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Finding clients as a real estate agent can often be quite difficult. While there is no shortage of real estate, there is usually quite a competition between real estate agents within an area. So, finding clients is not so much about being available, but more about standing out from your competitors. To do this, you need to know what clients value the most in a real estate agent and how to portray these aspects. Luckily, we are here to help you out. Aspects that clients value the most in a real estate agent Right off the bat, we need to say that there is no real estate agent that is going to be suitable for every client. Some like their real estate agent to be energetic and to plaster them with ideas. While others prefer for their real estate agent to hear them out and to accommodate them as best as possible. Some like theirs to be eloquent and to use professional terminology. Meanwhile, others like theirs to be down to earth and speak in normal terms. But, while it may seem that every client prefers a different real estate agent, there are certain traits that every client will value. And, as luck would have it, these aspects are something you can work. So, what we will do in this article is to focus on these aspects and how you can best portray them to your client. Openness Before a client ever speaks a word with you in person, they are likely to research you online. And if there is one thing that clients don't like, it's when finding info about their potential real estate agent is hard. Your goal, especially when it comes to online presence, is to be as open as possible. How to portray this Whether you have your own website or you have a profile on a company's website, try to give all the necessary info in a straightforward manner. Make sure to mention that you have the necessary paperwork and to list any testimonials or prior clients they can check with. If you affiliate with a moving company like Vision Movers, make sure to mention it. Ideally, you should also have your track record online to show how experienced you are. The more you can present yourself as an open book, the better. Reliability Venturing into real estate is risky for any person. So, it stands to reason that one of the more aspects that clients value the most in a real estate agent is reliability. Every person wants to have someone reliable at their side when dealing with real estate. So, the more you can come off as reliable and trustworthy, the better. How to portray this This closely ties with the openness that we mentioned before, but it also has another element. Namely, in order to come off as reliable, you will need to forthcoming and honest during your interview with the client. Don't shy away from expressing your thoughts, even if the client may not like them. The more you can come off as fair and straightforward, the more your clients will feel that they can rely on you. Knowledge of the local area Your goal, as a real estate agent, is to help your clients navigate the local real estate market. Therefore, most clients will value you much more if you have good knowledge of your local area. After all, they are relying on you to get a good price for them, whether they are buying or selling. So, you need to come off as having your finger on the pulse of local real estate trends. How to portray this When talking with your clients, make sure to mention various facts about the are. Also, don't shy away from talking a bit about the local history and about the neighbors. If you don't know much about this, educate yourself. Notify them about numerous services that might ease the relocation process for them. You need to make your clients feel that you know all the ins and outs of local housing and that with you they will be able to make the most of it. Work ethics Whether you are selling or buying a home, dealing with real estate is hard work. And, if your clients weren't aware of this before, they are soon going to become aware. So, if you want to find clients and keep them, you need to present yourself as having good work ethics. The harder you work, the better the odds are that they will properly tackle the real estate market. How to portray this During the interview, it is easy to come off as suspiciously pushy with your work ethic. If you start calling people and organizing everything within the first hour of the meeting, you will only come off as erratic. Instead, try to show that you are willing to do the necessary work. During the first couple of weeks, make sure to talk with your clients regularly. Also, try to update them as often as possible. Give them ideas about creating a listing video. The more you can make them feel that you are a committed real estate agent that is passionate for finding them the best possible deal, the better. A final tip about working as a real estate agent One of the things that every real estate agent should know is that you can never be perfect. We've seen a lot of good real estate agents stress over clients not liking them and turning towards others that are sub-par. And for that we can only say, relax. Work on the aspects that we've mentioned so far. The things that clients value the most in a real estate agent are there for a good reason. And the more you can develop and nurture these aspects, the better real estate agent you are going to be. Written by: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts

In order to sell real estate, both the owner and the real estate agent need to be crafty. Sure, you can hope that the quality and the asking price of your real estate will be enough to draw in potential buyers. But, there is hardly a real estate agent out there that won't emphasize the importance of marketing. So, to help you sell your home for a better price, we are going to take a closer look at how to create a quality real estate listing video. Why is real estate video marketing important? Some of you might wonder why is it even necessary to create a video in order to promote your real estate. Surely, by following home design trends and by taking a couple of pictures, you can draw in the necessary buyers, right? Well, not quite. Having a real estate video is often necessary to draw it to the right buyers. Especially in the current high tech era of real estate. To properly tackle making real estate videos, you need to remember that you are dealing with real estate marketing. Marketing is more about the feeling that people have while receiving information than the information itself. To help illustrate this better, we are going to go over some important points that you need to keep in mind in order to create a quality real estate listing video. Create a quality real estate listing video - guide The main thing to keep in mind while you create a real estate listing video is that you need to value quality over quantity. Know that your video should be between 1 and 2 minutes long. Within that timeframe, you need to represent your real estate the best way possible. In order to do so, you will probably have to declutter your home a bit. For that we suggest that you visit movers101.com and learn how to use storage for decluttering. After that, you will have to figure out how to set up your home in so that it suits your target audience. Know your audience No real estate is suited for everyone. A family home is not suited for a young professional, just like a studio apartment is not suitable as a vacation home. So, in order to sell your property, you need to figure out who you are selling it to. This is best done by consulting with your real estate agent. With their help, you should be able to figure out what kind of person is suitable both for your piece of real estate. Once you do that, you will need to orient your video so that it emphasizes the traits of your home that your target audience values. For instance: • Young professionals - modern design and tech gadgets. • Students - cost-effectiveness. • Retirees - ease of use and accessibility. • Families - safety and homeyness. These, of course, are just some traits that you can focus on. The goal here is to tell a visual story of why your home is perfect for your target audience. Use a good camera While modern phones tend to have good cameras, we still suggest that you use a top-notch one. More often than not, we see people using subpar cameras that make their homes downright ugly. Remember, modern people, no matter their age, expect to see high-quality videos, especially when they serve marketing purposes. A low-quality video