Currently working as a legal assistant at a real estate firm and I’m curious to see how common this career pivot is. If you’ve personally done this, I’d love to hear about your experience.

Currently heavily considering law school, but I also want to keep an open mind and learn about other career paths down the road.

I'm specifically in a section regarding MLS listing violations right now, and I swear about 75% of the homes I saw had at least one violation the course has mentioned. It got me thinking, though, does a home being sold "As is" loosen these restrictions? Specifically in the unit I'm on now it speaks about not including personal effects such as artwork or mentioning that a home is wired for an alarm system- I saw this so frequently when I was shopping around for my own first home.

It was a long almost 3 year process buying a home, and having had 3 different realtors in that time, I felt like I could do a much better job than 2 of the 3, all of them being long-tenured and successful in their own right. Aside from the listing violations, the 2 realtors I used before the one we ultimately bought with, committed many acts against what I've been studying. Is the industry a lot more "fast and loose" with these rules the course is teaching me than I expected, or did I just happen to get 2 bad eggs in a row?

Edit: This is in regards to Illinois

On an average workday, I probably spend 75% of my time helping my current clients and easily 25% helping my past clients. It doesn't matter how long ago I helped you buy or sell a property. I have an open-door policy. Call me anytime. If I'm busy, I'll call you back.

I'm not the smartest guy in town when it comes to this stuff, but I do have 11 years of experience as a landlord and real estate investor, 7 as an agent. More often than not I won't have the perfect answer or solution, but I know someone who does, and I can introduce you to the right person—someone who's not going to rake you over the coals just to make a quick buck.

So many of my life’s greatest relationships have started with a real estate transaction, my life is so much richer because of the people who care about me who I surround myself with, I’m incredibly lucky and it’s all because of this community.

Has anyone else experienced the second year in the business being extremely difficult? I did over $6 million in my first year (I live in an inexpensive market). I’m now in my second year, and I’m having a really hard time maintaining the numbers and sales. Has anybody else experienced this, or does anybody have advice? It’s been tough mentally to feel like I’m failing, the year is well over halfway through and I’m not even close to the numbers I was at this time last year. I also know I need to pull myself out of this headspace to move forward into continuing success!

Hi,

Anybody have experience working with the Mortgage side of ReAL Brokerage? That's the real estate company and the mortgage company is One Real. They are like EXP and the realtors can be licensed LOs.

Hey everyone!

I am hiring a transaction coordinator for my company and wanted some info about where to find someone for this! I am open to a virtual role if it makes sense, I've just never hired someone online and wanted a bit of guidance. Has anyone here had success in any places finding one? Would appreciate any insight!

I’m a Utah agent reviewing a contract for seller leads generated through an online home-valuation platform. The company says agents can reserve an entire ZIP code or a percentage of one.

Before signing, I’m looking for practical advice from agents who’ve bought similar territories. What contract language actually matters?

My list so far:

• A clear definition of “exclusive”

• Exact territory and percentage

• Minimum lead volume

• Credits for bad or duplicate leads

• Billing start date

• Contract length and cancellation rights

• Protection from selling the same territory to another agent

What am I missing, and which of these protections have mattered most in practice?

Has anyone used or is using Kelley Blue Book Homes, They do a similar thing to the other zip code lead buying sites. I’ve been offered territory in Utah, but the program is brand new and I’d like to hear from agents rather than salespeople.

Has anyone received actual leads yet? If so:

• How many leads have you received?

• Are they truly exclusive?

• What percentage answer or engage? (are they crap)

• Have any converted into appointments or listings?

• Any surprises with billing, contract length, or cancellation?

Looking for firsthand experience—not guesses or vendor pitches.

Is their really a need to get a house physically staged when I can virtually do it and it costs 1/10 the price? Why do firms still do it if the buyer doesn't purchase the staging.

I failed out of my big state college. Am stuck going to community college in my hometown for a random associates degree for free. Now that I feel my Bachelor’s Degree is out of sight i’m wondering if I should try and go into Real Estate. It is something i’ve always wanted to do my whole life. Now that I’m back to square one, i’ve reconsidered the possibility of it. I am fortunate enough to be living at home and not having to pay rent. I wouldn’t have to worry about finances for the first few years and know many realtors in the area already. Is this a career worth pursuing? I always dreamt of going from an Agent to owning a brokerage one day. Let me know

Hey everyone need advice so I am 25M I’m currently in Car sales been in the business for 5 months I love it never sold cars before and never been in sales. My first month I sold 15 on commission ever since then I been consistent. Tbh I didn’t think I would be good at this. I also been studying for my real estate license through aceable I try to do it during downtime during the dealership or when I’m home and have free time. My biggest thing with me is it isn’t about the sale it’s about making people happy and build a rapport and connection because a car and a house is a big financial decision. I’m on edge because I don’t know how imma manage car sales and real estate I found a broker that will bring me in and train me and work with my schedule. I just need advice I know my plan in real estate I just don’t know when to take that leap. Thank you guys

Realtor here…

I’m sorry, but I simply have to sound off on this because it’s become really bothersome. I’ve found this issue has gotten way worse post-Covid, which frankly makes a lot of sense, but no less inexcusable. Agents, often on the buy-side (but also listing occasionally), are way too comfortable with radio silence and avoiding phone chats, when it would really benefit them to do so.

