Victor Lund and Marilyn Wilson Named RISMedia 2024 Real Estate Newsmakers
WAV Group, a collaborator of RE Technology, proudly announces that Victor Lund and Marilyn Wilson have been recognized as RISMedia 2024 Real Estate Newsmakers for their outstanding contributions to the real estate industry. The designation places them among a select group of key influencers acknowledged for their newsworthy endeavors that positively impact consumers and communities. RISMedia, a leading provider of U.S. real estate news and information services, unveiled its prestigious list of over 300 Real Estate Newsmakers on February 1st. The honorees were revealed in an online directory on RISMedia.com and featured in the February issue of Real Estate magazine. The Newsmakers were chosen by RISMedia's executive and editorial teams and span various categories, including Influencers, Trailblazers, Futurists, Achievers, Crusaders, Luminaries, and the esteemed Hall of Fame inductees. John Featherston, Founder, CEO, and Publisher of RISMedia, commended this year's cohort, recognizing their exceptional accomplishments amid the dynamic real estate landscape. He emphasized the importance of celebrating the industry's creativity, innovation, and philanthropic efforts, particularly during challenging times. Marilyn Wilson, a founding partner of WAV Group and a pioneering leader in the real estate sector, has been instrumental in shaping the real estate landscape through her thought leadership and strategic insights. With a background in global marketing and product development, Marilyn brings a wealth of experience to the table. Her work at WAV Group and her involvement in initiatives as President of RETechnology.com have contributed significantly to advancing innovation and growth within the industry. "Receiving the RISMedia 2024 Real Estate Newsmaker designation is a tremendous honor," Wilson said. "At WAV Group, we strive to empower real estate professionals with strategic insights and innovative solutions. This recognition underscores the importance of our collective efforts in shaping the future of the industry. I am grateful to be part of such a dynamic community of changemakers." Victor Lund, also a founding partner of WAV Group, stands out for his exceptional expertise and commitment to driving innovation. As the founder and managing partner of WAV Group, Victor has played a pivotal role in guiding brokers, networks, and franchises through successful acquisitions, market research, and technology optimization. His strategic vision and unwavering dedication have earned him a reputation as a sought-after consultant and mentor within the industry. "I am deeply honored to be recognized as a RISMedia 2024 Real Estate Newsmaker," said Lund. "This acknowledgment reaffirms our commitment at WAV Group to drive innovation and excellence within the real estate industry. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change and look forward to continuing our mission of creating waves of positive impact." Both Lund and Wilson epitomize excellence and leadership in their respective roles, embodying WAV Group's commitment to creating waves of positive change in real estate. Their inclusion as RISMedia 2024 Real Estate Newsmakers reaffirms their status as influential figures driving industry-wide transformation. RISMedia will celebrate this year's Real Estate Newsmakers, including the Hall of Fame inductees, at the upcoming Newsmakers Reception & Dinner on September 5th at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. The event, held in conjunction with the 2024 CEO & Leadership Exchange, promises to be a celebration of the industry's brightest minds and trailblazers. In response to the recognition, Victor Lund and Marilyn Wilson expressed gratitude for the honor and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing diversity, innovation, and excellence in real estate. For more information about WAV Group and its groundbreaking initiatives, visit www.wavgroup.com.

Real Makes It Easier for Independent Brokerages and Team Leaders to Join
The Real Brokerage Inc. announced the launch of two programs that make it easier for the nation's 100,000+ independent brokerages and team leaders to join Real, while maintaining the brands and compensation structures that are right for their businesses. Already the fastest-growing, publicly traded real estate brokerage as measured by agent growth, both programs are designed to clear the path for independent brokerages and fast-growing teams to benefit from the technology, tools, training and culture of collaboration and performance that Real provides. "Real is a platform of possibilities. We are focused on providing agents and team leaders with the best platform from which to serve clients and build long-term wealth," said Real President Sharran Srivatsaa. "In today's market, independent brokerage owners and team leaders need a platform that gives them the ability to scale. Our Private Label and ProTeams programs give owners and team leaders the power to overlay the Real model – and all of the benefits associated with being a part of the fastest-growing, publicly traded brokerage firm – without losing their brand or having to alter their economic plan." Real Chairman and CEO Tamir Poleg said, "We've kicked off 2024 on a strong note, with over 500 agents joining Real in the first week alone, pushing our network past the 14,000 agent mark. With the launch of these new programs, we're set to further accelerate our growth, providing unparalleled opportunities for independent brokerages and teams to expand their businesses with unmatched flexibility and support." Private Label Specifically designed for independent brokerages that have spent years building a brand in their local marketplace, Real's Private Label program empowers brokerages to benefit from Real's cutting-edge transaction management platform while maintaining and continuing to invest in their local brand, which often comes with a strong customer base and emotional attachment. The Private Label program will be available immediately to brokerages through an application process in states that allow this type of representation. Real piloted the Private Label program in five markets over the last 12 months for close to $2 billion in sales volume, including Kofi Nartey and his 12-member Globl RED team, which joined in August 2023. "Being able to maintain our existing brand and get all the benefits of a tech-forward brokerage partner was a game changer," Nartey said. "We spent the previous three years launching our brand and building brand awareness. Real understood the value of what we had built with Globl RED and wanted to support our continued growth. The Private Label model made the transition easy, as we were able to have a seamless public facing brand transition, while working smoothly behind the scenes to onboard onto the platform. This allowed me and my team to keep our focus on our business and on our clients." ProTeams Real's ProTeams program, which launches today to select teams and which will be fully available throughout the U.S. and Canada by the end of the first quarter, gives team leaders the flexibility to customize their team members' caps, splits and fee payments down to the individual team member level, allowing them to continue to embrace the structure that works best for them and reap the benefits associated with being a part of the Real platform. According to Srivatsaa, the Private Label and ProTeams programs address the biggest concerns of independent brokerages and larger teams interested in making the move to Real. "Last year, we introduced a number of agent-centric benefits, including healthcare benefits resources and co-sponsored and willable revenue sharing programs," Srivatsaa said. "We are kicking off 2024 with a revenue share retirement benefits program for all Real agents and two game-changing programs that give individual brokerage owners and team leaders the ability to join Real with the brand they've spent millions of dollars building and the financial models that work best for them."

Redfin Extends New Agent Pay Plan in Southern California Offering Big Splits with Zero Expenses
Redfin announced it is expanding its new agent compensation plan to San Diego and Orange County, California. Under the new plan, rebranded to Redfin Next, agents earn competitive splits as high as 75%, have virtually all business expenses covered, and get technology, support, benefits and customer introductions from Redfin.com. Redfin initially announced the plan in San Francisco and Los Angeles in late October. Since then, it has signed nearly 40 top producing agents to join its San Francisco and Los Angeles teams, and is having conversations with dozens more top producing agents who are interested in joining the company. Collectively, Redfin's new hires sold approximately one billion in real estate in the last two years. Because of this early recruiting success, as well as the positive reception among Redfin's existing agents, the company decided to quickly expand the plan to additional markets in Southern California. "We set out to create a compelling compensation plan that would wow agents from across the industry by offering the best of both worlds: a big traditional split coupled with Redfin.com customers, benefits and support," said Jason Aleem. "We couldn't be happier with the early response in Los Angeles and San Francisco and feel even more confident that this plan will help us retain and recruit top talent and ultimately grow our market share in California next year." The Redfin Next plan includes: Big splits. Zero expenses: Agents earn splits as high as 75% on their own deals. Once you account for the Redfin-borne costs traditionally paid by agents, including benefits, mileage, payroll taxes and listing expenses, the effective split for self-sourced sales will top out at roughly 90%. For customers they meet through Redfin's platform, agents get up to 40% split. Meet over 100 customers a year: By plugging into the Redfin platform and the 50 million people who use Redfin's app and website every month, agents can grow their business rapidly. Business in a box: Redfin's technology and staff handle qualifying new customers, scheduling & hosting tours, and coordinating sales & listings. Agents focus on closing deals for customers. Top-tier benefits: Redfin's benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; fertility benefits; 401(k) employer match and employee stock purchase program. Define the future of real estate: Redfin puts the customer first, makes the industry more fair and transparent, and uses technology to modernize the real estate experience and make it better. Agents under Redfin Next will work as employees, not independent contractors. Redfin's employee agent model was built to put the customer first by ensuring agents have the support they need to deliver the best service. Redfin uses technology to make real estate more efficient, which is why Redfin has the most productive agents in the industry. Redfin agents close more than twice as many transactions as the average agent every year. Redfin agents in the company's Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco markets will move to the Redfin Next pay plan on January 1. In all other markets, Redfin agents will continue to operate under Redfin's existing plan, earning a base salary and bonuses for every closed transaction. Nationwide, Redfin agents earn more than double the typical real estate agent and the company's best agents have earned more than $750,000 under the existing plan. Redfin expects top agents to earn even more under the pilot pay plan.

Redfin Announces Redfin Max, a New Pay Plan for Agents
Redfin announced Redfin Max, a new pay plan for agents, on Wednesday. With Redfin Max, agents earn competitive splits as high as 75%, have virtually all business expenses covered, and get technology, support, benefits and customer introductions from Redfin.com. Redfin Max is launching in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and Redfin plans to expand it over time. Agents can connect with Redfin to learn about how they can maximize earnings and take their business to the next level with Redfin Max. Redfin Max is part of Redfin's strategy to invest in its high-performing agents and recruit top talent. Craig Pellegrini, an industry veteran with more than two decades of real estate experience and hundreds of millions in sales volume, recently joined Redfin's Silicon Valley team from Intero. "I came to Redfin because it offers everything I need to grow my business with no overhead," said Pellegrini. "I can focus on the highest and best use of my time by serving customers, while Redfin takes care of the day-to-day hassles and expenses. My transaction coordinator and support team are amazing and Redfin's technology platform is unmatched by anything else I've seen in this industry. At Redfin, I'm not cold-calling customers; they come to me. Next week, I'm closing a $5 million transaction with someone I met through Redfin and that's now a relationship I can build on for life." The Redfin Max plan includes: Big splits. Zero expenses: Agents earn splits as high as 75% on their own deals. Once you account for the Redfin-borne costs traditionally paid by agents, including benefits, mileage, payroll taxes and listing expenses, the effective split for self-sourced sales will top out at roughly 90%. For customers they meet through Redfin's platform, agents get up to 40% split. Meet over 100 customers a year: By plugging into the Redfin platform and the 50 million people who use Redfin's app and website every month, agents can grow their business rapidly. Business in a box: Redfin's technology and staff handle qualifying customers, scheduling and hosting tours, and coordinating sales and listings. Agents focus on closing deals for customers. Top-tier benefits: Redfin's benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; fertility benefits; 401(k) employer match and employee stock purchase program. Define the future of real estate: Redfin puts the customer first, makes the industry more fair and transparent, and uses technology to modernize the real estate experience and make it better. "For agents this is going to feel like a whole new Redfin, uniting the earning potential of a big split with the world-class support, marketing, benefits and customers that only Redfin can offer," said Jason Aleem, Redfin's senior vice president of real estate operations. "Agents have always envied our tech platform and pipeline of customers, now they'll see Redfin as a place where they can maximize their earnings and build a lifetime business." Redfin's employee agent model was built to put the customer first by ensuring agents have the support they need to deliver the best service. Redfin uses technology to make real estate more efficient, which is why Redfin has the most productive agents in the industry. Redfin agents close more than twice as many transactions as the average agent every year. "Our goal is to reward our top agents, who are among the most productive and experienced in California, and propel them to million-dollar earnings," Aleem continued. "Redfin Max has already helped us recruit top talent who recognize the potential of this model to power their career and change the industry." Launching in San Francisco and Los Angeles Now All Redfin agents in Redfin's San Francisco and Los Angeles markets will move to the new pay plan on January 1. In all other markets, Redfin lead agents will continue to operate under Redfin's existing plan, earning a base salary and bonuses for every closed transaction. Nationwide, Redfin agents earn more than double the typical real estate agent and the company's best agents have earned more than $750,000 under the existing plan. Redfin expects top agents to earn even more with the Redfin Max plan.

eXp Realty Launches 'Accelerate' Agent Incentive Program
eXp Realty announced the launch of Accelerate, an incentive program focused solely on helping eXp agents build for their future by maximizing their revenue share earning potential during their first year with the company. "In the lifespan of an agent, a critical component of long-term success is the ability to build for their retirement, so we launched Accelerate to help catalyze their potential earnings and create momentum in the first year and build for their future," said Glenn Sanford, Founder and CEO of eXp Realty. "We continue to be relentlessly focused on delivering a model that puts agents first. I couldn't be more proud of what we have created, especially for those looking to build long-term wealth, with our revenue share and equity programs for agents, as well as a favorable cap and split model." Accelerate, which is available in all 24 countries where eXp Realty operates, applies to agents who joined on or after March 1, 2023. The program automatically opens revenue share tiers 2 and 3 for 12 months beginning Sept. 7, 2023, creating the opportunity to have 10 front line qualifying agents (FLQA) immediately. This can open up the eXponential components of eXp's revenue share program in that first year. After the 12-month period, standard revenue share criteria will apply. "Accelerate was designed to reduce barriers and incentivize agents to grow their organizations," said Michael Valdes, Chief Growth Officer, eXp Realty. "It enables them to focus on selling and growing their businesses while earning the maximum potential revenue share for tiers two and three for the first year. Our aligned compensation model, where agents are rewarded for both production and contributions to eXp's growth, brings more value than ever before." This launch comes on the heels of the company's June announcement that, for the first time, was refining revenue share criteria for its agents, reducing the current FLQA tier 7 threshold from 40 to 30 FLQA. As part of its efforts to continually enhance its model, the company also launched Boost, a program designed to financially incentivize qualifying independent teams and brokerages to join eXp Realty. Revenue share is just one part of eXp Realty's aligned compensation model, which also includes competitive commissions and stock equity programs designed to enable its agents to build for their future.