is only going to make you seem untrustworthy. As if you were trying to hide certain flaws. Pick the right time of day There are countless articles online that are going to tell you how important lights are for giving a room atmosphere. Early morning light gives the room a feeling of freshness and energy. Meanwhile, afternoon lights give it a feeling of coziness and warmness. Have a professional connect it all Working with a professional video designer is a great way to ensure that your video is top-notch. Just like hiring movers to help you out with your relocation, a professional video designer will ensure that you avoid all the rookie mistakes. And, to again use the movers' analogy, while you can read a ton of tips on making the transition to another state easy, there is no way that you learn everything that goes into it from them. Well, the same token goes for making real estate marketing videos. So, do yourself a favor and hire professionals from the get-go. They will know how to pick the right shots and how to present your home in the best possible way. Be careful with exposition Since your videos are limited, you need to be careful with what you are going to say in them. You, of course, need to use calm, yet uplifting music in order to create a quality real estate listing video. But, besides that music, you need to give your viewers some information. Ideally, the exposition you give should serve to enhance what they are seeing. And, as stated before, you need to tailor your words to your audience. Merely stating what is on the video is useless and can even be annoying. So, pick your words carefully. The ideal to adhere to is "short and sweet". The more you can say in as few words as possible, the better. Using drones More and more people choose to use drones in order to give an aerial view of their real estate. And, while renting a drone solely for this can be expensive, it is a modern trend in real estate marketing videos that we advise you to incorporate. This areal video should give your viewers a complete idea of what your real estate is like. The most common practice is to start and finish with an aerial view. By doing so, you will give your viewers the impression that they came for a visit, and left afterward. Written by: Lisa Robert with US moving Experts

Owning a commercial property is an opportunity to make some money. Whether you plan on starting a business of your own, renting the property, or eventually selling it to a buyer, there are multiple ways in which you can raise its value. Besides the location, size, transit connections, and other features that you don't have much control over, what you can do is use the best tech gadgets that can boost the value of your commercial property. Turning a commercial property into a smart commercial property Without any question, this is one of the best ways you can use tech gadgets to boost the value of your commercial property. Installing smart appliances and devices will help you automate the property. Smart lighting Smart lighting is not only one of many home design trends that attract buyers, but also a fantastic feature to be added to any commercial property. It is the best way to reduce your carbon footprint and at the same time lower your utility bills. If you are planning on renting out the property or selling it to a company, this will attract many buyers. When you have offices with many employees, someone has to turn off all the lights at the end of the day and make sure nothing is running. If you use smart lighting, that process can be automated, so there is no need for you to do that, or even pay an employee to do it. Automated curtains and blinds Another way to control lighting in a commercial property is to use automated curtains and blinds. This can be useful for meeting rooms or presentations, and also for people who work long hours. It is most definitely one of the tech gadgets that can raise the value of your commercial property. Smart thermostats Climate control is crucial for a pleasant working atmosphere. Sitting in an office that is too hot or too cold may result in employee dissatisfaction, and can also reduce their effectiveness and even compromise their health. If a company owner is looking to purchase a commercial property, he or she will install these smart thermostats if they are not already there. However, if the building already has them implemented, they will be willing to pay more for the property. App-controlled automated speakers and smart locks Another way to automate your commercial property and at the same time boost its value is to implement app-controlled automated speakers and smart locks. It is also worth investing in implementing keycard-controlled doors, as that helps set the authorization levels for employees. Security systems It's impossible to overstate the importance of security systems in a commercial property. Every company owner must have its employees' safety as their primary concern. A lawsuit can drain a large company very easily. Furthermore, this is a way to protect your business as well. Having cameras on every floor and the entrance of the building is highly recommended. An automated gate at the main entrance is also a possibility. If any commercial supplies need to be transported in and out of the building, you will have a full overview of everything. Thinking about the general health of employees A commercial property that uses tech gadgets to take care of the general health of employees will be highly valued on the market. There are a couple of ways you can accomplish this: ● having a relaxation room ● offering fitness training ● using mini gadgets to boost effectiveness A relaxation room as a part of the commercial property A relaxation room is a common sight in almost all major programming companies. Employees work hard, and during a break, they can head out to a relaxation room where they can play games, watch a movie, or even take a quick massage in the massage chair. This strategy is beneficial for multiple reasons, but most of all it will attract anyone who comes to a job interview. Fitness training as a part of everyday office life Any employee who sits 8 hours behind a computer understands what back pain is. After work, they are mostly tired to go to the gym, and they use weekends to rest. There is almost no time to exercise. Placing a few treadmills can offer them a chance to do a quick workout before or after work, or even during their break. It is essential that people who work behind a desk can stretch out a few minutes per day. Useful mini gadgets for an office There are so many useful tech gadgets that we could list them all day. For example, USB devices or USB hubs, office printers, air conditioning systems, smoke detectors, mini-refrigerators, etc. Having equipped offices with these gadgets will only raise its value on the market. With that much equipment, you can choose whether you want to move it to a new location if someone purchases the property, or leave it there to get a better price. If you do need to move the equipment, be sure to hire professional movers like purpleheartmovinggroup.com as commercial relocations can be complex. A word of caution One of the downsides of having an expensive property is that sometimes buyers turn away from luxurious offers. If you are using tech gadgets to boost the value of your commercial property, have in mind what type of buyer you are looking for. Only a select few will be able to cash out enough money to pay the full value, so you might end up having to remove some equipment in order to sell it. Or, the second option is to sell everything but for a lower price. With that in mind, do not create an expensive commercial property if you cannot sell it. The best tech gadgets that can boost the value of your commercial property - delivered! Implementing all of these features can definitely be expensive, but it can double the value of the property if done the right way. Just be sure to plan everything and be smart about your investments. Good luck! Written by: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts

