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 Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
As we count down the final days of 2023, I wish you peace and enjoyment as we enter the holiday season. While most focus on the holidays, savvy buyers and sellers continue to watch the economic reports to gauge what the Real Estate market is doing.  With interest rates now hovering between 6% to 6.75%, potential buyers have once again been given the potential to purchase homes that a few months ago seemed out of reach. A drop from 7.5-8.0% makes a significant difference to a buyer's purchase power.   In more news, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced that the loan limit for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages in 2024 will increase in high-cost areas such as Los Angeles to $1,149,825.  This is good news for both buyers and sellers. On a side note, this is the 8th cons...
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By Denise Lones, CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding
(The Lones Group, Inc.)
7 Things To Do in December for 2024 Success! Many agents I know would not say that 2023 has been their favorite year in the real estate business. Between interest rate challenges, lack of housing choices, and industry shake-ups that have us learning new processes when it comes to how we serve our clients and get compensated, it has been a tough one for sure. But you know what? YOU are tougher. You are here reading this article because you care about our industry and doing the best job possible for your clients. Let's celebrate THAT!! You WILL survive and thrive in 2024, but you need to take some action if your business these past few months has been lackluster. This article isn't here to tell you that you need to adjust your mindset in order to have a super-profitable 2024. We get it t...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
I often get asked “So what can you build on this lot?” or statements like “This lot is not buildable.”I smile and just shake my head and take the trouble of advising the potential buyer or the potential buyer’s agent to reach out to a savvy hillside architect and they will help and will be pleasantly surprised at the answer they get.Some listen, others just move on. Today, I ran into a post that happened to share this Los Angeles Times Article. I enjoyed reading it and it just confirmed what I have been saying for the past 26+ years. Please check out this article  https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2023-11-20/building-home-on-a-steep-hill-and-constrained-lot-in-los-angeles Once you read it come back and let me know your thoughts😊I hope this changes your mind about those “unbuildabl...
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By Realtyna Inc, WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM
(Realtyna)
In the fast-paced world of real estate, having a website that is easily discoverable by search engines is crucial for attracting more visitors and staying ahead of the competition.One key aspect that can significantly impact your website’s visibility is its crawl budget. This guide aims to provide you with effective strategies to improve your website’s crawl budget and ultimately enhance your Real Estate SEO.What is Crawl Budget?Crawl budget refers to the number of pages search engines are willing to crawl on a website within a given timeframe. It is determined by the search engine’s algorithms and is influenced by various factors such as the website’s authority, relevance, and overall structure. Essentially, the crawl budget dictates how efficiently search engines can discover and inde...
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By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
Wondering if it’s time for a larger home? Here are some signs it might be time to upsize: Growing Family: If your family is expanding due to a new baby or the need to accommodate elderly parents or other family members, you may require more bedrooms and living space. Home-Based Work: If you or family members are working or studying from home more frequently, you might need additional rooms or dedicated office spaces to maintain productivity. Storage Challenges: If you find that your current home lacks adequate storage space, and you’re struggling to keep your belongings organized, it may be time for a larger home. Feeling Cramped: When you begin to feel cramped, especially in common areas like the kitchen, living room, or bathroom, it’s a clear sign that you need more space to move comf...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Timmothy's cartoon brought two images to mind when I read it. #1 as a little five pointed star dressed like a cowboy with a revolver in it's hand and...#2 it reminded me of an old album cover by Shaun Cassidy. Shaun Cassidy was a teen TV Star on the show The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries and then he moved into the music business. I always loved this album cover even though I don't think I ever listened to his music (I worked at a record store for three years while in High School and there are several album covers that will forever be etched into my mind). Shooting Stars, back to the subject, we have all known them. I can think of one outstanding shooting star in our Real Estate Market. Unlike the back cover to Shaun's LP she never fell and is still a very active and successful agent t...
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By Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man, The Pumpkin Man
Now is the time to prepare and plan for your success in real estate for 2024, with the understanding 2024 won't quite turn out as you expect. However if you sit back and plan for nothing, nothing is what you will receive. Then too, keep working on the remainder of 2023 you could cause some exceptionally successful, joyful times, I know I can recall December being one of my busiest months. When you face change head on with everything you have, you are putting yourself in position to have your very best life.For the newer agents, aim for the stars, (who was it that said that?) Norman Vincent Peale said something similar to that about shooting for the moon.  If you have less than five years in the business, you are in for some surprises.  If you have been in the business over 40 years, you...
