Recent Blog Posts

The amazing members of ActiveRain produce hundreds of blog posts every single day of the year.  There is a wonderful mix of all things real estate and beyond for your reading pleasure.

This board rolls all day long with the newest blog posts to our site. You’ll find some diamonds in the rough on this page, so check back often to peruse the blog roll and learn from our committed community of real estate professionals.

The newest blog posts on ActiveRain

By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
The media outlets and real estate information forums, newsletters, websites, etc. continue to predict that real estate sky is falling and woe to real estate agents.  Funny thing about predictions, they are usually wrong.Remember all the hysteria about Y2K bug and the 2000 scare?Then we had all those false predictions by so called experts such as Bill Gates who said in 1981 “640K ought to be enough for anybody.”False predictions create fear and unfortunately human beings are conditioned to fear, a vestige of our much earlier human evolution and development.I remember back in the 1980’s when working in corporate between the gasoline shortage, lines at gas stations, housing interest rates of 14% plus and all of those continued dire predictions. Then we had those climate predictions where i...
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By Victor Amadi, Greenville SC Realtor
(PRODUCER Realty, LLC)
Embarking on an Airbnb investment journey presents an opportunity to generate income through short-term rentals. From selecting the right property to managing guest experiences, navigating the world of Airbnb investments requires strategic planning and execution. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the step-by-step process of transforming a property into a profitable Airbnb listing. Dive into the intricacies of property selection, listing optimization, revenue maximization, and legal considerations to unlock the full potential of your Airbnb investment. Whether you are a seasoned real estate investor or a newcomer to the sharing economy, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively manage your Airbnb investment from purchase to profit.  Table of ...
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Excellence is the standard of success in the busy world of real estate, and Xrealty has become a shining example of that. At the recent Emaar Awards 2023, Xrealty was happy to be named one of the top 10 brokers. This was a big step forward in its quest for greatness. Let's look into the specifics of this fantastic success and see what makes Xrealty stand out in the fast-paced world of real estate.Introduction to XrealtyXrealty is a top real estate company known for its creative approach and unwavering dedication to customer happiness. With a team of experts who love going above and beyond, Xrealty has a great reputation for giving its clients outstanding results and excellent service.The Emaar Awards: A Benchmark of ExcellenceIn the Dubai real estate market, the Emaar Awards are a very ...
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In the dynamic realm of Dubai's real estate market, where relationships are paramount and competition is fierce, professionals are constantly seeking ways to stand out and foster lasting connections. Among the various strategies employed, the significance of corporate gifting cannot be overstated. Corporate gifts serve as tangible expressions of appreciation, fostering goodwill and strengthening ties between parties involved in real estate transactions. In this article, we delve into the profound impact of corporate gifts on navigating business relationships within Dubai's vibrant real estate landscape.Building Trust and RapportAt the core of every successful real estate transaction lies trust and rapport between the involved parties. Corporate gifts play a pivotal role in initiating an...
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By Christopher Nelson, Montgomery County, PA - Realtor
(GenStone Realty)
Pros and Cons of New Construction Homes: A Complete GuideYou might buy a used car or go thrifting to save money or find unavailable items. As with other purchases, you can buy a brand-new or pre-owned home. But buying a house isn’t as simple as choosing between new or used jeans. It’s a key moment in your life, so it’s worth doing your research to get the best-case scenario for your dream home. If you’re thinking about purchasing a newly built home, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons. In this article, we’ll lay out the major advantages and disadvantages of buying a new-construction home and how to decide if one is right for you. Understanding New Construction HomesNew construction homes are properties that have never been lived in before and are distinct from existing or remodeled h...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
For the first time in more than four decades a baby lion has been born at the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot North Dakota.Look at the paws on this little cub. The newspaper report failed to mention if the cub is male, or female so I will let you know in a later post. I would guess that they will have a "naming" contest to generate even more interest. Here is a pick of mom and baby.Regretfully the cub had two siblings who did not survive the birthing process.
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By Barbara S. Duncan, GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR
(RE/MAX Advantage)
Lovely farmhouse.....now history.This charming house had its space on Country Club Road.  Land, barns, storage.  It was a typical outside-of-town farm, owned and operated by the same family for so many years.  Here is the remaining chimney. The house is gone.And here are a few of the typical farm buildings that the farm included and are still there.  They bring back good memories! Drive by!There is now a street called Seabiscuit going to the back of the farm where a new subdivision is being built.  The new properties will be within walking distance to Searcy Country Club. The city has come out to meet the historic farm and now we have a lovely     subdivision called Belmont Estates built by builder Clay Hite.  Searcy grows!!
