When you start your career without proper planning, you are shooting in the dark. Take time to map out the direction you want to go and set realistic goals along the way. Don't forget that being a real estate professional means you will need to keep learning to improve your knowledge and to keep up with the changing landscape of the industry. You want to ensure you are using the current technology available to you, like having an online presence to showcase virtual tours and floor plans of your listings. Choose your brokerage wisely, not just based on the percentage of your commission split. Brokerages have a lot to offer in terms of training, mentoring, working with teams, and helping you get your footing in a very competitive industry. Make a plan Planning your real estate career is more than deciding which brokerage to work for and selling a few houses. Wise words from real estate expert Tom Ferry suggest you avoid real estate agent mistakes by treating your profession as a business venture. Every good business begins with a well thought-out plan. Think of building your career like building a house. Start with a good floor plan, make adjustments along the way, and build the structure with a good foundation. Don't rush the process. Take time to focus on marketing to reach potential leads. Innovative proptech tools from companies like iGUIDE can help you succeed in winning listings, analyze your success, and build your brand. Budgeting for the long haul You might be one of the lucky first-timers who get a sale or two within the first couple of months working in real estate. However, you need to focus on the long term and prepare a budget accordingly. Getting a big paycheck from your first sale doesn't mean you should go out and purchase that flashy new SUV you've had your eye on. It could be months before you make another sale. Focus on realistic goals for new real estate agents by creating a budget. Consider the costs of building a website, printing business cards and for sale signs, marketing fees for real estate photography and 3D tours, and the price you pay for gas to maneuver around your niche area. It would be wise to put some of that first commission payout away for the dry season. Networking, marketing, and communication Ah, networking—now that's an area you really need to work on and keep working on throughout your career. One of the biggest real estate agent mistakes, according to Inman, is lack of communication. Begin and end your day by staying in touch with your leads and clients. Respond to emails, text messages, social media posts, and inquiries in a timely manner. It takes time and effort to build your brand and fill your network with contacts that turn into clients. Communication helps you reach potential buyers and sellers by keeping the conversation going. When communicating value to the consumer, the use of great marketing tools like 3D tours, social media, and websites are vital to avoid common mistakes real estate agents make as highlighted in a recent Forbes article. Expectations and results Realistic goals for new real estate agents are to expect the unexpected. Acing the exam to get your licence with your local real estate association is just the beginning. Results will follow when you put your newly acquired knowledge into practice, but don't get discouraged when you don't meet your own expectations. There are many failures among your fellow Realtors; however, you can succeed with the right tools that allow access to property information fast. The consumer hires you with the expectation that you will help in the process of buying or selling a home. Use the resources available to you and leverage the services of other industry professionals who can provide valuable benefits and advice along the way. Don't go it alone. To achieve results, a positive mindset, a no-fail attitude and giving 100% effort to your new profession will keep you headed in the right direction. A mistake is just a learning experience if you move beyond it and avoid making it again. The biggest real estate agent mistakes you can make are thinking you won't make any.

10 Tips to Becoming the Worst of the Worst Real Estate Agent
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, an Orange County broker, shares what not to do as a real estate agent. Here's Karen: Don't try this at home kids--unless you are fully committed to being the best of the worst real estate agents. I'm running into agents who do not know what they are doing. It's as if someone gave them a page telling them how to get paid without really doing any work. Great job, really. Maybe we should try it out? I want to get paid for doing nothing! Here are 10 tips to help you become the very worst real estate area in your market. If you do this right, you'll quickly build your reputation! Try to get the listing agent to show your buyers their listing while you lounge by the pool. See if your clients can get the paperwork directly from the other agent and use their transaction coordinator to schedule your inspections, appraisals etc. Save money on hiring your own. Sound confused on the phone so the other agent steps in and writes the offer for you. Once escrow is open, never answer your phone and return calls very late at night when you know they won't answer. Always sound busy and irritated if you do talk to the other agent. Never send in the proper forms, wait until the last minute so you will have the other agent send you a complete package and you can deal with it all at once. Learn the phrase, "Escrow should know that." Learn the phrase, "Well, what do YOU think we should do?" Make sure you don't own a fax machine or scanner. Make sure that all commission concessions come from the other agent by sounding like you don't care. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

37 Times Better: The Long and Effective Way to Become a Better Agent and Grow Your Business
