Category Archives: Broker

How To Stage Your Home For Sale

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Selling your home can be a daunting task, but there are a few things you can do to make the process easier and more successful. One of the most important things you can do is to stage your home properly. Staging is the process of preparing your home to sell by making it look its best. This can involve decluttering, cleaning, and making minor repairs. It can also involve rearranging furniture, adding new décor, and depersonalizing your space.

There are many benefits to staging your home. First, it can help you sell your home faster. Studies have shown that staged homes sell for an average of 7% more than unstaged homes. Second, staging can help you get a higher price for your home. Buyers are more likely to pay top dollar for a home that looks its best. Third, staging can help you avoid having to make major repairs. Buyers are more likely to overlook minor flaws in a staged home.

If you’re thinking about selling your home, here are a few tips for staging it properly.

1. Declutter

The first step to staging your home is to declutter. This means getting rid of anything that you don’t use or need. This includes furniture, appliances, décor, and personal belongings. The goal is to create a sense of spaciousness and airiness in your home.

2. Clean

Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to clean. This means cleaning every nook and cranny of your home. This includes the floors, walls, ceilings, appliances, and windows. You should also make sure that your home smells fresh.

3. Make repairs

If there are any repairs that need to be made to your home, now is the time to do them. This includes fixing any cracks in the walls, repairing any leaky faucets, and painting any scuffed or faded walls.

4. Rearrange the furniture

Once your home is clean and repaired, it’s time to rearrange the furniture. The goal is to create a flow in your home and to make the most of the space. You may want to consider hiring a professional stager to help you with this.

5. Add new décor

If your home is looking a little bare, you can add some new décor to liven it up. This could include things like fresh flowers, new throw pillows, and artwork. You should avoid using too much décor, as this can make your home look cluttered.

6. De-personalize your space

When you’re selling your home, it’s important to depersonalize your space. This means removing any personal belongings, such as family photos, religious symbols, and political paraphernalia. You should also avoid using any strong scents, as these can be off-putting to buyers.

Additional Tips:

  • Hire a professional stager. A professional stager can help you declutter, clean, and rearrange your furniture to create a space that is both stylish and inviting.
  • Take good photos. High-quality photos are essential for attracting buyers to your listing. Make sure to take photos of all of the rooms in your home, as well as the exterior.
  • Price your home competitively. Buyers are more likely to make an offer on a home that is priced competitively. Do some research to find out what similar homes in your area have sold for.
  • Market your home. Once your home is staged and priced competitively, it’s time to start marketing it. You can list your home on real estate websites, put up signs in your yard, and tell your friends and family about it.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of selling your home quickly and for a profit.

Biggest Regrets that Real Estate Agents Have

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Real estate agents play a vital role in the homebuying and selling process. They help their clients find the perfect home, negotiate the best price, and close the deal. However, even the most experienced real estate agents can make mistakes. And sometimes, those mistakes can lead to regrets.

In a recent survey of real estate agents, the top five regrets they had about their job were:

  1. Not being more prepared. Many agents said they regretted not doing enough research before they started their business. They wished they had learned more about the real estate market, the different types of properties, and the legal aspects of buying and selling homes.
  2. Not building relationships with other agents. A strong network of other agents can be invaluable in the real estate business. Agents who regret not building relationships with other agents said it made it more difficult to find buyers and sellers for their clients.
  3. Not marketing themselves effectively. In today’s competitive real estate market, it’s more important than ever for agents to market themselves effectively. Agents who regret not marketing themselves effectively said it made it harder to attract new clients and grow their business.
  4. Not being more organized. The real estate business can be very demanding, and it’s important for agents to be organized. Agents who regret not being more organized said it led to missed deadlines, miscommunications, and other problems.
  5. Not taking care of themselves. The real estate business can be very stressful, and it’s important for agents to take care of themselves. Agents who regret not taking care of themselves said it led to burnout, health problems, and other issues.

These are just a few of the biggest regrets real estate agents have about their job. By learning from the mistakes of others, new agents can avoid making the same mistakes and have a more successful career.

How to Avoid the Biggest Regrets

The good news is that there are steps you can take to avoid the biggest regrets real estate agents have about their job. Here are a few tips:

  1. Do your research. Before you get started in the real estate business, make sure you do your research. Learn as much as you can about the real estate market, the different types of properties, and the legal aspects of buying and selling homes.
  2. Build relationships with other agents. Networking with other agents is a great way to get started in the real estate business. Get to know other agents in your area and let them know you’re available to help them with their clients.
  3. Market yourself effectively. In today’s competitive real estate market, it’s more important than ever for agents to market themselves effectively. There are many ways to market yourself as a real estate agent, such as online marketing, print advertising, and networking.
  4. Be organized. The real estate business can be very demanding, so it’s important for agents to be organized. Keep track of your clients’ information, deadlines, and other important details.
  5. Take care of yourself. The real estate business can be very stressful, so it’s important for agents to take care of themselves. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly.

By following these tips, you can avoid the biggest regrets real estate agents have about their job and have a more successful career.

