The Importance of Mentorship in Real Estate: Finding the Right Guide for Your Career
Starting a career in real estate can be both exciting and challenging. At Greenwood Real Estate School, we understand that the path to becoming a successful agent is not always straightforward. Beyond the necessary pre-licensing courses and continuing education, having a mentor can be one of the most valuable tools for new agents. Mentors offer more
5 Steps to Passing Your Real Estate Licensing Exam on the First Try
Have you been considering a career in real estate? Earning your license is the first big step, and passing the real estate licensing exam on your first try is achievable with the right preparation. At Greenwood Real Estate School, we’re committed to helping you succeed. Here are five essential steps to ensure you're ready to pass
How to Navigate Advertising, Compliance, & Law Online
Real estate advertisements are an important way to market your business. However, one wrong choice of words can greatly impact you and possibly put you in court. Learn how you can advertise your business legally. Who is Responsible for an Advertisement? Whether you are a real estate agent or broker, you share the responsibility for your advertisements. If
How to Prepare for Counteroffers in Real Estate
Counteroffers are widely popular in real estate. As a big part of the transaction process, counteroffers take a lot of time and diligence. Here are ways to prepare your clients during this undertaking. What is a Counteroffer in Real Estate? A counteroffer is a negotiation between a potential buyer and the seller during the real estate transaction process.
5 Real Estate Misconceptions
Whether you’re working towards your real estate license or continuing your education, many rumors circulate about real estate. Here are five real estate misconceptions debunked. Agents Have a Lot of Time Flexibility Because real estate is not a 9-to-5 job, you might think you have the power to work when you want. That’s not always the case. Your
What Low-Interest Rates Mean for Agents in 2024
Homebuyers saw mortgage rates drop in December 2023 due to the Federal Reserve stopping their rise of inflation. Founder of Sahm Consulting and former economist for the Federal Reserve Claudia Sahm tells Relator.com, “The direction we’re headed is down this year, but how far down is a big question mark.” With both interest rates and mortgage rates
4 Home Maintenance Tasks to Never DIY
Gritty American homeowners often have a “Can Do!” attitude when it comes to home repairs and maintenance. From cleaning the gutters to painting the interior spaces and from power washing the deck to installing new window treatments, home tasks keep homeowners busy most weekends. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, “nearly 80%
The Risks & Rewards of Flipping Houses
Are you one of the millions of Americans who watch House Flippers, Flip or Flop or any of the other HGTV shows that show a home going from old and worn down to fresh and updated in a 30-minute segment? You may watch and think, “I can do that!” However, as real estate professionals know, there is
What Homeowners Should Know About Fixer-Uppers
Whether your buyers are intrigued by the idea of transforming a home from drab to fab or they just love those HGTV shows like Fixer Upper, there are a lot of things to consider when purchasing a fixer-upper in today’s real estate market. Let’s look at what a fixer-upper is and the pros and cons you may
Pros and Cons of A Part-Time Real Estate Career
When you make the decision to get into real estate, one of the biggest aspects to consider is whether you should make it a part-time or full-time career. After all, career changes have their risks and rewards, and this is a major source of income for you. Before starting, consider the pros and cons of a
Boost Your Fall Curb Appeal for Home Showings
Fall can be a great time for an open house in New England. It’s generally one of the prettiest times of the year, so house hunters from out of state can appreciate the beauty Massachusetts has to offer. Even better, you can offer them a cup of hot cider to warm up while you show them
Top Amenities Home Buyers are Looking For
As a real estate agent, it’s important to know what potential buyers are looking for in a house. That way you can emphasize these amenities on your listing and during open houses, which will result in them getting snatched up quickly. Or if you’re the handy sort, you can upgrade properties to have these desirable amenities
Can You Sell a “Haunted” House?
