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 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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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
Not worth a Hill of Beans This quote came from farmers, who realized, back in 1863, that beans were easy to grow and at that time, had little value or worth. The saying also applied to people who consistently failed to perform. Good intentions in business and everyday life, usually means a particular thing will happen. Those who lack follow through can damage or end meaningful, reciprocal relationships. Dependability matters.   As in this case...After looking at several homes, a buyer client found a property to purchase. Once the offer was submitted, then accepted, so began the timelines that would make him a happy home owner in 30 days. The home inspection was set immediately. An appointment with an appraiser was also scheduled. Several weeks go by and just hours before the time for th...
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By Stephen Fells, Marketing, Technology, Fun and News!
(AgencyLogic)
Everyday AgencyLogic shares real estate podcasts from industry leaders and visionaries.  Here are this weeks podcasts: Real Estate Podcast: What's Hot & Not in Social Media for Real Estate in 2023 Real Estate Podcast: Rookie Reply - Unpermitted Renovation, House Hack Profits, and Frozen Pipes Real Estate Podcast: 10 Ways to Use ChatGPT to Sell More Homes Real Estate Podcast: The 3-Step Formula to Go From Broke to Millionaire in 2023 Real Estate Podcast: How To Stay on Top of Your Prospecting Game
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
This post was inspired by Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP  & Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist  for the Active Rain Challenge for the month of March.  Notarizing a Grant Deed - no big deal, right?   Of course not, provided you live in the United States that is.  As many of you know, I have had quite a few sellers over the years who were living in different parts of the world, and not just the United States. They would have to make an appointment at the American Embassy and spend about $100 or so USD to have the Grant Deed notarized by the resident American Consul. I happened to be in the midst of a not-so-simple land sale, nor was it an all-cash transaction. The seller was Canadian, the buyer had a land loan, and there was a time constraint involved in getting the Grant De...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
Exclusions – when in doubt for Non-Realty Item!Full Disclosure, Seller Disclosure and Exclusion FormThe Frig Is it convey with the property or not? Had an issue many years ago and a hard lesson learned. Where there was a refrigerator that LOOKED built-in yet it was removeable. We never inquired to the frig, even when we asked about any item on the property that will need to be excluded. In most cases in reference to frigs the frig never is convey with property.In most of Real Estate Transaction rather it be a house For Sale or Lease, the Frig is NOT provided with the property. But after this lesson I have learned not to ASSUME and we all know the meaning of assuming. For those that cannot recall the meaning, here it is “Ass-U-Me” and it is NOT going to be me aver again - LOL!Well about ...
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By Ron Trzcinski, 410-935-5844
(410-935-5844 Office)
The Power of VideoWe have a house on the market at 1 Putting Way, Reisterstown, MD 21136. I can start to tell you about it by giving a description such as the following:   Prepare yourself for a jaw-dropping experience.This custom designed home has been built with the highest quality construction methods, materials, and finishes.It starts off with ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) for the foundation and walls, which provide the highest level of energy efficiency, sound reduction, and wind tolerance (capable of withstanding hurricane force winds).The home contains nearly 4,700 square feet of finished living area that includes 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, and a half bath.The spacious 3 car garage is equipped with a 240V Electric Vehicle charging station, plus an incredible storage area above.Ta...
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By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
Always interesting what Lou Ludwig has to say. Time Flies By In a Blink of the Eye “Time is there . . . . and then it’s gone. The time  comes your just one time. Make the most of each day and you will create value  in your time.” Lou Ludwig Sales and Management Consultant, Success Coach, Speaker, Trainer and Author       As I see it . . . . . . . . Time flies by in a blink of the eye   Time flies by in a blink of an eye . . . . and as you look back on your life you will realize that the years are slipping by.   As you make plans for your life . . . . and your future. Plan to live each day of your life to your maximum capacity. Enjoy your success journey . . . . and don’ let your time run out.   Make your days productive. Moving you in the direction of achieving your goals . . . . and ma...
