Center for REALTOR® Development

In today's dynamic world, the methods and means of communication are shifting, especially for REALTORS®. Maintaining relationships is a key part of the real estate business. Kim Cameron is the special guest on the show today to share some of her systems for staying in touch with past clients and friends. She and Monica talk about the importance of what they are doing now, and how some of these practices may carry forward even once we are out of this time. Kim talks about her mindset when she is checking in with her clients. When you approach the relationship from service rather than sales, it helps to establish long-term relationships when they need help with real estate. Having these routine conversations keeps both you and your clients energized, and you can check in on things not related to real estate. This may also help you find businesses or organizations that may need some support during this time. What we do today is going to affect our business down the road. Kim talks about what preparations she is making as she plans for the remainder of the year. REALTORS® are able to work remotely pretty easily, but they now are empowering their clients to be able to participate in real estate virtually. Kim talks about using FaceTime and a photographer to be able to list properties with very minimal contact or exposure. She also has been hosting virtual happy hours that offer an open forum for clients to ask real estate questions. One of the most important things Monica has found during this time is constant contact, especially when working through challenging situations. It's important to communicate what you know with your clients, and invite a cooperative approach to keep each other informed. As you connect with and continue to help your clients, it's also important to find a way to celebrate wins with your clients and find ways to adapt during this time. Kim and Monica talk about some "drive-up" closings and other ways they are able to tweak their arrangements to still provide that personal connection. Kim shares some of the systems she uses to communicate with her team and her clients. One of these is the "Weekly 35" which outlines 35 different ways of communication each week, including hand-written notes, phone calls, and compliments. She also talks about how they have adapted this during our time of social distancing. She also talks about some of the ways they strategically maintain relationships with the top 50 or so clients in their database. Monica has a 4-3-2-1 system that she focuses on. Monica and Kim talk about the potential shifts and changes we might see coming out of COVID-19, specifically a slower market. Real estate is local, so it will vary from market to market, but will likely be slower overall. Kim shares her tips for keeping up with her clients during a longer process. The number one thing is to organize your finances. If you can get your business financially lean, you will be more profitable. Focus on the more economical ways to contact your clients, such as phone calls vs. newsletters. Share the actual data that you can with your clients about your specific market. Kim shares some of the ways she works on price reductions with her clients to adjust to the market. Regular and intentional communication is what will help you and your clients get through this difficult time. You can cater your content to the needs of your clients, and also remain empathetic towards their situation. As a REALTOR® you may have to have some hard conversations, but do it from a place of caring. To wrap up, Kim shares some of her final thoughts on moving into a new normal. They've shifted to try to prevent clients from going out to see properties, to save time, and practice safe social distancing. Changing how we communicate with clients about showings may also change the approach for house hunting. As you are communicating with your clients, now and as we move out of this time, listen between the lines for what your client really needs. Tweetables: "The big part of the motivation is just showing you care. Those little calls go such a long way. Right now, since we don't have as much face-to-face time with people, those calls are deeper and more meaningful." — Kim "I thought it would feel impersonal, but what I'm finding is it's not because we're actually having more face-to-face time with the client that we have in the past." — Kim "Worst-case scenario, you are showing someone that they are thought of and cared about and you feel glad to connect as well. If that's the worst-case scenario, it's all up from there." — Monica Guest Links: Realtystlouis.com Facebook.com/KimCameronGroup/ Additional Links: crdpodcast.com Online learning.REALTOR for NAR Online Education Training4RE.com — List of Classroom Courses from NAR and its affiliates CRD@REALTORS.org Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR® Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNBlog.com Monica's Facebook Page Facebook.com/FranklinMonica Additional Bio: Kim is an undiagnosed real estate addict; she lives and breathes real estate from her core since 1997. Kim hails from St. Louis and offers a background in building, rehabbing, property management, and mortgage lending. She built her successful real estate team in 2005 with her husband/business partner Sid and has never looked back. Kim is also a high energy speaker, trainer, and top producing REALTOR®. As an RPAC Major Investor, Kim is committed to advocacy, protecting property rights, and homeownership. She serves the RRC Board of Directors with past service as a Region 6 & Region 8 Vice President, Missouri RRC President, Finance Committee, and Masterminds. Kim serves on the Missouri REALTORS® Executive Committee, RPAC Chair for St. Louis REALTORS® and is the Recipient of 2019 Elizabeth J. Mendenhall E3 Award from Missouri REALTORS® for Energy, Empowerment and Experience.

