Hey there, thrill-seekers and game-changers! Today we are unleashing some real-talk wisdom that’ll revolutionize your financial playbook. Strap in, because we are about to unveil why getting your real estate license in a down economy – marked by rising interest rates and mounting defaults – isn’t just a smart move; it’s a mission-critical, bank-account-boosting power play that will redefine your destiny.

Seizing Opportunity Amidst Chaos

Picture this: the economy is facing turbulence, interest rates are on the rise, and the alarm bells are ringing with news of increasing defaults. Most people would retreat, tuck away their dreams, and pray for stability. But not you, my friend. This is your chance to stand out, to control your destiny rather than letting it be dictated by economic tides. Real estate, you see, thrives on volatility – it’s where opportunities flourish amidst chaos.

Capitalizing on Rate Fluctuations

Rising interest rates might make traditional financing less appealing, but that’s where your real estate license comes in as a potent weapon. As an agent, you’ll have your finger on the pulse of creative financing strategies that turn rate fluctuations into profit. You’ll be the go-to guru for buyers and sellers seeking innovative ways to make deals happen, ultimately solidifying your role as a pivotal player in an evolving market landscape.

Navigating the Default Dilemma

Defaults and foreclosures can send shockwaves through the real estate realm, but rather than shying away, you’ll dive right into the eye of the storm. With your real estate license, you’ll be equipped to explore distressed properties, negotiate with lenders, and orchestrate deals that salvage value from adversity. In the midst of defaults, your expertise will shine brighter than ever, positioning you as a beacon of hope and solutions for distressed property owners.

The Flexibility of Part-Time Prowess

Now, I get it – diving headfirst into a new career can be intimidating, especially when you’re not sure about the financial stability of unguaranteed commissions. But here’s the kicker: even starting out part-time as a real estate agent is a move that can outshine any 9-to-5 grind. Why? Because in the real estate game, your earnings aren’t tied to a fixed salary cap. Every deal you close, every negotiation you master, translates to dollars in your pocket.

Breaking Free from Income Ceilings

The conventional job market imposes income ceilings that keep you tethered to mediocrity. But with a real estate license, you’re breaking free from the shackles of limited earning potential. Your hustle determines your income – the more you put in, the more you rake in. As an agent, you’ll be playing a high-stakes game where your efforts directly correlate with your financial triumphs.

The Power of Commission-Based Success

Some may shudder at the thought of unguaranteed commissions, but let me tell you, those commissions are your golden ticket to abundance. They align with your work ethic, your dedication, and your commitment to excellence. Instead of waiting for a monthly paycheck, you’ll be seizing the thrill of closing deals and reaping rewards, fostering a mindset that champions relentless pursuit and fearlessly chasing down opportunities.

Becoming the Architect of Your Wealth

Getting your real estate license in a challenging economy isn’t just about tapping into existing opportunities; it’s about creating new ones. You’ll be architecting your wealth, constructing a future where your financial success is in your hands, not subject to the whims of a corporate hierarchy or a boss’s approval. Every move you make, every deal you close, brings you one step closer to the empire you’re building.

The Investment in Yourself

Amidst rising uncertainty, investing in yourself becomes the ultimate hedge against economic turmoil. Acquiring your real estate license isn’t just about adding credentials to your name; it’s about attaining a toolkit of skills that are transferable across industries. Negotiation prowess, market insights, and strategic thinking – these are assets that won’t just serve you as a real estate agent, but in any entrepreneurial venture you undertake.

Commanding Your Destiny with Your Real Estate License

In this economy of twists and turns, the real estate industry stands as a beacon of opportunity, resilience, and financial independence. Rising interest rates and defaults? They’re not stumbling blocks; they’re stepping stones for those who dare to conquer the market. Your real estate license is your ticket to becoming a master of your destiny, a warrior who doesn’t falter in the face of adversity.

So, whether you’re ready to dive in full-time or start as a part-time agent, remember this – the conventional job market’s income limitations pale in comparison to the limitless potential of your real estate journey. Control your destiny, sculpt your wealth, and redefine success on your terms. The game is on, and it’s time to play like a pro. I’m Grant Cardone, signing off with one message: get that license, take charge, and let’s secure your financial triumph together.

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Setting the right price for a property is a crucial skill that distinguishes a successful real estate agent from the rest. Accurate property pricing is essential for attracting potential buyers, maximizing profits, and reducing time on the market. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the key strategies and techniques that real estate agents can employ to effectively price a property for optimal results.

1. Conduct Comprehensive Market Research

The foundation of effective property pricing lies in conducting thorough market research. This involves analyzing recent sales data, market trends, and comparable properties in the area. By understanding the current market dynamics, real estate agents can gain valuable insights into pricing patterns, buyer preferences, and potential demand.

2. Embrace Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)

A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is a powerful tool that helps real estate agents determine a property’s value based on recently sold, active, and expired listings in the same neighborhood. By comparing the property’s features, size, condition, and location with similar homes, agents can arrive at a competitive and accurate price range.

3. Understand the Impact of Location

Location is a primary factor influencing property value. Proximity to essential amenities, schools, transportation, and recreational facilities can significantly affect the pricing. Real estate agents should carefully evaluate the neighborhood’s appeal and its growth potential when determining the right price for a property.

4. Consider the Property’s Condition

The condition of a property plays a vital role in its pricing. Agents must assess both the interior and exterior elements, including any necessary repairs or renovations. A well-maintained property will command a higher price, while those requiring substantial investment may need to be priced more competitively.

5. Account for Market Supply and Demand

Supply and demand dynamics directly impact property prices. When demand exceeds supply, agents may consider pricing the property slightly higher. Conversely, during periods of oversupply, competitive pricing becomes essential to attract potential buyers.

6. Price Strategically for Quick Sales

Sometimes, pricing a property slightly below market value can create a sense of urgency among buyers and lead to a quicker sale. Agents should carefully evaluate this strategy based on the property’s condition, location, and overall market conditions.

7. Factor in Seasonal and Economic Influences

Real estate markets can experience fluctuations based on seasons and broader economic conditions. Agents must take these external factors into account while pricing a property to ensure it remains competitive during different times of the year.

8. Consult with Appraisers and Industry Experts

Working in collaboration with professional appraisers and industry experts can provide real estate agents with valuable insights and validation of their pricing decisions. These experts can offer a more objective perspective, ensuring the property is priced accurately.

Conclusion: Effective property pricing is a blend of art and science that requires a deep understanding of the local real estate market, buyer behavior, and property-specific factors. By conducting comprehensive market research, employing Comparative Market Analysis, and factoring in location, condition, and demand, real estate agents can master the art of property pricing and achieve successful outcomes for their clients. Remember, strategic pricing not only facilitates quick sales but also establishes the agent’s reputation as a trusted and knowledgeable professional in the competitive world of real estate.

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One of the most frequent questions we get from potential sellers and buyers is, “How do I clean out my garage to make room for a home sale?” The truth is that clutter is one of the biggest obstacles to getting started selling your home. Homeowners often struggle with cluttered homes, which means potential buyers can’t see what they’re looking for in the home. Clutter can include stacks of papers, toys, old furniture, and other items that make a space appear dirty or outdated. When clutter is not removed before selling a home, it can make sales difficult. For example, sellers may be reluctant to list their homes for fear that a prospective buyer will think the house is too messy — or worse yet, it will take away from their beautiful furniture or art collection. So how do we recommend our clients get rid of unwanted items? If you want to know more about this, this video is for you.

For today’s video, exclusive for our Core members, we will be talking about how you can sell, donate, recycle or dispose of unwanted items.  

Let’s face it: The act of decluttering your home is a lot harder than it sounds. Most people have a hard time letting go of the things they don’t use or that don’t bring them joy anymore, which often leads to a big pile of stuff in the corner. If you’re ready to tackle decluttering in your own space, here’s what you need to know about reducing clutter and transforming junk into treasure.

Instead, look for responsible ways to sell, donate, recycle, or properly dispose of your unwanted stuff. The best method depends on the type of item and its condition, how much money you’d like to receive for it, and how much work you’re willing to do.

For example, if you have a sofa that’s broken or old but in good condition—or that someone else has already claimed as theirs—you can sell it on Craigslist. You’ll likely get around $100 for it (maybe more if the sofa is in good shape).

If you have something that isn’t worth much financially but does have sentimental value or historical significance (like a painting by your great-aunt), try donating it to an art museum or historical society. You might be able to get tax write-offs for this donation—and if not, at least you’ve done some good while saving yourself some money!

If all else fails… try recycling! There are many places around town where people will take your old electronics and other environmentally friendly items in exchange for cash—and they don’t even ask questions about what they’re getting!

So are you overwhelmed by the task of decluttering your home? We’ve got you covered.

In our guide to getting rid of almost anything, we’ll show you how to declutter your belongings and make them more accessible for you—whether it’s clothing, electronics, furniture, kids’ toys, linens, or anything else. We’ll also offer some tips for taking care of old stuff so that it can be passed on to someone who will appreciate it.

Before you default to the garbage bin, check out these tips for giving your old stuff a second life. 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to declutter your bookshelves? You know, the ones that are filled with books you haven’t read in years and never plan on reading again. Well, here’s a little secret: those shelves don’t have to stay empty forever. If you’re ready to let go of some of those old books and make room for new ones, consider donating them. Donations can often be taken back to your local library or book store for checkout or sale. And if you’d like to make some cash from your book collection, consider selling them at your next garage sale or taking them into a local used bookstore. Or look for a Little Free Library in your neighborhood.

If you’re like us, you’ve got a ton of leftover building materials and appliances after remodeling your home. What do you do with them? We know that if you’re like most people, the first thing that comes to mind is: “I’m gonna sell it on Craigslist!” But we don’t think that’s the best option. We think donating them to an organization like Habitat for Humanity is better—especially if you can drop off items at one of their ReStore outlets! Habitat for Humanity isn’t just about providing affordable housing for those who need it; it’s also about helping families improve their lives by teaching them how to take pride in their homes and making them more energy efficient. That’s why they accept donations of building materials, appliances and other household items—and they’ll even help finance the building project with proceeds from the sale of these items! So what are you waiting for? Drop by one of Habitat’s ReStore outlets today and let them know what you have (or help them find out)!

You’re ready to upgrade your mobile phone, and we couldn’t be more excited for you! But before you make the leap, we wanted to let you know about a few things that might help save the planet and keep that old device from ending up in a landfill:

– Donate your phone to a charitable organization that refurbishes or recycles old cell phones, such as 911 Cell Phone Bank or Cell Phones for Soldiers.

– Many cell phone carriers and electronics retailers have recycling programs for old devices. For example, Verizon offers a donation program where you can recycle your old phone at their store locations. Best Buy also offers a recycling program for old devices.

After you’ve cleaned out your closet, you’re probably thinking about what to do with all the clothes. If you want to give your clothes directly to those in need, there are several organizations that will accept gently used clothing for donation. The Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries are two of the largest, but there are many smaller organizations that also accept donations. A local homeless shelter or church is probably the best place to start if you want to donate clothing to an organization that provides clothing and coats directly to those in need. Otherwise, organizations such as The Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries will resell gently used clothing through their thrift stores to fund charitable programs. Selling your clothes is a great way to make money while also helping the environment. There are many platforms that will help you sell your clothes, such as Mercari, Poshmark, ThredUP, and more. If you have garments that are too stained, damaged, or worn for further wear, look into clothing recycling programs such as the American Textile Recycling Service, which operates thousands of drop-off donation bins throughout the U.S.

