Becoming a real estate agent in California is fairly straightforward. However, there are a number of steps you must complete before you can start earning your first commission from a real estate transaction. You’ll need a license, which involves meeting prelicensing requirements such as completing 135 hours of coursework, a passing grade on the exam,…
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Zillow Premier Agent: Are Leads Worth Paying For?
Zillow is the largest real estate search engine on the internet, providing an effective platform for real estate agents to advertise with per-lead pricing starting at around $20. Attracting more than 36 million visitors per month, (ZPA) can help you get more views and leads, but is it worth the cost? According to the National…
The Ultimate Guide to Advertising on Zillow in 2021
Zillow is the largest real estate listing platform on the web, with more than 36 million monthly visitors. With Zillow advertising, agents can leverage this exposure to capture high-quality leads. Learn how to capture those leads by signing up for a Zillow Premier Agent (ZPA) account and use the advertising feature wisely. What Is Zillow…
Best Real Estate Companies to Work for in 2021
A real estate company is a brokerage—either national or local—that employs licensed real estate agents who represent local buyers and sellers. We compared 11 national real estate brokerages and chose the top six to work for based on commissions, fees, training, brand recognition, and marketing efforts. As a result, we found the top six real…
14 Real Estate Agent Tips for 2021
Success in real estate depends on an agent’s ability to negotiate deals, manage appointments, and serve clients. You also have to stay on top of industry news and trends. However, the best real estate agent tips for success are those that help generate a constant stream of high-quality leads. The following 14 tips will help…
How to Create Successful Real Estate Drip Campaigns (+ Examples)
A real estate drip campaign delivers scheduled emails―and sometimes text messages―to a lead. They are called drip campaigns because they are sent at regular intervals, but can also be triggered when leads take specific actions, such as clicking a link or replying. Over time, these messages build trust and increase sales. If you are ready…
The Ultimate Guide to Real Estate Referrals
A real estate referral is a term used to describe what happens when an agent is introduced to a potential new client through a mutual connection, whether that connection is a past client, fellow agent, or member of the community. It is also one of the cheapest and easiest ways to grow your business, making…
LionDesk vs Top Producer: Which Is Best for Agents?
LionDesk and Top Producer offer tools to help you keep track of correspondences and nurture client relationships. Both also offer real estate-specific integrations to help you manage marketing campaigns for your listings. However, LionDesk starts at $25 per month while Top Producer offers a more robust transaction management solution for $45 per user, per month,…
How to Renew Your California Real Estate License
California real estate agent license renewal must happen every four years to keep a license active; renewal requirements include the completion of 45 clock hours of mandatory continuing (CE) coursework and submission of course completion proof to the state of California. Coursework must be completed within 90 days of license expiration. These are the five…
Open House Follow-up Email Templates to Try Today
Open houses are one of the best ways to gain leads in real estate outside of working your sphere of influence. However, in order to nurture those leads, you need to establish a flow of communication. We have prepared several email templates you can use today to keep potential buyers engaged in the process. You…
13 Ways to Get Expired Listings
Expired listings are properties that are unsold by the listing’s expiration date and haven’t been renewed for sale. It’s possible for agents to get expired listings manually or through a paid lead source. Ultimately, expired listings are great for agents who want to capitalize on this niche or secondary market to boost sales. Real estate…
How to Become a Home Inspector in 8 Steps
Home inspectors conduct a thorough inspection of a home prior to purchase. With an average annual income of over $58,000, this career offers a solid living with a flexible schedule. However, you’ll need to get specific education and experience before you can start inspections. These are the eight steps to take to become a home…