Last night I had the extreme good fortune to attend the Installation of Barry Zwahlen as President of the Contra Costa Association of Realtors® (CCAR). I say it was “extreme good fortune” for multiple reasons, which are too numerous to mention. But, perhaps the foremost reason is that since my wife, Diane Gilfether was the…
Change comes to all of us in one form or another and in many different ways. Change can be welcome or unwelcome. It can be embraced or it can be fought. It can also mean many things depending on whether it’s a verb, noun or intransitive verb (whatever THAT is!). But, in my case, the…
I know a lot of agents and brokers that do not like the emergence of online players such as Zillow and Trulia. I was involved in many "water cooler" talks when these sites first came out. In fact, many of those conversations revolved around the inaccuracy of the information contained on those sites. Many of…
This is a bit off topic, but after I read this, I just had to share it with you. Too many times we believe that technology and technology tools can provide the “wow” factor to win the day in our listing presentations. Of course the appropriate use of the relevant technology is important, but some…
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months, you should be well aware that big changes are coming in the way we do real estate. Today’s Wall Street Journal provided a fairly well-balanced report on the $418 million settlement reached between NAR and the plaintiffs in the commission lawsuits. One…
In an era where digital presence is as crucial as your real-world interactions, real estate agents must harness the power of content marketing to stay ahead. As we delve into 2024, it’s clear that the agents who stand out are not just those with the best listings but those who can engage, inform, and resonate…
Leveraging technology to gain an edge is crucial. One such technological advancement is ChatGPT, an AI-driven tool that can transform the way you work. But to truly harness its power, understanding and utilizing Custom Instructions is key. This feature, available only in the paid version of ChatGPT 4, allows agents to tailor the AI’s responses…
We are in the final quarter of 2023, so it’s time to start planning 2024! There are any number of business planning tools available to you, but most assume that you are actually prepared to get started. To ensure a smooth path forward in your 2024 business planning, I’ve compiled some crucial considerations with the…
I’m sure you have heard old timers say that direct mail has become obsolete, but reality paints a different picture. Depending on where you live, you may receive direct mail from top agents in your area. Top real estate agents continue to leverage this traditional method, and there’s a reason for that – it’s effective. …
Navigating the dynamic landscape of the real estate industry requires more than just a sharp mind and a keen understanding of the market. It demands the right tools to streamline operations, improve productivity, and deliver excellent client service. Let’s explore the ultimate tech toolkit for real estate agents, focusing on hardware, software, smartphone apps, and…