If you’re looking for an easy way to recycle your old electronics, you’ve come to the right place. While many people don’t realize it, computers, office equipment, TVs, and other electronics often contain components that can be reused. Even if the device itself is no longer functional, there are a number of ways you can reuse these parts—and it only takes a little effort on your part! First of all, keep an eye out for used-electronics collection days in your community or locate a nearby drop-off location that accepts electronic waste. You can also find companies with electronics donation or recycling programs, such as Best Buy and Staples. Once you’ve collected all of your old electronics, check out our guide to recycling for more information about what goes in which category and how to get rid of them correctly!

Helping those who need your help is a great way to feel good about yourself, and it can also help out someone else. The Lions Club has a long history of helping combat vision impairment through its eyeglasses donation program. Check out their website to find a drop-off location near you or deposit your eyeglasses at a participating Walmart Vision Center. Some eyewear retailers, including LensCrafters, will also accept your old glasses for recycling and reuse. Donating your old glasses allows them to be recycled and reused by people who can’t afford new eyeglasses. It also helps you keep up with the latest styles!

If you’re looking to sell gently used furniture, the best place to start is by posting it on Facebook Marketplace. This platform allows users in your area to buy and sell items from each other. You can set up a profile and list your items for sale, or even use the app’s messaging feature to communicate directly with potential buyers. If your goal is to reach more people nationwide, check out Mercari or Chairish. Both apps allow users across the country to post their items up for sale. You can also message potential buyers via these platforms’ messaging features. Alternatively, consider donating your old furniture in good condition to your local Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, or Salvation Army outlet. These organizations collect furniture that they then resell at discounted prices in order to help reduce waste and get rid of clutter. If you’ve got furniture that’s in good shape and just not big enough for your needs, but it’s not fit for reuse, check with your municipality’s policy for bulky items before hauling it out to the curb. In some cases, you might need to schedule a pickup appointment or take the item to a drop-off location.

Have you ever had a bunch of old household goods that you don’t know what to do with? Have you ever wanted to make a little extra cash, but don’t want to throw them away? If so, we have good news for you! It’s possible to donate your old household goods and make some money at the same time. You can take your donations to a local thrift store or Goodwill Industries, or even a local shelter that supports veteran service programs or homeless shelters. The Salvation Army also accepts donations of cleaning supplies, dishware, small appliances, and other household goods. Call ahead to check before you drop items off! If you’d rather do it yourself and make some extra cash off the sale of your donation items instead of letting someone else do it for you—great! You can also sell them on eBay or Craigslist—just be sure they’re in working order before they go out there.

Have you ever been stuck with a bunch of kids’ clothing you don’t want? Maybe it’s just that one pair of pants that were in style two years ago, or maybe you’re holding onto an entire collection of the same zebra onesie. Whatever the case, we’ve got some great news: there are ways to get rid of all of your old kids’ clothes without feeling like you’re letting them down. First, try hosting a “swap” with friends or neighbors who have kids of different ages and sizes. This way, everyone gets to share their unwanted items—and it’s fun! You can also do this in between events like a potluck or picnic so everyone can bring something and get rid of anything they don’t want anymore. Then once everyone has brought in all their items, it’s time for donations! While it might feel awkward at first, people will get used to it pretty fast—especially if you make sure there are bins for things like outgrown clothes or toys for older children (which could be donated). There’s no need to get rid of high-quality kids’ clothing just yet. If you’ve got a ton of gently used and brand-new clothes, consider consignment stores. These businesses take their cut of the profits when you sell your stuff, but you might come out ahead of what you would make at a yard sale. In addition to your local consignment shops, check out Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, which sponsors children’s and maternity consignment sales events around the country. Otherwise, online resale sites like Poshmark and ThredUP can be handy places to sell kids’ clothing.

We know how hard it is to let go of your children’s favorite toys and stuffed animals after all the months of playing and cuddling, but it’s a necessary part of growing up. But what if you could give them a second chance? That’s where we come in! We’re here to help you get rid of your old toys so that someone else can enjoy them. What do we mean by ‘someone else’? We mean organizations like Stuffed Animals for Emergencies, Second Chance Toys, and Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS). These organizations distribute used stuffed animals, toys, children’s books, and blankets to emergency organizations, children’s services, hospitals, and homeless shelters so that kids who may not have been able to afford new ones can get something they really love. Donating children’s items to a local school or daycare center is another option. Some churches also partner with shelters and food pantries to provide clothes, toys, and household goods to families. However, keep in mind that toys, especially stuffed animals, and some baby equipment like car seats and cribs might not be accepted by many charities because of recalls. Always check with the organization first before dropping your items off. You can also donate kids’ items directly to a local charity if you are unable to find one that will accept them. Before you head out there, however, make sure that the charity has a clear policy on how they will dispose of your items (especially if they will be thrown away). Also make sure they are willing to take toys without tags, as well as any items that have been recalled by the manufacturer.

We all have that one thing that we love to collect. It might be something as big as an entire set of vintage television sets or as small as a couple of old CDs. For some of us, it’s the music we grew up listening to or the movies we watched when we were younger. And for others, it’s books and toys from our childhoods. But whatever it is that you love collecting, you might not have thought about how important it is to someone else—especially if you have a large collection! If you’re thinking about donating your collection, there are some things to keep in mind:

-The items will likely be considered “collectibles” by buyers on eBay or other online marketplaces. They may not be worth much individually but collectively they could be worth quite a bit more than the cost of shipping them back to you (assuming you don’t want to do that yourself).

-There are many different ways to donate your collection—such as taking them to a local music store or consignment shop or sending them off with charity organizations like Goodwill Industries International or Salvation Army Thrift Stores International—but what works best for each person varies based on their location and size of their collection

Did you know that when animal shelters have too many animals, they often use towels, linens, and even rugs to provide warmth and comfort? This is a great way to support your local rescue groups: give them what they need. If you have old towels or linens that are no longer used for their intended purpose—like drying dishes—ask your local ASPCA, Humane Society, or small-animal rescue group if they would like them. They can often use them to help keep animals warm in cold weather or provide a comfortable place for pets to lie down between visits from the vet. If you’re not sure where to donate these items, check out your local thrift store—they always need donations of clean clothes and linens!

When are your containers in the cabinets not just full of food, but also full of lids? The lids have no bottoms or bottoms with no lids. The plastic is cracked or stained. Before you toss them in the trash, check whether they’re recyclable. Look for a stamped number inside a rectangular recycling logo, usually located on the bottom of the container. No. 1 and 2 plastics are typically recyclable, but be sure to check with your local recycling program to verify which types they’ll accept.

When you’re done with your shoes, there are a few options for what to do with them. One option is donating them to a charity that will put them to good use. There are plenty of charities out there that will accept your gently used shoes, and many of them offer free shipping on their donations. One example: Soles4Souls, an organization that accepts new or gently used shoes and distributes them to people living in poverty. For shoes that are worn-out or damaged beyond repair, look for ways to recycle your old kicks instead of trashing them. For example, Nike will collect and recycle used athletic shoes from any brand. Simply drop them off at a participating Nike retail store. Another option is just giving away the shoes themselves. You can take them directly to your local thrift store or sell them online through sites like eBay or Craigslist (if you’re looking for something specific). If you’re looking for something specific—like a pair of high heels or boots—you can also try shoe shops like Payless or DSW; both stores sell consignment items and allow customers to shop by category so they can find exactly what they’re looking for quickly! If none of these options work well for you, consider going the route of recycling.

That’s it for this video CORE Member. What do you think of the tips we’ve shared? Let us know in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel, click the notification bell, and like this video. If you think that we have delivered value please share this video with one person. Just one share is enough for us, for you to show your appreciation for the commitment and hard work we all put together in creating this video that teaches and helps you on your mission of building your own fortune. And you don’t know that one share could go a long way. And keep in mind that no matter how many times you’re going to watch this video, you won’t see any results unless you take action. Goodbye and see you at the next one!

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Hello, people. Welcome to the CORE College of Real Estate YouTube channel. It’s easy to overlook the fact that you need a title company to purchase your home or refinance it. When you’re in the market for a lender or a real estate agent, it’s important to carefully select and vet each one.

When it comes to the title company, oftentimes, it’s too late, and your funding has already been approved. It’s a mistake to pay more than the purchase price of your home. It can cost hundreds of dollars in front-end fees and set you up for future headaches. Selecting a title company is a tough decision! Here are three things to consider. If you want more real estate content, CORE Member, subscribe to the CORE College of Real Estate YouTube channel and hit the notification bell.

Independence

There are many ways that real estate title companies can aid homebuyers, but not all title companies are created equal. Whether a title company is owned by a real estate brokerage or works with real estate brokers extensively, understanding the relationship will help you get the most out of your purchases. 

A lot of concerns arise about title companies when consumer complaints or problems arise. There is the worry that this will impact the independent status of these agencies, which consumers have relied on. The best way to make sure your interests are protected and served well is to look for an independently owned company that specializes in title insurance. 

Transparency

Title companies have long been associated with a lack of transparency and an unwillingness to disclose fees properly or fully. After taking advantage of the community, title companies have earned an unfortunate reputation for misleading disclosures. 

A title company that only agreed to give you a competitive quote after you forced them to do so is no good for your business. You should instead be using a company that’s willing to give you fair rates up-front. Title services are a time and cost-intensive but necessary part of the order process.

Reputation

More than just title companies and mortgage lenders, choosing a title company is important to ensure the process goes smoothly. Not all title companies are created equal, so it’s a mistake to assume that any one of them can handle your closing in a professional and efficient manner. The first step in selecting the right title company is to do some research. You’ll want to review the company’s website and make sure there are lots of reviews online. If a company specializes in real estate, they’re likely to have a lot of content on its website. Just like you would with social media, check to see if they have a presence on platforms such as Facebook or Twitter.

How will the company manage all of the paperwork to ensure that you close in a smooth and efficient manner? Do they have local knowledge, understanding of your tax laws, and the ability to complete paperwork for you that make sense for your jurisdiction? Every business is different, so it’s hard to define what happens after the closing. 

For certainty, reach out to the company before you finalize your purchase and make sure they’re still in business. As you do your research in the real estate market, noting potential conflicts of interest, shady business practices, and a variety of other factors is important. As such, don’t hesitate to take the time to carefully consider potential companies when settling on who will represent you in your legal transactions.

As a potential buyer, it can be difficult to understand how a title affects a real estate transaction and what exactly is meant by having a clear title. I spoke to Nate Baker of Qualia, a real estate tech company, about how choosing the right title agent can make or break your transaction when buying or selling property. 

The title refers to the legal right for someone to own and use a property and grants a person access to information about ownership, time periods of use, and lots more. The title is granted through documents, which outline properties’ histories, and boundaries as well as what kind of property it is that you are claiming.

Title records can help to make it clear who owns a specific piece of property. While these records are filed with government offices, they are not easily tracked by simply looking at who lives there; the property ownership is recorded with local governments. A title that is free of any issues, where you can easily trace back the ownership records of a home, is often considered to be a “clean” title. This is a requirement for most sales because it ensures you’re buying an actual home and not just an investment.

As an industry expert and title agent, Baker helps facilitate the closing process. One of the most important responsibilities of agents like Baker is making sure that there is no question as to who actually owns a piece of property if it’s sold, which includes having a clean title and doing title insurance. 

