Category Archives: real estate

Topics, resources, tips, tricks and advice for real estate agents, Realtors, brokers and small business owners in industries related to real estate.

Blog Liability Issues Slowing You Down?

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You want to blog. You may have already started to blog, but you worry about the content… and your concerns are being fed by reports of bloggers not having the same rights as journalists. You wonder:

  • What if I get in legal trouble?
  • What if someone sues me?
  • What if a typo changes something I’m trying to say?
  • How can I protect myself?

Bloggers are communicators. We (as a group) need to be heard, to share information and to stand surefooted alongside our opinions. We need to know where to go to get the real story about our rights, or protection and how the current legal climate may affect our blogs. Continue reading →

Jott: A Cool, Free Productivity Tool for Real Estate Agents (and Everyone Else!)

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Kimberly Thomas-Catanzaro (a peer professional who specializes in bookkeeping) recently sent me a note on a new productivity product (currently in public beta) that I think would be quite a boon for most real estate folks.

I’m going to be testing it over the next few days myself as a way to keep up with expenses. (I’m always out — and usually driving — when I think “oh, I should record this before I forget it.”) I always have my cell phone and can’t drive and use my tablet at the same time — at least not very well or very safely. Continue reading →

One of My Favorite Clients Awarded Realtor® of the Year!

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Miguel Berger, broker/owner of TechValley Homes Real Estate in Albany, New York was just awarded Realtor® of the Year by the Greater Capital Association of Realtors (GCAR).

Miguel Berger of TechValley Homes Real EstateGCAR is a trade association resulting from the merger of two individual associations: The Albany County and the Rensselaer County Boards of Realtors. The merger occurred in 1992, but the two associations themselves dated back to the 1920s. This association of 3200 members gives annual awards including community service, unique transaction, and committee recognition awards. The two primary awards are the Realtor of the Year and the Ralph P. Dupont Award for community service.

I caught up with Miguel this week and asked if he would be willing to answer a few questions on his award, the real estate market in New York and across the nation and his own business. He agreed to the interview.

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Mobility Essentials for Real Estate Agents

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I recently received the following email from Lisa Mahoney, a real estate agent in Uxbridge, MA working with RE/MAX American Dream, and am reprinting (and answering) it here with her permission:

Hi there, I am just starting out and have paired up w/ a “team.” No one else uses any real mobile technology (except cell phones). I would like to suggest a few ways to move towards being more efficient and mobile.I spend hours sometimes at an open house, where I could be working etc. So I am wondering what should a good agent have??So far I have a wireless Laptop (not sure if it would work w/ on the road) and a blackberry. Of course a printer/fax but those are not portable. Also what kind of software would I need to have to be able to fax through email online and connect to the internet? How does it all work together?

Sorry for all the questions……this is all so new to me but I LOVE YOUR IDEAS!!!

Thank You,

Lisa Mahoney
RE/MAX American Dream
508-802-3436
www.NewEnglandAmericanDream.com

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Staging: How to Convince a Homeowner

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You just landed a wonderful listing. Congratulations! It’s a tough market right now, but the home is in a good neighborhood and with just a little work it may be sold in a couple weeks.

Then you actually start working with the client. This client is motivated to sell the house, but is completely unwilling to raise a hand to help you stage, show or sell the home.

They want to move because they already have a new house. They don’t want to organize, paint or be bothered with “the old house” and they don’t believe it matters. Your suggestions are meeting with resistance and you get the distinct impression that your recommendation that they paint the dark blue entryway a lighter color is… well… rude.

You don’t want to upset the client, but you can’t engage them in the project. You need them to be cooperative. How do you achieve that goal?

In three easy steps… Continue reading →