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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 Justin Marshall, Kickass Real Estate Team
(Marshall Team - Remax Results)
When buying real estate, having representation can be incredibly beneficial for a variety of reasons, as it can safeguard your interests, provide expert advice, and help navigate the complex process. Here are some key reasons why you might need representation when buying real estate:1) Expert Guidance: Real estate agents have the expertise and knowledge about local real estate markets, including pricing trends, neighborhood specifics, and property features. They can provide invaluable advice on whether a property is priced fairly and guide you through making competitive offers.2) Access to Listings: Agents have access to comprehensive listings, some of which may not be publicly available. This can give you a wider range of options and the opportunity to find properties that meet your sp...
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By Stephen Fells, Marketing, Technology, Fun and News!
(AgencyLogic)
Everyone wants to work with the knowledge broker in their area. Being funny and charming and successful and offering nice perks are all great, but they will never beat knowing your stuff.At the end of the day, working with an agent is about the bottom dollar and making smart, calculated financial decisions. That’s what a knowledge broker helps you do. Unfortunately, great salespeople are not always so great at math. But don’t fear…That’s where people like Jeremy Davis come in. PalmAgent helps real estate agents find the numbers that matter and use them to become the knowledge broker in their markets.In today's Real Estate Podcast, from The Tom Ferry Podcast Experience, Jason Pantana talks with Jeremy about the numbers that buyers and sellers care about and how to use them in your market...
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By Stephen Fells, Marketing, Technology, Fun and News!
(AgencyLogic)
LinkedIn isn't the only way to make professional connections. Have you ever written a "professional" DM? It's basically a message you send to someone in hopes that they'll be willing to connect and help you with some aspect of your career. That could be landing a job, collaborating on a project, or even just giving you sound advice.Most people use LinkedIn to make these kinds of connections, but here's a tip: try using Instagram instead. The platform is less crowded, which means your message may actually be read. At the same time, writing the message itself will still be a challenge. Do you sound too eager? Do you sound like a spam message? Are you being annoying? When should you follow up if you don't hear back?In the following video, from Harvard Business Review, multimedia Producer E...
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By Michael Elliott, Burlington, New Jersey Residential Sales
(Fathom Realty)
At least 90 days prior to going on the market, it is time to declutter.  Put this chore at the TOP of your priority list and do it like it could mean thousands of dollars, because it will.Look at it this way-- if you're NOT taking it with you, why not start your "pre moving" process now, and sell your house faster and for more money?If you must, rent a dumpster... otherwise, haul it to the dump, or put it on the curb and don't forget to call your town for pickup rules and dates. When done, it's time for step 2 of staging:  Deep Cleaning. I suggest getting your real estate agent (hopefully me) in your house for more staging strategies right after the deep cleaning.   I have been trained and certified on how to help you stage your house. PS- Staged homes sell faster and for more money. 
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Good grooming, a MUST for Salespersons.It seems silly to have to say it BUT anyone in sales or service should be well groomed and know basic manors. I am at a loss to recollect the last time I met a poorly groomed Realtor in my MLS. Sure, some could use a tip or two on color coordination in regards to their wardrobe but I've never met one with horrible breath or a shirt saturated in body order.As far as manors... I'd go so far as to say about 75% of the Real Estate Professionals I know could use the advice of Miss Manors (Judith Martin). Her material is dated but I see many have picked up her cause on social media. She once said: "You can deny all you want that there is etiquette, and a lot of people do in everyday life. But if you behave in a way that offends the people you're trying t...
