Why the End of Forbearance Will Not Lead to a Wave of Foreclosures

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Many people who took advantage of federal mortgage payment forbearance during the COVID-19 pandemic are now just past or nearing their plan’s end date. This means millions of homeowners are now resuming their regular monthly mortgage payments, along with trying to make up the 6-12 months of missed payments from the forbearance period.

It’s hard not to wonder if this will be a repeat of the 2008 housing market collapse. People fear that homeowners, still underemployed due to the pandemic, will not be able to resume their monthly mortgage bills. Many skeptics say that this will lead to a wave of foreclosures that could cause the housing market to plummet in value. However, real estate experts say that the market today is nothing like it was back in 2008, and they do NOT anticipate an increase in foreclosures due to the end of forbearance plans. Read more

What Makes a Good Real Estate Agent?

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Becoming the best real estate agent possible requires more than sitting at a desk completing clerical work. You must work strategically and passionately to serve the best interests of your clients. Make sure you embrace these habits to become a trusted and popular real estate agent. 

Leverage New Technology

You don’t need to become an expert on every social media platform out there, but you will gain far more traction with your business if you purposefully harness the best technologies available. 

Most importantly, texting and email are no longer enough! You want to gain a Facebook or Instagram following, create virtual reality tours for your properties, master a brokerage CRM, and download helpful apps onto your phone. 

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Three Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

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When you embark on the journey of selling your home, there are several different paths that you can take. The two most common ways to sell a home is for sale by owner (FSBO) or through a real estate agent. While FSBO might seem to have some advantages, there are some very good reasons to hire a real estate agent.

More Money in Your Pocket

You might think that you are saving money by not paying a real estate agent, but in reality you could be losing money. A study done in 2017 found that homes represented by agents sold for 30 percent more than homes sold FSBO. Even when you factor in the commission for the real estate agent, you can see that you will easily come out ahead when you use an agent. Read more

How to Work with a Realtor to Sell Your Home Quickly

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When you need to sell your home quickly, working with a realtor is often your best bet. About 89 percent of people who sell their homes use a real estate agent. Using a realtor has many benefits, including getting your home into all the major listings and having someone on your side throughout the purchase and closing process. Here’s how to work with a realtor to sell your home quickly.

Talk About Bottom Offers

Talk to your realtor about the lowest possible price you are willing to accept for your home. When your realtor knows how low you are willing to go, it will help them in negotiating with potential buyers. You will be able to sell your home much faster if you are able and willing to negotiate a lower price than your listing price. Your realtor can help you set your listing price and determine the lowest amount you should accept. Read more

3 Things to Look for in a Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Home

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Selling your home can be a daunting task, and if you aren’t prepared to deal with buyers and negotiations on your own, it can be a good idea to hire a real estate agent. Getting an agent based on selling price or commission rates can be a mistake. Here are three things you need to look for in a real estate agent in order to sell your home successfully.

Educational Background

Ask your real estate agent for their credentials. You will want to make sure that they have the proper education, certifications, and licensures to be a successful real estate agent. They should be familiar with all of the laws and regulations related to selling a home, as well as the entire process from start to finish. Newer agents might not have as much experience, but if they have the required education and certifications, they should be able to do the job. Read more

How Do Great Real Estate Agents Succeed?

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Have you watched in awe as other real estate agents have closed deal after deal after deal? You can be one of the top performers too, as long as you know the secrets that great real estate agents use to succeed. Give the following habits a try; they may just help you meet and surpass your goals this New Year.

Make Technology Your Advocate

There’s virtually no end to the potential uses of technology in your real estate practices. If that feels overwhelming, you don’t need to pressure yourself into becoming a master of every social media platform of Android app out there, but you do need to strategically use the best technologies available.

The sad truth is that texting and email – once the ultimate advancements in real estate – are no longer enough! Start by selecting a social media platform and building a following. You may choose Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other popular site. Post live tours, new listings, contests, fun facts, local events, and other interesting posts to keep your followers coming back for more.

You can also try to master a brokerage CRM or download helpful apps onto your phone. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’s okay if it takes you all of 2019 to feel comfortable with some of the newer tech tools. It’s better than standing still in the dark ages!

