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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 Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518, Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.
(Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc)
    The real estate market is transitioning from the rapid pace of recent years to a more balanced state. This shift means buyers have more opportunities, with properties staying on the market longer and fewer multiple-offer situations. While full-price bids may no longer be the norm, inventory levels are rising, offering potential buyers a more excellent selection. In this evolving landscape, buyers stand to gain more value for their investment. However, they should be prepared for specific changes in transaction terms. Gone are the days when buyers could expect sellers to cover closing costs or be flexible with dates. Today’s market often requires buyers to contribute to their down payments or closing expenses. Additionally, flexibility on closing dates is essential, as sellers may n...
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By Dana (Lerner) Sparks, Satisfying You with Service Innovation & Education
(Maximum One Realty - Managing Broker)
Is there more than one way to extend a Brokerage Agreement? Can I extend it unilaterally? What happens if I’m under contract but closing is scheduled AFTER the expiration of the Listing Agreement? Watch the video for the answers to all those questions with respect to the Georgia Association of REALTORS® (GAR) contracts. Note that these answers are the same for the Buyer Brokerage Agreements too.
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
I've always enjoyed engraved gifts given to me. At one time my daughter, Tina, worked at a Christian Bookstore that did engraving and other personalized stamping. It was fun to see what she would come up with next.Of course there are thing that we don't always think of when we hear the word engraved like:Something else that is engraved is a Buyers name in history. Think of all that paperwork we assist with like abstracts. If you live in an abstract State you can look back at the written history of the dirt your home is on and that includes all who have owned it... including you!If you do live in an abstract State I highly recommend you also purchase Title Insurance just in case you lose that abstract. Replacing that piece of history can be very expensive, much more expensive then having...
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By Bill Salvatore - East Valley, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net
(Arizona Elite Properties )
  Log Cabin or Log Built Homes are beautiful but not very prolific, so it makes inspecting them a specialty.  A log cabin inspection has similarities to a home inspection and home warranty inspections but it also has unique characteristics that require knowledge and experience to it is as thorough as it can be.  I wrote this article to highlight the unique aspect that is brought to a home inspection when the home is log built.  In my opinion when a home has log built components a quality and through home inspection should have the methods and observations you are about to read about.  Although they exceed industry standards they should be the minimum you should accept when paying to a home inspection on a log built home. Familiarity with how log homes are built and how the log componen...
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By Linda Peltz, It's The Sold That Counts
(eXp Realty)
In the scope of real estate and mortgage lending, few people have witnessed as many industry transformations as Frank Garay. With over 35 years in the real estate & mortgage, Frank has not only weathered economic ups and downs but has redefined himself through each challenge, establishing a reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking leader. From his early days in the mortgage sector to becoming a prominent video blogger during the 2008 financial crisis and eventually launching influential real estate platforms, Frank’s journey offers invaluable insights. His story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a true passion for helping others succeed in real estate.Recently Linda Peltz, realtor Clovis CA had tremendous opportunity to talk with Frank Garay. They discussed how the real estate...
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By CHRIS FALCONE, ASHI Certified Home Inspector-ACI
(X-Factor Home Inspections)
 Log Cabin or Log Built Homes are beautiful but not very prolific, so it makes inspecting them a specialty.  A log cabin inspection has similarities to a home inspection and home warranty inspections but it also has unique characteristics that require knowledge and experience to it is as thorough as it can be.  I wrote this article to highlight the unique aspect that is brought to a home inspection when the home is log built.  In my opinion when a home has log built components a quality and through home inspection should have the methods and observations you are about to read about.  Although they exceed industry standards they should be the minimum you should accept when paying to a home inspection on a log built home.Familiarity with how log homes are built and how the log components ...
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By Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP, Selling Homes Changing Lives
(DFW FINE PROPERTIES)
The Real Estate Market is ShiftingHello, my old friend.... Throwback Thursday means many different things to many different people. It seems as if during my whole life, people have tried to do things differently to get the same results. Whether that means winning, making changes, going through transitions, or coping with reality, there is always a better way to read, understand, and gain better insights into situations. The real estate market is shifting. There are so many training classes and mandatory classes offered for real estate agents now. Business practices and forms are always changing.  Do you want to know where I found the best advice?  While sitting in a room shelved with books, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," by Stephen R. Covey caught my eye. I picked it up and ...
