First Blog Posts

Sometimes, it can be scary to write your first blog post! Luckily, the supportive community of ActiveRain is just the place to start.

On this page you will find a running list of “first blog posts” written on ActiveRain by members of the real estate industry. These new bloggers have taken the leap to begin their blogging journey. Our first-time real estate bloggers deserve a big welcome and some extra encouragement from you!

Take a read, leave a comment, and say hello. You'll make that author’s day and help to give them a great first impression of our community.

Agent's first blog posts on ActiveRain

By Emily Maracle, Editor and content writer for Virtuance
(Virtuance)
The single-family housing market shows no sign of slowing down, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t devote time to finding the perfect tenants. While traditional marketing methods such as word of mouth and for-rent signs are beneficial, knowing how to creatively market your rental properties to your ideal tenants is vital. Even if you’re a seasoned property professional, single-family rental marketing strategies often differ from multi-family ones. That’s why we’ve gathered the top five marketing strategies for single-family rentals (SFRs) to ensure your rental properties shine and your business continues to grow. 1. Know your audience A crucial part of any marketing strategy is knowing who you’re marketing to. The same goes for marketing rental properties. Currently, the target audienc...
Comments 5
By Laura Coor, I'm excited to enter into the field of real estate
(Agent Professor )
While I am still in the very beginning stages of becoming a real estate agent (a mere 15% done with my 120 hours to be exact), I have already noticed some scammy scenes on popular real estate sites that have me nervous to join the crowd! It's a good thing I am excited by mystery!Just the other day I was scrolling Zillow, and I saw a house featured that only had EXTERNAL images of the house! Which was in such a bad state that I can't even imagine what the inside must look like... so, perhaps I can't blame them for not posting pics of it. But I can still call them out for false advertising! I personally don't feel it the best practice to completely avoid what we all already know to be true: that the house is simply a dump, and the asking price is higher than Pluto. What do you think?  
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By Catina Willis, Real Estate Broker, Passive Income Coach
(Next Level Realty & Investments)
TikTok is quickly becoming one of the most popular social media platforms, and it's perfect for real estate marketing. Why? Because TikTok is all about short, attention-grabbing videos. And what's more attention-grabbing than a beautiful property or the crazy real estate business? If you're thinking about joining TikTok or are simply curious about how to use TikTok for business read on for everything you need to know.How to Use TikTok for your Real Estate Business Create a personal TikTok page with a branded profile that promotes your real estate business. Use relevant keywords in your profile name and bio. Make sure your account is public and include a link in the bio to increase traffic to your website or blog. Use TikTok to share behind-the-scenes footage of what it takes to sell a h...
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By Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector
(Home Inspection Insider)
If you're considering getting an electric fireplace insert, you might wonder what your options are. I'll give you a rundown of the different types of electric fireplace inserts and the pros and cons of each one. That way, you can decide which type of electric fireplace insert is right for you and your home.1. Standard Electric Fireplace InsertsThese are the most common type of electric fireplace inserts. They typically come with a metal surround and a glass front. The standard electric fireplace insert is designed to be placed into an existing fireplace opening. Electric fireplace inserts are insertable units that can be placed into an existing fireplace. They come in various styles and can be used with or without gas lines. Many people choose electric fireplace inserts because they off...
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By Brian Kidder, MyEListing.com Analyst and Writer
(MyEListing.com)
Despite not yet reaching pandemic levels of affordability, Austin's real estate market has slowed down slightly as its number of home sales decreases. Other major cities across America are experiencing similar trends. Despite this slowdown in the number of homes sold, the average home price has remained relatively stable since the beginning of 2022, indicating that there is still plenty of room for buyers to bid up prices even if they aren't buying at the rate they were before COVID-19 hit. As a result, the Austin real estate market is still favoring buyers, but the signs of slowing down cannot be overlooked. Therefore, they should be considered when making future market analyses and forecasts for the city. Will this market moderation impact Austin's commercial real market as a whole?Au...
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By Susan Aincham, Real Estate Investor / Agent
Misrepresentation The example given in my training is “agent showing potential buyer notices that there is a water leak coming out the bottom of the water heater.  Agent is worried that this might deter the buyer from buying the home, so the agent misleads the buyer into thinking that all water heaters leak in that area…”This sounds like the agent does not have much experience, so thinks it is ok to say the first thing that come to their mind, this is always the wrong thing to do!  Any problems seen on a walk through should be noted and brought to the listing agents attention, especially water as it can get worst and the damage spread.  In addition to getting the leak fixed but, because the buyers heard you voice you were reporting the issue, they also know now you will not let somethin...