Coldwell Banker Reveals Winners of Its Annual 30 Under 30 Class of 2023 Awards
Coldwell Banker Real Estate announced the award recipients for its 30 Under 30 Class of 2023 awards. Coldwell Banker affiliated real estate professionals below the age of 30 are recognized for their mark in real estate and achieved success in sales, philanthropy and leadership. The Coldwell Banker 30 Under 30 were chosen from the brand's network of 100,000 affiliated sales professionals in more than 2,700 offices across 39 countries and territories. This group of real estate professionals honors the heritage of the founders, Colbert Coldwell and Arthur Banker, who started their company at 24 and 28 years old, respectively. "As we celebrate this year's winners, I am reminded of how powerful, influential and dedicated the Coldwell Banker network is," said Liz Gehringer, president and CEO of Anywhere Franchise Brands. "These real estate professionals have made an impact in their community and still have so much road ahead of them to continue to innovate and grow. Their commitment to serving their clients, expanding their business and continuing to excel in the industry is recognized by many. I am eager to see how they continue to go above and beyond for clients seeking their dream home and how they will serve as a shining light for others within the Coldwell Banker network as they progress in their careers." The full Coldwell Banker 30 Under 30 Class of 2023 list is listed below in alphabetical order:  

eXp Realty Announces Program to Attract Independent Teams and Brokerages
eXp Realty announced the launch of its Boost program, designed to financially incentivize qualifying independent teams and brokerages to join eXp Realty. As part of this program, eXp Realty will provide financial incentives to independent teams and brokerages that are culturally aligned, have more than 50 agents and a minimum of $100 million (US/CAN) in sales volume in the originating country over the previous 12-month fiscal period. International qualifications to be released. Additional qualifications apply. Firms cannot be affiliated with any non-independent franchise. "We're laser-focused on attracting and retaining the best agents in the business," said Glenn Sanford, founder and CEO of eXp Realty. "Boost aligns the interests of independent teams and brokerages with eXp Realty through a shared commitment to our values, culture and growth goals. Our platform is designed to help individual agents and teams thrive. We understand the pressures that down markets place on independent teams and brokerages, and this program is intended to alleviate that stress and streamline the transition process." To ease any potential financial barriers to entry, Boost provides an incentive model that simplifies a move to eXp Realty. Once onboarded, the new brokerage can immediately begin reaping the benefits of joining eXp Realty, including stock equity, no overhead costs, no brokerage risk or liability, brokerage support and operations, agent support and services, revenue share opportunities and much more. "eXp Realty is here to help you boost your business with financial incentives while transitioning to our ecosystem," explained Michael Valdes, Chief Growth Officer, eXp Realty. "Our aligned compensation model, where agents are rewarded for both production and contributions to eXp's growth, brings more value than ever before." Leo Pareja, eXp Realty Chief Strategy Officer, continued, "We are always challenging the status quo, especially when it comes to how we support our agents. Our commitment to providing our agents and brokers with a unique and empowering cloud-based platform has been central to our continued growth. We continue to experience a shift in the market and our goal is to grow together with independent teams and brokerages interested in joining us." Qualifying Criteria As part of this program, eXp Realty will provide financial incentives to independent teams and brokerages that are culturally aligned, have more than 50 agents and a minimum of $100 million (US/CAN) in sales volume in the originating country over the previous 12-month fiscal period. International qualifications to be released. Additional qualifications apply. Cannot be affiliated with any non-independent franchise. Must be culturally aligned with and committed to adhering to the eXp Realty model. Must be invested in their continued growth with eXp Realty. Must participate in the eXp Realty revenue share and agent equity programs. Must agree to incentive and retention terms and timelines. eXp Realty reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to determine which qualifying independent teams and brokerages and the financial incentives that it will select and approve.

BHHS Declares June 'Real Estate Planning Month'
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices announced June 2023 as real estate planning month. This real estate brand initiative encourages all within the global network to subscribe to the ethos of real estate dreams deserve real estate plans. Identifying a month to focus on planning will ensure Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network Forever Agents can best assist their clients to achieve their goals—from buying, selling, renting, investing, and more. "Creating and executing plans to achieve goals will always result in success—in any and every avenue of life," said Christy Budnick, CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. "In order to achieve both financial and personal lifestyle goals with real estate, the first step should be to create a clear roadmap. We are proud to support our network members with this initiative not only in June, but year-round. Their valuable advisory role in creating actionable plans will help everyone succeed together." The Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate Planning Month is also designed to help all realize their homeownership dreams sooner, including minority groups, veterans, and first-time homebuyers that have faced challenges in finding their footing on the property ladder. "Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network Forever Agents℠ pride themselves on providing value to their clients from all walks of life," said Allan Dalton, SVP Research & Development, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. "Real Estate Planning Month is a first-of-its-kind innovation within the real estate industry that will bring value to our incredible network members and their clients. We are so proud of this program and we know that it will be a great resource for the hundreds of thousands of people who entrust Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network Forever Agents each year with their real estate goals." The brand introduced the concept at its annual Sales Convention, held earlier this year in Las Vegas, Nevada. The much-anticipated event was attended by more than 6,000 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network real estate professionals from around the world. Born with the intent to fully equip network agents with the tools and education to assist clients in making viable roadmaps and actionable goals with their real estate and lifestyle planning process, the global brand has invested valuable resources to the initiative, and remains committed to providing ongoing support to ensure Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network members continue to provide best-in-class service to their clients. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network members bring value to their clients and view their role as a provider of a professional service far beyond the immediate needs of a singular transaction. Planning is a vital component to the success of a clients' real estate portfolio, whether a first-time buyer, investor, or collector.

Charlie Hunt Promoted to President of HUNT Real Estate Corporation
HUNT Real Estate announced that, effective immediately, Charles F. Hunt has been promoted to President, Residential Brokerage and Chief Operating Officer for the company. The great-grandson of Charles S. Hunt, the founder of HUNT Real Estate Corporation, Mr. Hunt joined the company in 2007, and has served as a sales professional, branch director, regional general manager, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer of the corporation, a position he will maintain. The residential brokerage consists of 60 residential branch offices throughout New York state, Massachusetts, and Arizona. According to Chairman and CEO, Peter F. Hunt, "It is important that the next generation is positioned to take this key element of our organization forward, given the rapid changes in technology and how we transact business. The real estate industry is facing challenges, as are many industries in today's economic conditions. Charlie represents the best of the leadership cadre in our industry today and will move us forward, building on our 112-year history." Mr. Hunt is a graduate of Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, and later received his Master of Business Administration from the State University of New York at Buffalo. HUNT Real Estate Corporation was recently ranked 34th nationally among all residential real estate companies in the United States and fifth in terms of ancillary unit sales.

Industry Icon Sherry Chris to Retire from BHGRE and ERA Brand Leadership
Anywhere Real Estate Inc. announced that Sherry Chris, president and CEO of the Anywhere Expansion Brands portfolio, will retire from brand leadership, effective May 1. For her next act at Anywhere, Chris has been appointed executive advisor for Anywhere Brands, supporting the company's value to its growing network of affiliated broker/owners and serving as a respected voice in the industry. Chris, a widely recognized industry trailblazer and influencer, made the decision to retire after nearly two decades of brand leadership with Anywhere and more than 40 years in the real estate industry. In her most recent role at the helm of BHGRE and ERA, Chris has been recognized for her success in guiding the brands' strategic growth, franchise sales, and marketing innovation as well as inspiring and mentoring new generations of real estate leaders. "The impact Sherry has made on our company, our brands, and our affiliated brokers and agents is nothing less than remarkable," said Sue Yannaccone, president and CEO of Anywhere Brands and Anywhere Advisors. "Her fearless and poised approach to creating brands is showcased by the success and growth of both Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate and ERA. Sherry remains one of the most influential and impactful leaders in the real estate industry, which is why we are thrilled she will continue to share her talents with our company in her new role. We graciously thank and congratulate Sherry for her successful work as a brand leader." Well-known for building businesses based on next-generation consumer insights, combined with a keen marketing and sales acumen, Chris's innovative mindset has fueled success for the brands that she has served. In 2008, she was hand-selected to launch the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate brand, and under her leadership, BHGRE grew significantly across more than 40 U.S. states and six countries and established a unique position as real estate's lifestyle brand. ERA saw similar growth with Chris at the helm, as the network footprint has expanded to 43 U.S. states and 34 countries. As new leaders are identified for BHGRE and ERA, Chris will continue to provide oversight to ensure a smooth transition. "As I reflect on my years leading some of the greatest brands in real estate, I appreciate the immense privilege I have had to work alongside so many amazing entrepreneurs and industry leaders," said Chris. "As I move to my next chapter, I am honored Anywhere has asked me to continue following my passion of helping broker/owners across our brands thrive and find success in their business as I continue to champion them in the industry." Chris's contributions to the industry extend beyond her brand leadership, having served on advisory boards for the National Association of REALTORS® Real Estate Services program, the Asian Real Estate Association of America Education Foundation, and New Story, a charitable organization that builds safe homes and thriving communities in developing countries. Year after year, Chris has been recognized as one of Inman's 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders. In 2021, she was inducted into the RISMedia Newsmakers Hall of Fame, which celebrates industry icons for their outstanding achievements and commitment to exemplary service. Chris has also been recognized as a 2021 HousingWire Woman of Influence, a leader in the Swanepoel Power 200 list, a Luminary in RISMedia's Newsmakers list, an industry Gamechanger by RealTrends, one of the Most Influential Real Estate Executives by Real Estate Executive Magazine, and a member of Diversity Journal's Diversity Leader Women Worth Watching lists. She has been a strong advocate of engaging with businesses and consumers through social media channels – making her one of the most followed CEOs of a national real estate brand on social platforms. Chris started her career in the banking industry and moved into real estate in 1982, quickly rising through the ranks of brokerage leadership at various real estate companies before becoming Chief Operating Officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, a role she held before launching BHGRE. Chris is a graduate of The University of Western Ontario and earned an MBA from the Ivey School of Business.

The 'Chase' Is On!
On Thursday and Friday of last week, I participated in the Chase International Leadership Retreat — a gathering of more than 20 Chase executives passionate about their future and very focused on their growth. Working with Shari Chase, Sue Lowe, and Georgia Chase, I led three sessions with the executive team. We focused on the market outlook for 2023, recruiting as the life-blood of growth, and the importance of core services. We reviewed macroeconomics and national housing data. We reviewed the detailed market reports Chase International publishes for their 20+ different markets. From this, we were able to focus on the velocity of Chase's local markets, the price points and geographies that are in flight, and related opportunities. Next was a shift to educating their real estate professionals and their clients on the realities of local markets versus the national headlines. We then focused on the life-blood of a real estate brokerage company: Revenue, retention, and recruiting. Uncovering the core competency of the Chase International brokerage launches the strength of messaging for recruiting campaigns. The Chase team is focused on growth. Their teamwork will be impressive to follow. Finally, we discussed the current phenomenon of mortgage, insurance, and other financial services companies going "direct to consumer" (D2C) instead of relying on the real estate professional as the furthest most upstream in a transaction. It's a phenomenon that started in 2019 and intensifies annually. Our conversation was about core services as a culture versus a series of products. Once again, I will enjoy following Sanctuary Mortgage and Signature Title. An impressive executive team at Chase International. I expect to see them enjoying quarter to quarter market share growth through 2023! This is Where We Are Now! Mark McLaughlin serves as CEO of McLaughlin Ventures and M&A Advisory at WAV Group. To view the original article, visit the McLaughlin Ventures blog.

eXp Elevates Leadership and Tackles Next Evolution of eXp Realty's Agent-centric Model
eXp World Holdings, Inc. announced that Glenn Sanford, eXp World Holdings Founder, Chairman and CEO, will return as eXp Realty's CEO in addition to his current responsibilities. Jason Gesing has been appointed Chief Industry Relations Officer of eXp World Holdings, an expanded role to facilitate the company's growth across key sectors. The moves intensify focus on building the next generation at eXp Realty, amid challenges in the real estate market.   "We are laser-focused on driving exponential growth and innovation across eXp Realty and the industry," said Sanford. "Our model was designed to withstand varying market conditions, and we continue to have the most agent-centric model in the industry. This uniquely positions us to continue investing in our future and iterating on our industry-leading agent value proposition. I'm excited to be the hands-on leader for the next period of growth for the company." Sanford will assume CEO responsibilities of eXp Realty to drive the next phase of growth while iterating on the agent value proposition. Since joining the company in 2010, Gesing has been a critical part of eXp both as an executive leader and long-standing board member. During his tenure, most recently as CEO of eXp Realty, Gesing helped establish eXp as one of the fastest-growing real estate companies. His deep understanding of the business, industry, and future prospects positions him perfectly to take an expanded role across all of eXp World Holdings' platforms and growth opportunities. As Chief Industry Relations Officer, Gesing will focus on industry relations, metaverse advisory and environment, social, governance (ESG) initiatives. He will also continue to serve on the eXp World Holdings Inc. board of directors. "Jason has been an integral part of the company ever since he joined in 2010," said Sanford. "As CEO of eXp Realty, he forged important industry relationships and has deep knowledge of the opportunities provided across the eXp World Holdings ecosystem and the emerging technologies that will shape the future." Bolstering Leadership Across eXp World Holdings Brands Through 2022, multiple executive leadership appointments were announced to drive continued growth, including: eXp Realty Leo Pareja, Chief Strategy Officer Michael Valdes, Chief Growth Officer Patrick O'Neill, Chief Operating Officer eXp World Holdings Shoeb Ansari, Chief Information Officer SUCCESS Enterprises Courtney Keating, Chief Operating Officer – in addition to her role as CMO, eXp World Holdings Jairek Robbins, President and Chief Strategy Officer – newly appointed to provide deep coaching and development strategies Tristan Ahumada, Chief Marketing Officer Strengthening eXp Realty's Agent Value Proposition New and expanded service offerings announced through 2022 enhance eXp Realty's agent offering while generating attractive, high-margin revenue streams. eXp Realty acquired Zoocasa and launched Revenos, eXp Solutions, eXp Luxury and eXp Referral Division to offer new revenue streams for agents. SUCCESS Enterprises launched SUCCESS Coaching and SUCCESS Health, expanding personal and professional development services. Virbela launched a new metaverse campus to better connect physical and virtual working worlds.

