Yes, you can take a vacation (here's how)
An agent's job is rarely just 9-5, and it can be hard to carve out time for breaks when clients are counting on you. But it's possible — and important.
March 18, 2023
Agent News
Insights, advice and essential news to help agents keep moving forward.
- Agents Decoded: The art of customer service + luxury client tipsPrice point shouldn't determine your level of service. But luxury pro Farrah Brittany of The Agency notes a few considerations when working with luxury buyers.March 15, 2023
- Market Moods: Agent perspectives on home showings (are they really up?)ShowingTime's Showing Index found that home showings were way up in January over December. Are agents on the ground seeing the same trend?March 12, 2023
- Back to basics: 4 tips for success in a post-pandemic worldAgents are returning to tried-and-true ways of doing business, prioritizing relationships and embracing the tools and approaches that always worked.March 11, 2023
More in Agents
- Boosting without boasting: How to sell yourself as a local expertMany agents brand themselves as experts. If you've done the work to earn that title, how do you stand out and get noticed?March 7, 2023
- A tale of three cities: Why national trends don't tell the whole storyAgents in Cleveland, Austin and San Francisco see reason for optimism as their local markets stabilize, or even take off.March 5, 2023
- Working with iBuyers can mean easy money for agentsThe commissions are lower, but so is the effort. Representing a client in an iBuyer transaction takes less time and can supplement an agent's business.March 4, 2023
- Woulda, coulda, shoulda… the most common regrets of first-time sellersA Zillow survey found that incorrect pricing topped the list of seller regrets — underscoring the need for agents to help set clear expectations.March 1, 2023
- Agents Decoded: How to grow your sphere of influenceBuilding your SOI is critical to long-term success in real estate. Veteran agent Jay Thompson offers practical tips for growing and nurturing your sphere.March 1, 2023
- Agents Decoded: There's no excuse for bad (agent) behaviorMost agents are hardworking and professional, says broker Phil Faranda. But those who aren't can damage your brand and the industry — and should be terminated.February 22, 2023
- How one bad neighbor can sabotage a saleYou can fix up a house — but you can't fix the neighbors. Despite the horror stories, there are a few ways to prevent neighbor woes from ruining a sale.February 19, 2023
- Lawsuits against agents and brokers are on the riseAgents worry about homes showing well or deals falling through — should they also worry about getting sued? Unfortunately, it happens more than you may think.February 18, 2023
- Agents Decoded: Who needs a coach, and how do you pick one?Anyone can benefit from coaching — even experienced pros — if you find the right fit. Veteran agent Jay Thompson offers tips on how to choose a great coach.February 15, 2023
- Want to keep your top agents? Work on your relationshipsIn a down market, the grass might look greener elsewhere. But if you regularly — and genuinely — connect with your agents, they'll have a reason to stay.February 13, 2023
- 3 things to know when recruiting new agentsTo find the right match, you need to know yourself first. Assess your strengths, determine what kind of agent you need, and always keep your eyes open.February 11, 2023
- For many NFL players, real estate is a career worth tacklingIn football, a competitive drive and strong work ethic are key to success. No wonder players turn to careers in real estate, which requires similar traits.February 10, 2023
- Have $3000? Here are 3 ways to spend it on your businessIf you're ready to invest in your real estate business this year, a few thousand dollars can make a significant impact.February 4, 2023
- Fair housing advocate and NAR leader Margo Wheeler has diedWheeler, a John L. Scott broker in Tacoma, Wash., was VP of association affairs at NAR, a local industry leader, and a volunteer at several housing nonprofits.January 31, 2023
- Agents of Change: Helping families cope with a loved one's addictionAgent Kelly Gill understands the trauma caused by addiction, and she has made it her mission to help others affected by a family member's stuggles.January 15, 2023
- Agents Decoded: Reality check! How to help clients cope with the new marketEven with ample market data at their fingertips, some clients are stuck in the past. J. Philip Faranda offers tips for providing a dose of reality.January 14, 2023
