Starting a new career in real estate is exciting. You get to be your own boss, meet new people and earn a living helping them to solve their real estate needs. Getting your license was the easy part. Now it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get to work finding people who need your help. In real estate nearly …
First Time Home Buyers Prop-Up Existing Home Sales
The much awaited return of first time home buyers in May gave the market a much needed dose of optimism that hasn’t been seen in years. The one area that has been holding the market back was a lack of first time home buyers. If this trend continues it could be a sign that a stable healthy market is on …
Why Lowering Your Real Estate Commission Can Be Bad for Clients
In real estate, there are no guarantees, and as a full-time real estate agent, commissions are how you earn a living. For most agents it is their only source of income. One of the challenges facing many agents is maintaining 100 percent real estate commissions. There are always going to be potential clients who want to negotiate a lower price. …
Pending Home Sales is on a Tear, Highest Level in Nine Years
Pending home sales is on a tear across the U.S. reaching its highest level in nine years with the West and Midwest reporting the largest gains, according to figures recently released by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Based on the number of contract signings that occurred in April, 2015, the Pending Home Sales Index rose to 112.4, a year-over-year …
Appearance Matters for Real Estate Success
Appearance is all about perceptions. And, like it or not, how we are perceived is based, to a large extent, on the image we project through our outward appearance. In real estate where you are your own boss, nobody is going to tell you what to wear. Instead, it will be reflected in your income. Your appearance is the first …
How Realtors® Can Preserve Their Commission
Commissions are the livelihood of real estate agents and brokers. It is what motivates them to sell. However, there are times when agents reduced their commission, but felt they were worth more. So, how do you protect the integrity of your commission? It really comes down to negotiating and experience. When a seller asks an agent to take less, what …
Chicago Property Listings That Disclose Energy Costs Close Faster, says Study
Energy efficiency is important to home buyers and Chicago property listings that disclose energy costs close faster and at a higher percentage of the asking price, according to a study conducted by Elevate Energy. Based on its findings, Elevate Energy found that there appears to be a correlation between a home’s energy cost and the actual selling price. “Energy costs …
Is it Time for Realtors® to Get a Smart Watch?
With all the recent publicity surrounding smart watches lately, it is a growing trend that many believe will be the next mainstream mobile device. In fact, the smart watch market is expected to grow significantly over the next few years. Also, it was recently reported that Swiss watch makers are in the process of developing a smart watch. And since …
FHA Considers Credit Scoring Change That Could Help More Buyers Qualify for Home Mortgages
Home ownership is on the decline and tight credit standards may be to blame so the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) is considering changes to the way credit scores are calculated to help more buyers qualify for home mortgages. This is welcome news for real estate agents and brokers. “Realtors® support safe, responsible access to mortgage credit for borrowers who can …
Majority of Home Sales Still by Real Estate Agents and Brokers, says NAR
With the enormous amount of real estate information available online today, it is not surprising for some individuals seeking a career in real estate to wonder about its long-term prospects. But the overwhelming majority, 88%, of home sales is still transacted through a real estate agent or broker, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The number of home buyers …