You have probably heard this before, but success does not happen overnight. Three of the best examples are Amazon (founded in 1994), Apple (founded in 1976), and Google (founded in 1998). They are now some of the most valuable companies in the world, and this wasn't because of one or two actions—it took time. Amazon, Apple, and Google are three of the most valuable companies in the world because of taking constant action and years of work. So, what is the secret to becoming a better agent? It's simple really—as James Clear in Atomic Habits writes, "The difference a tiny improvement can make over time is astounding. Here's how the math works out: if you can get 1% better each day for one year, you'll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you're done." 37 Times Better What would your real estate business look like if it was 37 times better? I can only imagine what this would look like for you and your company. In October 2018, I bought Atomic Habits for the first time. It changed my life. I went from being over $20,000 in debt to wiping out that debt in less than two years—all due to making tiny improvements. But how does it work? Simple: Stop trying to make giant changes Start with making small changes Build on those small changes Understand the power of 1% growth Understand what a habit is Learn Habit Stacking (You will have to read the book to learn this) What Is a Habit? Before anyone can make changes, they first need to understand what a habit is. There are four parts to a habit: cue, craving, response, and reward. An example of this is waking up (cue), craving a cup of coffee (craving), going to the kitchen and pouring a cup of coffee (response), and drinking that coffee (reward). It's that simple. How to Change Your Habits? Start with one habit. Let's say you drink too much coffee. Your doctor has prescribed drinking less coffee for one reason or another, but when you try to quit cold turkey, you find it impossible to quit. It's so hard to quit because you have a habit of drinking coffee when you wake up. Instead of trying to quit drinking coffee when you wake up, instead replace the craving/response. Change coffee for water. You have the same habit of drinking something when you wake up, but instead of coffee, it is water. That change in the response is the key to changing your habits and improving yourself over the long term. How Can I Change My Real Estate Business by 1%? Question everything, every day. Ask yourself, what small changes can I make? For your real estate business, it could be asking for referrals. You know that you are supposed to ask for referrals, but you always find it weird to call your clients out of the blue to ask for them. This makes sense to me because I have the same problem. What if you made a small change to your habits when you interact with clients? When it is time to end a conversation with a client (cue), you change your response from saying "goodbye" to instead asking for a referral (response) before you actually say goodbye. This way you have a built-in referral engine. Did it take a lot of work to make this change? Maybe at first, but as you did it, the easier it became. How much business could you bring in by making this small change? Now It's Your Turn Take a minute and buy the book Atomic Habits; it will change your life. (This is not a referral link.) Sign up for James Clear's newsletter, "3-2-1 Thursday by James Clear." On a daily basis, find yourself a 1% improvement for yourself or for your business. Do this every day. One day you will reflect on these changes and realize you have developed a growth mindset. Check back next week to learn about my favorite feature of CRMs—it might not be what you think. If you have 1% improvements you would like to share with RE Technology's readers, please send them to me, or if you have suggestions for other articles, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or on LinkedIn.

4 Ways Real Estate Agents Can Use Free Time to Find More Opportunities
Down time got you down? Here are four ways real estate agents can thrive in their free time and find more opportunities: 1. Learn Something New Everyday There are endless resources to be found online. You can be more active in a Facebook Group for real estate agents. Play some YouTube videos while you are watching your children. Listen to podcasts while you are cleaning or working out. Or perhaps dig into a real estate blog for a multitude of topics to improve your internet or social media presence. 2. Work on Your Website? Your real estate website is a work of art that is never finished. Update your agent profile photo. Add some SEO friendly community pages. Update your bio to reflect your recent successes. Start writing blogs and schedule them to publish throughout the year. Your website is a work in progress, but the more your work on it, the better your search engine rankings will be. 3. Set Goals to Accomplish Ensure that this time you have is spent productively by setting goals with varying degrees of difficulty. Here are example goals with random numbers you can use for inspiration: one daily text to a past client; 10 calls to expired listings, three calls to leads that have gone unresponsive, one personal email to an individual lead, one daily post on Instagram. 4. Find Ways to Improve Your Online Business There is always room for improvement, and that differs for each agent. If you feel like you are missing out on organic search engine traffic, then work on your website. Do many of your leads go cold? Then try using some of your spare time to put more effort into following up. Do your social media posts not get any engagement? Then learn how to write more captivating captions. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

How to Say 'No' to Real Estate Sellers