How to Survive A Down Real Estate Market

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With bank failures making frequent appearances in headline news, we are going to talk about a topic that is on the minds of many real estate agents: surviving a down market. The real estate market is notorious for its volatility, and in a down market, it can be especially challenging to thrive. But don’t worry, we are here to share some advice that can help you not only survive but thrive in any market.

Tip #1: Be proactive and adapt to change.

When the market is down, it’s important to be proactive and adjust your approach. One of the biggest mistakes real estate agents make is sticking to the same methods that worked during a boom market. But in a down market, those same methods may not be as effective. Instead, be willing to adapt and try new approaches. For example, if you typically rely on traditional marketing tactics, consider exploring digital marketing channels. Or, if you typically work with luxury buyers, consider expanding your services to first-time homebuyers.

Tip #2: Focus on building relationships.

In a down market, it’s more important than ever to focus on building and maintaining relationships with your clients. This means taking the time to understand their needs and concerns and providing exceptional customer service. Remember, your clients are likely feeling anxious about the market, and by building trust and rapport with them, you can help alleviate some of their concerns.

Tip #3: Stay informed and educate your clients.

It’s important to stay informed about the current state of the market and be able to educate your clients about what’s happening. This means staying up-to-date on market trends and providing your clients with accurate and timely information. By doing so, you can help them make informed decisions about buying or selling a property.

Tip #4: Diversify your offerings.

In a down market, it’s important to diversify your offerings and explore new opportunities. For example, you might consider offering property management services or investing in rental properties yourself. By diversifying your offerings, you can create new revenue streams and help mitigate the impact of a down market.

Tip #5: Leverage technology to your advantage.

Technology is rapidly changing the real estate industry, and it’s important to leverage it to your advantage. From virtual tours to digital marketing, there are countless tools available that can help you reach new clients and better serve your existing ones. By staying on top of the latest trends and embracing technology, you can stay ahead of the curve and set yourself apart from the competition.

Tip #6: Develop a positive mindset.

Finally, it’s important to develop a positive mindset and stay focused on your goals. In a down market, it can be easy to become discouraged or feel like giving up. But by maintaining a positive attitude and staying focused on your goals, you can overcome any obstacles and achieve success.

In conclusion, surviving a down market as a real estate agent requires a combination of adaptability, relationship-building, education, diversification, technology, and a positive mindset. By following these tips, you can not only survive but thrive in any market, regardless of its ups and downs. Good luck, and happy selling!

Will AI-chatbot ChatGPT replace real estate agents?

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It’s a tough market out there. And it may have just gotten tougher.

A company called OpenAI recently released their artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot in November 2022, and it’s good. Really good. It has taken the world by storm, reaching over 100 million users in just the first two months, making it the fastest growing app of all time.

Unfortunately, it’s also causing a lot of concern. It has become so good at giving detailed responses and accurate explanations on a broad spectrum of topics that people are concerned that ChatGPT will be eliminating jobs, especially in real estate.

We decided to put ChatGPT to the test and ask it directly: Will ChatGPT take over a real estate agent’s job?

“As an AI language model, ChatGPT has the ability to process vast amounts of data, understand complex natural language queries, and provide intelligent responses. While it may be possible for ChatGPT to assist with some aspects of the real estate process, it is unlikely that it will fully replace real estate agents.

“One of the main reasons for this is that real estate agents offer a personalized and human touch that an AI language model cannot replicate. Real estate agents have the ability to build relationships with their clients and provide tailored advice and guidance based on their individual needs and preferences. They can also provide emotional support and help their clients navigate the often complex and stressful process of buying or selling a property.

“Additionally, real estate agents have expertise in their local markets, which is critical when it comes to pricing a property and negotiating a deal. While ChatGPT can provide data on recent sales and market trends, it may not have the same level of knowledge of the local market conditions that a real estate agent has. Real estate agents can also provide guidance on issues such as zoning laws, building regulations, and property taxes, which can be complex and require specialized knowledge.

“Another factor to consider is that real estate transactions involve a significant amount of legal documentation and paperwork. While ChatGPT can provide general information on the legal requirements, it may not have the ability to review and interpret legal documents in the same way that a real estate agent can. Real estate agents are also licensed professionals who are held to high ethical standards and are required to undergo regular training and education to maintain their licensure. This ensures that they are up-to-date on the latest laws and regulations governing real estate transactions.

“That being said, ChatGPT can still be a valuable resource for those involved in the real estate process. For example, it can provide information on recent sales and market trends, help with property searches, and answer general questions about the buying or selling process. It can also help real estate agents by providing them with quick and accurate information to assist them in their work.

In conclusion, while ChatGPT has the potential to assist with certain aspects of the real estate process, it is unlikely that it will replace real estate agents entirely. Real estate agents offer a personalized and human touch, expertise in their local markets, and a range of specialized knowledge that an AI language model cannot replicate. However, ChatGPT can still be a useful tool for those involved in the real estate process, and can help to support the work of real estate agents.”