In our changing times, REALTORS® have had to learn to adapt in a way that allows them to serve their clients, while also complying with new laws and policies surrounding COVID-19. Virtually viewing and virtually showing properties is becoming more popular and attainable. In today's episode, Craig Wilburn shares some of the developments his team has made in creating a process to continue facilitating the viewing of properties during this time. Craig and Monica also talk about some different platforms you can use to create these virtual showings, and what you can do for buyer's agents to help them out. Even before it was a necessity, Craig has been taking advantage of technology to do some virtual showings. Social distancing has required him to look into all the different aspects of his business and how they carry these out. Craig talks about his first virtual open house experience, and how they structured it for themselves. Some of the logistics of their first virtual open house were to run it on their team/business page, but you might want to consider hosting it on whatever page gets the most likes/traffic. Craig also talks about the personnel involved, and how each person played a specific role to help interaction. You can also create a watch party, which can help engagement. Monica also shares some other things she did for her own Facebook live event. There are ways to get sellers involved! They can help by hosting a virtual tour. Craig and his team came up with their own process to help sellers that has 10 steps, including a CDC-safe walk-through, virtual consults and listing appointments, and emailing documents for electronic signatures. He also talks about the way they handle onboarding, closing, and moving processes remotely. One of the things Craig created during this time was a forum for buyers, sellers, and contractors to help everyone stay connected during this time. Craig talks about what they do for the seller and seller's agent, as well as the buyer and the buyers' agent. They are doing the most they can to help people navigate through this time that we're in. These protocols are to keep everyone in the industry safe and still able to practice real estate. Monica discusses some additional different ways to connect people remotely when it is essential to buy or sell. REALTORS® can help buyers' agents who want to use video for transactions, by creating a visually stimulating product. Craig and Monica talk about three main ways to do this: Matterport, using the live video, and a short video walkthrough with commentary that can be shared with buyers' agents. Zillow also has a 3D option and video through their Premier Agent app. Zoom has also been a great alternative for getting your clients what they need during this time. Craig and his team have been able to get clients who otherwise wouldn't be selling, due to their creativity in finding ways to continue their business. Some of the main platforms you can utilize for speaking and video are FaceTime, What's App (especially for international clients), Zoom, and Skype. It's important to use something that's easy to access and simple to figure out; it should be easily integrated into what you're already using and doing. Some apps for creating video on your phone are InShot and Quik. If you are able to do something during these unprecedented times, do it! Be supportive of other agents in this industry. For people who need to buy or sell right now, your creative approach will be crucial in helping them. Tweetables: "It's an opportunity for us to get out there and be visible and be present, and do it in a way that's respectful of what's going on. If you can find a way to add value to people who really do have to buy and do have to sell, this is a great way to do that." — Craig "For those of us that are still able to practice, for now, we have to be really diligent about how we do that, and make sure that everyone knows we are putting every protocol in place to follow the rules, so we can stay essential in the transaction." — Craig "It's a great alternative right now for getting people what they need. I think the main part is what we are doing is being creative. We're thinking outside the box, and we're giving people alternatives. You can do almost anything virtually." — Craig Guest Links: TDynamo.com Facebook.com/teamdynamokw Covid – 19 Questionaire items from Craig's team - http://funtentionalliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19_REAL-estate-Questionaire-1.pdf Virtual Showings Infographics - http://funtentionalliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Virtual_Listing_info-scaled.jpg Additional Links: Matterport InShot App Quik rebinstitute.com crdpodcast.com Online learning.REALTOR for NAR Online Education Training4RE.com — List of Classroom Courses from NAR and its affiliates CRD@REALTORS.org Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR® Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNBlog.com Monica's Facebook Page Facebook.com/FranklinMonica Additional Bio: For more than 17 years, Craig Wilburn, the Founder of Team Dynamo, has established the understanding of the real estate market in Gainesville by leading his team to over 1,300 units and over $303 million in the greater Gainesville area. Craig has spoken in dozens of cities about real estate, earning the title of Gainesville's Number 1 People's Choice for Real Estate, and gaining the award of top-selling real estate team at Keller Williams Gainesville Realty. More impressive is the fact that Team Dynamo's top sources of business come from past clients and area referrals, which verifies the endorsement for Team Dynamo. Craig began Team Dynamo in 2005; it is now 13 strong — including a Director of Sales, Director of Community Engagement, Listing and Buyer Specialists, Inside Sales Agents, and a dedicated administrative support staff. Family man, speaker, REALTOR®, wholehearted husband, and impassioned leader, Craig is a family man and father of five kids which is his highest honor and role. You will often see Craig's family as an extension of the team in full support of Team Dynamo. Craig's devotion to the Gainesville area runs deep. He actively serves on various boards for local charities and nonprofits. He's an esteemed member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and on the President's Circle of the NAR's Political Action Committee (RPAC), which lobbies for legislation that betters the industry and protects buyers, sellers, and agents. In addition to these commitments, Craig is a sought-after speaker and real estate educator. With an enthusiasm for paying it forward (along with a trademark smile), he inspires and encourages fellow and aspiring professionals in Real Estate. Craig believes that better REALTORS® make for a better community and he is committed to making that a reality. Craig attributes Team Dynamo's continued success and growth to the meaningful relationships the team has built among clients and within the community. Through exclusive, unrivaled customer service combined with a streamlined, systems-based methodology, Team Dynamo will remain the team in Gainesville known to be trustworthy, genuine, creative, compassionate, and driven to provide its clients with nothing but the absolute best.

Establishing a work-life balance is important in overall life management. In today's episode, Cheryl Knowlton returns to the show to talk about life management in real estate. It can be challenging to set boundaries when you don't necessarily work a traditional nine to five job. In this episode, they talk about making shifts in our business, what systems you can put in place, and the importance of making time for yourself and the people you love. As you listen, take a breath, and use this opportunity to think about what changes you may need to make. Many people get into real estate for the job flexibility, but sometimes this flexibility can backfire and turn into too much work or end up taking an emotional toll. Cheryl talks about some statistics about some realities in real estate. One of the biggest factors to upset work-life balance is expectations — of what the industry really is and what it requires. Cheryl shares her own journey of getting into real estate. She started on the mortgage side of things, and after getting her real estate license, she had to change her mindset and her skill set. Education and designations were instrumental in getting her to where she is today. Education can help you restructure and improve your business in ways that will remove stress from you and your clients. Cheryl shares a resource you can use to identify and diagnose what aspects of your life are out of balance. Knowing this can help you pick out the pain points that you need to adjust to balance things out. Use the code BONUS with the Self-Assessment link below to find out yours. She talks