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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 Steve Depoe | The Rose Realty Team, Taking the stress out of Buying and Selling
(The Rose Realty Team)
So you’re selling your home and you get an offer—but there’s a catch. It’s contingent on the buyer selling their home first. What do you do? Do you take it? Ignore it? Try to negotiate?I’m Steve Depoe, Realtor with The Rose Realty Team here in Denton County, Texas, and today we’re talking about something I see more and more in our market—contingent offers. What they are, how they work, and when they make sense… or don’t.First things first—what exactly is a contingent offer? Simply put, it means the buyer wants to buy your home, but they need to sell their current home first in order to close. That might sound risky at first glance, but it really depends on a few key factors.Let’s say the buyer’s home is already on the market—or better yet, it’s under contract. That tells us they’re seri...
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By L. Scott Ferguson, Sunny Florida Real Estate Professional
(Ask4Ferguson - Your House-SOLD Name in Real Estate)
I want to share a conversation that hit home on a human level and a leadership level. 🧠🏗️I recently interviewed Sonya Bohmann on the Time To Shine Today podcast, and this discussion matters for anyone who leads people, works with people, or simply cares about people.Sonya is the Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. She comes from more than a decade inside commercial remodel, refresh, and facilities maintenance, so she understands pressure, deadlines, and grind culture from the inside out. She’s using that experience to help build a zero-suicide industry by normalizing mental health conversations where they matter most.This quote anchored our entire conversation:“If we started thinking about psychological safety or mental wellness at the same l...
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By Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner, Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!
I had my CRS for at least 25 years so finding the best and most appropriate agent for your clients is paramount.   How do you locate that referral agent?CRS - I was a part of CRS for 25 years.   Over the past several years, have the best real estate agents separated from this NAR designation?   I have seen a huge decline in agents advertising in the last CRS book I received.    I know many times I go onto the CRS site and look up agents.Do you Google with agents in different cities to see who comes out on top?Do you look on Zillow to see who does business in the City you are searching for?   If they are a team, do you move on to the single agents?   I know some states don't record sales for agents, so that may not always work.I know I have referred MANY clients to out of state agents, a...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
 Volunteerism: A Balancing Act  The giving of time in the community is one rewarding way to give back. As a business owner, it requires thoughtful contemplation to protect both personal fulfillment and professional success.  Avoid running to meetings. For many years, I served on multiple boards, committees and organizations. These roles brought genuine joy and a deep sense of purpose. In recent years, I considerably lightened the load.  Preserve your energy and focus. Time constraints may prevent 'a best effort' and the most responsible choice at the moment of realization is to respectfully step down. That can free an organization to find someone to fully engage.  Spend priceless time wisely. Look for opportunities that naturally build relationships, opens doors and supports professiona...
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By Steve Depoe | The Rose Realty Team, Taking the stress out of Buying and Selling
(The Rose Realty Team)
You might think your house is solid—but what if it’s actually underperforming? Worse, what if it’s keeping you from building real wealth?I’m Steve Depoe, REALTOR® with The Rose Realty Team here in Denton County. In the next few minutes, I’ll walk you through a simple “Asset Performance Test” to pinpoint if your property is pulling its weight—or holding you back.Here’s what we’ll cover: Real metrics that matter beyond the monthly rent check Warning signs your property may be underperforming When to repair the asset—or let it go First, let's talk real returns. It’s not just rent minus expenses—it’s also appreciation, tax benefits, and how your equity is growing over time. If you're holding $200K in equity and earning only $300 net, that’s a 1.8% return—not exactly hitting your financial g...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Each of us have a why, a purpose in life, both personally and professionally though often that why is the same for both of our lives.  Over time that purpose may change.  Some of the words will be edited, some removed and some will stay the same but with potentially a different context.Each year I revisit my why and this year made two changes. The first change was recognizing the need to “slow down” as I want to invest more time with my husband, my personal hobbies and my own physical health.  Being ill for 3 months and still sometimes suffering the residual effects has indeed change my perspective. Thankfully this illness was not serious or life threatening, but indeed gave me pause for concern and reflection.So here is my purpose and I encourage others to consider committing the purpo...
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By Dr. Paula McDonald, Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
(Beam & Branch Realty)
I am sure you all have seen the "IYKYK - If You Know You Know" saying. But what happens when you don't know? Often, there is the assumption that everyone knows something! Many times, people have not received the message. We can never assume others know what we know.In real estate, this can lead to a conundrum of confusion for some. We can never assume our clients fully understand the real estate market as we do, even if they have bought and sold many properties. Therefore, it is always good to check along the way that everyone is on the same page.In our personal relationships, we often assume that the other person has picked up on our subtle or perhaps not-so-subtle clues regarding a particular situation or hurt. Because we cannot be in another person's mindset, there is simply no way t...
