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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 Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets, CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego
(Big Block Realty 858.232.8722)
"When the past controls the present, the future is a rerun."~Unknown AuthorYour action for today is to see if you are holding off making some decisions because of what happened in the past.Giddyap to the future!Design An Extraordinary 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!We Provide Excellent Service and:Active Duty Military DiscountsVeteran RebatesSchool Teacher RebatesFirst Responder RebatesAll our listed properties come with:and Professional Photography,Marketing and Negotiating Skills that...most agents do not possess!Contact us for a pressure-FREE consultation.#thomasjnelsonrealtor
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
In the world of Real Estate sometimes we think we see something but we were not sure... so we hire a Home Inspector and often they confirm what we thought we might have seen. Things like:I can not imagine purchasing a home without a home inspection. I felt that way before I ever entered into the world of Real Estate. My feelings have been strongly reinforced by the Home Inspection professionals here in the Rain. If you are not subscribed to one or two of the pros here you should be. The first HI i started to follow was Jay Markanich  and he is still active today so I recommend you check him out and search for a couple more.As far as HI's in your area keep in mind they are NOT all equal. Check them out so you can let your clients know who you would hire. It's part of your job as a Real E...
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By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
February is a great time to move for so many reasons! → Start before the Spring rush. The real estate market often picks up in spring, and having your home on the market early may attract more potential buyers. And if you’re a buyer – you’ll have less competition now!→ With fewer transactions occurring, the mortgage approval and closing processes may move more quickly. This can result in a faster and smoother transaction for both buyers and sellers.→ Some buyers may receive tax refunds in February, providing them with additional funds for a down payment or closing costs. While these factors can make February a favorable time for real estate transactions, it’s essential to consider local market conditions, regional weather patterns, and individual circumstancesIf you’re thinking of buyin...
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By George Thoma, Mortgage Broker
(Kamaaina Mortgage Group Inc.| Equal Housing Lender, NMLS 1276471 - NMLS 312260)
🔷 Imagine presenting your clients with the opportunity to secure their ideal home on Maui in Hawaii in a sought-after school district, all while eliminating the stress of selling their current property first!With our innovative approach, you can write a CONTINGENCY-FREE offer using our Buy Before You Sell loan. ⛪I also Share The Matrix Details. that are important to meet its Qualifications.Metrix: Buy Before You Sell - Loan Feel free to contact me for further details so we can help therefore, You can make a contingency-free offer using the Program Buy Before You Sell.  
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
Well… Good, concise communication truly matters while transacting. The ability to negotiate, depends on many factors, including the spirit of cooperation.. The art of conversion loses all meaning or reference when neither side of the parties involved agree to bend at all. Sometimes you just have to say… Well…
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By Joanne Gillet EdgeOfTheBeach.com, Experience is not expensive. It is Priceless!
(Edge Of The Beach Realty)
Elevate Your Curb Appeal: A Guide to Plants and Shrubs That Boost Home ValueSelling your home is an exciting journey, and one of the keys to a successful sale is making a memorable first impression.The exterior of your home sets the stage for potential buyers, and investing in landscaping can significantly enhance its curb appeal.In this guide, we'll explore the power of plants and shrubs to transform your property and attract potential buyers.The Importance of Curb AppealFirst impressions matter, and the exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers see.A well-maintained and attractive landscape can create a positive perception, making your property stand out in a competitive real estate market.Investing in the right plants and shrubs is a cost-effective way to elevate your...
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By Mike Tolj, Commercial Real Estate Without the Stress!
(Tolj Commercial Real Estate )
Implementing comprehensive safety measures to protect is crucial, but I know it can feel overwhelming to property owners and managers, especially when managing multiple locations. By taking a systematic approach focused on prevention and preparedness, you can effectively secure facilities against risks like break-ins, vandalism, and theft. In this article, I’ll walk through the most vital steps all owners should take when developing safety plans for their commercial spaces.Key Takeaways Conducting regular risk assessments is crucial for identifying vulnerabilities in commercial properties. Installing surveillance systems and access controls limits unauthorized entry and deters criminal activity Creating emergency preparedness plans and conducting safety drills prepares occupants for pot...
