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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 Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
Denise Lones came up with a blog for the beginning of 2024, we can use it for the start of 2025 also.  Take a look at it. If You Do Only One Thing in 2024, Make It This Welcome to 2024! We are getting close to a week into the new year. How are you feeling about your progress on your goals? Do you feel that you are falling behind already or working strong? Will you will be able to sustain what you are doing or are you likely to go off-track when you get busy? This time of year has a lot of agents planning on what they want for their business in the upcoming year. I keep my eye on what agents are saying in online agent business groups and I have noticed a new year trend of agents asking agents what they are doing (or plan to do) to successfully generate leads this 2024. The challenge is, ...
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By Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome
( HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400)
Unveiling the Hidden Gems in Your Home An obstacle for one person may be the selling point for another. Be aware of potential negative aspects when touring a home to list. When it comes to the real estate market, what may seem like a disadvantage to one person could very well be a unique selling point for another. As an agent, I’ve learned to look beyond first impressions and explore the different perspectives that potential buyers might have about a property. One of my first steps when preparing to list a home is to have an open conversation with the current owner. I like to ask what they don’t particularly like about their home. This often reveals hidden insights that can be reframed as opportunities for the right buyer.For instance, a ranch house with no steps and little storage migh...
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By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
Grant Schneider came up with a interesting blog, did you catch it before.  Why did you become a Real Estate agent?  Or, for that matter, why did you choose your business or profession?  Why does it really matter anyway? Maybe you heeded the Nike slogan “Just do it!”  In my previous blog READY, SET, GO...WAIT I talked about procrastination.  If nothing is working maybe there is another reason.  PASSION. I was recently working with a Westchester County NY coaching client on his business development. He was struggling with his growth and was having trouble getting his team on board. He was having a hard time accomplishing the objectives that we have worked on together in his plan. These were the goals that he had established in previous sessions. After failing to complete some of the tasks...
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By Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties)
Dear Seller, Before You Reject That Lowball Offer... From A seller's perspective there is nothing more exciting than an agent calling with news of an incoming offer. Visions of full price, no concessions, and 13 day escrows start dancing in their head. Then the offer comes in so low that you think for a moment this might be the deposit. Let's look at some tips for managing a lowball offer.1. Don't get discouraged, many offers that start out "lowball" end up closing down the road. 2. Have your real estate agent do a new comparative market analysis (CMA). If your home has been on the market for a while the economic winds may have shifted. 3. In almost all cases, take the time to counter. A flat out rejection ends the game. Come up with a figure you can live with and send it back for signa...
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By Dr. Paula McDonald, Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
(Beam & Branch Realty)
I often get this question from Sellers if they should decorate their home during the holidays. My answer is "yes"! In fact, I believe a thoughtfully decorated home will show beautifully to potential clients. And, this could be their last time to celebrate the holidays in that particular home.With this in mind, there are some good tips to consider when decorating while your home is on the market:🎄 Keep the decor to a minimum. This may not be the year to display the extensive toy train collection or the Christmas village. While these are novel and fun, they can take up a lot of space and detract a potential buyer from the other features of the home.🎄 Avoid the blow-ups outside. Again, these can be fun but they will detract from the overall view of the exterior of the home. Save them for t...
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By Dee Toohey, Broker, ABR, AHWD, CIPS, FMS, ePro
(Innovative Realty Solutions Group)
About 20 years ago, when I first moved to a real estate career, I watched a David Knox series of training videos. If you did too, you remember David's words, "Let go"!Recently I received a referral and worked with the buyers to secure contracts on two listings. One was land and the other was an adjoining property with a home needing much work. I was happy to guide and assist them to get to contract. Then all hell broke out. They didn't want to comply with many contract terms, were mad that I would not give them the code to the property, and there were many inspection issues. They would not accept that they had an asis contract but we could negotiate the unexpected mechanical issues and the seller agreed to that. In the end, they seller gave the buyers everything they wanted but the buye...