You heard it straight from the horse’s mouth. Real estate agents don’t have to worry about losing their jobs to ChatGPT. Buying a house is a very emotional decision for people, and a good real estate agent can help manage those emotions, offering sound advice to ease a person’s anxiety or applying the right amount of pressure to get a deal closed. Either way you look at it, ChatGPT will most likely be an incredible tool that agents can use to take their game to the next level.

Top 10 Career Paths in Real Estate

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If you are considering a new career, the real estate industry is a great place to look. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were approximately 2.3 million people employed in real estate and rental and leasing in the United States as of May 2020. While the traditional real estate agent is the first thing that comes to mind for most people, there are a lot of other positions in the real estate industry that may be a better fit for you.

In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 careers in the real estate industry that you may want to consider. For many of these positions, no prior experience or a college degree is required. You just need to get a real estate license, which usually takes about 3 to 6 months of coursework and exams to obtain.

Residential Real Estate Agent

A residential real estate agent is a professional who helps individuals buy, sell, and rent properties for residential purposes. These agents work with clients to understand their needs and preferences, and then use their knowledge of the local real estate market to help clients find suitable properties. They also assist with the negotiation and closing process, and may provide guidance on issues such as financing, insurance, and property maintenance.

In addition, residential real estate agents may help clients stage and prepare their homes for sale, and may provide marketing and advertising support to help sell properties quickly and at a good price. Overall, the main goal of a residential real estate agent is to help clients buy, sell, or rent properties that meet their needs and goals.

Commercial Real Estate Agent

A commercial real estate agent is a professional who helps individuals and businesses buy, sell, and rent properties for commercial purposes. These properties may include office buildings, retail spaces, industrial warehouses, and other types of commercial real estate.

Commercial real estate agents work with clients to understand their needs and preferences, and then use their knowledge of the local real estate market to help clients find suitable properties. They may also assist with the negotiation and closing process, and may provide guidance on issues such as financing, insurance, and property maintenance.

Commercial real estate agents may also help clients stage and prepare their properties for sale or lease, and may provide marketing and advertising support to help sell or lease properties quickly and at a good price. Overall, the main goal of a commercial real estate agent is to help clients buy, sell, or rent properties that meet their needs and goals.

Broker

 A real estate broker is a professional who holds a license to represent clients in the sale, purchase, or rental of real estate properties. In most cases, real estate brokers are more experienced and have more extensive education in real estate than agents. In addition to the tasks typically performed by real estate agents, brokers may also manage a team of agents, oversee transactions, and handle additional responsibilities such as setting prices, advertising properties, and handling legal documents.

In some states, brokers are required to have a certain amount of experience as an agent before they can become licensed as a broker. Once they have obtained a broker’s license, they may choose to open their own real estate brokerage, or they may work for an existing brokerage firm. Real estate brokers often have more autonomy and decision-making authority than agents, and they may be responsible for managing the business and financial aspects of the brokerage.

Transaction Coordinator

This is an administrative role where you work in the office assisting the real estate team. You manage all aspects of a real estate transaction from contract to close, including scheduling inspections and repairs, handling escrow documents, acquiring seller offers, and reviewing all contracts to ensure a smooth closing process. You will be dealing with not only the real estate staff in the office, but as well as work directly with home inspectors, lenders, and the clients.

Since the Transaction Coordinator plays an integral part of the process, this position would be great for somebody who is a great communicator and enjoys being a part of a team. A passion for providing excellent customer service and exceptional organization skills is needed to truly thrive in this role. While many companies typically require you to have a real estate license, you do not usually need a college degree to qualify.

Property Management

Property managers are responsible for handling all of the day-to-day activities needed to ensure everything on the property is operating as it should. This means they deal with the land and buildings on the property as well as tenants who may be occupying the space. Property Managers will typically specialize in either residential property or commercial property.

While there are similarities between the two categories, such as collecting rent, handling maintenance requests, filling vacant units and managing the general upkeep of the property, commercial property managers work with businesses while residential property managers work with individuals and families. This means the nature of the job is vastly different. Commercial property managers typically wear formal business attire and work on the premises during regular business hours. They handle lease contracts that are more complex and require more documentation to close.

Developer

A real estate developer is a professional who is responsible for the planning and construction of new properties, as well as the renovation and redevelopment of existing properties. They may work on a variety of projects, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

The specific responsibilities of a real estate developer may vary depending on the size and scope of the project, but common tasks may include conducting market research to determine the demand for different types of properties in a particular area, obtaining necessary permits and approvals from local authorities, overseeing the construction process, and selling the finished properties.

Real estate developers may work for a development company, or they may be DIYers who are self-employed. They may also work with a team of professionals, such as financial analysts and real estate agents, to complete their projects.

Marketing

If you are more of a creative person, there are many opportunities available in the real estate industry. In fact, you could say that marketing is the lifeblood for agents to get their leads. They brainstorm, conceptualize, and execute a wide variety of advertising campaigns and track its performance from start to finish.

