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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 Patricia Kennedy, Home in the Capital
(RLAH@properties)
Back in the day, a wise old broker told me, "Pat, if this was easy, they wouldn't pay you so much for doing it!" And through the decades, there have been so many situations were this wisdom snuck back into my brain.Here are a few transaction-destroying examples of unexpected surprises that can derail the trip to  the settlement table: For the buyer, it was love at first sight - a huge 1-bedroom coop unit  with a sunken living room with more than enough room for his grand  piano. Within an hour of the place hitting the MLS, we had a ratified contract, all cash, totally non-contingent, with a huge earnest money check and a price that was more stunning than the apartment (more came in by the end of the day). The evening before our 9:30 am appointment with the title attorney, my buyer calle...
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By Cara Marcelle Mancuso, Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!
(Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes)
Continuing education is crucial in the real estate field for several reasons. As a designated broker for the Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes, I have a duty not only to my own clients and sphere, but to the agents that work under our banner. Every two years, I am required by the state of Arizona to take 30 hours of continuing education, and a Code of Ethics class every 3 years marking me as a REALTOR® belonging to the National Association of Realtors®. Then there are the classes, webinars and zoom meetings one attends just to stay current in the local market.Real estate regulations and laws are constantly evolving. Continuing education ensures that we stay informed about any changes or updates in laws, regulations, and industry practices. For instance, you may have read of upcoming cha...
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By Mike Tolj, Commercial Real Estate Without the Stress!
(Tolj Commercial Real Estate )
In today’s competitive rental market, offering the right tenant amenities can make all the difference in attracting and retaining quality renters. As a seasoned professional in the commercial real estate industry, I’ve seen firsthand how investing in the right amenities can significantly boost your property’s value and appeal to potential tenants. In this article, we’ll explore the power of tenant amenities and how you can leverage them to take your rental property to the next level.Key Takeaways Tenant amenities can significantly boost your property’s value and attract quality renters Understanding your target market is crucial for selecting the right amenitiesImplementing and marketing amenities effectively can set your property apart from competitors Understanding Your Target MarketB...
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By KAREN SANCHEZ, ...Marketing your home like no one else will.
( Reputable Realty)
Land fraud is on the rise. Whatever the game is to get the deposit or to actually sell the land and collect the money. We know it’s out there and if it hasn’t come to your neighborhood yet beware it’s coming soon. I’ve gotten two inquiries this week And sure enough flags on the play. Red flags everywhere. So the first one sounded legit and we started going down the road. They were trying to sell a piece of land in one of my market areas and the legitimate owners lived in my other market area so I offered to go to their home or to meet them somewhere near their home to sign the papers. Oh no, we can’t do that. I happen to be in Dubai on business blah blah blah. OK I called a Title rep and had a discussion with them and another agent in town had the exact same inquiry and had called that ...
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By Elise Harron, Rural Vacant Land and Development Specialist
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Did you know how FEW buyers actually READ their Preliminary Title Report?When buying Vacant land for the purpose of someday maybe building a home on that land, if your property does not have "legal access" and you are relying on a loan for the build - this might be a VERY IMPORTANT MATERIAL FACT to be aware of during the shopping and purchase process.  I'm shocked when I run across people needing to "Sell" their land that they have owned for years waiting to build their dream home, and now they cannot build on it.... many times it is the legal access, real power or maintained road that is preventing them from getting a construction loan.  Other times it is something they have done on the property which now disqualifies them from getting a loan, like having a residential structure on the...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
Wisdom Has Been Chasing You...Whoa, slow it down there speedy! Yeah, you, moving like a small kid on a sugar buzz, after a day trip to granny's! Stop stirring up so much chaos by running all over hell's half acre, igniting uncertainty, instead of making your mind up.Inevitably, problems will persist because of that whirlwind approach to everything in life and any excuses are like starting an argument in an empty house. When it comes to buying property, that can prove calamitous.You might be faster than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition but some things require time. Avoid that sinking feeling once the commitment is made by hitting the brakes, be thorough, rely on the the hired professionals.You can keep from singing the financial blues by sticking close to a budget and an af...
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By Alan May, Home is where the hearth is.