Title agents work closely with lenders, real estate agents, buyers, sellers, and all the other transaction participants to make sure proper paperwork is filed in order. They’re also directly responsible for ensuring that what’s often a life-saving — in many states — is transferred properly.

Why would someone choose a title agent over their real estate agent or lender? A title agent, who has likely developed a relationship with a title agent they know and trust, will have more information about the property. They’ll know who is living there and provide you with valuable insight into what is happening in the market. 

When it comes to navigating the real estate process, make sure you hire a reputable and responsible title agent. They’ll help coordinate one of the largest purchases in your life. If they don’t use advanced technology that will help prevent mistakes, your closing can be delayed – or worse, the property may not be registered correctly, which would affect legal rights related to your purchase.

In some cases, where title agents also manage the disbursement of funds, issues can arise due to mistakes or fraud. For example, according to the FBI’s report on the 2017 crime numbers, nearly $1 billion was diverted or attempted to be diverted from real estate transactions that year. These attempts often come through Business Email Compromise scams, which is when a hacker tries to defraud the transaction participants through email. A good title agent should use a secure communications platform that won’t rely heavily on insecure forms of communication.

A good title agent quickly resolves questions, features personalized service, and coordinates the transaction seamlessly. For many years, technology has been making lenders more efficient and creating valuable services for real estate agents. 

Now that it’s the title agent’s final experience that is relevant, they can leverage this technology to close faster while handling first-time home buyers. Clients who have switched to modern technology are able to easily and securely send messages, stay on top of the status of their closings in real-time, and avoid unnecessary errors. Eliminating these problems lets construction firms focus on the things that matter most.

Familiarizing yourself with your options before making any decisions can help make home purchasing less stressful. A good title agent will always provide you with the closing experience you desire, and an experienced title agent is able to guide you through the process of securing a mortgage with ease. 

Your best bet is to ask for a bit of detail on how they’re going to handle your project. Things like what type of formatting and style their team will follow, whether or not they’ll provide content direction, how quickly the work should be done, when you should expect it, what communication methods will be used, and pricing all need to be discussed.

Real estate agents and lenders often work closely with title companies. If you trust your agent or lender, you’re likely to trust their choice of a title company. Additionally, online reviews are available for buyers and sellers to reference ahead of time and discuss additional concerns with their agent or lender. Many estimates by researchers state that upwards of 30% of all land titles in the US have defects, meaning ownership may not be clear, or else you will need to take steps to make it so. 

Buyers can arm themselves with as much knowledge about the process before it even begins. Although buying a new home can be a stressful experience, it doesn’t have to be. By learning some of the vocabulary, you understand what all of the people working with you on your home purchase are doing, as well as never being afraid to ask questions that arise.

A home seller will usually choose the title company they think will best protect their interests. In this case, it is the buyer’s choice who pays for the owner’s policy. But realistically, sellers rarely have a choice in the matter after an offer is made because most buyers often ask for whoever was named in Paragraph 6 of the 1-4 Family Resale Contracts to pay for it–that being the buyer. 

The only time I can see a seller being particular about which title insurance company is chosen is if there was some sort of history for that home previously falling out of contract and having a recent title policy issued.

If your property is being sold, there are a few alternative options you might explore. One option would be to go with the title insurer of your choice and have them handle the closing process for you. 

Another alternative would be to elect to close through escrow. For some people, this might be an appealing option because it results in a cheaper final closing cost. This can vary based on the quality of the title company and location, though I personally haven’t had any experience with this workaround strategy.

You might be required to go through a title company in order to sell your home. While not all title companies offer their services for the same price, depending on their location, there is no cost difference for buyers or sellers when you use the same company. Title companies have only one important competitive advantage — their service. 

When making such a monumental decision like buying or selling a home, nobody wants to make a mistake. In terms of real estate, the title company can offer important peace of mind. However, 99% of buyers and sellers will go with the agent’s recommendation because finding anything comparable with that title company is usually difficult.

The title company that your agent chooses is the best source of information. They’ll know which title companies communicate well, treat clients well in the closing room, and stay late on a Friday to get closed and funded before the weekend. Home buyers rarely think about titles until it’s too late. 

For first-time buyers, the pressure to find a suitable home that meets their needs causes them to think about issues such as school districts, move-in dates, and interior and exterior design. What color should the paint be? How do I pick between floor stains? What are some of the pros and cons? This is an impossible conversation for anyone to have on their own.

Many homeowners find themselves scrambling to realize their dream home before the project can slip away, and they’re stuck living in an unfinished space. And then there are all of the unexpected costs, things that never cross their minds with a “let’s just get to the finish line” attitude.

But titles are important when home ownership comes into the picture. Title companies make sure you’re legitimately the homeowner by verifying that the property was in your name, then working to keep you from losing your title if previous owners were on paying their water bills. Let’s say a previous owner failed to pay their water bill. A title company would help assure that you’re no longer liable for it.

Choosing the right title company for your event, film, or project is very important. Here are some factors you need to consider when making the decision. Let’s dive into title insurance and how to find a title company before going any further. Title protects your legal ownership of your property. You can plant your lawn, plant a garden, or add a sandbox for your children, who are currently or potentially in the future.

Title insurance can keep your legal team and business secure. In a potential dispute, title insurance could provide you with the protection you need. Or, if individuals bring cases against previous owners, title insurance can save you from such trouble. Title insurance is a one-time purchase that protects you while owning the property. It’s usually required, but it can be bought to protect your mortgage company as well. You need it no matter what unless you want to live in financial worry.

Search engines offer one-dimensional results, which don’t offer a lot of guidance. Let’s be real, though. You’ll get clear and trustworthy information from professionals who are familiar with your industry. If you want to know more about some business, in particular, do your research on the people closest to your needs, not using dubious resources such as Google.

If you have a decision to make about your title, don’t be afraid to ask your realtor, lender or previous title company. Each should be able to tell you which one they like best and/or what their company values, such as timeliness and customer service. If they’re honest with you, they’ll point you in the right direction.

Plus, closing the sale is in their best interest because it means you will have completed a successful transaction and can finish your work without waiting for them to get back to you. 

It’s natural to want to rely on friends, family members, or colleagues who recently went through the home-buying process. One of the most important factors to consider is experience, location, and responsiveness. A good agent will have experience in your desired field or niche. 

They’ll also have local knowledge about the area you live in in order to represent your needs best. Lastly, they need to be responsive to your needs in order for you to feel like you’re being taken care of. When looking for a title company to work with, you might want to start by narrowing down the candidate pool. In a typical transaction, price is the first thing to consider. But as it pertains to title companies, that’s not always the best way.

That’s it for this blog CORE Member, remember to subscribe to our channel and if you feel like we’ve delivered value please share this blog with ONE person. That’s right just one person as a token of your appreciation for the hard work we put into making content that educates and helps you on your mission of building your own fortune. Remember you can read blog after blog, but it isn’t until you actually take action that you’ll start to see results. See you soon!

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Christmas is a time when people celebrate together the birth of Lord Jesus and welcome Him onto earth with love. Christmas wishes are sent to clients and customers also through text messages to wish them an auspicious time. 

A lot of businesses use this opportunity to gift their clients with special gifts or discounts on their products in order to attract more clients and customers to their business. It is advisable that one should take advantage of this opportunity by sending out beautiful Christmas greetings messages 2022, wishes, and greetings to your customers or clients so that they feel special during this holiday season. So if you want to know more about this, this blog is for you.

For today’s blog, exclusive for our Core members, we will be sharing with you ten corporate Christmas messages and emails to clients. 

The holidays are a time for family and friends to gather together, and it can be a lot of fun. However, as the season progresses, many employees will travel or stay home with family. This means that they may not be able to communicate with their clients throughout the holiday season. In this case, corporate people must make sure that they stay in touch with their clients through various methods of communication. Communication is key to success in this world of competition and in the corporate world. If you are unable to communicate with your clients during this time of year, then your business will suffer from what could have been a great year. So what can you do? You can send them a Merry Christmas message on social media or even write them an email expressing your gratitude for their business over the past year! You can also use different platforms such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp so that you can reach out to your customers without having any problems getting back in contact with them.

Here is a list of the ten best corporate Christmas messages to clients to remind them how much you appreciate their business during the holiday season.

• May your Christmas be as cheery, bright, and joyful as you make us. Thank you for being the most important part of who we are. We look forward to talking to you soon. Merry Christmas to you and your family and best wishes for the New Year.

• Sweet silver bells, powdery white pathways, beautiful carols, and minty fresh candy canes don’t even start to compare to the joy we feel when serving you. We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

• We’re in a winter wonderland of treats, holiday joy, and Christmas magic, but the best part of this season is reflecting on the year’s accomplishments and our treasured clients. Thank you for being a treasured client. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
• Despite what we strive to deliver to you, it is you that is a gift to us. Please accept our sincere appreciation for your valued patronage. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

• Our mission is to make our business a one-horse open sleigh ride of magic. Thank you for being our valued passenger, and may your season be rich with Christmas joy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

•  Having phenomenal clients like you make this Christmas as special and magical as it can be. Thank you for giving us that magic. Merry Christmas to you and best wishes for every success in the New Year.

• You are a valued customer, and our company is grateful for every opportunity we’ve had to do business with you. Thank you for your business and have yourself a Christmas to remember.

• All of the staff here would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas. May your time be spent taking in all of the joys that the holidays bring.

• You’ve played a big part in the success of our business by simply being our customer. We thank you, and would like to wish you an outstanding holiday season.

• Sometimes it doesn’t show due to the grind of any given business day, but we are thankful to you for being our customer and wish you a very Merry Christmas.6t

That’s it for this blog CORE Member. What do you think of the tips we’ve shared? Let us know in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel, click the notification bell, and like this blog. If you think that we have delivered value please share this blog with one person. Just one share is enough for us, for you to show your appreciation for the commitment and hard work we all put together in creating this blog that teaches and helps you on your mission of building your own fortune.  And you don’t know that one share could go a long way. And keep in mind that no matter how many times you’re going to read this blog, you won’t see any results unless you take action. Goodbye and see you at the next one!

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Instagram for real estate? It’s not just a joke. Whether you’ve been a real estate agent for a year or a decade, your most important job is staying in touch with and building out your network. After all, you never know when a friend or relative needs to buy or sell a home. Not only that, but a home is the biggest expense in most people’s lives. And accordingly, there is a healthy commission that someone is going to receive with each transaction for being of service. And Instagram gives you an opportunity to connect with people who are looking to buy and sell real estate—and get them excited about it! So why not take advantage of this opportunity?

So if you want to know more about this, this video is for you.

For today’s video, exclusive for our Core members, we will be talking about the different ways to use Instagram for real estate marketing. 

Real estate and Instagram are a match made in marketing heaven. Pretty much everything about the social network is well suited for real estate marketing: its photo- and video-based content formats make it easy to showcase properties; its mobile-first nature easily incorporates location data and geo-targeting; its huge user base—now numbering more than 1 billion monthly active users—enables reach across many demographics and geographies; and its integration into parent company Facebook’s advertising platform provides sophisticated campaign targeting options.

For real estate agents, Instagram is an ideal place to share images of homes you’ve sold or rentals you’ve managed, including photos of interior spaces and exterior views. For homebuyers, it can be a great way to visualize a property before making an offer (especially if you have access to drone/camera footage). For sellers, it provides a fun way to show off their properties while also boosting their social media presence (and increasing their chances of getting more views). If you haven’t already jumped on the bandwagon, now is probably the best time to do so! Here are different impactful ways Instagram can be used for real estate marketing. 

