References
NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
Coronavirus and REALTORS®
The National Association of REALTORS® is aware that REALTORS® and consumers will be forced to change their business, buying, and selling habits in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. We know that there is an overwhelming amount of news and advice being circulated, and new information to process every day. To make sure our members have the most up-to-date information as possible, we have created a Coronavirus page, which can be accessed at https://www.nar.realtor/coronavirus.
Adjusting Your Strategies in a Changing Market
Real Estate Agents Say They Can’t Imagine Working Without ChatGPT Now (CNN, Jan. 28, 2023)
“It saved me so much time,” Johannes told CNN, noting he made a few tweaks and edits to ChatGPT’s work before publishing it. “It’s not perfect but it was a great starting point. My background is in technology and writing something eloquent takes time. This made it so much easier.”
What is Digital Curb Appeal and How Do You Get It? (U.S. News & World Report, Jan. 24, 2023)
Unlike physical curb appeal, digital curb appeal is about more than just the outside of the home. Buyers get a chance to look through your entire home virtually, so it’s important that digital curb appeal extends to every part of your home’s listing by creating a great subject for solid photography.
Miami Real Estate Agents Experiment with ChatGP (Axios, Jan. 19, 2023)
Real estate agents in Miami and across the country are experimenting with how the new artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT can be used to write house listings, communicate with developers and produce content.
Useful Tips for Networking in Real Estate Business (Realty Biz News, Jan. 17, 2023)
As you can see, networking in real estate business is crucial. By following the tips outlined in this post, you can effectively build and maintain a network of valuable connections in the industry. Whether you're looking to find new clients, learn about new properties, or simply stay up-to-date on industry trends, networking can help you achieve your goals.
How to Be the Real Estate Professional Your Clients Will Rely On (RISMedia, Jan. 4, 2023)
Allison Oster, a longtime Buffini & Company coach, says that she always reminds her clients that they must take care of themselves, mentally and physically. “I tell them that they need to have energy so that they can perform at their best for their clients,” she said.
7 Components of a Top-Notch Real Estate Website (Real Trends, Jan. 3, 2023)
Make sure to show your personality. Use written content to describe your services, culture, and values in an authentic way. Use photos of you and your team at events, in the community and with your clients. Minimize stock photos.
How Ames-Based Real Estate Agent Elli Jennings Became a TikTok Billboard for Iowa (Des Moines Register, Dec. 1, 2022)
The Iowa State University alum's videos are set to surpass 1 million TikTok likes, and she boasts more than 32,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok combined. Now, she's turning clicks into cold, hard cash: According to Jennings, business has doubled during the past 12 months, and 70% of her new clients come from social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
Working With Clients
7 Perks of Buying a House at the End of the Year (GO Banking Rates, Nov. 1, 2022)
“I have had buyers that wanted to close a week before the major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas to be able to enjoy the city and host in their new homes,” said Andy Feiwel, a real estate agent with Compass in New York City. “New York City is always an extremely festive and vibrant place during the holidays with window displays, tree lighting ceremonies and lots of socializing and parties.”
How Low Mortgage Rates Led to Today’s ‘Seller’s Strike’ (Bankrate, Oct. 25, 2022)
“The sharp rise in mortgage rates in 2022 has hampered housing affordability and led to fewer home sales. Aside from those obvious bits of fallout, the run-up in rates has also delivered a surprise: Many homeowners are choosing not to sell because they don’t want to give up the super-low rates they locked in during 2020 and 2021.”
50% of Americans Say They’re Giving Up on Their 'Dream Home' (The Street, Oct. 6, 2022)
““I talk to people who may not be buying for a few years but we talk about a plan so that their dream becomes a reality,” Beeston told The Street. In that regard, the “dream home” is never out of reach – not if you really want it. “You may just have to get a bit creative when events in the market change and adjust on the fly,” Green added.”
How to Stay Top of Mind with Past Clients (Minnesota REALTORS®, Oct. 5, 2022)
“Opening the door to home ownership for a client shouldn’t close the door on your professional partnership. While you should celebrate the success, look at closing as a critical time to establish or reinforce your ongoing value to the client—value that you will add over the course of their homeownership tenure.”
What Your Customers Want from You to Make Their Purchasing Decisions (The Jim Allen Group, Oct. 4, 2022)
“What does it take to show them you’re the company for them? Typically, it takes a comprehensive branding or marketing campaign that helps them understand what your business and its products or services have to offer for their needs. Once you understand what it is a customer is looking for, start thinking about the ways it makes sense to communicate how you solve that problem for them. It may be through blog posts, email marketing campaigns, digital advertising, or social media. Give them exactly what they need to make informed decisions.”