Marketing Specialists typically manage all of the social media channels, create print and digital media content, email campaigns, and help agents develop their own unique brand. They may work for a real estate agency, a developer, or a property owner. So, the scope of the projects could be wide-ranging.

While a Marketing Specialist won’t have the income potential of a real estate agent, this position is generally more stable and follows a more predictable schedule. Some companies will also allow you to work from home.

Mortgage Loan Officer

A mortgage loan officer is a professional who works with individuals and businesses to help them secure financing for real estate transactions. These professionals work with clients to understand their financial situation, including their credit history, income, and debt obligations, and then help them find mortgage products that meet their needs and goals.

Mortgage loan officers typically work for banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions, and may also be employed by mortgage brokerages or other companies that specialize in lending. In their role, they may be responsible for evaluating loan applications, reviewing credit reports, negotiating loan terms with lenders, and helping clients understand the terms and conditions of their loans. They may also work with clients to complete necessary documentation and assist with the closing process. Overall, the main goal of a mortgage loan officer is to help clients secure financing to purchase, refinance, or renovate real estate properties.

Home Inspector

A home inspector is a professional who evaluates the condition of a home or other residential property. Home inspections are typically conducted when a home is being bought or sold, and are designed to identify any issues or defects with the property that may need to be addressed.

During a home inspection, the inspector will typically examine the structure and systems of the home, including the foundation, roof, electrical and plumbing systems, heating and cooling systems, and appliances. They may also check for pests, such as termites or other wood-destroying insects.

The home inspector will provide a written report detailing their findings and any recommendations for repairs or maintenance. This report can help buyers understand the condition of the property they are considering purchasing, and can also help sellers identify any issues that need to be addressed before the home is put on the market. Home inspectors do not make repairs or provide estimates for repairs; their role is to provide an objective assessment of the condition of the property.

Appraiser

A real estate appraiser is a professional who evaluates the value of real estate properties. Appraisers may be hired by banks, government agencies, or private individuals to assess the value of a property for a variety of purposes, such as selling, financing, or tax assessment.

To perform their job, appraisers typically follow a set of standardized procedures and use various sources of information about the property and the surrounding area. This may include conducting a physical inspection of the property, reviewing property records and sales data, and considering economic and market conditions.

Once an appraiser has gathered and analyzed this information, they will prepare a report detailing their findings and providing an estimated value for the property. The appraiser’s report is used by lenders, buyers, and other parties to make informed decisions about the property.

Should I Upgrade To A Broker License?

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Are you a person who wants to keep moving forward in your life instead of just being comfortable with what you are earning and being content with what you have achieved already? Do you want to be in control, or do you just want to work under a boss? If you are a person who likes to be in control and you have worked as a real estate agent for the required number of years, you can definitely achieve more by becoming a broker.

 Getting a broker’s license would definitely open new doors of success for you as you would be able to work with bigger corporations, other brokerages, and developers. You can even set up your own brokerage firm and go all in instead of just being on the sidelines and working hard as a real estate agent while earning less. Becoming a business owner is definitely a better thing to do instead of just being an employee. You have already done the hard part if you have been in the market for several years, so it is definitely time to step up your game a bit, and start a new career as a broker.

Why a Broker License

A real estate agent is a great career choice in a metropolitan city, especially if you have the spark, you are good at analytics and you can communicate well. Being a real estate agent is requires a lot of hard work, and you need to be sponsored by a licensed broker in order to work in the industry. So, this means that you are basically an employee of a broker or a brokerage firm.

If you like your job as an employee, that is well and good, but if you want to open your own brokerage firm, you need to obtain a broker’s license. There are multiple reasons why it is more beneficial to become a broker instead of a real estate agent:

  • For a real estate agent who has worked in the industry for quite a while, the next logical step ahead is becoming a broker.
  • You won’t have to pay any of your hard earned money as commission to your broker anymore.
  • With a broker’s license, you would be able to play with the big fish in the industry. You would be the owner of the business, not just one of many employees.
  • You can go for the bigger chunk of the profit and earn more with much less effort as compared to a real estate agent because you will be managing many deals and real estate agents at a time.
  • If you think you are a good manager and you can make better decisions than your current broker because of your skills and knowledge you’ve gained being a real estate agent, you need this license.

How do I get a Broker license?

Becoming a broker is a step towards becoming a big player in the real estate business. It is impossible to complete a deal without a broker and if you want to qualify for a broker’s license you need to fulfill certain conditions. Requirements vary state by state, but here are the common ones:

  1. You generally need to be 21 years old or older when you are applying for the license.
  2. You should have worked as a licensed real estate agent for 2 years or more. Some states require more than 4 years of experience.
  3. You need to complete the pre-license broker courses.
  4. You need to pass a qualifying state examination.
  5. You will have to disclose any criminal history.

What are the benefits?

Real estate contracts are the core of the business, and they need to be done right in order to keep the market moving in the right direction. Brokers make these contracts happens, and you will get direct access to the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) once you’ve got your license. You will become a property manager instead of just someone who has to show property around to people day in and day out.