The COVID-19 pandemic has us all a bit confused. On the one hand, you have medical emergencies and country-wide measures issued to keep it at bay. On the other, you have a large recession caused by months of isolation and quarantine. Now, trying to cover these complex subjects within a single article is impossible. So, to help understand this situation a bit better, we are going to take a closer look at how recession will impact real estate in 2020. This should shine a bit of light on one of the effects of the coronavirus and help us better understand the crazy times we are living in. Understanding the current recession To understand the recession impact on real estate in 2020, we first need to take a look at the recession itself. After all, the real estate market is influenced by numerous other markets, which is why real estate agents have trouble adapting to COVID-19 circumstances. So, we cannot properly consider it without first taking a look at the overall effects of COVID-19. The effects of COVID-19 Ever since the coronavirus pandemic started, the world has been in a state of continual lockdown. First countries started limiting travel and trying to figure out more lenient ways to fight the coronavirus. But most countries decided that more strict measures were necessary and that economic effects had to be put on the backburner. While this has helped us keep COVID-19 at a relatively manageable level, the economy has suffered greatly. The lack of trade has led to a considerable amount of layoffs. So much so that 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since the coronavirus started. Now, there are certain signs that the economy will start picking up. But if there is one thing we can say for sure, it's that this recession will stay with us for a considerable amount of time. The recession impact on real estate in 2020 So, how will recession impact real estate in 2020? Well, there are a couple of notable ways that the current recession will affect real estate. You might expect that the lack of trade will lead to a decrease in overall real estate prices, be it rent or purchase. But, as you will soon learn, the true effects of the recession are a bit more complicated to unpack. Renting Renting prices are experiencing a downward trend. While the full drop of rent prices has not yet come in effect, there are telltale signs that rents are going to drop significantly. This is properly due to a lot of people losing jobs or working for a fraction of their former pay. Because of this, they are not able to afford the apartments they previously rented and some of them are even moving to a more affordable state. So, this leaves landlords with two options. They can either: • Evict the current tenants and look for ones that can afford them. • Reduce the rent price to something more affordable. And seeing that relocation and travel are still difficult and that the job market is in decline, the second option is usually the smarter one. Selling and buying So far, the buying prices of real estate have remained pretty much the same. Be it homes, apartments, or lofts, the prices are holding steady. True, there has been a slight decrease in the price of commercial real estate. But, this is only in certain areas, and not in any significant degree. People are turning away from luxury homes. But how much of this is due to COVID-19 is discussable. Commercial space Another notable recession impact on real estate in 2020 will be in commercial space. Numerous companies are going out of business, which means that a lot of commercial space will free up. And seeing that no one is crazy enough to open up a business during the recession, most of those spaces will remain without a tenant. This will definitely lead to a substantial decrease in price, at least until the recession is over. So, if you plan on opening a business after the recession, pick a commercial space now and keep a close eye on it. To find out how to prepare for commercial relocation, keep on reading on vanexpressnj.com. Travel industry and real estate One of the bigger factors we need to consider is the travel industry and the real estate related to it. The travel industry has taken a major hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just consider the fact that most summer vacations have been canceled. And, as a result, the price of real estate in tourist areas is declining. Beach home, vacation properties, and especially summer rental homes are going to be quite cheap in the near future. Final thoughts about real estate in 2020 As of writing this article, the coronavirus is at a seemingly downward trend. Some countries like Russia and Brazil are still battling it, but Europe and the U.S. are slowly starting to recover. Now, the important thing to mention is that this is only the first wave. If the Spanish flu, Asian flu, and the Hong Kong flu have taught us anything, it's that these things come in waves. And, unfortunately, the second wave has usually been the most deadly. So, while it is good for the overall economy that the countries are trying to boost, we are far from being free of COVID-19. If you are a betting person, expect that we'll see at least one more wave of quarantine, a ban on travel, and an economic decrease in 2020. How will real estate further develop in 2020? While real estate is connected to different economies, it can be slow to react to changes in them. So, the current trend of steady prices may change if the recession lasts. If you are looking for advice on what to do, we would advise against making any considerable investments. How the recession will impact real estate in 2020 is difficult to predict, to say the least. So, if you are not absolutely certain about purchasing a piece of real estate, we would advise that you wait a bit before doing anything with it. Written by: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts

Working as a real estate agent offers plenty of fantastic possibilities. By selling real estate and earning a commission, you can quickly make good money and build a strong communication network. However, working as a real estate agent also requires talking to people, arranging meetings, and being there in person to finalize the deal. With the current coronavirus pandemic, this may be challenging and potentially dangerous for your health as well as that of your clients. The ultimate question arises - How can real estate agents adapt to new circumstances caused by COVID-19 outbreak and continue their business? The answer is simple - real estate referrals! What are real estate referrals? If you are unfamiliar with this term, here is a short explanation. A real estate referral is an act of referring a friend or a family member to top real estate agents in the business. If you are not able to actively participate in closing the deals, there is no reason to lose money over it. Connect the people you know with other real estate agents or companies and earn a referral fee while sitting in your chair and drinking your favorite beverage. What's the catch? - you might ask. There isn't one - it's as simple as it sounds. How to become a network associate? If you wish to become a network associate of a real estate referral company, all you need is to have an real estate license. With it, you can simply apply for the position, pay a yearly fee, and enjoy your referral commission while staying safe at home. Although this option is the best, there are some alternatives that can help real estate agents adapt to new circumstances caused by COVID-19 outbreak. Maintaining connections with your clients COVID-19 may have slowed down businesses, but the key to success is maintaining a strong connection with your clients. If you cannot meet in person, the next best thing is an online meeting. Some even consider that option to be superior. You should be there for your clients to look for real estate properties when they cannot. It is important that they realize you will always be there to support them and provide any help or assistance they may need. Outline the importance of general safety Another important message that your clients should get is that, while you are still open for business, you primarily care for their health. Today, the only successful business is a safe business. Caring about the health of your clients, as well as the clients of other agents, will help you build and maintain your reputation. Online and VR tours We are lucky that the technology around us allows us to improve our businesses in such a way that it does not suffer under these harsh conditions. Since your clients cannot really go out and look at apartments of houses, you must bring real estate to them. One of the options at your disposal is to create online tours on your website. Make sure to upload photos and videos that show the entire place. This allows your clients to look at properties from the safety of their homes. Another fantastic option that is probably a bit costly is to implement virtual reality tours, that will