Halloween is upon us, so of course it’s the time of year when spooky stories are told, and one of the most common locations of these tales is a haunted house. From campfire tales to urban legends, people love to hear stories about ghosts and haunted houses, especially in a state like Massachusetts where some homes
Things to Know About Massachusetts Real Estate
Massachusetts is a great place to live. The state is full of history, has an exceptional education system, and its healthcare system frequently ranks high in national rankings. This makes it an ideal place to sell real estate, as just being in the state alone offers buyers great benefits. However, there are important things to know
What to Do Before Showing a Home
One of the most essential parts of selling real estate is showing a home. Whether it’s scheduled home viewings or an open house, these events give prospective buyers the opportunity to see the house up-close and in-person. But it’s not as easy as just opening the doors and letting people in. As a real estate agent,
What to Know About Closing a Home Sale
Whether you’re a real estate agent or a first time home buyer, closing on a home is the step you look forward to the most. Buying or selling a home is a long and complex process. However, this final step is what makes it worth all of that hard work. But there are vital things you
6 More Real Estate Terms Everyone Should Know
Whether you’re studying for the real estate license exam, an agent refreshing their lingo, or a first-time buyer who wants to understand what goes into buying and selling a house, it’s important to understand the industry terms. This way you can get the best deals, know what you’re doing, and thrive in the fast-paced real estate
Selling a House in an HOA
You’ve got this great property that you’re eager to sell, but it’s in a neighborhood that has an HOA. What does this mean for your sale? Does this add or take away from the property value? What is an HOA anyway? Here are a few things to know about selling a house that’s part of an
5 More Massachusetts Home Styles to Know
We’ve covered several common styles of houses you’ll come across as a real estate agent in New England, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. Massachusetts has an incredibly wide range of architectural styles and if you want to be successful, you need to know how to identify and sell them. Federal The stately Federal style
Selling a House with an Open Floor Plan
Open floor plans have been around since the 1950s thanks to the innovative architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He began designing homes that did not have walls separating the kitchen from the living room and dining room, instead creating an open area ideal for entertaining and socializing. By the 1990s, this style became the norm for many
Why You Shouldn’t Skip the Home Inspection
Time is money, and with how hot the real estate market is right now, you want to sell homes as fast as possible to make more profits. So you might be looking for steps to skip in the selling process. Because of how quickly houses are getting bought, many first-time home buyers feel they need to
Selling a House with an In-Law Suite
In-law suites are becoming increasingly common not only in Massachusetts but across the United States. Multigenerational living arrangements are becoming more and more popular. This can mean moving in an elderly relative or giving your adult-age kids their own space while they save up for their own place. In fact, Pew Research Center estimates that one
How to Use Virtual Reality in Real Estate
Virtual reality used to just be for video games, but over the past few years, it’s actually been a boon to real estate agents. The housing market was hot during the pandemic, but going out to meet a real estate agent in-person was risky. Virtual reality allowed home buyers to step into another property and view
Pitfalls of Flipping A House
Flipping a house looks fun, easy, and profitable, doesn’t it? Take a house that needs some major updates, make the renovations yourself, sell it at a higher value, and profit. It’s something you as a real estate agent might consider doing yourself, as you see tons of houses and know what house-hunters are really looking for. However,
Simple Tricks to Maximize Curb Appeal
In the real estate industry, first impressions of a house are critical. Whether it’s through marketing photos or in-person viewings, the first thing potential buyers see is the exterior of a property. Curb appeal is essential for making potential buyers interested and invested in the house. It makes them feel like they’re already home and will
Why You Shouldn’t Skimp on Real Estate Photography
A picture is worth a thousand words, and those words could make or break your next house sale. With how competitive the real estate business can be, you need to use every resource available to stand out and secure those sales. According to LinkedIn, realtors “spend approximately 30% more time on photo shoots when compared with other
Things to Know if Selling a House with A Pool
As a real estate agent in Massachusetts, you’re probably showing all kinds of properties, from historic Victorian homes to modern ranch houses. However, especially with the summer months on the way, if you have a property with a pool on your list, you need to know what you’re in for. You might think selling a house that
FAQs for Selling a House As-Is
So you’re selling a house that’s got a few issues. Perhaps the roof needs replacing, or there’s a leaky faucet. It’s understandable that your home has some small imperfections. After all, more than 30% of Massachusetts homes were built before 1940. The problem is, renovations aren’t as simple as they seem. They’re expensive if you hire professionals,
Dos and Don’ts of Home Staging
Whether you’re hosting an open house or taking photos for your real estate listing, staging a property is important. There are so many benefits of staging a property, including reducing the stress that comes from selling a home and faster sales. In fact, 40% of real estate agents cited that home staging had an effect on