Anywhere Announces Strategic Leadership Changes
Anywhere Real Estate Inc. announced a series of executive leadership changes intended to accelerate the company's strategic priority to further integrate and simplify the home buying and selling experience. Sue Yannaccone, Anywhere Brands President and Chief Executive Officer, who today leads the Anywhere portfolio of brands, including Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, CENTURY 21, Corcoran, ERA, and Sotheby's International Realty, will expand her role to also oversee the Coldwell Banker brand. M. Ryan Gorman, Coldwell Banker Chief Executive Officer, will step down from his position and move into a strategic advisor role. Don Casey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anywhere Integrated Services, who oversees title and settlement services, insurance, and mortgage and underwriter joint-ventures, will expand his role to include the Cartus relocation business. Katrina Helmkamp, Cartus President and Chief Executive Officer, has announced her decision to retire at the end of the year. Cartus Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Supply Chain, Eric Barnes, has been appointed interim Cartus President and Chief Executive Officer, reporting to Casey. Both Yannaccone and Casey report to Ryan Schneider, Anywhere President and Chief Executive Officer, and serve on the company's Executive Committee. "Don and Sue are exceptional leaders with deep expertise running multiple successful scaled businesses," said Schneider. "We believe having a singular leader for our core real estate brokerage business and likewise, for the real estate transaction services we provide, will help Anywhere move even faster, create more value for our customers, and ultimately, deliver a better experience for both affiliated agents and consumers." "Cartus and Coldwell Banker are both in strong, industry-leading positions," continued Schneider. "I am grateful for Katrina's and Ryan's leadership, including driving growth of their respective businesses, simplifying operations, and innovating with new products, technology, and marketing to support affiliated agents, franchise owners, and mobility clients. We wish them both well as they move to what's next." Yannaccone, a longtime real estate leader, joined Anywhere in 2015 and has held several executive leadership positions across the company's franchise and owned brokerage operations. In November 2020, she was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Anywhere Brands (formerly known as Realogy Franchise Group LLC), which includes Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, CENTURY 21, Corcoran, ERA, and Sotheby's International Realty. Prior to joining Anywhere, Yannaccone served in senior roles within residential real estate organizations. She is consistently recognized as a leader within the industry, including for her contributions helping women in real estate with the "What Moves Her" campaign she founded. Casey, a residential real estate veteran, has held leadership roles with Anywhere for more than 30 years, including as Chief Executive Officer of Anywhere Integrated Services (formerly known as Realogy Title Group LLC) since 2002. He is a skilled real estate services operator with extensive experience in title, escrow, and settlement services, and serves on the Boards of Guaranteed Rate Affinity, the company's mortgage joint-venture, and Title Resources Group underwriter joint-venture.

BHGRE Launches Women's Leadership Initiative
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate has launched Sphere, a new women's leadership initiative to elevate leaders within the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate brand. Sphere draws inspiration from a path set forth by Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC, to give back to the community-at-large through mentorship. The member-directed leadership group will shape and direct the organization's efforts to empower future community leaders. "The Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate network is anchored by strong female leadership that epitomizes what it means to be successful real estate entrepreneurs," said Sherry Chris, president and CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. "Guided by the brand's core values of Passion, Authenticity, Inclusion, Growth and Excellence, we believe when more of us invest in the community, we can build better environments and better lives for all. Through the power of mentorship, Sphere offers the opportunity for members to connect with their communities to have a meaningful impact." Education and networking will be key pillars of the Sphere program, allowing members to discuss mentorship development and share successes with other BHGRE® affiliated leaders. In addition, Sphere members will work directly with local or community-based programs to create unique mentorship opportunities. "We are inspired to be part of a network that encourages mentorship and empowerment by women for women in their community," shared Krista Cherry, Co-Broker/Owner, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Property Shoppe. "We look forward to sharing our successes, values and ideas with the next generations of leaders." "As female leaders in our industry, I believe it is our responsibility to reach out to women in our workplace and community and support them in reaching and stretching their goals," noted Dana Winans, Director of Relocation Services, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Winans. "The Sphere initiative is another shining example of a brand that not only has core values but lives them," commented Christian Barnes, president and CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Kansas City Homes. "It is truly inspiring to be a woman in leadership with the BHGRE brand, as I know our support and voice go far beyond the transactional side of the real estate industry. Through Sphere, we can shine a light on the importance and impact we can have on the next generation of women leaders in our industry and, more importantly, in our communities."

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of August
Few things are more important to your business than good communication skills, and our list of last month's most popular articles covers that topic in spades. Scroll down to article #2 for advice on texting etiquette. Then check out #3 for follow-up rules, and over to article #5 for scripts for for handling objections. What else were agents and brokers reading last month? Check out our full list of the most-read articles of August below: 1. Mortgage Rates Just Dropped Below 5%. What's Going On?In the past six weeks, the mortgage rate rise of 2022 has begun to reverse. In fact, for the first time since April, the average 30-year fixed mortgage is currently under 5%. In some ways, it's befuddling. The Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates, and traditionally, rising interest rates mean rising mortgage rates. So what's going on? How could mortgage rates possibly be falling? Will it continue? 2. Textiquette for Real Estate Agents 101‍With mobile devices, the lines between professional and personal worlds get a bit blurred. And as a real estate agent, you may be wondering how your texts should look, sound, and when to send them. In this post, we'll get down to the do's and don'ts of texting as a real estate professional. 3. 5 Real Estate Follow-Up Rules You Need to Be FollowingWe're sharing five must-follow rules to expand, grow, and scale your real estate business. Agents that successfully follow these guidelines typically see more transaction sides, more closings, and more revenue. It's not magic — it's a data-backed approach based on findings from a study conducted by RealTrends. Let's explore how marketing practices and contact database size may impact performance. 4. Listing Photos Your Smartphone Can't TakeBecause smartphone cameras are so powerful and deliver such beautiful pictures, some agents are forgoing hiring a professional photographer to shoot their listing photos. However, there are many listing photos your smartphone can't take. Here are a few examples where professional cameras exceed the capabilities of even the most intelligent smartphone with the most advanced camera. 5. Friday Freebie: Scripts for Handling ObjectionsIf you've been a real estate agent for any length of time, it's likely you've encountered objections before. But what you do after being rebuffed determines whether that person converts into a client or languishes in your database as a cold lead. This week's Friday Freebie takes the guesswork out of that conversation. That's right, we're highlighting a free guide full of scripts for handling common real estate objections. 6. Friday Freebie: The Simplified Homebuyer GuideLeverage it as a lead gen magnet, or use it to educate clients—this week's Friday Freebie offers double the utility. This free guide can be placed behind a lead capture form, or given to buyer clients to help guide them through the home purchasing process. Learn how to download your free copy. 7. 7 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do in Google SheetsThere's a powerful tool available to real estate agents that's free to use. That's right, we're talking about Google Sheets. Sheets can do everything from making managing your database easier to creating eye-catching charts. This video shares seven tips that will make Google Sheets easy to use. 8. 3 Tips to Submit a Competitive Offer in Under 120 SecondsQuick! What does it take to make a competitive offer in a competitive market? The answer? Swift action! Today, we'll show you how to achieve exactly that with three tips to help you write and submit offers in under two minutes using your transaction management solution. Ready, set, GO! 9. 5 Things Every Agent Needs to Know About 5GToday, more and more technology has become integrated into the daily workflow of real estate agents. Even the pandemic had a positive impact, if there is one, as it accelerated the adoption of more digital tools by brokers and their agents to empower remote work and remain connected to clients. Now, the next generation of technology is upon us. It's coming from the advent of a new service for your smartphone called 5G. 10. Tips and Tricks for Selling Your Listing for Top DollarIt is the little things that are often overlooked when putting a house up for sale, so before placing the call to your real estate photographer to capture 3D images and virtual tours, here are a few tips and tricks to getting top dollar for every listing.

Keller Williams Unveils Three Business Communities
Keller Williams announced three business communities -- KW Wealth, KW Relocation, and KW Style to Design -- in support of recognized and emerging real estate market segments. "We've added three more business communities to enable our real estate entrepreneurs to continue to thrive in today's dynamically shifting housing market," said Sajag Patel, chief operating officer, KW. "As we push onward past COVID-driven market conditions, we've found agents want a greater sense of connection, empowerment, and impact," said Patel. "Developed in partnership with our agents, communities are how we're leaning in to best serve them in support of their business growth." KW agents who join an established or emerging KW community have access to specialized training, technology, coaching, mastermind events, and referral opportunities.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of July
Our list of the top 10 most read articles of July really puts the "free" in "freedom" with two Friday Freebies making the list last month at #3 and #6. Meanwhile, our most read article last month explored the mystery of low inventory in a seller's market, while our #2 article offered networking ideas to introverted agents (they do exist!). What else were agents and brokers reading in July? Check out the list below to find out! 1. It's a Sellers Market. So Why Aren't More People Selling Their Home?‍If you're an agent, you've recently heard (and maybe said) this line: It's a seller's market. With housing inventory at a record low and home prices still rising, that conventional wisdom begs the question: If it's a seller's market, why aren't more people selling their homes? 2. The Introverted Real Estate Agent's Guide to NetworkingEverybody thinks that all real estate agents are outgoing, talkative, and lack inhibition (in a good way, of course). While that may be true about some of the population, real estate agents come from all walks of life. One demographic you might be surprised that exists in real estate are introverts—and you'd be surprised at how effective introverts can be at networking. 3. Friday Freebie: Guide to Hosting Open Houses That Get Better OffersThe housing market is cooling in many areas. The good news? It's still a seller's market. The better news? You can still coax multiple, competitive offers from everyday buyers—and it all starts with the open house. In this week's Friday Freebie, we'll show you how with a guide to hosting open houses that get better offers. 4. You're Losing Lead Conversions Because of These MistakesAgents often complain about lead quality, but in reality, they're the ones missing out on conversion opportunities because of simple mistakes. To help you overcome the myth of "trash" leads, gaining a better understanding of online leads—and how to best work them—can help you boost your conversion rates and supercharge your business. Let's review three of the biggest, and most common, mistakes that agents are making that cause them to lose lead conversions. 5. How to Convince FSBOs to Use an AgentThe 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? 6. Friday Freebie: Real Estate Call Scripts (That Actually Work)Calling real estate prospects is easy. Knowing what to say? That's a different beast. Take the guesswork out of connecting with leads with this week's Friday Freebie. We're highlighting a guide full of real estate call scripts that tell you exactly what to say—and that offers best practices to increase your chances of having a positive call that converts. 7. How to Answer the Top 3 Questions Clients Have About eSigningOver the last five years, the number of real agents who rarely or never use esignatures dropped in half. Today, more than three out of four agents use esignatures frequently. The question to ask now is: Are all your clients comfortable with esigning? Here are three questions often asked by those who are resistant to signing on the dotted line – without a pen in hand – and how to answer these questions. 8. How the Real Estate Transaction's Weak Link Became Its StrengthFor years, real estate professionals have been able to manage transactions digitally, from start to close, with one exception: the transfer of earnest money. That's not just inconvenient—it's less secure, too, and exposes your clients to the risk of fraud and identity theft. Learn how digital earnest money solutions work, and how they improve the transaction experience for agents, brokerages, and their clients. 9. Future Proof Your Business by Knowing Your Market and Your NumbersAs a Realtor, you need to be informed of any market changes so you can deliver local market expertise that highlights the opportunities of today's real estate market. One way to do that is to keep a constant tab on your market, and the corresponding statistics and data. And RPR provides that knowledge in big, heaping spoonfuls. See how RPR can help you stay up to date and in the know. 10. NFTs in Real Estate: Temporary phase or an enduring fixture?‍Are the crypto world and NFTs sunsetting? Or is what's happening simply a reset shaking out the con artists, scams, and the hyperbole that had run amok? If you ask Joe Jesuele, he will tell you it's the latter. And Joe knows crypto and NFTs.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of June
With mortgage rates rising and signs that the real estate market is declining from its peak, real estate pros are on edge. In fact, last month our #1 article was on the termination of real estate contracts, and #3 was on soaring mortgage rates and home prices. But when the going gets tough, the tough roll up their sleeves and start learning ways to strengthen their business. With that in mind, our monthly top 10 articles list also sports posts about leaving voicemails that gets results from leads (#2), email subject lines that entice leads (#4), and grabbing past clients' attention with an equity update (#10). What else were agents and brokers reading in June? Check out the full list of our most popular articles to find out! 1. Termination of Real Estate Contract by Buyer: A Guide for Agents and BuyersLearning that a client wants to back out of a contract raises many questions and concerns. Termination of real estate contract by a buyer is possible, but it can only be done in certain circumstances to avoid significant consequences. It must also be done properly. Here is what buyers and agents need to know. 2. Friday Freebie: Scripts and Tips for Voicemails that Get ResultsDoes this sound familiar? A new lead comes in, and you do just what all the real estate coaches and experts say to do: you give them a call. But the phone rings, and rings, and rings…until you're sent to voicemail. Time to make the most of it! In this Friday Freebie, we're highlighting a guide full of voicemail scripts and detailed advice for leaving messages that will entice leads to call you back. 3. Mortgage Rates Are Soaring. So Are Home Prices. How?As Americans sour on the economy and the Federal Reserve continues to fight inflation with interest rate hikes, a strange aspect of the housing market is attracting attention: Mortgage rates are increasing – but so are home prices. How is this possible? 4. 30 Real Estate Email Subject Lines that Entice Leads‍Email subject lines are a huge component of successful email campaigns. Subject lines, if done correctly, will entice readers to open your emails, not mark them as spam. Use this list of real estate email subject lines to increase your email open rates. 5. Smartphone Safety: 8 Tips to Protect Your Personal InformationIn today's age of technology, most business is now conducted through your mobile computer--your smartphone. This also means you are vulnerable to digital theft if you do not have the right precautions in place. Here are eight tips to make sure your personal and financial information is locked down. 6. 8 Books That Every Real Estate Agent Should ReadHaving a better perspective of what to focus on is a significant step towards achieving success in real estate. Whether you're a seasoned broker or a novice real estate agent, the eight books listed here are among the must-read for real estate professionals to understand what strategies work when investing and obtain valuable insight into business operations. 7. Rush or Renovate: What's the best advice to give your sellers?The questions for real estate agents today are, "What's the best advice to give your sellers? Is there a way to avoid trying to 'time' the market? Would your seller benefit from a new way to maximize their home sale profits — with a presale renovation that increases their listing price – and not spend a dime out-of-pocket?" Real estate agents can best help their sellers by thinking like a home flipper in today's market. 8. Why Are Floor Plans Gaining New Importance?Should every home listing have a floor plan? Research tells us that floor plans are important to buyers. Buyers want them. Floor plans were ranked No. 3 on a list of the most valuable website features for home buyers, according to NAR. Here's what you need to know. 9. 5 Top Tips for Better Real Estate Photo CompositionReal estate photography follows the same basic compositional rules as other types of photography. It's similar to portraiture, landscapes, and sports in most technical aspects but can differ in composition because of scale and industry requirements. Here are some of the top tips for improving your real estate photography composition. 10. Grab Previous Clients' Attention with the RPR Equity UpdateIn 2021, median existing-home sale prices rose 14.6%. And this year, it looks like home prices will jump another 11%, and 3% in 2023. There are some homeowners out there who might not be aware—or, at least, not fully aware. They know their homes have appreciated, but they're not exactly sure how much. Sometimes they simply need to see that number to nudge them a bit. That's where you and RPR's Equity Update come in!  

