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 Mike Young, FHA 203k Consultant 916-758-1809
(203kOnLine.com, covering the USA)
203k is alive and well in San FranciscoYour first thought is the home prices in the "city" are way to high for FHA loans. Let's look at that. The maximum loan limit for a SFR is $1,089,300. So You are correct for the most part however. if you consider the 3.5% down the purchase price with ONLY 3.5% down would be covered up to $1,128,808. I had a client who was capible of paying $1,500,000 all in cash but wanted to keep his cash flow available for his franchises. With a loan of $1,128,808 a purchase of $1,500,000 would require only a $371,192 down payment. Be creative with your thinking, think out of the box, tell me what you can do on your next purchase or sale. 
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Frankly I've already said enough about pet odors but what about if you small CRAP outdoors? For some reason Timmothy's cartoon reminded me of the home my parents purchased 51 years ago. It was new construction and it was a beautiful home.I was eager to show all my friends even though mom and dad had not moved in yet. One of my friends, Jeff, who's father did heavy construction, pointed out a little building over the backyard fence and said "that is going to stink".Neither my folks nor I had a clue that the little building was a sewage lift station. I doubt the Realtor knew but if he/she did they were not about to mention it.Jeff was correct BUT honestly in the several years Mom & Dad lived in their new home I think I maybe experienced the foul odor less than a handful of times.Where I l...
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By Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp, The Home Inspector With a Heart!
(SLS Home Inspections-Kankakee Will Iroquois Grundy Counties)
Not a Bozo Bucket For Sure     About 6-7 years ago, I had an inspection scheulded for a client that was buying his very first flip house. He owned a carpet cleaning business and this property was only $30,000. I remember thinking how many carpets he must have cleaned to save up $30K. Nothing was really out of the ordinary on the roof and exterior. The interior was a different story however. As I was in the basement looking at a section of about five  2x8 floor joists, I saw there were termite tunnels and what looked like squishy wood. There were entire sections I could actually squeeze and compress with my hands. There were also a short couple of pieces of 2x6 boards that the seller had attempted to nail in to the termite infested joists to help support the floor above. By attempted I m...
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By Scott Seaton Jr. SLS Home Insp, The Home Inspector With a Heart!
(SLS Home Inspections-Kankakee Will Iroquois Grundy Counties)
Now Just Hold on a Second There.     There are many times when a seller is present at the home inspection. Most of the time they just hang around the house, in the kitchen or family room watching TV or reading, etc. They may say to check with them if we have any questions we need answered. Very helpful and totally fine with me and my buyer. We always remind the buyer that we are in the seller's home and we should wear boot covers, which I bring with for them just in case to respect the home. I also remind the buyers not to discuss anything within earshot of the sellers just to avoid an awkward situation.      Many years ago, one seller decided to change things and make up a new set of home inspection standards. The buyer agent had not yet arrived. As I was removing my ladder and startin...
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By Stephen Fells, Marketing, Technology, Fun and News!
(AgencyLogic)
Slack's constant notifications can be annoying but help is at hand! In this quick video from the Fast Company YouTube channel, JR Raphael teaches you how to ease the pain.
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By Dr. Paula McDonald, Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
(Beam & Branch Realty)
I met with my team of agents today for our monthly meeting. Our main focus was on marketing in order to reap a future harvest. As we know from nature, those who plant seeds, nurture the seeds, and do the work, will reap the harvest at the end of the season. We can certainly learn a lot when we pay attention to the natural world.In real estate, many agents are still slumbering from their winter sleep. Suddenly they find it is Spring and they recognize they are not seeing any new leads. How did this happen and what can they do to make some needed changes right now?As a real estate professional, here is what you need to plant today in order to reap a future harvest:🌿 Plan your garden! Any gardener knows one of the first things you do before the growing season begins, is to plan their garde...
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By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
Brian Sharkey has some great information that he shared with us in his blog. 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...
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By Lorrie Semler, REALTOR® in the Dallas area. Call/text 972-416-3417, Real Service. Real Results. Real Estate
(Texas Pride Realty Group Brokered by HomeSmart Stars)
Effective immediately, I have joined fellow ActiveRain member Bob McCranie's team, Texas Pride Realty Group, brokered by HomeSmart Stars.   I have know Bob a long time and respect him and the team that he's built. I look forward to working with him and the agents he has assembled and trained. Brenda Thompson, the HomeSmart Stars broker, was my broker at a previous company and I'm thrilled to be back with her.I did "find my freedom" ... I embraced it and it led me here. This has been a long time coming and I am thankful for the opportunity to thrive with friends. 
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By Lise Howe, Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC
(Keller Williams Capital Properties)
I have been a Realtor longer than my daughter has been alive so I sort of assumed she had absorbed a certain level of knowledge in utero.  Boy... I was wrong. She is in the process of trying to buy a condo in Boston.  In her search to find that dream condo, she is working with a duo of young women whom she chose.   We had a conversation yestereday about how she prefers to see properties some times just with her fiance and not with her buyer agent.  This sounded very reasonable to me.  Frequently my clients will go to open houses without me.  I even joke that they should go to check out neighborhoods and a few open houses without me because it is fun to explore new areas and they don't need me breathing down their necks  while they explore. Then she said in all innocence that she has got...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
This was the first year in many that I did not grow a beard for the winter. I do/did miss the warmth. I say do because North Dakota did not get the message that Spring is here. We have been having one of the very coldest March's in history with temps more than 20 degrees lower each day than the "normal" high. Today the high is 23 and it's the warmest it has been in a week or more.What I don't miss is the hair in my mouth and the extra grooming that goes along with a beard. I am NOT a vain man but I do care about my appearance as of course all sales professionals should be.This post is not a "preaching" post as I've never met a stinky or unkempt Realtor in all my history as a Real Estate professional. I have seen agents, male and female, in appropriate attire but not un-groomed.One quick...
