There’s always been a question about which is the better investment long term, real estate or stocks? Opinions vary, but there is one thing for sure: You can’t reside in your stock portfolio. Another thing for sure is if you ask real estate pros for opinions, you pretty much get the same answer. Those willing…

The post Real Estate or Stocks? Risk Tolerance, Markets Key Most Decisions appeared first on RISMedia.

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Do you record all your back and forths with clients? If not, you may want to reconsider, as they can provide key points upon later review, especially when there is not full clarity on some specifics. More urgently, they can help avoid issues ranging from simple disagreements about what was said or, even potentially significant…

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Editor’s note: This is part two of a two-part story on builder incentives. Part one focused on a builder’s point of view when it came to incentives. As another low-and-slow year for housing comes to a close, and with mortgage rates weighing on affordability, there can be real value out there for buyers interested in…

The post How to Guide Buyers When Builders Offer Enticing Incentives appeared first on RISMedia.

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If there’s one thing buyers don’t want after closing, it’s finding out that the costs to own and maintain their new home are not what they’d expected. They’re higher, and sometimes much higher. That’s why it’s imperative for you as their trusted agent to help determine future finances and share the information with them before…

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Consolidation is the process of combining separate parts, companies or items into a single, unified and stronger whole. Whether that will hold true for residential real estate companies, however, is still to be determined. But what’s for certain is that consolidation has become a huge factor and talking point within the industry. Thousands of agents…

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Editor’s note: In this two-part series, we examine the importance of comprehensive insurance policies for homeowners across the board, and the conversations real estate professionals should be having with clients. Stay tuned for part 2, where we’ll be focusing on flood insurance specifically.  It wasn’t so very long ago when acquiring insurance was nothing more…

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Helping people buy and sell homes is usually a joyous endeavor, guiding them through the often difficult and winding process that leads to shaking hands and house keys being handed over. But there are some situations where getting to the closing is much more difficult and emotional. Death can do that, which is why probate…

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When the market is hot, residential real estate can still be a cold business. Perhaps even more so when rain enters the picture. There are all kinds of things you can do to make a home look its best as a seller agent, and all kinds of good features to point out to buyer clients.…

The post Beating the Rain: How to Offset Its Dampening Effect On Clients appeared first on RISMedia.

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Want as many potential buyers as possible for a home with a pool? Shannon Murree, with REMAX Hallmark Chay Realty Brokerage in Barrie, Ontario, has some next-level advice. Schedule as many showings as possible on a scorching-hot day. And all the better if clients show up with kids, who can be very persuasive. “I generally…

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It’s Real Estate Agent 101 to highlight any or all positive attributes around a home for sale. After all, many buyers may be unfamiliar with the surrounding area, so showcasing things like parks, shopping areas, schools and more can only move the process forward. But what about things that most people may not want to…

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