Realogy Completes Transformation to Anywhere Real Estate Inc.
Anywhere Real Estate Inc., formerly known as Realogy Holdings Corp., today announced the completion of the corporate rebrand. Shares of the company's common stock began trading this morning on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol, "HOUS." No action is required by Anywhere shareholders regarding the name or ticker change, and the company's CUSIP number will remain unchanged. Home to renowned real estate brands, Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, CENTURY 21®, Coldwell Banker®, Corcoran®, ERA®, and Sotheby's International Realty® as well as national title, settlement, and relocation companies and scaled mortgage origination and underwriting joint ventures, the Anywhere rebrand reflects a broader strategic shift for the company, which executives laid out during an Investor Day event last month. Leveraging its leading position in business segments that comprise nearly every aspect of the real estate transaction, the company has placed a strong emphasis on building a more simplified, digitized, and integrated home buying and selling experience for any consumer, anywhere. "At Anywhere, we intend to further leverage our unique advantages – powerful agent network, leading brands, scaled core services, deep technology and data, and strong financial flexibility – to meaningfully transform one of life's most important and complex transactions," said Ryan Schneider, Anywhere president and chief executive officer. "The new Anywhere brand more boldly reflects our core purpose and company culture, and together with our trusted agents and franchise owners, we look to execute an agent-centric strategy that benefits all consumers, no matter where they may be in their home buying or selling journey." The Anywhere rebrand modernizes the look and feel of one of the industry's leading real estate parent companies. The new logo features a memorable icon inspired by an eight-stroke asterisk, a nod to the depth of the organization, that has been modified as a sun rising above a home's roofline, symbolizing the potential that comes with a new day. The deep midnight blue and vibrant orange brand colors evoke the vast opportunity, hope, and illumination Anywhere will bring to the consumer experience. As part of today's launch, Anywhere debuted a new enterprise website, anywhere.re, which showcases the company's businesses, brands, and commitments, including product and technology, integrity, and people-first culture, which all combine to realize the company's purpose: empowering everyone's next move. The Anywhere naming and brand development was led by multidisciplinary San Francisco-based design firm, Hybrid Design. For more information, please visit anywhere.re.

Buyside Rebrands to Percy and Snags $10 Million in Capital for Expansion into Mortgage
WAV Group has been a tremendous fan of Buyside since the company's launch. The product allows brokers to leverage their home buyers to pitch home sellers. During a listing presentation, agents share their seller home marketing plan – but with Percy (formerly Buyside), brokers deploying this product have an unfair advantage. The service allows the broker's agents to show the seller how many buyers the broker has for their home today. The bird is in the hand, not the bush. As firms deployed Percy, they also recognized a significant attachment rate for affiliated services like buyer mortgage prequalification, insurance, etc. Percy deepened the relationship with the agent, the loan officer, and the consumer during the buyer journey. It is these very seeds of discovery that stimulated the company to expand into offering their service to mortgage companies. Capping off the launch plan into mortgage is the name change to Percy, and $10 million in investment to deploy staff in additional product development, marketing, and sales. Please see the full press release here. To view the original article, visit the WAV Group blog.

WAV Group's Nelson Diaz Collaborates with LA Kings on NFT Drop
WAV Group is very excited to have Nelson Diaz on our team shepherding real estate toward Web3. As many of you know, Web3 is in its early pioneer stages in real estate, but advancing much more quickly in other economic segments. Last week, The Los Angeles Kings hockey team launched their first ever NFT, in collaboration with Crypto.com, the Kings' official cryptocurrency platform partner. Kings fans will be able to collect a commemorative NFT collection which will mint on Crypto.com's NFT Platform. Diaz consulted on the strategy and his partnership with Project Midas produced the art. This is the first of many NFT collectibles that LA Kings fans will be able to collect. Click here to check out the full press release. "We are excited to partner up with the Los Angeles Kings and Crypto.com to launch the first Los Angeles Kings NFT," said Nelson Diaz. "The design of the first LA Kings NFT is inspired by sports cards and game tickets done with an animated and web3 aesthetic. A NFT Commemorative Ticket that is delivered to LA Kings fans around the world that gains them access into the LA Kings Web3/NFT evolving eco-system in a collectible memorabilia presentation is very fitting." All of us at WAV Group are honored to have Nelson Diaz be our guide in the Web3, Crypto, and NFT space. His experiences working with these amazing brands and partners to successfully launch projects is the cornerstone of the value he brings to our clients. Last week, Diaz spoke at The Realty Alliance meetings to share insights about how Web3 is developing and the opportunities that brokerages may develop as the internet moves from Web 2.0 to this new, decentralized platform. If you need help brainstorming your Web3 launch, or need help with one you already have on the books, WAV Group is in a position to support you. If you'd like to inquire, feel free to send us an email. Nelson is also available to speak to your company via Zoom or attend in person meetings and conferences. To view the original article, visit the WAV Group blog.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of April
Diligent effort is the name of the game in a challenging housing market. According to our list of last month's most-read articles, RE Technology readers showed an interest in building up their prospecting efforts (see articles #4 and #7 below). Interested in the state of the real estate market? Article #1 explores whether or not we're in a housing bubble. Want a bit of encouragement? Try article #3. Want something free? Article #2 is the one for you. For everything else, check out our full list of April's most popular articles below. 1. Are We in a Real Estate Bubble?‍Mortgage rates are rising fast, the Federal Reserve is hiking interest rates, and people are starting to ask: Are we in a real estate bubble? 2. Friday Freebie: 2022 Home Seller's Guide‍With record-high housing prices comes record-high commissions. However, getting a listing in today's low inventory market? It can be a challenge. That's why we're highlighting a free guide for home sellers that's great not just for educating existing clients, but as a lead magnet to attract more seller prospects. 3. 5 Weaknesses that Make Real Estate Agents STRONGDo 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. 4. How to Build your Neighborhood Database From ScratchDid you know that creating a prospect list for any neighborhood is quick and precise with RPR? In this article, we'll show you how to create a highly targeted list of homeowners for any geography that can be imported into your CRM to aid in future direct marketing efforts. 5. New ShowingTime feature brings real-time tour availability to brokerage sitesShowingTime unveiled a new feature that displays home tour availability in real time, significantly speeding up the process of booking a home tour and reducing hassles for buyers, sellers and agents alike. It will be available soon for easy inclusion on broker and agent websites everywhere via the application programming interface (API) of ShowingTime. 6. Lead Generation Means Nothing (If You Don't Have a Lead Engagement Strategy)Agents are obsessed with lead generation, but that's only half of the battle. When you get leads into your CRM, the next — and potentially most important — phase of the conversion process begins: lead engagement and follow-up. Generating leads is a costly investment, so make sure that you actually have an effective lead engagement strategy in place in order to convert those leads. 7. 6 Ideas for Prospecting with Your Property Data SystemLow housing inventory got you down? There's a tool available to you with powerful prospecting capabilities--and the best part is that it's already included with your MLS or association membership dues. That's right, we're talking about your MLS's public records/property data system. Here's how you can use the rich information it contains to precisely target potential leads. 8. How to Choose the Right Domain Name For Your Real Estate BusinessThe domain name you choose for your real estate business's website is a crucial yet challenging decision for any agent to make. The name you choose will give an impression of your brand's professionalism and personality, so it is crucial to get it right. Before rushing into a decision that will heavily affect your real estate business, consider the following best practices when it comes to choosing your domain name. 9. You Have an Online Reputation (In Case You Didn't Know)Your website communicates more than just what's on the page. Yes, visitors are looking through what you have to say about yourself and your business. But they are also reading between the lines, making decisions in seconds. They judge your digital brand based on your website's user experience. Let's look at some of the biggest elements that influence your digital reputation. 10. 3 Types of Online Search to Dominate for More Real Estate LeadsDid you know that there are three different types of online search that real estate leads use to find a Realtor? In this video, learn exactly what those three types of search are, why they're important, and how consumers use them to find agents. You'll also discover which steps to take to dominate those searches.

