6 Business Lessons Every Real Estate Broker Can Learn from 'Selling Sunset'
Does art imitate life? Any broker who watches Netflix's hit reality series Selling Sunset knows that, in most cases, it does not. You are not Jason Oppenheim, and the drama portrayed on screen is just that — drama. But wow, does it make for binge-worthy TV! Netflix is serving up a seventh season of Selling Sunset this month, showcasing luxury real estate agents at the Oppenheim Group, Los Angeles's premier luxury real estate brokerage. If you're unfamiliar with it, take a peek here: But even amidst the drama, Selling Sunset is full of real estate business tips that brokers can leverage to improve their bottom lines and stay ahead of the competition. Here is what we've learned from the stars of Selling Sunset. 1. It's worth putting in the work Casual viewers and superfans alike will agree on at least one thing: the agents work hard. Many have challenges finding listings and closing deals for their clients. They are pounding the pavement (albeit in designer heels), showing their multi-million-dollar listings, and stressing about not closing enough deals. Take away the glitz, and it's a pretty accurate depiction of what it can be like to work in real estate. Brokers are working harder than ever these days, too, in an environment that can be unforgiving. But working hard is part of the job. Brokers who find ways to help their teams work smarter and get more out of the work they put in are the ones blazing past their competition. Those who take smart action are overtaking the ones who are sitting on their hands, waiting for interest rates to drop, a new quarter to start, or the right listing to magically fall in their lap. 2. Real estate is a relationship business The on-screen relationships on Selling Sunset may feel over-produced or inauthentic at times, but they reveal a basic truth that every broker knows: real estate really is all about relationships. And while reality show relationships are rocky for a reason (as Vox culture correspondent Alex Abad-Santos wrote about the show, "If I wanted something peaceful, I'd have invested in a saltwater aquarium"), brokers can help foster great real-life relationships that propel their businesses forward instead of attracting great ratings. The key: instilling a culture that emphasizes close, meaningful, and mutually beneficial relationships between all the important people your brokerage works with: fellow brokers, real estate agents, transaction coordinators, and admins; lenders, title companies, and home warranty companies; service providers like contractors, plumbers, inspectors, and landscapers; and most importantly — current, former, and potential clients. Technology is an incredible partner for cultivating relationships without losing the human touch. Brokers who want to give their agents powerful tools to help them maintain close (and profitable) relationships should consider upgrading their CRM. 3. Real estate teams that truly work together are unstoppable In past seasons, Oppenheim Group agents have closed some of their most successful deals when they put aside their differences and petty squabbles and work as a team. Teamwork doesn't always make for great TV, but it is a key ingredient for business success. As a busy broker, it's hard to do everything on your own. And agents are busy, too! Real estate is a competitive industry, but competitive doesn't have to mean cutthroat. A culture of kindness, respect, and accountability is the foundation of productive, mutually beneficial relationships. As the broker, you set the tone at your brokerage — and after all, teamwork makes the dream work! 4. Understand your target market and excel at what you do best You can't be all things to all people. The Oppenheim Group leans into its location, areas of expertise, and niche market — and it doesn't work outside of them. The lesson: know what you do well, be the best at it, and refer opportunities to the very best people to close them. You can apply this lesson to your brokerage as a whole or to certain members of your team. You wouldn't send a VIP listing to your newest agent, nor would you trouble your most experienced agent with a minor listing. If you specialize in luxury, you probably wouldn't also work on multi-family listings. Specializing is an amazing way to stand out while also getting better at what you do. At the same time, expanding your niches can be a significant opportunity. In uncertain times like these, growth in new areas is good, but if you try to expand into an area you know nothing about, your hopes may be dashed faster than you think. 5. Leverage the power of your brand How do you think the Oppenheim Group got approached about doing a reality show in the first place? By having an indelible brand that everyone was talking about — not just potential buyers and sellers. And the increased publicity has certainly helped them with their business! You don't have to have your own TV show to leverage the power of an amazing brand. Having an identifiable, recognizable, trusted brand attracts more new business and encourages repeat business, as leaders like Real Estate One and SERHANT. can attest. And building a consistent brand isn't necessarily difficult or expensive: with automated tools like a digital marketing suite, you can project a consistent brokerage brand across your entire team's sphere of influence without breaking the bank. via GIPHY 6. Be ready for anything! None of us has a crystal ball. As a broker, you can prepare for the unknown in one of two ways. In the case of Selling Sunset, a lot can happen: cast members leave, controversies erupt, viewer expectations and loyalties shift. But it has overcome these challenges and is releasing a seventh season. And so, the last business lesson from Selling Sunset is that if you're ready for anything, you can overcome anything (and hopefully sans controversy!). How can your brokerage prepare for anything? By continuously learning new things By being open to change By being willing to embrace technology Technology isn't going to replace us, but those of us who embrace technology will replace those who don't. To view the original article, visit the Constellation1 blog.

Vision, Trust, and Community: Get Closer
Last month, I participated in the Compass Summit at the Hyatt Regency in Incline Village, NV. More than 250 real estate professionals, managers, and professional staff gathered and consumed content surrounding everything from the current economic climate to building personal wealth outside of residential brokerage. One panel discussion was about "When is enough enough, and when does quality of life become your north star?" The answer is different for everyone, but the question itself is powerful. My presentation was on the future of our business against the backdrop of all current influences. The presentation touched on every topic in this word collage. It's my view that the relationship between a client and the real estate professional is based on trust. Trust is developed over time and is a direct result of the real estate professional's experience, knowledge, advice, and recommendations. Trust is a loyalty card, only the client can extend and only the client can take away. I expanded my view that the three core tenets real estate professionals value in a residential brokerage business are: Vision, Trust, and Community. Three words that are easy to say, but difficult to execute on one without the other. A sense of community is our offices, weekly meetings, collaboration among professionals, and celebrations of success. This sense of community thrives in a trusted environment. Try following a leader's vision without trust. My closing thoughts had two focuses. First, I am optimistic about the future of the real estate advisor and so optimistic that business plans, growth strategies, and succession planning are vital areas of focus. Second, the trust clients place with real estate advisors is being chased, on a consumer direct basis, by the disruptors plus the financial services, mortgage and insurance industries. If you think you are close to your clients, get closer! 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.