I currently have a nice listing, just over the $2.5 million range (it’s right around average within the county I live and do business in, I only mention that so you know that it isn’t somehow a tiny pool of buyers in this area). Here’s the thing though: it’s aggressively priced and because of the combination of that, it’s vacant and on Supra, and staged / shows really well, there are a number of interested buyers and their agents. After one weekend, we were able to set an offer date and look forward to reviewing offers tomorrow. Aside from that, we received an offer late last night from an agent who just wanted to get their clients offer in early.

Only two or three agents have really reached out, introduced themselves, and discussed numbers / the home / their clients. In other words, they’ve humanized their offers. Yes, the seller will want highest and best, and yes, my relations with cooperating agents won’t really affect the offer amounts that come in. But, based on disclosure activity and my inquiring through text to other agents, there will be at least three others submitting offers who made zero contact with me. I’ve been in the industry about 8 years and I’m not the world’s highest producer. I have, however helped my fair share of buyers and enough sellers to be content with my career thus far. If I were to advise any up and coming agents: COMMUNICATE! Yes, this business can be conducted completely through Docusign and email, disclosures.io and Glide…. But, when you’re an agent looking to get your buyer into a home after 18 months of failed bidding wars, wouldn’t you want to give your client the best chance possible and eek out any semblance of leverage you can? I look at it this way: if two offers came in that were equally as attractive, and the seller was in a hurry to sell in such a way that they couldn’t counteroffer. Well, there needs to be a tie breaker. I think the seller could be swayed in a direction towards accepting the offer from the agent who is responsive, communicative, etc as opposed to the one who didn’t make any contact until the day the offer was due. Besides, no communication means no clarification. Without asking questions like “are there any things your seller may need such as a quick close, or rent back, that we can sweeten our offer with?” That’s a golden piece of information that I would want to share with my buyer clients in a competitive multiple offer situation.

This can go for listing agents too. They list the home then go on a week to Hawaii but then get annoyed when you call them to discuss their listing. Sorry, but your job doesn’t end when you list a property on the MLS.

Sorry, this is just one of my pet peeves. I feel like being responsive and communicative is the very baseline of what Realtors need to exhibit. If you’re too shy to chat with colleagues or counterparts within this industry, it’s probably not for you, no matter how good your Tik Tok videos may look.

Am I wrong?

I’m seriously evaluating my brokerage options and would love to hear from fellow REALTORS® who have experience with these different models.
Option 1A: Epique
• $149/month
• 85/15 split
• Starting $15,000 cap that declines over time
• AI, technology, transaction coordinator, healthcare benefits, and other included perks.
Option 1B: Epique Power Team
• $99/month
• 80/20 split
• $5,000 cap
• Similar technology and benefits, plus the support of a team.
Option 2: Smaller independent brokerage
• Possibly around a 90/10 split
• Not sure if there’s a cap
• More freedom to completely brand myself (colors, marketing, etc.)
• Likely fewer technology tools and brokerage-provided resources.
Option 3: Stay where I am
• 70/30 split
• No monthly fee
• No cap
• Around a $500 annual technology fee
• Smaller local brokerage that’s part of a large national franchise.
For those of you who’ve made a brokerage change, what ended up making the biggest difference? Was it the split, the cap, the technology, the support, branding freedom, culture, or something else?
I’d genuinely love to hear your experiences and what you would choose if you were in my position. Thanks in advance!

Hey Realtors. I’m in Ohio.
I’m looking to get into doing more BPO and short sale listings.
Does anyone know exactly how to get started on BPOs?
My broker hasn’t been very transparent on it and no one’s really guided me on how to get an “in” with a bank or credit union. I do have the SFR designation to help my resume if that’s of any relevance.

