Real estate professionals are striving to create unique and clever usernames that identify them publicly to others viewing the site. That’s why we’ll re-state this information from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR): “Number1realtor” or “yourCaliforniarealtor” or “jane_chicago_realtor” may sound like unique usernames, but each of these examples violates the NAR trademark usage rules as well […]
6 Reasons You Won’t Make It in the Luxury Market
There’s a reason the luxury real estate market is considered a niche. There are more than 7 billion people on the planet, but only 34 million have a net worth over $1 million, according to Fortune magazine. This is a small group of highly competitive and demanding individuals who require an elevated level of customer […]
Now What? Fight to Alter Tax Bill Has Just Begun
Last week the House passed a tax reform package that the National Association of REALTORS® calls a tax hike on many middle-class homeowners and says would lower property values for all homeowners. “It’s disappointing to see this legislation move forward, but the real work to shape this debate is just getting started,” NAR President Elizabeth […]
Join a Team or Go Solo?
Pros & Cons: For rookies, both paths can lead to success. Whether you want to establish yourself as an individual agent or as part of a team is a critical decision. If you crave a strong support system to help you get up and running, you probably want to join a team. But if you […]
New Rule: Before You Order New Business Cards…
New advertising standards take effect Jan. 1, 2018. AB 1650 makes significant changes to Business and Professions Code § 10140.6 expanding what must be included in advertising materials, including business cards, “for sale”, “open house”, lease, rent and directional signs, stationary, advertising flyers, and print and electronic advertising. So, before ordering new advertising materials, make […]
Help Your Client Find a Home Inspection Expert
There are about 30,000 home inspectors in the U.S., but not all are licensed. In fact, there are around 15 states, California included, where inspectors aren’t required to be licensed at all, according to the American Society of Home Inspectors. Others are Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. Some states, such as Alabama, North Dakota, […]
Use Facebook to Generate Offline Referrals
Some agents either spend too much time on a social media platform for little return, or turn off people by marketing too directly to them. Top producer Maura Neill thinks she’s found the right balance. Neill uses Facebook to build attendance at events she hosts twice a year, and it’s these events—off-line, in-person, on the ground—that […]
Use Direct Mail to Drive Clients to Your Website
Who says print is dead? Fifty-six percent of customers say they find print collateral to be the most trustworthy type of marketing, according to research by Compu-Mail, a national direct-mail and digital marketing firm. Print marketing also outperforms all digital channels by 700 percent in terms of customer response rates, the research shows. That’s good […]
Branding: Help Make a Name in Real Estate
By Lee Davenport If you’re in the real estate sales business but feel like no one knows it, then you likely have a branding problem, my friend. Alexandra Radford, the marketing maven of Edge Marketing Company, has a critical vocabulary word that every real estate pro should respect and prioritize to get their desired business […]
Honorary Member-for-Life – Sept. 2 Deadline
If you’re age 75 and have been a member of C.A.R. for at least 25 years, you may be designated Honorary Member-for-Life by the California Association of REALTORS®. The deadline is Sept. 2, 2016 to submit an application. The application must be submitted to C.A.R. by your local association (not by you), so e-mail the […]