On this edition of Agent Insights we feature guest blogger Robert Rauf, a mortgage lender from Toms River, NJ. Some of this information is specific to New Jersey, but the tips can benefit most real estate agents. For more from Robert be sure to check out his website and Active Rain profile! 

Today is a solemn day. We here at Zurple would like to take a moment to recognize all those who have fallen protecting our country's freedom. The real estate industry is truly a shining example of the American dream. To be able to put in the work and build wealth through almost nothing but determination and gumption is a freedom we sometimes take for granted. If it weren't for our troops risking their lives to protect our constitutional rights, none of us would be able to live our dreams or reach our goals.

Summer is right around the corner and there is a little more daylight to see homes. Or maybe your kids are on vacation, so you want to take a trip to some place nice. The trouble is, real estate agents don't get a vacation too...or DO they? The trouble is, having an empty social media profile can give the impression that you are no longer in real estate. 

As the old adage goes—“The fortune is in the follow-up.” While the ways in which you can follow up with real estate leads have improved considerably in recent years, the fundamentals haven’t changed. However, these new opportunities have brought about some new twists and turns today’s real estate agents must be able to properly navigate in order to convert interested prospects into lifelong customers. 

On this edition of Agent Insights we feature guest blogger Richie Alan Naggar, a real estate agent and author from Riverside, CA. For more from Richie be sure to check out his website and Active Rain profile! 

You know what real estate agents wish they had? LESS BUSINESS OBVIOUSLY. Having a reliable steadystream of income through consistent lead generation is such an obstacle. Sarcasm aside, if you are looking to INCREASE your business, then don't do any of these 5 hacks that will decrease it.

Along with complex decision-making processes and long sales cycles, lead generation is undoubtedly one of the most challenging aspects of real estate marketing. There’s a common misconception that once a lead has successfully entered the sales funnel, business will immediately pick up.

On this edition of Agent Insights we feature guest blogger DJ Morris, a real estate broker and owner of Springbok Realty in Jupiter, FL. For more from DJ be sure to check out his website!

At one point in the lead generation process, you had what seemed to be a hot real estate lead in the palm of your hand, carrying with it the promising opportunity for new business. And then…it turned cold. Your e-mails went unread. Your calls went unanswered. "Bueller...? Bueller...?"