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 Stephen Fells, Marketing, Technology, Fun and News!
(AgencyLogic)
All successful businesses know the importance of improving their customer engagement. A fully engaged customer is going to stick around longer and spend more money. This infographic from GetVOiP has a few clever customer engagement strategies you can consider:   
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By Stephen Fells, Marketing, Technology, Fun and News!
(AgencyLogic)
Collaboration in the workplace is more important than ever, but it's making us less productive in some ways. In the following video, from the TED YouTube channel, pioneer Rob Cross says is driving us to take on way too much -- and how we can reclaim our time and our peace of mind.
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By Brian Sharkey, SharkeyRE
(SharkeyRE LLC)
Ruth had been working from home for the past few years since covid. She loved the flexibility and the freedom it gave her, but she was struggling to manage her time. She had trouble staying focused and found it hard to keep track of her tasks and deadlines. She also had to juggle her work with her personal life, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage her time. One day, Ruth decided to take matters into her own hands and find a way to better manage her time. She started by making a list of her tasks and prioritizing them based on their importance and urgency. She also created a schedule for herself and set realistic deadlines for each task. She also made sure to take regular breaks and set time aside for her personal life. Ruth also used various tools and resources to help ...
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By Brian Sharkey, SharkeyRE
(SharkeyRE LLC)
The referral lead generating is a 7 step system to help agents convert conversations to leads. Step 1: Identify the Prospect- Identify potential buyers or sellers with whom you can have a meaningful conversation. Step 2: Gather Contact Information- Collect the prospect’s contact information, such as their name, email address, and phone number. Step 3: Establish Rapport- Build rapport with the prospect by engaging them in a friendly conversation.Step 4: Qualify the Prospect- Ask questions to determine if the prospect is a good fit for your services. Step 5: Present Your Services- Explain to the prospect how you can help them and how it will benefit them. Step 6: Ask for Referrals- Ask the prospect for referrals to other potential clients. Step 7: Follow Up- Follow up with the prospect to...
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By Realtyna Inc, WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM
(Realtyna)
As a real estate broker, you know that investing in your agents is investing in your brand. Your success depends on the level of professionalism and efficiency of your team. The more skilled and experienced your agents become, the better the traffic for your business. To help you maximize your agents’ performance, we’ve compiled a list of methods that will improve their performance and attitude and behavior toward work.Leverage Technological ToolsTo set your agents up for success, invest in the latest technological tools to help them perform at their best. Innovative solutions like the Realtyfeed App and White Label Web/App solution are designed to help brokerages increase productivity while reducing hours spent on cold-calling door-knocking. Providing your team with the right tools gua...
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By Bill Kennedy, Homes For Sale Greenville SC
(Keller Williams Greenville Upstate)
I have gathered some tips on how realtors can keep themselves safe while on the job. Here are five ways real estate agents can ensure their safety and wellbeing during open houses, with a touch of humor: 1) The Buddy System: When it comes to open houses, it's always best to bring a buddy along. Not only will you have someone to share snacks with, but you'll also have an extra pair of eyes to keep an eye out for any potential dangers. Plus, if you ever need to make a quick getaway, you'll have someone to run with you. 2) Set Boundaries: Before the open house, set clear boundaries with your clients and visitors. Let them know which areas of the property are off-limits and what behavior is expected of them. If someone is making you uncomfortable or breaking the rules, don't be afraid to sp...
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PROCEDURE MANUAL: BUILD A BOOK - BUILDING A SALEABLE BOOK OF BUSINESS First Build! Step 1: Compile Your List The first step in building a saleable book of business is to compile a list of potential clients. This list should include people in your network, such as family, friends, and former colleagues. It should also include people you meet through networking events and referrals. Step 2: Call Them Using the Referral Lead Generator The next step is to call these potential clients using a referral lead generator. This is a tool that can help you reach out to your network and generate referrals from them. When you call them, introduce yourself, explain your services, and ask if they are interested in learning more. Step 3: Qualify the Lead and Turn into a Prospect Once you have identifie...
