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Posted on Mar 13 2018 - 2:29pm by Housecall
Comments Off on How to Coexist With Real Estate Giants Online

By Zach Parker If you have a real estate website, you know how difficult it can be to compete in today’s digital real estate space. The Zillows and Trulias of the world have grown at a feverish pace, and it can feel overwhelming to come up with a strategy to stay relevant and visible. Don’t think for one second that all hope is lost. Here are strategies you can...

Posted on Mar 9 2018 - 2:07pm by Housecall
Comments Off on Cyber Crime: The Pros and Cons of Internet-Based Security

By Jon Snyder According to market and consumer data provider Statista, the global home automation market will reach a value of more than $40 billion by 2020. The U.S. ranks first in terms of adoption rate, followed closely by Japan and Germany. With the easy availability of connected gadgets, not only can you control your home's thermostat from your smartphone, but...

Posted on Mar 9 2018 - 9:41am by Housecall
Comments Off on Survey: Extended- and Short-Term Rentals—What Are Your Business Opportunities?

As a real estate agent, you likely work with any number of different types of clients. From first-time buyers, to renters to luxury homebuyers to empty-nesters looking to downsize, there is no shortage of client services you’ve likely had to provide. In our latest survey, we’re interested in learning more about agents’ experience working with short- and extended-term...

Posted on Mar 6 2018 - 4:03pm by Liz Dominguez
Comments Off on Gentrification: Pop-Ups, Cat Cafes and Hipsters—Oh My!

Looking for the next cat cafe? Or perhaps a new pop-up bar that is an exact replica of your favorite TV show's lounge spot? In recent years, gentrification has become synonymous with a hipster invasion—the increase in housing prices and the addition of trendy storefronts as a location becomes the new "it" place. And where are you most likely to find these locations?...

Posted on Mar 6 2018 - 2:21pm by Housecall
Comments Off on 4 Value-Raising Tactics to Help Sell Your Home

By Hannah Whittenly Selling your home can be one of the most stressful times of your life; however, there's no need to worry with the help of this guide! Here are four of the best value-raising tactics for selling your home: Ordinary Updates There are plenty of simple updates you can do to your home before selling it that can help raise its value. These kinds of updates...

Assorted expenses factor into homeownership. Beyond the monthly mortgage payment, homeowners are on the hook for maintenance, insurance and property taxes—and, in some cases, fees for the HOA or other services. For many, the major obligation is property taxes. According to recently released research by WalletHub, the expense is highest in New Jersey, Connecticut,...

Posted on Mar 1 2018 - 3:55pm by Liz Dominguez
Comments Off on Cyber Crime: How to Spot a Fraudulent Email

How many times have you as a broker, agent or consumer opened an email that just didn't seem right? It happens all the time, and, yet, occasionally they seem real enough that you don't think twice about downloading a file or emailing back. Here's the trouble: Email scammers are getting smarter with their phishing schemes and it's becoming increasingly harder to tell...

Posted on Feb 23 2018 - 4:29pm by Jameson Doris
Comments Off on 2018 Best Places to Live in America

All the locations on Livability's recent list of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. have one thing in common: that indescribable quality you find when you cross small-town charm with the amenities of a big city. At the heart of each of the locations that made the top 10—from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., to Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore.—is...

Posted on Feb 20 2018 - 4:42pm by Liz Dominguez
Comments Off on Location, Location, Location: The Key to Finding New Business

Long gone are the days of door knocking to find new business. While brokers provide myriad advantages when it comes to marketing, agents need to be internet savvy and have a proactive social strategy in order to acquire new clients. And how can this be done? Easy—put yourself in the shoes of a consumer. Where are they going to find real estate services? First and...

Posted on Feb 15 2018 - 3:02pm by Housecall
Comments Off on 6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your First House

By Brandon Stanley If you want to sell your property, you better be ready to dedicate a lot of time to one of the biggest decisions of your life. This is especially important if you're making the first deal of this kind, because first-time home sellers often make similar mistakes. You need to prepare well for the entire process to avoid losing a substantial amount...