- ‘Keep expectations in line’: How to talk to clients in today’s marketSellers may still hope to get multiple offers with minimal effort, but that’s not the reality in 2023. Pricing, prep are key to a faster sale.January 4, 2023
- From hashtags to hues of blue: 2 examples of branding that worksSee how two real estate pros went "all in" on branding to differentiate themselves and showcase their strong points.January 1, 2023
- ‘No selfies’ is celebrity agent’s No. 1 tip for working with the starsA Florida real estate agent who works with high-profile buyers and sellers offers five tips for maintaining client security and privacy.December 29, 2022
- Agents of Change: Making a difference in their communities and the industryAs we prepare to close out the year, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the many ways in which agents are working to support the causes they believe in.December 27, 2022
- Agents Decoded: How to pick a real estate conferenceAs you plan your schedule for 2023, consider attending a conference or two. Jay Thompson offers tips on what to look for and how to cut costs.December 21, 2022
- 4 things your clients want you to knowIt's not always easy to juggle your clients' emotional and transactional needs, but remembering these points can help.December 18, 2022
- Do agents hold the keys to Opendoor?Will Holmes, who leads agent growth at the tech-powered real estate company, talks about how and why agents play an essential role with the iBuying platform.December 15, 2022
- The price is right: Zero-down loans for homebuyersPrograms offering 100% financing can get qualified buyers into homes, helping agents close more transactions.December 13, 2022
- Buydowns can help buyers struggling with high interest ratesEducating buyers about mortgage rate buydowns can mean more closed deals for agents.December 12, 2022
- Agents Decoded: When it's time to fire your clientBroker J. Philip Faranda knows how hard it is to give up on a client, especially after investing time and effort — but sometimes it's best to say goodbye.December 7, 2022
- Are your clients reluctant to get pre-approved? Here are some tipsA Zillow survey finds potential homebuyers spend as much time researching the purchase of a new TV as they do looking for the best mortgage loan.November 28, 2022
- Agents of Change: Cathy Taub 'grateful to be of service' to food-insecure peopleTaub, a NYC agent with Sotheby's International Realty, helps feed families in her community as a volunteer and board member at the New York Common Pantry.November 27, 2022
- Agents of Change: Jeff Fields helps provide a lifeline to teens in crisisFields, an agent in Scottsdale, AZ, has made a "lifelong commitment" to Teen Lifeline, an organization working to eradicate teen suicide.November 26, 2022
- Agents of Change: Laurie Read honors her brother, helps protect policeUtah agent Laurie Read launched a foundation in her brother’s memory that funds equipment to "protect the officers who put their lives on the line every day."November 25, 2022
- Agents of Change: Sydney Ealy working 'to ensure every kid reaches her goals'Ealy founded the mentoring program TWST4Girls in 2014, bringing hope and opportunities to at-risk youth and their families.November 24, 2022
- Agents Decoded: The holidays are here — and it's OK to take a breathIt's easy to get caught up in hustle culture, but Jay Thompson says this is a great time to reset and take a day off. It might even help your business.November 23, 2022
- Agents Decoded: Making sense of the headlinesIndustry veteran (and news junkie) Jay Thompson says agents can help themselves and their clients by reading beyond market headlines, putting news in context.November 18, 2022
- 6 tips for a successful open houseWhen done right, open houses are still an effective way to generate leads.November 7, 2022
- Agents of Change: Raising the ethical bar for agents in NYCAgent Heather McDonough Domi co-founded NYRAC with a mission “to elevate the ethical standards of our profession" through advocacy and collaboration.December 27, 2022
- Agents of Change: ‘Guilty Girls’ feel anything but: ‘We’re making lives better’Delaware agent Kerry Wendel's Guilty Girls Giving Group turns fashion into philanthropy, providing donations to organizations in need.December 26, 2022
- Agents of Change: A family tragedy spurs a fight to eradicate cancerAfter New York City agent Inez Wade lost her brother to cancer, she started a research fund — and uses her real estate commissions to help grow it.December 25, 2022