The first one is to feature current properties and developments. It’s time to get creative with your real estate marketing. A post featuring what’s currently for sale or rent is the first thing that comes to mind when using Instagram for real estate marketing, and with good reason: the social network is a perfect place to showcase properties and developments. But don’t just post a digital version of a print flyer and call it a day—develop creative specifically for Instagram that will stand out on the platform. The key here is to focus on visual storytelling, so your images should tell an engaging story about what you’re selling, who you’re selling it to, and why they should buy from you.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you’re not limited to just a single image. Instagram has a wide range of compelling content formats—including slideshows, Stories, ad carousels, and videos—which can be used to highlight properties. This helps your followers see your property in more than one way, which helps them understand what it’s like to live there. It also encourages them to take action: after all, if they like what they see in the slideshow, they may want to go check out the place for themselves!

Another one would be to feature your future properties and developments. If you’re thinking about selling your property, but it hasn’t been listed yet, don’t worry! Instagram is a great way to let people know what you have available and build interest ahead of time. This platform is a great tool for real estate agents and sellers to get the word out about their properties before they are listed on the market. You can use hashtag searches to find relevant hashtags that will help you search for potential buyers interested in your property. You can also post pictures of your property in its natural environment and include details about where it is located and what it offers.

It’s important not only to show off your property’s features but also to give prospective buyers an idea of how it will look when they move in! When it comes to marketing your property, keep in mind that even if a property isn’t anywhere close to making it to market, it can still be showcased. For example, posting renderings is a highly effective way of sparking curiosity about an upcoming development. The best way to do this is by taking the time to create images that will impress potential renters and buyers alike. Showing off your property in a professional light will make it more appealing to potential renters and buyers, who are looking for places to call home.

Next, you can use Instagram to showcase aspirational real estate. Real estate has always been a great investment choice for many people. Even if you’re not in the market to buy, or you’re looking for an investment property, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. That’s why so many people love watching TV shows about real estate—they can get an idea of what their dream home looks like and how much it would cost to buy it! Real estate marketers can tap into this aspirational curiosity and grow their audiences by highlighting “wow” properties on Instagram. Again, keep in mind that Instagram has many effective content formats beyond single images. Stories and videos in particular can be powerful ways to showcase aspirational real estate.

Instagram stories are short video clips that can be posted to your profile. They’re great for illustrating a specific point or making a case for a brand’s products or services. You can also use them to share behind-the-scenes looks at your brand’s most exciting projects, like a new development or renovation you’re working on. If you want to get really creative with Instagram stories, consider using them as part of an ad campaign by partnering with other businesses to create branded content together (i.e., a commercial). Alternatively, use them to introduce new brands or products into your audience’s lives—you could even feature something as simple as a hashtag so users can follow along with the story as it unfolds!

Another one would be to let your audience know about your success. In real estate, there’s a lot of competition. But if you can show off your success, that can help you stand out from the crowd and get more clients! First of all, use Instagram to showcase your work. This will show people that you’re an expert in your field and likely to deliver better results than other brokers and agents in your area. And don’t worry about getting creative with your posts—just keep it simple and share some images of the work you’ve done. People want to see what they can expect when they hire you, so don’t be afraid to give them a taste of what they’ll get if they hire you!

Do you know what’s the best part about posting on Instagram? It’s that you can talk about your achievements in more detail. By giving Instagram users details about your achievements, you can better differentiate yourself from the competition. What do you do for a living? What are some of your most impressive projects? How did you get there? And how did you feel when it happened? You can use these questions to make people feel like they’re getting to know you as a person—and not just as an image that they’re seeing on their screen. You can also use this technique to talk about what’s next for you, like where you’re going after school or work ends. Once you start sharing more details about yourself online, people will feel a deeper connection with your brand. They’ll be more likely to engage with it—and share it with their friends!

The fifth one is that you can promote specials and open houses. Instagram can be a great place to promote things that are of interest to your audience, but it can be challenging to get noticed. The platform is time-sensitive and feeds tend to turn over quickly. That means your posts are likely to disappear within a day or two. But there’s another side to Instagram: the ability to post content that’s timely and relevant. For example, if you’re selling something that’s on sale or has an open house coming up, you could use Instagram Stories as a way to inform your followers about what’s happening in real time.

The flip side of this is that people don’t always follow you on Instagram just because they want information about something new—they follow you because they like what you’re posting now. So if you post something about an upcoming sale, someone might not even see it unless they’re following both accounts (and then only if they follow back). That means there needs to be some kind of hook—a way for them to find out about things like sales so they’ll notice when they show up! With timely content, as with all other Instagram content, it can pay to have some fun with your pieces. The tone of the platform tends to be fairly light, and adding some humor can make your posts feel like they fit the medium.

You can also use Instagram as a way to introduce yourself and your team. If you’re a real estate firm, you need a strong Instagram presence from the get-go. You’ll want to use it to show off your brand, highlight details about your services, and grow your audience in the first place. But that’s not all! Once you’ve got a solid foundation on Instagram, you can also use it as a way to connect with clients and prospects. When people are looking at buying or selling a home, they want to know what they’re getting before they sign on the dotted line. That’s where you come in—your Instagram profile should be fully fleshed out so that they feel like they know who they’re working with before they even make an offer!

And if there are any questions about what kind of service you offer or what kind of property you have available for sale, using Instagram can help answer those questions so that potential clients can feel confident about trusting their home purchase decisions with your real estate firm. The best way to make sure that you’re a good fit for the job is to talk about what you’ve done in the past. You might not have had your work published, but that doesn’t mean it’s not relevant to the position. You could talk about your experience as an intern or volunteer at an organization where you learned a lot about the business. Or maybe you’ve led a community-based project that made an impact on people’s lives. Whatever it was, make sure to mention it! The more people know about who you are and how you can help them solve problems, the better chance they’ll have of hiring you.

Another one would be to provide insights and thought leadership. Real estate is a complex and often confusing process. While it might seem like an easy decision to sell your home, it’s not always that simple. You may be finding yourself overwhelmed by the details of selling your home and/or financing a new one. Adding to this confusion is the fact that many people have never sold their home before—and may not have any idea what they need to do to make it happen. That’s where real estate marketers come in!

They can help you find the best time for listing your home, giving you tips on how to get the most out of your listing on social media and other platforms, as well as helping you navigate the complicated world of mortgages so that you can find the right lender for your needs. One of the best ways to build an Instagram following is to post at a regular frequency. This will help to keep people interested in your account and keep them coming back for more. It’s also important to have good content on your Instagram account. A good way to do this is by creating posts that are educational or entertaining, rather than just posting links or images.

By using Instagram, you can also showcase your amenities and unique features. Instagram is an incredible way to showcase the best of what you’ve got. If you’re looking for ways to increase your social media presence, Instagram is a great place to start. It’s uniquely suited for showcasing photos and videos of your property and its amenities. Instagram can be used as a platform for sharing photos of appliances or other features in your home, or it can be used as a space for creating a story about the place you live in. Instagram Stories are a great way to tell a story about your property. A good story should include details about the property and its amenities so that people who follow you will know exactly what they’re getting when they visit. Instagram also has an algorithm that determines which posts are most likely to get liked, so make sure that you’re using this feature wisely!

You can also highlight why the community is great. The key to successful real estate transactions is sparking interest in neighborhoods and towns. And Instagram is a powerful tool for highlighting the specific features that make a particular community great. Instagram is a great place to show off local charms, whether you’re looking to sell your home or just try to figure out what makes your neighborhood so great. Whether you’re selling a home or just want to understand why people feel so connected to their neighbors on the block, Instagram can help.

If you’re selling your home, show off the specific features that make it special—from a new school to a weekend farmer’s market—and let people know why they should buy it! If you’re just trying to figure out what makes your neighborhood great, use Instagram as a starting point for exploring the things that make your neighborhood unique: from the way people get around town (walkable streets) to the things they do there (volunteer at nonprofits). Keep in mind that different community elements appeal to different audiences. Given that, highlight a range of features, from shopping and dining options to opportunities to engage with nature.

And the last one is that you can use Instagram to inspire and motivate audiences to take action. Social media is a great place to share your business’ story, but it’s not the only way you can connect with potential customers. Real estate marketers can use Instagram to drive traffic to their websites and sell products. But all the Instagram marketing in the world is meaningless if it doesn’t eventually compel people to do something that helps your business. To take action, audiences sometimes need a nudge. Real estate marketers can provide this by posting content that motivates people to stop putting things off and dive in now.

That’s it for this blog CORE Member. What do you think of the tips we’ve shared? Let us know in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to our channel, click the notification bell, and like this blog. If you think that we have delivered value please share this blog with one person. Just one share is enough for us, for you to show your appreciation for the commitment and hard work we all put together in creating this blog that teaches and helps you on your mission of building your own fortune. And you don’t know that one share could go a long way. And keep in mind that no matter how many times you’re going to watch this blog, you won’t see any results unless you take action. Goodbye and see you at the next one!

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People would have laughed at you if you had told them a decade ago that there are benefits in being a Zillow agent. The internet has made it easier than ever to learn just about anything you want. So with all this content and information available, how did you know which ones to learn from and which ones actually work?”

“Luckily for you, CORE Member, we’ve produced a list of the ten best and most profitable online free courses available right now. Remember, that while the first step is completing any of these amazing courses, the second and possibly more important step is taking action even if it’s imperfect action.

Zillow is the largest real estate search engine on the internet, offering real estate agents an effective advertising platform with per-lead pricing beginning around $20. Zillow Premier Agent (ZPA), which attracts more than 36 million visitors per month, can increase your views and leads, but is it worth the price?

Why We Advocate Zillow Premier Agent

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 97% of homebuyers use the internet to conduct their home search; therefore, establishing a strong presence on Zillow could be the key to capturing these leads. For real estate agents who represent and claim their sales listings on Zillow, Zillow Premier Agent is effective. ZPA provides agents seeking buyer clients with buyer leads per location at varying pricing tiers.

Who Zillow Premier Agent Benefits

Multiple sales listings are represented by agents, teams, or brokerages: When you claim your listings on Zillow as a Premier Agent, you are given top priority status. You will be the first agent on the listing, drawing more attention to your Zillow profile so that potential clients can contact you. This is one of the reasons why it made our list of the 41 best software and tools for real estate agents.

ZPA is a highly effective platform for real estate agents and teams seeking buyer leads, as opposed to helping agents obtain sales listings. Because so many active buyers visit Zillow’s listings during their home search, it provides a steady stream of buyer leads that real estate agents can convert into clients.

Real estate agents and brokers who effectively capture and convert leads over the phone: When a lead is captured by Zillow Premier Agent, it is sent directly to the agent’s phone so that preferences, finances, and other qualifications can be discussed. With the ZPA system, agents who excel at phone communication will be the most profitable. Therefore, it is one of the best real estate lead generation websites for those who want to maximise online visibility but don’t want to rely on website traffic.

Who Zillow Premier Agent Doesn’t Suit

Companies that require a robust CRM: Although Zillow offers a customer relationship manager (CRM), it has only basic features such as task reminders and client insights. Consider a CRM like Pipedrive for enhanced communication, pipeline management, and reporting capabilities, or take a look at our top real estate CRMs.

Agents and firms interested in purchasing exclusive leads: Although Zillow generates a steady stream of leads, they are not typically exclusive. As a result, it becomes more difficult to convert them into clients due to competition from other agents. Market Leader and other websites that generate leads can provide exclusive leads; for more information, see the list of the best places to purchase real estate leads.

