Michelle Magnus Brown

Let's just put it out there: 2023 was a weird year for real estate. High interest rates, low inventory, "golden handcuffs," lack of affordable housing and global uncertainty all combined to create a perfect storm of marketplace confusion. And when things feel that uncertain, many would-be buyers and sellers choose to sit on the sidelines. Who can blame them? The good news is that regardless of how the market is behaving, there are things you can do as a real estate professional that will move your business towards success. Following are 7 steps to make 2024 your best year yet: … [Read more...] about 7 Steps to Victory: Make 2024 Your Best Year Yet

It has been said "history repeats itself" and one thing's certain: you can learn a lot from history. Real estate history is no different and has a cycle that more or less repeats. Once you understand this cycle you can anticipate changes ahead to better serve your clients and your business. The most studied and well-known cycle in real estate is over 90 years old and is called "The 18-Year Property Cycle." Here's the 18-Year Property Cycle and why you should know it: … [Read more...] about The 18-Year Property Cycle and Why You Should Know It

Adding a home warranty to your listing or closing adds value to your business. Experienced real estate agents are well aware of this. We already know that a home warranty can help sell your listing faster and for more money. And when offered as a closing gift to buyers a home warranty makes a memorable gift that helps generate repeat business. However, misinformation abounds and the home warranty industry is no exception. Following are the top five home warranty myths debunked: … [Read more...] about The Truth About Home Warranties

Today's real estate landscape has never been more challenging when it comes to closing deals. Mortgage rates are at 20-year highs, marked by tight inventory, insurance hurdles and inflation. According to data compiled by Redfin, 15.7% of homes that went into contract in August 2023 fell through. This hurts your seller and can dramatically affect the perception of the property's value. Regardless of how you frame it, there is often a perceived blight on the property when it suddenly shows "back on market." Following are ways to prevent your deals from falling through: … [Read more...] about Ways to Prevent Your Deals from Falling Through

Today's high interest rates are keeping many would-be buyers on the sidelines. Real estate sales are down 15.3% from the previous year of 2022, which were already down from the year before that. Today's interest rates currently average 7.61% - a big jump from just a year ago when the average was 5.34%. But some buyers simply must make a purchase now, regardless. Learning clever ways to hack high interest rates can help. Following are ways you can help your clients get some relief. … [Read more...] about Clever Ways to Hack High Interest Rates