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!

Trending blogs on Real Estate Best Practices
By Lane Bailey, Realtor & Car Guy
(Century 21 Results Realty)
OK, so I wrote Part I over 2 weeks ago...  In that post, I wrote about the risk that Brad, Mike and crew took.  As I said in that post, the change was perfectly timed for me, but not for everyone.  And in fact, I have spent the last few weeks working more ON my business than IN it.  I have been deciding exactly where my focus needs to be in order to rebuild.  In this post, I'm going to talk a little more about WHAT they did for RETSO Refocus...    What is 'Refocus'? I come from a background in professional photography (among other things).  One thing that professional photographer HAVE to do is control their focus.  And often, what you are aiming AT is NOT what you are focused ON.  Sure, you are focused on your subject, and your subject is in frame, but it is certainly not always in the...
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By Kimo Stowell, REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i
(HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 )
Arghhhh! I should have listened to my own advice.I recently started helping my mother navigate through the Active Rain sea of blogs, showing her the ropes and preparing her for her inevitable first blog as a newbie swab.  We touched on a number of topics from the tell tale signs of a good blog, to the dangerous shoals of slanderous speech and the sirens song of copy righted material.  We  sailed trough a number of topics about the how to's when all of a sudden she wanted to dive right in and start blogging away.Ahoy! Says I, It's best to write your blog first in your word processing software on your PC and then copy and paste it into Active Rain.  Why? Says she, unknowing the fate of typing without worry directly into the AR site.   Because if you loose your connection while your bloggi...
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By Debe Maxwell, CRS, The right Charlotte REALTOR!
(www.iCharlotteHomes.com | The Maxwell House Group | RE/MAX Executive | (704) 491-3310)
Selling During COVID-19 - The Key is Over-Communicating  Channeling my short sale days, pivoting with one simple plan was the key to successful Closings for me last month. Over-communication became my mantra the minute we got wind that we may be entering a period of quarantine.  I remember the days of short sales well - as though they were just yesterday! No, this is certainly not the same market as during The Great Recession but, one commonality remains critical - good communication is key to getting to the Closing table. I remember letting the agents on the other side know, WEEKLY, how the process was going after phoning the bank and my sellers. One secret that I learned - and found most challenging - was communicating the status to the other agents’ clients - THE BUYERS. While I coul...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, So Utah Residential, Referral & Relocation REALTOR
(Red Rock Real Estate Brokered by Real)
Avoid Cranial-Rectal Inversion (CRI).   Seek the truth above all. Intentionally refrain from mindless gullibility or you could possibly become a victim of CRI. Social media, television and the MSM is full of messages intended to incite by stupidity. Trust but verify has never been so important in today's world, knowing that everything in real estate is written, that hearsay has no legal bearing. Show me solid proof of so-said claims and then discuss the information. During due diligence, I love to research a property to the fullest, relying on fact-based documentation to educate and inform. Hearsay is similar to the rumor mill, in the respect that some things may be true but due to lack of proper proof, it becomes loosely based, an unconfirmed report, unfounded at most. That is why, in ...
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By Realtyna Inc, Realtyna- MLS RETS Integration software & services
(Realtyna)
The coronavirus pandemic has changed everything and affected the work of many businesses.  The real estate industry is undergoing some sort of change during the pandemic. Change is never easy. Now is the perfect time to take advantage in order to run your real estate business like never before. I am going to give you 5 tips to help you better manage your real estate business.1. Make a PlanA good business plan during a pandemic is one of the main steps to success. See what has changed in your company. After the coronavirus, nothing will be the same. So, evaluate your capital needs, marketing plans, products, or services to make a good profit. Research other company’s first steps and try to take inspiration for better management. This way, you’ll gain more knowledge about your chances for...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, So Utah Residential, Referral & Relocation REALTOR
(Red Rock Real Estate Brokered by Real)
Unorificially speaking!    My clients and I viewed a home that they really liked, showing a lot of interest in the floor plan and the finishes. After registering them with the on-site agent, I was assured the builder would call soon.  That home was listed at $500K. We were told the builder could construct that same floor plan for the same price on another similar lot. An agent on the listing team soon contacted me, offering help.  Suddenly, the sales price went up almost another $125K with other additional costs. (?) He was clearly using the other orifice, haphazardly throwing out numbers like a well-seasoned auctioneer. An over-inflated ego often overrides the ability to be effective or retain attention, so my clients decided to pass. If the transaction started out this way, they could...