Agents who wish to build IDX websites and landing pages for their businesses: ZPA is not the best option for agents and brokerages that wish to increase their online exposure by utilising landing pages and a website. Examine Placester’s real estate website and landing page customization options, or consult our directory of the top real estate lead generation companies for additional choices.

Zillow Premier Agent Overview

PROS

Unique positioning on your listings

Greater exposure for unclaimed listings

CRM integrated

U.S.’s most popular real estate listing website.

Your profile and reviews demonstrate your value.

CONS

Can be costly depending on location.

Can be aggressive

No assurance that prospects will become clients.

Leads are not unique.

Limited seller leads

How Much Zillow Premier Agent Costs

Zillow is available for free to homebuyers, sellers, and real estate agents to a certain extent. It provides free basic services and multiple listing services (MLS) for real estate agents and brokerages to post listings and claim Zillow listings.

On Zillow, real estate professionals can use two paid services to generate leads. These services include a cost-per-lead model and a “success fee” that is deducted from the escrow account after the sale is finalised.

The cost of advertising with Zillow Premier Agent ranges from $20 to $60 per lead, depending on ZIP code sales, ad spend, and competition.

Cost of Zillow Flex: Zillow will connect you with homebuyer leads at no upfront cost. You nurture the lead and pay a success fee based on a percentage when a transaction is closed.

While Zillow does not disclose its exact costs, you can determine which method of lead generation is optimal for your business. Flex could be particularly beneficial for new agents who require sources of high-quality leads to attract clients and initiate the referral process. For agents who already have an established method for nurturing leads and maximising conversions, advertising with ZPA may have a higher return on investment (ROI).

How to Manage Your Advertising Budget for Zillow Premier Agent

In the “My Ads” section of the Zillow Premier Agent dashboard, ZIP codes can be explored. This data shows the average home value for a ZIP code, the estimated monthly connections you’ll make, the estimated monthly leads you’ll receive based on your budget share and voice, the estimated ROI over six months, and the monthly budget you’ll be charged for each one. These items indicate how much you’ll need to spend to generate the desired number of leads in your ZIP code.

Once you are satisfied with the statistics of your ZIP code, determine your budget and market share relative to competing agents, then complete your purchase. Change your preferences as frequently as necessary to increase or decrease your budget and share of voice, or alter your ZIP code at any time. This type of advertising can be especially beneficial for real estate agents who specialise in a niche or who generate leads through real estate farming.

Zillow Premier Agent Features

Zillow already offers many free features with a real estate agent account, such as listing properties, adding photos and video, mobile apps, data reports, claiming your listings, and a customer relationship manager (CRM). Zillow Premier Agent ads lead generation options, ad placement, additional listing photos and videos, third-party lead integrations, and more to Zillow’s features.

These components allow individual agents, teams, or brokerages to streamline communication and monitor lead activity to maximise the generation of real estate leads. Additionally, ZPA assists in tracking your success rate and return on investment (ROI) for each lead.

Here is a closer look at the features of Zillow Premier Agent:

General Features

Listing management

Lead development

Contact and organisation administration

Projection and account

Listing management and lead generation are key features of the Zillow Premier Agent platform. When an agent, team, or brokerage advertises listings on ZPA, they receive premium placement on Truila.com, StreetEasy, and HotPads in addition to generating leads and gaining exposure on the most-visited listing website. Using the data collected by ZPA’s expansive platform, you can organise your contacts and generate custom reports.

Advertising Placement

Claim privileged listings

Listing on non-exclusive directories

Maximum exposure on multiple platforms

As previously stated, Zillow Premier Agent ensures placement on their site and partner sites such as Trulia, HotPads, and StreetEasy. All of these platforms can greatly enhance your ability to generate leads and build brand awareness. When you post an exclusive listing as a Premier Agent and claim your listing, your image, contact information, and reviews will be displayed in the prime position next to your listing.

Since 73% of homebuyers choose the first agent they interview, being listed first is advantageous. Even if you do not have an exclusive listing, as a ZPA you are automatically added to unclaimed listings in your chosen ZIP code, allowing you to generate more leads. This structure is particularly advantageous for new agents just entering the real estate industry.

Zillow Premier Agent CRM

Lead and pipeline administration

Task management

Email marketing

The Zillow Premier Agent CRM provides insight into homebuyers by allowing you to see which properties clients view and which listings they save. It also allows you to send personalised text messages directly from the platform to leads.

Customise your pipelines to automate task reminders and maintain client-specific notes to ensure your communication is current. Directly through the ZPA CRM, email marketing activities such as templates, automated follow-up, and drip campaigns can also be created. This saves you time and effort as opposed to recreating repetitive emails and spending hours on lead follow-up tasks.

ROI Calculator

Know your expenditures and returns

Adjust your finances

Customised reports for your company

A successful real estate professional must understand their return on investment (ROI) in order to manage their budget and determine their business’s next steps. While Zillow Premier Agent is likely a worthwhile investment, savvy agents will use the ZPA ROI calculator to confirm and quantify the value of their ZPA investment. The ROI calculator is intended to calculate the following figures:

Current commission earnings following splits

Overall return on investment in Zillow Premier Agent

Profit after dividends and expenditures.

How effective your ZIP codes are.

Utilise this data to determine whether you need to increase, decrease, or completely reevaluate your ZPA strategy to increase conversion rates. For instance, if one ZIP code consistently outperforms another, you may decide to allocate your entire advertising budget to the high-performing region and eliminate spending on the underperforming region.

Pipeline & Transaction Management

Current communication monitoring

Online and mobile app access

Automate obligations and reminders

Jillian Jones’ Zillow Premier Agent sample profile overview.

Use the Zillow Premier Agent website or mobile app to manage transactions through your CRM. Categorise your leads into different pipelines to determine appropriate communication strategies. This pipeline and transaction management system allows you to distinguish between short-term and long-term clients in order to establish priorities and goals for your real estate company.

Zillow describes the important data points in the preceding image.

Status in the life cycle of your relationship: Upon entering your system, all leads are automatically set to “New.” Once you’ve scheduled an initial conversation with a contact, update their status to “Appointment set” and continue to do so as your relationship develops.

Notes: Add notes to the profile of a contact regarding their search preferences, financial status, and even personal information you wish to remember. Refer to your notes when you re-engage the prospect to ensure a personalised conversation and connection.

Time frame to move: To better prioritise clients, track when your lead intends to move. Some clients will require immediate attention, while others will require less frequent but long-term care.

Create tasks and reminders to keep track of your communication with leads and clients, as well as when you intend to communicate with them again.

Also, take note of the right sidebar, which provides insights into your client’s Zillow home viewing and saving activity. View the open rate and the most recent time a client visited the Zillow platform to monitor the status of your emails.

Zillow 3D Property

Integrate virtual tours into your listings.

Share videos across numerous platforms

Directly captured video tours on mobile devices

The 3D Home Tour of a Zillow Premier Agent in action on mobile and desktop.

Active Zillow Premier Agent 3D Home Tour screenshot

Zillow Premier Agent enables you to include Zillow 3D Home to capture your listing in 3D video, in addition to including beautiful photography. According to Zillow, 3D home tour videos receive 37% more views and sell 14% faster than those without.

You can also share your video on your website, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and social media to increase exposure to potential buyers. Consider purchasing the Ricoh Theta camera to enhance your 3D videos, even though you can use your phone’s camera.

Mobile App

Mobile communication

Instantaneous CRM updates via the app

Notifications

Zillow Premier Agent task management via mobile application

Zillow Premier Agent mobile app task management

28% of agents spend the majority of their time at showings, on-site with clients, or at other functions. As a result, a mobile app is a crucial component of Zillow Premier Agent. Keep track of your leads with real-time alerts and communicate with customers via text, email, or phone. For on-the-go reminders, you can manage your tasks and update your statuses directly from the app.

Integrating Third-Party Lead Sources

One centralised system for leads

Organisation of relationships

Communication management

In addition to tracking leads from Zillow’s platform, the Zillow Premier Agent CRM can also consolidate leads from multiple third-party platforms. Tech Connect is Zillow’s application programming interface (API) that links ZPA to other websites that generate real estate leads. This makes it a one-stop-shop for lead follow-up, eliminating the need to switch between multiple platforms or lose track of valuable lead opportunities.

Solutions for Groups and Agencies

Specific platform for teams and brokerages

Observe performance

Training and assistance offered

Example Zillow profile of Julie Hudson

Zillow team profile example.

Team leaders and brokerage owners can use Zillow Premier Agent tools to their agents’ and businesses’ financial advantage. Generate leads to distribute to your team and track agent performance, lead count, and conversion percentages in order to foster growth and increase revenue for your real estate company. A SPA consultant may also provide guidance on how to train and expand your team or brokerage.

Additional characteristics include:

Designate specific leads to specific team members based on location, price, MLS number, and other criteria.

Team composition: Create a group bio, aggregate reviews, and pool listings to demonstrate your team’s experience and credibility to new leads.

Phone lead transmission: By routing calls from leads to multiple agents, you can prevent them from going to voicemail or being lost.

Brokerage branding: Through the Premier Broker program, you can create a profile with your own brand and gain access to enhanced reporting capabilities.

Simplicity of Use

Signing up for Zillow Premier Agent via their website with your email address is simple. Verify your licence number and expiration date by having your real estate licence readily accessible. After signing up, a ZPA support specialist will contact you by phone and email to get you started on the platform.

Once you’ve logged in, you’ll see menu options for posting listings, advertising on Zillow, utilising the CRM, and more. Additionally, you can contact support specialists via phone or email 24/7 for answers to specific questions and account-related information.

Evaluations by Users of Zillow Premier Agent

Customers find the Zillow Premier Agent platform interface to be very user-friendly and straightforward to navigate. In addition, they believe that the ability to change advertising ZIP codes on the fly is advantageous for generating leads in specific regions. This allows them to better manage their budget and allocate funds to more lucrative ZIP codes.

Based on 727 ratings, Consumer Affairs received a 3.9 out of 5 stars.

2.5 stars out of 5 based on 41 reviews of G2

Customers Featured: 4.7 out of 5 based on 2078 ratings

Numerous agents believe the leads are of low quality and are not worth the high cost of receiving them. Some users view the concierge program as an impediment to converting leads and prefer to contact leads independently. Since Zillow leads are not guaranteed and you will be competing with multiple agents, you should consider Market Leader, which guarantees a certain number of (exclusive) buyer and seller leads per month.

Zillow is the most popular real estate listing website in the world, with over 36 million unique monthly visitors. While real estate agents provide their clients with MLS login credentials, the majority of buyers continue to search third-party listing sites for properties. Whether you like real estate websites like Zillow and Trulia or not, your business must have a presence on these platforms.

On Zillow, creating a real estate profile is free. If you do not already have a complete Zillow profile, here are seven steps to create one.

A free Zillow real estate profile is outstanding, but a Zillow Premier Agent profile is where inbound leads are generated. But is it worth it to become a Zillow Premier Agent? Before we delve into the key benefits of becoming a Zillow Premier Agent, let’s examine the pricing options.

Premier Agents are offered two distinct payment packages by Zillow. Under the standard plan, agents pay in advance for a share of voice within a given zip code. The flex plan permits Premier Agents to make connections and generate leads without upfront payment to Zillow. Instead, Zillow charges a success fee following the closing.

