A Guide to Understanding the Housing Market

The housing market is an integral part of the US economy. It is a complex, dynamic system. Several factors contribute to its fluctuations. Various factors drive the demand for housing. In addition, other factors, such as divorces and deaths, affect the demand for housing. According to experts, the US real estate market is expected to grow 7.4% to 16% by the end of 2022, with the supply and demand mismatch still favoring sellers.

Housing is the most significant portion of monthly expenditures. It exceeds the cost of the other two primary necessities, food, and transportation, put together. Housing accounts for 29% of the total, with food and transportation accounting for 10% and 13%, respectively.

This statistic isn’t that surprising. It’s common for housing expenses to take up a more significant portion of our budgets. However, with house prices and rent continuously rising, this percentage will continue to increase. Besides food and gas, inflation has also affected other expenses, such as rent. Across the country, the average rent price rises faster than the average wage. This puts people in a difficult position. The Federal Reserve recently increased interest rates by a quarter point to cool off the market. They plan on continuing to raise rates into 2023. The goal of this strategy is to discourage potential buyers from entering the market. In a worst-case scenario, most families won’t afford to spend half their salary on home costs.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many people thought renting was a great alternative to buying a home. It was less stressful and had shorter commitments. The median home value in 2019 was $231,000, more than double what it was in 1999. It took about two years for the value to double. The pandemic in 2020 caused the housing market to become more favorable to sellers. When there is a surplus of demand and interest rates are low, the opposite is true, meaning a buyer’s market. Since homes valued at around the 200,000 to 250,000 mark are now selling for around $50,000 to $100,000 above their market value, it can be challenging for people who rely on financing to purchase a home. Cash buyers are currently the ones with the most power. The demand for houses and apartments drastically increased due to the pandemic. This has added difficulty in finding affordable housing. 

Before a person decides to purchase a home, they have to consider other factors beyond simply the price of a home. The age, inspection results, location, nearby schools, opportunities for growth, and overall safety are important considerations.

This article was originally published on KevinBrunnock.com

How to Excel in Real Estate by the End of the Year

As someone in the real estate industry, it’s essential to look ahead to next year to work on future goals. Before working on that, however, take a minute to review the current year’s performance. This will help identify lessons learned and give you ways to improve from each experience. Recognizing the need for change and implementing it can swiftly yield significant results, particularly before the end of the year.

Planning is Everything

Every successful real estate entrepreneur has one thing in common. They all have a plan of action that they follow. Since their job requires them to source potential opportunities, pursue clients, and make sales. It’s their responsibility to prepare. Planning and preparation are the pillars of success, and this cannot be emphasized enough. It’s not just for real estate. It’s in everyday life. Parents set out their child’s outfit the night before school, and professional bodybuilders prepare a week’s worth of food to pre-portion and avoid overeating.

Find Ways to Stand Out

Successful salespeople don’t react to market trends. They create them. In addition to traditional social media methods, finding unique ways to get known will set you apart from other agents. It used to be that going door to door was the way to a strong sale streak. Nowadays, that is less feasible, but it can still be done virtually. 

When it comes to marketing, pay close attention to the ROI of your social media platforms. Before you start investing in any marketing campaign, make sure that you thoroughly research the different platforms that are used by your target market. 

Email marketing campaigns can be personalized and tweaked to appeal to your precise demographic. Due to how it forces users to take action, email marketing has become a popular tool for businesses. It can help build a strong relationship with your potential customers and keep them engaged throughout the process. In addition to driving traffic to your website, email marketing can also help you establish a connection with your audience on social media, blogs, or other platforms. There are other advantages to using this medium. With email marketing, you can target your messages to the people most likely to respond to them, helping increase the chances of meeting goals with a deadline, such as end-of-year projections. In addition, you can run A/B tests to identify which messages are performing well, thereby doubling those efforts before January 1st.

This article was originally published on KevinBrunnock.com

Check Out These YouTube Channels If You’re Interested In Real Estate

Whether you just have an interest in real estate or you’re a professional in the industry, there’s a lot to be learned about the subject on the internet. You can read a few blogs, check out the latest listings, or watch a few videos. YouTube in particular is loaded with great videos produced by both amateur and professional realtors where they share their tips and tricks, give advice, talk about real estate news and so much more. Here are a few of the best real estate YouTube channels.

