For the last few years the subject of what's known as the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) has caused quite a stir in the real estate world. In 2020 a lawsuit was filed against NAR, the author of CCP, only to be dismissed and revived a number of times. The gist of it alleges that NAR's CCP rule is anticompetitive and violates antitrust laws. With what appears to be a way to satisfy both sides--those that want to keep it and those that want it gone--NAR announced on March 25 a compromise of sorts by adding a complementary option. Here's the latest on the Clear Cooperation Policy: … [Read more...] about The Latest on the Clear Cooperation Policy
Realtor Resources
How a Strong Middle Class Creates Real Estate Wealth
The American middle class was born roughly seventy-five years ago thanks to the GI Bill and government-backed loan programs. These programs spurred homeownership and consumer spending and culminated in the robust real estate industry we have come to expect. The opportunity for regular folks--commonly known as the "middle class"-- to own homes is a defining feature of The American Dream. It's also historically been the main driver of the real estate industry itself. As such, the careers of most real estate agents rely on the ability of the middle class to continue to buy and sell homes. Here's how a strong middle class creates real estate wealth: … [Read more...] about How a Strong Middle Class Creates Real Estate Wealth
How to Not Waste Money on Home Upgrades
More is not always better. In fact, when it comes to home improvement, more can sometimes be worse, especially when it comes to unique design elements. When counseling your clients on home upgrades for a top sale, make sure they know how to not waste money on home upgrades: … [Read more...] about How to Not Waste Money on Home Upgrades
Learn to Read Body Language for Better Results
Do you ever wonder what your clients are really thinking? Chances are, their body language is screaming the answer loud and clear. Since real estate is first and foremost about building positive relationships, the ability to pay attention to body language and understand its inherent meaning is not just nice--it's vital. Ultimately, what you're after isn't manipulation. Far from it. The goal of effectively using body language is to communicate better and develop trust with your clients. Following are some easy ways you can learn to read body language for better results: … [Read more...] about Learn to Read Body Language for Better Results
How to Target New Construction in 2025
It's no secret that today's higher interest rates have cast a chill on real estate transactions. Roughly 84% of today's mortgaged homeowners are locked into a rate below 6% so it's no wonder they are staying put, thereby reducing inventory and transaction volume. As such, many buyers are priced out of the market, stuck on the sidelines until rates come down or inventory goes up--or both. Meanwhile, new construction currently represents one third of all single-family housing for sale, adding much needed inventory to the market. More significantly, many builders are offering buy-downs and incentives, effectively reducing interest rates to a comparative 4.5 to 5.5 percentage rate, substantially below today's average of 7 percent. This is why you want new construction in your business plan. … [Read more...] about How to Target New Construction in 2025