The flex plan is advantageous to powerful converters because, over time, these agents receive a larger proportion of connections. The standard plan costs between $20 and $60 per lead, depending on the agent’s zip code.

Your chosen plan will depend on your real estate strategy. Regardless, being a Zillow Premier Agent has numerous advantages.

Below are seven benefits of becoming a Premier Agent that, in our opinion, completely justify the price:

• Zillow provides a connection to active buyers and sellers

The advantage of Zillow Premier Agent is that Zillow actively connects you with buyers and sellers who are motivated. On listings that are yours, Zillow places your contact information and a request form as the first option for inquiring about the listing.

On listings for which the agent has not paid for Zillow Premier Agent, three Premier Agents are displayed as the first contact options. In addition, a buyer can request information about a listing, and depending on your share of voice, Zillow may put them in contact with you if the listing is in your zip code.

When sellers look up their home address on Google or Zillow, Zillow prompts them to claim their property. Zillow populates lead capture forms with the provided information to encourage users to consult with a Premier Agent. These forms are delivered to Premier Agents participating in the Seller Boost Program.

• You are featured on Zillow’s Agent Finder.

The Agent Finder tool is visible on Zillow’s navigation bar. This tool enables buyers and sellers to search for a local agent. Once a potential customer inputs their city or zip code, local agents are displayed on the page.

There is a Featured Agents section above the agent list where the Premier Agents of a given city are displayed. When you are a Premier Agent, your chances of receiving a click on your profile from the Agent Finder page are significantly increased.

• Zillow provides an insider’s view of the competition.

Premier Agents can use Zillow to determine how much their competition is spending in each zip code. This feature is an enormous advantage for agents seeking to gain an advantage over Zillow. If you notice a local agent doing well on Zillow, view their profile and then click on ad tools to determine what they’re doing. Additionally, examine their actual profile to determine what stands out.

• Zillow Premier Facilitates Hyperlocal Marketing Efforts.

There are numerous advantages to concentrating your real estate marketing efforts on a specific area, and Zillow makes it simple to do so. Simply conduct market research and identify two to three zip codes that will allow you to achieve your 2015 sales goals. Then, consult a Zillow expert for assistance in determining where to begin and establishing yourself as a local real estate expert.

• Your Profile Will Without a Doubt Make an Impression

There are no games of chance. With Zillow, you will always be aware of the exact number of ad impressions you will receive each month. Few services make this claim, but Zillow’s network is so large and well-established that they can and do. Working with real numbers, as opposed to hypothetical ones, makes it easier to manage your real estate marketing budget.

Pro Tip:

To optimise your lead generation efforts, collect as many Zillow Premier Agent reviews from past customers as possible.

• Zillow Provides Advantages Other Platforms Do Not

Zillow does not have hidden fees, leads sent to multiple agents that force you to race the clock, or inadequate branding. Instead, you will enjoy exclusive lead routing, robust personal branding, and a pricing model that is completely transparent.

• Convenient Management & Additional Branding Provide Added Value

Zillow also provides Premier agents with an app that allows them to manage their profile and contacts from a mobile device, a new premarket feature that allows them to advertise soon-to-be-listed properties, and multiple branding opportunities on competitor and unlisted properties.

How to distinguish yourself as a real estate agent on Zillow?

Several essential steps can help your Zillow real estate agent profile stand out:

Complete your profile information.

If you are a member of Zillow, your profile must contain all of the required information. Their algorithms favour robust agent profiles over those that are sparse.

You want buyers and sellers to discover your profile, and completing it gives you the best chance.

Upload a professional portrait of yourself.

First impressions are crucial. Several real estate agents on Zillow have no profile image, or even worse, an out-of-date, unprofessional headshot.

Your profile picture should reflect your brand. It must be of high calibre and in focus. Hire a professional to take your headshot at all times. Ensure that your headshot is updated at least every two years.

Utilise a qualified real estate photographer.

Your Zillow profile contains a section for both current and previous listings. Hiring a professional real estate photographer for all of your listings is the best thing you can do for your clients and brand image.

You desire the listing thumbnails to be captivating and of high quality. In addition, listings with professional photography receive twice as many clicks as those with amateur photography.

Prospective clients want to know that you are marketing their property and have a plan to sell it quickly and for a higher price. In addition, emphasise the listing with a virtual tour such as Zillow 3D Home®.

Always follow up on Zillow-generated leads.

If you pay for Zillow Premier Agent status, it is in your best interest to actively pursue leads. Zillow facilitates communication between you and prospective clients. It is then your responsibility to maintain communication. Ask the necessary questions, schedule a listing appointment, or determine where they are in the purchasing process. Consider developing an email marketing strategy in which leads are placed in a nurturing drip campaign.

Becoming a Zillow Premier Agent expedites the growth of your real estate business by providing you with powerful tools for lead generation and insightful data. Get a quote today to become a Zillow Premier Agent if you’re interested in increasing your brand awareness, generating valuable buyer and seller leads, and gaining access to market insights.

As the most visited real estate listings website in the United States, Zillow is an effective way to promote your brand and listings. Adding the Zillow Premier Agent platform to its free features can be a lucrative way to generate buyer leads and expand your real estate business. You can easily adjust your budget and calculate your return on investment (ROI) to determine what works best to build a successful real estate business and pipeline of leads, regardless of the cost.

That’s it for this blog CORE Member, remember to subscribe to our channel and if you feel like we’ve delivered value please share this blog with ONE person. That’s right just one person as a token of your appreciation for the hard work we put into making content that educates and helps you on your mission of building your own fortune.  Remember you can read blog after blog, but it isn’t until you actually take action that you’ll start to see results.  See you soon!

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Welcome to the College of Real Estate YouTube channel. Of course, you want to purchase your home; it’s an important milestone in life. For many new buyers, the biggest hurdle is coming up with a down payment. 

Maybe it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think. Or maybe not at all. There are currently numerous homebuyer assistance programs that help in the U.S., but let’s take a look at the three most common types and how they work. If you want more of this content, subscribe to the College of Real Estate YouTube channel and hit the notification bell.

When it comes to buying your first home, sometimes you need help getting the funds in order. That’s where down payment assistance programs come into play. They can help people make that financial hurdle a little easier to pass. The qualifications for DPA programs can vary from person to person: income level, homeownership status, profession, disability, location, and so on.

What are homebuyer assistance programs?

Funding opportunities exist for those who want to buy a home. They come in various forms such as loans, grants, tax credits, or homeowner assistance programs – and they are used to help eligible homebuyers cover their down payment and close costs, as well as get into a home quicker than they would have otherwise. There are a lot of homebuyer assistance options. Some organizations finance programs from their reserves, while some offer grants that have terms and conditions. Program administrators vet participants, which is why it’s important to choose the best possible option for you and your family.

If you’re interested in down payment help, whether it’s with a lender or an agency, there are options available. Simply weigh your options and decide what makes the most sense for you. 

Down payment assistance comes in many forms, and there are grants as well. As you explore different down payment assistance options, it’s essential to identify the fine details and ask questions about potential regulations, as well as how much you could be eligible to save. In most cases, your state’s housing finance authority oversees down payment assistance loans and grants that help coordinate and sustain affordable housing. These state entities may go by names such as “Department of Housing” or “Housing Finance Agency.”

It can be difficult to obtain the benefits you need to succeed, especially in a specific profession. However, some professions put individuals in a more beneficial position than others. For instance, educators and protectors often have additional benefits for their respective occupations. 

Are you a first-time homebuyer? It’s always important to know what is meant by “first-time homebuyer,” as terms can vary. By definition, a first-time homebuyer is someone who hasn’t purchased a home within the past three years, so if you’ve owned one in the past but are renting now, then you may be considered “new” again. Plus, across our database of programs, three percent don’t have a first-time homebuyer requirement. There are three most common types of programs. 

• The largest category of programs that help borrowers get a lower down payment for homes and other large purchases is down payment assistance. DPA programs come in 2 primary forms: 

DPA from federal, state, county, or local government agencies and nonprofits, as well as from employers. Grants are gifts for down payments or closing costs provided by an eligible third party. They have no associated note or deed and don’t have to be repaid.

There are many ways in which individuals can take out a loan that is paid back in time. Some examples include a second mortgage or subordinate lien, but these might come with varying payback provisions. These types of programs will provide down payment funds at closing in the form of a second loan, often as an interest-free loan. Some may accrue interest, and some might be amortized loans. These programs typically range from 5-year to 30-year loans with varying repayment terms. Some may have immediate repayment, while others will kick in after a predetermined period.

• Some second mortgage payments can be deferred. Or, you can pay the second mortgage before your loan ends. Second mortgages give home buyers a chance to benefit from appreciation in the home’s value and get some of their payment back at the time of sale or refinance. Second, mortgage forgiveness programs will forgive some or all down payment amounts. The amount that’s forgiven may change, but it’ll often happen over years; however, if the program’s conditions are not met—for example, the buyer moves out—the loan must be repaid with interest.

Many housing finance agencies offer first mortgages in conjunction with their down payment assistance programs. These first mortgages may come from state-level housing agencies that can help subsidize portions of the interest to provide low rates and monthly payments for the buyer. They may also waive mortgage insurance requirements and have a reduced closing cost for those who qualify for one of these first mortgages. The USDA provides many different mortgage loan options, such as the Rural Direct Loan, which is primarily used to help low- and moderate-income individuals or households purchase homes in rural areas. The funds can be used for acquiring, building, repairing, renovating, or relocating homes.

• The Mortgage Credit Certificate is designed to help first-time homebuyers offset some of their mortgage interest. As a credit, not a deduction, the MCC reduces your annual taxes dollar for dollar. The loan that the mortgage credit is a part of has many qualifiers and depends on the state or local government that issues the certificates. In most cases, it’s capped at $2,000 per year, by the IRS. It can often be used with another down payment program as well. When lending money, the terms of your loan must make sense for you and your intended project. Search for programs in your area that might be appropriate for you, as well as state listings of participating Housing Finance Agencies and their available loans. View their list of participating mortgage lenders to find one that is a good fit for you.

There are 2,000+ programs nationwide that offer down payment assistance based on your situation. In Nevada, more than $59 million has been supplied to rural home buyers since 2006. 

Cities, counties, and states often work with area partners to distribute down payment assistance. The programs may offer significant grant or deferred loan assistance for a down payment. Some cities provide grants of up to $90,000. Financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, may also offer down-payment assistance programs. For example, the City of Portland offers a one-year grant with monthly payments to help first-time homebuyers purchase their homes. Grants might require potential home buyers to come up with 1% of the purchase price and then provide up to 2% as a grant.

Depending on the DPA program, homebuyers are required to complete either an online education course or an in-person course. Either way, this will arm you with the knowledge you need to find and finance a home. The type of loan that you’re applying for will determine the eligibility requirements. For example, other loans may require residence long enough to be eligible for a deferred-interest loan.

Some companies offer down payment assistance programs to their employees. For example, an educational institution may offer such programs to university faculty and staff seeking a home on or near campus. Programs aim to help low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. Some programs can also help special populations, such as military service members, about which there is more information on our website. Our focus includes helping people in rural areas purchase their new homes as well.

If you’re looking for financial assistance, you’ll find it in many different ways. For example, these grants and loans are based on certain career choices. Thanks to a special program from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, military service members and veterans no longer have to put down a huge portion of their income to pay for homes. The Good Neighbor Next Door Program offers financial assistance in the form of a 60% discount on the list price of homes if you live in a “revitalization area” for 36 months. If you qualify, you’ll also receive an incentive to help make the purchase financially feasible.