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By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
We can all learn from others here in the Rain and Wanda came up with a great blog about do's and don't.  Which once do you follow all the time? My 2026 Reso-DO's & D🚫n'ts    Once the novelty of resolutions wear off, the glitter and confetti settles, it's time to refocus on driving business success with renewed gusto! The real estate market never sleeps, so waiting until January to set goals, means they'll gather dust in no time, right alongside that retired gym membership card.   The following is a list of things to do and those to avoid:   DO Honor all personal and professional obligations, set fresh goals quarterly, refine daily habits and adopt dependable systems. Capitalize on strengths while addressing areas for improvement to propel business forward. D🚫N'T Reward people who refuse...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
This is an A & B conversation. C your way out. In the business world, consumer expectations are usually met by true professionals and that means showing up prepared, on time, every time. Being late causes unecessary stress and can hurt the relationship. Here are my ABC's of being prompt:Absolutely always arrive on time.My dad, a career miltary man, was a stickler for punctuality and he believed that showing up 5 minutes before an appointment wasn't early but late! Worse than that, it's insulting to those who made the effort to show up on time. Military standards mean, "Early is on time, on time is late and late is unacceptable." Being tardy gets zero respect.In his opinion, it's like rolling up to an Army drill sergeant’s inspection formation, half dressed, in a wrinkled uniform, a blat...
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By J. Philip Faranda, Associate Broker / Office Manager
(Howard Hanna Rand Realty)
I am 4 months into managing the White Plains office for Howard Hanna Rand Realty, and it has been an exhilarating experience. White Plains is Rand's largest branch in Westchester County with over 100 associates and growing. The roster is a cross section of everyone from experienced veteran professionals to fresh faced new licensees. 4 months is not a long time in this industry, but I've gotten to know almost everyone. One of the associates I never met sent me an email yesterday asking for his license to be released. In looking up his performance, I saw that he closes about a sale or two per year. That's not a big loss of productivity, but people aren't numbers.  I've helped plenty of agents grow their business, and I was curious about the decision to leave. The answer: another firm offe...
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By Rain Silverhawk, 208-610-0011 Sandpoint Idaho Real Estate Realtor
(Sandpoint Realty rain@lakeandhomes.com)
Five Focus Points a Day: Turning Small Wins into Giant StepsThis year, Mark gave me a challenge to start using a simple system to stay motivated and intentional — I choose five focus points each day and write them down. Nothing complicated. Nothing overwhelming. Just five things that truly matter for that day.Some days they’re business goals.Some days they’re personal priorities.Some days they’re simply reminders to take care of myself.The magic isn’t in the size of the task — it’s in the clarity.When we focus on just five meaningful actions, something shifts. We stop reacting to the chaos around us and start moving with purpose. And the beautiful part? Those tiny daily wins begin stacking up. Over weeks and months, they quietly turn into giant steps forward.Five calls.Five storage draw...
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By JORGE VAZQUEZ, Investor-Focused Broker | FL Statewide | 3,500+ De
(Graystone Investment Group)
Should You Put a Rental in an LLC If It’s Already in a Trust?I saw a question online that made me stop scrolling because it’s one I’ve seen families struggle with for years.A family home is already in an irrevocable trust. The siblings want to rent it for income, not sell it. Should they move the property into an LLC for protection, or is that just extra cost and stress?Short answer: most people overthink this and accidentally make things harder than they need to be.If a property is already in an irrevocable trust, that’s not nothing. A trust already defines ownership, controls what happens if someone passes away, helps avoid probate headaches, and creates separation between the people and the asset. You’re not starting from zero.A lot of investors assume trusts are weak and LLCs are st...
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By Patricia Feager, Licensed to April 2027
(Referral Specialist - DFW FINE PROPERTIES)
Journaling for January 5, 2026In preparation for what I need to do this year, I ran across an old notebook. It contained "Affirmations for Your Focus is Your Reality." Inside the Piccadilly notebook were ten affirmations. I decided to focus on three; then comment on what it means to me.   My focus is my reality. My mind is clear & precise as I apply it to my situation. I choose my reality and how I want my life to be. FOCUSIn life, it is essential to stay grounded and not let your brain get clogged with information that can harden your arteries or cause distractions, distrust, or make wrong deliberations. making the wrong deliberations mean Making the wrong deliberations can lead to significant consequences, particularly in legal contexts where the decision can have life-altering outcom...
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By Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518, Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.
(Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc)
Identify Resistance and Do the Hard Thing FirstEvery productive day has one task that creates resistance. It is the call you have been putting off. The conversation you know you need to have. The follow-up that feels uncomfortable or inconvenient.Use the first thirty minutes of your workday to identify that task. If you are honest with yourself, you already know what it is. Resistance is usually a sign that the task matters.Please write it down and schedule it early. Do not postpone it until the end of the day, when energy and patience are lower. Momentum is built by facing discomfort before distractions take over.For many professionals, this means making phone calls, calling past clients, reconnecting with old friends, and checking in with people whose lives may be shifting as a new ye...
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By Doug Jones, Mortgage Broker - NMLS 286668
(Mortgage Magic)
 We all know the value of a home inspection when someone buys a house. But here’s something we don’t emphasize nearly enough:Home inspections shouldn’t only happen at purchase.They should happen every 5 years throughout ownership.And when we encourage homeowners to do this, we’re not just protecting houses…We’re protecting:• finances• stress levels• long-term value• and the homeowner’s sense of controlHomes Age Quietly — Until They Don’tMost homeowners don’t climb roofs.They don’t crawl attics.They don’t crawl under foundations.They don’t test electrical safety systems.They don’t measure moisture levels in walls.So they rely on one strategy:“If nothing looks broken, everything’s probably fine.”Meanwhile:• slow leaks spread• wood rot creeps• flashing fails• caulking dries• grading shifts...
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By GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net
(Arizona Elite Properties )
Good post by Gwen today, and worthy of our daily Re-Blog.BillGILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler Availability is essential in real estate, but constant availability is not the same as good service. Protecting your time is not about being unavailable. It is about being effective, present, and prepared when it matters most. Time is a limited resource, and without structure, it quickly gets consumed by interruptions, last-minute requests, and overlapping commitments. Over time, that leads to fatigue, missed details, and burnout. None of those serve clients well.  It is essential to maintain focus and sound judgment. Stepping away allows perspective to return and prevents deci...
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By Eileen Burns 954.483.3912, FLorida Real Estate Connector
(Douglas Elliman Las Olas)
Reflect, Renew & Rejoice 20262025 was a turning point in my real estate professional career.  Living in the Sunshine State has its ups and downs.  With the advent of a terrible condo collapse in Surfside, FL that cause death to many, new building code comes into play for many unprepared properties who are in deferred maintenance status.  I live in a condo property that has seen 50+ years.  So long as the building is maintained there should be another 50 years or so to go.  Reflecting upon this new mandate, my association had already performed the studies necessary to determine the extent of the reconstruction to bring this property up to date and current code.  Permit applications were submitted long before this tragedy.I could see into my crystal ball how challenging this vintage condo...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
If you are going to make a resolution why not make it that one thing people already love you for? Think about this in both your professional and personal life. Perhaps people are drawn to your smile.So why not make your New Year's resolution to smile more often?Maybe you have been blessed with a great sense of humor. Why not make your resolution to make people laugh more often?A resolution does not need to be something that is hard to accomplish. Why not resolve to do what you already do best? 
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By Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner, Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!
It is fun to hear what the new words were for 2025 - 6-7.... What the top song was for 2025 - Die with a Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars - love that song by the way....  Top films were Black Panther 3, Avatar 3, Mission: Impossible 8 and Last of Us. Top Stars - Taylor Swift, Drake, Elon Musk and Ed Sheeran. But what about our own blog posts?My top posts for 2025 were - When you Need to Find Someone - Sleuthing!   I had 1147 views and 51 comments, and it was featured.Renaissance Festival - Larkspur Colorado 2025  I had 1121 views and only 10 comments.Do you Print a Copy of the Listings for your Buyers?  I had 864 views and 48 comments and it was featured also. Always fun to look back and see what worked in 2025, and in our business, maybe what didn't work.Good luck in 2026!!!
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By Denise Copeland, Martin, St. Lucie and Palm Beach Home Sales
(NextGen Realty Services LLC)
Life in Hobe Sound and Jupiter Florida Starts With Connection.Neighbors connect on front porches, along the fairway, or while cruising through the community at sunset. These moments of genuine conversation create trust, belonging, and a sense of home that goes far beyond the address.There is a quiet art to making people feel at home long before they ever step through a front door. In real estate, as in entertaining, the most meaningful gestures are often the smallest ones. Thoughtful, intentional, and unmistakably personal.In communities like Hobe Sound and Jupiter, Florida, this sensibility comes naturally. Life here moves at a gracious pace. Neighbors remember one another’s names. Shop owners ask about your garden. Conversations linger. Even transportation reflects this ease. Golf car...
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