The Hanna Family of Companies Top Industry Lists of Largest Privately Held Real Estate Brokerage Firms
The Hanna Family of Companies has once again been named the No. 1 privately held real estate brokerage firm in the United States, accordingly to the recently released 2022 RealTrends 500 report and the RISMedia Power Broker Report. The Hanna Family of Companies is led by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and includes their partner companies of Allen Tate Realtors, Howard Hanna | Rand Realty, and The F.C. Tucker Company, as an integrated family of real estate companies. Together, they form a strong brand across the East Coast and into the Midwest, reliably serving clients with best-in-class agents and offerings. By rounding out 2021 with $36.5 billion in closed sales volume and 125,482 closed transaction sides as reported to RISMedia, the Hanna Family of Companies experienced yet another banner year of growth and success. These 2021 closing numbers earned the group a #5 ranking among the lists of the largest real estate brokerage firms.* Both the RealTrends and RISMedia lists are full of Wall Street-funded and financially supported entities, and yet, the nation's largest family-owned and -operated real estate firm continues to be ranked high among the top firms in the industry. "As a privately held company, we have made hard decisions and realized the challenges and opportunities along the way," said Helen Hanna Casey, Chief Executive Officer of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. "As we continue to grow and evolve to achieve continued success, we realize that investing in our partners, our agents and employees, and the support we provide through innovative technology and marketing services, will allow us to continue to be a differentiator in the industry." Growth and Evolution While Howard Hanna Real Estate Services was built on a legacy, the company has grown and evolved in a way that has allowed the business to lead the industry, in the good times and in the challenging times. The continued success of a family-owned company among investor-funded organizations is a testament to the strength and business acumen of the leadership team and throughout the organization. Throughout the past few years, Howard Hanna has had a deliberate growth plan, focused on increasing its footprint through strategic partnerships and organic growth. The opportunity for meaningful partnerships with other family-owned companies who have similar goals and values is key to the growth of the Hanna Family of Companies and success in their markets. "By partnering with like-minded companies, we encourage the exchange of concepts to find the best possible solutions and progressive ideas for the future," said Howard W. "Hoddy" Hanna, III, Chairman of Hanna Holdings, Inc. "We stand on integrity, pride, performance, and enthusiasm – and these principles have helped us withstand the test of time and will see us far into the future." From industry-leading marketing technology to unique agent benefits and incentive programs, the Hanna Family of Companies supports more than 13,000 agents across their 13-state footprint. Their best-in-class marketing and productivity suite provide agents with the tools they need to get ahead and stay ahead of the competition. "By leading through innovation, we provide our agents with a commitment to help them achieve success," said Howard W. "Hoby" Hanna, IV, President of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. "We invest in the resources, time, programs, and talent to ensure that every agent in the Hanna Family of Companies has the tools they need to succeed. Our commitment to innovation continues to be the differentiator for Howard Hanna and we look forward to what the future holds." Through the combined strength and continued efforts of each of these companies, their leadership, and their sales associates and employees, 2022 is poised to be a banner year across the Hanna Family of Companies. *RealTrends 500 ranking report by 2021 closed transaction sides. RISMedia Power Broker Report by 2021 sales volume.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of February
What did RE Technology readers learn about showing their businesses a little love in February? According to our monthly top 10 most popular articles list, readers' interest ran the gamut from cold calling (#1) to high-converting emails (#7) and even to the ins and outs of the blockchain for real estate (#5). To find our what else RE Technology subscribers were reading in February, check out our full list below: 1. Is Cold Calling Still Effective in Real Estate?The closing ratio in the real estate industry will assess the effectiveness of a marketing strategy. It is not that cold calling won't produce any results, but rather that the cost of the lead and the sale may be achieved more efficiently through alternative techniques. This article explore how effective cold calling actually is. 2. The 1 Thing You Must Do After Every TransactionAlthough research also says 90 percent of sellers and buyers say they would recommend their agents, fewer than one in five do. The challenge for agents is staying top of mind, and one of the best ways to do that is to build into your closing process this one task: provide your clients with a complete set of documents related to their transaction. 3. Smartphone Running Slower? Here Are 4 Helpful TipsWhether it happens suddenly or gradually, a slow smartphone can be detrimental to your workflow. But don't panic, as there are a few simple fixes that can help speed up your smartphone without resorting to sending it in for a repair or replacement. Here are four ways to speed up a slow smartphone. 4. How to Get Seller Leads in a Sellers' MarketThere's no need for more than a few words on just how much of sellers' market we're in. Home prices are at record highs. Inventory is at a record low. And, to make matters worse, there are more agents than ever competing for clients. So what can you do to win more seller leads? 5. Blockchain and Its Impact on Real EstateConfused by terms like cryptocurrency, blockchain, NFT, bitcoin, and Metaverse? Wondering what the heck Elon Musk is talking about? View this exciting one-hour, on-demand webinar on the current state of cryptocurrency in real estate. 6. Friday Freebie: 52 Lead Gen Ideas for 2022In this week's Friday Freebie, we're highlighting an ebook with 52 lead generation ideas. That's one lead gen idea per week for a year—not too tough a pace to try out new strategies and figure out what works for your business. 7. 4 Real Estate Emails that Convert Like Crazy (+Templates!)How do the emails that you send out to your leads look? The key to successful email campaigns is to share relevant content in an attractive format. These email templates are perfect for catching your audience's attention and prompting them to actually click your links and follow your call-to-action. 8. Guess What's the Most Popular Day for Taking Real Estate Listing Photos?What's the most popular day of the week for real estate photography? HomeJab just completed a new study of real estate photography, which looked at nearly 60,000 real estate photography assignments placed by real estate agents between 2018 and 2021 on HomeJab.com. Here's what the study discovered. 9. 4 Lessons Real Estate Agents Can Learn from TinderOnline dating and real estate marketing have some surprising similarities. Here are four lessons that agents can learn from searching for "The One" online. 10. How to Master Video Content with Little InvestmentCreating video content is more accessible, more affordable, and easier to do than ever before. Getting started will still require some effort, but you really can master video content with minimal investment and the potential for major returns.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of January
What were agents and brokers reading in January? Our latest monthly list of the RE Technology's most-read articles spells it out. Check out the full list below to read articles on ever-rising housing prices (article #1), creating viral memes (#4), and scripts to convince homeowners that now's the time to sell (#10). 1. Will Housing Prices Ever Stop Rising?After nearly two years of soaring prices, buyers, sellers, and agents all may be wondering whether the price of homes will ever drop or even level off. We take a look at some of the factors affecting housing prices. Agents can use this guide to plan for this year and to answer inevitable client questions about how expensive buying a home will be in 2022. 2. 8 Rookie Real Estate Agent Mistakes You Should AvoidAmanda Thomas, a Broker/Owner from Plano, Texas, shares eight avoidable real estate agent mistakes rookies make early in their careers. Heed Amanda's advice and avoid your own agent mishap! 3. 5 Technologies that Increase REALTOR ProductivityBuyers and sellers expect real estate professionals to use the same sort of mobile and cloud apps that are transforming so much of everyone's daily lives. However, there are so many tech tools on the market today that it can feel overwhelming just searching for the right solution. Here's a short list of five tech tools that should be in the arsenal of every REALTOR® in 2022 and beyond. 4. 6 Valuable Tips for Creating Memes that Could Go ViralReal estate professionals can use memes to share branded content. But when you create a meme, you need to think first about your target audiences and what would compel them to share your meme with others. Here are six ways to create memes that have the potential to go viral. 5. What Is Email Etiquette and Why Is It Important in Real Estate?All of the emails we read and write each day might make us more susceptible to embarrassing mistakes, which can have significant professional effects. However, with good email etiquette, you can avoid all these setbacks. 6. An Agent's 2022 Marketing Guide (Free Download)‍The last few years have been a struggle for many, and have forever changed the landscape of how we do business. A strong online presence has become more valuable than ever before, but it's easy to get lost in the latest "gadgets" and lose focus of why we spend time marketing our business in the first place. The 2022 Marketing Guide can help you focus on what's truly important with your marketing initiatives. 7. How to Become a Neighborhood ExpertYour 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. 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. 8. 5 Tips to Stand Out as a Real Estate AgentThe 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. 9. 10 Ways to Pump up Your Prospecting PipelineAfter referrals and repeats, prospecting is the most effective way of generating leads and turning those leads into prospects. It's not necessarily easy: it takes patience, persistence and proficiency. These ten tips from RPR will help you get started, stay on track and prospect like a pro in 2022. 10. Talk Is Cheap, but Mortgage Rates Aren't: Scripts for Talking Sellers Off the FenceIf we have anything close to a sure-thing prediction for 2022, it's this: mortgage rates are going to rise. There's a silver lining, though. Savvy real estate agents can use this information to nudge hesitant sellers off the fence. In this video above, Tom Ferry and Jeff Mays discuss how agents can use rising mortgage rates as a talking point to convince hesitant owners to list their home.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of December
Happy New Year! Before we dive fully into a new year and a new decade, let's take a look at the month and year that just passed. As our regular readers likely know, each month we publish a list of our most read articles. But every December, we go one step further and count down our 10 most popular articles of the year. You can see the full list of our best articles of 2021 here. Below is our final monthly list of articles from 2021. Check out what your fellow agents and brokers were reading during the waning days of the year just passed. 1. Friday Freebie: 2022 Real Estate Marketing Planner‍'Tis the season for... planning how to take your real estate career to the next level in the year ahead! Between holiday parties and gift buying, you've probably got a lot going on this season. Let us help you make planning for 2022 as easy as possible. In this week's Friday Freebie, we're highlighting a free real estate marketing planner, complete with worksheets to make setting and achieving your goals as easy as possible. 2. 3 Dumb Tech Mistakes You Should Avoid in 2022I 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. 3. The Best Email Subject Lines: 11 Formulas to Use in Real EstateThe average person sends and receives approximately 120 emails per day. Most people won't open all 120. So how do you fight through the clutter, and get your audience to open YOUR emails? You have to master the subject line. It doesn't matter if your email contains the most amazing content if no one even opens it. 4. 8 Things Sellers Should Expect from You as Their Listing AgentJeff Dowler, a real estate agent in San Diego, provides insight as to what seller clients are expecting from you as their agent and how you can successfully assist them through the transaction process. 5. 10 Gifts for Real Estate AgentsReal estate agents are great at picking homes, perfect neighborhoods, and helping their clients through complicated contracts. And, of course, they're also great spouses, partners, friends, siblings, and parents! Got a real estate agent in your life that you want to spoil this holiday season? Want to treat yourself to something sweet? See these 10 gift ideas for real estate agents. 6. Friday Freebie: Educate Buyers and Attract Leads with this Homebuying GuideWe've got a two-fer for you in this week's Friday Freebie: a comprehensive (and brandable!) guide that you can use to attract new leads and educate first-time home buyers, all at the same time. 7. Using Facebook Live for Your Real Estate Open HouseFacebook Live brings your narrated property tour directly to consumers' screens, at home or while they're on-the-go. They don't have to make any time commitment other than setting aside time to watch your property tour. Agents are even finding it can help them close some clients. This article will show you how to get started taking advantage of this powerful marketing tool which will continue to serve you into the future. 8. 5 Tech Tricks for Better Real Estate Customer ServiceReal estate agents should always be focused on how to better serve their clients and prospects--but I'm sure we don't have to tell you that! What we can share with you, however, are the tech-based tips and tricks that will ensure you offer your customers the best service in your market. Here are five ways to do just that. 9. Top Real Estate Agents Possess These 4 Entrepreneurial TraitsSince agents are undoubtedly entrepreneurs, we identified four common entrepreneurial values and dissected how they relate to real estate. These four actions are standard behavior for successful entrepreneurs – and real estate agents. 10. Know Your Numbers: What do you really know about the software you use?Before you can determine if you have improved, made more money, or grown your business, you need to know where you started from and where you are at now. The end of the year is approaching fast, so let's take time to consider what software we use, how often we use it, and what other options are available to use.

@properties to Acquire Christie's International Real Estate
Christie's announced that it is selling its Christie's International Real Estate business to real estate brokerage and technology firm @properties, and entering into a long-term global brand license agreement with the company, one of the fastest growing luxury brokerage firms in the world. This new strategy for Christie's International Real Estate is designed to build upon the success of the business and position it for accelerated growth under the leadership of an industry expert. The acquisition of Christie's International Real Estate by @properties is expected to close on December 1. Under the terms of the agreement, Christie's existing global network of approximately 900 affiliate real estate offices will transfer to @properties along with Christie's International Real Estate corporate team members and company-owned brokerage operations. The new business, which will retain the name Christie's International Real Estate, will create one of the largest residential brokerage firms in the United States and will allow for further expansion across other global markets. With this new direction and structure in place, Christie's International Real Estate will benefit from @properties' state-of-the-art technology, marketing and broker-support platforms and be able to provide an unparalleled level of service expected by Christie's clients worldwide. The move also paves the way for @properties to scale its technology on a global level while supporting continued innovation to better serve Christie's International Real Estate's clients, agents and affiliates. The company's proprietary suite of brokerage-tech applications, called pl@tform, allows its agents to digitally manage all aspects of the client relationship and real estate transaction through one fully integrated system. Ben Gore, Christie's Chief Operating Officer, said, "@properties is one of the largest US luxury real estate companies by sales volume and a clear leader in the field. We chose to pursue this new direction for Christie's International Real Estate for two strategic reasons—first, because @properties possesses the unique resources and capabilities to invest in expanding the Christie's International Real Estate brand and its affiliate network both within the US and on a global scale; and second, because this will enable Christie's to focus our resources on the core priorities of our business in the art and luxury goods market." Thad Wong, co-CEO and co-founder of @properties, commented, "@properties is excited to combine the world's preeminent luxury real estate brand with the brokerage industry's best technology, marketing, and operational platform. Christie's International Real Estate will be the only brokerage firm in the world that can offer affiliates, agents and clients a fully integrated tech solution behind 250-plus years of luxury service and experience." @properties is partnered with Charlottesville, Virginia-based Quad-C Management, a leading middle-market private equity firm. Centerview Partners LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Christie's and Allen & Overy LLP is serving as legal counsel. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Lathrop GPM LLP are serving as legal counsel to @properties.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of September
Something free for buyer's agents, something free for listing agents: that's two of the articles that made of list of our top 10 articles of September. Check out article #3 on the list below for a free cheat sheet on working with buyers in today's low-inventory market. Need more buyers to start with? Article #8 outlines how to turn renters into home buyers. Listing agent? See article #9 for a free list of 200 prospects in your area, then mosey on over to #7 for more ideas on getting listing clients this fall. Already have the listing? Article #2 will show you which repairs your sellers should make before hitting the market. We've got a lot more tech tips and advice on our monthly top articles round-up, so check out what else made September's list of our most-read articles below: 1. 4 Mistakes Real Estate Agents Make with Personal RelationshipsBuilding and maintaining relationships is essential to living a happy life. It is even more important for real estate agents who rely on these relationships for future clients and referrals. Through my personal experience with friends who happen to be real estate agents, there are a few mistakes that I've seen that can lead to some awkward moments or loss of future business. 2. The Most Important Repairs Sellers Should Make for BuyersAre you helping guide sellers through our current seller's market? Share this article with them to help them understand the pros and cons of making home repairs before listing. 3. Friday Freebie: Buyer's Cheat Sheet to Winning in Low Inventory MarketsWhat a competitive seller's market means for a 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. 4. Take Control: 3 Tips to Master Your Gmail InboxHave you ever wondered how assistants can get so much done? Wonder no more! These three tips will increase your productivity by controlling your Gmail inbox. You will learn how to send, archive, and delete emails without taking your fingers off the keyboard. 5. 3 Zoom Tips to Look 10x More ProfessionalThese three tips on how to use Zoom will help you look even more like the professional that you are. You will learn how to add a virtual background, how to change your name, and what your camera angle should be. 6. The 5 Best PDF Hacks for AgentsIf you want to edit a PDF, convert a document to a PDF or do more complex tasks, such as sign or annotate a form, Adobe wants you to subscribe to access Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Fortunately, we have some PDF hacks to help you accomplish more with a PDF without the Adobe monthly subscription. 7. 5 Easy Ways to Get MORE Listings This FallYou need listings, everyone does. But are you looking in the right places? Or just the usual places? Try thinking outside the box and consider some, or all, of these amazing ways to find more listings this fall. 8. Turning Renters to Buyers: Dispelling 5 Key MythsRenters need not sit on the sidelines and wait out today's uncertain housing market. Realtors can help them navigate the home buying process, establishing long-lasting relationships by pointing them to the right resources and helping them navigate both the decision to buy and a resale transaction. 9. Friday Freebie: Prospect List of 200 Targets in Your Area‍Online ads have made it easy to market to real estate prospects online--but what if you want to target them offline? In this week's Friday Freebie, we're highlighting a way to reach your geographic farm via direct mail marketing with a FREE prospect list of 200 verified names and addresses. 10. Desktop vs. Mobile: Can You REALLY Complete a Whole Transaction from Your Phone?As convenient as a phone is, the transaction remains the most crucial part of your real estate business. So the means the million-dollar question is, Can you complete an entire transaction from contract to close solely from your mobile device? We investigate.