In some cases, state and federal programs can eliminate the need to pay a down payment. However, some homebuyers may qualify for down payment assistance if they buy in low-to-moderate income (LMI) neighborhoods. There are down payment assistance programs that provide support if you’re an Indigenous or Native American homebuyer, Black and Latino homeowner, or other groups with historically lower levels of homeownership. Still, other loan packages offer support for buyers with a disability or those living with a disabled person. In addition, some loans will cover costs if your child is living at the same address 50 percent of the time or if you’ve been impacted by a disaster and lost your home.

Homes that partake in many programs typically are required to meet the following: Contribute a percentage or dollar amount to the down payment, have a certain minimum credit score such as 620-660 or higher (but this can go as low as 580), and complete an online, self-led, or in-person homeownership course for first-time homebuyers, and possibly attend a one-on-one housing counseling session

A homebuyer can avoid paying private mortgage insurance if they put down at least 20% of the purchase price. But if they cannot afford this, there are other options–with many loan types requiring as little as three percent in down payment. There are a variety of grants and down payment programs for single-family residences. Grants, loans, and more can help you purchase your dream home, co-op, or other dream property.

Most of the time, there are restrictions on the home’s purchase price or loan amount so that you can qualify for the house down payment assistance. These vary by program, so be sure to ask when exploring your options. There are many forms of down payment assistance programs that exist as loans, grants, and hybrids. Here are some of them you can explore further.

We know that down payment grants are an ideal solution for your first home, and the longer you wait to purchase your home, the more valuable they become. Our skilled advisors can help you find the right down payment grant perfect for you and then process your paperwork. Deferred loans: Loans with deferred payments and low interest. Typically, they’re deferred for around 30 years. You don’t need to pay anything on the loan until you’ve paid off your mortgage or sold, moved out of, transferred, or refinanced the home loan. These tend to have more significant amounts, such as up to 5% of the purchase price or $100,000.10.

0% loans: These loans carry no interest but still need to be repaid within a certain timeframe, like 120 monthly payments. This means every payment you make toward your 0% loan reduces the principal. Some 0% down payment  assistance loans are forgiven over time, as long as the homeowner remains in the home. Depending on the terms, the borrowed amount reduces by a certain percentage after a set number of years.

Your down payment is determined by how much you borrow and what your loan’s interest rate looks like. When you sell your house, the lender will calculate how much you owe, even if a portion of equity was accrued as the house rises in value (a significant amount of equity in most locations). Second mortgages are loans where you make a monthly payment, but your interest rates are generally low. Low- to zero-down loans enable individuals with hard-to-come-by resources to find cheap homes without the need for a down payment. Some low- to zero-down programs are specifically designed for military veterans, disaster victims, and rural homebuyers. Loans that require only a 2.25% down payment on loans over $50,000 or 1.25% on loans under $50,000 also exist.

Down payment assistance may help you get an affordable loan if you qualify. Carefully review all terms and conditions set out by the program before joining, to help ensure that you’re getting the best deal for your needs. Some programs may have application fees or forbid certain types of mortgage products (such as “no income check” mortgages), while others exclude interest rates or fees above a certain amount, require specific underwriting ratios, or apply to only certain types of loans. 

That’s it for this blog CORE Member, remember to subscribe to our channel and if you feel like we’ve delivered value please share this blog with ONE person. That’s right just one person as a token of your appreciation for the hard work we put into making content that educates and helps you on your mission of building your fortune. Remember you can read blog after blog, but it isn’t until you take action that you’ll start to see results. See you soon!

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Many people might object to having total strangers wander through their home while they’re not there. More than that, they might also object to some strangers coming into their home and looking through their personal belongings. They would also want to put up a sign that tells everyone who is going in the front yard that they should play it cool while they’re there and make sure when they leave the house, they don’t spy on anything.

Selling a home can be a very exciting and stressful time. To ensure your property is ready to sell, make sure you do the following: clear out any clutter, have anyone in the house who is not selling demonstrate their qualification as an occupant by filling out our interest scoring forms (include screenshots), and host your open house with or without the help of a real estate agent.

Luckily for you, CORE Member, we’ve produced a blog that will surely help you on how you can protect your belongings during an Open House. Remember, that while the first step is completing any of these amazing courses, the second and possibly more important step is taking action even if it’s imperfect action.

Showing your home to the public for showings poses a few risks. While the idea of theft shouldn’t be your top concern, it never hurts to be proactive. Most people aren’t planning to walk off with your most prized possessions, but I certainly wouldn’t want someone to help themselves at my place during an open house.

People are naturally curious. Buyers open all the closets, cabinets, and drawers when they visit a new home they’re considering buying.

Remember that if your house was a store, an opportunistic stranger could potentially walk out with your personal information, prescription drugs, paperwork, checkbooks, and jewelry. It’s essential to keep your most valuable properties safe from intruders by keeping them locked up or stored in a separate location.

Keep personal information locked up. There is no way to be too safe when it comes to identity theft. That’s why you should never leave mail, bills or bank statements around where your friends and family can get it. If you have ever seen a home that has been robbed, you’ll know what  we mean by “no safety.” Instead, lock them in a drawer when your home is for sale.

Two out of every three real estate agents surveyed by the National Association of Realtors® for its 2015 Member Safety Report state that they have experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety: Vacant houses, model homes, properties in remote areas, and open houses all caused trepidation. The study found that many are now carrying weapons for self-defense—no wonder when agents have been killed in the past.

Do you live in a home or building with multiple entrances? These tips apply to you as well. For homeowners, self-defense takes place before an intruder even shows up at the door—and starts looking for items in the refrigerator and pantry. Be sure to emphasize your valuables and keep an eye on them when you’re away from the property for extended periods of time.

You may already be familiar with safeguarding your possessions, but here are a few more things to keep in mind:

• “No” to Drugs

You might think that a handful of the drugs you have in your medicine cabinet are harmless. However, these drugs can seem simple and innocuous to you, but they can quickly become part of someone’s addictive habit. We’ve heard a few stories of people at open houses being highly tempted by pills they come across while rifling through medicine cabinets. So, it’s important to be mindful of what you leave lying around if this could happen to your house as well.

• Control your remotes

Many people think about the time they spent scrambling around the house trying to find their garage remote before they leave. It’s small, becomes easy to get into a pocket, and is recommended that it be carried when leaving for an open house. One person wrote that during their home visit someone may have taken their garage remote, used it to unlock the homeowner’s car, then returned later to steal his belongings! If any keys, remotes or fobs are in your pocket, make sure they’re locked away or out of sight.

• File this under ‘No Chance of a Break-In’

There’s a growing trend in home office decor to make file cabinets pretty and portable. But, like portability and security, security often conflicts with these two benefits. If you want to be safe and secure at all times, avoid buying a heavy non rolling commercial-grade filing cabinet that locks. Instead, purchase a cabinet specifically for your important documents: your birth certificate and marriage certificate among others. Identity theft is still very much a present day issue.

• Remove Valuables

When your company hosts an open house, thieves can strike right in the midst of lots of people in your home. If possible, you should keep everyone in check while they are in the house so you can watch over their valuables. Some items you want to particularly be careful of include jewelry and prescription medications.

By protecting your home and possessions, you can keep them safe. You can take them off-premises during your open house without worrying that they’ll get stuck in someone’s purse or leave some bait off your driveway to catch a thief. Plus, they won’t be visible on a property tour!

• You can use the buddy system.

If your home is in a high-risk area, it’s best not to conduct the open house alone. Instead, arrange for someone else to be at the home when the open house begins. And if you’re using a realtor, ask them if they can bring an assistant along who will be able to help monitor visitors and ensure that everyone who visits signs in.

In addition, the company can rent or sell your former home at market value, which helps to reduce potential losses. You won’t be left without a housing option and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your items are secured.

Here are more helpful tips on keeping your family safe when you’re hosting an open house:

First, Don’t forget to talk to your insurance agent about how you can protect your possessions from theft.

Second, Make sure your agent is using a sign-in sheet to record who enters the home and what they are doing.

Third, For multilevel homes, it’s important to make sure that all floors are covered at all times. Hire an assistant so the property manager can focus on buying the right properties when they’re needed.

Fourth, we’re saying this again. Keep valuables out of sight and out of reach by storing them in a safe, locked place.

Fifth, When it comes to small electronics such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other such devices, price shouldn’t be the only factor. Sometimes when you can take your item with you anywhere in your bag or purse, then it’s worth the purchase.

Sixth, If you’re worried about someone stealing from you, then don’t put anything in the top drawer of your dresser.

Seventh, We recommend locking your computers with a pass code.

Eight, Remember, bills, checks, bank statements, passports, and ID cards should be secured.

Ninth, If you’re going to be staging a home, consider just leaving less of your heirlooms and favorite possessions scattered around each room.

Tenth, If you’re listing your home to sell it, make sure all images of your interior are not displayed on any online real estate listings.

And lastly, As long as you have a camera with you, take pictures of the home before hosting an open house. You’ll be able to easily identify if anything has been moved or is missing.

When a real estate agent visits your property at the end of an open house, make sure they take a final walk-through to ensure all doors and windows have been locked so no one can break in while they’re still there.

When you’re thinking about buying or selling your home, it can be helpful to talk to a realtor who is familiar with the local market. All realtors have their own specific duties and responsibilities, and your expectations will vary depending on what type of realtor you meet.

When you have a realtor helping to sell your house, you may want to ask them to follow these practices to help minimize the risk of theft. While a realtor can’t tell you how they should do their job, talking with them before your open house is good practice and ensures they’ve considered your concerns related to safeguarding your property and belongings. Your realtor is there to help you sell your home; it’s fair to express your concerns about safeguarding your property and belongings when talking with them.

For homes that are being showcased during an open house, it’s a good idea to ask the realtor to walk through and confirm there is no one else around before the open house. It’s also a good idea to tell the realtor to check periodically during the open house, in case someone got into any of the half-filled rooms.

When the realtor is taking prospective buyers through your home, it’s best to have them follow you around and ask directions from behind. This creates additional safety for both the buyer and the agent, because they’re not going out into unknown territory. It also makes it easier for potential buyers to see your home from a new perspective.

When you’re done wrapping things up, ask the realtor to make sure every room and closet is clear before locking up and leaving for last minute errands.

Travelers approach insurance with the customization it deserves. We work to understand your unique needs so you can feel right at home – we are your family.

Before starting the business, make sure you have insurance.

Theft is a common problem in today’s world, so homeowners should have insurance policies on their properties. Make sure you’re prepared financially and legally by choosing the right insurance policy that will help protect you.

Stop worrying about whether or not the person who bought your home thinks the things inside it are missing. Take pictures and list them before your open house so you have evidence that they’re there, if and when you need it.

When in doubt, trust your best judgment.

When hosting an open house, always be vigilant and trust your instincts. But the most important aspect is to take steps to secure your belongings. Suspecting anyone acting suspicious should be monitored the entire time he or she is in the home. If someone specifically asks to be left alone, that should be a red flag to real estate agents or assistants.

After an open house, be sure to check in with your realtor and make sure everything is as you left it. If you happen to return home later, remember that all doors and windows should be locked, including ones that were not used during the open house. Check to make sure all locks are properly engaged for peace of mind!

For many homeowners, having an open house can be a nervous but important step as you decide to sell your property. It’s important to carefully consider all the issues that might happen when you are showing your house for sale. You need to be prepared for some potential problems so you don’t see them crop up during the course of the showing.