Every real estate agent needs to have a sponsorship from a broker so you can be a boss. You will be able to hire smart, ambitious, like-minded people like real estate agents and grow your business. A broker’s license will give you the power to create a team that can help you achieve the heights you’ve dreamt of during your real estate agent days.

Real estate brokers can bring in a lot of revenue especially when you look at the statistics of business revenues in the metropolitan cities. The demand for real estate brokers is increasing every day. There were 92,790 new job openings for real estate brokers in the last year and the demand is just going upwards. Owning a brokerage is not only about having the chance of earning much more than your peers, but it is also a chance to build your own legacy.

You don’t have to split your commission with anyone anymore. You would be the one hiring people and you can have your desired commission from the real estate agents you would be hiring.

Some final thoughts...

Although there are different laws and requirements for getting a broker’s license, you generally need to have a minimum work experience of 2 years as a real estate agent. Getting a broker’s license requires a financial as well as a time commitment, so you need to think long and hard before making this decision. If you want to be a big player in the industry and you think you’ve worked enough days as an agent, this license is the key to taking your career to the next level. Try to read all the requirements in your state before opting out of your real estate job, and create a contingency plan in case you are unable to pass the exam.

The best option would be to enroll in a well-reputed institution to prepare for the broker’s license exam. According to a recent report, there will be a 28.15% increase in real estate broker jobs in the coming 5 years just in the US alone. So, the future looks quite bright for you if you are able to obtain the license. We wish you all the best and we would love to assist you further, as you can post your queries in the comment section.

TOP 10 Best Real Estate Coaches for 2023

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We live in a society that praises individual accomplishments. However, what is often hidden from view is the extensive support system working behind that individual. Tiger Woods didn’t win his 15 major golf championships by himself. He has had a handful of swing coaches work with him to help him find his form, not to mention his caddies who carry his golf clubs out on the course.

If the best of the best professional athletes use coaches to take their game to the next level, the same applies for real estate agents. Real estate coaches can help you close more deals by sharing their decades worth of lessons learned and save you time by showing you the best tools and resources to use for your business. If nothing else, a real estate coach will give you a boost of energy and make you feel motivated to step up your game.

Here is a list of the ten best coaches and training programs in the real estate industry today.

1. Kevin Ward

Kevin Ward, based in Redondo Beach, California, started off as a timid boy from West Texas from humble beginnings and is best known for being the author of the best-selling book “The Book of Yes.” He has a direct, “no BS approach,” and talks very candidly about his own personal struggles, including marital problems that ended up in divorce. He is very open about his failures and how he had to start over from scratch to selling over 100 homes a year in less than three years.

2. Tom Ferry

Tom Ferry is the founder and CEO of Ferry International, which is arguably the biggest real estate coaching organization in the country. They have every type of coaching offering you could ever dream of. They have over 165 certified coaches on staff, live seminars, private training events, podcasts, YouTube videos, and more. While you probably won’t be able to get an actual one-on-one session with Tom Ferry himself, his organization has programs that will cater to anyone’s needs and skill level.

3. Mike Ferry

Mike Ferry, founder of The Mike Ferry Organization, is Tom Ferry’s father. He has been coaching in real estate since 1975 and is considered to be the godfather of real estate coaches. The Mike Ferry Organization is also a rather large company with a plethora of training options. They have live classes, online video courses, and one-on-one training sessions with certified instructors. The biggest difference is that Mike Ferry takes on more of a traditional methodology to sales. Less technology, practical systems, and a focus on common sense and personal values.

4. Travis Robertson

Travis Robertson has been around for over 10 years and bills itself as the “most innovative coaching company for a new generation of real estate professionals.” They don’t want just anybody to take their program. They only want people who are committed to real estate full-time, willing to work hard, and care more about their customers than making money. They have already developed the secret formula for success, and they want to share this with people who are willing to learn.

5. Tim and Julie Harris

Tim and Julie are a real estate coaching couple. Having been married for over 30 years, their claim to fame is their daily podcast called Real Estate Coaching Radio. They talk about everything related to real estate, including how to generate leads, write up sales scripts, and listing presentations. They are a smaller outfit with about 12 coaches on staff and over 4,400 members in their program. Although they don’t have as many offerings as the bigger name players, you get a more intimate training session, which makes you feel more special.

6. 16 Strategies

16 Strategies is the creation of Sean Moudry, a top-producing real estate agent that was inducted into Remax’s Hall of Fame by his second year on the job! He has written books on real estate investing and coached over 3,000 people in the past 15 years. What sets his methodology apart from other coaches is that they do a deep analysis of you and your own personality first. They build a profile of your strengths and weaknesses. From there, they build a customized strategy that is tailored specifically to you to extract the maximum performance.

7. Katie Lance

Katie comes from the world of marketing and has been at it for over 20 years. She first got involved in real estate as a marketing director for a small brokerage firm in San Francisco and has continued to be heavily involved in real estate marketing ever since. Her main specialty is helping agents with their social media marketing strategy, such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. There are over 20 hours of online video courses and weekly Q&A sessions with Katie herself to help you save time and generate more leads.