Tips for Buyers and Sellers
Staging Your Home to Sell? Don't Forget These 5 Things (The Ascent, Feb. 1, 2023)
Is your home well lit? This could be due to light fixture choices and placements or due to plenty of windows (ideally at least some of them facing south, to collect the most natural light possible in the Northern Hemisphere). If you're staging to sell, it's a great idea to emphasize these features. Clean your chandelier, wash those windows, and when setting up for an open house (or real estate photos), make sure you're lighting the home well.
How to Save for a House (Without Changing Your Lifestyle) (The Mortgage Reports, Jan. 19, 2023)
When determining how to save for a house, set aside an afternoon to run through your bank and card statements. And cancel every subscription that you don’t really need.
Sellers Get Social! How Instagram Can Help Sell Your Home (realtor.com®, Jan. 5, 2023)
If you simply emulate a listing—a block of copy and photos with captions—people will keep scrolling. “The key is presenting highly engaging images that create emotional responses with potential buyers,” says Shaun Martin with Watson Buys in Denver. “We have had huge success by adding catchphrases that help buyers picture themselves relaxing in their new home. For example, on a picture of a beautiful bathroom, we might add ‘Relax after a hard day of work.’”
How to Get the Most Out of Selling a House As-Is (Bankrate, Jan. 5, 2023)
Or sometimes selling as-is seems just the most practical course. Say you inherited your parents’ place. It’s quite dated, and you figure any buyer is going to drastically remodel it anyway, if not tear it down completely and start anew. And since you have no costs to recoup — anything you get for the house is gravy — there’s no sense in investing a lot to fix it up. Just take the money and run.
Selling a Home in Winter: 6 Ways to Add Curb Appeal (Houwzer, Nov. 30, 2022)
New numbers are an easy way to add curb appeal to your front porch, while a fresh mailbox adds appeal to the end of driveway area.
What Not to Say When Selling Your House (Bankrate, Nov. 30, 2022)
“You shouldn’t discuss your bottom line — the lowest price you’re willing to accept,” advises Devon Wayne, owner of homebuying company ASAP Cash Offer. “By revealing this information, you give the buyer an upper hand, as they know how low they can go in their offers. Secondly, you shouldn’t discuss your financial situation with the buyer. This is personal information that has no bearing on the negotiation and can only work against you.”
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
The 6 Enablers of Business Agility : How to Thrive in an Uncertain World (EBSCO eBook)
The Altman Close (Audiobook)
How to Develop Power and Confidence In Selling Real Estate (EBSCO eBook)
Leading People in Change : A Practical Guide (EBSCO eBook)
Real Estate Photography for Everybody : Boost Your Sales with Any Camera (EBSCO eBook)
Positively Resilient (eBook)
Housing Downturn (eBook)
The Upside of the Downturn (eBook)
1,200 Great Sales Tips for Real Estate Pros (eBook)
Real Estate Millions in Any Market (eBook)
Shift (eBook)
Surviving a Downturn (eBook)
Thrive on Pressure (eBook)
Timing the Real Estate Market (eBook)
The Ultimate Sales Manager Playbook: Becoming a Successful Sales Leader (EBSCO eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through the NAR Library & Archives. Login to the library catalog using your nar.realtor username and password. Members can have items mailed to them, or items can be made available for pickup at the REALTOR® Building in Chicago.
Heart and Sold: How to Survive and Build a Recession-Proof Business (New York, NY: Atria Paperback, 2009) HD1382 .F58 2009
The Housing Downturn, Picking Up the Pieces: A Guide for Estate Agents and Developers (London: Estates Gazette, 2009) HD598 .N67 2009
Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times (New York, NY: McGraw Hill, 2009) HD1375 .K367 2009
All Real Estate is Local: What You Need to Know to Profit in Real Estate – in a Buyer's and a Seller's Market (New York, NY: Currency Doubleday, 2007) HD255 .L464 2007
Prepare to Profit: Your Guide to Creating Wealth in any Real Estate Market (Murietta, GA: TamTam Press, 2007) HG 4521 Al2
Real Estate Millions in Any Market: the Lowdown on No-Down Investing (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2004) HD255 .E3713 2004
Have an idea for a real estate topic? Send us your suggestions.
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