That’s it for this blog CORE Member, remember to subscribe to our channel and if you feel like we’ve delivered value please share this blog with ONE person. That’s right just one person as a token of your appreciation for the hard work we put into making content that educates and helps you on your mission of building your own fortune. Remember you can read blog after blog, but it isn’t until you actually take action that you’ll start to see results. See you soon!

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People would have laughed at you if you had told them a decade ago that they can’t over price their home. The internet has made it easier than ever to learn just about anything you want. So with all this content and information available, how did you know which ones to learn from and which ones actually work?

“Luckily for you, CORE Member, for today’s blog we will be talking about the dangers of overpricing your home. Remember, that while the first step is completing any of this amazing blog, the second and possibly more important step is taking action even if it’s imperfect action.

It’s obvious why you shouldn’t overprice a house. It will not sell! The chances of your property selling for what it should if priced correctly from day one are slim, in addition to not selling when you overprice it.

Many people are not adequately prepared for the emotional roller coaster that can be the home selling process. You must reconcile what your home means to you and what you envision it to be with the realities of the current real estate market.

Pricing your home is where this conflict is most obvious.

To sell it, you’re putting your house on the market. Although it might seem obvious, you’d be surprised at how many people overlook this crucial fact when they start the process of listing their homes. This is the aim of everything you do during the listing and selling process. Even though it’s one of your most prized possessions, the most crucial aspect of selling your house is the price the market will accept.

A surefire way to prevent your home from selling is to try to price it too highly, whether it’s because you invested a certain amount in it or because it holds special sentimental value for you. The fact that you need X dollars from your house because you are making an outside purchase is irrelevant to buyers. A buyer only concerns themselves with paying the fair market value. Nothing will blow up in your face more quickly than a property that is overpriced.

In actuality, the number one reason why a home doesn’t sell is overpricing. You have the option to list your house for any amount you like. However, a top-notch real estate agent will inform you that overpricing a property can result in significant issues.

A real estate expert is best suited to handle the delicate task of pricing your home. The sale of a house is one of the biggest and most emotional transactions you’ll probably make in your lifetime. While you and your agent will want to maximise the profit from your sale, you must be mindful of the risks associated with overpricing your home. Many people are unaware that setting your home’s initial price too high could result in you receiving less money for the property than you would have if you had done so!

We spoke with one of our mentors, a Real Estate Expert at HomeCity Real Estate, who said, “It’s very common to receive multiple offers – often above list price – on an appropriately priced home vs. an overpriced home. They can see the recent renovation expenditures they made or the sentimental value of the items. Since a buyer won’t notice these details, it’s crucial to price your home fairly based on comparable sales in the area.

The first step in correctly pricing your home is to be aware of the market you are entering. You can get away with pricing your house a little higher in a sellers’ market than in a buyers’ market. A dangerous oversight is not being aware of where your current competition stands in terms of price and days on market, according to one of our mentors. “It seems obvious to find out how the other homes around you were priced when they sold,” he or she says. “This will show you what your market conditions are. You can tell that your market is softening if comparable homes in the last 90 days sold for $200 per square foot within a few days, but now homes priced at or just under $200 per square foot have been sitting for a few weeks. You are aware that, simply put, your buyer pool is no longer willing to pay that.

One of our mentors suggests that home sellers consider the local real estate market and set their home’s price appropriately. Why is this crucial?

Bringing in Scam Real Estate Agents

Your home’s initial asking price might attract dishonest real estate agents, who you might not realize are a bad sign until it is too late. Real estate agents want to work with clients who have reasonable expectations because they are in the business of selling homes.

Numerous issues arise when trying to sell a home that is overpriced, so many agents will shy away from taking on a listing that is doomed to failure. Sincere real estate agents will tell you if your expectations for your home are higher than they should be. There are agents, though, who will only give you the information you want to hear. 

One of their strategies involves overpricing a house. To get your listing, they will encourage you to have high expectations, only to later inform you that your price needs to be reduced because the ideal selling window has passed.

Why on earth would a real estate agent want to accept a listing that has no chance of selling, you might be asking.

There are a few reasons why a Realtor would intentionally tell a seller that their home is worth more than it actually is.

• The first is using your house as a means of buyer client recruitment through advertising.
• The second is an attempt to persuade you to sign a listing agreement with them because, absent your agreement, they will not be able to outperform a reputable real estate agent.

Some real estate agents don’t give a damn about selling your house; all they care about is keeping their yard sign there for the next three to six months. They want to be able to advertise your home online while also attracting buyer clients that they can “spin” away from your property because, you know, they won’t pay way too much for it.

You should reduce your price by $25k Mr. & Mrs. Seller right away after receiving a lot of buyer clients over the past few months, some agents will finally get around to saying, “boy am I, sorry the price I gave you for your home doesn’t seem to be working out.” Sorry for making fun of you! 

Selecting a real estate agent based on the suggested list price they give you for your property is one of the biggest mistakes home sellers make. Avoid falling for the oldest trick in the book! A bad agent’s strategy often includes overpricing properties. There are many excellent real estate brokers who do not have to overvalue a property as part of their strategy. Your task is to track one down!

Dissuade Customers

Inadvertently scaring away the best buyers can prevent you from ever having the opportunity to show them your home. Real estate agents frequently work with buyers, and a skilled agent can tell an overpriced house from a mile away. These brokers will advise their customers to stay away from your house.

Buyers will frequently avoid a home that appears to be much more expensive than others in the neighbourhood, even if they are not using an agent. People want a good deal, so positioning your home at a premium will turn away buyers who fit this description.

Pay close attention to the market’s potential. Analyse the comparable real estate sales information from the perspective of the buyer rather than the seller.

The conviction that each home improvement they have made over the years results in a one-for-one increase in value is one of the traits shared by home sellers who overprice their properties. Unfortunately, that is not how real estate valuation operates. When selling a home, there are some expenses that yield very little profit.

Take Far Too Long To Sell

A home’s days on the market will balloon if it is overpriced! Some sellers are more driven than others to close deals quickly. Though not everyone is aware of how much time matters in real estate sales.

The best time to sell a house is when it goes on the market, which is typically in the first few months. If you delay too long, you run the risk of having your listing expire, which is a stain that is difficult to remove from a property.

You run the additional risk of the market shifting against you. If you initially price your house competitively, you’ll probably be able to take advantage of whatever the market is doing to sell it within a month.

But if you wait too long, the market might turn against you. You will have to drop much lower than you would have initially to move the property because your home started off too high when the market turned sour.

Realtors frequently hear statements like “I can wait for a great offer,” “I’m not in a rush,” “I have plenty of time to sell and can wait for my price,” and “I can always reduce my price later” from home sellers. However, what many of these sellers fail to realize is that in the real estate industry, time is your enemy!

When considering a home seriously, every buyer’s agent gets the top query: “How long has this home been on the market?”

As a seller, you are in charge when you first put your house up for sale. A purchaser isn’t. They are aware that if they want to buy the house, they must be practical.

Depending on the market, the pendulum will eventually swing the other way, giving the buyer the impression that they are in control at that particular moment. This is because the number of days a property has been on the market has a significant impact on the price a buyer will accept.

Buyers will start to wonder what is wrong with this house when the days on the market rise above average. Why hasn’t another party made a proposal?

More than someone who just listed, buyers will feel like they can negotiate with someone whose home has been on the market for months. This is a very typical thought process and just part of human nature. Contrary to popular belief, overpricing a property does not result in a higher sale price. The complete opposite is true.

Not Appearing In Search Results

In today’s market, consumers and real estate agents both use search engines and consumer multiple listing services to look for homes. Even though they were created especially for real estate, they still operate pretty much the same as every other search engine. The search returns results that match the criteria you specify when you enter the desired parameters.

If you set the price of your home at $420,000, anyone looking for homes up to $400,000 won’t find it in their search results. For illustration, suppose you met with a Realtor who estimated the market value of your house to be between $385,000 and $390,000. The agent suggests setting the list price at $400,000 because she anticipates some minor haggling. The agent is aware that asking a price above the $400k mark risked pricing your house off the market.

Instead, you choose to price your house at $420,000 because you think a higher list price will result in a higher sale price. You may envision attracting buyers who are willing to bargain with you, but in actuality, many buyers will pass your property up entirely because they are only looking for properties up to $400,000. On the other hand, pricing in line with comparable sales data will guarantee that your home is seen by everyone in your neighbourhood looking for a place to buy.

Buyers frequently start their home search online, usually with a set of search criteria based on their budget. Pricing your home too high will frequently result in potential buyers missing out on your listing. For instance, you want to ask at least $30,000 for your house when you sell it. With the expectation that people will try to haggle with you, you price your home at $320,000. Clients occasionally fail to realise that a buyer with a $300,000 budget will not see this listing because their search frequently says something along the lines of “homes priced up to 300,000”. Pricing your home at $299,000 and waiting for the offers to flood in is the better course of action. Your home should receive several offers if it is priced correctly, and you should probably get more than $300,000 for it.

According to the 2015 NAR report on homebuyers in America, 80% of buyers discovered their home online. This percentage rises to 84% for the under-35 age group, who make up our largest share of buyers, Lambert claims. To increase your chances of selling for your asking price, you should make sure that as many of these potential buyers can see your listing.

Issues with Home Price Appraisal

Let’s say you manage to attract a customer who is willing to pay the price you are asking. He or she just so happens to think your place is ideal and is prepared to purchase the house from you at your asking price. There is only one issue: they must obtain funding from the bank to cover the cost.

Every bank requires an appraisal of any property before making a loan, and yours will be no different. How ideal you believe your home is, or how well it suits this specific buyer, neither matters to your neighbourhood appraiser. The appraiser is subject to market forces, and as such, your property will be valued accordingly.

The bank will probably hesitate to grant the buyer a mortgage when the appraiser returns with a market value that is noticeably lower than the price the buyer is offering. This could turn a sure sale into a failed mortgage application, forcing you to look for additional buyers.

When a buyer needs a mortgage to pay for their purchase, an appraisal is required. To make sure the house is worth the money the bank lending them the money is lending them to pay for it, the bank will order an appraisal. If the house’s appraisal value is significantly less than the sales price, the bank will not lend the buyer the money to purchase it.

“Assessment problems! Low appraisals can kill the sale of your home, warns Lambert, and they have been a pain in the side of many Realtors for the past 24+ months. “Even if your target audience of buyers could see how your property stands out from its less expensive rivals, it’s likely that the much more risk-averse appraiser won’t. Since buyer’s agents are aware of this, they won’t even bother to show your house. Please be aware that regardless of how many updates you’ve made or how much they cost you, each neighbourhood has its own definition of what is “acceptable” (in terms of price).

A skilled real estate agent must be hired because accurately pricing a home is an art. Know what comparable homes in your neighbourhood are selling for, as well as what the market will bear. To ensure a smooth sale, stay informed about market trends and avoid overpricing pitfalls.

The incorrect buyer is drawn to an overpriced home.

A home that is overpriced will not be competitive with the homes in a buyer’s price range that are realistically valued. Your house won’t sell if it lacks the amenities, square footage, or other features of homes in the price range you’ve set for it.

Homes that are overpriced sit on the market for a long time and could go “stale.”

When a home first enters the market, interest in it is always at its peak. Buyers frequently wonder what is wrong with a property when an overpriced house sits on the market for a long time without selling. Even if you lower the price, buyers who move on from a listing rarely return.

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