Real Estate Legend Howard W. Hanna, Jr. Passes at Age 101, Leaving Behind a Lasting Legacy
The Hanna family is deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of their patriarch, Howard W. Hanna, Jr., on September 25. At 101 years old, Mr. Hanna led a life well-lived, impacted an entire industry, and remained a dedicated family man and community leader. In 1957, Mr. Hanna founded Howard Hanna Real Estate Services on the corner of Bayard and Craig streets in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh. This office, his first in what would become a flagship for hundreds more through the years, was so influential in the region that this neighborhood corner is now known as Howard Hanna Way. His influence in the community extended beyond that region and touched many lives across the industry, but always started with his supportive wife, the late Anne Freyvogel Hanna, his family, agents, and employees. Mr. Hanna's flair for the personal touch is one of his most memorable qualities, with many folks remarking on his handwritten notes through the decades. Prior to starting the real estate business, Mr. Hanna earned two business degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, served in the U.S. Army in World War II, achieving the rank of captain by the time he left military in 1946, held a variety of roles in local chambers of commerce across the region, and served as executive vice president for the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh and executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland. The real estate business that was so humbly started in a single office in 1957 has since blossomed into a national brand as the largest independently owned and operated real estate brokerage in the United States. Through Mr. Hanna's determination since day one, and the leadership of his children and grandchildren during the past 40 years, the business is now a full-service real estate company with more than 400 residential and commercial real estate, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices across 11 states, and more than 13,000 sales associates and staff members. As a dedicated real estate industry business leader, Mr. Hanna served as the former chairman of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission. A lifetime of achievement has been recognized in the multiple awards and honors that Mr. Hanna received throughout the years, not only for business efforts but also for supporting the communities in which he lived and worked. In 2001, he was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh. In 2013, the University of Pittsburgh named Mr. Hanna a Legacy Laureate, which is awarded to the university's most accomplished graduates, and in 2019, the university awarded him with the Distinguished Alumni Fellow Award. Mr. Hanna was also a proud member of the University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning Society. In May 2018, Mr. Hanna was awarded the Senator John Heinz History Center's 26th Annual History Makers Award for giving back to the community and helping to shape the Western Pennsylvania region. As a former Eagle Scout, in August 2021, Mr. Hanna was honored with the inaugural William S. Dietrich II Award, which is presented to a Scouting alumnus for distinguished public witness to the Scout Oath and Scout Law in his or her chosen profession or field of endeavor. Mr. Hanna's three children – Howard W. "Hoddy" Hanna, III, Chairman of Hanna Holdings, Inc.; Helen Hanna Casey, CEO of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services; and Annie Hanna Cestra, Executive Vice President & COO of Hanna Holdings, Inc. – joined the business starting in 1965 and eventually grew Howard Hanna Real Estate Services into a national real estate company. In addition to his three children, Mr. Hanna had 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, all of whom affectionally refer to him as "Bop-Bop." Now in the third generation of leadership, Mr. Hanna's grandchildren are running the business that he was so dedicated to building through the years and will continue their dedication to Howard Hanna Real Estate Services far into the future. Funeral arrangements are being handled by John A. Freyvogel Sons, 4900 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Visitation there is from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 28, and Wednesday, September 29. The funeral is at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 30, at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howard W. Hanna Jr. Scholarship Fund at the University of Pittsburgh or the Urban League of Pittsburgh-Cleveland Hanna Home Ownership Fund.

F.C. Tucker Company and Front Porch Real Estate Join Forces
F.C. Tucker, Indiana's largest independently owned real estate firm, has joined forces with Front Porch Real Estate--a 190-agent independent real estate brokerage with offices in central and southeastern Indiana. This increases F.C. Tucker's market share by 3.5 percent. Please see the news release below with more information. F.C. Tucker Company and Front Porch Real Estate Join Forces Indianapolis, IN (Aug. 30, 2021) – Front Porch Real Estate (Front Porch) is joining forces with The F.C. Tucker Company (F.C. Tucker), Indiana's largest independent real estate firm. Established in 2014 by former F.C. Tucker real estate agent Jim Perry, Front Porch has 190 agents working out of five offices – 4 offices in Indianapolis and one in Paoli, Ind. with annual sales in access of $348,000,000. "When I created Front Porch Real Estate, I wanted to provide the highest level of support possible to my agents to assist them in delivering superior service to their own clients," said Jim Perry, owner of Front Porch Real Estate. "When I decided to step back from ownership, F.C. Tucker was the clear choice. There's no other brokerage I would entrust my business to. Tucker truly cares about its agents and staff – just as I do – and they have the resources, technology and support of a larger brokerage to help agents serve their clients at the highest level possible." All of Front Porch's offices will remain open during a transition period. Following the transition period, agents will become part of metro-area F.C. Tucker offices. The Front Porch brand will transition to F.C. Tucker. Perry will join the management team at F.C. Tucker Company. The addition of Front Porch propels F.C. Tucker's market share over 20%. "I have known Jim Perry for many years as a knowledgeable and savvy professional who has built an impressive real estate business. When we first started talking about the possibility of joining forces, it quickly became obvious this is a natural fit for both sets of agents, and a move that complements our ongoing growth strategy," said Jim Litten, CEO of F.C. Tucker Company." About Front Porch Real Estate Front Porch Real Estate was founded in 2014 by Jim Perry and has grown to $348,000,000 in annual sales and 190 agents working out of four offices in central Indiana and one office in southeastern Indiana. For more information, visit frontporchre.com About F.C. Tucker Company Founded in 1918, F.C. Tucker Company is Indiana's largest independently owned comprehensive real estate firm with more than $5 billion in annual sales, more than 40 offices, and more than 1,500 sales associates throughout Indiana and select markets in Kentucky. F.C. Tucker's family of businesses includes a full range of real estate services—mortgages, title insurance, relocation services, a full line of insurance products, auctioning and homeowner warranty products. We have earned a reputation for our exceptional service, experienced sales associates and "Golden Rule" commitment to clients and employees. In 2021, F.C. Tucker formed a partnership with Pittsburgh-based Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the nation's largest independently owned real estate brokerage firm, furthering each company's ability to provide best-in-class service and enhance the real estate experience for clients by providing best-in-class agents, products and services. For more information, visit talktotucker.com. To view the original article, visit the WAV Group blog.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of July
What do agents and brokers want? More seller leads, if we go by which posts made our list the most popular articles last month. In July, RE Technology readers gobbled up articles on prospecting for seller leads (see #9 on the list below), buying online leads (#2), and they downloaded a free seller's guide that they can use to attract more homeowners (#3). To see what else real estate professionals were reading last month, check out the full list below: 1. What Salary Can You Expect to Make as a Real Estate Agent?You hear about real estate agent salaries all the time. 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. 2. The REAL Problem with Buying Online Leads that No One Wants to Talk AboutA 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. This post will show you what you can expect to make as a real estate agent. 3. Friday Freebie: Home Seller's Guide Template‍In this week's Friday Freebie, we're highlighting a brandable Home Seller's Guide that's full of the helpful information that homeowners are searching for before they decide to list their home. Use it to attract seller leads, educate seller clients—and ensure you're top of mind when a homeowner is ready to sell. 4. Bad Advice You Hear from Other Real Estate Agents OnlineThe internet is a great source for information, but you need to sift through a lot of misinformation. This misinformation then gets amplified in an echo chamber by people who are trying to validate their bias. This is how fake news spreads, but it is also how bad advice is accepted by a mass population of people. These are the pieces of advice you should avoid from other real estate agents online. 5. 9 Automation Tricks that Will Rock Your Real Estate BusinessMany real estate platforms today can integrate with one another directly, or through third-party services like Zapier or API Nation. These integrations can help you automate tasks that you may be doing manually—or skipping altogether. To help you understand the many time-saving automations that can take your business to the next level, here we're highlighting nine handy examples of real estate integrations. 6. Clever Ways to Use Text Message Marketing for Real EstateAs a real estate professional, many things you do are time-sensitive. It's possible that you can lose out on a deal simply because you were waiting for a buyer to listen to the voicemail or check their email and they acted too slow. Text messaging allows agents to provide updates to buyers and sellers that are quicker and more immediate than email. 7. Top Negotiation Tactics for Buyers in a Red-Hot MarketHigh demand and low inventory in the residential real estate market is great for sellers who are ready to list, but it's created a battle for buyers as prices soar amid record competition. Buyer's agents need to be at the top of their game to win for their clients. Brush up on real estate negotiation tactics to ensure you can expertly make your buyers' offers stand out with these four tips. 8.  How to Identify and Track Your Real Estate CompetitorsWhat makes you stand out and succeed in regard to your competitors is realizing your strengths and weaknesses as well as those of your competitors. This is why it's important to conduct a comprehensive competitive analysis and research your potential real estate competitors. 9. Find Sellers Now! Farming for Prospects with RPRGeographic farming is one of the most tried and true techniques when it comes to an agent's long term success. You need to find the right neighborhoods, crunch data to determine if they're ripe, and effectively market yourself to the homeowners in the area over a sustained period. Not sure where to start? RPR is here to map out your path to success. 10. Real Estate 3D Virtual Tours vs. Videos: Which One Should You Use?In the eyes of buyers, sellers and other real estate professionals, your approach to virtual showings can set you apart. How do you decide which option is best for you? In this article, we'll go over why people love 3D virtual tours and real estate videos, and some tips on how to make the most of them.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of May
Loading up on free stuff is one of the best parts of any real estate conference. But since most events are still temporarily on hold, we'll show you an easy way to get a ton of free stuff virtually. That strategy? Just scroll down. In our monthly list of the most read articles of the month, four of May's top 10 articles were "Friday Freebies." Check out #1, #7, #8 and #10 on the list below to claim everything from free real estate flyers to a free masterclass in lead conversion. As for the rest of the list, the reading's good and it's also free. Check out our full round-up of the Top 10 Articles of May below: 1. Friday Freebie: 5 Real Estate Checklists to Share with Clients and ProspectsYou're organized, strategic, and all your processes are streamlined… and then there's your clients. A disorderly client can throw a wrench into the sale of a home no matter how cool, calm and collected you are as a real estate agent. That's why we're sharing five checklists you can share with your clients to help keep them on track all the way through moving day. 2. Spring 2021 Housing Market: Will the Extremes Calm Down?The 2021 spring housing market can be summed up to two extremes better suited for a primetime TV medical drama than an economic snapshot: the sellers market is on steroids, while the buyers markets are on life support. Why so extreme? 3. How to Prep Your Listing for a Photo ShootReal estate photos are the best way to make a strong first impression on a buyer, but it's important that a listing is properly prepared before the photo shoot begins. Share this comprehensive guide to get your listing camera-ready with your clients to ensure their home is picture perfect and ready to sell! 4. 3 Steps to Create More Listing InventoryDealing with low housing inventory is an ongoing pain being felt by every real estate agent and buyer client in the current market. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to help create more inventory. 5. 11 Foolproof Seller Lead Generation Ideas for Real Estate AgentsIt's tough finding seller leads in a housing market with such low inventory. These 11 ideas will help you find more sellers—and, bonus, they're quick and easy to implement. 6. Don't Make These Listing Presentation MistakesWith the market in its current inventory-deficient state, listing presentations are an increasing rarity. So, when the opportunity to win new business does arise, you want to make the best impression possible. We've compiled the five most frequent flubs agents make when pitching to a prospect, so you can avoid these mistakes and win that seller's business. 7. Friday Freebie: 200 Real Estate Flyer TemplatesYou know how people like to say, "Less is more"? Well, throw that out the window (just for now), because in this week's Friday Freebie, more is definitely more. We're sharing with you a whopping 200 flyer templates that you can download, customize, and market with to your heart's content. 8. Friday Freebie: Lead Conversion MasterclassIn this week's Friday Freebie, we're going to point you to lead conversion instruction that's actually helpful—and not the same ol' song and dance that you've heard a million times already. Even better? It's a full-on, six-class series taught by two real estate experts. 9. A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Spot-on CMAsAs a REALTOR, your clients hire you for many reasons: your experience and expertise, educated guidance and advice, your local market knowledge, and help guiding them through the process. One other big reason is your ability to price a property. That's where knowing how to put together a solid CMA comes in. 10. Friday Freebie: Up Your Listing's Appeal with a Twilight Photo EditIn this week's Friday Freebie, we're going to highlight an offer that jazzes up the first thing buyers will likely see of your listing—the exterior listing photo. With this free photo edit, you'll draw in buyers and make them feel like they've found their dream home at last.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of April
Low housing inventory is causing anxiety for many real professionals. But never fear, we've got several articles that can help you find the way through the current market quagmire. In fact, three articles aimed at helping agents find more seller leads made our monthly Top 10 list in April (see articles #2, 4 and 8 below). Once you've converted a seller lead, it's time to help them put their best foot forward. Check out article #7 for tips on enhancing the value of a listing. Buyers more your speed? Our #1 article last month took a look at the biggest mistakes agents make with buyers—and how to avoid those mistakes. Find out what else agents and brokers were reading last month in the list below: 1. The 4 Biggest Mistakes Agents Make When Working with BuyersYou may have heard what you should do with buyers a million times, yet every day real estate agents keep making exceptions instead of making good business judgements. Here are four recent examples from frustrated real estate agents that could have been avoided. 2. Low Inventory Won't Last Forever. Two Reasons to Be OptimisticYes, a lack of inventory is anxiety-inducing—without a doubt. And yes, you're right to wonder if things will settle down anytime in the near future. But we believe there are two reasons why agents should be optimistic for the coming months. 3. Facebook Turns the Table on Lead Gen: You don't go after leads -- leads come to you‍Buying online leads from portals has become more and more expensive and can cost $200 per lead. And the national average conversion rate for internet leads is widely reported at only 2-3 percent. Social media sites, like Facebook, are turning the tables on traditional sources of online lead generation or lead gen. 4. Friday Freebie: Prospect List of Empty Nesters Likely to DownsizeWant to supersize your business? Try targeting prospects who want to downsize their home. That's right, we're talking about empty nesters. Find out how to get a free prospect list of up to 100 empty nesters so you can win more business from this lucrative niche. 5. 2-Minute Read: Changes Coming to NFIP Flood Rates + 2021 Hurricane Season ProjectionsIn case you missed it, two major news items are making waves: Upcoming changes to NFIP flood insurance pricing; and projections for the 2021 hurricane season. Here's what you need to know. 6. 7 Fresh TikTok Video Ideas from TikTok InfluencersTikTok is a new social media platform, and not many real estate agents use it to its fullest potential yet. That's why we're highlighting top TikTok real estate influencers and what content they are offering. Check out their content ideas (and their TikTok profiles) to jumpstart your own TikTok channel. 7. Help Your Seller Enhance the Value of Their Home Before It Hits the MLSNot every house is magazine-worthy, but every house has hidden potential that a seasoned real estate professional can unlock. How can you improve your seller's chances of getting their property seen once it reaches the MLS system? 8. Spring Is Here: Get Seller Leads and Step Up Your Listing Game"He who controls the listings, controls the market." Tom Ferry speaks the truth. So as temperatures warm and markets heat up, let's make sure you're setting the right strategy. Here's how to generate seller leads, win more listings, and control more market share. 9. 9 Reasons Why It's So Important to Have Your Own DomainJust as no two real estate agents are the same, each agent's website highlights the differences between other agents vying for the marketplace. Though content is king, it's important to understand that even your website's domain name has a significant impact on your performance and perception. Here are nine benefits and advantages of having a custom domain name. 10. Protect Your Real Estate Business with These 6 Foundational PrinciplesAs a real estate professional, the most important question you should be asking yourself right now is, "What do I need to be doing to prepare for the inevitable market shift and ensure my business and livelihood will survive?" If that's the question you're asking, you're in the right place.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of February
February is the month of love, and in our round-up of the most-loved and most-read articles of the past month, RE Technology subscribers particularly had their eye on lead generation-focused articles--you can check out articles #1 and #6 for those. Readers also ate up ways to show your clients a little love with memorable closing gifts (see #5), and looks at recent trends like interior design (#2) and how the ongoing pandemic is impacting the market (#4). What else were agents and brokers reading last month? Check out the full list of the top 10 most popular articles of February below: 1. Friday Freebie: Absentee Owner Prospect ListReady to shift your real estate marketing strategy to a potentially lucrative niche? Thanks to the pandemic and record low inventory, one group of homeowners is particularly ripe as a source of listing leads -- the absentee owner. Get a FREE mailing list of absentee owner prospects in this week's Friday Freebie. 2. Top 10 Interior Design Trends for 2021As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has altered the way we work and school, home owners have had to alter their home environment to adjust. Here are the top 10 design trends for 2021 that real estate agents have observed their clients adopt or request. 3. 10 Veteran Agent Tips for Real Estate RookiesSome rookie agents may not have the opportunity to ask a well-seasoned, experienced agent for advice or the lessons they've learned throughout their career—so we thought you'd find value if we collected tips veteran real estate agents wish they knew when they first started their career. 4. The Collateral Damage of the Pandemic on Real EstateAlmost a year into the COVID-19 era, and the collateral damage of the pandemic on real estate markets continues to grow. Overall, real estate sales have fared extremely well, but other aspects of the market have not been immune to economic fallout. In fact, just about anyone in the market who isn't selling has faced headwinds from the pandemic—and for some, relief is nowhere in sight. 5. 10 Creative Ideas for Memorable Closing GiftsFinding just the right closing gift isn't always easy. You want something special and thoughtful that stands out and communicates how much you value your clients' business. It also needs to be memorable -- you don't want them forgetting your name for possible referrals any time soon! If you're struggling to find just the right thing, get inspiration from our 10 creative closing gift ideas. 6. 3 Ways to Get More Leads in 2021Listings are the lifeblood of real estate. And absolutely no one enjoys enduring feast and famine routines as they try and build sustainability into their business. To gain—and maintain—momentum month after month, we need to have in place some solid practices around listings and lead generation. 7. Pets and Zoom Rooms: 2 Property Features Every Real Estate Agent Should Focus OnMore people have been pushed or have chosen to work from home. Studies also show that new couples and first-time buyers are more concerned with home offices and pets than kids' or guests' rooms. All of these new trends are important signals for real estate agents. From now on, they can take advantage of these trends and provide new details in their property promotions. 8. How Safe Is Your Computer? Check Out This Safety Checklist!Cyberattacks can occur in a variety of ways, including routine things you may do when surfing the web. Malware still can infect your computer, and cybercriminals may steal personal information about you online. What should you do? Here is a quick checklist to bolster your computer's security. 9. Leading Real Estate Vendors Now Offering Access, a 'Pay at Closing' Option for AgentsThe emerging trend of "Buy now, Pay later" is now available to the real estate industry with the launch of Access™ by eCommission®, a unique payment option tailored around the timing of when agents earn their commissions. 10. Virtual Showings and Open Houses: Before, During and After COVID-19In the first weeks of shelter-in-place, real estate experts came together to find new ways of doing things, knowing their professional community depended on it. Virtual showings and open houses are emblematic of that effort. Let's take a closer look at virtual showings and open houses and how this technology shapes the future of the real estate industry.