(Jameson Sotheby's International Realty)
I'm hearing about a strange new phenomenon that is reaching for our shores... er... well, not really our shores, but at least our area.  That is northern Illinois.I've just started hearing about transactions falling apart because buyers are unable to obtain insurance for the property because the roof is over 10 years old.  Not because the roof is leaking, or the roof is in poor shape.  And in one case that I heard about it was an architectural shingle that had a 40-year warranty and it was 12-years-old, and the buyer was unable to obtain insurance.I'd heard of this in areas that are subject to wild weather... like Florida, Oklahoma and Texas, where tornadoes seem to seek and hunt down trailers and roofs and fling them around like Godzilla plays with Japanese cars, but here in Illinois, ...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
There are many basic home styles BUT not so many that a new agent has an excuse for not knowing them. I remember the first time a Buyer asked me if there were any Cape Cod style homes on the market. I didn't know because I did not know what a Cape Cod home looked like when I started in the business. I was embarrised and vowed "that won't happen again".Cape Cod style homeThe photograph above and information about the 30 most popular home styles can be found at the BHG website, just click on this link.Real Estate newbies can avoid the embarrassment I went through by doing your research before a client  asks them if you have any Country French styled homes on the market. 
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By Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert, Call me at 850-517-7098
(PMI. Destin)
Do these colors surprise you?I don't want to share what colors are on my walls, but then again, I am not trying to sell my house.  If you really want to sell your house for the most money in the shortest amount of time, you do need to prep the house for the new buyer.  I have heard of depersonalizing the house, putting away all those items that you cherish, because the new owner does not feel the same way.  It does not start with the wall color but that is something that needs to be considered,  A general rule of thumb is that the more neutral your walls, the better, since they can appeal to a broader set of buyers.Note: Buyers were able to select multiple colors, so totals do not add up to 100%.#realestate #realestateagent #listreports #buying #selling #realestateexpert #homeowner #fin...
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By Michael Elliott, Burlington, New Jersey Residential Sales
(Fathom Realty)
After years of managing several real estate offices, analyzing the careers of my counterparts,  and watching lots and lots of major league baseball, I have come to the conclusion that most managers have expiration dates.  The best ones do, anyway.Here is why:1.  The best managers have a passion for their system.   While this passion bring success to their team,  after 4-6 years it becomes exhausting for them to maintain a high level of everything involved.   They tend to burn out due to the never ending grind which tends to be monotonous.2.  The general manager(s) do not support or share the vision of the manager.  Simple things, small expenses,  some won't let the manager shift the culture by making necessary "subtractions". 2.  Their message tends to get old and tired.  Quite frankly,...
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By Denise Lones, CSP, MIRM, CDEI - Real Estate Coaching & Branding
(The Lones Group, Inc.)
Buyer Brokerage Agreements This week's Zebra Report is an important one. With all the laws changing around buyer-brokerage agreements, it is so important to know that soon, before a buyer can even go look at a house with you, that you will need to get them to sign a buyer-brokerage agreement. Even today, I recommend that when you begin providing your buyer with real estate services that you have a buyer services agreement in place. Now, the challenge with that is that they may not know you very well. Maybe they are calling you because they saw your sign in their neighborhood and are thinking, "Hey, I'll just give this agent a call and maybe they can show me a home." That means that you need to be able to have these kinds of discussions. It also means that many buyers are going to go on...
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By Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets, CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego
(Big Block Realty 858.232.8722)
To my valued clients - sold, active and future alike: I want you to know how much I appreciate you and your business. I strive to build positive relationships by working exclusively with people I admire and respect, and who value the service I provide.I built my business one relationship at a time. Through networking, through my business and through referrals. My goal is to duplicate my clients through delivering excellent service, thus creating advocates by close of escrow. I work in a way that makes my clients want to share their good experience with their friends, coworkers and family members. I can only do that if I both deliver the goods and do it a way that feels above and beyond.Staying in touch with all my current and sold clients through calls, mail, notes, pop-by's, social med...
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By Dr. Paula McDonald, Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
(Beam & Branch Realty)
Love them or hate them, our local school districts play a vital role in our communities. In Texas, the only way for school districts to build new schools, provide needed additions, and refurbish aging buildings, bonds must be called, have them presented to the community, and then the community votes on them. When bonds don't pass, school districts have to bring in portable buildings and make do with overcrowded facilities.In our city, we have been experiencing unprecedented growth. Therefore, every school in our district is at or over-capacity. We desperately need to pass a school bond so we can build the needed schools.As a REALTOR®, strong school districts equate to strong communities. Strong communities also equate to strong home market values. People move to areas with a solid workf...