Here is a topic that is heavily talked about amongst real estate agents. Should you discount your services? And if so, how do you say "no" to a home seller? There are many reasons why you should and shouldn't discount your services. If we can allow me to break character a bit and speak on behalf of myself and not my company—I believe in not discounting services because it also discounts your value as an agent. Some exceptions would be if a client is going through a really hard time (but isn't everybody?), or for friends and family. Here are some strategies you can use to say no: Just Say No Let's get this one out of the way. Not everybody can pull off just saying no, because bluntness can be off-putting when building relationships with clients. If you are going to choose this direction, we'd recommend also including a reason for your no. An example can be, "No. You are already getting a discount, I can't discount my services any further." Bring Up Your Pedigree If your average home stays on the market for 28 days, and your listings sell much quicker, that is because of your skill as an agent. Your real estate clients are receiving the full value of the commission based on the years of experience and study you have put into your profession. Let them know exactly what they are paying for when hiring you! You are the expert, and with your expertise and experience they should be paying a premium to work with the best. Otherwise, they can go with the random Redfin agent they know nothing about. Use Your Brokerage as a Reason Some brokerages will have a minimum requirement of what percentage they will accept from you as an agent. This can circle back to our "Just Say No" strategy. Here you have a clear and concise reason why you will not be able to discount your services. Explain Where the Commission Goes to You don't pocket that commission. That will go towards photos, marketing the home, and back to the brokerage. By discounting your real estate services, that should also mean you will have to pull back a little spending on each of these items. Let them know it doesn't all go to you, it goes into making sure that the home gets sold. You can say "Yes," and follow it with a "…but that means there will be no room left in the budget to host an open house or market it beyond just my immediate network." There is No Commission if There is No Sale An effective way to shelve the question is just letting them know you can't discuss the commission discount if there is no commission yet. Discounted Agents Bring Discounted Services There is nothing wrong with being a discount agent! In fact, we realize that it appeals to the demographic of sellers that like to save money. The caveat with discounting your services, though, is it has the potential to stretch you thin amongst all your clients. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

7 Ways to Waste Money in Real Estate
You are a real estate agent, and maybe you just closed on a deal and now have some extra money from your most recent comission. If you are looking for a creative way to flush that money down the toilet, look no further. 1. Hiring Help Incorrectly Sometimes you just need help right away, and you will hire anybody. Or maybe you will hire a friend, family member, or person from within your network. That's how most people will find their real estate agents anyway, right? Be sure to carefully review everybody you are hiring—otherwise, you might as well throw that money towards whatever the newest cryptocurrency is that is trying to compete with Bitcoin. 2. Expensive Gifting When giving closing gifts to your clients, it's easy to go overboard to show them how much you appreciate their business. The higher the price tag, the higher their sense of gratitude is not something that is guaranteed. When building a relationship with your clients, it's important to make note of what brings a spark to their life. Is it the passion for their job? Is it their children's dreams? Are they obsessive Star Wars fans? Knowing this type of information can help you choose a thoughtful—and cost-effective—gift that establishes that you KNOW who your clients are as people. 3. Incorrect Listings Incorrect listings can include overpriced listings, listings outside of your niche, or listings too far outside of your farming area. Not only does it take some of your dedicated marketing dollars away from other listings, it also takes your precious time away as well. You should know when to say "no" to a listing that is not right for you. Your time is money, and you shouldn't be wasting it. 4. Choosing the Wrong Brokerage Speaking of wasting time, this is a common problem some new agents come across. It might be unavoidable for newer agents, but can be an easy dodge for veteran agents who know their way aroud the industry. Some brokerages simply aren't in an ideal alignment with your personal goals. Find yourself one that is. 5. Services You Don't Utilize Often on internet message boards, you will see agents write "________ is a waste of money." Sometimes that may be true. From personal experience, I've seen that it's not necessarily the service that is costing them, but it is the fact they are paying for it and not using it. If you are going to invest your hard-earned marketing dollars into a service, make sure you get the most out of it by actually using it. A gym membership alone isn't enough to stay in shape; you must also regularly go to the gym. 6. Not Having a Follow-up System Why would you spend so much money generating leads online, then never convert them? While it's true not all leads will turn into a commission, it is also true that some of these leads are missed opportunities due to lack of communication. Internet leads don't stink, they just aren't being properly followed up with. With consumer timelines elongating to more than just a simple 28 days, it takes time and patience to correctly convert these internet leads into new homeowners. 7. Red Flag Clients There are some clients you should run from. In some cases, the ends justify the means—where the end goal is a paycheck, and the means is an obstacle course in the form of a needy client. This should also include clients you KNOW can be better served by other agents—for example, a person looking to buy commercial real estate might benefit from an agent referral instead of you personally taking on the task. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