[Podcast] Building a Thriving Culture as a Real Estate Brokerage with Chris Grimes
Chris Grimes is the Managing Broker of RE/MAX Homes and Estates, Lipman Group. He moved to Nashville to pursue music opportunities in 2012 before getting his Tennessee license. Hear how to keep your team excited about the work, deliver fantastic customer service as a brokerage, focus on training and mentorship, the difference between great agents and bad ones, and what Chris learned from Larry Lipman. This episode covers everything from broker tips to the legendary Larry Lipman. Here's a small sample of what you will hear in this episode: Why is Larry Lipman so respected? What is the difference between a Broker Owner and Principal Broker? What is Chris's fiduciary responsibility for his Realtors? What's the difference between a good brokerage and bad brokerage? What's the best way to start your real estate career? What is a standard churn rate at a brokerage? What makes a successful real estate agent? Real talk...not Real talk: Musician as a career Connect with Chris at JoinLipman.com, Instagram, and TikTok. Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail. Listen on: Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Visit the episode homepage for show notes and more detail.

Are You Managing to the Top or to the Middle?
A significant attribute of my professional drive was formed as an athlete in high school, college and, candidly, still today. An intrinsic quality of a competitive athlete is to achieve multiple championships in their respective careers. Very few competitive athletes aspire to finish in the middle of the pack. How do you manage your business? Do you manage to the middle or to the top? Envision a pyramid of the performers in your business [as pictured below]. The top performers and rising stars enjoy the top third of the pyramid, the average performers enjoy the middle, and the casual performers the bottom third. In my experience observing commercial brokerages, residential brokerages and mortgage businesses, most leadership teams "manage to the middle." Meaning if they can make the middle more productive, imagine the lift they may get in their profit and loss statements. Sometimes, a leadership team takes the approach, "We don't need to worry about the top performers as they take care of themselves." Trust me, the top performers only take care of themselves because the business generally does not. The top performers need to meet the needs of the most demanding clients. They need to distinguish themselves from the overpopulated sea of real estate or mortgage professionals and invest in technology that addresses their unique needs and drive efficiencies in their practice. They don't want to take this approach. They know they must take this approach to win championships. Does your current approach win championships? "Managing to the top" is a far superior approach. Sure, it can be expensive. But if a business invests in a culture, platform, and technology that the top performers embrace and successfully execute, the entire organization watches their performance. Next step is the average and casual professionals embrace top performers' behavior. As a result, the entire business gets "lift." Consider interviewing your top performers for what they need and aspire to in their businesses. Listen to the good, the bad and the ugly. Then act swiftly to meet their needs. Please know the "ugly" is always the easiest to correct, as everyone knows how "ugly" it is and how it creates drag on your business. Improving the bad and further investing in the good is not difficult. What is difficult is asking the questions. And what is deadly is not acting on the answers. Do you manage to the top or to the middle? When is your next championship? What will tomorrow bring? 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.

5 Brokerage Office Design Suggestions that Look Inviting
The way your office looks can make a huge difference in how well you are able to gain not only new agents, but clients. You already know that real estate is a competitive industry so do everything you can to get the upper hand and present your business in an inviting and professional way. Here are five tips that you can use to design an inviting office to impress clients: Location Most business owners aren't aware of how important the location of their office is to the success of the business. Keep in mind not only the aesthetic appearance of the building and the office space itself, but the accessibility as well. Is your office hard to get to? Is there enough parking for your clients and anyone else that needs to get to the building? Accessibility especially can make a huge difference in the success of your business because if people can't get to your office, then you won't be getting business. First impression You only have one chance to impress your client. There is no such thing as a "second first impression," so make yours count! You want your clients to walk into your office feeling confident that you will not only get the job done, but that you will do it well. You want your office to reflect that you are professional, but also, that you have some personality. Nobody wants to work with someone without a personality. Simple tactics like painting a wall a bright color, or having paintings can spruce up the look and feel of your office. Pro tip: Did you know that plants can help to increase happiness and productivity in an office? Try adding some plants in the entry or reception area. Built in reception desk Having a built in reception desk reflects permanency. This may seem like a minor technicality, it is quite a big deal. Would you want to work with a company that you don't believe will be there for long? Marble and granite are popular choices for these desktops, and can be quite pricey, but you will be instilling a sense of trust and security in your clients with this simple adjustment. Seating Your clients are not just going to be spending time in your office, but in the reception area as well. All furniture in your office should be comfortable and accommodating to your guests. Typically, commercial furniture is more durable than residential, so it will be worth the cost. Conference room Your conference room shouldn't be too big or too small. Make sure that you are able to accommodate about 10 people comfortably. Additionally, your conference room should have up-to-date technology. This means having a screen that everyone at the table can see comfortably, as well as having a conference phone setup so that everyone in the room can hear the call as well as engage. Whether you are starting your own business from your home, or moving into a new corporate building, your real estate office says a lot about you and your brand. An inviting office not only helps attract and keep associates, helps productivity, but it also helps clients to feel more comfortable. To view the original article, visit the Zurple blog.