BiggerPockets

For anyone looking to learn more about how to succeed in real estate, BiggerPockets is a great resource. Their YouTube channel has tons of videos about everything from house hacking to strategy. One of the main factors that set them apart from other channels is their frequent collaborations with other professionals in the industry, including CPAs, investors, and much more.

Mark J Kohler

Mark J Kohler is a lawyer and a former CPA who has shared videos about capital gains, tax strategy, and the dos and don’ts of partnerships. He aims to help people navigate the various laws and regulations that affect their wealth and success. His videos are designed to make them easier to understand. This is a great channel to follow if you’re looking to learn more about tax strategy.

Flipping Mastery TV

The channel Flipping Mastery TV is focused on flipping and wholesaling properties. It features videos by Jerry Norton, who shows how to find cash buyers and flippable houses as well as how to make 100 offers or more a month. Whether you’re a professional in the industry or not, the advice on finding solid deals and securing financing is valuable.

Graham Stephen

Graham Stephan is a real estate agent who started his career at the age of 18 and became a multi-million dollar investor by 26. He has a lot of followers on YouTube who are interested in his videos, which are based on his own experiences. He also offers advice for teenagers and investors. His videos are entertaining and insightful, and he has a lot of good tips for people who are looking to retire early from the industry.

Lili Thompson

The channel of Lili Thompson is focused on showing people how to use the BRRRR strategy, which is a multi-step process that involves buying, renovating, and re-financing properties. She also shows how to take advantage of distressed properties and add value through forced appreciation.

This article was originally published on KevinBrunnock.com

Easy Tips For Boosting Your Curb Appeal

When people are selling their house they tend to focus so much on what the inside of it looks like that they forget a very important aspect – the front of the house. Curb appeal plays a big role in how likely you are to sell your house. Sure, you want the inside to look great. But if the outside doesn’t look great, then nobody is ever going to want to actually see the inside. If you’re worried about boosting your curb appeal, here are a few quick and easy tips to help you do it!

Paint Your Front Door

The front entry of your house is the first thing people see when they enter it, and it’s the reason why you want it to look great. To boost your curb appeal, you can paint your door a different color, or install a custom-made wood door. In addition to that, you can also clean the door fixtures and add a flag or a banner to the front.

Add Furniture To The Porch

Another great way to boost your curb appeal is to add some furniture to your front porch, such as chairs and maybe even a table. This will help give your porch a cozier feeling that will make potential buyers want to take a seat with a nice drink in their hands. If your porch isn’t very big, add a bench or just a small chair. Anything that gives the porch a more full look will go a long way.

Replace or Refurbish Your Mailbox

The mailbox should complement the house and express the personality of the individual who lives in it. If it’s attached to the house, choose a style and finish that complements the house’s various features. If it’s located closer to the road, you can surround it with a beautiful flower garden to make it more welcoming. To add a bit of personality to your mailbox, you can also paint it and add vinyl decals that feature your address in the desired font.

Update Your Railings

If your front porch and the steps are not in good condition, they can quickly deteriorate. If they’re past their prime, it’s important that you replace the old material with high-quality metal or wood components to improve their curb appeal. Like other improvements, make sure that the details, design, scale, and color of the railings are compatible with the house’s overall aesthetic.

Replace Gutters

Poor maintenance on your home’s gutters can lead to issues such as rust spots, peeling paint, and poor drainage. If you have an older system, it’s important that you replace it with a new one. If you’re on a tight budget, you can easily install a new gutter system using a vinyl one. Vinyl tends to fall apart quickly though due to cold weather, so a pricier copper system might be the better option.

This article was originally published on KevinBrunnock.com

Tips For Staging Your Home

When it comes to trying to sell your home, staging it for potential buyers is incredibly important. It’s understandable that your house probably isn’t always in perfect shape but that’s not what you’d want buyers to see. You should be showing your home’s best features to potential buyers and trying to avoid having them see any weak points to sell it quickly, and at the highest price you can get. If you’re not sure how to go about staging your home for sale, check out a few of these great staging tips.