3 Strategies to Running Your Real Estate Business
You are visiting RE Technology's site to learn how to use technology, which in turn will help you learn how to run your real estate business. If you are like me, you also read books--even when you don't have time--to get new ideas. Recently, I was reading Slow Burn by Stu Mittleman. His book teaches the reader how to run further, faster, and for longer periods of time. As I was reading this, I knew almost immediately that this also applies to how to run a business. Three strategies that Mittleman introduces are How to Think, Train and Eat for the Distance. The ideas below have been morphed for you, the real estate agent. Enjoy! Thinking for the Distance Success is 80% psychological and 20% strategic—the classic 80/20 rule. I hear Tony Robbins say this all the time, "Before we can improve our business we must improve ourselves." That is why the first item discussed in Slow Burn is how to think. Mittleman focuses on believing in yourself, staying in the moment, and setting process-oriented goals. Believe in Yourself. No matter what you are trying to achieve, you must believe in yourself. A great example Mittleman uses is when he was hired to train hotel staff to run the New York City Marathon in just six short weeks. Only one of the 27 runners had ever run further than a 10k. How was he supposed to train them in just six weeks to run 26.1 miles? Easy—he taught them to believe in themselves. This is where you must start. Before you can accomplish anything, you must believe that you can do it. Stay in the Moment. Running a successful business is more like running a marathon, versus running a sprint. So many of us are focused on the future or the past that we forget what is right in front of us. We are chasing the next thing and not enjoying the moment. I imagine that a few of you have children. I have two myself, and so often we are focused on what WE are doing next that we forget to enjoy the moment we have with those around us. We must learn to stop and enjoy the moment. Set Process-Oriented Goals. Say you have a goal to run a marathon in the next three months. You train your butt off until you reach that goal. You pat yourself on the back when you are done—but then what? Another marathon? A 5k? It's hard to say. Oftentimes, we completely stop doing the things that helped us proactively reach our goals once we set them. This is done in business all the time. We set a goal for five transactions a month, work our tails off until we get there, and then pat ourselves on the back. But is that it? No! Instead of focusing on the goal, we should focus on the processes. Instead of being focused on completing five transactions a month, each day we should focus on ONE referral, ONE new lead, ONE client meeting, etc. If we remain in the present, we will accomplish our goals in no time. Training for the Distance Now for the 20%. We cannot reach our process-oriented goals if we are doing the wrong things. To train for the long-term growth of your business, you need to buy the products that fit your business, focus on your form, and build a customized plan for your business. The average broker offers twelve products to their agents. Twelve! Do agents only use the products their broker offers? Of course not! They use products from their association, MLS, and what they buy themselves. That is a lot of stuff to learn. But do you really need them all? No. You need to figure out which products actually work for the type of business you are creating. If you are a new agent, a complicated CRM does not make sense. You need something simple. Once you have selected your products, then learn everything you can about them to help your business grow. Always keep training. Training leads to proper form. With the training you receive for the products you have decided to use, you must learn how to use them properly. That is form. Doing the right things the right way—that's how you should train. Once you have your products, training, and form down, then it is time to build yourself a customized plan for growth. I would not recommend someone go this alone. There is always someone that has done what you are trying to do. Learn from them. Learn from their mistakes to build your plan to move forward. Eating for the Distance Now, for the easiest of the three. Eat for the long-term growth of your business. Your business (and yourself) will suffer if you don't eat right and stay healthy. I am not going to tell you how to eat. I am not going to tell you about the best diet. This is a technology website, not a nutritional site. What I will tell you is the same thing that Mittleman says, "Personalize Your Food Strategies." We are all different. What works for me, may not work for you. Personally, I am allergic to gluten. If I ingest gluten, then I end up with a migraine for three days. When I personalize my food strategy, there is no gluten in sight. You must decide your meal plan based on you. However, the reason for eating right is to have the energy to help your business grow. Without that energy, thinking right and training right doesn't matter. Your Turn In my last two articles, 3 Tips to Master Your Gmail Inbox and 3 Zoom Tips to Look 10x More Professional, you were immediately able to stop and take 15 minutes to practice the tips. These strategies take a bit more time to execute. But in all fairness, they will have the biggest impact on your life and on your business. In the next 15 minutes, schedule weekly time (approximately 60 minutes each week) to work on these three strategies on how to run your business for the long term. You will not regret it. If you are interested in reading Mittleman's book Slow Burn, you can pick it up from Amazon here. Come back next week to learn how to find tech support for your products. If you have any questions about these business strategies or have suggestions for more, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or on LinkedIn.