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By Dan Rochon, Top Realtor in Northern Virginia
(Greetings Virginia with eXp Realty)
WHAT IS EARNEST MONEY DEPOSIT: A GUIDE TO GETTING AN OFFER ACCEPTEDSecuring The Home With An Earnest Money DepositAfter you’ve evaluated the home with your agent, it is time to prepare an offer that will get accepted. You might still be amazed and excited about the things you’re already planning with your potential new home, but there is still another thing that you have to face, which is understanding earnest money deposits.As you prepare an offer, your agent should ask questions to the other party that would naturally lead to a better deal. It is essential to know that earnest money deposits are also crucial in accepting your offer by the seller and their listing agent. Today, we’ll talk about the importance of earnest money deposits and what your agent should do to get your offer acc...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Back on the Market:  2529 Woodstock Rd Los Angeles CA 90046Directions: Sunset Blvd turn right to Willow Glen Rd continue to Woodstock Rd turn right past the paved Rd on the dirt road first structure is 2529 Woodstock Remarks: Back on the Market, this is truly an exceptional opportunity to purchase this land/project. Ideal for developers, end users, investors or flippers or for an owner user. This fantastic property is located in close proximity to the Houdini Estate. Head up Laurel Cyn to Willow Glen Rd to Woodstock Rd. 8,841 sq ft of down sloped land with a foundation and many more. Vacant panoramic view Land with a structure on it. The property has a foundation and substructure and grading done already. A seasoned developer who knows their way around the city might be able to get 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)
Nerdin Gardens: Lettuce Romaine Calm What happens when flora and fauna in a back yard garden cause an uprising of epic proportions, with seemingly unjustifiable demands? No amount of reason could tamp down or beet the unified, emotional turmoil in the nutrient rich soil. All-seeing, with eyes in the back of his head, Spudnik, the leader of the russet potato clan and Cornpop, who's all ears, led the charge. They demanded more productive appreciation and ingrained respect for giving their all, season after growing season! Eggplants, in full-scale rebellion-mode began lobbing cherry bombs as a defensive tactic, aphids willing to sacrifice themselves, threatened an all-encompassing leaf invasion, the likes no one has ever witnessed before. Radishes created a series of tunnels designed to bu...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
BTW did you know that Lawrence Welk was a North Dakota boy?Joe, in the comic above, may be acting as many of us men do/think and is immortalized by Tim the Tool Man Taylor... MORE POWER! Here is Tim Taylor's idea of a lawn mower engine. (One of my favorite shows in the series with Bob Vela as himself guest staring).The truth is, More Power is not always a good idea... especially an 8 cylinder drag racing engine for a lawn mower.First time single male homeowners usually learn the hard way that more power is not always better. A certain amount of soap recommended by the soap manufacture in the dish washer or clothes washer is the right amount. You don't need a riding lawn mower for a trailer park sized lot. The list goes on and on so if you are a first time home owner my advice is forget ...
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By Alan May, Home is where the hearth is.
(Jameson Sotheby's International Realty)
Today's post is an effort to dig a little deeper into the proposed NAR settlement.  I know, for many out there, all that they've done is to read the NAR announcement (and for some, they haven't even done that).  I've just gotten through reading through the text of the 108 page settlement itself.  I don't pretend to understand all of it, as I am not an attorney and it's written in some simple leaglese, but still.  I think there were sections where I actually did doze off for a moment or two.  For those of you who'd like to peruse the document... here it is.  Knock yerself out.But here's the stuff I want to relay.  I'd call your attention to a section entitled "Practice Changes".  This is what should impact those of us on the front lines most directly.  And here's my shortened "abbreviate...
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By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
If you’re considering selling but not quite sure, here are 5 signs that might indicate it’s time to take that next step 👇➡ If your current home doesn’t quite match your lifestyle anymore, it might be a sign to consider selling. Maybe your family is growing, or you’re now an empty-nester looking for something cozier.➡ Do you often find yourself bumping into furniture or wishing for more storage? If your home is starting to feel a little cramped, that’s a signal it could be time to move on to a bigger place where you can stretch out and breathe freely.➡ If you’re looking to downsize and free up some money for other goals, like travel, investments, or starting a business, selling might be a smart move to help you achieve those dreams.➡ Are you feeling the itch to live in a different neighb...
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By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
Research has shown…That a staged home sells 3 times faster than a non-staged home!– and 70% of real estate agents stated that home staging increased the offer value on a house by up to 10%.📈First impressions are everything and staging can significantly enhance your home’s appeal and make it more attractive to potential buyers.Here are my 🖐 staging tips…01 – Depersonalize and declutter02 – Clean, clean, and then clean again. 🧽03 – Use a light neutral color palette + add pops of color04 – Use real plants and flowers throughout the home 🪴05 – Don’t forget about the front yard! That’s the first thing they’ll see when they pull up.Remember, the goal of staging is to create a welcoming and neutral environment that allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space.If you want ...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
I am sure all of us know people who transform, it's the subject of many science fiction stories, the oldest I remember is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.The transformation can be good, like the day I was transformed into a member of God's community, and it can be a transformation into bad like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It can also be confusing like Bruce Banner turning into a monster who does good.During my career in Real Estate I saw many agents who transform from one person to another depending upon their role in Real Estate at the time. Frankly I found it disturbing every time.Be YOU as you are in life and don't transform to role play a Real Estate agent. If a client sees through your facade they are not going to trust you in any role you play in life, not just Real Estate.I praise you God b...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
There are times when sellers do not want to have the property listed and marketed in the MLS. I am not a fan of it. I believe the more eyes see it on the various platforms the odds are better we get an offer sooner.Then there are times I focus and try to convince my sellers to list it on all the platforms. The only time I like it being not in the MLS when I am trying to cool a property and bring it back as new.What are your thoughts? Inquiring minds want to know.Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle...