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By Danish Mehmood, Iam A Real State Agent
(Real State Company)
Pests and other small creatures that can harm human health, damage food items and crops, destroy the infrastructure of your home, and can do many other things.Pests that bite or sting include bed bugs, ants, ticks, lice, spiders, mosquitoes, and flies. Pests that infest fabric and food include dust mites, centipedes, silverfish, cockroach, moths. Wood destroying pests include wood-boring beetles, carpenter ants, and termites, and many other irritating pests include moles, raccoons, lizards, rats, and some others.Why are These Small Creatures a Concern?Many pests pose harmful effects on human health. They can cause asthma allergies and many other respiratory problems. Cockroaches are the main source of spreading Salmonella. Flies carry different viruses, bacteria, and many other severe d...
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By Danish Mehmood, Iam A Real State Agent
(Real State Company)
Guide to the Best At-Home Teeth Whitening KitsGone are the days when the only way you could get a whiter and brighter smile is to visit the dentist’s office. The advent of at-home teeth whitening kits has made it possible to brighten your smile within the comforts of personal space. They are more convenient, efficient, and economical, which explains why these products have grown in popularity over the past few years.  Another benefit to the advancement in dental whitening technology is that you can get the same results at home as you would at your dentist’s office, minus the expensive cost. If you want to lighten your teeth a few shades, you have come to the right place as this guide provides you with information on the best home teeth whitening kits in the market. Snow Teeth Whitening ...
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Rain Camp and the Active Rain 5th Anniversary Party starts today and ends Wednesday with a barbeque at headquarters. I'm commuting today on my trusty Felt bike from Ride Bicycles in Roosevelt. This is not really a commuter bike, but I use it a whole lot more lately, especially when my destination can be reached on old rail beds converted to bike and walking trails. Commute time - 50 minutes Cost - $0,00 Parking cost $0.00 Rain Camp - Priceless. Off I go
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By Denise Lones, CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding
(The Lones Group, Inc.)
What's Your Niche Market Today, I wanted to talk about niche markets. A niche market is defined as a smaller part of a larger market with its own defined area of specialization. The perfect example of a niche market in real estate is waterfront property. I happen to live on a lake and I have learned a thing or two about lake front living that I had no idea about before I became a lakefront property owner. I've now been here for over 14 years and in that entire time period I would say I have probably received maybe half a dozen pieces of really good marketing information from a real estate agent stating that she knew a little bit about lakefront properties. However, the interesting thing, is that she stopped sending out her mailings. I have no idea why she stopped but I was starting to ...
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By Grant Schneider, Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes
(Performance Development Strategies)
I know that agents are independent entrepreneurs but if they hang their license with a broker they are concerned with basics such as splits and expenses but an overriding factor is Culture.  I just asked a top producer why he left a large well know brokerage.  He told me it was because of the culture.  I know that some brokers don't believe that. They think is is all about brand and money. It has been said that culture eats strategy for lunch. What does that mean? It means that everything comes from the culture of the organization.  Every organization has a culture but the question is, "Do you have the culture that creates positive results?"  If you don’t have the culture that you want, you will have no choice but to change it. Attitudes drive culture.  The fact is that people do not p...
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By Lise Howe, Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC
(Keller Williams Capital Properties)
I love this post - while we are still working under stay at home orders or stay safe orders that have us working at half capacity, this is the time to fix our business for when we do get to burst out of the gate.  What better way to improve your business than to pick and establish a dynamic niche.  Here is some great guidance from someone who really knows her business - Denise Lones!  What's Your Niche Market Today, I wanted to talk about niche markets. A niche market is defined as a smaller part of a larger market with its own defined area of specialization. The perfect example of a niche market in real estate is waterfront property. I happen to live on a lake and I have learned a thing or two about lake front living that I had no idea about before I became a lakefront property owner. ...
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By Lisa Perry - NMLS # 276329, Northern VA - VHDA, 100% Loans - Jumbo Loans
(FHA, VA, Jumbo, Downpayment Assistance, Conv.)
 Here are four things you can do right now to keep your home search on track during these times. 1. Get Pre-approved. Pre-approval for a mortgage will give you a better understanding of what you can afford.  It shows you're a serious buyer.  Gather the necessary documents like your income verification, credit history, and asset documentation while you're spending some time at home and reach out to your Lender of choice for assistance.     2. Virtually Connect with an Agent. Today, more than ever, it's important to start working with a trusted real estate advisor, so you're ready to move quickly when it's time. Whether you chat by phone or video, a real estate professional can help you understand how to navigate the changing dynamic of today's market without bringing your plans to a stan...
