Despite the bad economy and the poor condition of the real estate market – houses selling so cheaply and many foreclosures, etc. – the number of new applicants for real estate licensing is actually moving higher in some states. Interesting, as it’s a pretty challenging time to be in real estate or the mortgage business [...]
There is certainly a great deal of pressure on the real estate industry. It’s not just the changes brought on by the Internet. Consumers are becoming more demanding, and there is continual pressure to lower real estate commissions. Of course, the Internet is spurring many changes in how agents deliver their core services as well. [...]
Need some inspiration to help your real estate business? Here are some tips that can help. You’re running a business – treat it that way. Are you investing in training, new technology and innovation? If not, allocate between 9 percent and 15 percent of your gross commission income to these activities – it’s the best [...]
When it comes time to sell your home, finding a real estate agent can be a daunting task. Who do you choose and what’s the difference? Real estate transactions are complicated, and if you’re like most home buyers, all your assets are on the line. But all real estate agents aren’t created equal. Some realtors [...]
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there are over 2 million real estate agents working in the USA. With so much competition, sucess can’t be a shot in the dark. The first year drop out range estimated to be from 40% to 80% demonstrates that many real estate agents are not as successful [...]
If you have your real estate licence and are thinking about your next move, don’t ask yourself how you should begin, but how should you excel. The first thing you need to think about is connections. Build and maintain relationships with your clients because returning customers and referrals is where you will get the majority [...]
If you’re a buyer in the real estate market, particularly a first time buyer, then engaging a real estate agent is really a must do. In the majority of cases, engaging an agent is free, yet their assistance can help you save a lot of time and a lot of money. Buying real estate may [...]
Whether you are a seller or buyer, your real estate agent is there to act on your behalf and to help you achieve the best possible outcome. This doesn’t always mean the best possible price since there are other variables that need to be taken into consideration. These include how quickly it takes to sell [...]
There is far more to selling a home than just engaging a real estate agent. Agents can do a lot for you, but you have to do a lot of work yourself. We wrote earlier about what makes the perfect buyer – so what would make an ideal seller? I said it takes a lot [...]
This could be written tongue in cheek, but it’s not. A buyer or seller needs to have the best when it comes to real estate agents. As agents, we also have an idea of who makes the best buyers and sellers. If you check out the following traits, you will understand why. The Perfect Home [...]
This may sound a little strange, but for those looking to buy a new home, one of the most important steps is to let your real estate agent get to know you. I am not necessarily talking about inviting them out to dinner and opening your soul to them, but if a real estate agent [...]
In some states like Virginia, Maryland and D.C., dual agency is permitted so long as there is a full disclosure to all parties. For the real estate agent, it is a bonus since they then receive both the selling and buying commissions once the sale has been completed. For buyers and sellers, does it mean [...]
Good real estate agents are around for a long time. Over time, they learn a few little tricks of the trade that help them to stand out from the rest. One example of this is the way marketing materials are used for those wanting to sell their properties. We have often mentioned the use of [...]
What does the ideal real estate agent look like in 2010? What did they look like ten years ago? This is a hard question since everyone has different needs. However, there are four attributes that you could apply across the board to today’s real estate agents – if they meet all four attributes then you [...]
If you’re in the market looking to buy real estate then you should consider finding a real estate agent to represent you. There is no cost involved since the buyer’s real estate agent receives a share of the sales commission. Before taking on a buyer’s real estate agent, considering a few important factors. For example: [...]
You may wonder what real estate agents and taxi drivers have in common. Not a lot except for one feature of some real estate agents. The ‘taxi driver syndrome’ refers to the habit of some real estate agents who prefer to taxi prospective buyers around to properties. The problem is, rather than viewing properties that [...]
The real estate industry is no different than most other services – you will find poor real estate agents and you can find good real estate agents. The problem is, how do you find a good real estate agent? Perhaps these tips may help. Attend open houses and talk to the real estate agent present. [...]
We could be called brave, we could be called gullible but most of the time we are just plain ignorant when it comes to buying real estate. In fact, we are often not helped by the very people we rely on for help – the real estate agent. As a buyer, you have to be [...]
Looking at that title, you may be wondering what I am talking about. Let’s face it, most real estate agents don’t like closing at all – the more days they are open the more sales they can make. Of course, that could just be the wrong interpretation of “closing” too – and it is. By [...]
One of the hardest questions to answer relates to pricing real estate. If someone walks in off the street with an address and asks us for a valuation, it is impossible to provide one without further information. This includes personally viewing the property as well. There are a number of factors that go into the [...]
Here is a question that always sparks plenty of discussion. “Do I need a Realtor when buying or selling my property?” Often, the general consensus from a discussion like this is – ‘yes you do, but watch them because they are only in it for themselves’. Often, this is true, but then it could be [...]
The world of business can be a strange place sometimes and one of the strangest of them all is that of real estate and the real estate agents that operate in that area. Over the years we have seen agents who appear to have only one interest – their own. As any sensible person would [...]
