Entertainment

7 must-read real estate and sales books from 2020

Every year, team leader and Inman contributor Brandon Doyle delves through newly published real estate and sales books so that you don’t have to. Here are his top picks for 2020.
Tags: Books, Education, Opinion, Book, Service, Radio, Teams, Agent, Columns, Inman, Sales Books, Select, Brandon Doyle, Agent Appreciation Month, Real Estate Books, Theme-month-202101

Why the Compass IPO will be successful

Compass never spouted ideas about blockchain, iBuying or agent robots. Instead, it emphasized agent branding, culture and light tech, but within the box of a 120-year-old business model.
Tags: Technology, Opinion, Softbank, Radio, Agent, WeWork, Compass, Columns, Masayoshi Son, Markets & Economy, Brokerage, Select, Robert Reffkin

The Real Word: 5 more trends from the 2021 Swanepoel Trends Report

Watch Byron Lazine and Nicole White give a real estate agent’s perspective on industry-related topics. This week, they'll discuss the remaining five trends from this year's edition of the Swanepoel Trends Report.
Tags: Video, Opinion, Service, Radio, Agent, Nicole White, Brokerage, Select, Byron Lazine, The Real Word, Clear Cooperation Policy, Swanepoel Trends Report, Brokerage Ancillary Business Playbook, Housing Affordability Reality, Real Estate Franchising Landscape, Swanepoel Trends

Smart home tech: Which smart locks are best for security?

A smart lock can offer homeowners security, convenience and a peace of mind. Here's how to find the best (and most compatible) smart lock in a sea of options — plus a few tips on keeping your home extra secure.
Tags: Video, Technology, Bluetooth, Opinion, Service, Radio, Agent, Smart Home, Smart Locks, Smart Home Tech, Zigbee, Brokerage, Select, Wi-fi Connectivity, Z-wave, Brandon Doyle

Opinion: Is Ofcom Really a Witch-Hunter?

In the Daily Mail (Tue Jan 5) Dominic Sandbrook argues that Ofcom is a pious witch-hunter, stamping on free speech and he likens it to the Thought Police in Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. I fear his fears are justified. The trigger for Sandbrook’s ire is the new ruling involving ‘hate speech’ which he says could have a devastating effect on radio and television’s ability to reflect free speech … and consequently will act as a wrecking ball. He says Ofcom ‘chills me to the core.’ Dominic Sand...
Tags: Top, Opinion, Bbc, Radio, Ofcom, Orwell, Martin Campbell, Radio Authority, Dominic Sandbrook, Sandbrook

How to price a listing in a red-hot seller’s market

Basing your price on comparable sales is usually a solid strategy. But what happens when you try to sell your own house in a red-hot seller's market with a broad range of comps? Here's one real estate pro's experience.
Tags: Video, Opinion, Selling, Service, Radio, Agent, Columns, Pricing, Brokerage, Select, Comps, iBuyer, Bernice Ross, Multiple Offer Situation, Comparable Sales, Pricing Mistakes

Stay above the fray: 3 ways to raise the bar in real estate

We have been called to be a good neighbor to the entire neighborhood. It’s a privilege to help people make their American dream come true. This calling is more important than telling the world which side you are on. Here's how to be professional amid chaos.
Tags: Housing, Opinion, Social Media, Customer Experience, Customer Service, Service, Radio, Teams, Agent, Columns, American Dream, Affordability, Professionalism, Select, Rachael Hite, Low Inventory Markets

It’s not NAR’s responsibility to discipline Capitol-storming Realtors

Punishing those involved in the Capitol riots falls on the courts, the state departments of licensing and individual brokers, should they choose to — not NAR. Here's why.
Tags: Law, Opinion, Radio, Teams, Agent, Columns, Code Of Ethics, Capitol, NAR, National Association of Realtors, Select, Jay Thompson, Storm the Capitol, Capitol Mob

Will these pandemic trends continue into 2021?