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
 Looking to discover the enchanting beauty of wildflower trails in the Auburn-Opelika, AL area? Look no further! As a seasoned realtor with over 35 years of residency in the region, I possess an intimate knowledge of the most stunning wildflower spots tucked away in our scenic landscapes. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast seeking your dream home surrounded by blossoms or simply eager to explore our natural wonders, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out today, and let’s embark on a journey to find your perfect property amidst Alabama’s breathtaking wildflowers! Check out some of the pictures I recently took of the Caroline Dean Wildflower Trail in Opelika, AL. I focused on some of the artwork on this visit. #berkshirehathawayhomeservicespreferredrealestate #AuburnOpelik...
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By Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®, Giving Back With Each Home Sold!
(RE/MAX Platinum)
Waukesha County 5 Bedroom Home Sales Market Report February 2024 Waukesha County 5 Bedroom Homes For Sale, Waukesha County Real Estate, Kristin Johnston, RE/MAX    Real Estate Market Report for Waukesha County, WI for February 2024.  Waukesha County Real Estate, Waukesha County 5 Bedroom Homes For Sale   My name is Kristin Johnston with RE/MAX Platinum.  My market report gives you the real estate activity for 5 Bedroom Homes In Waukesha County, WI for the last 30 days.    Are you looking to buy a house in Waukesha County?  Wondering what your Waukesha County Home is worth? Call/text me at 414 254 6647 or email me at kjohnston@remax.net.     I specialize in Waukesha County Real Estate, and have a lot of experience with Waukesha Real Estate and Pewaukee Real Estate.  In fact, I have lived...
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By Dionne Bass, Blog: Ask The Underwriter
(Ask The Underwriter)
Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. – Dale Carnegie.​Over 28 years in the mortgage industry and I still struggle with the same fear I had when I first started back in 1995. “Fear of making a mistake”. 😱​I don’t care how many managers, co-workers , friends and family tell me people make mistakes, there are times when I just can’t shake that fear.​But….. One thing I never do is allow that fear to stop me. I own it. I admit it and I do it scared. Procrastination is a common symptom of fear. This Wednesday…. I say do it scared! 💪🏽​#wednesdaywisdom Happy Hump Day Everyone! 🐪 🐫​❓Ask me about Monthly Mentoring​#asktheunderwriter, #nofileleftbehind, #mortgagetraining, #mortgag...
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By Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets, CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego
(Big Block Realty 858.232.8722)
" No matter what the situation, a fascinated 'Wow!' will always beat a frustrated 'Oh, no.' "~Magazine Editor, Rob GilbertYour action for today is to reflect on your response to a current personal or professional challenge and see if you can bring a spirit of fascination to it.Design An Extraordinary Day! 👉 Get After It / Take Action Archives 👈We work 100% By Referral!Our experienced team is coached by the #1 businesscoaching company in North America:Buffini & Company for over 20 years!We Provide Excellent Service and:Active Duty Military DiscountsVeteran RebatesSchool Teacher RebatesFirst Responder RebatesAll our listed properties come with:and Professional Photography,Marketing and Negotiating Skills that...most agents do not possess!Contact us for a pressure-FREE consultation.#thomas...
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By Rob McConville, CT Shoreline Real Estate Expert
(Coldwell Banker Choice Properties)
First impressions matter more than ever. Whether you're a homeowner looking to sell or a real estate agent aiming to maximize a property's potential, staging has emerged as a crucial tool in the art of selling homes. Gone are the days when potential buyers could simply visualize themselves in a space; today, they expect to see a curated, inviting environment that speaks to their aspirations and lifestyle. Let's delve into the myriad benefits of staging a home to sell:1. Maximizing Visual AppealStaging transforms a property from an empty or cluttered space into a visually appealing showcase. According to a study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 83% of buyers' agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as their future home.2. Highlighting...
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By Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert, Call me at 850-517-7098
(PMI. Destin)
Whether you're just starting to dream about homeownership or already deep into the house hunt, remember this:it's never too early to reach out to agents or loan officers.  It may not be the right time for you but don't wait until the last moment to get some of the ground work done before you blast off.  I'm here to guide you every step of the way and can even connect you with some excellent loan officers I work closely with.Let's chat and make your home-buying journey as smooth as possible! #thehelpfulagent #home #houseexpert #house #listreports #homeowner #househunting #realestate #newhome #happyhome #happyhomeowners #icanhelp #realtor #realestateagent
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
The last two weeks have been beyond busy (10-12 hours days plus) and my morning discipline of posting to Active Rain has taken a back seat to meeting real estate commitments along with some personal commitments. My first revisited learned lesson is sometimes one must prioritize one’s actions and recognize there are only 24 hours in a day. This first revisited discipline lesson has been experienced in the past and I know will again surface in the future.Looking forward to the next four weeks, the real estate activity will continue to be very full from listings to managing the existing real estate transactions in escrow.My second revisited discipline lesson is not to have regrets about not adhering to a specific discipline. Regrets are counter productive because regrets are about the past...