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

ERA Brokers and Executives Offer Insight and Ideas for Advancing Women's Leadership in Real Estate
ERA Real Estate celebrates Women's History Month by identifying growth opportunities and how overcome professional barriers for women aspiring to leadership roles in real estate. ERA's Hera Society, the brand's dedicated group focused on advancing women leadership within the affiliated network and the industry, hosted a roundtable discussion to uncover actionable insights to advance greater inclusion for women in real estate leadership. Representing more than 130 years of collective real estate experience, ERA Hera Society's panelists explored an array of topics from responding to recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic to redefining mentorship. "When I started my real estate career over 30 years ago, there were very few women in leadership roles across the industry," said Sherry Chris, President and CEO of ERA® Real Estate. "It has been my personal mission to champion and mentor women who are passionate about our business and have a desire to become future leaders. The benefits of increasing women's leadership in our industry are clear: we innovate faster with greater diversity and an infusion of new ideas and perspectives. The vast experience and perspectives of the many women leaders not only in the ERA network but the entire industry can help prepare and pave a path forward for aspiring women. The ERA network's collaborative culture creates a unique environment where we can draw on insights, wisdom and ideas of our esteemed ERA® affiliated women leaders to help us all further this effort in meaningful ways." Impact of COVID-19 on Women in Real Estate Many from ERA's Hera Society observed that the pandemic brought to the forefront several adjustments, whether it was working virtually, navigating childcare or the accelerated adoption of technology in real estate. The COVID-19 pandemic forced greater adoption of technology and consumers ultimately welcomed new approaches. The panelists did note that the integration of Zoom into everyday business made it easier to expand networks in ways that didn't happen pre-Zoom, providing women greater access to ideas, advice and support. "The full impact of COVID-19 is yet to be seen. What we do know is that COVID-19 has proved that real estate is an essential business. It accelerated the use of technology to connect and serve clients and facilitate and speed the transaction while still maintaining the fundamental human nature of real estate. Overall, I think women will be beneficiaries of this evolution in our industry as it offers more flexibility to serve their clients differently in ways that fit their multi-tasking lifestyles," remarked Anna-Marie Ellison, managing partner of ERA King Real Estate headquartered in Anniston, Alabama. Actionable Insight: Take advantage of technology to serve your clients in the ways they are looking for and use the flexibility of new ways of working to address your specific lifestyle needs. The Necessity of Challenging Societal Norms The discussion uncovered observations on how societal norms still play a role in how girls are raised and educated, and as adults, how women perceive their options and expectations. Considering that women couldn't have their own credit card until 1977, women are still catching up financially with men as they overcome past prejudices and limitations. This is further compounded by the fact that earning gaps may impact women's access to the capital needed to start a company. Additionally, a huge psychological barrier to opening and operating your own brokerage is taking on the financial risk – whether that's as a couple or as a sole proprietor. "In today's business environment, women have every opportunity to be the leaders and owners they want to be. Demands on time and resources can be daunting, so it may require finding creative ways to balance both professional and personal priorities. I think any woman who has made it a choice to own a brokerage should be empowered to pursue that opportunity. Traditional roles of yesterday no longer apply. It's about surrounding yourself with the right support systems to help you achieve your goals," shared Diana Wall, SVP of Strategic Growth for ERA Real Estate. Actionable Insight: Create more leadership pathways to enhance and expand growth opportunities for women. Committing to Challenging Ourselves Setting the bar higher as a path to increased self-confidence is critical to fueling the desire to pursue leadership roles rather than waiting to be asked. Confidence may also play an important role in taking on the financial risk of ownership. Moving into leadership roles means letting go of many day-to-day things and trusting someone else to do them, often a challenge for multi-tasking women. "The first sale you have to make is to yourself. In other words, no one will buy into you, your abilities, until you do. Be your biggest fan and your own worst critic," stated Diana Wall, SVP of Strategic Growth for ERA Real Estate. "Dream bigger, set your bar higher and don't doubt yourself because today's doubts are tomorrow's limitations," advised Haley Burlage, Broker/Co-owner, ERA MyPro Realty. Actionable Insight: Define your value, own it, and leverage it. Adding Business Courses to Real Estate Education If agents are taught to run their business like a business, they will be better prepared to run and lead their own company. Offering more business education classes aligned with real estate schools and continuing education offerings — such as P&L management, accounting principles and ROI — could better prepare women for owning a business. Additionally, the discussion emphasized helping future leaders understand the differences between managing employees and independent contractors, which is critical to success. "The most highly attended classes offered at our company are the ones presented by outside business experts, reflecting the desire to elevate the business of real estate. It's time to respond to that desire and position everyone for greater success," said Cathi Sullivan, Broker/Owner, ERA Shields Real Estate. Actionable Insight: Local, state and national associations should incorporate business courses in licensing and continuing education requirements. Recognizing the Importance of Mentors – Even if We Don't Call Them That Mentors are another significant factor in promoting confidence for women in that they have an unwavering belief in their mentees. Many mentor relationships often occur naturally, growing out of mutual trust. However, women searching for a guide or counselor may need to actively expand their networks to increase the chances of finding a mentor. Some people are taken aback when asked to be a mentor, perhaps because of the commitment it implies or the formality of it. Reframing the formal term mentor as having an open-door policy for those looking for advice or guidance can increase opportunities for these types of fruitful relationships. "Creating a personal board of directors or what I call my 'tribe' has proven to be a more effective path to reaping the benefits of learning from others," said Gloria Frazier, Broker/Owner, ERA American Real Estate. "Nothing in my career came without mentorship. Someone was grateful enough for what they had achieved to pay it forward and share what they had learned. Now I am a mentor to people open to such a relationship. Mentorship is the key to moving women forward," shared Kim Luckie, Director of Business Development, Marketing and Innovation for ERA American Real Estate. Actionable Insight: It's the job of the person who wants a mentor to find one. Seek mentorships with the same thoughtfulness and dedication that you would seek a new career opportunity. Best Advice Given and Received When asked for the best advice they had received and given, the ERA affiliated women leaders had a great deal to share: Always be looking for where your advantage exists. Find your voice and use it loudly. There's a big difference between self-centered and self-focused: it's okay to be self-focused. Be authentic. Your authentic self is the best version of you and the one that allows you to lead in what you love. Stay true to who you are, no matter what. Speak up. Dissent. Disagree. Silence is agreement with the status quo. Ask for what you want. Be your own advocate. We all have skills. We just need to showcase them. Participants: Haley Burlage, Broker/Co-owner, ERA MyPro Realty Haley started her real estate career as a transaction coordinator and was told she would never earn more than $40,000 a year. Inspired to break that financial barrier, she became a real estate agent and is now a co-owner. Anna-Marie Ellison, Managing Partner, ERA King Real Estate Anna-Marie started as a real estate agent after a short stint in customer service. She sought counsel and advice from seasoned professionals and built her career. She lobbied to manage an office and based on her success, was ultimately asked to become a managing partner. Gloria Frazier, Broker/Owner, ERA American Real Estate Gloria grew up in an entrepreneurial family and never really imagined working for anyone. After a decade abroad selling land to people in the military, she returned to the states and started selling residential real estate. When her broker's business started to fail, she decided to open her own brokerage and has never looked back. Kim Luckie, Director of Business Development, Marketing, Innovation, ERA American Real Estate Kim started her marketing career in the 1990s, working for Young & Rubicam, one of the country's largest advertising agencies. Working in a male-dominated field, she quickly learned how to find and leverage her advantage. Lee Ann Roughton, NVP, ERA Real Estate Drawing on over 25+ years of experience, Lee Ann focuses on driving growth and development for ERA affiliated brokerages. From business planning to recruiting and retention, her results-driven approach helps companies achieve their goals. Cathi Sullivan, Broker/Owner, ERA Shields Real Estate Cathi leveraged a career in technology and the dot.com vertical to a CFO role at a large real estate brokerage, which she eventually bought from the founder and now runs with her husband. Diana Wall, SVP, Strategic Growth, ERA Real Estate Diana has devoted the majority of her career to franchise sales, serving as a consultant and mentor to entrepreneurs looking to build their businesses. Her ability to excel in a male-dominated field is a testament to her own mentors who gave her the confidence to pursue this career path.