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By Ralph Gorgoglione, California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407
(Metro Life Homes)
Fairness? Absolutely.  But landlord/tenant laws have gone too far.....Anyone who knows me, knows that I am at the front of the line when it comes to fairness, and consumer protection laws.Do we need laws in place to protect tenants from overly oppressive landlords and/or "slumlords", for a lack of a better term?  Yes!But the evolution of landlord/tenant laws have gone TOO far.  To the point where it makes some investors think "do I really want to do this?".   In many cases, it seems you are at the mercy of the tenant.  Especially for those tenants that want to abuse the system.Example - I have an investor client that has purchased many rental properties over the years as a means for retirement.  Well, she's getting to the point where she is headed for retirement now and began selling he...
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By Denise Lones, CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding
(The Lones Group, Inc.)
It's Real Estate Business Planning Season This time of year, I can hear the rustle of new business planners, the click of gel pens getting ready to jot down long to-do lists, and the mouse clicks of shoppers on Amazon finding new organization systems. Planning for a new year is exciting! Essentially, we get to wipe the slate clean and begin again - for agents who didn't have a great 2024, this is a welcome thought. But I have another perspective to consider - the real estate agent who needs to do a minimum of business planning every year. Why? Because they have their systems dialed in. While they may need to tweak their systems and processes as their business goes on, they don't have this need to reinvent the wheel every 12 months because their systems work. Why don't most agents commi...
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By Elisa Cho, Home... where our story begins
(Echo Realty)
The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, but it’s no excuse to let professionalism slip. Recently, I received this email (details have been slightly altered to protect identities). It’s a prime example of what not to do as a real estate agent, no matter how experienced or pressed for time you are.  The email dives straight into the tenant’s financial and personal details, accompanied by attached documents—credit scores, paystubs, tax returns—without any context or prior discussion. It ends with an urgent request for a decision before scheduling a showing.  When I followed up with a voice call, the agent was adamant about receiving an answer first, citing it as a “waste of time” otherwise. I respectfully shared that it’s her choice to conduct business that way—but it’s certainly n...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, The best agent in Southern Utah!
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
Unless it's a S'more, Cut the Fluff! Less is often more when advertising and marketing a property for sale. By focusing on factual details about a property, you can avoid misrepresentations and potential misunderstandings. This allows potential buyers to form their own impressions. Highlight Key FeaturesWhen listing a property on the MLS and other real estate sites, emphasize true attributes, such as: Square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot size. Add amenities like a pool, gym, security system plus proximity to schools, shopping centers, public transportation. Avoid Subjective TermsTerms like "private," "secluded" "fire sale" or "desperate" can be interpreted differently by different people. Stick to objective facts and avoid making claims that can potentially bring about ...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Lucky Joe noticed something "weird" before sticking that candy cane in his mouth. There may be worse things then putting something into your mouth that a domesticated rodent had in their mouth but I wouldn't want to try it myself.One of the most basic duties of a Real Estate agent is to determine if a home has/may have had lead based paint on/in it. Colorful paint chips may be a deadly hazard to infants and little children. Seeing a child eating paint chips may be (should be) more revolting than seeing them chew on a pet treat made for a rodent. This is a good time of year to remind parents of the danger of LBP as for years China used LBP on tree ornaments. This should be a time of joy, don't let it become a time of tragedy. 
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Timmothy writes his comic strips a month in advance so this one surprised me a bit but obviously my son Timmothy is an excellent planner... not getting entangled in the "now".The BEST Real Estate agents I know are like Timmothy, they focus on the future and rarely let themselves gat tangled up in the "now". By focusing on the future you are actually planning on how NOT to get entangled in the little distractions of the day. 
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By Bill Salvatore - East Valley, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net
(Arizona Elite Properties )
"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."~ Oprah Winfrey🫶🏻 Your action for today is to stop a few seconds and appreciate all the blessings you have in your life. 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! 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 consultation. More joyful stories, photos, antidotes,quotes and inspiration found here: Postcards From Success Thomas J. NelsonREALTOR®, CRS, RCS-D, CDPE...