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By Alan May, Home is where the hearth is.
(Jameson Sotheby's International Realty)
While perusing one of those online Realtor groups today I came across a conversation about home inspections.  The agent proffered that she had recently attended a Keller-Williams sponsored workshop that strongly recommended that buyer's agents should not attend the home inspection with their buyers, nor should they even view the report, as it's a serious legal liability.[pausing to count to 10]Bunches of agents jumped in and said "oh, yeah... that's right... serious legal liability... I wouldn't attend the inspection... why would you want to... I just show up at the end... blah, blah, blabbity, blah, blah, blah" (you know the arguments).(can you tell where I'm going to land by the way I just described their responses?  I'm soooo transparent).I'm definitely old school, and have been atte...
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On March 21, 2024, National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reported that regional existing home sales in the Northeast unchanged 0.0% in February of 2024 to an annual rate 480,000 homes, but dropped 7.7% from February of 2023. The median price in the Northeast was $420,600 in February 2024, jumped 11.5% from February of 2023.Home sales in the Midwest rose 8.4% in February of 2024 to an annual rate 1.030,000 homes, but decreased 3.7% from February of 2023. The median price in the Midwest was $277,600 in February of 2024, gained 6.8% from February of 2023.Home sales in the South higher 9.8% in February of 2024 to an annual rate 2.02 million homes, but lower 2.9% from February of 2023. The median price in the South was $354,200 in February of 2024, up 4.1% from February of 2023.Home sales ...
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By Richard Weeks, REALTOR®, Broker
Here is the north Texas real estate market update for  March 27 2024.New properties for sale 477Back On Market 125Price Decrease 482Price increase 79Active kick out 11Active option contract 418Active contingent 54Pending listings 402Sold listings 384Expired listings 23Cancelled listings 91Withdrawn listings 7Temporary off market listings 41Coming soon listings 112
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By Michael Elliott, Burlington, New Jersey real estate sales
(Fathom Realty)
A few years ago, I read Hal Elrod's The Miracle Morning.   While I will refrain from getting into a deep review, the premise of the book is if you wake up every day and do the following, you will be happier, more focused, healthier, and more successful.   Here are the steps:1. Silence (meditation if you choose)2. Affirmations3. Visualization4. Exercise5. Reading6. Writing (Journal about what you are grateful for, now)In short, this book has helped me personally lose a lot of weight, have greater focus on goals, I now read 20+ books annually (compared to 1-2) and perhaps most importantly,  become super duper grateful for all that life is, has been, and will be.PS-- A great follow up book to this for me was Vishen Lakhiani's Code of the Extraordinary Mind. 
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By Sandra Nickel, The Hat Team
(Sandra Nickel REALTORS)
Deciding whether to buy a home is a big deal, especially for military families who may only live someplace for a short period of time. If you are in the military and are thinking about buying a home, here are some important things to take into consideration:RESEARCHIt’s important to start researching the area where you will be moving long before your moving date. Check out real estate listings online. Have a list of wants and needs prepared to help narrow down the types of homes you’re interested in viewing. Pay particular attention to houses in the neighborhoods you’re interested in to see how long they are staying on the market and if there are changes in their asking prices. COMMUNITYMoving a lot can make it challenging for military families to find a sense of community. Buying a hom...
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By Kukun's VP of Analytics Franklin Carroll, Elite client engagement tools and proptech
(Kukun, Inc.)
The real estate industry is abuzz with the reverberations of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement, prompting a need for strategic reevaluation, particularly for online home listings giant, Zillow. Boasting an immense user base, Zillow has long been a dominant force in the online real estate realm, drawing in a staggering 105 million unique visitors in December alone, outshining the likes of Netflix and LinkedIn.Zillow's revenue streams have exhibited diversity, encompassing lead generation, advertising, and software services tailored for agents. However, a substantial 75% of its revenue in 2023 stemmed from services provided to brokers and agents in the residential market, a reliance that now faces potential challenges in the wake of the NAR settlement.This proposed set...
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