Most organizations have a lot of rules regarding the professional appearance of employees. Long hair (for men), body piercings, and tattoos are usually frowned upon in the corporate culture. Does the same go for the real estate industry? Let’s find out. Can Tattoos Hurt Your Career As A Real Estate Agent? Here’s the thing: a lot of people these days have tattoos. In fact, you may be surrounded by colleagues who have a piercing or a tattoo, and you might not even know it. But does having a tattoo affect how hard-working a Real Estate agent is? Does a navel piercing reduce the efficien ..read more

If you’re considering switching careers to real estate, you might be wondering, “How much money do real estate agents make?” This is a great question and one we get asked often by our students who are getting their real estate license. Planning ahead to know how much you can expect to earn before starting a new career will help you understand how much to save to support you as you start your career,  and how to adjust your budget during the career transition period. We surveyed our real estate agents across the country to learn what their annual earnings are, and what factors have affecte ..read more

In today’s day and age, there’s no reason for you as a real estate agent, broker, or brokerage as a whole –  to not have a social media presence. But in all seriousness, like Nike says... "Just Do It"!  So, how do you know which one to do it on?  With SO many social media platforms out there to choose from, how do you know where to start? It can be confusing and frustrating! Especially for us agents who just want to focus on what we love most- selling real estate and working with clients! So if you feel like this... read on... To help cut through the noise, I have bro ..read more

If your customers can't find you online, how can they count on you to properly market their home online? In this day and age, all agents need to establish an online presence. What most agents fail to understand is that it's not just through social media. When a client is truly interested in buying or selling a home, they start by searching online. In fact, 92% of buyers and sellers start their real estate process by researching online, first.  With that stat fresh in your mind let's discuss the 10 reasons why you as an agent should have a real estate website!   Property Searches In a ..read more

There is a BIG misconception about what you can do with a real estate license. Most people immediately think of a residential real estate agent. And while that is true- 67% of the time, there are several other careers to consider when you do get your license. 10 REAL ESTATE CAREER PATHS Real Estate Agent- a state-licensed professional who represents buyers and sellers in a residential real estate transaction. Real Estate Managing Broker- Brokers have what is considered a higher license level than an agent. They often manage a brokerage firm or assist in the overall management of a brokerage f ..read more

Getting clients to buy and sell with you can seem like a daunting task when you are a new real estate agent. Most rookies need a few months to gain traction- but where should they start? And what will work the quickest? Every agent has to tap into their own strengths and develop a prospecting and marketing plan that works for them. If you don't have a business and marketing plan yet, try ours to get you started.  So let's get to it! Here are the Top 10 Ways Rookies Can Build Their Customer Base. #1 SILENT SHOPPER The first marketing piece any brand new agent should get is business ca ..read more

Buyers and sellers are becoming more and more educated about real estate transactions, but they also don’t know what they don’t know. Am I right? As a result, agents must answer more and more questions from buyers and sellers about their commission rates. This can be a sensitive topic, after all, it’s about money, and agents have to get paid for their work just like anybody else. So, what do you say to a client who wants you to take a lower commission?    Nope- don't scream! Nobody likes to hear a client say that, essentially, you make too much money and you should be willing to tak ..read more

It's definitely a seller's market across most of the country. Meaning competition is FIERCE! Buyers and their agents try to come up with ways to differentiate themselves from other buyers submitting offers. Price is certainly a contender. But at the end of the day if you don't have the cash to bring to the table should there be a low appraisal- that idea will only get you so far.   Other methods of making a seller notice your offer include submitting photographs or letters from the buyer. Each has been known to work, but are they the right thing to do? With respect to ..read more

So you want to become a real estate agent? It's a BIG move to make- but OH SO WORTH IT! Many people who enter the field of real estate come from diverse backgrounds. Like sales, marketing, corporate desk jobs to even stay-at-home moms and dads.  Everyone has different reasons why they think real estate is the best career choice for them- but that doesn't mean you won't ask yourself this one question: "How do I become a real estate agent?" We have the answer! First, to become a real estate agent in your state it does require you to attend a real estate school to obtain ..read more

We are honored here at The Real Estate Marketing Institute® to be recognized as the nation's top training and coaching firm for Real Estate Agents! REALTOR® Magazine interviewed Kris Ford, Founder, and Trainer in their recent issue. Check it out here! ORIGINAL ARTICLE The Path to Becoming a Real Estate Trainer Learn how three women have built names for themselves as coaches while maintaining their successful real estate businesses. During Kris Ford’s first year in real estate, she used her background in media and marketing to create a digital marketing and brand awareness strategy on soc ..read more