about the importance of having a coach or accountability partner and setting measurable goals. If you are struggling to find balance, it is important to get feedback from others. You can identify which area is causing you stress, and then focus on fixing that. Monica talks about taking a sabbatical, and how this helped to reinvigorate her business. They talk about things you can do on sabbatical, to refuel not only in business but also in your personal life. Cheryl talks about her daily schedule, and how having systems in place helps her keep her business structured. Anytime anything isn't working, we need to create a new system to figure out how to make it work. Monica and Cheryl talk about some of their business systems, including a transaction coordinator, an assistant (if you can), and also people to help with other chores so you can take things off your own plate. Make today count — whatever systems you are putting in place for your business or personal life, it's important that it's affording you more time to be with the people that you love. When you're with them, try to make sure you don't have any outside distractions so you can be in the moment. Setting these types of boundaries is especially important for individuals who don't work a traditional nine-to-five job. Setting goals for your personal life can also inspire you to work harder. Having goals that are beyond paying the bills can keep you motivated. Cheryl talks about 10 areas in her life and the goals she is working toward in each area. She also shares how she is able to find joy in each area, even when it's hard. As you set these goals for yourself, make sure they are things you are in control of. When you control what you can control, everything else seems to fall into place. Tweetables: "Anyone who has any business background at all, you don't have to have an MBA to know that starting a business of any kind is expensive, and it requires blood, sweat, and tears." — Cheryl "No matter where you are in your real estate career, education is the key to get you behind the wheel of that Ferrari and help you drive it successfully." — Cheryl "Any time we do something, even if it's a small thing, that creates marital harmony or greater happiness in ourselves, that has ripple effects on every aspect of our lives." — Cheryl Guest Links: Cheryl's Book Cherylknows.com Workpurposefully.org Self-Assessment Clever Fox Planners Passion Planner High-Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way, by Brendon Burchard Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, by Amy Cuddy The 5 Second RuleTransform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage, by Mel Robbins Additional Links: rebinstitute.com crdpodcast.com Online learning.REALTOR for NAR Online Education Training4RE.com — List of Classroom Courses from NAR and its affiliates CRD@REALTORS.org Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR® Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNBlog.com Additional Bio: Cheryl Knowlton is the CEO and Chief Energy Officer of Dynamite Productions, Inc. A 20-year veteran of the real estate and mortgage industries, Cheryl works with real estate professionals who want to increase confidence through compliance and elevate their expertise through education. Cheryl is a proud member of the National Speakers Association and holds the highly coveted Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) Designations as well as the Distinguished Real Estate Instructor (DREI) designation, given by the Real Estate Educators Association. She also holds fifteen designations and Certifications bestowed by the National Association of REALTORS®. A record-breaking recruiter, licensed broker, and real estate sales and mortgage expert, Cheryl specializes in enthusiastically empowering excellence by consistently delivering highly engaging, timely and relevant content. Cheryl's programming ensures that today's real estate licensees and brokers have the tools they need to hit the ground running to raise the bar of professionalism in the real estate industry. Cheryl is the author of Burn the Hamster Wheel: Stress Management Strategies for Today's Real Estate Professional. She is consistently working to fight overwhelm and burnout and to "burn her own hamster wheel" in her personal and professional life through long runs, loud concerts in the car, weekly massages, and playing with her grandbabies and her dog, Buzz Lightyear.