not only allow your clients to look at properties, but to also have some fun while doing it. Furthermore, virtual reality tours are an excellent tool that will help you connect buyers and sellers. Research what type of property is most valuable now Since the pandemic has caused financial issues as well, buyers are turning away from luxury properties in order to save some money. With that in mind, carefully think about the price range. We advise doing a small survey on a weekly or biweekly basis where you can easily find out what types of properties are in demand and at what prices. Surpass the expectations Furthermore, now is the perfect time to surpass the expectations of your clients. Think in terms of more than they need at the moment. For example, your client may want to look at houses in order to buy one in the future. Once that transaction is complete, they will want to move. What you can do is, compile a list of the best movers in your area, such as AAA Insta-Move FL, and match them with your clients. This gesture will show them that you are doing everything in your power to help your clients pull through this difficult situation caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Also, have in mind that this kind of partnership can bring new clients to you as well. Any relocation company that closes deals thanks to your recommendation will return the favor and connect you with their clients. The best way to help real estate agents adapt to new circumstances caused by the COVID-19 outbreak We have covered an array of ways for real estate agents to adapt to new circumstances caused by the COVID-19 outbreak: ● become a network associate and earn a commission through referrals ● offer online and VR tours for your clients ● outline the importance of staying healthy while connecting buyers and sellers ● research the type of property in demand, together with the price Out of all these options, we must say that becoming a network associate seems like the best option. First of all, you are not putting anyone at risk. Your job is to help your clients connect with other agents. Next, minimal work is required of you, as the only thing you need is a bit of soft skill in communication, a license, and some goodwill. Third, your expenses are lowered to a minimum. Finally, this is the safest option for you as well, since you will not be contacting anyone directly. Helping real estate agents adapt to new circumstances caused by the COVID-19 outbreak is crucial, and real estate referral business delivers without exceptions! Written by: List Robert with US Moving Experts

Florida's real estate markets are hot and not cooling down in the foreseeable future. It no surprise, though. The economy is strong which is a good basis for new job openings. Consequently, new workers increase the demand for housing. They are also inclined to stay long-term, attracted to favorable tax policies, affordable cost of living, and year-round sunny weather. If you add a fascinating college coverage, the #2 modern infrastructure in the States, and hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches, it is not a wonder that Florida is continually home to the hottest real estate markets. Hottest Florida real estate markets in 2020 When we take into account all the factors, the bottom line is that Florida will go into 2020 with several real estate markets exceptionally good for investors. Moreover, it is very important to identify the three simple rules in the real estate industry that will help you recognize the beneficial markets: 1. Firstly, when you hear that the market is "good" it implies that you can sell whenever you wish or need. 2. A "balanced market" denotes a market with inventory levels falling into a range between four and seven months. 3. "Sellers' market" indicates that inventory levels dropped below four months of supply, while the "buyers' market" indicates the market with supply exceeding seven months. It goes beyond saying that you should look for an area with a lot of housing activity, that is, the sellers' market. But which ones among those markets are the most lucrative? One of the most important Florida home-buying basics includes finding the right location in the Sunshine State. The trends in real estate have brought up several areas into the spotlight ● Tallahassee, Leon County ● Kissimmee, Osceola County ● Gainesville, Alachua County ● Sarasota, Sarasota County ● Lakeland, Polk County Tallahassee Tallahassee homes are appreciating rapidly. Depending on the neighborhood, an increase in price goes between 6% and 20% of the last year's price and is bound to increase for another 6% by this time next year. Slowing the appreciating rate is possible, however, only through an increased supply of real estate for sale, which is favoring the construction industry. Both buyers and sellers should see this as an opportunity. If the price goes too high, due to high demand, selling may prove difficult or outright impossible. Buyers shouldn't wait for that to happen. Once the Tallahassee property is yours, moving will be easy with the help of local movers such as visionmovers.com; after all, who knows the locale better? Kissimmee You don't have to live out of state to invest in hot real estate markets. Even relocation from one part of Florida to another opens as a possibility. However, note that not every city here has the right potential for real estate investment. Kissimmee is certainly among the popular investment locations due to several good reasons. First of all, buying an inexpensive real estate is only the first step. Turning it into an investment property is the next. Kissimmee is in the perfect spot for both long-term and vacation rental strategies. Moreover, 2020 is the right time to invest. The Florida economy is strong, leading to population growth and, thus, to high demand for available properties. Being just south of Orlando only adds to Kissimmee's appeal. Gainesville Having in mind the depth of the market collapse that hit Florida, and especially Gainesville, one would think that recovery would be too difficult. However, trends are showing that great progress has been made in the past years. Right now, it means good things for Gainesville. The employment rate is higher than the national average, and the number of housing permits is on the rise. They are all signs of a recovering economy. For the time being, Gainesville is the most affordable place to live in Florida. Hence, it attracts buyers as well as the still present backlog of foreclosed homes. Finding a suitable property here for you should be among the things every real estate agent in Florida needs to know. However, choose carefully and team up with an expert. There is still time to purchase a property in Gainesville at below-market value, remodel it, and then sell at or above the market price. Sarasota Just like Gainesville, Sarasota is another Florida city that is going through a fast-paced recovery. For the same reasons, it presents a hot real estate investment spot not only in 2020 but in the years to come. One positive thing leads to another; as the economy profits from an influx of newcomers, the local real estate market is looking to satisfy the rising demand. Moreover, the most popular neighborhoods in Sarasota, that will fuel the investment takeoff are expected to be Bayou Oaks, Arlington Park, Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores, Downtown Partnership, and Lido Key. Aside from finding the right neighborhood, note that finding a high-class Florida real estate agent is a priority, easily accomplished if you seek help from a real estate referral company. Moreover, to point out how active the Sarasota real estate market is, it is sufficient to say that most homes sell for around list price and go pending in around 41 days while hot homes list as a pending sale in around ten days. Lakeland If you thought that Sarasota homes sell fast, Lakeland will truly surprise you. While a majority of Lakeland homes go pending in about 26 days, the hottest among them are marked as a pending sale in around seven days. As expected due to a relatively low level of housing supply and steady growth of population, real estate prices in Lakeland are bound to go up as of 2020. When factors such as unemployment rates, local economy, population trends, and median household incomes are taken into account, the picture is clear. According to the analysts, Lakeland could easily become one of the hottest Florida real estate markets this year. This course is the logical sequel to the previous years' trends; Lakeland doesn't seem to be slowing down. All buyers interested in a property here should not waste time as the real estate prices are on a steady rise. The foreseeable future looks bright not only for Lakeland but for all five abovementioned markets. Written by: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts

Every year brings something new to the real estate market, including design trends that entice buyers or form their tastes. However, some designs are rightfully becoming constant, continually attracting buyers across the States. These home design trends and features have at least two traits in common - visual appeal and functionality. Hence, combinations are endless. Knowing that finding a perfect home for a buyer is a near to impossible task, we've enlisted several attractive home design trends that have already taken hold. Attractive home design trends and features Winter is the perfect season to make renovations and spruce up a home for the spring sale. Sellers and their real estate agents should be aware that these renovations are not necessarily costly. Moreover, they have a very good return on investment if they're implemented with those two abovementioned traits in mind. The most sought-after home design trends involve ● Energy-efficient features ● Open floor plans ● Blending indoor and outdoor ● Neutral monochromatic tones with a touch of color Showing off only a few of these designs and features combined will make holding an open house an immense pleasure. Not to mention the price the home will gain. Also, it is worth noting that smart technology adds significant appeal to a modern-day home. A house with smart features will have an advantage over a similar home without any. The sale price and time spent on the market will be in favor of a smart home until smart tech inevitably turns from a trend to a standard home characteristic. Energy-saving and eco-friendly features Energy disclosures are slowly becoming common practice in the real estate industry and a rising number of buyers are looking forward to owning a home with energy-saving features. After all, who doesn't feel attracted to the notion of paying less even though, in truth, it only means using or spending less. Energy-conserving features are various; from double-panned windows to improved insulation, LED lighting and solar panels. Those who deeply care about the environment and use eco-friendly quality boxes and other materials belong to the type of buyers who will greatly appreciate energy-efficient hardwired appliances, water consumption monitors, and water-saving devices. Those who are environmentally conscious and are truly concerned for the state of the planet, along with those who only follow trends, make the majority of people who keep the eco-friendly features on top of the list of continually trending designs. Open floor plans in home design trends The open floor plan is rightfully popular. More natural light and a visually bigger space are only a few of its benefits. Remodeling and creating an open floor design is not too expensive and has a great return on investment. If a homeowner doesn't know where to place excess belongings during the renovation, they can always rent a short term storage unit from a local moving company like Moving Kings Van Lines Florida, for example. Other things that go in favor of the open floor plan and make it so popular are improved communication and interaction. Such space will hardly ever appear overcrowded and it will allow for unhindered traffic within. Also, it encourages the blending of indoor and outdoor space, which is another popular feature that stands the test of time. Blending indoor and outdoor living space As per the rising interest in natural elements in home design, plants of all shapes and sizes are being regularly introduced in popular modern interior. This is nothing new; advantages of indoor plants have been discussed in length and no one disputes them. More recently, however, plants have been used in a more modern setting of vertical gardens, which is gaining popularity. Not only that vertical gardens go hand in hand with the popular minimalist home design, but they also have health benefits. Home design trends like this, that include affordable but beneficial and visually appealing features, speak to those buyers turning away from the high-end property. Moreover, home designers have been successfully dimming the line between indoor and outdoor space, extending living rooms into backyards. Why are such home designs continually popular? They are functional all year round. Regardless of the location in the States, personal outdoor space is priceless. In the summer, it is an extension of a living room. It is connected through an open floor setting with the kitchen and, thus, perfect for parties and other large gatherings. In the colder days, it becomes an otherworldly living room, a zen garden for those who enjoy a warm drink next to a fire pit or outdoor heaters. Color trends that have become classics The right color palettes are among the things every real estate agent in Florida should know. While there will always be those homeowners who prefer bold and intense colors, they are a minority. Trendsetters in interior design keep returning to the classics for inspiration and right there they find neutral tones. Those colors make a perfect background for a plethora of home design trends. In general, monochromatic palettes are popular for creating an atmosphere in the space without excess furniture. Also, they are well complemented by stronger colors. While Classic Blue is the Pantone color of 2020, it should not be used alone but as an accent to beige or shale. Aside from colors, homes with carefully implemented textures, like metal accents, velvet, and stone, are continually attracting buyers with a sense of aesthetics. Conclusion Homebuyers require appealing houses that will make their lives easier. Every other feature that adds a touch of luxury at an affordable price is a bonus. Unsuccessful trends come and go, successful ones evolve into something better. In the core of such trends are undeniable visual appeal and aesthetic quality, as well as improved functionality. Modern-day buyers and sellers prefer a home that stands out; buyers want something they never had before and sellers something they can easily sell for top dollar. Home design trends that keep returning are design trends that will make both parties satisfied. Written By: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts

Selling luxury properties and becoming a top-notch luxury real estate agents takes a lot of work. However, even when you do everything right, some homes simply won’t sell soon enough. That’s why real estate agents need to understand the needs of their buyers, and most importantly – what are the things that buyers don’t like. The current situation in the real estate market is that everything is booming, except for the high-end, luxury part. That’s why we’ve made a list of reasons why buyers are turning away from luxury property – a simple guide that will help real estate agents sell properties like that much faster. What are the reasons buyers are turning away from luxury property Even though luxury homes are attractive, real estate agents are having trouble selling them in recent years. Here are some reasons for it. ● Is money the problem? Actually, not. Affordability is not the main issue of why buyers are turning away from luxury property. The truth is, now more than ever, people can afford expensive luxury homes. So, the reason must be something else. ● Location No matter the house price and its characteristics, the location is the most important factor when buying a luxury home. This may be the reason why buyers are turning away from luxury property, but also why some housing markets remain strong whatever happens. Some locations are simply more popular among high-end buyers, which definitely shows a change in how fast home sells there. ● Taxes Some states have changed their rules of tax deduction, which results in high-tax states becoming less desirable for high-end buyers. Apart from the houses being sold less frequently, this resulted in more relocations – especially to states like Florida or Nevada, that have a more attractive tax system. So, if you’re thinking of becoming a Florida real estate agent, now is the time to do so. With a simple relocation anywhere in Florida and a positive start, you can start selling homes immediately. ● High-end buyers are not taking risks When it