3 Tips for Writing A Real Estate Business Plan
Real estate is a business, and like any other business, the success of the first year is crucial to making it long-term. Because of this, it’s vital to make a business plan. It’s practically a roadmap to success, providing directions and giving you destinations to head towards. Studies have shown that if you write a business plan
5 Must-Know Massachusetts House Styles
New England isn’t just known for its weather and beautiful foliage. It’s also known for its beautiful, iconic, and often historic homes. Massachusetts has over 400 years of architectural history, and there are many who might be looking to buy a home who are interested in a specific style. It seems like a minor thing to consider
Tips for Hosting a Great Open House
So you‘re a real estate agent with a house you’re looking to sell. That’s great! But it’s not as simple as putting a For Sale sign on the front lawn. People know better than to judge a book by its cover, or a house by its exterior. That’s why you need to host an open house
6 Real Estate Terms Everyone Should Know
Real estate can be intimidating. Whether you’re buying a house or looking to get into the business yourself, there are a lot of industry terms and buzzwords that you might not know and feel intimidated by. Don’t be. We’re here to give you a crash course of real estate terms you should know. Appraisal An appraisal is an
Home Disclosures in Massachusetts: What You Should Know
Home disclosures are a key thing to know about when selling a house. Real estate agents might not have to follow a strict code of ethics like Realtors do, but Massachusetts law does still require them to disclose certain information about the properties you sell. Just because Massachusetts follows the legal doctrine of caveat emptor -
Tips on Communicating With Real Estate Clients
A real estate agent is often juggling many parts of their jobs all at once. Making phone calls, scheduling appointments and showings, staying up-to-date on social media, taking appropriate courses to maintain current licensure and the list could go on and on. One of the more important parts of the job of being a successful real estate
How To Increase Real Estate Referrals
In a busy real estate market, how do you find new clients? Referrals are the most common way that realtors connect with new home buyers or sellers. That means realtors need to hustle constantly to stay connected with former clients and stay relevant on social media and within the industry as a whole. A recent Close 2021
Safety Tips For Real Estate Professionals
When thinking about professions that are dangerous, real estate agents don't usually make the top ten list. Sadly, real estate agents do need to be vigilant and aware as the dangers have been researched. According to a study conducted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 38% of real estate professionals have feared for their personal safety.
Benefits of Staging a Property
When considering life’s most stressful events or milestones, one would think that the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a career change would top the list of the most stressful experiences. Surprisingly enough, researchers have found it’s … moving! If moving is in your future, you may be seeking out ways to make it less
Study Tips for the Real Estate Exam
If becoming a licensed real estate professional is a future goal as you start your real estate career, then passing the realtors exam is top on your list of things to do this new year. Just like any exam, there are some tips and tricks that you may want to utilize that may help you study
The Importance of Continuing Education in the Real Estate Industry
Becoming a real estate agent is no easy task, once you finally pass the exam and receive your license, you’ll likely feel a lot of pressure relieved from your shoulders. Or, if you are an agent or broker who has held your license for a considerable amount of time, you likely dread the thought of having
Should I Be on Social Media as a Real Estate Agent?
Social media has taken the modern world by storm. Although it has been around for over a decade, some people still question whether they should be actively engaging on it, especially in a professional context. Social media is, however, one of the best marketing tools available to people who are looking to grow their own personal
How to Know if a Real Estate School is Right For You
Have you recently decided to pursue a career in real estate, or are you looking to renew your license and continue your education? Finding the right school can be difficult, especially with the abundance of options. There are, however, certain qualities you should look for in a school to determine if it is the right choice
How to Get Leads as a New Real Estate Agent
Part of maintaining a successful real estate career involves making sure that your client cycle is continuous. Although some situations may lend to multiple dealings, in order to keep continuity, it is important as an agent to constantly be getting new client leads. This can be one of the more difficult parts of the real estate
Should I Become a Real Estate Agent? How to Know if you Will Succeed
Have you been thinking about becoming a real estate agent? Maybe you are feeling unfulfilled in your career or you are interested in taking a professional path that will afford you a little more freedom in your day to day. No matter what your reasoning may be, if you are doubting whether or not you would
Study Tips For Passing Your Real Estate Course
Real estate school is very appealing to many people as it provides the opportunity to become licensed and working in a matter of weeks rather than the traditional four year higher education pathway. This quick certification process does not come without its caveats, however, as the process of studying for and passing your real estate course
Is Now A Good Time to Get Into Real Estate?