8. The Real Estate Trainer

When you sign up with The Real Estate Trainer, it feels like you have enrolled into a real estate college. They don’t teach a 12-step program or secret formula like some of the other real estate coaching programs. Instead, they offer an assortment of individual and comprehensive courses on a broad range of topics that you can choose to take at any time and in any order. They even issue you a completion certificate when you finish each course. If you want a more personal experience, they also hold live seminars and offer individual coaching as well.

9. Buffini & Company

Buffini & Company, based in Carlsbad, California, is the largest coaching and training company in North America. They have helped over 3 million clients from 41 countries in the past 20 years. The company was started by Brian Buffini, who emigrated from Ireland and became a top producing real estate agent by focusing on generating leads through referrals. He has perfected the referral marketing system and has developed courses, CRM tools, podcasts, and monthly marketing kits to help real estate agents maintain a steady stream of repeat business.

10. Karen Coffey

If you want to feel inspired with a rags-to-riches story, then you may want to look at Karen Coffey. Karen lost everything in 2008 and became a homeless, single mother. She turned it around and found success as a real estate agent. She has since become an award-winning speaker, best-selling author, and one of the top 200 fastest growing companies in 2021. Her program has been specifically developed to help women in real estate to hit the ground running hard, so they can start seeing results immediately.

How to Pick a Real Estate Broker in 2022

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When you obtain your real estate license, the next step to earning your first big commission check is to find a broker to work with. With so many real estate brokerages available nowadays, it can seem like a daunting task to find the right one. Not to mention that brokers will tell you everything you want to hear. It’s going to be up to you to find out which broker will work best for your situation.

Remember, when you go to an interview with a broker, the interview is going both ways. You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. It’s important that you ask as many questions as possible. A few minutes of detailed research now will save you months or even years of headache down the road. 

The top three most important areas for considering a broker is their support system, compensation structure, and any fees that they may charge. Here is a list of questions for each category that you can use to ask your potential broker. This will help you get a good feel on whether you will be a good match for their company.

Support

Does the broker have a formal mentorship program in place, especially for new agents? Do they foster a team-oriented environment that will help you learn and grow? Or, do they expect you to figure everything out yourself and throw you into he pool to see if you sink or swim?

How accessible are these mentors? If you are trying to close a deal and have a question, are you going to be able to call them up and get guidance from them when you need help? Will they be willing to go with me to open houses? A real estate transaction can get very complex, so this one will be important. If anything goes wrong, it could cost you the deal.

Are there any live classes or online courses available for personal development that are available? What type of training do you offer new agents?

Who is going to be my mentor when I start on day one? Who will I be working with daily? Try to get a specific name.

What do they expect of new agents, especially in the first year? Some brokers will want you to focus only on buyers and showing open houses, acting like an assistant to help other teams with their deals. Everyone learns differently, and for some people, this approach may be a good thing. For others, they may want to hit the ground running faster and close their own deals right away.

Where territory will I cover? Do you want to stay nearby where you live or are you willing to drive farther out to close the deal? If you live in a metro area like Los Angeles or Chicago, you will need to factor in long commutes to your day. How often will you have to drive to the office?

What is their onboarding process right when you start on day one? Are they going to provide business cards? Have you listed on their website? How long will this all take?

Compensation Structure

Every broker has their own commission structure. No matter what their commission splits are, there will always be some give and take. If they offer you a bigger slice of the pie, they will expect you to be more self-sufficient. On the other hand, if the broker is going to offer you comprehensive support and training tools, then they may offer you less commission.

For new agents, you will be getting for more value with a strong coaching and support system than with a bigger commission payout. Ideally, you’d like to have both, but unfortunately, that is extremely rare to find. After all, it’s better to make 30% of something rather than 100% of nothing.

Here are some questions to ask the broker:

What is your commission split? Are their special commission structures for new agents versus more experienced agents? What does that look like?

Are commission splits negotiable later on?

What is the process of being paid? When will the check be sent out? Ideally, you would want to get a specific day of the month.

Fees

If a broker charges you a lot of fees to work at their firm, that is not necessarily a bad thing. It all depends on the value you get back on those fees.

Is there a desk fee? If there is, what does it include? This is basically a monthly fee to “rent” a desk in the office.

Are there review fees? This is a fee that the broker charges to have someone review your contracts and legal documents to make sure everything is filled out correctly when handling a real estate transaction.

Are there any marketing fees? What is included with this?

Are there any startup or onboarding fees? This fee applies to new agents to help them get up and running. This may include your business cards, marketing materials, desk fee, etc…

Is there a technology fee to use their computers, print/copy/fax documents, or to mail documents?

Is there a parking fee to park your car? Do you have to pay for an access card to enter the office building?

How much is the Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance? This insurance that all agents have to pay. This covers any potential legal costs if you make a mistake on a real estate transaction.

