Referrals are the ultimate gravy train for business growth, but they’re also a testament to the level of service you provide. Here are ways to stay top-of-mind with your satisfied clients. Difficult to measure, almost impossible to track, but incredibly influential: These are the traits of word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing. According to a study by Nielsen Co., 92 percent of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over other forms of marketing. While WOM cannot be controlled, it can be encouraged. So here are four tips to make WOM your next powerful ma…

These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, you may be ready to move. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Check your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out how much you’ve paid down. Usually you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as monthly payments are mostly interest. But if you’ve owned your home for five or more years, you may have significant, unrealized gains. Has your income…

To protect possibly the most important investment you’ll ever make – the investment in your home. With a title insurance policy, you as owner, have an indemnity contract that will reimburse you for loss in the event someone asserts a claim against your property that is covered by the policy. How can there be a title defect if the title has been searched? Title insurance is issued after a careful examination of copies of the public records. But even the most thorough search cannot absolutely assure that no title hazards are present, despite the knowledge and experience of professional…

It is important to have a general discussion with your sellers about the customary practice for home inspections in your market. Buyers who attend inspections with contractors or home inspectors can ask questions and be involved in the process. Negotiating is all about a give and take so that each party feels like the deal they have worked out is fair. Home inspections and repairs can be a tedious part of the sales process. It can feel like having to break the news to a seller that their child is flawed. Or it might be a part of the buying process…

Wire fruad is a real thing. Watch this short video for tips to help protect your money when using a wire to transfer funds. Your browser does not support the video tag. …

What is a Quit Claim Deed? A deed that does not imply that the grantor holds title, but that surrenders and gives to the grantee any possible interest or rights that the grantor may have in the property. With a Quit Claim Deed, you will inherit any encumbrances or defects in the title to the property and it comes with no guarantees. Quit Claim Deeds are typically used in situations where the grantor is transferring ownership between family members. What is a Warranty Deed? A deed in which the grantor provides certain guarantees, such as that the grantor held…

•What are Letters of Authority (LOA)? A Document filed within the probate of an estate that appoints a personal representative to act as a fiduciary of the estate, including the right to sell property, unless the LOA includes restrictions against certain actions. LOAs should be recorded with the Register of Deeds. •How long are Letters of Authority good for? For 1 year after the estate has been closed, if the letters do not contain an expiration date. •Do the Letters of Authority authorize a personal representative to convey real estate to him or himsel…

One of the biggest questions we receive is about Ladybird Deeds. What is a Ladybird Deed? Will it stop my seller from selling their home? The owner has died and per the children there is a Ladybird deed recorded, what do we do next? My client wants to place a Ladybird Deed on their home, how do they go about doing so? So, what exactly is a Ladybird Deed …. A Ladybird Deed is also known as an Enhanced Life Estate. This is a deed in which the grantor transfers the property to him/herself, retaining the right to transfer or encumber the property duri…

Specific details regarding your ownership rights and the way you hold title over real estate can be found in your property deed. There are several ways a person can hold title. Whichever option you choose can have a significant impact on your ability to transfer ownership rights in the future. Here are some common ways to hold title to real estate. Common Ways To Hold Title: TENANCY BY THE ENTIRETIES: A tenancy which is created between a husband and wife and by which together they hold title to the whole with right of survivorship so that, upon th…

How to Farm a Neighborhood Using Just a Postcard & a Landing Page Farming a neighborhood doesn’t have to mean endless mailings, expensive flyers, or door knocking. With today’s tools, you can dominate a farm with a simple, smart, and affordable system: postcard + landing page + follow-up. Step 1: Pick the Right Farm Choose 200–300 homes where you want to build market share. Look for turnover (5%+ per year is ideal). Bonus: Target areas where you already know homeowners or past clients. Step 2: Send a Postcard with a QR Code Your postcard should be clean,…