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By Brian Sharkey, SharkeyRE
(SharkeyRE LLC)
Samantha had always been passionate about real estate. She loved the thrill of finding the perfect home for her clients, and the satisfaction of helping them navigate the complex process of buying or selling a property. After several years of working as an agent, she decided to branch out on her own and start her own real estate agency. At first, things went well. Samantha worked hard to build her client base and her reputation, and her business began to thrive. She hired a team of agents and started to expand her offerings, including property management and investment services. However, as her business grew, Samantha began to take on too much. She was so focused on expanding and taking on new clients that she neglected her existing ones. Her team of agents became overwhelmed and strug...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Accidents Do Happen BUT many (or most) can be avoided. This is certainly true when showing homes, occupied or unoccupied. Facing a Real Estate Challenge? Then you are going to not only want to read this post but all the posts tied to an Active Rain Challenge called March to a Solution by Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP .The number one accident that is going to happen in a Northern State like North Dakota is going to be outdoor slips and falls while showing or viewing homes. It may seem to be a "no brainer" to remove snow at a listing. If the home is occupied it usually is not an issue BUT there are many home Sellers who do not consider the urgency of snow removal. I've never added a snow removal clause to a listing agreement BUT I have reminded Sellers to make a clear path when a vie...
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By Steve Penner, REALTOR / Pro Ledger Online (owner)
(Royal LePage / Pro Ledger Online Software)
When experts have trouble explaining complicated ideas to people who aren't experts, this is called the "curse of knowledge."In the real estate business, this can lead to misunderstandings, bad communication, and lost sales.When you communicate with clients, it's essential to remember that they may not share your level of knowledge. They may not understand industry jargon, or they may not know what certain terms mean.The curse of knowledge can cause you to overlook crucial information that your clients need to know. You might think that certain details are common knowledge, but your clients might not know about them. This can lead to confusion, frustration, and missed opportunities. To avoid the curse of knowledge, it's essential to step back and put yourself in your client's shoes. Try...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
This is an excellent post with great information. Thanks for sharing it.Have a super fantastic week!Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP As a landlord or real estate investor, you may be considering accepting cash payments for rent to minimize paperwork and create an environment of convenience. However, the risk involved in doing so cannot be overlooked. From collecting taxes on rental income to deterring potentially risky tenants, there are many negative implications associated with relying solely on cash payments. In this blog post, we'll discuss why accepting only cash for rent can put landlords and real estate investors at risk and offer ways to manage those risks by introducing procedures that mitigate potential problems. So if you're thinking about implementing a “cash only” policy for rent ...
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By Sharlene Mulchandani, Property Management Software
(Innago)
As a landlord or real estate investor, you may be considering accepting cash payments for rent to minimize paperwork and create an environment of convenience. However, the risk involved in doing so cannot be overlooked. From collecting taxes on rental income to deterring potentially risky tenants, there are many negative implications associated with relying solely on cash payments. In this blog post, we'll discuss why accepting only cash for rent can put landlords and real estate investors at risk and offer ways to manage those risks by introducing procedures that mitigate potential problems. So if you're thinking about implementing a “cash only” policy for rent payments moving forward, it's important that you understand what could go wrong before taking such a drastic step forward. Kee...
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By Sharlene Mulchandani, Property Management Software
(Innago)
As a landlord or real estate investor, having reliable access to payments and transparency into rent collection is essential for your organization's success. Fortunately, with the rise of online payment technology, you now have options available to manage payments without sacrificing your need for visibility and scalability. In this article, we will explore four key ways in which using an online portal can enhance transparency in the rent collection process; from improved accountability within tenant interactions to offering streamlined data evaluations and financial forecasts. Instilling trust through enhanced security measures can reduce liability while providing innovative benefits tailored towards streamlining your rental business workflow- ultimately allowing landlords more control...
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By Sharlene Mulchandani, Property Management Software
(Innago)
If you're a landlord, setting up rent payments through your bank may seem like an ideal way to streamline your financial processes. However, before you make the leap and enroll in such a service, it's important that you understand the pros and cons of setting up rent payments with your bank. In this post we'll be exploring the potential benefits and drawbacks of using banks to collect rental income so that you can decide if it’s right for you.Overview of the Pros and Cons of Rent Payment Through Your BankAre you considering setting up payments for rent through your bank? Before deciding on a rent payment method, it’s useful to understand the pros and cons of this type of payments. Online payments for rent can be an efficient way to keep track of payments, as payments are securely proces...
