If I were to hazard a guess, I bet you'll work with at least one VA buyer during your time as a real estate agent. The process will be a little different than what you're used to, but don't let the lack of familiarity lead you to dissuade a buyer from using their hard-earned VA benefit. After closing a few VA loans, you may begin to enjoy the service you are providing to those who've served our country. With a… Full Article
When working with military buyers, you have to understand a few things about their military service. In addition to understanding the basics of the VA loan, you've got to understand how different stages of service can influence their home search and loan qualification. For many service members, military service is their first experience with a "real" job. Some enter straight out of high school, while others attend… Full Article
Today's digitally-driven society has forced every industry to change its ways, and this is especially true for real estate. Technology has made the market even more competitive but has also provided additional benefits and resources. Going digital has allowed real estate agents to show off in ways they have never been able to before. Taking advantage of content marketing is important in a world where consumers have… Full Article
If you had to describe the National Association of Realtors conference in one word, what word would that be? I keep pondering this question and have come up with several: "wow," "exciting," and "educational". It's too difficult to choose just one word to describe my first NAR conference. I met so many amazing agents that I hope to stay in touch with, exhibitors with wonderful ideas and attended several classes I f… Full Article
You've likely heard of feng shui: the ancient Chinese system used to create harmony between individuals and their environment allowing chi (energy) to flow. You may have even had requests for homes that meet certain feng shui standards. If you represent the seller in a transaction, you can use feng shui to assist you in the sale of the home. If you represent the buyer in a transaction, you can observe a potential … Full Article
Whether you're the buyer's agent or the seller's agent, communicating with a loan officer can occasionally get tense. As the seller's agent you want to ensure that your client gets the best deal possible and you want the loan to close on time. As the buyer's agent you want to ensure your client gets into the home of their dreams without a hitch. Not to mention there is of course the desire to get paid, which generall… Full Article
Mobile technology has streamlined nearly every facet of the real estate industry. Buyers can peruse real estate listings on tablets. Brokers can upload photos and videos directly from a smartphone to the MLS. Thanks to a myriad of carefully-crafted apps, information flows seamlessly from buyer to seller to agent. But until recently, one key piece of a real estate transaction still needed to be conduct… Full Article
Analysts are announcing that the housing market hasn’t merely recovered. It’s actually healthy. Ah, how times have changed. Only three years ago, we were mired in the low point of the housing crash. And now we’re talking about health. It’s tough to believe the market has come so far in a short 36 months. Let’s revisit that time, shall we? July 2010: Bring Out the Paddles “Americans’ long… Full Article
They're lurking in the shadows and hiding in alleys. They're out to frighten buyers and sellers away from VA loans. They're misinformed real estate agents. Unfamiliar with the VA home loan program, these misguided agents just need some good information to get back on the right path. Let's clear up three common VA loan rumors delivered from agent to client. Falsehood #1: “Buyers and sellers: The VA apprai… Full Article
If you're planning to sell your house for a relocation or an upgrade to a larger one, then you're probably hoping it moves quickly. Although the housing market is heating up thanks to low interest rates and low inventory, many properties still sit on the market for weeks or months. According to data from Realtor.com, the national median age of inventory in June 2013 was 80 days, nearly three months. A variety of f… Full Article