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By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
Denise Lones is a great coach here in the Rain that we can all learn from.  This blog is a good one of hers The Little Things That Have the Greatest Impact When I first starting my real estate career, many years ago, a very smart mentor/trainer of mine used to tell me ALL THE TIME that it was the little things that would determine my level of success in real estate. It took me years to fully understand the impact of what he was saying but it was through his watchful eye and gentle reminders that I was able to benefit from his wisdom. So, what were those little things, those pearls of wisdom that he shared with me? He used to tell me it was those special little things we did that would add so much to our professional reputation and would have the greatest impact on both my clients and my...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, The best agent in Southern Utah!
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
It's National Nachos Day! A tasty dish that is easily made with tortilla chips and a hit no matter the time of year. Usually, I brown ground beef, add roasted, stewed tomatoes, season with paprika, cumin and chili seasoning, grilled onions in garlic, sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese, and top with lettuce tomatoes, green chilis, fresh onions and plump roma tomatoes. An alternative is to make green chile verde with pork then place on top tortilla chips, then add cheese and other flavorful ingredients like homemade salsa, sour cream and fresh chives. Another simple favorite for some people is melted cheese over tortilla chips with pickled jalapenos on top. Eat your nachos, your way for sure! Now, for the real estate industry part of this post: Be aware that as markets change, so do some stand...
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By LeAnne Carswell, Real estate broker in charge of large team
(Expert Real Estate Team)
Are climate risks part of your home search checklist? If not, you might be missing critical information that impacts your long-term investment. The Zillow Consumer Housing Trends Report 2024 shows that a growing number of buyers are considering factors like flooding, wildfires, and extreme temeratures when choosing where to buy. In fact, nearly three-quarters (73%) of buyers said climate risks affected their home search. Let's dive into how climate change is influencing homebuyers in 2024 and what you should consider when looking for a home. 1. Flood ZonesFlooding has become a leading concern for homebuyers, especially with increased rainfall and more frequent storms. According to the report, 43% of buyers said they avoided homes in flood-prone areas. This makes sense given the long-ter...
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By Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, ePRO, Serving Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Seniors
(Big Block Realty 858.232.8722)
"Relationships Move At The Speed of Trust"Geoff Talbot, Social Media TrainerTrust impacts speed and cost across relationships, teams, and industries.Your action for today:Write down three names of sold-clients you can call to deepen your relationship with by simply asking them a couple F.O.R.D. Questions - Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams“Chase relationships, not transactions.” -Larry Kendall Design An Extraordinary Election Day!👉 Get After It / Take Action Archives 👈 We work 100% By Referral!Our experienced team is coached by the #1 businesscoaching company in North America:Buffini & Company for over 20 years!All our properties come with 3D Virtual Toursand Professional Photography,Marketing and Negotiating Skills...most agents do not possess!Contact us for a pressure-FREE consul...
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By Kathy Streib, Home Stager/Redesign
Tuesday’s Thoughts…The Right Kind of No Has someone told you they would do something and then backed out…didn’t show up…or complained to everyone about doing it? The right kind of no is better than the wrong kind of yes.Unknown  When I saw this quote, it rang true with me. I jotted it down in my Drafts for Posts file in Google Docs.  Two posts, one by Larry and Sheila Agranoff which spawned a post by Dorie Dillard, reminded me of the above quote.  We’ve all had vendors who’ve assured us they could do the job. "You’re on the schedule. No problem." And then….Oops…Can’t make it. They were too booked and ran late. That was the WRONG kind of “yes.” So what would the RIGHT kind of “no” have been? We would love to help but we’re booked for two weeks. If you can wait, we can be there.  Sales pe...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Destin Florida Living-- November Is A GREAT Month On The CoastWhen people think vacation towns visions of large seasonal crowds come to mind. Then as the last Labor Day guest departs, the area goes into a deep hibernation mode. Residents of Destin Florida will tell you November is one of THE BEST times to visit. Let's see why...1) The MASSIVE crowds are gone-- We get our share of guests along the Emerald Coast all year long. But Summer is another level. The lines at many attracts goes down along with the humidity. 2) Now About That Humidity-- The weather is PERFECT October-December. Unless we get a cold front, think short and t-shirt living! Wear your favorite team's sweater at your own peril, you are going to get hot! 3) Discount Pricing-- Hotels/Condos/Airbnb tend to be cheaper this t...
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By LeAnne Carswell, Real estate broker in charge of large team
(Expert Real Estate Team)
Since September, mortgage rates have been on a rollercoaster. They first dipped into the low 5% range only to climb past 7% by the end of October. Yikes. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. These rate fluctuations can make home buying feel like a guessing game. Fortunately, you don't have to wait for the "perfect" rate to make your homeownerhip goals happen. The truth is, buyers can find opportunities no matter where rates land. By understanding what drives mortgage rate fluctuations, you'll not only feel more in control but also be better prepared to lock in the best possible rate for you. Let's dive into what's behind these ups and downs—and how you can more forward confidently, no matter what. What's Behind Mortgage Rate Fluctuations?Although it may seem completely rando...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, The best agent in Southern Utah!