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By Kukun's VP of Analytics Franklin Carroll, Elite client engagement tools and proptech
(Kukun, Inc.)
Visuals are key to attracting people’s attention in any business, and real estate is no exception. For realtors, images are pivotal, hiding minor disadvantages from future clients while drawing attention to the space's positive attributes. Real estate photography is a sub-genre of commercial photography, meaning many of the techniques used by commercial photographers can be used in real estate as well: However, most commercial photographers have more control over their lighting conditions. This is one of the central challenges real estate photographers face.  That said, with the tips contained in this article, these limitations can be overcome. Lighting in Real Estate PhotographyProper lighting has the power to drastically change the perception of a space, which is important for present...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Maybe Titus needs to purchase a guinea pig size sneeze guard to protect himself and his food. I doubt they make them but I sure appreciate it when I see sneeze guards at restaurants.People coughing and sneezing around food NOT covering their face is a pet peeve of mine. It's nice to know that even a rodent (Guinea pig) doesn't appreciate it. Even if it happens at home it is still not tolerated and a lecture will soon follow.I am not sure I can tie this to Real Estate other than I always carried a handkerchief with me so if my nose started to tingle I could whip it out and not offend any Buyers/Sellers, contractors or whoever I may be around. Do YOU always have a hanky or kleenix with you?  
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By Michael Elliott, Burlington, New Jersey Residential Sales
(Fathom Realty)
On Monday, a solar salesperson called  me, asking for me by name,  then proceeded to get into his pitch.No nameNo company nameJust his pitchSo, here it goes, 5 tips for making cold calls: Introduce yourself  by name when they answer Get to the point State WHY you are calling If they clearly have zero interest in what you're selling, respect that Don't hang up on them without saying "goodbye", it shows that you are rude and a poor sport  PS--I still make cold calls, and I follow these rules.  
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By Christopher Nelson, Montgomery County, PA - Realtor
(GenStone Realty)
As the winter months come to an end and spring begins to bloom, it's the perfect time to tackle some home maintenance tasks. Spring cleaning and maintenance go hand in hand, making it a great time to give your home the care and attention it needs. Home maintenance is not only important for the aesthetic appeal of your property but also for its long-term health and functionality. In this blog, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to spring home maintenance, including the top 10 must-do tips that will help keep your house in great shape all season long.Spring home maintenance is more than just cleaning and tidying up. It involves taking proactive steps to ensure that every part of your home is well-cared for and on top of these maintenance tasks, you can prevent small issues fro...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
No Missed Understandings Effective communication drives success in business. Breakdowns can be costly for either side in certain situations. In one case, the builder's humongous ego overrode everything else, including the buyers wants and needs. Buyer clients and I met with a builder to discuss every aspect of constructing their new home. A very specific item on the wife's wish list was wood flooring throughout the entire home. No if's, and's or but's about that! During the course of the hour, the builder continued to refer to carpet in the bedrooms and tile in all wet areas. After correcting him several times, the meeting came to an abrupt halt. The builder refused to listen! ♦♦♦ Realistic expectations towards achieving sales goals, matters greatly. A seller client wanted to cancel aft...
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By Joyce Marsh, Joyce Marsh Homes
(Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC)
Championship teams are built  . . . .  they are prepared to succeed . . . . they play unselfishly to achieve the team goals . . . .  and they are held accountable for their personal performance . . . . and for creating successful results.Team building can help us all rise!Thanks for the wisdom of the late Lou Ludwig  Championship Teams Are Built  “Championship teams are built on being prepare, playing unselfishly and being held accountable.”   Jason Kidd American Basketball Coach and former player       As I see it . . . . . . . . Championship teams are built   Three characteristics of championship teams are . . . .  they are prepared to succeed . . . . they play unselfishly to achieve the team goals . . . .  and they held accountable for their personal performance . . . . and for creat...
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