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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 In Denver, we are seeing the market heating up, yet not enough listings are coming on each week.    We are seeing some multiple offers already.   I have always been of the opinion, writing a back-up offer would be a good decision, as we are seeing anywhere from 225-300 homes each week returning to the market.   Not all contracts go to closing!   As a listing agent, having a back-up offer in place can help if the first buyer starts demanding all kinds of silly things on inspection.    Or, if their financing starts looking shaky.   My friend showed a property ($1.7 million) that went pending in two days, and her clients are not ones that make quick decisions.    Th...
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By Dan Dee McGinnis The Pumpkin Man, The Pumpkin Man
(HomeSmart)
Take a look at those words in the title. I do not recall who said them but I remember them quite distinctly. And it is quite true. The only thing is it works for some and does not work for, others, the reason it does not work for others is they are missing that little jewel I suppose to make it happen and that is quite unfortunateThis LIFE situation thing is a HUGE EVENT. A very small example of it might be you are driving your car down the freeway at 70 miles per hour, it is easy, simple, everything is fine as long as you have good tires, all repairs necessary on your car, and you are watching the road 100% of the time, take your eyes off the road for a second and it could put you and others in the hospital, even cause death!.Same way with your beliefs, attitude, and thinking all that ...
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By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
In Pennsylvania, we do not use attorneys in Real Estate transactions. We use forms that attorneys prepare and fill in the blanks. There are times when there are situations when we find it is time for our clients to seek legal advice. We as agents should never give legal advice we are not attorneys.Here is a situation I ran into -  entry March Challenge Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP  and Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist I had a beautiful listing under contract. The owner was looking for a small condo to purchase she was a divorced woman and I was very fond of her. We had been looking and there were a few she liked we had not pinpointed the exact location yet.  One morning I received a call from her. She was going to be a grandmother. I congratulated her and she thanked m...
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By Jeff Dowler, CRS, The Southern California Relocation Dude
(eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Sometimes people step over the line in what they say or do. It might be a minor issue, or perhaps not. It may be unprofessional, or even unethical or illegal. And sometimes it’s not just about people but things. Like a fence. And it killed the sale. Some years ago I had an out-of-area buyer who was interested in buying a lot to build a home on in a semi-rural area, one that offered some views. We found a great lot, about 1 acre, on a hill about 10 miles inland, with great views of the mountains and hills plus a distant ocean view. The lot was located between 2 other homes on a private street of fairly expensive custom properties. An offer was made and negotiated, escrow opened, and we started our due diligence. I recommended the buyer pay for a survey as one did not exist, and that was ...
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By Dr. Paula McDonald, Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
(Beam & Branch Realty)
An entire segment of our population is trying to make the life-changing decision if they should downsize their home. As children leave the nest and parents face the empty nest situation, sometimes homeowners begin to determine if now is the time to sell their home. However, having been in real estate for nearly two decades, I have discovered the downsize vs. upsize yo-yo effect. Here is the scenario:The Seller determines they want to downsize their home. They sift through their furnishings, collections, and knick-knacks as they plan the move. The purging process ensues as the big move becomes a reality.The new homeowners settle into their perfect downsize casa and everyone appears to be happy. Well, sometimes this state of Nervana is short-lived. When the happy empty-nesters realize aft...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
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 .This is my first of three posts describing interesting requests made by Buyers, Sellers, or maybe even another Real Estate sales professional.The most difficult one I remember today is one where a Buyer loved a home I had listed but they had to have a garage and none existed.The house sat kitty wampus on the lot but there was plenty of room for a garage.The problem was that the Buyer could take out a loan to cover the home purchase and even a more expensive home than this one BUT they could not take out a loan for this home and then an additional construction loan for the garage.They wan...
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By Brian Sharkey, SharkeyRE
(SharkeyRE LLC)
1. Empathy: When handling objections, it’s important to be able to empathize with the customer’s position. Listen to their concerns and show that you understand their perspective.2. Patience: Handling objections can be a time-consuming process. It’s important to remain patient and avoid becoming frustrated or agitated.3. Clarification: Clarify any misunderstandings by asking questions or providing additional information.4. Open-ended Questions: Use open-ended questions to get to the root of the customer’s objections.5. Reassurance: Reassure the customer that you understand their concerns and that you can help them find a solution. 6. Follow Up: After resolving an objection, follow up with the customer to ensure that their concerns have been addressed.7. Flexibility: Be open to negotiati...