Do they cover any professional membership fees like NAR, MLS fees?

Miscellaneous

Your interviewer may be spilling out cookie-cutter answers to make their brokerage sound good. Here are a several questions that you can directly ask your interviewer to get deeper insight into what it’s really like to work with that firm.

How long have you been working there?

What made you decide to work there?

Who was your last new hire? What happened to them?

Where are your top agents getting the most lead?

Do you have regular awards? What kinds of performance metrics are recognized and rewarded?

Remember, your success will ultimately depend on you and not your broker. People will want to buy and list their homes with you because they like you and trust you. It’s not because of the broker you are with.

4 Tips to Become a Better Real Estate Agent in 2022

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The real estate market can be very competitive and it’s important to constantly work on yourself to gain an edge on the competition. This will set you apart from other real estate agents and your clients will notice the difference. Here are four tips that you can use for your own personal development that will help your game to become a better real estate agent in 2022.

Know Your Audience

You can’t just pick up the phone and act like yourself the same way with everybody. You want to mirror your audience and speak their language. Every person has their own personality and way they prefer to communicate. If your client talks softly and in a quiet tone, then it’s not a good idea to speak to them in a loud, forceful way. If they are older and talk slow, then it’s a good idea to match their pace and take it down a notch.

A great tool that you can use to break this down very quickly is to use the tried-and-true Myers-Briggs personality type test. There are four criteria, which will later combine into 16 different types of personalities.

Criterion #1: Extraversion or Introversion
Extraverts get their energy from other people and the world around them. Meanwhile, introverts prefer solitude and keep to themselves.

Criterion #2: Sensing or Intuition
Sensing means that a person goes mainly off of their own five senses of touch, taste, smell, hear, or see to perceive the external world. People with Intuition are thinkers. They prefer to analyze the situation first, and think about abstract concepts or theories.

Criterion #3: Thinking or Feeling
A Thinking person is someone who makes their decisions based on logic and objectivity. On the other hand, a person who feels makes their decisions based on emotion and gut instinct.

Criterion #4: Judging or Perceiving
This criterion deals with how a person processes and executes information. Someone who is Judging is organized, sticks to a schedule, and detail oriented. Someone who is Perceiving shoots from the hip and prefers to be spontaneous.

When you pick one trait from each criterion, there will be 16 different possible permutations of personality types. You can use this tool to quickly assess the type of person you are dealing with and make any necessary adjustments to your conversation skills.

If you are curious about your own results, you can take the test for free yourself here.

Establish a Routine

As a real estate agent, you are running your own business. You are the CEO. You don’t sit at the desk and wait for business to come to you, especially as a new agent. Maybe after you’ve spent some time in the industry and built up your network, at that point, you will get some referral business and easy deals.

In the meantime, it’s important to stay disciplined and establish a routine. This means outlining your entire day from prospecting and making calls, to maintaining your calendar, booking appointments, and closing deals. By setting aside and making time for each of these activities, you will find yourself with more time throughout the day. And little by little, being productive with these small day-to-day activities, your productivity and income will increase.

It’s important to be proactive and set goals that are attainable. Things like number of calls, number of open houses, asking for referrals on every call are small goals that you can set for yourself every day.

Understand the Needs of Buyers vs Sellers

There are similarities but there are also differences. You need to make sure you know which side of the deal you are on and pay attention to the needs of your client. This is probably the biggest financial decision of their lives, and they will be very emotional. So, you will have to take extra care to make them feel comfortable the whole way. They will be looking at you to be their guide and expect you to know all the answers.  If you are a new agent, don’t worry. If they ask you a question that you aren’t sure about, just be confident and let them know that you will find the answer and follow up with them later.

When you become more experienced and start to feel overwhelmed, you may even want to hire a transaction coordinator to help you manage all the paperwork. Their job is to make sure all the documents and contracts are filled out correctly and sent to the appropriate party. This will save you time and give you the ability to focus more on the needs of your client.

Never Stop Marketing

In real estate, in order to get business, people need to know you exist. Fortunately, we live in a time where social media has made it extremely easy to make your presence known. All you have to do is pull out your phone and start taking photos and videos to make content. It’s never been easier and more accessible for people to market themselves.

And you don’t have to just focus on drumming up new business, you can also use social media as a platform to help other agents by sharing any lessons you’ve learned. In a nutshell, this is allowing you to build your brand so that when someone eventually Googles you, they can find a wealth of information about you that you want them to see. This helps build trust and more people will feel more confident to give you their business.

The key to successful social media marketing is consistency. It doesn’t really even matter what you post as long as you stick to a schedule and post regularly. Ideally, you want to try to post something once a day. The big social media companies are now emphasizing video over photography, so getting comfortable filming short videos is going to give your business the most success.

Top 3 Real Estate Virtual Assistants to Hire

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As the saying goes: Time is Money.

Whether you just got your real estate license or you are a well-established real estate agent, everyone can take their business to the next level by getting some help. I’m sure you didn’t get into real estate to design websites or shuffle paperwork around, so why not focus your time on the things you are passionate about (and are going to actually make you money). Fortunately, we live in a time where it is easy to find help. However, finding high-quality help is another story.