Lyon Real Estate Acquired by Windermere Real Estate
Lyon Real Estate is a long time client of WAV Group and we are very excited for Pat Shea and the leadership team who will be joining Windermere. Seattle-based Windermere is among the top west coast real estate brokerages. Their technology firm, MoxiWorks, has emerged as a leading provider of technology services to brokerages nationwide. There are excellent synergies between the two firms, each delivering impressive centers of excellence in residential real estate sales, commercial, mortgage, title, property management, and new development. Pat Shea will continue in his role as a member of the board at Broker Public Portal.

HW Media Acquires REAL Trends to Combine Two of Real Estate's Most Powerful Media Outlets
WAV Group would like to extend congratulations to the team at REAL Trends and HousingWire for their recent announcement found below. It is exciting to know that Mr. Murray's contributions to the real estate industry will continue. HousingWire is committed to keeping the REAL Trends lists of top firms, agents, and teams, along with the commitment to continuing the conferences like Gathering of Eagles. If you read HousingWire, you know that these are similar industry services that they offer for other industry verticals like mortgage. A new service for HousingWire will be the continuation of the REAL Trends mastermind workgroups.

Our Top 10 Most-Read Articles of November
Holiday articles are like snowflakes--when you see the first few, you know that the festive season is just around the corner. We saw our first few in November this year, and one of them made our Top 10 articles of the month (see #6 below). November usually sees just a light dusting of holiday content, however, and more typical topics—like Zillow ending free rental listings (#1), tracking down leads (#2), and unlocking new housing inventory (#5)—ran the show last month. To see which other topics hit the Top 10 last month, check out the full list below! 1. Zillow Ends Free Rental Listings. What Now?‍Starting in January 2021, rental listings currently syndicated through MLSs will no longer feed directly into Zillow. Instead, agents and brokers wishing to publish a rental listing on the third-party platform will need to do so via Zillow Rental Manager, which is contract-based and starts at $9.99 a week. So, what are your alternatives? 2. How to Find a Lead With Only Their Name and Email Address‍To your dismay, the lead you just generated only left their name and email address. There's nothing you can do with just an email, right? Wrong! In this article, I will show you how to gather more information such as a full name, address, phone number, and more from a lead that only leaves their email address. 3. The 6 Emails Every Agent Should Be Sending (FREE DOWNLOAD)The marketing minds at Elevate have created a FREE GUIDE to help agents get started with the basics of thoughtful emails for every contact in their database. Inside, you'll find links to stream email marketing videos and download more helpful marketing content. 4. How Real Estate Agents Can Use Facebook's CTA ButtonDid you know that there is a handy CTA button located under your Facebook cover image on your Facebook Business page? This CTA button has plenty of uses, but as a real estate agent, which options will bring you more business? Here are The three buttons recommended for real estate agents. 5. A New Strategy to Unlock Local Inventory and Win the ListingOne recent study suggests current inventory is reaching its lowest level since 2012. For agents, this means more competition for fewer listings. Every agent and team also seem to be offering the same listing strategies, using similar technology and marketing tactics. How do you lock in the listing if sellers don't see a difference? 6. 11 Holiday Marketing Ideas for Real Estate AgentsAs the holiday season approaches, this is a wonderful time to show your clients, friends, co-workers and affiliate vendors that you are thinking of them. Our mindset, focused on the positive, can help keep us afloat. Keeping this attitude of gratitude top of mind, here are marketing ideas that rock! 7. Friday Freebie: Guide to Homebuyer Personality Types (and How to Get Them to the Closing Table)Personality clashes happen, especially in a career as public-facing as real estate. However, the more you know about personality types, the better you'll know about what each type needs in a real estate agent. That's why in this week's Friday Freebie, we're highlighting a free guide to understanding and managing the different types of buyer personalities. 8. Cleaning Checklist for Open Houses During CovidIt's always been an absolute must to make sure the home you're showing is perfectly clean. Now in the time of an active pandemic, it is even more important. A dirty or cluttered home can cost your client thousands off the sale price, and even turn buyers away completely. Here's a checklist you can share with clients to ensure your listing is as clean as can be. 9. Discover the Dos and Don'ts of Text Marketing for Real EstateTexting is a perfect fit for real estate agents. With its conversational, informal flair, it's long been the medium of choice for people to chat with friends, family, and others they trust. While even the best email sometimes sets off "selling ahead!" red flags, texts reach people while their guard is down. Here's how to make the most of it. 10. 23 Productivity Hacks to Help Real Estate Agents Boost Their BusinessThe key to success in real estate is being more productive than your peers. This does not necessarily mean working more. Instead, you should seek to be more efficient with your time. Here are 23 productivity hacks to help you boost your real estate business.

Top 10 Most Popular Articles of October
Is it too early to start talking about gifts? Not if they're closing gifts, according our monthly list of RE Technology's top 10 most-read articles. Closing gift ideas drove article #1 to the very top of the heap in October. If you're more in the receiving mood (no judgements here), check out articles #3 and #10 for free real estate resources. Then, mosey on over to article #6, where you'll find all the formulas and processes you need to select and nurture your own geographic farm. We've got a lot left to give, so check out the rest of October's top 10 articles in the list below: 1. 8 Real Estate Closing Gifts That Return Your InvestmentClosing real estate deals is fun, right? Of course it is! You should extend your excitement of a job well done with a token of appreciation for your clients. Here are some thoughtful gift ideas you can give to your clients. 2. 6 Types of Emails Agents Should LeverageEmail marketing delivers high ROI (40 to 1) and is proven to help generate leads, boost engagement, and drive conversions. In this video, learn the six emails real estate agents should be sending to provide VALUE to their audience, regardless of where the lead may be in the sales pipeline. 3. What's in a Home Buyer's Packet? (Plus, a Complimentary Template)One best practice every real estate agent should implement is to provide a home buyer packet to their new buyer leads. By properly educating buyers, you can prepare them for a smooth home buying experience and decrease the potential for miscommunications or misunderstandings. Here are important documents to include in your home buyer packet. 4. 9 Traits of Wildly Successful AgentsDo you want to learn from and follow in the footsteps of the greatest minds that have succeeded in the real estate business? Perhaps you have already heard some of the formulas and traits discussed and heralded by top producers and their coaches. Let us go over them one-by-one to see what resonates with you and see how you can transform yourself one step at a time into an even greater version of yourself. 5. 20 Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas that WorkThere's no shortage of tools to help your business shine, from your real estate website to blogging, social media, and search engines. Get started with our guide to 20 real estate lead generation ideas that work for firms and sales associates in any market. 6. The Ultimate Guide to Geographic FarmingYou may have considered applying a geo-marketing technique to market yourself, but perhaps you held off because you thought it was too complicated or time-consuming. Well, now you can properly sink your teeth into this topic and this article will explain each step and every detail. 7. The Benefits of Working on a Real Estate TeamThe freedom to work independently and on your own schedule may have been what drew you to a career in real estate. While this a very attractive element of being a real estate agent, you might want to consider giving a little bit of that freedom up to join a real estate team. There are numerous benefits to working on a real estate team that many consider well worth the cost. 8. 11 Ways to Increase Facebook Likes as a Real Estate AgentConsider this: 68 percent of all adults in the U.S. are on Facebook. Of those, 74 percent use Facebook daily. That is some 140 million people logging into the same site everyday--liking pages, commenting on stuff, etc. As a real estate agent, you might be asking, "How can I get more of the action on my page?" 9. As Pandemic Brings Greater Interest in Real Estate Careers, Agents Face More CompetitionReal estate may soon be getting more competitive. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a record-breaking number of Americans looking to start a real estate career. As a result, established agents should give serious consideration to their marketing now, while they have a leg up on their competition. Here's how. 10. Friday Freebie: Dress Up Your Listings with this Virtual Staging OfferAs we round the corner towards Halloween, that means one thing—the season of overly decorated listings is upon us. But never fear, there's a way to make sure your listing photos remain high quality (and not frightening to buyers) throughout the holiday season. Read on to learn how you can try it out at no cost in this week's Friday Freebie.