Clean Your Home

While this may seem obvious at first, you’d be surprised how many people don’t think about it. A clean home shows that you’ve taken good care of it. You should make sure that all of the rooms are in good condition, including the walls, the floors, and the ceilings. If you have older kitchen appliances, clean them as much as possible since they’ve likely built up a lot of grime over time. Your bathroom is likely the same way, so take a good look at the tub, toilet, and sink to avoid turning potential buyers off.

Depersonalize

Before you put your home on the market, you’ll want to remove all of the personal items that you’ve collected over the years. This includes all of the family photos, your refrigerator art, and all of the toys that your children may have collected. You should also keep clothes hidden away so that potential buyers can’t see them. While it may be hard since you’re likely still living there, it’s important that you detach your house as much as possible when trying to sell it, in order to allow buyers a better chance of envisioning themselves living there.

Take Advantage of Lighting

When you’re showing your home, take advantage of its natural light. You can add various fixtures and turn on all of the lights in your home to make it look more inviting and brighter. Doing so will allow you to avoid having to search for light switches. If you have older light fixtures that still work great, be sure to give them a good cleaning. If any are broken, you’ll want to replace them. This can be done very easily, and it won’t cost much either.

Spruce Up The Exterior

The entryway and the exterior of your home are two of the most important factors that potential buyers consider when deciding on a home. They can help determine if they’re interested in the property and whether or not they’ll even want to see the inside. Before you put your home on the market, make sure that all of the trees, shrubs, and lawn are well groomed. You should also make sure that your windows are well-dressed and that you have flower boxes in place to add some color to the area. Powerwash the sidewalks and driveways, and set up your backyard to look warm and welcoming as well.

This article was originally published on KevinBrunnock.com

Great Apps For Real Estate Agents In 2022

There are a plethora of apps available today that are useful not only in our personal lives but in our careers as well. One industry in particular that benefits from a plethora of useful apps is real estate. Real estate agents use apps to engage with their clients, get directions to the homes they’re trying to sell, and so much more. With so many apps, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which ones are worth your time. Here are a few of the best apps that real estate agents can take advantage of in 2022.

Propertybase

Being a real estate agent today is more difficult than ever, and there are a lot of things to balance when it comes to engaging with your customers. Enter Propertybase, a customer relationship management tool that includes pretty much every tool an agent would need in their hypothetical tool belt if they want to succeed. Propertybase is based on Salesforce and uses MLS integration with IDX lead-generating websites, combining it into an all-in-one platform. Propertybase has it all, and if you use this app you’ll likely be set for a long time to come.

LabCoats Agents Marketing Center

The LabCoats Agents Marketing Center app is the first marketing tool that’s designed specifically for real estate agents. It allows them to create beautiful social media posts and other marketing materials on the fly. It also lets them create flyers, business cards, and door hangers. The app can be used to create Instagram stories, as well as other marketing materials. If you can imagine it, you can probably do it using LCA.

Zillow Premier Agent

If you’re a real estate agent who uses the website Zillow, then the Premier Agent app is a must-have. It has a variety of features that will help you manage your listings and tasks, as well as lead sorting and other features for teams. One of the most popular features of Premier Agent is its ability to import leads from websites such as Realtor.com and BoomTown. This free tool can be used to set up reminders, tasks, and emails, and it can also give you a deeper understanding of what your potential clients are looking for on Zillow.

Curb Hero

Over the past couple of years, the app known as Curb Hero has become a go-to for real estate agents who run open houses. It’s free and customizable, and it features a QR code sign-in feature. It also allows them to create custom branding for their websites and other marketing materials.

This article was originally published on KevinBrunnock.com

Great Cities For First Time Home Buyers

Buying a home for the first time can be stressful. You’re trying to find your dream home, someplace you can settle down. This likely comes with some requirements, like a safe neighborhood, possibly good school systems for the kids, fun nightlife, and so many other things. All of these requirements can often make finding the perfect home even more difficult. With that in mind, I’ve chosen some of the best cities around the United States that are great places to move to for first-time homebuyers.