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Here are five objection handling techniques that real estate agents can use to increase their effectiveness: Acknowledge the objection: When a client raises an objection, it's important to acknowledge their concern and show that you understand where they're coming from. This can help build rapport and trust. For example, if a client says, "I don't think the price is right," you could respond by saying, "I understand that price is a major concern for you." Provide evidence: Use data and facts to support your arguments and address objections. For example, if a client is concerned about the price of a property, you could show them comparable sales in the area to demonstrate that the price is reasonable. Address the underlying concern: Sometimes an objection is really a cover for a deeper c...
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By Joan Cox, Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time
(House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373)
In Denver, we are seeing the market heating up, yet not enough listings are coming on each week.    We are seeing some multiple offers already. I have always been of the opinion, writing a back-up offer would be a good decision, as we are seeing anywhere from 225-300 homes each week returning to the market.   Not all contracts go to closing! As a listing agent, having a back-up offer in place can help if the first buyer starts demanding all kinds of silly things on inspection.    Or, if their financing starts looking shaky. My friend showed a property ($1.7 million) that went pending in two days, and her clients are not ones that make quick decisions.    They waited too long, and someone slipped right in.   My friend called to ask about a back-up offer, and he said only if the first con...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
While a loudspeaker is low tech to you and me it's overwhelming to guinea pigs like Titus & Philemon. Sometimes new technology feels like it is ruining our lives. Remember making the switch for this, to this While I am comfortable with smart phone technology it didn't come easy and I'm sure I only know about a tenth of my phones capability... but I'm not scared of learning.We don't need to know what's in the box to learn how to use it properly.Real Estate is much the same way. You don't need to know every spec of history behind what's current BUT you do have to know what is current and how you can best apply current Real Estate practices to help your Buyers and Sellers best achieve their goals.
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By Alyssa Salander, Financial Freedom with Rental Income!
(SparkRental)
Recession. The mere mention of the word sends shivers down investors’ spines. The 2008 financial crisis still haunts the memories of many investors and has left a lasting impact on the world economy. Yet the housing crash of 2008 and ensuing Great Recession were an outlier — throughout most recessions, real estate has proven one of the most reliable investment options. While real estate markets are not immune to economic downturns, some segments of the market resist recessions better than others. Research these real estate investments to help protect your portfolio before the next economic downturn.1. Multi-Family Properties Multi-family properties, such as apartments, duplexes, and triplexes, are one of the most popular recession-resistant real estate investments. People still need a p...
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By Realtyna Inc, WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM
(Realtyna)
Real estate apps are better with data. Home buyers want information to be confident in their offers.And home sellers need knowledge to set the best prices.Real estate APIs help real estate apps and websites win customers by providing the data they need. What Are Real Estate APIs?Real estate APIs provide fast and reliable real estate data from various sources to power real estate websites and apps.The data can include: Real estate listings Nearby shops and restaurants Transportation information Neighborhood boundaries Local schools Most data available online about a property or the surrounding community is now provided via API.Is There an API for Real Estate Listings?MLS Router is a comprehensive API for real estate listings from MLSs across the U.S. and Canada that allows developers to ...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Although the temps might not feel like it here in Los Angeles and other parts of California, it is March and spring is right around the corner. Observations by a Beverly Hills Realtor: Endre Barath, Jr. Spring officially begins on March 20, and on March 12 we spring the clocks ahead.  By the way, if anyone can shed some light on whether this is the last time we change the clocks, I'm all ears.  Also, you may want to check on filing your taxes, it's possible that because of the recent severe weather in CA you could have an automatic extension to file or pay taxes. Check with your accountant or online for the latest information.  Another sure sign of Spring, the serious buyers are out there in full force asking how to make their dream home a reality in today’s real estate market. This que...
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