A simple text message can set a chain reaction of events that can lead to a transaction. You dropping in to say hi can quickly lead to a referral you wouldn’t otherwise have. What is stopping you from casually sending a text message to your past clients?

With summer a recent memory it’s hard to believe we are now in the season of pumpkin spice lattes and wool sweaters! If Halloween is sneaking up on your this year, it’s time to get into the spooky spirit.  With Halloween around the corner, you have a great reason to create a fun marketing campaign and reach your existing database as well as attract new leads!

On this edition of Agent Insights we feature guest blogger Mary Jo Quay, an experienced agent from Edina, MN with over 20 years of experience. She shares with us 12 things agents must never do in a real estate transaction. For more from Mary Jo be sure to check out her website and Active Rain profile! 

When it comes to real estate, you should expect the unexpected. It's Murphy's Law, not Murphy's Theory afterall. We look at an almost endless list of spontaneous event out of your control that can kill a transaction, and what you can do to prevent it from happening. If you don't see your favorite on this list, then it may appear in a future list!

Are you looking to become a real estate agent? Or are you a veteran of the industry, and need a reminder why you do what you do? What exactly is a real estate agent anyway? Besides the obvious avatar on behalf of a buyer or seller to coordinate real estate transactions.

On this edition of Agent Insights we feature guest blogger Amanda Thomas, owner of Providence Group Realty in Plano, TX. She poses the question: Do Open Houses work in real estate? Spoiler alert, it is not that Open Houses don't work...but that some agents are not doing it correctly. For more from Amanda be sure to check out her website and Active Rain profile! 

When looking for a home inspector, there are a few key traits to look for. The choice you make can reflect on you. If you end up using an inspector that rubs your clients the wrong way, this puts you in danger of bad online reviews, lack of referrals, and lack of repeat business. While some clients will brush it off, why put them through that? Here are a few qualities to consider when looking for a home inspector.

On this edition of Agent Insights we feature guest blogger Lisa Heindel, a real estate broker from New Orleans, LA. She caught our eye because she makes excellent use of video in her online presence. See for yourself by checking out Crescent City Living LLC's YouTube channel. our team here has a soft spot for animals. She shares with us some insight on how to speak to your real estate buyers and sellers. For more from Lisa be sure to check out her website and Active Rain profile!

There is a misconception that real estate agents should educate themselves on regarding online real estate leads that don't leave a phone number. The assumption is that these are bad leads that are a waste of time. Incorrect! Much like how there is no good news or bad news, just "news"...it is your perspective that is hurting your real estate transactions. Read more to find out why.

With sites like Zurple, Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com, consumers have more power over their home search. They can begin their online search one week, 2 months, or years before they’re ready to work with an agent. And this can have an adverse effect on your marketing budget. If you generate leads online, chances are you’ve captured leads that don’t plan on buying or selling months or even years from now. To focus on your transaction-ready leads, you’ll need to weed out those that will likely never return to your website. Continue reading to uncover what percentage of real estate leads are never likely to return to your website.