It's important for agents to know about brokerage models and how they can best use the services to their advantage based on their needs. In today's episode, Keith Davis is on the show to talk about good practices and processes for brokers, and how they can build a great culture for their agents. They cover the importance of brokerages being a supportive resource for their agents and how authenticity can enhance the customer experience not only for agents but their clients as well. Keith has been the managing broker for two offices in Virginia for Nest for about four years now. Each state operates differently in regards to how many offices you can be over as the principal broker. It all depends on what services a brokerage office is trying to offer. One of the most important aspects of a brokerage is risk management, and the second piece is training for expertise in the real estate industry. At Nest, they stress this training so that their agents can understand vendors in other industries and better help their clients. You need someone who understands the roles of other partners in a real estate transaction, that can explain it to the buyer and the seller. It comes down to brand management in addition to risk management. Keith talks about the importance of finding and training agents that are in line with the values of the brokerage firm. Brokerages need to be focused on who is in line with them, the culture they are trying to cultivate, and the business they are trying to attract. There are many different brokerage models, and in the market, there is a space for everyone. At Nest, they look at as many different industries as they can to get ideas about their business model. Monica and Keith discuss the different advantages of physical versus online retail. It is the same thing with brokerages — what is the statement that is received when people walk into your establishment? Keith talks about some of the things they do at Nest to build this culture and make this statement, including a party to thank their clients each year. Part of the value proposition of a brokerage firm is the confidence of being in front of the client. Confidence is improved when you have clear products in front of you that you can use with your clients. Some of these products include data and marketing; the brokerage can provide access to these tools. Monica and Keith talk about competing brokers. It's important to be a resource for your agents, rather than part of the competition. Choosing not to compete can really help strengthen the sense of trust in an office. This can be more difficult in smaller markets. They talk about the difference between being out in the sales field versus management. This has shaped the way they approach the growth of their agents at Nest. A full-service brokerage impacts their sellers and buyers on a daily basis that makes them excited about the service they are receiving. You also have to decide the length of relationship with clients — when does it start and when does it end? The least expensive customer is the one you already have. Keith talks about the importance of hanging on to the agents they have and creating an environment that helps their agents thrive. When their business grows, your business will also grow. Keith's last word for brokers is that the most important factor is authenticity and being true to your own voice. If what you're creating is true to you as a broker and how you want to treat clients, then you will be set up for success in the future. Authenticity and genuine relationships allow businesses to grow. Tweetables: "If you don't have a working knowledge of what your vendor partners are doing and what their role is, your ability to assist your client is limited." — Keith "That's what people want from real estate. They want to have an agent who is connected with them beyond just being able to show them property." — Keith "Authenticity is that you are focusing on a thing that is true for you." — Keith Guest Links: keith@nestrealty.com Additional Links: CRD Episode 24 with Pete Blank homebot.ai rebinstitute.com crdpodcast.com OnlineLearning.REALTOR for NAR Online Education Training4RE.com — List of Classroom Courses from NAR and its affiliates CRD@REALTORS.org Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR® Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNBlog.com Additional Bio: Keith Davis is a Founding Partner and Principal Broker of Nest Realty, a brokerage based in Charlottesville, VA. Nest currently has 15 offices across Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. Keith's first foray into real estate began after college when he worked for a regional mortgage company, first in production and then, compliance. This took him into the start-up world where Keith worked with several companies in high-growth mode, focusing on new product launch and IP commercialization. During this period, he earned his MBA from UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School with a concentration in real estate development and finance. Keith began selling real estate nearly 15 years ago, where he has worked exclusively in the residential arena, representing developers, builders, homeowners, and buyers. After helping to found Nest in 2008, he initially worked in sales and is now the Broker for multiple offices and works with the Lead Brokers at the other offices in business planning, coaching, training, and general support. In the Charlottesville office, he has developed a two-year new agent training program that assures that even new agents exhibit a level of expertise that supports the Nest Brand in the marketplace. He oversees the firm's data management efforts, including publications as well as risk management and training. Nestrealty.com