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By Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man, The Pumpkin Man
It appears I maybe representing a buyer in a few months. And I had a conversation about what the market is like tonight, with a colleague of mine for 30+ years he explained how, he has sold six homes thus far this year. nothing like it used to be 35 years ago, and I recall he always seem to sell 2 or 3 more than me or 4 or 5 more than me.I also remember when our MLS listing form changed a few years ago to where you listed how much commission was going to go to the buyers agent from the sellers pocket. And the sellers did not appreciate that, thinking the buyer should get their buying agent pay them. Well Any way. Here is a simple solution to that.1 you have to believe, and I mean believe, and pray on it, if you have a passion like I have for this business IT WILL WORK OUT!2 if that conv...
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By Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert, Call me at 850-517-7098
(PMI. Destin)
It's the little things that make a house a home, and the same goes for finding the perfect property!🏡✨There might be a disconnect between this written message and the graphic that goes with it.  I have always been a fan of talking with my hands vs talking with my pocket book.  I really do enjoy helping people and encourage you to try the same.  From charming details to hidden gems, together we can uncover the elements that will turn your next house into your dream home. Ready to discover the magic in the details?Let's chat and start your journey today!#thehelpfulagent #home #house #houseexpert #listreports #homeowner #househunting #holidayseason #happyholidays #realestate #realtor #realestateagent
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
There are many ways to conduct business what is your style? Is it with Charm & Savvy? Let me know your thoughts. I want to hear from those who are successful achievers in our profession! "... you can go into almost any business and have no hurdles to leap. That's never the case in selling, where every day you're confronted with new obstacles to overcome..." Tom Hopkins"...our standard of living is high because of the free enterprise system and the salesperson is the heart and soul of that system..."  Zig Ziglar" ... Just as you often judge other people by the initial impact they have on you, so are you likely to be judged yourself in the fist few moments of interacting with someone..." Ann Marie SabathWishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are lo...
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By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
Joannie Gillet came up with some great information on staging for the holidays!   ✨ Holiday Home Staging Tips for a Festive Sale!✨ Thinking of selling your house during the holidays? Don't let the festive season dampen your home's market appeal! Follow these expert tips for staging your house to captivate potential buyers and spread holiday cheer: Declutter and Depersonalize When Showing Your Home  Before you deck the halls, start by decluttering and depersonalizing your space. Remove personal items and excessive decorations to allow buyers to envision their own holiday traditions in the home. Warm & Cozy Ambiance For A Quick Sale Create a warm and inviting atmosphere by incorporating cozy elements. Add plush throws, festive pillows, and scented candles to make potential buyers feel at ...
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By Realtyna Inc, WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM
(Realtyna)
Nowadays many businesses, including those in the real estate field, rely on online presence, something that seems inseparable from so many success stories. And what is the most important part of the online presence?SEO, of course.It’s a constant question for real estate agents — how to keep up with Google and optimize their SEO. We all know good SEO equals good ranking on Google, and Good ranking on Google means more leads, and more leads mean more sales.We see how everything within this chain is interconnected. Pull one element from it and the whole process will fall apart. So, now you see how important it is to keep optimizing your SEO.Back in the day, all you needed was to have keyword-rich content and you would have been guaranteed to score high on Google. Today the process is becom...
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By Mike Tolj, Commercial Real Estate Without the Stress!
(Tolj Commercial Real Estate )
With my 18+ years as a commercial real estate pro, I can’t hype enough how huge tenant screening is. Picking tenants that vibe with your property’s goals is crucial for maximizing returns and dodging vacancies or conflicts. I’ve steered tons of client deals from retail to office buildings, so I’ve got inside wisdom on the need-to-knows of reviewing applications.In this guide, I’ll map out the key steps and pro tips owners and managers should follow when reviewing potential tenants. Time to establish screening excellence!Craft Robust Rental CriteriaYour rental criteria serve as the foundation for the tenant screening process, enabling you to effectively assess whether an applicant is likely to be a good fit. As you draft your criteria, consider factors like:Financial Health Income Requir...
