Many of us take for granted our right to own a home. And most of us are also unaware of how government-backed loan programs help us achieve homeownership. Referred to as "The American Dream," homeownership has become a rite of passage in this country. But history tells us widespread property ownership is a fairly recent phenomenon. Today, owning real estate is still recognized as the best way to build intergenerational wealth while also enjoying a secure place to live. Best of all, the right to own property is protected by our U.S. Constitution. Here's how real estate became a "thing" in the United States: … [Read more...] about How Real Estate Became a “Thing” in the United States
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How to Leverage the New Buyer Agreements
Today's real estate landscape is radically evolving due to the recent NAR Settlement. This is particularly true for how you as an agent working with buyers should handle the newly mandated Buyer Agreement (abbreviation in this article will be BA). Although BAs are not new, they were often overlooked in practice, except in some states that required them by law. As a result of the NAR Settlement, BAs will now be required for all "MLS participants" that are "working with" buyers. Come August, you as a buyer's agent must have your buyers sign an agreement of compensation before you can show them homes. And the biggest change is that it is now the buyer's responsibility to pay you directly, rather than the seller. This represents a radical change in the industry which has for decades placed … [Read more...] about How to Leverage the New Buyer Agreements
How to Close Your Listings Faster and for More
Think about it: you're a buyer in today's competitive housing landscape, competing against a multitude of other buyers where there's tight inventory and high interest rates. There are less homes than ever to choose from and most are more expensive than the year before. Or, how about this: you're a seller with a critical sell timeline and you want top dollar for your life's biggest investment. But buyers are playing a waiting game, sidelined by high interest rates and high prices. The last thing you want is for your home to languish on the market for too long. Whether you're a seller, a buyer, or an agent, it is more challenging than ever for everyone to get what they need. This is a never-seen-before market with post-pandemic factors still at play. But believe it or not, a seller's home … [Read more...] about How to Close Your Listings Faster and for More
Best Trending Home Staging Tips in Real Estate for 2024
As a real estate professional you know the true significance of January: getting out ahead of the upcoming spring sale season. You are preparing CMAs for potential listings, sending marketing materials to your farm area, and staying in front of your sphere and leads. And with the expectation of new listings coming onboard, you must be ready to guide your sellers towards the latest interior design staging trends to maximize top dollar. Statistics show investing 1.3% in staging results in a 7.1% average over-list return or 5-15% over asking price (Architectural Digest). Make sure you are a step ahead so that your listings reflect what today's savvy buyers are looking for. Whether you work with a professional stager or perform that service in-house, following are the best trending home … [Read more...] about Best Trending Home Staging Tips in Real Estate for 2024
Handy Dandy Marketing Reminders for Realtors®
In today's market, you, like many other Realtors®, may find yourself at a loss when it comes to ways to drum up new business. At the moment, inventory is scarce, buyers are priced out, and interest rates are high. Overall, business volume is down which means your bank account probably is too. That being said, it's more important than ever to reposition yourself for the inevitable rebound that is likely to happen in 2024. Since marketing often takes months before you see results, there is no better time than now to recommit to a solid, consistent marketing plan. Following are handy-dandy marketing reminders for Realtors® that will help get you on the right track: … [Read more...] about Handy Dandy Marketing Reminders for Realtors®