The Real Estate Tech Guru Craig Grant joins Monica on the show today to do a tech overview in the real estate industry. They discuss several different tech items that are around or will be around in the next 5-10 years, and how this will directly affect REALTORS® and agents. This is a great episode to familiarize yourself with tech concepts that are prevalent in today's real estate climate. The first tech item they talk about is the next generation of cars. Right now cars are starting to integrate with smartphones and AI; down the pipeline, there will be developments that will change real estate. 100% autonomous driving is going to change the look of a car, and what kinds of garages and car-related amenities people will need. Smart homes are growing more than we realize. Over 50% of US households have a smart speaker, like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. You can get three smart devices and qualify yourself as a smart house. Smart house technology is going to continue to grow, especially now that younger generations are interested in real estate. Smart home technology can also provide companionship for the aging generations. For safety, it is crucial that your devices and your network are locked or password protected. Craig talks about a few other things to think about as a REALTOR® in a smart home. The third piece in the tech world is internet-based tools. Today, most agents rarely have to go into the office because the cloud allows people to be more mobile and work remotely, rather than in a physical office. EXV is one of the fastest-growing companies, and they do everything through an internet portal. Craig and Monica also talk about the tech arms race and the implications on REALTORS®. Big data and predictive analysis is the collection of massive amounts of information, then using that data to predict what will happen in the future. This stuff already exists in the real estate market, but there are developments that will allow it to work with your MLS. It's like getting coupons on the things you already buy. Artificial intelligence is when a computer is learning your behaviors, and attempting to act like a human. The most common form of this is a chatbot, where a computer is available to respond to clients at any time of the day. In the next few years, we may see where your CRM can basically work as your personal assistant. AI also influences algorithms. This helps both buyers and sellers by providing more detailed searches and descriptions. Craig and Monica talk about some cybersecurity concerns, and what type of things REALTORS® have control over. Most don't realize how many problems they could create in the tech/legal world. Agents often collect more information than they really need. They talk about some of the specific types of information we don't need and encourage REALTORS® to just stop collecting it. PII and wire transfer fraud are the two biggest offenders when it comes to cybersecurity concerns. Letting vendors handle this information can remove you from these situations. Craig talks about some other things you can put into practice to help protect you from data breaches. iBuyers are another facet of technology in the real estate market. The problem with the iBuyer model is that while the sales pitch is awesome, they wrap in other costs in the inspection and closing costs. People who sell their house through an iBuyer are losing about 15% in a transaction. Augmented reality is being used with virtual staging, and virtual reality could be used to do a rendering on a property before anything is even built. While augmented reality is already mainstream, virtual reality will be mainstream in probably the next 10-15 years. The last tech item they talk about is 3D printing homes (contour printing). It's already happening, and the idea is that you can build an entire house all through 3D printing. This would greatly diminish the time spent to build a house, as well as money spent on labor. The major builders are working on this to see how they can build entire communities. Most REALTORS® are scared of the technology, but this stuff will help the business. Don't be afraid to reach out and learn new things — you never know how it will boost your business! Tweetables: "Your relationships are still the best way for you to get business and maintain business, and that's what people want in the real estate business. That's going to be what we carry on into the future as we adapt to these things." — Monica "I think a REALTOR® needs to understand it, they need to learn how to sell against it, and give their customers options and realize it's out there." — Craig Guest Links: https://craiggrant.info https://reti.us Consumer Electronics Show Additional Links: OnlineLearning.REALTOR for NAR Online Education Training4RE.com — List of Classroom Courses from NAR and its affiliates CRD@REALTORS.org Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR® Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNxBlog.com Additional Bio: In addition to being the CEO of RETI.us, the Real Estate Industry's Online Home for Technology Education, it is because Craig Grant has an amazing ability to present technology topics in a fun and easy to follow way that the average REALTOR® can not only understand it but go home and apply the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in today's fast-changing real estate marketplace. With over 150 speaking engagements around the country each year, including some of the industry's top events with sessions for NAR, many state associations, national franchises and more, it is easy to see why Craig is considered the Real Estate Tech Guru. Craig has a collection of very popular classes that deal with helping today's REALTORS® use all facets of technology, the Internet, websites, social media and more in their business and daily lives and would be a great addition to your educational calendar. Background Craig Grant grew up loving all things technology and the Internet. After graduating from the University of Florida he spent nearly a decade as the regional manager and corporate trainer of the New York Times Regional Media Group. Craig then created The Real Estate Technology Institute (RETI) and EasyRealtySites, two companies whose focus is on creating partnerships with REALTOR® associations and companies and helping elevate their members through technology education, training, and solutions. Craig is a certified GRI, CRS, e-Pro® and RPR® Instructor for all technology and marketing courses, a member of the GRI Task Force & former Chairman of the Florida REALTORS® Education and Technology Committee. In his spare time (that isn't spent online) Craig is a sports fanatic who can be found participating in or watching sporting events with family and friends.

