Improving Your Business

Stories, articles and advice aimed at improving your business

How will new real estate crowdfunding rules affect agents?

Chicago Agent (CA): What is the significance of Title III crowdfunding in regards to the real estate market? Ron Miller (RM): The significance of Title III is that it’s really the first time in 80 years that non-accredited investors,

Yelp and realtor.com provide new neighborhood-learning tool

Realtor.com and Yelp have partnered to give consumers easier access to neighborhood trend data – and agents could benefit. “Deciding on a potential neighborhood is often the first step in the home buying process,” says Ryan O’Hara, chief executive officer

Fannie Mae makes getting a 3%-down mortgage easier

Fannie Mae introduced its HomeReady mortgage last year as an inexpensive lending option that allows borrowers to come in with as little as 3 percent down. Now it’s making “enhancements” to that option, and that could mean more affordable financing

3 bad pricing habits to nip in the bud with your sellers

Just as everyone has an opinion on weather and sports, viewpoints abound on real estate, particularly the methods and prices one should demand when selling a home. Because of that, your seller clients are likely barraged by misguided advice from

CFPB proposes important TRID updates

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today proposed new updates to TRID intended to formalize guidance in the rule, and provide clarity and certainty. The point is to help facilitate compliance within the mortgage industry. “The Bureau’s rules are designed

Can the new Haus app solve a “fundamental problem” in real estate?

One of the minds that brought us Uber is trying to change the face of real estate through a mobile app. The app, called Haus, is for buyers, sellers, and agents, and focuses on the offer process rather than home search.

5 apps helping agents stay safe on the job

Real estate is a people business, and unfortunately, dealing with people can be dangerous. Agents need to make their safety a priority, because not every brokerage will do it for them. According to a report from the National Association

Four things to know about ultra-high net worth clients

Jerry Seinfeld lives in a $32 million mansion. Michael Jordan is currently selling his $16 million estate, complete with nine bedrooms, 17 bathrooms and a full-sized basketball court – which, according to Zillow, includes locker rooms, showers and a lounge

3 communication mistakes agents should avoid

The real estate agent’s business revolves around communication. Whether it be describing the qualities of a listing, explaining the nuances of the negotiation process, or recommending a top-notch affiliate for home improvement efforts, every aspect of the buying and

Dan Conn, CEO of Christie’s International, on foreign homebuyers in the U.S.

Chicago Agent (CA): What factors are influencing international clients to buy U.S. property? Dan Conn (DC): The desire to move equity out of turbulent markets to stable locations continues to prompt wealthy foreigners to buy luxury property in the

The 7 Deadly Sins of Real Estate

The Internet is such a great place. You get to see how everyone you know is living such a perfect life! Their kids and spouses and parents are just perfect! Real estate is so busy! That house is so perfect!

Tony Giordano tells us what it takes to be an agent for A-listers

Chicago Agent (CA): What’s the difference between working with an ultra-high net worth, A-list client and a more typical luxury client? Tony Giordano (TG): You know, there are actually a lot of different factors and aspects to ultra-high net worth

Redfin announces new tool for agents

Redfin this week released its newest tool Opportunity Score, which will measure the number of jobs within a 30-minute, car-free commute from a particular address, giving agents yet another tool and credential to use in their listing presentations and

Being an international agent: 9 things to know about Colombians

The international market is a valuable one for real estate agents, but only if they’re able to capture it. Just as Americans have particular customs so ingrained they’re almost considered common sense – such as shaking hands during a first meeting – foreign

Is your real estate advertising working? 5 facts to consider

Marketing and advertising are major expenses for most agents. According to the 2016 Member Profile from NAR, Realtors spent a median of $1,100 on marketing expenses, along with another $930 on business promotion expenses (and that is in addition

Technology tips provided by members of 30 under 30

Realtor Magazine’s 2016 members of 30 Under 30 recently shared their secrets with handling technology on the job. This is their advice: Maintaining an Online Presence Maintaining an online presence is important to salesperson Kimberly Sethavanish from Century 21 Alliance

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