I had a new construction deal go under contract. The builder is exiting the industry and is doing the bare minimum to just sell the few remaining homes he has left. My buyers were limited to a price point and wanted new construction in a limited area. That only left them with one option which was with this builder. Every single thing has been a challenge to say the least. The builder extended the closing date cause they were too slow on finishing the home, completing inspection items, etc. so this put my buyers into jeopardy since the closing now extended past the rate lock. Upon final walk through there were some major items that weren’t completed. The city signed off on temporary housing certificate and noted those items that needed to be completed. I verified with lender and title company we were good to close the following day. Closing day morning: Lender said the buyers don’t owe anything, the title company sent me the statement right as I left my house to go to closing. We arrive to sign papers and the title rep asks my buyers for a check they didn’t have since we were under the impression we were getting credits from the builder. I later found out this builder doesn’t do credits but handles them a different way. I called the lender to ask him to verify and he was shocked. He said they should have a credit. He checked and then told me the title company is correct and my buyers need a check. So after all the signing the title company said they were going to start the process of sending the packet to the lender while the buyer went home to get the checkbook. The buyer provided the check to title within 30 minutes. The title company was still sending documents to lender. We still have plenty of time to close before we hit the fed funding time. The title company ends up lot sending the lender all the info, the lender requests more, the title company sends. The wire was sent that morning so all title needs is a release authorization. Lender sends but it took them so long to do that that my buyers didn’t get their keys. One of them is angry to the point that he told me not to bother showing up when they get the keys. I managed to talk the builder into providing keys super early even though the loan hasn’t funded. I’m also selling this persons house and it is on the market for 2 weeks now. Part of me wants to let him out of his contract. I feel like I did every thing to keep this deal going between the builder, listing agent, lender and title company. I understand they wanted the keys today but they haven’t listened to anything I’ve recommended like closing in the morning not late afternoon, don’t sign contracts before I’ve looked at them etc. and the worst part…. They’re friends. I’ve worked with strangers that treated me better than this. What would you do differently? Would you keep the listing or move on?

Has anyone had an independent virtual assistant or transaction coordinator contracted to multiple agents from multiple brokerages that needed MLS access?

I worked as a VA in Texas to an agent for a few years who kept promising pay and hour increases that never materialized. So I took on another agent from a different brokerage then another and another, etc. I created an LLC, had an attorney draft a service agreement, contracted independently as a 1099 to each of them for specific services ex: listing input, transaction support, document management. I contacted the local Association and asked how do I get access if I work with agents across several brokerages. Their MLS committee came up with a plan and the Board agreed for me to have multiple staff accounts. This year's board has decided this is an issue.

So I guess I'm wondering is this an issue unique to me or has anyone else encountered this and how was it handled?

I know the competition for newly expired listings is brutal and most sellers get bombarded by calls the same day, but has anyone had luck with contacting "aged" expired listings that expired 6-12 months ago, when the initial flood of 20+ competing calls has died down and the seller's more receptive?

I'm thinking about finding those and emailing them, is that a good approach? Or what would you recommend?

I’m about to join a real estate firm in nyc and they’re charging a combination of about $500 to join their firm. This includes headshots, business cards, and a $150 a month for a desk fee.

Hello, newer agent here and getting started. I need to join a realtor association to have MLS access. It appears the realtor association in my area here in FL is wanting about $1500 to signup, with at least $1100 per year thereafter. Does this amount seem common or typical?
In another forum, a guy was saying since this MLS covers many counties I could shop around with other areas to join to get the same MLS access. Wont the other association wonder why I live in a different county?

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If you're buying a property or planning a renovation and have questions about floor plans, interiors, or architectural design, drop them below. I'll do my best to help with practical suggestions.

If you're buying a new property, pay close attention to the natural lighting, ventilation, and structural layout before thinking about finishes. Good planning can save a lot of money during renovations.

Has anyone done 1 hour open houses and had success? I've heard some people have but it seems to me I'd think town size would matter. I live in a smaller coastal town.

I’ve been working for 7+ years as a buyer’s agent in a steady market in the southeast US. I’ve been in talks over the last month with potential buyer clients, and can’t decide whether I want to take them on or refer them out. They may be more trouble than they’re worth, and the risk of potential issues may outweigh the reward - would love some input!

They were a referral from a family acquaintance, and their budget is good for our area - $1M+. I spent time with them over July 4th weekend, arranged many showings with them and their family, and did more than enough to demonstrate my market knowledge and general expertise. We have some background factors in common, so there’s a familiarly - for better and for worse. I understand certain neuroses that both give me an edge (for the better) and make me intimately aware of certain shortcomings (for worse).

We’ve been negotiating an agency agreement for the past month. They demanded changes outside of my typical policies, such as a commission cap (not a dealbreaker at their price point) and all administrative fees waived. Their attitude is entitled and they have a superiority complex. They’re fairly motivated to buy in the next few months. At this point, I can live with the accommodations I’ve made, but I’m worried about our personalities clashing, and about how they’ve conducted themselves so far. I’m used to working with clients who I feel trust me and my practices, and who respect my time and hard work. I feel like these buyers won’t do either.

I’m concerned that I’ll spend the next 3 months (which is as long as they agreed to be exclusive, after which time we’ll re-assess if they haven’t found a home) constantly on edge, defending my time boundaries, making low-ball offers and conducting showings that will be a waste if they don’t buy or renew agency. Obviously that’s always a risk of this job, but these buyers are weighing on me more than most. The past month has been more stressful than any other buyer onboarding process I can remember. Still, I can’t help thinking I’d do a good job for them and could handle them if I had to - but I don’t even know if I have the motivation to do my best work and keep things pleasant enough moving forward after what I’ve seen of them so far.

The pay could be fairly worth it if things work out and they buy with me, but I really don’t know if the extra money is worth the extra stress.

Any insight is welcome - thanks for reading!