Uncategorized
November 19, 2014

Agents Sign Pledge to Increase Safety Awareness

In response to the tragic and shocking deaths of real estate agents Ashley Okland and Beverly Carter, Dylan de Bruin and Joe Schafbuch, the broker-owners of 90-agent firm Century 21 Signature Real Estate in central Iowa, have started a petition to encourage safe and secure showing practices for all agents.…
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Uncategorized
November 18, 2014

Mobile Devices Now More Effective than Signs, and Other Obvious Things

The NAR recently released its annual survey on buyer and seller trends. One thing that was made abundantly clear is that digital advertising absolutely dominates more traditional avenues, like signs and open houses. “While yard signs and open houses have historically been used most frequently after online websites and real…
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Uncategorized
November 17, 2014

Most Expensive Homes for Sale in Each State

It’s always nice to have some fun statistics in mind when you’re out touring with clients, or making your way through those seemingly-endless call lists. This list features the most expensive homes for sale in each state. Numbers like these can be a great way to help buyers put sales…
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Uncategorized
November 10, 2014

5 Easy Blog Topics That Will Make You Better at Your Job

Coming up with blog topics can be a real headache, especially when you’re busy doing the rest of the work of being a real estate agent. The fact remains, however, that blogging is an essential component to any dynamic marketing strategy. The good news is, blogging actually presents an opportunity…
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Uncategorized
November 7, 2014

8 Things Your Car Needs Before Any Client Home Tour

In over a decade as a buyer’s agent, I learned a few tricks to help make those long tour days a little smoother. Aside from simply being washed and clean of all the garbage you tossed in the backseat when you went previewing, there are a few simple items you…
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Uncategorized
November 6, 2014

Detroit Buyers Close on $1000 Home

In a city with 80,000 empty homes and 100,000 vacant lots, dreams are starting to come true. With just $1000 to purchase, and about $30k for renovations, Antjuan Wyatt and his family are set to move into a home that would be the stuff of pure fantasy, for that price,…
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Uncategorized
November 5, 2014

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Ease Lending Regulations

In an effort to bring more buyers into the market, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, regulator of two of the country’s largest lenders, Fannie and Freddie, is planning to relax standards for loan qualification. Tight credit restrictions, since the collapse of the housing market in 2008, have made it difficult…
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Skill DevelopmentTechnology
November 5, 2014

Create a Top Producing Agent From Scratch

Google Hangout from the Keeping It Real training series where Greg Harrelson, a top producing agent from  shares “How to Create a Top Producing Agent From Scratch” and how to build a solid real estate business & foundation. You’ll learn exactly what Greg teaches his agents to do DAY ONE when…
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Compliance
November 4, 2014

CFPB Proposes Updates to TILA-RESPA Rules

The CFPB is proposing changes to the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule issued last year. Commonly referred to as the “Know Before You Owe Rule,” it clarified the disclosure process so that borrowers could have a much clearer understanding of all fees and related expenses involved in a loan.   This…
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Uncategorized
November 3, 2014

Real Estate Trivia for those Long Days Touring with Clients

If you’ve been in real estate for more than a month, you know that touring with new clients, or old ones, for that matter, can get a little tedious. It’s not always easy to keep the conversation lively, and there are few things more awkward than long periods of silence…
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