Embrace Your Local Area

You should always be in tune with the pulse of the neighborhoods in your local area. Beyond just understanding the real estate market values, you should become an expert on the best schools, restaurants, amenities, and subdivisions in your target areas. It’s also helpful to appreciate the issues of your area as well in order to address them for concerned buyers and sellers. In essence, you want to become a walking, talking encyclopedia about your region. This will help you exude confidence and competence that customers will be drawn to. Read more

How to Generate Buzz For Your New Listings

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A beautiful listing is nice to admire, but it won’t help you sell a home unless it generates buzz and captures the attention of nearby homeowners-to-be. In a world saturated with marketing ploys and advertisements, it can feel challenging to create enough buzz for your listings. These tips will help you make the most of each listing you create and close deals like a pro.

Use Social Media For All It’s Worth

Social media is a powerful tool when used the right way. You can leverage so much more than just your own profile to spread word about your new listing:

  • Create a post and pay to “boost” it to your local community. It only takes $20 or $30 to make sure you ad is seen by thousands of hopeful homeowners.
  • Create and post a video tour of the new home – you can even use Facebook Live to give an exclusive “First Look” that gathers extra viewers
  • Join local groups that are most likely to discuss, post, and search for real estate, and use the forum to offer your new listing as the exciting opportunity it is.

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4 Excellent Social Media Tips For Real Estate Agents

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Whether you love it or hate it, social media has become an absolutely essential platform for real estate agents. The Internet has transformed the home buying process, with 94% of younger generations and 84% of baby boomers using online sites and tools to search for their future homes. Use the following social media tips to make sure you are properly capitalizing on this steadily growing wave of Internet power.

Add Services and Reviews

Facebook makes it possible to add descriptions of the different services that you offer as a realtor. This might include a free buyer consultation or a free market valuation for sellers. Emphasize your best services as well as the services most likely to attract new customers. These will be featured on your social media profile for any visitors looking to learn more about you.

The same goes for reviews. Ask past clients for reviews of your services and make sure you have permission to post them publicly. These testimonials will speak for themselves and help potential clients identify you as a trustworthy, reliable, and knowledgeable local real estate agent.

Participate in Local Groups

Social media houses countless groups for just about every purpose in your local area. Join groups that have the potential to be relevant to real estate – like swap groups, neighborhood chat groups, and local events groups. Participate in the discussions to publicize your name and capitalize on any opportunity to subtly advertise one of your properties. Read more

Realtor Safety 101: What to Do to Keep Yourself Safe During Showings

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When asked to list dangerous jobs, most people would list law enforcement or construction, but any buyer’s or seller’s agent knows that there is plenty of danger in the real estate field as well. Since agents commonly need to meet strangers in empty, isolated homes at unconventional hours to host showings, the potential for an attack should always be taken seriously.

If you are a real estate agent yourself, use the following tips to keep yourself as safe as possible during showings.

Always Meet in the Office First

Even in broad daylight on a busy street, it’s not the best idea to meet a total stranger for a showing in an unfamiliar home. Always meet clients in your office first. This gives you an opportunity to learn more about your client and identify any suspicious or threatening behaviors. Read more

Postcards Every Real Estate Pro Needs to Have in His Arsenal

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Social media has taken over our lives, but the art of snail mail isn’t dead! This is especially true for real estate agents who can use postcard mailers to connect with potential clients and boost sales. If you want to become the best real estate pro in your community, put these postcards in your arsenal and use them to your advantage.

Why Use Postcards?

Postcards provide a way to catch the attention of buyers, sellers, and those who are in the middle but need a push to take action. At the very least, distributing postcards establishes your brand recognition and makes it more likely that a recipient will search for your name when help is needed in the future. In the best case scenario, you will receive multiple leads responding to the purpose of your postcard.

Just Listed Postcards

A just listed postcard can be sent to your existing contacts and leads or an entire development or subdivision. Be sure to include the following elements in this type of postcard:

  • Picture(s) of home
  • “Just Listed” or “New to the Market” in large font
  • Quick, easy-to-skim highlights of home’s features
  • Price, if desired
  • Your contact information

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