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
No Regerts. Before sending out a feedback request using speak to text, luckily I proofread it because what I meant to say was, "Please thank your clients for showing the property." Instead it replaced the word clients with clowns! Can you imagine what the receiver would have thought had I not caught that?! Communications, whether sent through text messages or emails, must be correct and to the point to avoid any misunderstandings. Otherwise, they might be one unintentional word, letter or comma away from disaster! Am naturally a spell checker and it pains me to make a mistake! And yes, it does happen. Also, incorrect punctuation can easily get a reader's attention, as in the case of the phrase, "Let's eat, grandma!" Without the well-placed comma, it says, "Let's eat grandma!" No one wan...
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By Alan May, Home again, home again...
(Jameson Sotheby's International Realty)
For those who know me, I am not a huge fan of Open Houses.Statistically, they rarely sell the house that you're sitting, but sellers really like us to do them because it's one of the few real estate tools they're familiar with so they like to see us use them.So my recent listing (a 3br condo), even though we had lots of activity, my seller wanted me to schedule a Sunday open house, and I happily accommodated them.  We went live on Monday and very quickly had lots of showings including several second-showings, so I was fairly certain that we'd be under contract before the Open House.  Sunday morning that proved true... I found two offers in my email, and we quickly came to agreement.We decided that it was too late to cancel the open house, and the winning buyer wanted to bring some famil...
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By Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD, Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D
(http://www.medicalandspaconsulting.com)
I had an epiphany due to comments made from a long time marketing client.   They have been utilizing various formats developed over the years to keep their profits high.  About 1,5 years ago, we began to implement AI based strategies.\All is well. Continued success.Last week, the CEO called and asked a really fair question!!! He inquired that what balance is there with the new AI strategies and the existing successful strategies. There is the old adage, "if it ain't broken, don't fix it". Then again, it is better to stay ahead of the curve.So my answer to him (and everyone) is to make AI at least 20% of your effort and increase it as your comfort level (and success)  increases.  Recall from our AI Zoom calls that I haev mentioned that searches are more an more AI based (as opposed to se...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
People are drawn to positive leaders because of their infectious energy, their enthusiasm, their 'can do' attitude and their ability to see a project to it's  successful conclusion. These type of leaders  have an  unspoken strength about them and they lead with humility. They can sense what's right or what's wrong, what works and what doesn't work and easily guide people to  their goals and aspirations.    Today a long time business associate  of mine mentioned the term 'Ambassador of Positivity' in regards to an event she is now managing, as I did previously for many years. She wanted to go over a few things to make sure she was on a good track and wanting things to keep moving and shaking!  I knew there were quite a few 'Ambassadors of Positivity' on this committee.  And that made me ...
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By Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP, Selling Homes Changing Lives
(DFW FINE PROPERTIES)
Simply SaidRisk comes from not knowing what you're doing - Warren Buffett. If you think using an extension ladder over a cliff with a power cord looks risky, it is risky. The temptation to list your home with someone you don't know who randomly calls or sends you direct mail to buy your house for cash, can be extremely risky. How Do You KnowThe only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing - Socrates. If it sounds easy, it's probably not that easy and the consequences may be riskier than you think. How do you know if the person sending you direct mail or calling you on the phone to offer to buy your home isn't a criminal or a scammer? Are they licensed to buy or sell real estate, has E&O Insurance, and has integrity?Beware of a Predator  Personal Information To A Perfect StrangerDiscipli...
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By Anna "Banana" Kruchten, 602-380-4886
(HomeSmart Real Estate )
Today a long time business associate  of mine mentioned the term 'Ambassador of Positivity' in regards to an event she is now managing, as I did previously for many years. She wanted to go over a few things to make sure she was on a good track and wanting things to keep moving and shaking!  I knew there were quite a few 'Ambassadors of Positivity' on this committee.  And that made me stop, ponder a bit,  and think,  just what does that mean to be a positivity ambassador?  To me it means being  upbeat, encouraging, seeing the good in situations, open to new ideas, passionate, confident, giving, dedicated and of course positive!  What kind of person becomes a Positivity Ambassador?  And why are those  same people asked to take on that role quite often?  Leadership pops up in my mind first...
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