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By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
What Lou Ludwig gave us with some of his wisdom   Start Your Day With a Clean Slate “You have a clean slate every day you wake up. You have a chance every morning to make that change and be the person you want to be. You just have to decide to do it. Decide today’s the day. Say it: this is going to be my day.” Brendon Burchard, Author   As I see it . . . . . . .   Start your day as a clean slate   You washed away yesterday in your sleep . . . . it’s now behind you . . . . and today is a clean slate   When you step out of the bed in the morning . . . . start your new day with a clean slate . . . . and a fresh outlook.   You decide what your day will be like . . . . before your feet hit the floor.   Your new day is a clean slate . . . . make your new day . . . . a day of possibilities and...
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By Sharlene Mulchandani, Property Management Software
(Innago)
As a landlord, it can be tempting to use third-party services such as PayPal or Venmo for collecting rent from your tenants. However, this choice could actually put you at risk! From lack of legal protection to inadequate transaction records, using any type of payment processor beyond traditional banking methods comes with many potential pitfalls that landlords should watch out for. In this blog post we'll discuss why leveraging paypal rent payment options is exceptionally dangerous and ill advised. We will also talk about what steps landlords should take instead in order to safely collect rent in a way that both they and their tenants find satisfactory. So don't fret if you are already using systems like Paypal or Venmo for rent - by the end of this post you will have all the informati...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
This post was inpired by Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP  and Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist  to participate in this month's Active Rain Challange, so with that said....We've all been there - after the closing, many of our buyer clients are very excited and some even want a picture next to the ‘For Sale /SOLD Yard Sign’.  I think this is especially the case with first-time home buyers and this is exactly the scenario I was in as the buyer's agent nine years ago.  Alas, there was no photo op in this situation! In typical closing fashion, I received a call from the Escrow Officer saying “Congratulations, Endre, let your buyer know we recorded, and she is now officially a homeowner.”  I was thrilled for my first-time buyer as I knew how excited she was.  My next call was t...
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By Ray Henson, Realtor
(eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277))
When I first started in real estate sales, my mentor would refer me to mobile  home sales when they became available.  She said it would be very good for me and that I would learn a lot, so I did quite a few of them.  I had a client that found just what he was looking for in a mobile home.  It even had a covered garage that went with it.  The transaction went very smoothly and we closed.  It was one of the smoothest transactions ever.  And then the seller's agent called.  She had just hung up with her client who had not even started packing!She said she would personally go over and help her client pack everything into his truck.  I had an appointment with two new clients late that morning, but I told the seller's agent I would be over to help move her client out, too.  I called my clien...
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By Debe Maxwell, CRS, The right Charlotte REALTOR!
(Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310)
Motivational Monday - Fueling Your Drive: The Power of Motivation in Achieving Your Goals Motivation is the driving force behind our actions and decisions. It is what inspires us to strive towards our goals and aspirations, whether they are personal or professional. Without motivation, it can be difficult to make progress and achieve success. In this article, we will discuss the importance of motivation and some ways to increase it. Why is motivation important?Motivation plays a critical role in our lives because it affects our behavior and drives us to take action. When we are motivated, we feel energized and confident, and we are more likely to tackle difficult tasks and overcome obstacles. On the other hand, a lack of motivation can lead to procrastination and apathy, making it diffi...
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By Dr. Paula McDonald, Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
(Beam & Branch Realty)
In my second post for the March to a Solution Challenge, this scenario is one that none of us ever wants to experience. The closing that never was is a day I would prefer to wipe out of my mind forever. This situation was devastating for my clients.My clients are very dear friends. They had built a gorgeous, country French estate on an acreage property. The home was meticulously maintained and decorated to the hilt. An agent from, "out of the area", showed the home and then sent the offer.Inspections and appraisals were all executed and we were headed to closing or so we thought. The buyer was from out of state and would be doing a remote closing. At the closing table in Texas, the bottle of champagne was poised and ready to be popped.The remote closing agent called after a short delay ...
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