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By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
I love John Wooden and his lifetime of observations. I keep the little book next to me and when I have a moment to come up for air. I read a line or two from his book.So, with that said let me share some of his wisdom here: " ... a father and mother must be there to set an example for their children, strong and positive models of what to be and how to behave when the youngsters grow up....""...being a role model is the most powerful form of educating. Youngsters need good models more than they need critics. It is one of a parent's greatest responsibilities and opportunities..." Now with that said I was lucky to have parents who were great role models, and my father did not neglect me because hew so busy working, he always made time for me.      Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I ...
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By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
Wow what a outstanding blog by Debe Maxwell, catch it now! 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 mo...
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By Dr. Paula McDonald, Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
(Beam & Branch Realty)
In this installment of the series I've created about Podcasting, we are going to discuss the all-important investment of a quality microphone. I have found that the microphone is THE single most important purchase if you plan on doing a podcast. Quality sound is imperative and needs to be your top priority.As I began my podcasting journey, I ended up opting for a less-expensive model and before long, ended up purchasing a much better microphone later on. Therefore, why not get the best piece of equipment up front so you aren't spending money on equipment you will need to upgrade later?Here are my top tips for the best podcasting microphone:1. The space you choose to record is very important. Go to this post for more information about this topic.2. The microphone that I swear by is a Shu...
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By Ed Silva, Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally
(Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 )
There's a Difference Between Helping and SteeringAs real estate professionals we learn to find other professionals in necessary businesses to make our client's transactions flow smoother. It could be loan officers that we trust, lawyers that can handle closing properly, as well as inspectors and even tradespeople if repairs are needed.We also need to be mindful to have a few of each to give clients options and to also keep ourselves out of trouble if a question of steering arises.SteeringIn real estate, steering refers to an agent who steers potential buyers to neighborhoods as a discriminatory measure. It also includes sending buyers or sellers to specific people, as there is some type of monetary kickback for the agent. All are illegal and could mean not only loss of license but also ...
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By Brian Sharkey, SharkeyRE
(SharkeyRE LLC)
To help you learn how to effectively uncover and address objections in the sales process. Too often, salespeople fail to address objections and this can lead to lost sales opportunities. With this blog post, we’ll explore strategies on how to identify and address objections in order to increase sales. We’ll discuss how to identify objections and the importance of actively listening to buyers. Additionally, we’ll review techniques on how to effectively address objections in order to close more sales. By the end of this post, you should have the knowledge and tools needed to effectively uncover and address any objections that buyers may have. So let’s get started asking questions.Situation questions1. where are you moving to?2. When do you have to be there?3. what type of home are you loo...
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By Brian Sharkey, SharkeyRE
(SharkeyRE LLC)
The VALID BUYER CRITERIA CHECKLIST is a tool used to objectively evaluate potential buyers based on a set of criteria. It is designed to ensure that only qualified and motivated buyers who are in a position to purchase are given the time and attention they need to make a successful purchase. The 10 categories included in the checklist are: CITO (willingness to come into the office for a first interview with the right attitude), motivation, urgency, ability, loyalty, non-contingent, time, decision makers, disclosure, and affinity. By rating each of these categories with either a YES or a NO answer, it is easier to identify whether a potential buyer is a good fit or not. This helps to ensure that only those buyers who meet the criteria are given the attention they need to make a successfu...
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By Lise Howe, Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC
(Keller Williams Capital Properties)
I love everything that Barbara Todaro writes and we all miss her daily dose of wisdom.  This is a sweet piece that reminds all of us of why we (if we have been in real estate for a few years) do what we do - it is really about the relationships that can turn into lifelong friendships.   Have a great week! and thanks for the friendships I have made here!                                                                                    I recently had some communication, and a surprise visit, from a past client I hadn’t seen in 30 years. He found a post I had recently written on Facebook and reached out to me via text.  He’s into politics now with the Republican party. I suggested he bring signs with him, and I’d help him plant them in my neighborhood. He and his wife both visited. What a...
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By Realtyna Inc, WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM
(Realtyna)
The real estate industry is highly competitive. That is why real estate professionals need access to the most updated property information to stay ahead of the game. By providing access to data about properties for sale and information about market trends, MLS Router™ API presents new and advanced ways to access and use MLS data. From super-fast speed, seamless integration, and low cost to improved user experience, MLS Router™ API provides a feature-rich solution for high performance on real estate websites/applications.What Is the MLS Router™ API?MLS Router™ API is a headless plugin that allows developers to access MLS data through a standardized REST API. The headless real estate plugin allows developers/webmasters to easily integrate MLS data into real estate applications, websites, ...
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By Don Alexander
(1st Prime Realty)
Yes, Interest Rates are up and some Buyers are getting Good Rates because of Creative Financing.  As I Shift gears going after more Listings and Boosting my Nationwide Referral Network, I will use this Technology to Enhance my Listings: Enhance-Listings
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By Dr. Paula McDonald, Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
(Beam & Branch Realty)
Today I was listening to one of the March Madness coaches interviews from Furman University. This team did the unimaginable and upset a top seed in the NCAA tournament. The young man who hit the buzzer 3-point basket came out as a hero of the game.                    The coach said in the interview that his player, JP Pegues who hit the incredibly deep, 3-point buzzer shot had not performed that well throughout the game. However, he told said of the player, "This young man was prepared for THAT shot! He comes to practice early and he stays late." He continued saying, "The hard work this young man put in paid off when it was needed."Isn't this true of most things in life? The more prepared we are, the better chance we have to find success. During a clutch real estate transaction, the age...
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