5 Things Every Agent Should Do This Holiday Season!
Let's just go ahead and call the last quarter of the year "holiday season." Right? Every year, it's as if the first nine months are practice for cramming everything possible into the last three months of the year. Pumpkin-spiced creations hit the shelves and the inevitability of "Fall" smacks us in the face (even in climates where Fall isn't really a thing). And then beginning with Halloween, the calendar loses its mind. Children are out of school for Thanksgiving and Christmas following torturous holiday plays and band concerts. Veteran's Day, umpteen teacher workdays, getting ready for Hanukkah, corporate America taking weeks of vacation they didn't get a chance to enjoy the first part of the year, and frantic preparations to get the house ready for the extended stays of family are enough to drive you crazy. And on top of that, you've still got a real estate business to run. To make sure it's running after the holidays, the one thing you absolutely must continue to do is prospect. Schedule BEFOREHAND: Adding one more thing to your packed plate is difficult, but by scheduling a Holiday Postcard Campaign ahead of time it will make sure you are remembered. Colorful, well-designed postcards scream "Happy Holidays" and "I'm still here for you!" Give notice (if you're going to be out): There are few more frustrating things for a potential client than reaching out to an agent – and getting zero response. Let everyone know when you'll be available. That way, they can plan, too, and enjoy their own holiday. A preemptive "Thank You" or holiday card with your intended Out of Office schedule might be more helpful than you'd imagine. Immediately follow up: I know, I know…I shouldn't have to say this, but we've all hit that wall where the last thing we want to do is grind out that 87th call or 200th email at a time that is always inconvenient. But it's the holidays, so put on your happy face. Return that call in line at Target, respond to that email as soon as you can, call the client back after you listen to their third voice mail. This is second nature to a good agent but doing so in the middle of the holiday season establishes even more trust in your client's mind. "My agent stopped what they were doing to answer a question I thought was silly." They'll tell their friends, who'll tell their friends. Behold, the power of networking. Take advantage of inventory lulls: Spring may be the most popular time for a move, but the holidays present their own benefit – low inventory and the potential for a higher asking price (for the seller). People are constantly moving, and houses are constantly for sale, but the end of the year can be a choke point. [NOTE: The pandemic-era real estate business continues to be a complete anomaly.] By properly using real estate mailers and keeping your ear to the ground, and understanding what's available in your market, you'll be better positioned to help that client move just in time to host (or avoid hosting) this year! Be where your competition isn't: Saturating your targets with information letting them know you're ready, willing and able to help them at a CRAZY time of year speaks volumes to the kind of agent you could be in the heat of the real estate season. Make sure they know your name, your successes in their area or neighborhood, and what you're willing to do for them while your competition is sleeping off eggnog or on vacation celebrating early. They'll notice. This isn't rocket science. We all know that. But by capitalizing on small things and hammering the need for prospecting up to – and through – the holidays, you're setting yourself up for a great New Year and beyond. We say location, location, location, but none of those sales will ever come to fruition without genuine, passionate, deliberate and effective prospecting, prospecting, prospecting. Happy Holidays!

Friday Freebie: Buyer's Cheat Sheet to Winning in Low Inventory Markets
Your home buyer clients have probably heard the term "seller's market" in the news, but do they really know what it means? It's more than simple difficulty in finding a home--buying in a seller's market means being outbid, needing to act quickly and assertively… and preparing for potential heartbreak. What that means for you, as the buyer's agent, is managing your client's expectations and preparing them to compete in today's market. That's easier said than done, however, and that's why we're highlighting a cheat sheet for helping your buyers win in a low inventory market. Read on to learn how to claim this free download. Free copy of How to Win in Low-inventory Markets: The Buyer's Cheat Sheet, courtesy of Zurple Stressed-out buyers mean a stressed-out buyer's agent—and nobody wants that! Help soothe your buyers' frustrations in today's market with this free cheat sheet from Zurple. Here's what you'll find inside: Explanations for what's causing the current seller's market Advice for preparing your buyer for a competitive market How to develop a competitive-advantage offer strategy What NOT to do with your buyer Buyer's agent scripts Bonus tips for helping your buyer and finding more inventory And more! Ready to help your buyers get a leg-up in today's market? Download your FREE copy of How to Win in Low-inventory Markets: The Buyer's Cheat Sheet now!