Real Estate Best Practices

Coaches, books, classes and seminars aim to capture real estate agents dollars with promises to teach them any number of ways to improve their business. From sales skills to how to close more deals to how to win with expireds (expired listings) and more, everyone has something to teach you.


There's nothing wrong with continuing education, whether it's keeping on top of new laws and regulations or learning how to be more productive. But before you spend an arm and a leg on any of those things, pull up a chair, put on your glasses and peruse the pages in this section of ActiveRain.


It is only here that you can tap into the world's largest online real estate community and actively engage with your peers. Find out what works and what doesn't from those that actually put into practice what others merely teach. Read how-to articles, advice on designations, certifications and continuing education classes. You never know where you will find the inspiration to take your business to the next level. So, pull up a chair and dig in!

Recent blogs on Real Estate Best Practices
By Dr. Paula McDonald, Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
(Beam & Branch Realty)
Due to an intense schedule last week, I had to skip my Saturday Soundess post. Yet, here we are this week! I hope this finds you all well and fulfilled. If not, I pray you are finding what you need in order to get there.This week, I wanted to share a very simple yet, extremely effective health regimen that I do on a daily basis. Lemon water! That's right and it is that simple.Ā Let's take a look at why I drink this daily:šŸ‹ Lemons help to reduce inflammation in the body.šŸ‹ Helps to balance and maintain metabolism.šŸ‹ Aids in digestion.šŸ‹ Curbs appetitešŸ‹ An excellent source of Vitamin C and Potassium.šŸ‹ Can help with kidney stones.šŸ‹ Creates an environment that cancer cells do not like.Here is my simple method:I use half of a fresh lemon each morning. Simply wash it, cut it in half, squeeze it i...
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By Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty, Florida Space Coast Homes
(Waves Realty)
This is a question I often get when I represent buyers on new construction homes. While most builders will not (at least outwardly) discourage home inspections, they will make sure to have their sales force let the buyer know that the home has been inspected throughout the process. They will tell them about the 10-2-1 warranty...and many will talk about keeping a record of anything that is wrong and call them before the one year anniversary to fix all the 'little issues".I represent many new construction homes, and I always require my buyers to get an inspection. The fact is many issues will not show up in the first 12 months of ownership. I just represented a buyer on a home that was two years old and quite a few issues showed up that would have been caught had the owner had an inspect...
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By Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR Ā® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets, CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego
(Big Block Realty 858.232.8722)
Let's finish out 2023 strong. If you as a COO are slow, make sure you as your CEO are busy! It's time to make it rain!Ā But first ask yourself, are you focused on what you're getting or what your giving? Because this advice is for givers, not takers. It's the Law Of The Harvest and we are going to plant seeds and tend to them long before they are able to give back at harvest time.As REALTORSĀ® heading into the last two month of Q4it's a perfect time to be a giver to your sold and active clients alike, which strengthens the relationships andpossibly contributes to more closings before (or soon after) New Year's! But, the motivation needs to be giving, because people smell commission breath a mile away. This is not a technique, it's just a giver's fundamentals. Hand-written Personal Notes a...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
Like Fishing in a Dry Hole...Ā Long-term success takes much time and effort, whether prospecting for new clients orĀ learning to catch fish. A sincere commitment to one, can satisfy a hungry appetite with the results, the other helps to fill the future business pipeline.Ā Putting priorities in order to enjoy the days as they come, means more time spent appreciating those efforts through hard work. Tend to processes and doing the work, maintain that inner-drive to consistently pursue opportunities as they present.Ā May the holes in your net be no larger than the fish in it.Ā Achieving goals are better met with tried and true methods.Ā Nothing worse than hooking onto a fish too large and the line keeps snapping, so know the correct equipment, especially bait, whether it be worms, crickets, minn...
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By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
By popular vote, here are the things that you absolutely will not stand for when buying a home.The truth is, most homebuyers actually donā€™t mind buying a fixer-upper. They are okay with putting some TLC into a home they plan to stay in for a while. But they can only tolerate so much, which means there are some things when looking for a house that are instantly going to turn them off.If youā€™re in the market to buy in the next several years, keep an eye out for these issues when house shopping. And if youā€™re selling, make sure your property doesnā€™t check too many of these boxes.The biggest deal breaker for homebuyers is exterior issues. Things like siding or masonry issues are usually very costly and something that homebuyers are looking to avoid.Coming in second place are weatherproofing...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
As Halloween closes in so does the number of instances where we hear things go BUMP in the night (or day).I have written blog posts in the past about homes I listed that had definiteĀ paranormal activities in them.The owners of those listings made no qualms about the resident spirits in them.Ā  I held many open houses in each of them and I admit I was always more comfortable when I had flesh and blood visitors with me.That being said I am a Christian and I preformed my own little exorcism in each one and nothing ever happened to bother me afterwords.I can also report that after each one sold none of the buyers came back to me and complained. Even though paranormal activity does NOT need to be reported in ND I always did disclose that the owner claimed that there was paranormal activity.
