By Sean Cawley
I’ve been asked on several occasions if I would ever list a haunted house.
And what better time could there be to think about that question than on Halloween? Haunted homes conjure up many images in my mind, from ghosts, ghouls and goblins to the movie Beetlejuice or even that Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland.
So, would I list a haunted house? Yes!
By Marsha Kotlyar
This summer I had the honor of participating in a panel discussion at the INMAN CONNECT Real Estate Conference in San Francisco.
The topic of the panel was “Winning the Listing: What Sellers Expect” and I was one of three professionals speaking to the large group of real estate agents. I enjoyed the experience and our panel shared a lot of insight, and so I thought I would share my 10 takeaways from the discussion.
By Gino Blefari
It’s been a terrific few days in New Jersey.
I was honored to speak to agents and managers of Bill Keleher’s Somerset-based Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Jersey Properties; then sprinted over to Secaucus to address attendees of Tom Ferry’s 2014 Blueprint Conference. I loved both experiences and am in awe of the talent, passion and experience I observed in the professionals I met.
By Lisa Schultz
There’s no denying that technology has changed the face of the real estate industry.
However, the business of referrals is still a tried-and-true method for creating a successful book of business. In a sea of websites, blogs and social media that provide an endless – and oftentimes overwhelming – barrage of information, it can be difficult for a real estate professional to stand out from the competition, or even to get noticed. Content marketing has become an increasingly useful tool for agents looking to separate themselves from the pack.
By Carrie Foley
At this year’s Summit Conference in Scottsdale, AZ, one of the keynote speakers was Darren Hardy, best-selling author, public speaker and master motivator.
I recently read his book, The Compound Effect, and was intrigued to hear how he would customize his message to real estate agents. So, I sat in the grand ballroom at Summit and listened as he spent the next two hours engaging the group of hundreds while also connecting with each audience member individually.
By Jill Griffin
Over the past few years, staging a home for sale has become standard practice, rather than an option.
Sellers are incredibly receptive to the idea and often ask me what they need to do to get top dollar for their home long before I can even bring staging up.
Buyers now get confused if they walk into a home that hasn’t been staged or prepped for the market. Often, they ask, “Is this house in pre-foreclosure?” Or, “Is this a rental property?”
By Sean Cawley
It’s obvious that everyone is buying products online these days.
From clothes to electronics and even homes, if you know what you’re looking for, it’s probably available on the web. In fact, with more and more Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices clients starting their home searches online, it’s no surprise that the Internet is now a major force in helping consumers find their perfect house. As a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agent, I can confidently say that our brand provides a state-of-the-art shopping experience from start to finish.
By Todd Waller
Current real estate buyers … this post is about you.
Don’t worry; we’re not going to talk badly about you. In fact, we are going to discuss the things you do when you find ‘The Home.’ We are also going to discuss those things that sellers should be aware of when they place their home on the market to attract you to write an offer. Heck, those sellers were once buyers, right?
By Carrie Foley
With summer in full swing, I like to spend my time off at the pool.
Recently, I was watching a timid child try to swim. I could only imagine how the depth and the vastness of the pool probably seemed frightening and overwhelming to a beginner. The child clung to the edge of the pool watching the others swim about. She spent more time sitting on the side than in the water.
She eventually got up the courage to jump in.
By Carl Guild
Want to succeed in real estate?
I’ve got two words for you: client retention.
Some of you may say that we don’t want to retain our clients. We want them in and out. Well, the truth is you want to retain your clients FOREVER. You want their inventory in and out, but the relationship must remain so you can represent them for every deal, every real estate milestone, and receive those all-important referrals. Don’t believe me? All right, have it your way.
Here are five surefire ways to make sure your client relationship doesn’t last:
Thoughts on Leadership 