Champaign, Illinois

This mid-sized city is located between Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis, and it offers easy access to the Big City while still maintaining a slower pace of life. One of the highlights of this area’s culture is the University of Illinois, which is right near the downtown area. The University even features the amazing Krannert Art Museum!

Charleston, South Carolina

Despite being slightly more expensive than a lot of other cities, Charleston also has the most active listings. This makes it easier to find a home in this area than it would be in other growing regions. Aside from its housing market, Charleston also has a variety of other attractions, such as a waterfront park and a promenade that’s close to the Atlantic Ocean.

Hillsboro, Oregon

Located just west of Portland, Oregon, is the suburb of Hillsboro. This area is often overlooked, and it has a variety of attractions, such as nature trails and a wetlands preserve. It’s also a 20-minute drive away from Portland and its popular attractions, such as the city’s popular shopping and dining options.

Reno, Nevada

Despite being slightly more expensive, Reno is still able to provide a high rate of availability and a variety of mountain views. If you’re not a fan of Nevada, keep in mind that it’s right on the California border and can reach Lake Tahoe in just 45 minutes.

Cranston, Rhode Island

This suburb of Providence is only 15 minutes away from the city center, making it an easy commute. This area also has a variety of attractions, such as the East Bay Bike Path. On weekends, try running around the bike path or playing in the nearby reservoir.

This article was originally published on KevinBrunnock.com

The Top TED Talks For The Real Estate Industry

One of the best ways to find new inspiration and motivation in the world of real estate is to watch a few good TED Talks. TED Talks are short discussions held by prominent leaders from industries all over the world, and they’re usually meant to inspire and educate those watching while also occasionally presenting solutions to problems within whatever field they’re discussing. Real Estate is no stranger to these talks, as there are hundreds of real estate agents who are looking for guidance all around the world each and every day. Let’s take a look at some of the best TED Talks discussing real estate.

Moore’s Law Of Real Estate – Gunnar Branson

In this talk, Gunnar Branson talks about the concept of Moore’s law and how it applies to real estate. He states that the physical spaces that we inhabit are constantly changing and will eventually affect how we live and work. His talk is full of examples that will help you understand what’s happening in the field. The talk is to everyone who owns a home, but it also applies to landlords. Branson states that people tend to get selective when it comes to choosing products, and this is why he believes that the increasing number of people buying homes is causing the physical space requirements of their houses to decrease. This could eventually be an issue for commercial real estate.

The Real Estate Deal That Could Change The Future Of Everything – Ben Miller

In this talk, Ben talks about how he rebuilt his business following the 2007/08 crash and how technology will affect the way people buy and sell real estate in the future. He believes that innovation can change the way people think about investing in the industry. This talk is very interesting because it shows that if you’re willing to work on a revolutionary idea, then you can make a difference in the industry. It also provides insight into the future of real estate.

The Four-Letter Code to Selling Anything – Derek Thompson

The ability to sell is very important to your success in real estate. Besides selling properties, you also need to understand how to effectively communicate with clients and sell yourself. This is done through your interactions with potential buyers and your reputation within the community you serve. Derek Thompson, an editor at The Atlantic, provides a four-letter code that will help you sell anything that you can think of. This will allow you to effectively negotiate a price for a property that you’re interested in, or convince a seller to give you their listing.

The Skill of Self Confidence – Dr. Ivan Joseph

In this talk, Dr. Ivan Joseph asks listeners to think about the successful real estate agents they know. He talks about how while they likely don’t share physical characteristics and they’re all from different backgrounds, they all likely share one thing: their ability to be confident in themselves. According to Dr. Joseph, the best real estate agents aren’t naturally confident – they master their confidence like they would any skill, meaning you can do it too.

This article was originally published on KevinBrunnock.com

Worthwhile Real Estate Podcasts For 2022

Having a job in real estate means always being on the go. You likely won’t find the time to catch up on the latest real estate news or educate yourself on the latest trends in order to improve your business. A great way to keep up with everything going on in the world of real estate and perhaps learn a thing or two is by listening to real estate podcasts. Many successful individuals in the real estate industry have taken it upon themselves to create podcasts in their spare time as a way of discussing something they’re passionate about, and hopefully help other like-minded individuals out along the way. Here are a few of the most worthwhile real estate podcasts to check out in 2022.