Here are the three best places we have found to find high-quality help, regardless of what the job is or the budget you are working with.

CompanyIdeal forCommitmentCost
1. FiverrSmall projects such as logo/website design, marketing materials, blogging, social media postsLess than 2 weeksLess than $100
2. Onlinejobs.phSeasoned Agents who need a quality assistant without breaking the bank1 to 3 years$5K to $12K/year
3. MyOutDeskBrokers or Seasoned Agents who only hire the bestLong-termOver $20K/year

1. Fiverr

Fiverr touts itself as the largest marketplace for digital services in the world. Basically, that means you will be able to find someone to help you with anything. It was originally founded in 2010 in Israel with the idea that all the Gigs would be priced at $5. However, they have since grown into a $1 billion company that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and allow Gigs to be virtually any price now.

There are already a plethora of people offering up services on just about everything. You can filter the search results by price range, seller rating, delivery time, and more. It has a very clean interface and is easy to use. They provide customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Signing up is free. You can browse through Gigs that are currently available or post one yourself. You only pay when you order a Gig. Fiverr acts as the middle-man and will collect the payment directly form you to give to the recipient. Fiverr also collects a small service charge of $2 for any Gig that costs up to $40 and then 5% off any Gig that is over $40.

The great thing about Fiverr is there is such a deep talent pool and lots of reviews to go on. I’ve personally used it about a dozen times and never had a bad experience. Of course, I always went with people who were reviewed with the highest ratings. Also, since most Gigs are small tasks, you can get the best of both worlds by hiring the best talent in each area. For example, if you want to setup a website, you can hire a specialist on web-design, a different person for photography, and another person who specializes in marketing. This way, you are not putting all your eggs in one basket by hiring a single person and trusting them with everything.

2. Onlinejobs.ph

Onlinejobs.ph, based in Utah, was founded by John Jonas, who was also looking for some help. He hired a virtual assistant from the Philippines in 2006, and it worked out fantastic. So much so that he still is working with that same person even today! He wanted a way to share that experience to help other people.

What I like about this company is not just because there are over 500,000 resumes from the Philippines to choose from, but they seem to genuinely care about everyone they work with—not just their paying customers. They post testimonials from their virtual assistants along with the employers, and you can see how onlinejobs.ph has enriched their lives and created some amazing opportunities for them.

You can setup a free account to post a job and review job applications. However, you won’t be able to see their contact information or communicate with them until you pay for a subscription. Don’t let the word “subscription” scare you though. There are no contracts, commitments, or hidden fees. You can pay for a month, hire your virtual assistant, and then just cancel right away so you won’t pay for a second month. If you are still on the fence about them, they back up their claims with a 100% Satisfaction guarantee. They go to great lengths to make sure you feel like you are not getting ripped off. All you have to do is contact them within 30 days, and they will give you all your money back.

Once you have hired your virtual assistant, you will pay them directly through EasyPay or Paypal. I like this model because it cuts out the middleman, and you don’t ever have to wonder if there are any accounting tricks being pulled behind closed doors. Also, since they are classified as an overseas sub-contractor, you won’t have to deal with the 1099 tax forms.

3. MyOutDesk (MOD)

MyOutDesk (MOD) is the industry leader when it comes to virtual assistants. Founded in 2008, they originally came from the real estate industry, providing virtual assistance to real estate agents. Since then, they have branched out into other industries and grown to one of the largest VA staffing companies in the country with over 5,000 clients and thousands of staff members all over the world. MOD is perfect for brokers or well-established real estate agents who are in need of long-term, reliable help but without the high cost of hiring a full-time employee.

MOD goes through an extensive screening process when they hire VA candidates. They employ FBI-grade background checks, personality tests, and only hire the people they feel are the “best of the best.” Once hired, their employees go through 160 hours of rigorous training and 5 additional hours of continuing education every month. As a result, they have been ranked as having 36 out of the top 100 teams on RealTrends™.

With all of this high quality help, it will cost more than choosing a freelancer. So is it going to be worth the investment? On their Facebook page, you can see that out of 90 reviews, they have a high 4.7 out of a 5-star rating. On Google, they have a perfect 5-star rating based on 199 reviews. What I think gives the best insight into a company is to see how the employees rank their own company, since I’m a firm believer that the best companies have happy employees. On Glassdoor, their employees have given MOD a 4.3 out of 5 star rating and 95% of people approve of how the CEO is running the company.

If you decide to hire someone from MOD, you can expect to spend a minimum of around $20K per year. That’s not too bad compared to spending $35K to $40K per year on a regular assistant that comes in the office. Not to mention all the costs associated with interviewing job applicants, payroll taxes, and dealing with employee turnover.

This probably would not be a good fit for someone who just go their real estate license. However, if you are a successful real estate agent and your business is booming, MOD can save you thousands of dollars by providing you with highly educated and trained virtual assistants.

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