How Do You Get Agents to Adopt Your Technology? Try These 5 Ideas
Agent adoption. That's what matters to brokerages when it comes to tech. But when it comes to getting your agents to use the technology (and capturing true value from your investment), what is it you need? We've narrowed the list to the five value propositions you need to achieve the highest success of agent adoption. Here's the list in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... 1. It's Easy to Use‍ When a platform has a simple design and is easy to use, agents have more confidence in what they're doing, and they're more likely to use it – and even become fans. A smart solution doesn't require hours upon hours of training. Your tech should help agents start seeing results without extra help. The best tech platforms give you default campaigns and settings with no significant setup required so agents can get right down to their real estate work without enduring (or complaining about) a steep learning curve. And the best tech partner gives you the perfect mix of user-friendly technology, plus stellar training and support. 2. It goes wherever your agents go‍ No agent is tethered to a computer all day. For agents to want to use your tech, it's critical that your brokerage's solution allows them to run their business on their mobile devices. Having a mobile app plus a desktop platform will definitely increase the use of your tech because it goes where they go. 3. Customizable Marketing‍ Most people first look at properties online because it allows them to do their research before the buying process even begins. So, a solid online presence is crucial for every agent – not to mention your brand – but creating a website with consistent branding and marketing effectiveness can be tough. You need a platform that offers customizable websites, drip campaigns, landing page and squeeze page builders, and even ways to post to different social media sites. A platform that gives agents the tools they need to stay market-relevant every single day. ‍ 4. Managing and Converting Leads‍ When your agents are juggling hundreds (or potentially thousands) of database leads, staying on top of details like birthdays, closing dates, anniversaries, and the name of a client's spouse is hard to do. Your tech should be a powerful, single entity where agents store and track the big (and little) stuff. One that also sends reminders to agents and automated messages to clients, so work gets done even when agents aren't on the click. After all, they're not likely to win a client's business if they're not keeping clients engaged.‍ 5. One Platform That Does it All ‍ You can be confident that potential clients aren't always going right to an agent's website. They're searching the internet for homes and information, alright, but even if they do go to an agent's site, they're not likely to sign up for information immediately. What you need is an all-encompassing platform your agents can use to generate and manage leads. One that helps them easily create a unique website, landing pages, and provides multiple marketing avenues. Plus, it needs to integrate with others like Zillow, Realtor.com, Dotloop, Skyslope, and more. What makes a happy, productive agent? One tool, one log-in, one password to get everything done. To view the original article, visit the Inside Real Estate blog.

Big Wins, Minimal Risk: 6 Growth Hacks for Real Estate Teams
Teams at large real estate brokerages can often power growth with cash and resources. Smaller teams (and individual agents) that lack funds, knowledge, resources and opportunities, though, find the road to growth is rocky. You need strategies that will yield a high return with low risk, preferably with a marginal investment of time and money. Here are six simple strategies to help you grow now. 1. Invest in your existing clients ‍Have you ever analyzed your marketing spend and compared it to where you get your leads? On average, 82% of real estate transactions come from repeat and referrals business, and 21% of agents get more than 50% of their referrals from past clients (per NAR). If it costs you six to seven times more to acquire a new customer than it does to retain an existing one, then a more frugal strategy would be to focus efforts on marketing to your past clients. 2. Consolidate new contacts in one place ‍When you use a great CRM, you can consolidate information from all your lead generation sources in one place. Collecting and organizing your contacts ensures that these relationships continue to get nurtured after the sale. If that doesn't convince you, consider these stats from the 2020 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. 88% of buyers would use their agent again or refer them to others 84% of sellers would use their agent again or refer them to others 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family above all other forms of advertising ‍3. Invest in technology and automation You want more conversations that lead to closings, and responding immediately to inquiries, particularly online inquires, is a critical component of successful conversion. Having a solid system that runs email campaigns, text messaging, lead notifications, and more allows you to focus on the suitable activities – while automation takes care of the rest. Your time is valuable and limited. 4. Invest in social media ‍Social platforms are free and give you automatic access to large audiences in your area. Data shows 74% of sellers use social media to find their agent, and nearly half of all homebuyers have walked through a home they saw on social media. So, it's not just a great way to get out there and connect with people – it's essential. Teams can leverage Facebook organically (free) or via pay-per-click strategies. 5. Curate shareable content Offering consistent, relevant information on social channels, your blog and beyond brands your team as an expert and keeps you top-of-mind for your SOI and prospects. It can be time-consuming, but many tools are available to help. 6. Consider an administrative role Hiring more agents may give you more sales, but chances are a good admin will free up some of your time-consuming tasks. Try making a list of the thing you don't want to do anymore. Your list will likely include things like putting paperwork together, replying to emails, and even answering the phone. Hiring a great admin frees more of your time so that you can devote more time to clients. Real estate teams, if you're ready to take your business up a notch, remember these key takeaways: grow relationships with your existing customers, use automation to save time, increase productivity and position yourself as an industry expert with thoughtful and consistent content through a variety of channels. To view the original article, visit the Inside Real Estate blog.

A Season Like No Other: 3 Tips for Managing in an Unpredictable Market
This year has been a roller coaster for real estate, to say the least. For months, experts were predicting every possible outcome for the summer, from totally tanking to the biggest selling season yet. Businesses in every industry combed through budgets, figuring out ways to accommodate the expected decrease in revenue. Real estate expected to see fewer buyers out and about, and brokerages buckled down. I'm sure many of us sat on the edges of our seats, waiting to see what would happen. If anything, though, lower mortgage rates encouraged home buyers to kick their search into high gear—even if they hadn't been looking previously.

3 Tips for Working Quickly in Real Estate's Remote Environment
As much as there was uncertainty about the state of the real estate market earlier this year, it's become clear by this point that it's definitely still a hot seller's market. A potent combination of pent-up demand and low inventory means buyers today face steep competition. That competition puts a lot of pressure on buyers--because when they do find themselves in the position to buy, it means they want to move quickly.