Families Unite: Howard Hanna and Rand Realty
Joe Rand wrote Wednesday morning, "You all know the Hanna family, who is probably the best-known real estate family in the country. In the Hannas, we have found the perfect partners who align with our values of supporting amazing real estate agents and providing the best possible service experience for our clients." In an announcement, Howard Hanna Holdings consummated a private placement investment to become the majority shareholder of Rand Realty. Rand Realty will continue its operations with current leadership. The deal is very similar in construct to the expansion model that began with Smythe-Cramer and matured with the Allen Tate transaction. The Rand family stays in place and will operate the company with Marsha Rand and Matt Rand running the company, Dan Rand in mortgage and title, Joe Rand as Chief Creative Officer, and so on.

WordPress 5.5 Update Features and Gotchas, WCAG News for ADA
September's edition of Insightful Tech reviews two technology topics announced at the end of August. The first is the launch of WordPress 5.5. Learn about new features and a gotcha in this version of one of the leading content management systems for building websites. Our second topic for Insightful Tech comes from the Word Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WC3's Web Content Accessibility Guideline (WCAG) workgroup published a draft version of the WCAG 2.2 for public review. This exciting update of the draft version adds new 'success criteria' to the current WCAG 2.1. Watch the video to learn more about this topic.

Howard Hanna Launches New Urban Development Division
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, the #1 independent brokerage in the country, recently announced its newest growth area, the Urban Development division. Expanding on the company's great successes with new construction developments, including condominiums, the Urban Development division will begin executing their vision with initial focus in Pittsburgh, as announced earlier this month. The company will use a new "technology-first" office as a prototype to initiate the launch of the company's other urban offices, including major metropolitan areas like Cleveland, Downtown Rochester, Buffalo, and Virginia Beach. These City Living offices will specialize in providing best-in-class real estate services with an unparalleled experience to urban buyers and sellers, while also dedicating a full-service process for builders/developers to achieve maximum community growth.

Realogy Launches First-Ever Real Estate Benefits Program Designed for AARP Members
Realogy announced that AARP Real Estate Benefits from Realogy, the first-ever real estate benefits program designed for the nearly 38 million AARP members, is now live. The new offering allows AARP members to receive $300 to $5,500 when buying or selling a home with a participating agent affiliated with one of Realogy's trusted residential real estate brands, including Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Corcoran and ERA.

Lone Wolf Changes Product Names
Lone Wolf's flagship products are getting brand-new labels! Starting June 30, you'll see new names across the Lone Wolf products you know and love, as well as throughout our website and support channels. These new names are specially designed to make it easier for you to find and use the tech you need--because they describe exactly what it is each solution does for you (e.g., Transactions), and who it is that provides it (e.g., Lone Wolf). So today, here's a look at what's changing, and when you should expect to see each new name in your solutions.

Ben is No. 1, again: Caballero tops all REAL Trends Thousand lists since 2013
Every year since 2013, one individual real estate agent has sold more homes annually and also led everyone in total sales volume on REAL Trends' annual list of top agents. Ben Caballero‘s individual production numbers for last year are astonishing--more than 5700 homes sold with a total sales volume of $2.25 billion. The massive stack of MLS data showing he was the sole listing agent on each of his 5,778 homes sold that he provided REAL Trends proves this incredible accomplishment. It's important to note that Ben has never had a team, been part of a team, or shared his production with anyone else.

HUNT Real Estate ERA Named Top Firm in Realogy ERA Network
Through all of the chaos, HUNT Real Estate has maintained the leading dominance it has enjoyed among America's largest firms for 109 years. Every day, I read stories about the disruption of the real estate broker, and every day I am inspired by real estate firms that show a track record of leadership through good times and bad. Today's news about brokerage success comes from the Northeast, predominantly upstate New York, along with offices in Boston and Arizona. Although this year's ERA Worldwide convention took place virtually yesterday and the day before in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, ERA CEO Sherry Chris celebrated the remarkable achievement of HUNT Real Estate as the franchise's largest firm based upon the number of units sold in 2019 of 13,475, and the dollar volume of $2.87 billion.

The Top 10 Most Popular Articles of February
With winter slogging on and real estate's busy season still ahead of us, now's the perfect time to hunker down with a warm drink and check out a few of last month's best, most-read articles. Let's start with advice for dealing with clients. Our #1 article in February shared tech tips you can give your clients to make their real estate experience easier. Check out article #6 for advice on promoting yourself while staying connected to existing clients. Then, sashay down to #7 for insight on whether you should text or call clients. Want to wow your community with your high tech capabilities? Article #9 lists several local spaces you can capture via a 3D tour to promote yourself and connect with local businesses and consumers. Want even more ways to promote your business? Article #2 lists nine underappreciated websites where you can generate more leads. What else were agents and brokers reading in February? Check out the full list below to find out! 1. 4 Tech Tips Every Agent Should Give Their ClientsAgents often look for technology that can save them time processing transactions so they can spend more time producing new business. But what technology can your clients use to improve their selling or buying experience? Here are four tech tips you can share with your clients, tech advice that can take some of the stress out of buying or selling a home. 2. 9 Underutilized Websites that Can Help You Generate Real Estate LeadsNot everyone needs to market on oversaturated social networks and platforms. In fact, there are plenty of underutilized websites that can help you generate real estate leads. Here are nine examples that are ready for a savvy real estate agent to exploit. 3. 8 Things New Users Should Know About RPRThese eight straightforward "how-to's" cover everything from simple searches, to gathering data on schools and neighborhoods, mapping, and our ever-popular RPR reports. Each includes a breakdown of what you can expect from RPR and how to easily incorporate RPR tools and features into your everyday business operations. 4. Real Estate Photography: 9 Tips for Stunning DIY PhotosLet's face it, if you want to sell a house, visuals are key. Having vibrant, inviting and attractive photos of the homes you are trying to sell is paramount. The point is, you cannot overlook the idea of having a visually stunning photo of the property. Here are nine tips for stunning DIY photos. 5. 5 Real Estate Branding Mistakes that Can Cost You BusinessBuilding a recognizable brand your clients can connect to is one of the most important things you can do for your business. Everyone knows you should be unique and offer great service, but many brands start off by making the same mistakes. To help you start your real estate branding journey on the right foot, here are a few common missteps and how to avoid them. 6. How to Promote Yourself and Stay Connected with ClientsThe weather outside is cold, but that doesn't mean the market is! With more Americans planning to buy or sell their homes, it is critical to not only catch the client's attention, but to stay connected once you have it. Here are some helpful tricks and tips you can use to build long-lasting relationships and a positive reputation. 7. To Call or Text? The Value of a Hybrid ApproachIn real estate, it's all about that first impression. A strong first touch and effective follow-up are critical for converting leads to clients. So, we've been gathering data to learn what methods work best for lead conversion. 8. Understanding the 2020 Real Estate MarketThere is one common question every real estate agent needs the answer for: "How's the market?" While it's important to know what's happening in your area, it is also good to know what's happening nationwide. From home price appreciation to interest rates, inventory, and demand, find out what you need to know so you can talk to your clients as an expert. 9. 3D Walk-throughs Aren't Just for Listings: Capture These 6 Local Spaces to Boost Engagement and Business OpportunityToday, we're going to introduce you to a high-tech way to connect to your local market—and, bonus, it's sure to dazzle and engage consumers in your area. That strategy? Capturing community spaces in 3D walk-throughs. Here are examples of six local spaces you can capture in your community to boost consumer engagement, lead generation and awareness of your real estate brand. 10. 10 Valentine's Day Gifts for Real Estate AgentsReal estate agents are great at picking homes, perfect neighborhoods, and helping their clients through complicated contracts. And, of course, they're also great spouses, partners, friends, siblings, and parents! Got a real estate agent in your life that you want to spoil this Valentine's Day? Want to treat yourself to something sweet? Check out this list of 10 gifts for the real estate agent in your life.

WAV Group Managing Partners, Clients Prevail in RISMedia's Top 2020 Newsmakers and Swanepoel Power 200
The new year brings many reasons for celebration at WAV Group as managing partners Marilyn Wilson, Victor Lund and a number of our clients are recognized on RISMedia's 2020 Real Estate Newsmakers and Swanepoel's Power 200 rankings. Nomination process RISMedia's 2020 Real Estate Newsmakers were first nominated in 2019 by RISMedia readers and editors and then later grouped into the following categories: Hall of Fame, Influencers, Trailblazers, Futurists, Achievers, Crusaders, Inspirations, Luminaries and Trendsetters.

Top 10 Most Popular Articles of December
Happy New Year! Before we dive fully into a new year and a new decade, let's take a look at the month and year that just passed. As our regular readers likely know, each month we publish a list of our most read articles. But every December, we go one step further and count down our 10 most popular articles of the year. You can see the full list of our best articles of 2019 here. Below is our final monthly list of articles from 2019. (We didn't include articles that we re-ran as part of our annual countdown, though several qualified.) Check out what your fellow agents and brokers were reading during the final month of 2019. 1. Is Your Headshot Killing Your Business?We've all seen them: Realtor headshots on for sale signs, bus benches, business cards, you name it. But do they actually make an impression on potential buyers and sellers? To find out if a real estate agent's photo, whether it be a selfie, cartoon or glamour shot, was affecting the amount of business received, Transactly set out to poll potential buyers and sellers from across the US. 2. 6 Creative Ways to Freshen Up a Stale ListingEven a great property with professional marketing can fly under the radar in the real estate world. According to Zillow, the average home was on the market for 68 days last year. But anyone who has bought or sold a house before knows things can happen much faster or slower. Below, you will find six tips to bring new life to your listing. 3. Top 10 Tech Christmas Gifts for Real Estate AgentsWhat's on your gift list this year? Whether you are a real estate agent or you have an agent on your shopping list, we've compiled a list of 10 awesome tech toys for real estate agents in 2019. 4. 8 Ways to Generate Free Real Estate Leads with IFTTTIFTTT (If This Then That) is a free internet tool to get unrelated apps and websites to talk to one another. IFTTT offers hundreds of options to improve your real estate business. But did you know it can help you expand your business, too? Here are eight IFTTT applets we've created to help you generate real estate leads for free. 5. Your Complete Real Estate Prospecting GuideAs the industry, local markets, and technology all change, the best practices for how to prospect are ever-evolving as well. Here's everything you need to know about prospecting for buyer and seller leads, so you can keep growing your business. This is ideal for the slower months, so you can "farm" for prospects and then have a wealth of clients in preparation for the busy season. 6. Real Estate Smartphone Tricks: Using Your Phone's CalendarA Realtor's life is filled with appointments, phone calls and to-dos—and that doesn't even include our so-called social life. We need one place to see everything going on in our life, whether it's work or play, and be able to see it quickly. Here's how your smartphone's calendar can help you do just that. 7. What does Gary Keller have to say about "focusing" on success? This #1 Team Leader tells you.Once a year, top producing luxury team leader Matt O'Neill evaluates the seven elements in his life that require his attention in order to strive for personal growth, professional growth, and self-improvement. Here, Matt shares those seven elements and leads you through your own personal self-evaluation. 8. Real Estate Marketing 2020: Special Dates and Themes2020 is coming, which means it's time to start planning your marketing strategies now. Because there's so much content out there, today's consumers—and future homebuyers—expect a little something extra to inspire and inform them. No matter whether you're focusing on email, social media, or even a real estate blog, here's a list of special and themed days you can use to inspire and inform with your content! 9. Friday Freebie: Let this CRM Coach You to Success in 2020Determined to hit all your commission goals in 2020, but need just a little bit of help to get there? In this week's Friday Freebie, real estate CRM meets real estate coach… and you get 30 days to try it out. 10. The Importance of Self-Care for Real Estate AgentsThere's an excitement buzzing in the air as 2020 approaches. A brand-new year filled with new beginnings awaits you, and how well you take time for yourself will greatly determine the level of your fulfillment. Remember, success and happiness are not measured only by the income you produce. Quality of life includes your health, family and friends. Are you ready?

HomeSmart Adds 650 Agents with Latest Acquisition
The real estate industry fosters dynamic competition among 85,000 brokerages who focus on growth though recruiting agents and acquiring companies. There are a few brokerages with business models that offer agents full commission (100%). Among those firms, one breakout company is HomeSmart, who receives income on transaction fees. I had the opportunity to visit the HomeSmart operation in Phoenix a few years ago and remain impressed by their hub-and-spoke regional office configuration. All administrative staff are housed in the hub; agents have keyless entry into the satellite offices powered by SmartReception virtual receptionist technology. The SmartReception concept is worth checking out if you have not yet had the experience.

Heads Up: brokerWOLF Reporting Is Getting New Features
Hey, brokerWOLF users! Lone Wolf is rolling some new features rolling out for you this week, and we think you're going to like them. It all starts with the built-in reporting function. So what changed? Well, look at your old reporting workflow. Now look at T.C.1. Now back at your old workflow. And back at T.C.1. Notice any differences?