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By Peter Tamura, BANNOCHIE TEAM
(Coldwell Banker Select)
 We are almost finished with the final walk-through and we notice a slight gas smell in the garage. We call an HVAC technician and they investigate and tighten up a few loose connections, retest and the problem is resolved.Now, who pays? Surely, it's not the buyer, this was a safety issue and the buyer doesn't own the house yet. It might not be the seller as we were outside of our ten day inspection period. I call our broker to get his opinion and his reply is interesting. Bill the inspector who missed it. I discussed with the HVAC technicians and they said it's very unlikely that an inspector will catch this.As the amount was nominal, I discussed splitting it with the listing agent and she agreed so that's how this was taken care of.The most important thing was the fact that it gets ta...
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By Sam Thomas, When it's important; hire a professional.
(Providence Group Realty)
When it comes to enhancing your home, you're not just investing in its aesthetics and functionality; you're also impacting your insurance rates. Yes, that's right! While some upgrades might lead to lower premiums, others could see them creep upwards. Let's delve into how your home improvements can sway your insurance costs.Lowering Your PremiumsImagine making your home safer and more secure while also enjoying reduced insurance premiums—sounds like a win-win, doesn't it? Here are some improvements that could lead to a pleasant surprise when it comes to your insurance bill:Upgrading Your Electrical System: Outdated electrical systems can pose fire hazards, but modernizing them with safer wiring and circuits can not only enhance safety but also lower your insurance premiums. Upgrading you...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
There are a lot of things a cartoonist can be sure of like holidays and seasons. Generalizations about the seasons can be a little bit of a guess. In his cartoon for today, written more than a month ago, Timmothy got it wrong. We are currently in a drought.This is an easy transition into Real Estate. You can always find a "guru" with an opinion that aligns with yours  thinking. One guru may proclaim "a billion home will sell next month" and another may say "there will be a drought in home sales and only 100 homes will sell in the USA this month". Beware of false profits! Keep in mind that Real Estate is local. A great example is that while the nation was experiencing a financial crash for many the Bakken Oil Boom hit in North Dakota creating more millionaires per capita then any other S...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
D-u-u-u-u-de, take a hike! When a house is being shown, it's best that owners, family members and their guests leave the property to allow the buyers to move through without interruption. Otherwise, conversations may take place when a person remains... Example:An out-of-work, 50 year old artist (owner's son), is currently living on premises. His long, stringy hair and body odor reflected poor hygeine habits, sweat pants sagging off his butt, offering non-stop chatter. His presence was a distraction as potential buyers viewed the house.  His behavior became very telling, informing them that the last home inspection did not go well. As a matter of fact, he revealed private information, saying, "The last buyers really beat up the seller on repairs and they cancelled."  The comment was a su...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR) Verifying information plays a large part in the real estate industry but also very necessary in everyday life. Rarely do I invest in something without diligently researching to ensure my money will be well spent. Homebuyer peace of mind comes from knowing exactly what is being purchased, including: Total square feet, potential repairs, property taxes, HOA fees (when applicable) to remain in-budget, without overspending. A lender (if used) can quickly determine whether the home sits in a flood plane.The title company can uncover any tax liens or other legal problems relating to the property, then deliver a clean and clear title at closing. Inaccurate information can lead to serious financial consequences further down the road, so hire an experienced a...
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By Bill Salvatore - East Valley, Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net
(Arizona Elite Properties )
In the tumultuous world of real estate financing, where mortgage rates seem to be in a perpetual state of flux, discovering a hidden gem can be a game-changer. Enter the assumable mortgage—a concept that's gaining traction for its potential to offer buyers and sellers a unique advantage in today's market. What is an Assumable Mortgage? An assumable mortgage is precisely what it sounds like: a home loan that allows the buyer to assume the seller's existing mortgage at its original terms, including the interest rate. This arrangement presents an intriguing opportunity for both parties involved, unlocking doors to favorable financing options that might otherwise be out of reach. The Rising Popularity of Assumable Mortgages Assumable mortgages aren't a new phenomenon; they've been around f...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
I Rose to the Occasion The office manager in our brokerage is having twins! When asked to bring a dish for her baby shower, I happily agreed. It's easy to order, pick something up from the store or a local bakery but instead, chose to make it more memorable. After shopping for ingredients, I went home to create some delicious edible goodies. The results of the salami roses with mozzarella balls and basil were a hit and the ham & cream cheese rollups were divine, fresh and tasty and eye pleasing! Do you know one of the top things that makes consumer's happy when buying or selling real estate? Industry smarts or community knowledge are important but it's actually an enjoyable experience! That is something everyone can provide. Many agents fall short during the process because the main foc...
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