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By Brian Petruzzelli, LA and Las Vegas Homes For Sale
(LA and Las Vegas Real Estate)
Hermosa beach is one of a kind. The beautiful weather lends itself to year round fun and it is a go-to place for travelers and locals looking for an excursion. Fill your itinerary with these activities for your next trip in Hermosa Beach. Take a Walk on the Hermosa Beach PierTake in views of the beautiful hermosa beach pier which forms an important part of the neighborhood's identity. The structure extends 1000ft into the ocean. It offers sweeping views of the adjacent Santa Monica Bay and is especially breathtaking at sunsetWalk or Bike the StrandEnjoy a pier to pier to walk on the strand.  This walk connects the Hermosa Beach pier with the nearby Manhattan Beach pier. The 2-mile path is perfect for a scenic bike ride or stroll. For more ambitious bike riders, consider riding the 22-mi...
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By Tony Laurendi, Mortgage and Real Estate Professional
(Reliable Mortgage)
MortgageOrb, Sept. 2, 2022–Michael BatesThe average home sold for less than its list price for the first time in over 17 months during the four-week period ending August 28, as the housing market cooldown continued, according to a new report from Redfin.https://mortgageorb.com/average-sale-to-list-price-ratio-falls-below-100-percent-for-first-time-since-march-2021
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By Prime Realty, The best boutique firm in South Carolina!
(Prime Realty)
Interior Designers and Home Stagers are similar but also, very different.The Real Estate industry contains several professions and services that are instrumental to the success of the transaction. Several buyers and sellers are familiar with the importance inspectors, lenders, and appraisers hold to the transaction. But what about the individuals that arranges or stages the furniture? These individuals are referred to as home stagers.Different from interior designers, home stagers must appeal to the buyers by personalizing or depersonalizing the space in preparation for the sale. Prior to designing, an interior designer must consider the customer’s individualistic or familial personality and lifestyle to deliver a tailored environment perfectly suited to them. What advantage do staged h...
Comments 6
By Shay Brown, McCann’s Roofing is passionate about
(McCann's Roofing and Construction)
A roof that squeaks, creaks, or, worst of all, leaks. When you are dealing with a leaking roof, here are some things to keep in mind. McCann’s Roofing & Construction is one call away, (405) 259-9998!Remember the acronym R.L.D.F., which stands for rain, lightning, damage, and flood, since there are many different ways your roof might get damaged.R – Reach for a towel or bucket to stop the immediate drip. Next and most importantly, immediately reach out to your local contractor for review.L – Locate and look for the leak before it becomes a bigger problem. Leaking roofs are often detected by the sight and sound of dripping water. Despite rain or shine, there are other signs you must look out for if you’re suspicious about roof leaks, including: Rooms with a musty smell.  Water stains on y...
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By Melissa Thompson, I'm a real estate agent helping buyers and sellers
(Thompson Real Estate)
Are you selling your house? If so, you likely want to find the best offer as quickly as possible. Ensuring that you get the best deal is important to you as well.Though there are plenty of ways to sell a house, selling a house for cash is one of the best. Why?Going this route can ease a lot of stress while giving you a lot of advantages. Is this option right for you? Read on to learn more about the benefits of selling a house for cash.1. Time SavedThe traditional home-selling process can be time-consuming and often takes months to complete. Selling for cash eliminates the need to wait for mortgage approvals, home inspections, and appraisals. This can save home sellers considerable time and allow them to move on with their lives more quickly.2. Money SavedThe amount of cash sales among e...
Comments 9
By Dawn Castell, Freelance home stager
(Freelancer)
A backyard is one of the most versatile things about a home. There are so many things that people can do with them. As a result, allowing your backyard to sit empty and unused is a massive waste of potential. The following are some of the best things you can do to your backyard this summer.Have a Pool ConstructedYou can make your backyard a place of play and relaxation by adding a gorgeous pool to it. Doing so would offer you the benefit of giving you a place to cool off during the summer heat. In addition, it would also allow you to go swimming whenever you feel like it since you would be able to access it from the comfort of your own home. Plus, it would be a great way to make your backyard look more beautiful in general.One of the best things about deciding to add one to your home is...
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By Barry Guca, Finance b.s. 30+ years real estate 20+ LoanOfficer
(Anchor Realty Group)
HUD certification for Condo and TownhomesWhy home buyers need to know this and Buyer agents need to check this before putting an offer on a condo or townhome project. Why current condo & townhome owners thinking about selling need to understand how this affects their property values.  The more qualified buyers, equals more demand side and higher selling prices. Increase the number of Buyers qualified to purchase Condos, Townhomes and Planned Unit Developments by having the projects HUD certified.  For a buyer to use a conventional loan to purchase a condo or townhome, the project needs a HUD certification.The most common loans used to purchase residential homes are the Conventional or FHA loans.  These loans are sold on the secondary market to free up capital for the lender to continue ...
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By Thomas Harder
(Solar Energy)
