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 Doug Rogers, Your Real Estate Resource!
(RE/MAX Coastal Properties )
Destin Florida Real Estate Advice- Why Are Insurance Rates Increasing?These days Destin Florida single family home and condo buyers are receiving sticker shock when getting insurance quotes. Given all the potential perils that property faces, insurance is a must (not to mention the lender will likely require). Let's examine some of the factors causing the increased rates and some things the consumer can do to get the most for their insurance buying buck. Some factors causing rates to rise1) Inflation in general- These days EVERYTHING is more expensive. The Fish tacos I had on Tuesday were twelve bucks back in 2019. This week's trip butchered an entire twenty dollar bill. 2) The cost of recent natural disasters--As mentioned above, everything is more expensive including building material...
Comments 0
By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Reciting the first 10 digits of Pi would be beyond me, much less 1,000 digits. Now with smart phones remembering everything I couldn't even tell you what my wife's phone number is. Back in the day I was a phone book junkie. I could spend an hour just looking through the white pages and on rare occasions I'd look through the Yellow pages. Today's phone book is a mere fraction of the size it was just 10 years ago and there is so little information in it I seldom even pick it up more than once a year.20 years ago you were nobody if you were not listed in the book. Today I believe if your name is in the book you are wasting your money.  What say You?
Comments 17
By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
Hey! Do you want to go look at houses with me?? Who doesn’t, right??It’s by far the BEST part of buying a house, and it’s one of my favorite parts of being a real estate agent!But, in order to do the FUN thing, you need something very important first, a PREAPPROVAL. Why? Which one do you need?Watch this short video about the first step in buying a home.#buyingahome #firsttimehomebuyer #homefinancing #sacramentorealestate #realestateadvice #realestate #newhome #homeownership
Comments 0
By Liz and Bill Spear, Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs
(Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com)
No, I'm not literally taking my clients' shoes and trying them on!  I'm about comfortable footwear that are easy on/off when showing houses, and that's about the end of my interest in shoes!But what we've been doing is spending a lot of time walking in our clients' shoes (figuratively) for the last year or so as we prepare to transition from our home in Ohio to our forever home (God willing) with the valley view in West Virginia.  The skills we've sharpened with almost 20 years in real estate is paying dividends for us now.  The advice we've been giving clients, well now the shoe is on the other feet (so to speak)!The architectural process came with some challenges, and delays...and another delay or two, but we've got plans that are almost finalized.Builder selection wasn't as easy as w...
Comments 15
By Dennis Neal, Your Home Sold in 21 Days or We Sell It For Free
(RE/MAX, Big Bear)
There are cameras at nearly every property now in my market. This is a perfect post to read again. Mama's Freaking! Daddy Wants to Pre-inspect!   Some advice to potential home buyers and their parents, if they should decide to have them tag a long: Refrain from giving strong opinions either way until in the car, driving away from the property.   Many people have security cameras or even trail cams set up in their homes and they can see all and hear everything Mama might say. That may jeopardize buyer position or any negotiating power.   People get excited and emotional in this business but keeping the lips zipped, helps keep everything in perspective.   And, as far as, Daddy pulling up carpet corners looking for pest infestations or setting up the ladder to take a look-see in the attic ...
Comments 3
By Dan Rochon, Top Realtor in Northern Virginia
(Greetings Virginia with eXp Realty)
ESSENTIAL STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE RENTING OUT YOUR HOUSEAre you considering renting out your house? Becoming a landlord can be lucrative, whether it's an extra property you own or a temporary arrangement while you're away.However, before you welcome your new tenants, you should take several crucial steps to ensure a smooth and successful rental experience.In this blog post, we'll walk you through the essential things to do before you rent out your house.1. Evaluate Your Financial ReadinessBefore diving into property management, evaluating your financial situation is essential. Calculate your potential rental income and compare it with your mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. Ensure you're financially prepared to handle any unexpected expenses during the ten...
Comments 2
By Darryl Davis, CSP, Designing Careers and Lives Worth Smiling About
(Darryl Davis Seminars)
By Real Estate Coach and Speaker Darryl Davis, CSP, and Real Estate Expert   In the realm of real estate, leadership insights often emerge from the most unexpected sources. Recently, I found myself on a flight, listening to the pre-flight instructions, and a simple yet profound message struck me: "Put your mask on first before assisting others." This seemingly counter-intuitive advice resonated deeply, encapsulating a crucial leadership principle: prioritizing self-care will enhance your capacity to lead effectively.   Just as prioritizing one's well-being is paramount for air travelers, it is equally vital for leaders in all spheres, particularly in the demanding world of real estate.    The Oxygen Mask Metaphor  At first glance, the instruction to secure your own oxygen mask before he...