- Agents of Change: Creating Hispanic wealth through education and mentorshipJustine Jiminez Garcia, a Cuban immigrant who has built a successful real estate business, now works to help the next generation succeed.December 24, 2022
- Agents of Change: Sondra Richard is a ‘Cajun Lady’ who caresRichard, a lifelong Baton Rouge resident, leads the Cajun Ladies Crisis Team, a group of volunteers offering assistance and donations after natural disasters.December 23, 2022
- Agents of Change: Linda Brown's tiny homes foster 'dignity and self-worth'Eden Village, a tiny-home community for the chronically homeless, opened its doors in 2018. There are now 11 tiny home villages underway around the country.December 22, 2022
- Agents Decoded: Shifting your mindset in this new season of real estateTeam leaders Renee and Jeffrey Funk advise agents to focus on relationships, strategies and opportunities during this changing season of real estate.November 9, 2022
- Zillow Gone Wild: What happens when your listing goes viralThe social media sensation drives plenty of traffic to the listings it features, but it may not help your sale.November 5, 2022
- Volunteerism and mentorship cornerstones of NAR award programsVolunteering Works and the Good Neighbor Awards recognize real estate agents who donate their time and skills to community organizations.February 24, 2023
- Survey: Tech adaptations key to success during Covid and beyondA new report by the National Association of Realtors looked at which work habits and technology adopted during the pandemic are here to stay.January 7, 2023
- 5 tips for building a brand that helps you stand outIn a crowded marketplace, branding can mean the difference between "just another name in the directory" and a memorable business that attracts more clients.December 31, 2022
- Don’t knock it: 6 tips for door-knocking successIn an era of tech-enabled everything, door-knocking might seem quaint — but it can be an effective, low-cost way to build connections and generate leads.November 20, 2022
- Are buyers and sellers adapting to the new normal?While some consumers are adjusting to the realities of the current market, others are holding onto the past — or hoping for an unlikely future.November 9, 2022
- Networking: How to make connections that countNetworking through traditional business and civic organizations still exists, but it’s just one way to build relationships with clients, peers and mentors.November 6, 2022
- Agents Decoded: What to make of the current market, and how to thrive in itThe headlines are scary, but Jay Thompson advises agents to focus on fundamentals and to try not to panic — the market is just normalizing.November 4, 2022
- Home inspectors: What they wish agents knewHome inspectors don't want to be "the bad guy." They offer tips for agents to help their clients through the inspection process.October 30, 2022
- ‘You can’t build on water’: Coastal markets remain strongAgents in Washington and Florida see steady buyer demand due to geography, lifestyle factors.October 27, 2022
- During the pandemic, buyers sought space in the suburbs — do they still?While agents aren't seeing a flood of city-to-suburbs movers, buyers continue to prioritize quality of life, space and flexible floor plans.October 25, 2022
- Agents Decoded: Why I'm hereJay brings his extensive real estate industry experience, balanced perspective, and a love of writing to Real Estate News.October 25, 2022
- Has the market gone cold? It depends on your regionAgents across the country are seeing a change in buyer activity, but some markets are still faring well in the face of economic uncertainty.October 17, 2022
- Top brokers share common mistakes that sink new agentsNew agent failure rates are high, often because people jump into the industry without realistic expectations.October 28, 2022
- No 'easy' button: Success in real estate takes time, effort, moneyNo one should go into real estate expecting a quick payoff, but hard work and a commitment to learn increase the odds of success.October 23, 2022
- Millennial buyers know what they want, stick to their budgetMillennials account for 43% of home buyers, but their preferences and approach to buying differ from previous generations.October 17, 2022
- Building a business, and a following: How social media pays offAgents share how developing their Instagram and other social media channels has been instrumental in building their brand and boosting their sales.October 17, 2022
- Market smarts key to credibility, trustAs buyers and sellers struggle to understand their options in a shifting market, agents who can help them navigate the numbers will have a leg up.October 17, 2022