A Snapshot of COVID-19's Impact on International Real Estate, Plus 4 Tips to Persevere
PropTech Solutions' Real Estate Platform is used by real estate companies in over 60 countries, speaking more than 40 languages. The global scale of our client base gives us unique insight into the impact COVID-19 is having on international real estate. We connect with clients around the world daily and, as you can imagine, these days we have more discussions about the coronavirus than our technology. Our clients are like family to us and we don't just care about their businesses, we care about them as people. We're confident we will all get through this pandemic and emerge stronger — together. In the meantime, we all need to work together to do the best we can in this difficult situation. Here are a few ideas to help you with these very real challenges, as well as the impact we see on international real estate through our own data. Here are four ways you can help your clients cope: Send positive messages often. Our lead-to-close technology offers the ability to assemble comprehensive marketing communications. While you normally would use these to present homes or promote yourself to new clients, you can also use them to communicate with your clients and prospects on a different level. People in the buying or selling process today are going to be very concerned about what all this means long term. Help them understand life will go on and properties will continue to be bought and sold. Put together a list of simple things that your clients can do to improve their homes. We all have to maintain social distancing, which means we have more time at home than normal. Cleaning, uncluttering, painting and trying different furniture arrangements are just a few examples of activities that require little or no money and don't need the help of professionals. Assemble a list of available local professionals. Typical home repair services will be more difficult to arrange, or perhaps impossible in some cases. Collect trusted local service providers, such as plumbers, landscapers, and electricians, that are still available and share that information with your network. Turn your marketing technology into a community bulletin board. Real estate agents know hundreds, sometimes thousands of people. Connect people in your network and communicate local information in ways that no one else can. Not only will you help people in this very real time of need, but you will also develop relationships that will last long after the crisis. Visit local Facebook community pages, highlight businesses giving back and celebrate the dedicated professionals working every day to save lives. The 90-day snapshot of international real estate As mentioned, we have customers in over 60 countries, which gives us unique insight into the impact COVID-19 has on the international real estate market. We've shared just a few key findings below. Please visit proptech-solutions.com/covid for the complete report. In the last 90 days, our public-facing real estate websites outside of Canada and the U.S. experienced a drop in visitors by an average of 20%. Some geographic regions see a far greater impact than others. Given the volatile situation, this wasn't a surprise. The websites continue to generate property leads, but lead volume has decreased by an average of 48% since the start of this year and by 40% compared to the same time last year. Additionally, the total inventory of active listings across all our customers has increased by approximately 15% as new listings are still being added — albeit at a reduced rate — and existing listings stay on the market longer due to a reduction in overall sold and rental listings since consumers lack confidence in the market. As countries enact measures to restart their economic engines, record low-interest rates will make the prospect of buying properties more attractive. If we also account for the pent up demand this period of suppressed market activity will create, it's very likely we will see a period of increased real estate activity once social distancing measures are relaxed. The work agents do now to optimize and organize their contact databases, reach out to the contacts they haven't spoken to in a while, and make new virtual connections online, will pay dividends down the line. If you're planning to expand or enter the international market once this crisis is behind us, we'd love to talk. Please contact us at [email protected]. For additional statistics, tips and information, please visit proptech-solutions.com/covid. PropTech Solutions is the holding company of leading global real estate technology companies, GryphTech and Phoenix Software. Together, they provide a lead-to-close real estate management platform that is relied upon by real estate businesses in over 60 countries to accelerate their growth. The technology is cloud-based, multilingual, multicurrency and purpose-built to generate new opportunities, meeting the needs of the world's largest real estate brands. PropTech Solutions' CEO, Carlos Matias, was recognized as a 2020 RISMedia Newsmaker and in 2019, the company was named a Top 10 PropTech Solution Provider by CIO Applications Europe. For more information or a live demonstration of The Real Estate Platform (REP), visit www.proptech-solutions.com or email [email protected]

5 Valuable Business Lessons I Learned from Dance Conventions
I have been to more than my fair share of dance competitions and conventions. As many of you know, my daughter Alexandra, A.K.A . "Sparkles," has been involved with dance at a high level for more than 10 years. I attend many of the classes at these events, not only to soak in the beauty of the art form and watch my daughter in her "happy place," but also to listen to the life lessons and advice the teachers impart to their students. This weekend was no different. Every teacher shared a piece of advice with the kids that we can all apply to our lives.

3 Tips for Maximizing Productivity without Losing Your Personal Life
Most real estate folks on social media will have experienced hustle culture--that constant rush to be as productive as possible. You know, those pictures of coffee first thing in the morning, quotes that push the importance of always working, the constant go-go-go mentality. It's one thing to work hard, but the constant push for more work, more hours, more dedication leads to burnout--and putting things like your personal life on the back burner.

Remember Single Tasking? Probably Not!
While doing my research for this article, I realized the mobile technology revolution has completely eliminated the single tasking we remember from many of our pre-Palm and pre-Blackberry days. I never want to go back to that time, but rather adjust our life--and more importantly--our brain. Before I get into single tasking, here are facts from people much smarter than me. (Don't believe me? Google it!) Multitasking decreases your productivity by 40%, lowers your IQ by 17% and shrinks your brain by reducing density in area that controls cognitive and emotional control.

Finding Your Inner Entrepreneur and Launching Your Own Start-up
The real estate industry is filled with entrepreneurs – every individual agent is the CEO of their own business. With over two decades of experience as a broker, owner, operator and investor, Dave Garland, Managing Director at Second Century Ventures helps members of the real estate community turn their ideas into reality. Three years ago, Dave was tapped to oversee the National Association of Realtor’s venture capital division (Second Century Ventures) and NAR REach – a program that provides exposure and guidance to startups that are building technology for the real estate industry.

3 Tips to Help Your Agents Work Effectively from Home
Modern technology makes it easier than ever for employees to work from home—and that's especially true for already-mobile workforces like real estate agents. For many, that's a good thing. It isn't exactly unheard of for agents to find themselves too busy to head into the office on a daily basis. And that's exactly why home offices have become so popular. Especially for newer agents, it can be hard to make the mental shift to working from home. So how can you help them become as productive as possible outside of an office environment? Here are a few tips to get them started.

To Adopt or Not To Adopt
Agent adoption has always been a hot topic. As long as new technologies develop and emerge in the real estate space, there will always be an ongoing conversation on adoption. Typically, we hear a lot from the quantitative side of adoption. In the statistical data highlighting agent adoption numbers related to specific technology solutions and platforms, however, rarely do we hear about the qualitative data or the "why" pertaining to agent adoption. Technology solutions offered at a brokerage level to agents are intended to make agents more productive and make their life easier at the same time. So why is there often so much hesitation and resistance to embrace these solutions that have nothing but good intentions towards the agent and their business? Here are three primary reasons/barriers why agents don't adopt technology:

How to Create a Brokerage That Agents Will Want to Work At
To run a great brokerage, you have to have a team of agents who will be willing to work hard and get the job done. However, there are some things that you as a broker could do to create a strong brokerage for your agents. That is what Brian Copeland did in order to create a perfect workspace for his team. As the Vice President for Association Affairs for the National Association of REALTORS and founder of Doorbell Real Estate in Nashville, Tennessee, Copeland has quite an arsenal of real estate knowledge. He recently shared how to lead a brokerage that real estate agents want to work at.

Solving the Mysteries of Jet Lag
For years, I have strenuously maintained that when I fly west, especially to Hawaii from the West Coast, I never have been jet lagged. But when I fly to Europe from Seattle, if I don't follow all the jet lag management tactics I've learned over the years, I'll pay the price. Many fellow business and active leisure travelers told me I was nuts. It turns out, according to sleep medicine physician Dr. Susan Rausch of Seattle's highly-acclaimed Sleep Disorders Center at Virginia Mason, I was right all along. Our bodies are physiologically wired to "Go west."