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By Michael J. Perry, Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist
(KW Elite )
                                                                                                                                                           One  of my all time favorite Training Guides is CarlaCross’ “ UP and Running in 30 Days “ . For the last 20 years , I’ve used it with my new Recruits. It’s not only a teaching tool , but has immediate assignments in between Sections. It is great to use 1 on 1 or with asmall group.  The Guide sets the stage to get them proactive with their New Career ! And finally culminates with the trainees writing their own Business Plan. (Without a Business Plan a Supervisor is reduced to a mere cheerleader- Go gettum .) I would encourage you to get a copy , to work with Newly Licensed Agents . 
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By Realtyna Inc, WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM
(Realtyna)
A Site Audit Report for Real Estate Websites provides a comprehensive analysis of the website’s performance, identifying areas for improvement and optimization. It examines various aspects such as site structure, content quality, user experience, SEO, and technical issues.No matter which Types of Real Estate Websites you currently have, this report helps real estate website identify and address any issues that may be hindering their online visibility and user engagement, ultimately improving overall performance and success in the competitive real estate market.Importance of Site Audit Reports for Real Estate WebsitesReal estate websites are often complex, with a vast amount of content, property listings, and interactive features.A site audit report is crucial for Real Estate SEO, these ...
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By Dee Toohey, Broker, ABR, AHWD, CIPS, FMS, ePro
(Innovative Realty Solutions Group)
This Thanksgiving Eve probably has most of us tired of prepping for a meal that will take less than 30 minutes to eat. And we will enjoy it!Think about all the prep work that has gone into that meal. Then think about real estate. Do you prep as intense for a showing or listing appointment as you do for the meal you will prepare tomorrow?Now I get that some of you won't be doing the cooking but will just show up to eat. Is that how you show up to meet with a potential customer? Think about it. No matter what role you play tomorrow, in your work world, you must be completely prepared for your appointment. Then and only then will you get the opportunity to list or sell a property. Anticipate customer questions and have the answers before the question is asked. That prep work shows buyers a...
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By Dennis Neal, Your Home Sold in 21 Days or We Sell It For Free
(RE/MAX, Big Bear)
Fall can be a great time to buy a home for several reasons! Less Competition: In many areas, the demand for homes tends to decrease in the fall compared to the spring and summer months. With fewer buyers actively looking for homes, there’s less competition for the same properties. This can translate into more negotiating power for buyers and potentially better deals. Motivated Sellers: Sellers who have their homes on the market in the fall may be more motivated to sell. They might be relocating for work, dealing with a change in their family situation, or looking to sell before the end of the year. This motivation can lead to more flexibility in negotiations and a willingness to consider reasonable offers. Price Reductions: Homes that were listed during the peak selling season of sprin...
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By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
Fall can be a great time to buy a home for several reasons! Less Competition: In many areas, the demand for homes tends to decrease in the fall compared to the spring and summer months. With fewer buyers actively looking for homes, there’s less competition for the same properties. This can translate into more negotiating power for buyers and potentially better deals. Motivated Sellers: Sellers who have their homes on the market in the fall may be more motivated to sell. They might be relocating for work, dealing with a change in their family situation, or looking to sell before the end of the year. This motivation can lead to more flexibility in negotiations and a willingness to consider reasonable offers. Price Reductions: Homes that were listed during the peak selling season of spring...
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By Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets, CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego
(Big Block Realty 858.232.8722)
Well... actually it's Happiness, Health and Joy! Happiness is derived partially from being healthy, getting enough sleep, being connected with family, friends, groups and your community. The ability to enjoy your enrichments: travel, golf, tennis, hiking, gardening, and other hobbies.I was just reading a friend of mine's FB post which inspired this post. She was claiming she takes Sundays off except when work needs to be done. 🤣What? 😶🤨Work ALWAYS needs to be done.🤣 It's not a day off if you don't unplug. There's no recharge if you do not power down and let your brain, body and emotions nourish on other sources of joy.Happiness, Health and Joy!Now look, how you choose to live your life or run your business is your business. I'm just suggesting this industry of ours could be more fun, le...
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By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
Boosting your credit score takes time and responsible financial management.Here are three simple ways to help improve your credit score: Pay Your Bills on Time: Payment history is one of the most significant factors affecting your credit score. It’s important to consistently pay your bills on time. This demonstrates responsible financial behavior and can have a positive impact on your credit score. Pro Tip: Set up reminders or automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date. Reduce Credit Card Balances: Your credit utilization ratio (which is the amount of credit you’re using compared to your total available credit)  is another crucial factor in your credit score. Aim to keep your credit card balances low, ideally below 30% of your credit limit. Consider paying down high-interest...
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