The NAR Settlement went into effect on August 17th, but has been making headlines for the last year. Brought about by several class-action lawsuits and with the weight of the DOJ behind it, the Settlement has effectively changed the way that agents get paid and by whom. As the new reality sets in there still remains a lot of confusion. Keep in mind the new rules* are designed to do several things: Relieve sellers from the obligation of paying commission to the buyer's agent; prohibit advertising an offer of compensation on the MLS; and make it harder for agents to steer clients based on commission amounts. The goal is total transparency. As the new rules relate to the business of listings, your best way forward is to face this head on. Here's how to make the most of the new rules on your … [Read more...] about How to Make the Most of the New Rules on Your Next Listing Presentation
The Most Popular Time to Decorate for Halloween
The summer solstice has barely come and gone, and already the stores are overflowing with Halloween decorations. This may leave you wondering about the timing of decorating for this spooky time of year. But fear not. As it turns out, there is a generally agreed upon time for your home to transform into a haunted house, per the latest statistics. Following is the most popular time to decorate for Halloween: … [Read more...] about The Most Popular Time to Decorate for Halloween
How to Get Your Windows Ready for Cooler Temps
Your window insulation is the perfect place to begin to get your windows ready for cooler temps. Here's how to get your windows ready for cooler temps: … [Read more...] about How to Get Your Windows Ready for Cooler Temps
How to Make the Most of the New Rules on Your Next Open House
The new commission rules as per the NAR Settlement in mid August are now in full force. It's impressive to see how most agents are nimbly navigating and evolving to meet the new requirements and do business as usual. Now more than ever it's important to develop a mindset that embraces - and makes the most of - the still-new commission rules. One effective way to do this is to double-down on your next Open House. The Open House marketplace can create opportunities to bring in more qualified buyers. Although the new commission rules add the burden of ever-increasing paperwork, it's possible to turn those lemons into lemonade. Here's how to make the most of the new rules on your next Open House: … [Read more...] about How to Make the Most of the New Rules on Your Next Open House
How to Make the Most of These Outdoor Kitchen Trends
Sure, we're homeowners, but we also love to take it all outdoors. Outdoor kitchens are the perfect example of our desire to create a backyard oasis for all the same reasons we gather around an indoor kitchen. Here is how to make the most of these outdoor kitchen trends: … [Read more...] about How to Make the Most of These Outdoor Kitchen Trends