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By Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR Ā® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets, CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego
(Big Block Realty 858.232.8722)
1. Choose Your Hard2. "Start Your 1 Year From Now - Ā TODAY!"Have you ever heard someone speak and they share a nugget you catch that seems to beĀ  just a throw away comment to them, one they made while making a bigger point?Ā I was on our weekly Positive Real Estate / Mastermind Zoom hosted by a longtime friend of mine Jeff Wu (and fellow Rainer). Jeff gave us the "Choose Your Hard" philosophy. And then the guest speaker,Ā another longtime friend of mine Ben Andrews kinda did that "dropping pearls of wisdom" thing today. Ben wasn't even speaking to me, he was coaching up an associate of ours who was down on herself for being behind on implementing something on the Zoom.Ā  Then Ben offered some advice which included: "Start Your 1 Year From Now - Ā TODAY!" and it gave me this huge "a-ha" mome...
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By Daniel Ramsey, MyOutDesk - Real Estate Virtual Professionals
(MyOutDesk)
Hello again!Let's talk about the significance of creating an effective value proposition for a business to persuade customers to buy your products or services.Ideally, we'll take an aspirational approach, where the client feels obligated to purchase because of a compelling desire for what you offer; or that a fear-based approach that can also be effective in creating urgency.Let me also emphasize the importance of gathering information about the opinions of your ideal clients regarding a brand or product, which can be done through an elevator pitch ā€” how would they feel about yours?Remember: an effective value proposition is "pure gold."Click here and get my free one-pager that will help you clarify your own value proposition and elevator pitch.If you like my content, please LIKE, SHARE...
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By Realtyna Inc, WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM
(Realtyna)
Robots.txt is a simple text file that tells search engines which pages on your website they can and cannot crawl. It is an important tool for real estate websites, as it can help you improve your search engine ranking and help fix some of your indexing issues.In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to robots.txt for real estate websites. We will explain what robots.txt is, how it works, and how to use it to control how search engines crawl your website. We will also cover common robots.txt mistakes to avoid and provide tips for troubleshooting robots.txt issues.By the end of this article, you will have a good understanding of how to use robots.txt to improve your real estate websiteā€™s SEO and protect it from harm.What is robots.txt?Robots.txt is a file that resides in the...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
Ā Growth is Optional.Ā Ā Change is inevitable, as we all know. Everyone can either embrace it or get left behind while everything else moves forward. When it comes to improving standards, today and every day is an opportunity to expand and realize how to gain measurable results.Ā Change your thoughts and you change your world. ~Norman Vincent PealeĀ  It's as simple as:~ Volunteering time~ Contacting past clients~ Scheduling a customer appreciation event~ Creating a farm in specific communities~ Getting out to meet and greet people in person~ Advertising on the radio / in a popular venue / print Ā There are many ways to gain community exposure and cultivate local selling areas. Sending out cards, postcards or letters of introductionĀ puts you in front of consumers, getting them thinking about m...
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By Frank Worrell, Turning BPOs Into Six-Figure Incomes
(BPOS FOR LIFE LLC)
Ā IntroductionIn the ever-evolving landscape of the real estate industry, diversification is often touted as the key to resilience and success. While many professionals focus on either Broker Price Opinions (BPOs), buyer/seller brokerage, or property tax appeals, some ambitious agents aim to juggle all three. But is it feasible? Let's delve into the pros, cons, and synergies of this trifecta.The Economics: A Quick Recap BPOs: Steady income at around $49 per hour, with each BPO taking about an hour to complete, including drive time. Buyer/Seller Brokerage: High earning potential with commissions around 2.5% to 3% of the property's sale price. Property Tax Appeals: Variable income based on successful appeals, usually charging a percentage of the tax savings. The Pros of Doing All Three Div...
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By Frank Worrell, Turning BPOs Into Six-Figure Incomes
(BPOS FOR LIFE LLC)
Ā IntroductionIn the real estate industry, professionals have various avenues to generate income. Two popular options are working as a buyer/seller broker and conducting Broker Price Opinions (BPOs). This blog post aims to compare the two in terms of profitability, time investment, and risk.The Economics of Buyer/Seller BrokerageWorking as a buyer/seller broker involves assisting clients in buying or selling properties. The commission rates vary but are often around 2.5% to 3% of the property's sale price.Time Investment:The time required can vary widely depending on the complexity of the deal and the needs of the client.Earnings:For a $300,000 property, a 3% commission would yield $9,000. However, this amount is often split with other parties involved, reducing the net earnings.The Econ...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
Effective communication skills are indeed a real estate agent's best friend. This blog highlights the top-notch communication skills essential for success in the industry. This blog serves as a valuable resource for real estate professionals looking to sharpen their communication abilities and excel in their roles.Have a super fantastic week!Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP What 5 Top-Notch Communication Skills Are a Real Estate Agentā€™s Best Friend? šŸŒŸ Ā  Living by The Golden Rule is a how Iā€™ve always ā€˜rolledā€™ - both personally and professionally. In my first career, thatā€™s how I practiced medicine; there is no difference in applying that same principle in real estate. Imagine treating every client like they're your favorite aunt or uncle. You worry about them, guide them every step of the way a...