Comments 2
By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Being follicaly challenged my bad hair day is never ending being I don't have any. That being said I am surrounded by those NOT follicaly challenged and when they have a bad hair day it usually gets blamed on the weather (humidity of wind).Weather plays a BIG part in the Real Estate world as well.Obviously the weather can make it hard to view homes at times. Less obvious is how does the home handle weather events? It the home properly insulated? Does the roof leak? How has the home stood up over the years to ground water problems or even flooding.These questions are best answered by a professional home Inspector. Often a Seller will have one so they can head off possible problems BUT if you are a Buyer I highly recommend that you hire your own Home Inspector. This is a big purchase, don...
Comments 14
By Candice A. Donofrio, 928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text
(Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker)
When I take a listing, there is ALWAYS a 7 day mutual kickout clause.If the seller does not hold up their end of the agreement (for example, making agreed-to repairs, clearing clutter, making property available for showings), I can release them unilaterally with 7 days' notice.Now if some act of God, family situation, etc. requires we pull the listing, of course I will do it.Otherwise, the seller can pull the listing IF I HAVE NOT DONE MY JOB to market the property.I make sure they know I am doing my job, with EVIDENCE.Within a few days following the signing of the listing, I provide my marketing plan** for the property (specific to the property and discussed prior to the agreement) with all the action steps ticked off, date and if ongoing, how frequently.**Note: I do not share the actu...
Comments 8
By Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP, Selling Homes Changing Lives
(DFW FINE PROPERTIES)
2023 TEXAS REALTORS® SHAPING TEXAS CONFERENCE, SAN ANTONIO, SEPTEMBER 7-10 had the power to fix my attention on timely issues, education, and fascinating networking opportunities from Leadership, Staff, Brokers, Attorneys, Appraisers, REALTORS®, and outstanding Texas REALTOR® Instructors. The Conference was well attended with enjoyable packed full days with Speakers and Committee Members. Colour GuardsThe opening session began with the traditional, highly prestigious military colour guard, assigned with the duty for protection of the national flag followed by Speaker, Admiral William H. McRaven, USN (Retired). Texas meetings always begins with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge of Allegiance: "Honor the Texas Flag; one state, under God, one and indivisible." The theme for Adm...
Comments 21
By Realtyna Inc, WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM
(Realtyna)
In today’s competitive real estate market, a strong online presence is crucial for success. Your real estate website is often the first point of contact for potential clients, making it vital to create web pages that not only inform but also captivate and engage your audience. In this article, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to help you craft top-notch real estate website pages that leave a lasting impression and drive business growth.1. Define Your Target AudienceBefore diving into webpage creation, it’s essential to understand your target audience. Different clients have different needs, preferences, and expectations. Consider whether you’re catering to first-time homebuyers, luxury property seekers, commercial real estate clients, or a mix of these. Tailoring your webpages...
Comments 0
By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
KISS my WHAT?! Believe it or not, the concept of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) was coined by the U.S. Navy as part of their systems goals. In design school, the same phrase became a desired result to be gained by avoiding the overly-complicated. My professor told me that people in business prefer an informed, straight forward approach, rather than sugar-coating or beating around the bush to prove a point. That advice stuck and determines how I continue to practice. "So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads." ~Dr. Suess From the time, I get the call for real estate guidance, everything becomes set in motion. Diligently working behind the scenes, to gather all necessary information that becomes an integral part of the real estate transac...
Comments 0
By Endre Barath, Jr., Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties)
Well, this Tuesday I took Diane to a great seafood restaurant in Redondo Beach. My front tire did not look good so on the way there I stopped and filled it with air.... long story short, good thing someone was there to help because we would have missed our lunch reservation. (www.Bluewatergrill) Then on top a friend of hers was already there to meet us:)I noticed that the Tire warning light was still on. So here comes Wednesday and well see for yourself. The Tire was not as bad as you can see, but by the time AAA arrived it was worse.Next thing you know I am good with air and on to the Tire Place. Yes you guessed it had a cut and needed a patch. Clearly, I had to reschedule my appointment in the office. All this in the day of a Realtor, seldom gets mentioned.  Wishing you a safe and hea...