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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)
"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."~ Oprah Winfrey🫶🏻Your action for today is to stop a few seconds and appreciate all the blessings you have in your life.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!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 consultation.More joyful stories, photos, antidotes,quotes and inspiration found here:Postcards From Success
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By JM Padron, CCIM, CCP, MRICS, CCIM, CCP, International Commercial Broker
(THE JMTEAM NETWORK)
Dear Colleagues, Back to work and Learn. I cordially invite you to register for the CPP Commercial Certification Program, to be held from December 16 to 18 at 13000 Avalon Lake from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Take advantage and enter the group of agents that will increase your income substantially in 2025. This edition will be in English. (Support material is provided in English and Spanish WE ONLY HAVE 15 SPOTS, SO DON'T PROCASTINEhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/1095356353339?aff=oddtdtcreator 
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By Bill Salvatore - East Valley, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net
(Arizona Elite Properties )
Happy Thanksgiving to All! Here are Some Organizations for You to Donate All Year Round!! Bay Realty Homer Alaska Selling Real Estate in Homer Alaska Since 1974 BayRealtyAlaska.com Facebook @BayRealtyAlaska For More Information Call 907-235-6183 #AlaskaRealEstate #BayRealtyAlaska #HomerAlaskaRealEstate Celebrate Bay Realty 50 Year Anniversary! Bay Realty Offers You the Knowledge You Need to Sell, Rent or Buy Property on the Kenai Peninsula.  Information is Power and we give You the Power to make the Right Decision for YOU! Our area offers Beautiful Homes, Recreational Cabins, View properties, Private Remote Property, Beach And Waterfront Properties, Islands, Waterfalls, Bluff Homes and Bluff Land, River Property, Small Acreage, Large Acreage, Commercial Land and Business Opportunity. W...
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By Debra Leisek
( Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska)
Happy Thanksgiving to All!Here are Some Organizations for You to Donate All Year Round!!Bay Realty Homer AlaskaSelling Real Estate in Homer Alaska Since 1974BayRealtyAlaska.com Facebook @BayRealtyAlaska For More Information Call 907-235-6183#AlaskaRealEstate #BayRealtyAlaska #HomerAlaskaRealEstateCelebrate Bay Realty 50 Year Anniversary!Bay Realty Offers You the Knowledge You Need to Sell, Rent or Buy Property on the Kenai Peninsula.  Information is Power and we give You the Power to make the Right Decision for YOU! Our area offers Beautiful Homes, Recreational Cabins, View properties, Private Remote Property, Beach And Waterfront Properties, Islands, Waterfalls, Bluff Homes and Bluff Land, River Property, Small Acreage, Large Acreage, Commercial Land and Business Opportunity. We Also H...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
 Published on 10/12/2023 & modified on 10/14/2023  Ken and Barbie have been married for 20 years and have owned their current home for over 10 years. Without the benefit of legal or tax advice, they decided to divorce, with Ken taking his retirement and Barbie taking the equity in the home, which is equal in value. It appears to be equitable until a year later when Barbie decides to sell the home. It sells for the same market value as when the divorce occurred, but now Barbie pays all the sales costs. The unpaid balance on the home was much larger than normal because it had been refinanced for $750,000 two years earlier. When Ken gave Barbie his equity in the house, he also gave her his tax liability in the home.  Barbie has a substantial capital gain because the home was purchased for...
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You must make a cohesive effort to stand out!   Elusive as a Chameleon in a Rainbow Convention   In any sales industry, part of being effective and successful is being seen rather than blending in with thousands of other professionals, vying for consumer business. You must make a cohesive effort to stand out!     Connecting with past clients and potential buyers and sellers is essential by advertising, making phone calls, emailing or texting. Building important relationships, for business sake but also on the personal side.     Maintaining a reputable online presence by blogging, showing up ready to perform and get it done, matters. Volunteering for special causes to be visible by a broader audience, within the local community definitely helps.     Avoid using camouflage in marketing an...
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
Now we have to hide Buyer agent commission! Hiding buyer agent commissions is a controversial topic. While some argue that transparency about commissions improves consumer trust and understanding, others contend that concealing commission details could have unintended consequences, such as: Reduced Buyer RepresentationBuyers might hesitate to seek representation if they believe they must pay out-of-pocket, potentially leading to less-informed purchasing decisions. Competitive DisadvantageIf commissions aren’t openly disclosed, it could disadvantage some sellers or agents, as buyers might unknowingly gravitate toward properties with higher incentives for buyer agents. Regulatory ChallengesCurrent legal and ethical standards in many states emphasize disclosure. Moving to a system that hid...
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