comes to wealthy buyers, they are for sure aware of all the financial uncertainties and most importantly, their own budget. And that’s why they won’t take any risks and buy a luxury home until they are sure they’re doing the right thing. ● More options in the luxury housing Another reason why buyers are turning away from luxury property is the excess inventory in the luxury real estate market. As the supply is not limited, the prices are going down, which results in buyers being pickier. This means more time for luxury homes to stay on the market and less fun for real estate agents. ● Many millionaires don’t live in luxury homes The most surprising item on the list is definitely the way millionaires live at the moment. If you’re wondering why buyers are turning away from luxury property – well, they enjoy living next door. According to a recent study, most of the rich Americans don’t choose luxury properties as their homes. Only 16% of wealthy homeowners live in luxury homes priced at $1 million or more. Others choose to live in properties that are far more affordable – mostly $250 - $500 thousand. How to sell a luxury home? Tips for real estate agents As a luxury real estate agent, you may find the current situation troublesome. That’s why you need to do everything you can to sell luxury homes faster and be more successful. Here are some tips on being more effective in the real-estate business. Understand your buyers’ needs Whatever homes you’re selling, you need to understand the needs of your buyers and get to know them better. For example, most of the buyers nowadays are millennials, and they happen to have more specific and different needs. The biggest difference is the size of the properties. Millennials are not looking for huge luxury homes, but rather high-quality and practical homes that aren’t that spacious. So, be sure to investigate more about your clients and address their specific needs. Also, make sure you ease their purchase and relocation by recommending them the right companies to work with. For example, a positive relocation experience with a reliable company like Best Cross Country Movers will give a more complete picture of you as a real estate agent, and bring you more referrals. Choose the neighborhood correctly – actually, the neighbors One valuable piece of advice for selling luxury homes is picking the right neighborhood for your clients. You should know that most wealthy buyers like their neighbors to be the same. They tend to choose homes in areas with wealthy residents. Don’t force it As we mentioned, wealthy buyers are probably aware of all the aspects of a home purchase, so you shouldn’t force them to make the decision. It’s best to present the properties well and gather all the necessary information about it, and let the buyer pick his own home. Advertise the property to attract the buyers It’s important to advertise the property you want to sell in such a way that buyers are immediately attracted to it. One of the ways to do it is to host an event or a party, that shows the true potential and strengths of the property. Be sure to know who are the people coming, so you can adapt the event to their taste. Give your high-end buyer a high-end treatment You already know that you need to know your buyer in order to sell them the right home. However, as you’re dealing with wealthy buyers, you need to give them a special, million-dollar treatment to convince them to buy a property. This includes a high-quality showcase of the property, a premium meal when showing the place, etc. Spending some money on treating your buyer well will definitely pay off in the end. Accept the changes When you take a look at the reasons why buyers are turning away from luxury property, you need to notice that the real estate market rules are changing. And that’s the key to successful sales – accepting the changes. A good real estate agent will find a way to adapt and use his experience and skill to work at different times and circumstances. A positive attitude brings more sales! Written By: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts

Being a real estate agent in Florida is not easy. Sure, there is a lot of real estate properties that you can potentially sell to willing clients. And a lot of people are looking for summer homes in Florida. But there is also a lot of competition. Just know that in 2018 there were around 251,000 registered real estate agents working in Florida. So, in order to make it as a Florida real estate agent, you need to do your research and work hard. While the second part of that is entirely up to you, we can give you a hand with the first one. So, let's go over some things that every real estate agent in Florida needs to know. What every real estate agent in Florida should know Being a real estate agent in Florida will require you to be a jack of all trades. There are a plethora of skills that you need to hone in order to find real estate, communicate with clients and close deals. If you lack in just one of these skills, all others will suffer. So, your best bet is to first carefully read what you need to be good at. Then identify your biggest weakness. That way you will improve in the most efficient manner. And, hopefully, become one of the top Florida real estate agents. Communications skills As a real estate agent in Florida, your job will require you to communicate on a regular basis. You will either talk to buyers in order to understand their wishes and budget, or you will talk with sellers in order to figure out how to make the most money out of their real estate. Whatever the case, you need to be able to communicate your ideas clearly. You will have people from all walks of life coming to you for help. And, no matter your knowledge or skills, you won't be able to do so if you cannot communicate with them properly. Teaching clients A big part of communication is being able to teach your clients. Remember, 95% of them are absolutely oblivious of the real estate trends and the legal background of dealing with moving. And, even if you don't have complete knowledge of all these aspects, you need to know how to help your clients get it. This can mean letting them know about sites like movingkings.com in order to learn the basics of relocation. Or help them find a contractor to remodel their home. It is a part of your job to help them learn what they need to know in order to deal with real estate property. Negotiation skills One important part of being a successful real estate agent in Florida is being able to negotiate. Up to a certain point, you can rely on your other social skill, and on the willingness of clients to close deals. But, whether you like it or not, you will need to negotiate a bit in order to help your clients buy a home. There will come times where no other form of communication will be possible for closing a deal and seeing a transaction through. So, even though ideally you won't negotiate, be ready to do so. It's better to be a warrior in the garden, then a gardener in a war. Adapting to the market If you spend even a modest time dealing with the real estate market in Florida, you will learn that it is always changing. Certain styles of a home can become more trendy. People can start valuing things differently, new models of real-estate marketing can suddenly become viable... A bunch of things can happen. And, if you want to get to the top of the Florida real estate market and stay there, you need to learn fast and adapt. Remember, once a new trend sets in, it is always the early bird that gets the worm. Keeping track of the Florida real estate market The aforementioned skills are somethings that every real estate agent should have, regardless of the state they work in. But, the one thing that every real estate agent in Florida really needs to know is how to keep track of Florida's real estate market. Know that the timing of your information is almost as important as its content. If you wish to play the real estate game properly, you need to be aware of potential clients quickly. That way you'll be able to accommodate them as efficiently as possible. Legal aspect But, before we go over the skills required to follow the Florida real estate market, we would advise you to learn what the legal aspect of dealing with real estate is. Even though you can always get legal counsel to help you, we advise you to look up online on various legal aspects of managing real estate. From an agent's professional liability in Florida to financial claims and ownership paperwork. The more you know about the legal aspect of real estate, the smoother and less stressful your work will be. Networking and following local trends The essence of knowing and keeping track of Florida's real estate market is networking and following local trends. Remember, no good real estate agent is out there alone. Your best bet is to have a network of agents working with you. That way you'll be able to share information quickly and your future clients will have an easier time finding you. This is usually done by focusing on a certain area and then working with agents that are not your direct competition. This allows you to keep track of real estate trends in your local area. Also, to easily contact people that are outside of it, but are looking to invest in it. Remember, seldom can you find a successful real estate agent who works in huge areas. No one can afford to spread themselves so thin! Written By: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts