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By Joyce Marsh, Joyce Marsh Homes
(Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC)
By asking yourself  "will this matter a year from now".  You will take control of your decision making process.  Keep your decisions in prospective by their order of importance.  Focus your decision on your priorities and the ones that have the biggest impact on your business, career, and personal life.Good advice from the late "Lou Ludwig". Still relevant today as it was several years ago...  Will This Matter a Year From Now  “Ask yourself this question. Will this matter a year from now.” Dr. Richard Carlson 1961 – 2006 American Author, Psychotherapist and Motivational Speaker       As I see it . . . . . . . Will this matter a year from now   You will be called on every day to make decisions . . . . some with far more importance in your life than others.   Keep your decisions in prospe...
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By Denise Lones, CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding
(The Lones Group, Inc.)
There are a number of items that can spell success or failure in a real estate agent's business. Many of these items are under an agent's control - activities that keep an agent top-of-mind with past clients like mailing consistently to a farm and of course, doing a great job with buyers and sellers they are currently working with. However, there are a number of threats that are outside of an agent's control: what the Fed does with interest rates, whether it makes financial sense for a seller to sell, or how much new construction builders build. Today I want to talk about a different kind of threat: the threat of people who aren't a good fit for you.Unhealthy RelationshipsOccasionally we have a client who does us in, a client who makes us question whether we are in the right business an...
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By Joyce Marsh, Joyce Marsh Homes
(Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC)
Here is a refresher for all of our new members, as well as a guide for all of our members of ActiveRain.Some helpful ideas and guidelines about blogging from ActiveRain University.So start blogging!  We look forward to hearing what you have to say!! ActiveRain Gives You the Blueprint for Successful Blogs No two bloggers are going to have the exact same style. In this regard, bloggers are like snow flakes (lame! Be over already winter!) custom hot rods! Each one with their own unique style and approach. But there are cetain kinds of posts that we believe every blogger should have in their blog. Our Blogging Blueprint Series is designed to give you a map by which to create some of the most valuable posts for your real estate blog. The idea is, the first time you create a post of this natu...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
Weathering Through Man-made Squallers Inclement weather is a part of life in all corners of the world. People in high-risk areas prepare for the worst by using the best, tried and true methods in preventing undue harm to their loved ones or properties. Nothing can prepare for the man-made storms that are heaped upon us, though, especially those designed to incite. As industry professionals, we become the voice of reason when emotions run at high velocity. Verbal outbursts, while mediating come from the desire to control. Angry tirades are best quashed immediately or dealt with from a distance rather than right-in-your-face. This type of situation can escalate quickly! The three stages of a storm:🌬 Heading into the storm - handling presented challenges thoughtfully and swiftly is relativ...
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By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
They are important 01 – Real Estate Agent02 – Mortgage Lender03 – Home Inspector A real estate agent facilitates property transactions by representing buyers or sellers in the buying, selling, or renting of properties. A mortgage lender provides financing for real estate purchases by offering loans to homebuyers based on creditworthiness and determining loan terms. A home inspector assesses the condition of a property by conducting thorough inspections, identifying potential issues to inform buyers about the property’s overall condition before a real estate transaction. If you or someone you know are thinking about buying or selling , please message me! I’d love to help you with the next chapter of your life. AND I will help you find a mortgage lender and a home inspector!#buyersagent #...
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By Sam Thomas, When it's important; hire a professional.