2020 took some existing residential real estate trends and threw gasoline on them. This year, will we go back to the status quo or enter a new normal? Take a look at these trends, and decide.
Tags: Home, Opinion, Service, Radio, Culture, Teams, Agent, Agents, Brokerage, Select, 2021, Commissions, Convenience Consumer, Pandemic Trends, Saved searched syndrome, Team takeover

The Real Word: 4 trends from the 2021 Swanepoel Trends Report

Watch Byron Lazine and Nicole White give a real estate agent’s perspective on industry-related topics. This week, they'll discuss a handful of trends from this year's edition of the Swanepoel Trends Report.
Tags: Video, Opinion, Service, Radio, Teams, Agent, Nicole White, Brokerage, Select, Byron Lazine, The Real Word, Clear Cooperation Policy, Swanepoel Trends Report, Brokerage Ancillary Business Playbook, Housing Affordability Reality, Real Estate Franchising Landscape

NestEgg cracks the code for small landlords and the agents who help them

An exceptionally well-orchestrated rental business app for small landlords, you'll be hard-pressed to find a stone this software doesn't uncover.
Tags: Apps, Technology, Opinion, Mobile Apps, Radio, Landlords, Property Management, Real Estate Apps, Select, Investment Property, Tech Reviews, Online Rent Payments, Small Landlords, Online Leasing, NestEgg, Online Leas

Do you need a virtual assistant? 5 things to consider

If you’re ready to grow your administrative team and are considering virtual assistants, here are some things you should know.
Tags: Opinion, Radio, Agent, Assistant, Virtual Assistant, Select, Administrative Tasks, Mary Anne Gillespie, Administrative Team

Ascend Lead Sites is ready to elevate agents in 2021

Rebranded from Zephyr Leads, Ascend Lead Sites focuses on offering IDX-powered websites for lead generation that rests on a fully featured CRM, content management system and a menu of digital advertising integrations.
Tags: Technology, Opinion, Marketing, Radio, Facebook Ads, Websites, Email Marketing, Marketing Software, IDX, Select, News Brief, CRM Software, PROPtech, Technology Reviews, Agent Websites, Idx Websites

The Real Word: What to expect in 2021

Watch Byron Lazine and Nicole White give a real estate agent’s perspective on industry-related topics. This week, they'll discuss economists' 2021 predictions, the sale of Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch and the Swanepoel Trends Report.
Tags: Video, Opinion, Service, Radio, Teams, Agent, Michael Jackson, Neverland Ranch, Nicole White, Brokerage, Select, Byron Lazine, The Real Word, 2021 Predictions, Swanepoel Trends Report

4 simple (but powerful) things 2020 reminded us to be grateful for

In looking at 2020’s setbacks and tragedies, it can be difficult to fend off negativity. But expressing gratitude, even in a tough year, is possible — if not necessary. Here are a few things agents can be thankful for.
Tags: Family, Opinion, Friends, Lifestyle, Service, Radio, 2020, Agent, Gratitude, Thanks, Anthony West, Adversity, Brokerage, Select, Coronavirus, The Road Ahead

LeadJolt plugs into the power of Facebook lead gen

The ISA-based advertising and marketing company creates and helps agents monitor lead generation campaigns on Facebook. Its month-to-month contracts make it stand out among its hardline competitors.
Tags: Facebook, Technology, Opinion, Marketing, Social Media, Radio, Isas, Isa, Digital Advertising, Lead Generation, Facebook Advertising, Lead Gen, Select, Real Estate Technology, PROPtech, Tech Reviews

What NAR can do better to support fair housing in 2021

More education for members and changes to the code of ethics is certainly a great start, but there's more that can be done. Here, one broker weighs in on what NAR can do to prevent future discrimination and promote fair housing.
Tags: Opinion, Service, Radio, Agent, Discrimination, NAR, Brokerage, Select, Fair Housing, 2021, Teresa Boardman

KW Command launches into 2021 with new features

KW Command's deeply nuanced features, like its campaign metrics and team oversight settings, help it emulate the functionality in CRMs that individual agents pay hundreds (or more) per month to leverage.
Tags: Technology, Opinion, Uncategorized, Marketing, Radio, CRM, Lead Generation, Keller Williams, Gary Keller, Lead Management, Real Estate Apps, Select, News Brief, Josh Team, Real Estate Software, Kw Command

Brad Inman’s 21 predictions for ’21

Keller Williams will amp up its recruitment program, Zillow will acquire Opendoor, and nursing homes will die. These and 18 other predictions for 2021 from Inman's founder.
Tags: Technology, Opinion, Radio, Agent, Berkshire Hathaway, Compass, Columns, Zillow, NAR, Inman, Keller Williams, Lone Wolf, Brad Inman, Brokerage, Select, Black Knight

It’s been an insane year — but we can still be thankful

This trying year is almost over, and 2021 is around the corner. As tragic and horrific as the year has been, some good can come out of it. Let’s take a look back at 2020 and how we can still give thanks.
Tags: Opinion, Service, Radio, 2020, Agent, Satire, Columns, Reflection, Brokerage, Select, Jay Thompson, 2020 Events, What We've Learned