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Since June, an increase in the inventory of houses per month is noticed through the person. In the summer season, the stock of the person will be raised by selling them. Many children want a new beginning with a new flat. The view and scenery will be beautiful and impressive to see the sunrise and sunset from the balconies. The rates of the houses in Virginia Beach will be affordable in summer days. Expert suggests the person that we buy houses near beaches for enjoyment in heat days.In this article, tips will be provided to purchase homes in the summer season. The process will be simple and sold quickly near Virginia Beach. The purchasers can check the list at online search engines to buy at reasonable rates. The housekeeping and transport facilities near new homes should be excellent ...
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By Sarah Layton | Copywriter & Inman Star Contributor, I provide real estate content marketing services
(Best Real Estate Writer, a Layton Media brand)
If you are anything like most real estate agents, you didn’t even both to put a proper business plan in place before you started your real estate business. Odds are that means that you also don’t have an official marketing budget. How do I know that? Well, I have spent the last 4 ½ + years having the same conversation with tens of thousands of real estate agents when they call me to help fix their marketing and branding problems. In fact, I would estimate that about 10% of the agents that come to me for help have an official marketing budget. So if all these other people are running their business without a proper marketing budget, why should you? I’ll dive into the shockingly MAJOR reasons you must have one if you want people to take you seriously and I will show you what yours should...
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By Leanne Smith, Relocation to NW AZ with elbow room & more freedom
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Earlier this past week I had a conversation with Anna Banana Kruchten Arizona's Top Banana! We discussed expectations of and frustrations with the real estate industry and real estate agents. By the way if you haven't personally spoken with Anna, it would be worth your while to invest the time to schedule a phone conversation. She has incredible wisdom to share. After this truly delightful and insightful conversation, I pondered my own internal beliefs or attitudes for greater clarity. What I realized is though sometimes my blog postings may appear to sound like frustration, they truly are more about disappointment. As a sales professional with five (5) decades of experience (actually more if you count selling penny candy at my father’s sundry store) and having a father who was the cons...
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By Denise Lones, CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding
(The Lones Group, Inc.)
Leveraging Your Superpower This week I want to talk about your superpower, yes you have one! I want to define it, explain it and show you how to put it to work for you. There are so many real estate agents in the field today and there are specific reasons that a client is attracted to working with you. There is just that "something special" that you have that they felt they needed or were attracted to. It could be that you come across as being very thorough or detail oriented. Maybe you are friendly and easily to talk to. Perhaps you love research and data and your client needs that and chooses you because they know you will provide it. Maybe you are a tiger negotiator and they love that quality about you. The point is that there must be something you have done or said with every one o...
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By Ron and Alexandra Seigel, Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy
(Napa Consultants)
We have always been proponents of  the importance of the attention to details.  Details can make or break you.  Although many think that snail mail is an antiquated form of communication, we don't.  In some small communities and markets, it is an effective way to stand out from the crowd. One of our clients sends handwritten envelopes (stationary quality paper)  to listing prospects, and always uses commemorative stamps.  Her recent February mailing of 25 letters to one street yielded  5 calls, 5 appointments, 3 listings, and 2 not ready to sell yet, (thinking about it). She also uses them for thank you notes, birthday and anniversary cards also.  This was one of our habits in our commercial real estate practice. And our success was similar to our client's.  We have always been fans of ...
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By Robert L. Brown, Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic
(www.mrbrownsellsgr.com)
 168”. What are you doing with yours?  If there was anything in the world where we can honestly say is “universal”. It would be 168. Some of you may be aware of what I’m getting at and some may think where is he going with this? It’s called time. Yes the thing that occurs every single day in each of our lives. We have no control over it but we follow it whether we want to or not.   Have you ever heard of the phrase that “time heals all wounds” OR “time doesn’t wait for anyone” OR “there’s always time” to do this or that. Everyone has heard it and most have used a phrase or 2 themselves. But the one thing we cannot do is control it. Everyone has 168 hours in their week (or 10,080 minutes for those who choose to break it down even more).    Some of us just “waste” our time. Others are loo...
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By Denise Lones, CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding
(The Lones Group, Inc.)
Perfection is Not Power Hi everyone, and welcome to this week's Zebra Report. Today I am here with one of my favorite things in the world, an incredibly special gift that I received from a very special person. This gorgeous piece of hand-crafted zebra art was given to me by a client of mine, Brian Rosso.  His brother created it for me with some of his friends. Brian's brother spent his precious time and talent making this and I cannot even begin to express how much it means to me. It was created by a group of individuals that are special needs. This picture, this painting, this little work of art, this creation is like gold to me. If my house caught on fire, it's coming with me. I love it. What is so interesting and so special to me is that it is not perfect. It has a flaw here and the...
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