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By Bill Salvatore - East Valley, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net
(Arizona Elite Properties )
Navigating the Real Estate Market during high(er) Interest Rates During the fourth quarter of 2022 the message was yes, interest rates are up but things should settle by the first of 2023. Even though the New Year's decorations came down, the interest rates went up. As Spring turned into Ā Summer the experts predicted we would be "Thankful" for lower rates by the end of November. This Holiday season the only thing higher than rates is your Uncle George... Let's take a look at how Destin Home Sellers and Buyers can navigate these uncharted waters. Tips For Destin Home Sellers In This MarketĀ  1) Pay attention to RECENT Comps-- When setting the asking price for your Destin home, we can go back up to a year looking for similar transactions. As rapidly as things are changing, the transaction...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties )
Navigating the Real Estate Market during high(er) Interest RatesDuring the fourth quarter of 2022 the message was yes, interest rates are up but things should settle by the first of 2023. Even though the New Year's decorations came down, the interest rates went up. As Spring turned into Ā Summer the experts predicted we would be "Thankful" for lower rates by the end of November. This Holiday season the only thing higher than rates is your Uncle George... Let's take a look at how Destin Home Sellers and Buyers can navigate these uncharted waters.Tips For Destin Home Sellers In This MarketĀ 1) Pay attention to RECENT Comps-- When setting the asking price for your Destin home, we can go back up to a year looking for similar transactions. As rapidly as things are changing, the transaction fro...
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Are you excited to dive into the exciting world of hotel investment? Well, you've come to the perfect spot because my journey isn't just about me; it's about you and your potential for success in the hotel industry. With 25 years of hands-on experience in the hotel business, I've tackled every aspect of this complex field, from acquiring properties to repositioning them, managing hotels to owning them, and everything in between. As a seasoned professional, I'm here to be your trusted guide, providing you with the expertise you need to thrive in this competitive arena. So, let's start this journey together and unlock the potential for your success in the hotel industry!Ā The Foundation of Experience: A 25-Year Hotel OdysseyImagine this: a 40-year-old with a whopping 25 years of hands-on e...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties )
Destin Florida Real Estate-Listing Your Home During The HolidaysAnd Just like that, another holiday season is upon us. It seems as I age these holidays keep coming around more quickly. Destin home sellers often ask, "Should I wait until after the holidays to sell?" The quick answer is it depends on your schedule.Ā Does cashing in now makes sense, or would you rather have this chapter closed in 2024? If it's just about netting the most money, my advice is to go ahead and put your home on the market. Let's looks at some reasons a holiday listing is a solid choice.Ā Reasons To List Your Destin Florida Home During The HolidaysĀ 1) The Fall season marks the arrival of snowbirds-- These folks flee colder climates and spend 3-4 months along our sugar white beaches (can't really blame them). After...
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By Debe Maxwell, CRS, The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!
(Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310)
What 5 Top-Notch Communication Skills Are a Real Estate Agentā€™s Best Friend? šŸŒŸ Ā Living by The Golden Rule is a how Iā€™ve always ā€˜rolledā€™ - both personally and professionally. In my first career, thatā€™s how I practiced medicine; there is no difference in applying that same principle in real estate. Imagine treating every client like they're your favorite aunt or uncle. You worry about them, guide them every step of the way and give them the white glove service, right?Ā Ā I cannot stress enough how important that is in our industry and at the hub of it all is communication. So, what's in your playbook for delivering that A+ service? Let's break down 5 very important principles in mine:Ā Educate, Educate, Educate1. Be the expert that your clients expect you to be. Whether you're in an area tha...
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By Denise Lones, CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding
(The Lones Group, Inc.)
Focus Your Mindset Today I want to talk about mindset and what is going on in our world. Agents are really nervous right now. I can't blame you for being nervous, upset, and horrified by what is happening over in Israel, I feel exactly the same way about it. Now, I also want to talk about how your mindset around all issues affects real estate. You should be aware that you aren't the only person watching the news. Buyers and sellers are also watching the news and they are nervous too. They are wondering whether negative news should influence a decision to buy or sell now. They are wondering, "Should I wait until this is over?" "Is this going to escalate?" People get really nervous, but the reality is that at any moment in time, 30% of all buys and sellers who are doing a transaction are...
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By Frank Worrell, Turning BPOs Into Six-Figure Incomes
(BPOS FOR LIFE LLC)
IntroductionIn the world of Broker Price Opinions (BPOs), bulk orders are both a blessing and a challenge. While they offer the promise of substantial revenue, they also come with tight deadlines that can send even the most organized BPO professional into a frenzy. In this blog post, I'll delve into the exhilarating, high-stakes world of bulk BPO orders and share some strategies for getting them in on time without sacrificing quality.The Allure of Bulk OrdersBulk BPO orders are the golden tickets of the industry. They offer the opportunity to maximize earnings and build strong relationships with clients who have large portfolios. But as the saying goes, "With great power comes great responsibility," and bulk orders are no exception.The Mad Rush BeginsOnce you accept a bulk order, the cl...
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