The real estate market is one of the most competitive environments in the business world nowadays. It is a demanding career and not everyone is cut out to be a successful real estate agent. Being one is so much more than being any other seller. Real estate agents have to deal with the ever-changing demands of their clients and at the same time, they need to make a living. So, how do they do it? What are the habits of highly effective real estate agents that separate them from the average ones? Habit no. 1 - Getting up early You are probably familiar with the saying: The early bird catches the worm! Well, successful real estate agents know the saying too and they are trying to live by it. Practicing the right set of morning routines is also helpful to get your day started. Here are some good examples of morning routines you can try: ● Start your day with calming thoughts - You can pray, meditate, or just enjoy the silence, it is up to you; ● Encourage yourself - Tell yourself the inspiring words that will help you overcome fears and achieve goals; ● Visualize - Think about success and how you would feel after achieving it. One of the habits of highly effective real estate agents is following the footsteps of the people who have made it. You can easily find top real estate agents in your area and learn from them. ● Write down your thoughts and ideas - Your mind is as fresh as it gets in the mornings, so it makes sense that some of the best ideas will come to you right after you wake up. There are many more things you can do if you get up earlier than before. Try to imagine how much more money you would be able to earn if your day lasted an hour longer. Habit no. 2 - Taking good care of your health It's not always easy to take care of yourself when you have a busy career and almost no time for yourself, but you have to make some. Your health should always come first. Remember, once you lose it you will not easily get it back and you'll be unable to perform the job you love so much. Start by making some smart food choices and devoting some time to physical exercise every day. It doesn't have to be a full training session, ten to fifteen minutes can be enough for your morning workout. You will quickly see the benefits. An early morning workout will help you feel more energetic and feel better about yourself. You will certainly need that confidence as the day goes by. Habit no. 3 - Never stop learning If you want to become one of the best real estate agents, you must never stop learning. Learners are earners, and nowadays you do not have to rely only on formal education. There are so many ways you can upgrade your knowledge. You should take all the courses that you can find, especially the local ones. For example, if you are coming from the West Coast, you cannot be familiar with everything it takes to become a Florida real estate agent. You will just have to find more about the specifics of your new area. Habit no. 4 - Building relationships with your clients When people come to you, they want to sell their old home or buy a new one. You are there to witness some of the greatest decisions of their lives. They depend on you to make their dreams come true, and that is a big deal. If you want to make your customers happy and excel at what you do, you will have to gain their trust. Be ready for many changes of heart from their part and even more compromises on yours. Be that as it may, they need to feel they can trust you. Your work doesn't stop when they sell or buy a home. They will need help moving, so you can help them find some reputable movers such as gibraltarvanlines.com and your clients will appreciate you even more. Habit no. 5 - Having to-do lists Planners and to-do lists are there to keep us on track all the time. Being organized is a priority number one for any successful real estate agent. Many deals, listings, clients, business partners, paperwork procedures can make you forget about something really important. So, always have a planner at hand. Habit no. 6 - Keeping up to date You just have to be in the know if you want to succeed in the real estate market. So, if you do not have a habit of checking what's going on in your community and following the latest market statistics, you'd better start doing so right away. People want to know that they can rely on a professional who knows it all. They want to know they are dealing with someone who can help them relocate to Florida from New Jersey with ease after finding a new home. You just have to be able to provide them with all the information they need at this stage in their lives. Habit no. 7 - Being resilient The real estate market is often volatile, and you need to learn how to survive. Prepare to get up as many times as the market knocks you down. There will be times when your efforts will be useless no matter how hard you try. That is when you have to be bullet-proof and show that you are cut out to be a great real estate agent. Habit no. 8 - Being a networker There is a common misconception that if you are an introvert, you are just not going to make it as a real estate agent. Luckily, the theory proves wrong. Both introverts and extroverts can be great sellers, but they need to be able to focus on other people. They need to have a networker’s mindset. For a good networker, a coffee shop or bar is as good of a place for meeting new potential clients as an office. Constantly looking for opportunities to meet new people just doesn't feel natural to all of us - it is a habit that needs to be built. Joining one of the real estate referral programs can be helpful here. Habit no. 9 - Reading Reading is so important for staying on top of your game. Not having enough time is not an excuse. Nowadays, there are many ways you can read without even looking at a book or a screen. Audiobooks are great for real estate agents who spend a lot of their time commuting. There are also many apps you can download to help you take in the content you like. Habit no. 10 - Living within your means This is one of the habits of highly effective real estate agents that is often learned the hard way. It is easy to get lost in impressive commission fees, but you should always try to save some for a rainy day. Written By: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts

Question: I currently have an Inactive real estate license in Georgia and work in a whole other industry full-time. I saw your program and was curious. What can I do with this license? Asked by: David Miller Expert Reply: Hi David, if you have a real estate license in Georgia that is current but is inactive, you cannot legally collect a real estate commission. Inactive means that you are in good standing with your license, it’s just that you are not active under a real estate company. Our company Park Place Realty Network is ideal for your situation. You can place your license with our company as we are active in Georgia in which you would then have an active real estate license and can now collect real estate commissions. Whenever you know of someone looking to buy or sell any type of real estate worldwide, we would refer that person to a top agent who would handle the entire sale for you. You would then make a high portion of the total commission as a referral fee once that transaction closes. Go to our website www.ParkPlaceNetwork.com to get more details. If you're wanting to sell full-time, your best bet is to join your local board of Realtors and the MLS associations and working with a local brokerage. I hope this answers your questions, if you have any additional questions, please let me know.