3 Key Strategies for Being a Better Leader in Real Estate
If there's one thing Doug Edrington knows, it's how to lead a team. Doug recently opened his own Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Brokerage, J Douglas Properties, and runs (with no shortage of success) The Edrington Team. Last year, his team sold 491 houses. And when he's not busy being a top producer, he is also a Tom Ferry Coach. Doug recently shared some of his recent experiences and expertise when it comes to building a sustainable business and being an effective leader. Here are the top takeaways:

Your Listing May Be Haunted If...
Do your sellers seem a little too eager to move out? Are buyers hesitant to hang around? If so, you may be dealing with a haunted house. Here are some tell-tale signs that your listing may be haunted.

6 Secrets to Building and Scaling Company Culture
What are your secrets to building and scaling your company culture? The success of companies like Starbucks, Zappos, and Disney in building inspiring and coveted company culture has opened the eyes of the real estate industry. More and more real estate companies are focusing on company culture to not only attract and recruit the right REALTORS®, but to enhance the customer experience. I asked a few industry leaders how they are building and scaling culture at their companies, and here are their insightful tips.

Why You Need an Open-Door Policy Right Now
In their latest round of funding, OpenDoor scored $325 million in funding. Late last year, SoftBank invested $450 million into Compass. VC money is alive and well, and it's found a home in real estate tech, pouring into the industry. And as we all saw at Inman Connect this month, the competition is as hot as five-star Thai food. It literally hurts to digest.

Learn from the Beatles: A Guide for New Brokerages
Cue the music. Ladies and gentleman, the Beatles! Starting a successful real estate brokerage isn't easy. Neither is finding success in the music industry. For over two and a half years, the Beatles performed grinding eight-hour sets in Hamburg, Germany. So how did a group of boys playing long hours in the clubs of northern Germany become one of the greatest bands of all time? I'm going to be bold and say it: The Beatles were some of the greatest entrepreneurs of all time. So what can aspiring and new broker/owners learn from the Beatles?

Timing of Your Client's Home Sale Means More Money
In today's dog-eat-dog world of real estate sales, where supply is low and housing prices rapidly rising, seller's remorse is a common issue. If Steve or Sally Seller is driving themselves insane over timing issues, wondering if their home will be 'worth' more if they simply wait to sell, it's time to get down to brass tacks. You Can't Perfectly Time a Home Sale

Why Millennials Matter
Millennials, also referred to as Generation Y, are the generational demographic following Generation X and the biggest generation in U.S. history. They are the generation raised on technology, they have an unprecedented appreciation for avocados on toast, and are they are on the receiving end of countless stereotypes (like the aforementioned). Today, most demographers agree that millennials are aged between 22-37 (born 1981-1996). In the real estate industry, the most important thing to know about Millennials isn't their preferred toast accompaniment, though. At this year's Xplode Conference, Matthew Josefs, the Senior Trade Show Consultant for TORCHx by Web.com, pointed out that although Millennials currently make up 34 percent of homebuyers, they are particularly difficult to convert into clients. Here's a recap of what Matthew had to say about why that is and what you can do to remedy it:

How to Get Busy During the Holidays to Stay Busy in January
Trying to stay warm this winter? Get busy with real estate selling prep. Really! Though the reputation for winter as a dead season abounds, there are tons of things you can accomplish in the winter that will allow you to make better use of your time post-tax season and when the summer rush hits. Ditch spring cleaning for the snowier variety! Rather than waiting for warmer, busier seasons, take advantage of this time to:

What Compass Is Planning in Your Market
Chatbots and new tech are barreling towards the industry. Everything is moving to a cloud environment. And now, Compass is coming for your market share. The CEO of Compass, Robert Reffkin, recently announced a 2020 by 2020 plan for the company. What does that mean, you ask? A plan to expand into 10 new markets in the U.S. by 2020, and to grab 20 percent of the market share in the 20 largest U.S. cities. Casual, right? The cities they're expanding to are: Seattle, San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas, Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Chicago.

The Growth of Real Estate Teams: Achieving Work-Life Balance and Success
Dedication. Customer-focused. Neighborhood expert. Master negotiator. Just a few things that come to a consumer's mind when thinking of real estate professionals. But what about everything behind the scenes that they don't see? The lead management, never ending admin duties, and the need to be everything and everywhere for the business. With days that start at 6 am and sometimes never end, work-life balance is often a distant dream. So how do you commit to exceeding your yearly transaction goals without sacrificing your personal life? You can reduce your level of commitment or you can get help. For real estate pros with high ambitions, one solution may be to form a team.

5 Tips on How to Get Your Agents to Adopt New Technology
It's not easy switching to a new technology. It can be kind of scary to change the way we do things. But who doesn't like getting better, faster, and stronger? Even though change can be difficult, it's also extremely beneficial. Here are five things you can do to help your team embrace change and adopt new technology.

What Experts Want You to Know About Drone Usage in the Real Estate Industry
At the the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expoin May, industry experts joined forces to share knowledge about safely aligning drone technology with video use in real estate marketing. Who's Got the Bird's Eye View? Jim Williams, manager of the FAA's Unmanned Aerial Systems Integration Office; Doug Trudeau, associate broker at Tierra Antigua Realty in Tucson and the first Realtor to apply for and receive a waiver for drone use (before drone flight certification was redesigned to omit manned flight licensing requirements); and associate counsel for the NAR, Lesley Walker. What Guidance Did These Industry Experts Have to Offer on Drone Tech?

[Infographic] 10 Hidden Expenses When Purchasing a Home
Owning a home is the great American dream! When it comes to buying a home, most of your clients naturally begin by combing through thousands of online listings, oohing and aahing as they find homes they. While the process varies from client to client, that first-time home buying feeling only happens once. And when it comes to that group, here are the facts: First-time buyers account for 52 percent of future buying potential Despite being plagued by student loan debt and in a different headspace than previous generations, Millennials are ready to buy with the majority of current first-time home buyers being in this generation Older Millennials (25-34) dominate current home shoppers, making up 33 percent of the market

5 Brokerage Management Tips to Drive Efficiency and Engagement
Real estate is a challenging and demanding field that requires efficiency, organizational skills, and the ability to connect with people on a personal level. Due to the competitive and challenging nature of the field, real estate brokers are expected be at peak performance at all times to ensure that every meeting and transaction runs as smoothly as possible. Creating this type of work ethic starts at the top. Managers and team leaders are expected to lead by example and let their actions demonstrate how the office should be run. Here are five management tips that will help you build a top-performing team.