Resort and second-home properties can be located anywhere! They are becoming more and more popular in small towns, as well as the coastal cities and mountains. In this episode, Holly Mabery joins Monica to talk about her own experience working with investment and second home clients in Sedona, AZ. She shares ideas for marketing, building connections with buyers, and highlighting what's so special about your community. More and more, real estate is becoming a great leverage tool. Homeownership has expanded to where people have a second home for personal enjoyment, and also more people are choosing to invest in real estate rather than another avenue. A hybrid they are seeing more and more is when people buy a house and can use it for personal use 14 days a year and rent it out the rest of the time, and it still counts as an investment property. This trend is increasingly becoming more popular as a gateway to making memories with family and friends. The resort and second home market has shifted from the mountains or the beach to more small town, slow-paced areas. As an agent, there's an opportunity to accent your local lifestyle that can make a huge difference in marketing. People will always need a place to live, but as agents, we can show people how to live in your market. Showcasing what you love can help build connections with clients. There are a few different options when it comes to financing for investment and second home properties. Working with a local lender is key. For second homes you're typically looking at 20% down, and investment properties are usually 25% down plus an interest rate. Some challenges that come with investment or second homes that are being rented out is that the owner has to be available 24-hours-a-day. In many instances, you have to live within a certain distance of the property. Some unexpected costs to note could be a property manager, furniture in the unit, replacing appliances, etc. The resort/second-home certification goes through making good choices in investment properties. It allows you as the REALTOR® to become a trusted advisor to investors. You'll get an understanding of the financing, as well, so you can help your clients make the best choice for them. Another important thing to be involved in is government in your area. Either get involved yourself or get connected with a group that shares frequent updates about what is going on in the area, so you know how to be proactive with what's going on. If you already involved, maybe you can be that resource for your market/community. Homeownership is the biggest investment someone is going to make in their life. It's a financial, emotional, and family investment. As REALTORS®, if we help them navigate and negotiate, it makes a huge difference. Focus on what you love about living there, and what investors can expect if they live there. Highlight local businesses and bring them to the forefront. Other resources to check out are city parks and recreation, or your county health services. Both usually have different programs depending on what's going on. As you get to know potential clients, you can address their interests, hobbies, and concerns so you can start to assist them in feeling at ease. Holly and Monica talk about furniture in the property. When it comes to furniture in the property, best practice is to do it on a separate bill of sale. The seller needs to get very specific about what they are leaving behind. Sellers need to make sure they remove any personal and valuable items before the property goes on the market. Once the seller creates the list, it needs to be made available to potential buyers. Make sure your separate bill of sale is contingent on a close. Holly talks about some things to keep in mind when working with investment and second-home buyers. It's important to over-communicate, especially since they may not be local. Using programs like Zoom or Google Hangout can be helpful. It also allows you to set up expectations ahead of time. Some things you want to be able to note are what potential buyers can expect to be able to do year-round in your community and what amenities they will be provided (internet service, etc). Holly has also recently started tracking direct flights and doing some reverse marketing to find your feeder markets. One of the things that Holly does is create a lifestyle map around the areas where she has potential buyers. As we start this new decade, embrace what you love about where you live and tell that story every day. Instagram is a powerful medium for advertising what's great about where you live. Guest Links: Hollymabery.com AZheartland.com Additional Links: OnlineLearning.REALTOR for NAR Online Education Training4RE.com — List of Classroom Courses for REBAC and REBI classes. CRD@REALTORS.org Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR® Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNBlog.com Additional Bios: Holly Mabery is a third-generation REALTOR®, growing up and still working primarily in the Verde Valley, Prescott, and Sedona areas of Arizona. She obtained her real estate license in 1998 and has had a varied career over those 21 years working in residential resales, land, multifamily, and foreclosures. In 2012, she served as President of the Arizona Association of REALTORS® and was honored with the Arizona Association of REALTORS® 2012 REALTOR® of the Year Award. In 2014, Holly was recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for the Arizona Association of REALTORS®. In addition to her volunteer work, Holly is Co-Owner of REal Chaos Solutions, a real estate training school and is a national instructor for several designations and certifications. Holly loves the Northern Arizona lifestyle and serving the communities she has lived and grown up in. On any given weekend or free time, you can find Holly and her family taking in all that Northern Arizona has to offer. "We love adventuring and some days that's hiking in Sedona, first Saturdays in Jerome, Beer School, paddle boarding on the Verde or Wine Tasting in Cornville; I absolutely love where we live," says Mabery.