While holding open houses is not the only way to attract buyers, it can certainly be a very useful tool. As real estate agents don't usually send their clients to see open houses, this means that most of the people who will look at a home you're selling will have just begun their home-seeking process. As such, they'll need someone to listen to their needs and inform them on whether this particular home is a good fit for them. And if it is, then you've most likely just found a buyer! If it isn't, though, then perhaps you've found another client? But, what exactly is an open house? Basically, it is an event taking place over a specific period of time when anyone can drop by and inspect the house. However, modern realtors will need to be prepared in order to get the most out of it. With that in mind, we've prepared this guide to holding open houses. After reading, hopefully, you'll know just what to do when it's time to hold an open house of your own. Attract potential buyers Before they're ready to hire the reliable professionals on instamove.com and relocate to a home you've sold them, you'll first need to reach the potential buyers. Of course, the more people that are aware of an open house you're holding, the bigger the chance that you'll be able to sell the property quickly and for a good price. How can you initially reach these people? There are several ways, and you should utilize all of them for maximum gain. • Advertise the home digitally. Apart from using the social media, you can also use websites that are aimed at helping realtors and buyers alike, such as Zillow or Trulia. Just make sure that you upload enough high-quality pictures, that will provide viewers with plenty of important information about the property. Don't try to make the home appear better than it actually is, as doing so won't bring anything good once the potential buyers arrive. • Next, you'll also need plain, regular, good old physical signs. Make sure that there are enough of them and that they will precisely lead interested parties to the property. Post them all around the neighborhood, however, don't put up an excessive amount of signs. As for when to put up the signs, it's often a good idea to post most of them some two hours before the open house commences. That way, anyone who sees the sign will usually have enough time to finish whatever they were doing and come see the house. • Put the listing in print and also have brochures ready. Some people might avoid print listings and digital ads altogether. They could simply be driving by and then decide to check out the property right there and then. Having a brochure ready in such cases will prove to be useful. A finely-made brochure will feature all the important information related to the property - the asking price, the size of the property, and so on, as well as your contact information. • Set the date and the exact time when you'll be holding the open house, and include it in all of your promotional materials. Most people will want to look at houses on Sundays, and then on Saturdays, so choose Sunday if you can, and if you can't, Saturday is the next best option. As for the time, we recommend the morning hours between 8 and 11 AM. Do what you can to prepare the home After you've done what you can in order to attract the potential buyers, you'll need to prepare the home so that it is in the best possible shape. You should work with your client to come up with an asking price that accurately reflects the quality of the home on the open house day, that is also not too high nor low when compared to prices in the neighborhood. Knowing the asking price right away will, of course, also be useful to potential buyers, as they'll be able to determine if it suits their budget. They can also calculate the cost of this relocation online to get the full picture. There are several things you can do to prepare the home for sale: • Work with your client to remove as much of their belongings as it is possible. Buyers will have a hard time imagining their lives in a home that is full of the previous occupant's belongings. What's more, it's best if your clients aren't present at all when you're holding open houses. • Make sure that the property is in a presentable state. This involves home chores such as mowing the lawn, mopping and sweeping the interior, making sure that windows are clean, and so on. Basically, if you've ever cared about keeping your home in a good shape, you'll know what to do. Also, if you'll be holding open houses during the winter, try to obtain some pictures of the house that were taken when it was warmer (especially if the exterior is visible and it looks neat). • Buyers should have easy access to the property. The driveway should be clear, so don't park there, and ask your client to park somewhere else too. If it's winter, remember to remove the excess snow from the driveway so that buyers can park easily. Holding open houses 101 Once you've prepared the house, it's time to prepare yourself as well! The people who are searching for homes will decide whether the property is right for them based on its characteristics; however, you can still push them in the right direction. On the other hand, if they feel uncomfortable around you, that could make them look elsewhere. • Greet the buyers as soon as they arrive, give them brochures, tell them about any home features that you think they might be interested in, and then let them look around at their own pace. After a while, talk to them again, see what they think and if there's anything you can do to help them make a decision. • If visitors seem to be even slightly interested, it's a good idea to have printed additional documents with more information to hand out to them. These documents can include some general information on the neighborhood, as well as all the additional details related to the property that weren't on the brochure. For example, as buyers might be purchasing real estate for them and their family, mention all the best schools in the vicinity, show them a room that would be an ideal kids' room, and so on. • Another good idea is to invite the neighbors as well. While this may sound strange (why would the neighbors want to move into a house that is so close to their current home?), there's a chance that they'll recommend the home to someone else. They would probably love to be living so close to their friends. What's more, if they ever need a realtor later on, you might be the first person they decide to call. • Finally, be prepared for success. While holding open houses should eventually get you buyers if you do everything right, that probably won't happen during the first week (or even the second or the third). Still, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't be prepared. A loan officer should be present at all times. If you strike a deal, he or she will be able to determine right away if the buyer can prequalify for getting a loan, thus saving everyone precious time. Written By: Lisa Robert with US Moving Experts