It's time to start paying attention to Millennials.
While Millennials generally have a reputation of struggling in a tough job market and residing in their parents' basements, they are starting to become a force in real estate. According to a recent National Association of REALTORS® study, Millennials are now the largest share of homebuyers in the country at 34 percent. The tide seems to be shifting as this massive population segment starts to enter the real estate market. They don't represent a ton of commission for real estate agents at this point, with 66 percent being first-time home buyers and most being quite price conscious, but the sheer numbers of this group creates a trend that must be noted by real estate professionals.

Top 5 Ways to Transform Your Office Managers into Sales Success Coaches
None of the brokers we’ve worked with believe that their office managers are doing what they are supposed to be doing — sales training. Instead, they act more like den mothers. When they could be working on sales coaching or recruiting, office managers are consoling agents who lost big deals, troubleshooting broken printers, or retrieving lost MLS passwords. It’s too easy for office managers to spend the day putting out a series of small fires. Its easy to use all of those daily tasks as excuses for not focusing on the most important roles that managers are responsible for. The path toward a more profitable office

Top Business Advice from a Social Media Giant
Innovation is more important than ever in a technology-driven market. Evan Speigel, the co-founder of Snapchat, talks about how he thinks about business in the modern area and targets a specific audience. Check out the 1:59 market for some crucial business advice.

Don't Make These Mistakes in Your Real Estate Videos
Video usage in real estate marketing can lead to some pretty... err... interesting results. And these may or may not be so good for your professional image. Are you making these common real estate video blunders? Overlooking photography. Rather than making potential buyers seasick with live in-motion video, still photography offers crisper imagery at a much higher resolution, allowing for the creation of movement and space via panning around the image or sliding closer and farther away. Sometimes dubbed the 'Ken Burns effect,' this method actually works far better than actual video footage, and makes the transition to video marketing a breeze. Being too obtuse. While you don't want your real estate videos to be overly long, breezing through a home and marginalizing essential details can cost you. While big, wide angle shots give a great impression of space, detailed shots are essential to highlight each home's unique features. Is that crown molding or banister original to that turn-of-the-century home? Did you simply snap a quick shot of a kitchen filled with a stunning backsplash or industrial-grade appliances? Did you overlook an award-winning koi pond in your attempt to showcase the expanse of an outdoor space? Up-close shots of these unique features are key for giving buyers a comprehensive feel of a home – and reeling in fast sales for those who fall in love with them.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Brokerages
Today's economy is fast paced and highly competitive. To stay on top, many brokerages need to adopt measures that will make them highly efficient and effective. Chances are that you are familiar with Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Published in 1989, it has sold more than 25 million copies in 40 languages worldwide and remains one of the best selling nonfiction business books of all time. While Covey's book speaks about the habits of individuals, many of the practices he outlines can be adapted to your brokerage. Every brokerage has a style of doing business; everyone is different and you have to find what works for you. But to be successful, it's going to take a strong set of positive habits to get you where you need to go. HABIT #1: Be Proactive Top brokerages know that to grow and attract a high amount of activity, they must invest in their own business. Capitalize on the key marketing activities that are most likely to get you in front of the right clients frequently and consistently. Following this, make sure to track your investments. The more you spend, the more you should focus on measurable results. Monitor phone numbers, measure leads to closed sales, and ask about all sources used to search for homes. HABIT #2: Set Goals Envision what you want so you can work and plan towards it. Define the goals you have for your brokerage and break them into measurable chunks such as quarterly, monthly or even weekly time periods. Work with your team and encourage them to set and track their individual goals, as well. See how you can tie their individual performance into achieving company goals. Making business planning a daily activity allows you to track and adjust progress as needed.

Engaging Millennial Homebuyers
It's a sad but true fact that there's a generational wealth gap in this country. Because of this, we see fewer millennials in the home buying market than we'd hoped for. "The absence of millennial homebuyers is a big story for the economy, because housing sales and construction are big drivers of jobs," claims Jeff Reeves in USA TODAY. "But it's also an equally big story for the personal finances of millennials, who are missing out on the real estate wealth that bolstered the balance sheets of previous generations," he concludes. Homebuying statistics bear this out, finding that millennials make up only 35 percent of buyers, which is down from 40 percent in the mid-2000s. So, how do you reach this reluctant and somewhat broke generation? And why should you want to? It's about the funnel Connecting with someone who represents future business is something many real estate professioanals feel is a waste of time. It's critical, however, if you hope to remain in business. The sales funnel even includes a spot just for these prospects – right there at the top. And, with millennials, who are merely deferring and not postponing homeownership indefinitely, there's a huge pool of potential first-time buyers with which to stuff the funnel.

5 Tips to Make Networking Easier
Many people visit networking events with the wrong idea. It's about much more than just handing out business cards. YouTube coach AdviceFromJustin has broken down five networking tips that will help you build strong relationships. The third tip should be a big help.

How to Find a Business Mentor
Business is full of ups and downs. Navigating them is easier with the help of an experienced mentor. Learn how to find a business mentor to help your venture—and your confidence—soar to new heights. Why You Need a Business Mentor Many business owners forgo mentorship due to pride or the fear of asking for help. This may stem from the false notion that capable business leaders don't rely on others. In truth, even prominent entrepreneurs like Richard Branson, Warren Buffet and Bill Gates had mentors who instilled in them the confidence and know-how to succeed. You don't have to be running a Fortune 10 business to get a mentor. If you run a small business, a mentor can assist you in: Brainstorming ideas for a new venture Researching ways to launch or finance the venture Expanding your business staff Streamlining your operations Gaining a renewed sense of motivation or inspiration Making a critical decision like whether to sell your business. Basically, your business mentor can help in a variety of ways. Ideally, this is someone's who's been through the ringer before. A mentor can offer tips to help you avoid unnecessary mistakes.

Time for Brokers to Clean Up Online Profiles
Online real estate agent and brokerage profiles are a mess. Specifically, agent and broker profiles on broker websites, Zillow, Realtor.com, and Homes.com are naturally in disarray at this time of year. With transaction volume low during December, it is a very good time to clean everything up. Most brokerages audited by WAV Group consulting average 10 percent inaccuracy, which reduces lead generation and undermines a firm's online reputation. Start With Data Collection It is a relatively easy task to collect the data necessary to update profiles. Start with your offices. "Offices have identities," says Marilyn Wilson, partner with WAV Group. "When we audit brokerage firms, we find that companies who have moved offices rarely put forth the effort to remove the old offices from association databases, MLS databases, brokerage websites, and syndication websites." There are services that can do this for you. WAV Group has resources that can automate the process on major search sites like Yelp, Google, and others. But the syndication sites require more effort, typically requiring the broker to log into the publisher site to make corrections. Agent profiles are the heavy lifting. It is vital that you collect the profile image of all of your agents, detail their contact information, and help them curate a reasonable bio of at least 250 words. Here is a quick guide for 5 Best Tips to Create a Powerful Bio (Sherry McCormick).