The Massive Agent Podcast

The Massive Agent Podcast, created by Salt Lake City realtor, Dustin Brohm, is a great way for agents to get the most out of their marketing efforts. He offers a variety of advice and ideas that are geared toward helping them level up their game without the need for trial and error. He also runs a variety of programs, including one-on-one coaching and training on Facebook Advertising.

Real Estate Rockstars: With Pat Hiban

Pat Hiban is commonly considered to be the Joe Rogan of real estate podcasts by many within the industry. With over four million followers and a vast amount of downloads, it’s easy to see why he’s regarded as one of the most prominent individuals in the industry. Hiban was an early adopter of podcasts and was able to greatly influence the way other people communicate with each other. Pat’s Real Estate Rockstars show, which started in 2005, has managed to bring the best of the industry to listeners. It features interviews with some of the most prominent individuals in the industry, as well as deep dive into the latest strategies and technology. While there is a lot of content to sift through, agents will most likely find value in listening to Pat’s archived interviews with some of the industry’s best agents.

Kevin Ward’s YES Talk

If you’re feeling like you’re running out of energy after a long day of selling homes, then listening to Kevin Ward’s YES Talk is a great way to get back on track. He’s able to help people tap into the excitement of the industry by providing them with a variety of strategies and ideas that will help keep them motivated. In addition to being able to provide a variety of advice and ideas, Kevin also makes sure that his listeners are able to keep up with the latest trends in the industry.

CarrotCast With Trevor Mauch

Trevor Mauch, the CEO of Carrot, provides great ways for real estate agents and investors to get the most out of their tech skills in this podcast. He’s able to help them improve their online presence by providing them with a variety of advice and ideas that will help them keep up with the latest trends in the industry. Whether you’re working in a specific niche or not, Trevor has a podcast episode that will appeal to your interests.

This article was originally published on KevinBrunnock.com

The Most Worthwhile Books For Real Estate Agents In 2022

Whether you’re a successful real estate professional or someone just starting out, there’s always going to be something new to learn about the industry. One of the best ways to go about furthering your real estate knowledge is to read a few great books on the subject. A myriad number of books have been written by successful real estate professionals discussing their triumphs and their losses, as well as generally trying to educate the next generation of real estate professionals. Here are a few of the most worthwhile entries.

The Transformational Consumer – Tara-Nicholle Nelson

In this book, Tara-Nicholle Nelson explains how to turn one-time sellers and buyers into lifelong clients. She says that doing so will allow you to forge a strong relationship with them, and it’s easy to implement, but the execution can be a bit challenging. Nelson holds a Juris Doctor and a master’s degree in psychology from Berkley, and she worked as a vice president of marketing for some of the world’s biggest tech and athletic brands, which is what really makes the book worth your time.

16 Strategies For Sale – Sean Moudry

One of the foremost experts on how to leverage one’s unique personality to achieve success in sales, Sean Moudry has spent years studying various personality types and tests. In his book, he shares 16 strategies that will help you find success in real estate (and any other sales position). While there is no “perfect” sales personality, he also shows that there are many ways to develop one’s own unique gifts to achieve success in the industry.

The Millionaire Real Estate Agent – Gary Keller

If you’re looking to earn a million dollars next year, this book is for you. Many new real estate agents don’t realize that most of their hard-earned commission doesn’t go into their pockets. This book gives you a comprehensive economic blueprint that will help you minimize your expenses and maximize your take-home pay. If you’re a new agent, this book should be on your reading list. It’s full of step-by-step instructions and diagrams, as well as many “how-to” lessons.

Shark Tales – Barbara Corcoran

If you’re planning on starting a real estate firm or team, then Barbara Corcoran’s “Shark Tales” is a must-read. In this book, she shares her amazing story of growing up poor in a large family and eventually becoming one of the wealthiest real estate professionals in New York.

This article was originally published on KevinBrunnock.com