By: Karen D. Friedman If you want a career as a real estate agent, it all starts with getting your license.  Remember that getting a real estate license is a privilege. As with any license, it comes with rules and regulations that you must adhere to.   If you break rules there will be consequences. Some of those consequences can result in more than a fine. You can be subject to having your license suspended and, in some cases, revoked. It is crucial to your career to understand what actions may put your license at risk. First, let’s define these terms in more detail. We wil ..read more

By Elias Magers If your client is buying a house with defects, they don’t have to stay silent. Nobody wants to buy a house with structural problems! Homebuyers can request house repairs before they buy it. Doing so is common across California. A buyer’s agent can issue the request for repairs during the transaction. When the deal closes, the buyer has a house they love, without the added need for repairs. So, how do request for repairs work in California? Get a Home Inspection to Find Every Defect Buyers should request repairs after a home inspection.  A professional will&n ..read more

By Bettina Siochi You have to build strong relationships with your clients to have a long, lucrative career in real estate.  The top producing agents earned their fame and fortune because of the people they know. So, how do you build a strong, reliable, trusted relationship with people? The answer: provide good customer service. When your clients like working with you, they will recommend your services to other people they know. That’s how successful real estate agents create successful careers. Their network starts finding work for them. So, now the question becomes, “how do ..read more

By Bettina Siochi As a real estate agent, you will encounter the terms ‘law of eminent domain’ or ‘eminent domain’ in real estate. But what does it mean? Eminent domain is the government’s right to expropriate private property for public use. In exchange for this, the homeowner gets compensated with the property’s fair market value. Let’s break this down a bit further: How Does Eminent Domain Work? The process of eminent domain starts when the government or agency has a public interest project. This project would then need to be in a specific location that gives the greatest ret ..read more

By Bettina Siochi A real estate transaction is hard to close. So many moving parts make it stressful and hard to maintain. That’s why they pay real estate agents the big bucks. A buyer can back out of the deal at any given time for many reasons. As a real estate agent, you must be aware of these should you ever encounter them.  Here are some of the most common reasons buyers back out of real estate transactions: Buyer’s Cold Feet One of the most common reasons a buyer backs out is they get cold feet. Buying a home can be overwhelming for any homebuyer. Aside from the emotio ..read more

By Bettina Siochi Securing a home listing is a big accomplishment. But, that’s only half of the work. The real challenge is selling the actual property. So, now that you have a listing, how do you sell it? Here are the 5 home listing tips that every real estate needs to know to sell a home. Tip #1: Prepare Preparation is crucial when it comes to selling your listings. The first thing you have to do is to sit down and talk with your sellers. Explain to your sellers how their property should be presentable for their prospects.  The Interior of the House You can best prepare a ..read more

By Bettina Siochi How to Change Real Estate Brokerages Are you thinking about switching brokerages? Switching brokerages is not unusual in the real estate industry. Yet, most agents think it’s much harder than it is. Reasons for leaving may vary from agent to agent. But, all you need to do is familiarize yourself with the process. Steps to Change Real Estate Brokerages Not every brokerage can meet your needs. When you’re ready for something new, you can always mix things up. Here is how you change your real estate brokerage. Do your research Call new brokerages Interview br ..read more

By Bettina Siochi A real estate license doesn’t mean you can only be a real estate agent. When you get your license, you can become a property manager in California. Property managers handle the paperwork and ensure the well-being of the property. A property manager is a licensed third party who manages the property for the landlord. It’s a job that’s in high demand! So, let’s explore what you need to do to become a property manager in California. Do You Need a Real Estate License to Become a Property Manager in California? In California, you do not need to get your real estate ..read more

By Elias Magers A real estate license packs a lot of perks. With a license, you can represent buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. But, that’s not the only way to see a real estate license. It’s a tool to make money and create the life you’ve always wanted. The benefits of a real estate license pay major dividends if you know how to use it in your favor. So, what can you do with a real estate license? A lot. Here’s a list of what you can do with one: Become a real estate agent Work part-time as a real estate agent Start a side hustle with referrals Become eligible for more r ..read more

By Elias Magers  A real estate license background check decides if you qualify to become an agent in California. The Department of Real Estate (DRE) requires all California license applicants to take one. This is because they want to maintain the integrity and safety of the industry. So, what happens when you want to get your real estate license but have a criminal history? Does this mean it can’t happen? Wrong! Even with a criminal background, you can still qualify for a license in California. In this article, you will learn what will disqualify you, how background ..read more