7 Best 500 Watt Solar Panel (Reviews)We're confident you've decided to go solar. You want to find the greatest solar panels. A reliable manufacturer will increase the efficiency of your solar panel. Recent advances in the solar sector include the 500-watt solar panel, which is among the most innovative.The maximum solar power required for big and medium solar systems is 500 watts. This capability may be employed to reduce space while also producing more power. You can obtain the same amount of solar electricity from a 500 watt solar panel as you can from a 200 or 300 watt solar panel. It is intended to connect to any device.What Factors Should You Consider When Purchasing A 500 Watt Solar Panel?Before choosing a 500-watt panel, consider the following critical qualities. Low-quality, sub...
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By My Living Choice, Discover the best senior living community
(My Living Choice)
Senior living apartments are popping up all over the world. More people in their 60s, 80s, and beyond are choosing to live as tenants in senior living apartments. These apartment buildings provide seniors with a safe, comfortable place to live without sacrificing their independence and freedom. If you're thinking about where you might want to move after retiring or even moving back home after your parents have passed away, then here are five ways that seniors can promote happy and healthy aging by choosing to stay at senior living apartments:Following Healthy DietsOf all the things that you can do to promote healthy aging, nutrition is probably the most important. Eat too much unhealthy food or don't eat enough healthy food, and you could end up gaining weight, developing serious illnes...
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By Ryan Zomorodi, Real Estate Investing Expert - Real Estate Skills
(RealEstateSkills.com)
Wholesaling real estate is a great strategy for beginners who want to get into investing but don’t have the funds or the experience to do it on their own. It involves scouting potential deals on behalf of an investor and collecting substantial fees just for acting as the middleman in a transaction. After teaching thousands of real estate investors around the country to flip contracts on houses for profit, I know that anyone who follows a tried and true process can earn five to six figures per month with this strategy.It doesn’t require a license or years of schooling to wholesale real estate, but it requires patience and a thorough understanding of the local market. So, if you’re thinking about wholesaling houses, here’s a step-by-step look at how it’s done.What Is Wholesaling Real Esta...
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By Ann M Huddock, MN & WI REALTOR®️ with Fathom Realty
(Southeast MN Homes)
It can happen in minutes — first a spark of a flame, that spreads rapidly as it searches for fuel. The next thing you know, you could have a life-threatening fire on your hands. But many fires can be prevented with these simple precautions. Most fatal fires in Minnesota happen where people feel safest — in their homes. That’s the bad news. The good news is that most fires are preventable if families simply take the time to discuss fire prevention.Some interesting MN fire facts: Home fires in Minnesota resulted in 64 deaths in 2020 and 37 in 2021. There are 725 fire departments in MN with nearly 87% of all firefighters across the state being volunteer firefighters (data source here).Minnesota wildfire danger & burning restrictions are updated daily on the MN DNR Website. And for an inter...
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By Yuliya Kachko
(Oceanfront Group)
New beautiful Canopy Park in Miami BeachIn the heart of South Beach, in one of the most desirable residential areas South of Fifth, you will discover the new hidden gem Canopy Park. Located right by the upcoming Five Park luxury development, Canopy Park is an excellent addition to the area. Canopy Park consists of 3000 acres of green paradise covered the most unique spot in Miami Beach. Residents of the nearby residential towers such as Icon South Beach, Murano Grande, Continuum Miami Beach and more are regular visitors of this beautiful park.This fabulous island of Canopy Park is strewn with the greenery of various trees, flowers, shades, and palms of the Miami flora. A great place for a refreshing morning jog, evening walk, yoga, meditation, or a personal trainer session. In green lan...
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By Sakari Duvall, *in school
(None)
Imagine seeing an ad for this beautiful house with over 6,000 sq. ft for only $150,000 dollars! That would be everybody's dream and wouldn't last on the market for no longer than an hour! Now, imagine seeing that same house and going to look at it the same day, only to find out it's really listed for $1.5 million. Wouldn't that be such a disappointment after being really excited about seeing such a low price? That is why it is very important to make sure that all your information about property is factual. You will gain no clients if you can't be honest when trying to sell property. 
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By Catherine Emert, Residential, land, commercial, businesses
(Strategic Realty, LLC)
Developed in 1972, Crooked River Ranch was originally meant to be a destination resort. Now covering over 10,000 areas it is home to over 2,500 privately owned lots in 16 separate phases. The homes are a great mix of single-family homes and manufactured homes with each being it's own unique property. All lots are divided into 1, 2 and 5 acre parcels giving each owner plenty of space! Did you know that Crooked River Ranch is also in BOTH Deschutes County and Jefferson County?At Strategic Realty, LLC we want to make sure our clients have as much information as possible to help them make the hard decisions when it comes to buying and selling homes. If you are in need of a real estate broker we would love to have the opportunity to represent you! Give us a call at 541-595-8444 or if you pre...
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