4 Characteristics of a Good Leader
As a broker/owner, you may live and breathe the business, but agents are your foundation. All agents, new or experienced, invariably need some amount of training or mentorship, and they look to you for guidance. To run provide this mentorship, you need to be a good leader and not just a good boss. Here are four distinct characteristics of a good leader: 1. Show how it's done When an agent starts with you, make that initial connection. No matter how many years of experience the agent has, talk with them and help them understand how YOU run your brokerage. It can be the processes or the order your administrator would like the see the paperwork or the company standards you expect them to embody on a daily basis. Whatever it is, make a checklist and give it to them. Information in any form is always appreciated. 2. Ask ask ask It's okay to ask how they are doing. Not just professionally; personally, too. It's perfectly fine to ask them if they are facing any challenges on a day to day basis. Sometimes they just might want to talk it out and you might have a solution up your sleeve. Be the person they turn to for guidance.

Steve Jobs’ Advice on Building Your Brand
Great branding is a key component to anyone's marketing strategy, but separating your brand from the pack takes some serious skill. Apple creator Steve Jobs had one of the most recognizable and successful brands of all time, so when he gives his advice on branding, it's a good idea to listen. Check out the 2:00 mark to hear his expert advice.

To Disclose or Not to Disclose – Weird Situations that May Need Your Intervention
Itching to close the sale, but aware of a few issues pertaining to the property in question that have you scratching your head about what you're really required to disclose? Disclosure laws vary not only by state, but involve a great deal of grey area. Here are the real estate selling tips you need to know to protect yourself against later legal action. To disclose or not to disclose – Do you need to come clean? Deaths within the homeMost states have laws on the books pertaining to the disclosure of deaths in/on the property – with some even requiring you to disclose the how of the death. California has a law referred to as how the property may be "psychologically affected." For instance, deaths occurring within a period of three years must be disclosed, as well as the circumstances (ie: if they were violent) – or you could end up on the hook for some serious damages. Meth labsSome states requires the seller to disclose if a home was previously the site of an illegal meth lab – while others do not. The sticky wicket? You're not required to disclose information you don't know. So if you don't go digging into a home's history, you could be in the clear, whereas playing P.I. could land you in hot water if you uncover something ungainly. Be certain to make yourself aware of what's required in your state.

Tips for Selling that Hot Property with the Sellers' Kids Out of School
Getting a house ready for showings involves educating your sellers on the ins and outs of staging a home, but what happens when the seller's children are home from school for the summer? You want the property to appeal to the widest variety of buyers, including buyers with children and ones without children. Use our following real estate selling tips to ensure the home is portrayed in the best possible light. Declutter Buyers prefer to see a house with the bare necessities in order to be able to picture their own belongings in it. The less clutter on countertops and in rooms, the better. Neutral, Neutral, Neutral The sellers may think their kid's pink and purple paint job is adorable, but chances are a potential buyer will just see more work for them. Sellers should paint any room with a neutral color before listing. Depersonalization Your sellers will be best advised to remove as many personal effects as possible from walls, including family photos and children's drawings. Have sellers fill in the holes with putty and paint.

4 Steps to Gaining Referrals, Even When You're Sleeping
While you're busy with your routine, forces are at work that will ultimately bring a new client to your inbox. We're talking about your satisfied past customers and partners, who may be providing you with a referral as we speak. Given that over 40% of all real estate sales come from referrals, this is a critical point. Referrals are gold for real estate pros, and they come your way when you've provided great service, certainly. More than that, though, you have to have a "sticky" relationship. Your name needs to stay in their mind long after the transaction has closed and your immediate association is over. So while referrals come from others, they're not completely out of your control. Ask for referrals, don't just wish for them. Getting consistent referrals requires sustaining your existing relationships for the long term. A few best practices can go a long way toward keeping those referrals popping up to make your day. #1: Be supportive when it matters The Washington Post reported that one in four buyers in a variety of settings experience some level of buyer's remorse. It's important for agents to keep this in mind, and be aware that asking for a referral at this point would be a mistake. Instead, this is when customer service should shine. If your client is feeling anxious, do your best to ensure that they are 100% satisfied, and all of their questions are answered. They'll remember that you came through even after the transaction.

How to Network Without Going to Networking Events
We've all been to them or we've at least been invited to them—a mixer or industry networking event held at a local bar or restaurant, or worse, a conference center. What is it about these events that make our skin crawl or that sends introverts running back to their cubicles, wishing they were never invited? It feels like no matter what business you're in, it's all about who you know in order to make moves or move up in your career. While we don't necessarily subscribe to that rule, we do believe in the power of a good network and the importance of building relationships with your network and contacts. So, is there a way that you can make those crucial connections with other industry professionals without having to step foot in a crowded bar with a 'Hello, my name is...' sticker on your shirt? We'd argue that yes, you absolutely can network without attending one of those cringe-y events. But first? You'll need to learn to love, or at least appreciate, why networking is an important aspect of your career and even your personal life. Why people hate going to networking events You've heard it before, networking is necessary to get ahead in your career. But is going to a networking event or a meet-up necessary to get ahead in your career? For those who may hate the idea, or shy folks who aren't comfortable walking into a room of strangers, these networking events may feel more like a necessary evil. Why is it that so many of us dislike the idea of heading to a networking event?

5 Things You Should Do Before Leaving the House Every Morning
Do you spend your mornings battling the alarm clock, struggling to get the kids to school, and rummaging through the closet for something to wear? You're not alone. Many of us are not necessarily "morning people." But how a Realtor starts the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. You can feel better about your day when you start it out right. Complete them before you leave the house in the morning and set yourself up for success with these five simple tasks: Make your bed. It's surprising that something so simple can make such a big impact on your day. Research by Charles Duhigg in his book "The Power of Habit" found that making your bed each morning is correlated with better productivity. It's also been suggested that making your bed boosts happiness! The idea is that completing this small task makes a person feel more productive first thing in the morning. According to Duhigg, by creating this habit, you'll help your other positive habits to flourish. He argues that making your bed is essentially a catalyst for other good habits. Take some deep breaths. Does the idea of meditating sound a little too airy-fairy to you? That's ok, you don't have to spend an hour sitting cross-legged each morning. Morning is often the most stressful time of day for people. Clear your head with a few deep breaths and a few moments of silence before diving into your day. You'll benefit from even 4-5 minutes of this practice in the morning!