(Providence Group Realty)
One of the best parts of owning a home is the freedom to make it truly your own with design choices that reflect your personality and lifestyle. Whether you lean toward contemporary design or a farmhouse aesthetic, your home is your canvas.Even so, it’s always smart to think about the long-term impact those decisions might have on your home’s value. Choosing over-personalized or unpopular materials and finishes could make your home less appealing to future buyers. And selecting out-of-style or overly-trendy elements could cause your home to feel dated quickly.To help inspire your design choices, we’ve rounded up some of the top trends we’re watching in 2024. Keep in mind, not all of these will work well in every house. If you plan to list or renovate your property, give us a call. We ca...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
Nerdin Gardens: Medi-Okra is Unacceptable Regardless of intended outcomes, some people barely squeak by in life, while others give everything they do an all-out effort. If the goal is middle-of-the-road, folks should not be surprised at the less-than-stellar results. Avid gardeners know it takes time, sincere effort and consistent follow through to create a reliable, thriving environment. They also understand that nature unlocks its full potential every single time, mediocre just doesn't cut it! Making a client feel you care, matters, and by offering the help they need, trust develops, turning into meaningful and lasting relationships. A buyer client needed assistance unloading the moving truck after recording. Several people cancelled at the last minute. I rolled up my sleeves and got ...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Today in real estate continuing education class I heard this question being asked:Are you an Apple Tree Shaker or an Apple Picker? In other words, did you shake the Apple Tree and the apples (think clients, potential clients aka customers or prospects) fell to the ground or did you just pick up a fallen apple?This discussion happened in a Zoom class on AGENCY here in AZ.  With all the angst regarding the copycat law suits, this conversation of real estate AGENCY continues to bubble to the top. Of course, in this class there was no discussion about the lawsuits as the powers to be (AZ Association of REALTORS®) wanted to make sure there were no anti-trust violations.Given the lawsuits are about compensation or fees, the key points of this AGENCY class centered on procuring cause and align...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Warming up before a presentation. I always practiced my presentations before going into the real situation. I believe this gave me an edge as I usually came across as polished and professional. I would start with an outline of what I wanted to accomplish.By writing down my thoughts/plans I could keep a sense of direction so the presentation would flow smoothly. Also I have found brevity to be preferred by everybody listening to a presentation so by reviewing my outline I didn't "stretch" things out to far. 
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By Eileen Burns 954.483.3912, FLorida Real Estate Connector
(Trans State Commercial Realty Inc. )
AI Revolution or Resistance? Guess Photo credits:  Relay, Pixabay, Canva?  Attitude is everything in life.  How you approach challenges can be half the battle.  Change is constant and how you adapt can be positive or negative. Over the past 60 years we have gone from party line telephones to rotary phones to many different generations of smartphones.  I personally like the flip phone versus blackberry as I did not text.  Early adapter or late to the party?  It matters not so long as you join the party and get your feet wet! Google, Bing, GPS, OnStar, black boxes that track your every movement. Nothing like a muscle car and never will be again.     Not interested in intrusive gadgets in my home.  Alexa comes to mind.  Smart thermostats that could cut your electricity off at any moment in...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Some days are more challenging than others, today was one of those days that I have not experienced in quite a while. I call that a true test of Real Estate....Seldom does this happen but when it does, I reach to my favorite philosopher Marcus Aurelius and I calm down, clearly these problems are not new, they  have been around for over 3000 years.So, with that said let me quote some of Marcus Aurelius sayings, these few quotes are in no particular order or reason hope you will enjoy them:Soon you will have forgotten all things: soon all things will have forgotten you. Imagine you were now dead or had not lived before this moment. Now view the rest of your life as a bonus and live it as nature directs. Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it were your last, without fre...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
It's Tax Time!The photo above is my Notary Public office and the mess is 100% tax related. The worst of it is you only see about half the mess. Lucky for me I can use the receptionist desk in the Art Gallery to do Real Estate closings and other notary work.Right NOW is the best time to contact those first time home owners from 2023 and remind them that there are tax benefits they should check out in regards to their home ownership. Tax time is a great excuse to get your name in front of you clients. Let it be known I never gave my clients tax or legal advice I only wanted them to be aware that there are benefits waiting to be claimed.If I am asked for advice my answer always is: "Fear the IRS, take your taxes to a local CPA. Don't trust a free tax program or anyone else who does not wor...
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By Christopher Nelson, Montgomery County, PA - Realtor
(GenStone Realty)
Today, we're delving into the not-so-charming side of dream homes – the hidden issues that could turn your dream into a financial nightmare. So, whether you're a potential buyer or seller, stay tuned to uncover the top home inspection nightmares that might impact your transaction.THE FOUNDATIONLet's start with the very foundation that holds your dream home. It's not just about bricks and sticks; it's about the slab or basement foundation. Foundational issues can be deceptively costly, from small repairs like crack filling or soil regrading (under $1,000) to larger undertakings like underpinning or full foundation replacement (potentially $10,000 to $155,000). Knowing the condition of your foundation is crucial for a smooth transaction.THE ROOFMoving up, we reach the roof, where small re...
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