In our previous blog post, we discussed the tumultuous year that the real estate market recently experienced in America and reviewed potential trends for the year 2023. The patterns and trends experienced in the past year were as most things are these days, very unpredictable. Unpredictability can be both scary and exciting at times, but it
Dealing with High-Expectation Clients as a Real Estate Agent
In a perfect world, all client interactions would go smoothly and successfully, unfortunately, dealing real estate is a highly sensitive business, and things don’t always go as planned. Keep reading for our insider tips on how to navigate high-expectation clients and diffuse any hazardous problems you might encounter. Pre-Screen Clients Although it is natural to want to accept
How to Develop Your Real Estate Agent Brand
Part of establishing yourself as a real estate agent in your area involves your personal marketing. For better or worse, when you deal with real estate, people will mainly look to your online presence as an indicator of whether they should do business with you. In order to ensure that you are only helping and not hurting
Working with Renters as a Real Estate Agent
Although real estate agents are largely preferred by clients who are in the market to sell or buy homes and buildings, did you know that there is also a rather large opportunity to work with those who are seeking rentals. Although using a real estate agent for apartment searching may not be a necessity for everybody,
How to Successfully Manage Clients as a Real Estate Agent
Part of being a successful real estate agent involves having an advanced skill set of being able to effectively manage your clients. This, for many agents, is one of the most difficult aspects of their job. Unlike houses or figures, people are dynamic, they are unpredictable and sensitive to factors we can sometimes not control. There are
How to Stay Ahead of the Housing Market
As a real estate agent, clients will rely on you to be an expert on the market. Especially in recent years, the market has been incredibly intimidating and being able to stay in the know and ahead will be an incredibly important skill to perfect to have a successful career. Keep reading for our tips and
Is Real Estate a Lucrative Career Path?
Real estate is an industry with a wide range of opportunities to tailor your income, depending on the amount of work you put in and your skills, there is room to grow your financial standing by a significant amount. But just how realistic is this concept for the average person? How lucrative is a career in real
Qualities Home-Buyers Look for In Their Agent
Home-buyers are looking for an agent with a certain set of qualities and skills. Just like traits you might look for in a real estate mentor, home-buyers are looking for someone they can trust to guide them through a complicated process. When people are looking for their dream home or even their first home, they’re also
Am I Ready? Steps to Get to Your Real Estate License
Sometimes we wonder if we’re ready to take the next big step, especially when it’s outside our comfort zone. You know you want to do it, you want to try, but this one question keeps holding you back: “Am I Ready?” And when it involves making a career change, it can be all the more daunting. The
The Importance of Being Ethical as a Realtor
Both new and experienced real estate professionals have an obligation to their clients and community to be ethical. Scott Gordon, who is one of our licensed real estate instructors and brokers with over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry had this to say: “Ethics is the real estate industry’s foundation and the framework. Upon
Real Estate Agent vs. Real Estate Broker: What’s The Difference?
There are many terms and titles in real estate that have specific meanings. For example, real estate agents and real estate brokers are sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably. While both are practicing real estate professionals, there are some key differences. Let’s explore the differences between a real estate agent and a broker, so that you can be more informed
7 Tips For Working WIth First-Time Homebuyers
Working with first-time homebuyers can be both exciting and challenging. On the one hand, you are typically working with enthusiastic (albeit nervous) clients. On the other hand, there is a decent amount of real estate education that you will need to convey in the process. Today, let’s explore a few top tips for working with first-time
10 Tips For Starting A Career In Real Estate
The hardest part of any endeavor is getting started. Making a life change, especially when it comes to your career can be daunting. But we promise you that there is a light at the end of that very long tunnel in the form of a fulfilling new career in real estate. Here at Greenwood Real Estate School,
5 Tips For Selling Vacation Homes In New England
One of the best parts about living in New England is the diverse places to visit. From the long stretches of scenic beaches and oceanside in Massachusetts to awe-inspiring White Mountains in New Hampshire, there’s so much to see and do. Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Boston, North Conway, and so many more attract thousands of weekend, weeklong, and
6 Fun And Engaging Social Content Ideas For Real Estate Agents
The social media game is an important one for real estate agents. Social media allows agents, including newcomers and industry veterans, to maximize their reach and engage with their target audience. By staying active on social media, you can effectively build a positive professional image and reputation within your local community. But sometimes, it can be overwhelming to come
4 Tips For Hosting Open Houses In The Spring
Spring is a particularly special time for New Englanders. It feels like we can finally crawl out of our winter hideaways to enjoy the fresh air and warmer weather. As real estate agents, this provides an excellent opportunity to leverage these positive feelings at your springtime open houses. Not only will this create a more pleasant and engaging
How To Write The Perfect Real Estate Listing Description
Today, home and property buyers have so much information at their fingertips. With a simple swipe of the finger, thousands of real estate listings can populate a website or an app, allowing users to spend hours browsing through homes for sale. And while high-quality photos and imagery are critical, you will also need to write an enticing listing
Easy Ways Grow To Digital Marketing Skills For Real Estate
Digital marketing strategies are essential in today’s day and age, especially in the modern real estate market. Social media and digital marketing skills can provide short and long-term benefits, such as driving engagement, building your real estate reputation, and even capturing leads. This can seem daunting at first, especially if you have little to no prior experience
6 Key Skills That All Real Estate Agents Need
Every career, real estate included, requires skills. Sometimes these skills are more technical and other times more personal. Today, let’s take a look at a few personal skills that all real estate agents or salespeople need to possess to help sustain a successful career. Best of all, all of these skills can be developed over time with patience,
How Important Are Reviews And Testimonials in Real Estate?