9 new real estate technology products that lit up 2020

A number of new real estate software products emerged in 2020 — some from new companies and others from established players. Here are nine of them that stood out.
Tags: Technology, Opinion, Radio, Cma, CRM, Marketing Software, Lone Wolf, Select, Real Estate Technology, PROPtech, Adwerx, Highnote, TopHap, KW APP, Yaza, Naberly

An Open Letter to 2020: Things I Learned That I Didn't Know I Needed

  Dear 2020:  No sense in rehashing what you wrought in this universally challenging year. Volumes will be written by those much better equipped than I.  However, on my part there have been some personal revelations,  life lessons, and some things I needed to be reminded of, that are worth chronicling here. I'll just call them personal observations and lessons learned.  Here are just a few of the highlights:      Having a somewhat perverse sense of humor is a survival skill. A commitme...
Tags: Family, Parenting, Opinion, Sport, Humor, Musings, Commentary, Skating, Mike, TMI, Figure Skating, Ateam On The Edge

The Real Word: Did Brad Inman’s 2020 predictions come true?

Watch Byron Lazine and Nicole White give a real estate agent’s perspective on industry-related topics. This week, they'll discuss Brad Inman's predictions from last year, how home design could change and top social media trends for 2021.
Tags: Video, Opinion, Social Media, Service, Radio, Teams, Agent, Home Design, Brad Inman, Social Media Trends, Nicole White, Brokerage, Select, Byron Lazine, The Real Word

Showing app Entro has potential — but should address agent safety

With some decent features and a user interface worth seeing, Entro could succeed if not for leaving agent safety and lead quality totally out of the equation.
Tags: Apps, Technology, Opinion, Iphone Apps, Ios Apps, Radio, Agent, Home Buying, Real Estate Apps, Select, Lead Capture, PROPtech, Tech Reviews, Agent Safety, Home Search, Real Estate Technology Reviews

Top 15 things real estate agents really want this Christmas

What do agents really want this holiday season? Consideration, honesty and a dose of reality all made it into this year’s top agent wants.
Tags: Opinion, Christmas, Radio, Teams, Agent, Satire, Columns, Select, Carl Medford

Top 9 social media trends to watch in 2021

Here are the top nine tips for meeting the social media trends that I think will be essential to focus on in 2021 and beyond.
Tags: Facebook, Video, Instagram, Youtube, Opinion, Marketing, Social Media, Linkedin, Content Marketing, Service, Radio, Teams, Agent, Content, Facebook Groups, Columns

Local Logic updates with enhanced demographic data, granular market reporting

The website add-on tool from Local Logic made listings shine with local narratives. New features do even more with big data and buyer information tools.
Tags: Technology, Opinion, Big Data, Marketing, Radio, Teams, Websites, Review Updates, Select, Lifestyle Search, Heat Maps, Local Logic, Buyer Tools, Real Estate Technology Reviews, Map Search, Buyer Agents

Here’s the real estate tech worth knowing in 2021

In Thursday's new tech brainstorm workshop at Connect Now, moderators Joff Lobb and Kenny Truong led a discussion that balanced the best of today's tech tools with some unique, off-market creative solutions.
Tags: Mobile, Technology, Opinion, Marketing, Events, Smartphones, Radio, Canva, Slack, Trello, Asana, SISU, Mixmax, Select, News Brief, Real Estate Technology

The Real Word: How to stretch your lead gen budget

Watch Byron Lazine and Nicole White give a real estate agent’s perspective on industry-related topics. This week, they'll discuss lead generation budget, HousingWire’s media move and Netflix’s contribution to end systemic racism.
Tags: Video, Opinion, Service, Netflix, Radio, Teams, Agent, Lead Generation, Nicole White, Brokerage, Select, Housingwire, Byron Lazine, The Real Word, Lead Generation Budget

Dreaming of your brokerage being on the big screen? Try ITESMEDIA

From wide screens to retail brokerage storefronts, ITESMEDIA's interactive video screens and kiosk display technology offer brokerages and agents a cool, compelling way to differentiate.
Tags: Technology, Opinion, Marketing, Brand Marketing, Radio, Digital Signage, Select, Office Management, Video Software, Display Marketing, Tech Reviews, Real Estate Technology Reviews, ITES Media, ITESMEDIA, Retail Screen Displays