Real Estate Agency News

Citizens Customers Getting Buyout Letters this Week

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About 300K Fla. homeowners with Citizens – Fla.’s “insurer of last resort” – will receive a letter that automatically transfers them to a private insurer if they don’t respond. MIAMI – A warning to Floridians with Citizens Property Insurance coverage: Check your mailbox. About 300,000 customers of the state-run insurer of last resort are receiving … Read more

Buyers Still Waive Appraisal Gap in Some Markets

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To secure a home, some U.S. buyers still agree to make up the difference when a mortgage appraisal comes in at less than the contract price – an often risky move. NEW YORK – Some buyers looking for a luxury home in a competitive market waive the so-called appraisal gap to entice a seller to … Read more

Respond to the Good Reviews Too

It’s almost mandatory to answer a negative review, but it’s almost as important to thank positive reviewers to build an audience and encourage more comments. NEW YORK – It’s important for real estate professionals to respond to all reviews, both positive and negative. The latter give agents a chance to address concerns that may impact … Read more

Investors Pull Back, 45% Fewer Homes Year-to-Year

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Investors face the same problems as first-time buyers: low inventory and high mortgage rates. Dollar volume was down 42%, as investing in Jacksonville dropped 65%. SEATTLE – Investor home purchases fell 45% year-to-year in the second quarter, outpacing the 31% drop in overall home sales, according to a Redfin report. It’s the second-biggest decline since … Read more

Website ‘Location Pages’ Boost Search Engine Rank

An RE website with tons of local information rises to the top in search engine rankings (SEO). To do that, link to individual web pages via a local-directory page. EDGARTOWN, Mass. – To form customer connections, agents must build trust and relationships by forming connections with customers. To this end, agents can turn to location-specific … Read more

1 in 3 For-Sale Homes Are Newly Built

Of all homes buyers could consider in the second quarter, 31.4% were new construction – the highest 2Q percentage on record. Pre-pandemic it was 17%. SEATTLE – Newly built homes made up nearly one-third (31.4%) of all single-family home listings on the market nationwide in the second quarter, according to a report from Redfin, the … Read more

4B People Use Email Each Day – Market to Them

The size of an email list mirrors the return on investment. To create positive vibes and build relationships, add a mea culpa email that corrects an earlier mistake. NEW YORK – Real estate agents can keep in touch with clients and contacts, produce leads and build brands through a well-crafted email newsletter – but only … Read more

Have a Strong Visual Identity?

Agents work hard to set themselves apart from the crowd, and an easy-to-recognize brand uses logos, colors, graphics and styles across all marketing platforms. NEW YORK – Real estate brands can stand out through a strong, well-designed visual identity. Visual identity is an inclusive look for your brand that extends to all produce. It includes … Read more

Why Don’t You Have a Listings-Based Business?

A very general rule of thumb: Half an agent’s income should come from representing sellers. If that’s not you, here are things to consider. NEW YORK – Real estate professionals should ensure that at least half  their business comes from listings. Obstacles they may face include: Insufficient market knowledge: When working with listings, agents need … Read more

In Many Cases, the Brand Chooses the Realtor

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Just as “the wand chooses the wizard” in Harry Potter world, personal brands often focus on something a Realtor already does or a lifestyle they already enjoy. NEW YORK – One way real estate agents can differentiate themselves from competitors is to focus on what best fits their personal brand. For many Realtors, their hobby … Read more