We live in an age where every voice matters. We are an increasingly interconnected digital society, where we rely on each other’s personal experiences to decide which products or services are right for us. Now, you may think of online reviews as rating your favorite (or least favorite) restaurant on platforms such as Yelp. However, these reviews are
8 Great Ways To Generate Solid Real Estate Leads
1. Build And Leverage Your Professional Network One of the best ways to generate leads is by continually seeking new ways to expand your network. However, while networking is a great tactic to create leads down the road, remember to keep your interactions authentic. By staying friendly, passionate, and building genuine relationships, you’ll significantly increase your chances
4 Tips For Selling Historic Homes In Massachusetts
As a state ripe with American history, there are quite a few historic properties in Massachusetts. If you find yourself in a position to sell one of these properties, there are a few key things that you will want to know. What Is Considered A Historic Property? There are a couple of factors that decide whether or not
Switching To A Real Estate Career? Here Are Our 5 Best Tips
Have you been thinking about a career change recently? Whether you seek to realign your career with your passion or you’re simply looking for a new adventure to take on, changing your career is actually a pretty common occurrence. According to Zippia.com, “The average person changes jobs 12 times in their lifetime, according to the latest available
Top 5 Study Tips For Acing Your Real Estate Exam
Taking a test is never easy. Nor is it anyone’s favorite way to spend their day. However, scoring passing marks on your real estate exam is essential for receiving your license and starting the next chapter of your real estate career. It comes as no surprise that the best way to pass your test is by… you
5 Easy Ways To Market Yourself As A Rookie Real Estate Agent
It can be overwhelming knowing where to start when you’re new to the real estate game. As a rookie real estate agent, you’re the small fish in a massive pond. But, fret not, my little fishy. There are many ways to spread your name out in the wild and start gathering some wins, especially when it
Top 4 Social Media Platforms For Real Estate Agents
Social media. It's a concept that both excites and intimates individuals across the globe, especially when it comes to using social media as a professional real estate agent. However, when utilized correctly, social media can prove to be an invaluable tool to boost your exposure and networking capabilities. Today, let’s go over our top 4 recommended social
8 Qualities To Look For In A Real Estate Mentor
When it comes to learning an industry, having a mentor can provide unmatched real-world guidance, support, hands-on education, and experience, especially in the real estate industry. Mentors can also open avenues for further networking and career development. One should be on the lookout for many qualities when seeking a mentor to help nurture their real estate career
Picking Out The Perfect Closing Gift For Your Clients
For real estate agents, there’s nothing much more satisfying than closing a sale and knowing that you have helped your clients find the perfect home. However, the relationship between client and real estate agent doesn’t end there. Remember, this industry bases success heavily on word-of-mouth and goodwill, allowing clients to help you spread the word of your
5 Tips For Creating Holiday Displays That Can Help Sell A Home
Isn’t there just something special and magical about the holiday season? This time of year tends to bring warm, cozy feelings throughout many homes. For some real estate agents, this could present a great opportunity to decorate your properties currently on the market. In doing so, you may allow potential buyers to imagine themselves putting up their
A Guide To Writing The Perfect Holiday Card For Your Clients
This time of the year presents an excellent opportunity for some positive outreach, networking, and the chance to simply say thank you to your clients. By doing something small, such as sending a holiday card to your clients, you can help spread goodwill and also keep your name on their minds. In today’s blog, let’s take a