Comments 23
By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
Check out the 3 most common mistakes made by first time home buyers.Don’t forget one of the biggest ones is not calling us!#realestate #homebuyingtips #buyingahome #realestateadvice #newhomeLori Mode is the rainmaker and owner of the Mode Real Estate Group. Lori started her career in real estate in 1987 after ten plus years as an Escrow Officer in the Sacramento area. Lori purchased her first home at the age of 19 and quickly realized that real estate was her passion and the best way for her to accumulate wealth. It gives her great satisfaction knowing she is creating generational wealth for her clients and families.Once she started at Keller Williams Realty, she was taught how to build a business, and a team, and the Mode and Durham Team was born. Fast forward and she now owns and runs...
Comments 2
By Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty, Florida Space Coast Homes
(Waves Realty)
This is a situation that happened to me recently. I actually have respect for the Realtor who did this. I think everything we do comes down to how we present a potential deal to our clients (either buyers or sellers).I have a client looking to buy a home for a family member. It would be one she wants to completely remodel. We found a home my client loved, and we put in an offer. (full cash, short inspection period, reasonably close to list price, quick close). The listing agent let me know that the seller accepted another offer with what she told me was "better terms"My client was upset that she was given no chance to up the offer or sweeten the terms. The next question from my buyer was: Did the listing agent double side the deal? (unfortunately, I had to inform the buyer that, yes, th...
Comments 11
By Lori Mode, Real Estate Made Simple
(The Mode Real Estate Group)
I’m a real estate agent and I make videos. And you’re probably like, “I know, but who cares?” Here’s why you should care. Because I make videos, I can get you more offers on your home.Generally speaking, because I make video content, I have a larger audience that consumes the content I put out. Some of that content is about the houses that I sell: larger audience, more potential buyers, more offers.Also, I regularly create listing videos that are professionally done by a videographer. So your house will be highlighted not only in professional photos but in a slick video walkthrough as well.Also, I’m happy to offer 1-on-1 showings through video. If a prospective buyer wants to see the house but can’t make it in person, we can jump on a video call and I can walk them through the house vir...
Comments 2
By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
Timmothy's cartoon today was easy to lead into a Real Estate topic... unfortunately.Thank you to GHBA Huston for the art work.This post was very easy to find material for but the best post I found to tie in comes from:https://financebuzz.com/real-estate-scamsI read the entire article and it opened my eyes to a few I was not familiar with before, especially #8 "We buy homes". Those signs were all over Minot after a flood in 2011 that destroyed 1/3 of Minot's housing.10 Common Real Estate Scams (And How to Avoid Them)1. Business email hacks and wire transfer fraud 2. Lock-out agreements and processing fees 3. Cashier’s checks and refunds 4. Notice of pendency 5. Unsolicited buyers wanting off-market sales6. Forged deeds 7. Suing a seller for not disclosing “known” issues 8. “We buy homes!...
Comments 16
By Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP, Selling Homes Changing Lives
(DFW FINE PROPERTIES)
How could everything be so right and then like a bolt of lightning everything changes? Today is Wednesday, September 13, 2023. Wednesday is for Wonder Mongering. This photograph was recently taken from my window seat flying on United. Today's blog post is dedicated to anyone wonder mongering about why strange things happen causing others to seek clarity to the problem-solving process after somebody does something stupid to change the course of good. My colleagues and I are used to problem-solving when it comes to the real estate business. We can appreciate consulting with our clients about the value of doing things the right way by making corrections, modifications, or changes when needed. Taking responsibility is expected behavior. Flying in the sky can be so peaceful. For me, I do a l...
Comments 19
By Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert, Call me at 850-517-7098
(PMI. Destin)
Tis the season.Embrace the advantage of the season!With peak moving time behind us, now is the time to make your move.  It is always a great time to make a move.  Let's seize this opportunity to find your dream home and make your move as smooth as possible.Send me a message to get started!#thehelpfulagent #home #houseexpert #house #listreports #homeowner #moving #timetomove #realestate #realtor #realestateagent #icanhelp #stressfree
Comments 2
By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
Always miss Lou Ludwig but will always re blog his great information.     When You Speak . . . . Speak Clearly and Listen “Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let them fall.” Oliver Wendell Holmes 1809 - 1884, America Physician, Poet, Professor, Lecturer, Author   As I see it . . . . . . . When you speak . . . . Speak clearly and listen   For those who speak clearly will be understood . . . .   Those that listen will understand . . . .   When you’re listening you’re fully engaging the speaker.   A proactive listener will draw the other person into the conversation with their listening skills. The more you listen. . . . the more information you will gather and the better you will understand what the speaker is saying.   Information and knowledge does not come ...
Comments 3
Back to Top