Spring has sprung and with it, the risk of wildfires. If you think devastating wildfires only happen in places like California and the Southwest, think again. Case in point: watching Lahaina go up in flames several years ago was surreal precisely because it was so out of the ordinary. We don't normally think of Hawaii as a wildfire hot spot. But that's the point. As our climate continues to feel the effects of ever-increasing droughts and rising temps, we are starting to see places burn that never did before. Here's how wildfire risks affect real estate and what to do about it: … [Read more...] about How Wildfire Risks Affect Real Estate and What to Do About It
real estate
How to Nail a Perfect First Impression for 2026
"You only have one chance to make a first impression." -Judy Sheindlin Although we know there's more to someone than their "first impression" the same rarely applies in business. And when it comes to the real estate business your first impression could be your last. These days, your first impression starts with the "digital handshake" of your online presence. Your online branding--or lack thereof--sets the stage for how you're perceived by potential clients and colleagues. As the housing market lumbers into 2026 it's predicted to improve modestly but also be more of the same. Whatever housing reset the future might hold is likely to take time and roll out slowly. This makes it more important than ever to get folks through the door right off the bat. Knowing that clients judge first and … [Read more...] about How to Nail a Perfect First Impression for 2026
What Shadow Inventory Is and How to Make the Most of It
"Quality is not an act, it's a habit." - Aristotle | One of the most widespread and frustrating real estate trends to emerge last year was listing withdrawals. As the housing landscape shifted to reflect more inventory but with higher homeowner costs, the market stalled. In response, disappointed sellers yanked their homes off the market when over-asking offers, waived inspections and quick, all-cash closings didn't flood in as they did during the pandemic. Arguably, most of these thwarted sellers still want to sell but are biding their time. And as time marches on, more and more would-be sellers are moving from "want to" to "have to." Will 2026 be when all this changes? It's harder than ever to read the tea leaves but here's a breakdown on what shadow inventory is and how to make the … [Read more...] about What Shadow Inventory Is and How to Make the Most of It
How a Strong Rental Market Is Good News for Agents
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill - As we head into the last month of the last quarter of 2025, what a strange year it's been for the post-pandemic housing market! With the current market all but frozen over it's no wonder that more people are choosing to rent rather than buy. In "normal times"--if there is such a thing anymore-- this increased demand for rentals usually leads to rental prices going up. And in some major metros that is still the case (think New York City, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley). But even as the demand for rentals has increased many rental prices continue to drop. This flies in the face of "normal" and indicates further troubles ahead for the housing market. But … [Read more...] about How a Strong Rental Market Is Good News for Agents
How to Become One of the Vital Few
The "Pareto Principle" states that eighty percent of results come from twenty percent of efforts. This is widely known in real estate as the "80/20" rule, wherein roughly twenty percent of agents make up eighty percent of sales. This dynamic is understood as becoming part of the "vital few"--or, the twenty percent. Clearly, you want to firmly plant your business in the land of the twenty. And there is no better way to establish that trend for yourself and your business than by identifying and prioritizing the 20 percent of tasks within your control that will lead to 80 percent of your sales results. Following are some tried and true methods on how to become one of the vital few: … [Read more...] about How to Become One of the Vital Few