As we approach the end of another year, it's time to start thinking about business strategies and what we can do to boost our business in the new year. In today's episode, Monica speaks with Cheryl Knowlton and Kristy Hairston about some book suggestions for building your brand, personal development, and business strategies. Both guests stress the importance of reading, and with a curated list like this, you'll know right where to start! Cheryl Knowlton Cheryl loves to read! Not only physical books, but Audible is a great hack to get more books in. Both Cheryl and Monica have their book lists on their websites, and you can also check out Goodreads, a social media platform for book sharing. The first book they discuss is Never Split the Difference, by Chris Voss. Chris was the chief hostage negotiator for the FBI, and the book focuses on different types of negotiations. In some cases, you literally can't negotiate for half of whatever is at stake, and this book teaches you the skills to never settle for half of what you want. You can also access Chris' material on YouTube. Cheryl and Monica discuss the idea of a win-win situation if you never split the difference. The book provides scripts and scenarios that can help you navigate different situations. They also talk about the "black swan" as a key to negotiation, and how knowing what the black swan is can change the course of the deal. The next book is Unfu*k Yourself, by Gary Bishop. Though the title is a bit colorful, it is a great personal development book. It helps you be intentional about the things that are hijacking your life. The companion workbook is an aid to help you work through these things and make real changes. The way to make fundamental changes is to make promises with ourselves, and hold ourselves accountable to those promises no matter what. Think and Grow Rich for Women, by Sharon Lechter is a great book about not only how to make money, but also talks about other motivations beyond just making money. Money means different things for different people. It uses the same language and terminology as the original, and has a lot of great quotes and affirmations, especially for women. The last two books they discuss are both from author Sally Hogshead. Fascinate is geared toward understanding branding in corporations. She took this same information and put it into How the World Sees You, which focuses more on branding for individuals. There is also a code in the back of the book for a quiz to determine your primary and secondary advantage, and how to use them. Books allow you to connect with very powerful people without having to be physically with them. Reading can make you a better real estate professional, husband or wife, son or daughter, and all-around human being. Kristy Hairston Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got, by Jay Abraham has 21 ways you can outperform your competition. It focuses on mindset and looking at other industries for principles you can apply to real estate. These steps can help you form your brand around the customer experience. The book also provides tips on how you can get clear on who you are and what you're setting up for yourself. Kristy and Monica go in-depth about the customer experience, and how we can draw on different industries and apply those ideas to real estate, especially getting consistency in your customer experience from open houses to closing gifts. Ninja Selling by Larry Kendall focuses on the flow Kristy referenced. Sometimes we don't have a referral-based business because we aren't "in flow" with them. It focuses on two types of flow, auto-flow and live-flow, and how you can continue to deliver to your current customer base. It will help you identify your "Ninja 9," nine successful habits that are done each week. Kristy talks about how she combines the ideas and principles of the two books mentioned to better suit her business. The book To Sell Is Human, by Daniel Pink is a research-heavy book that breaks down the different layers of information about our careers and industries. There are case studies across several different industries that can help shift the mindset for REALTORS® in how they present themselves and their product. This book is great for people who are looking for thoughtful insight and data. In this business, don't forget to be uniquely you! Do that with a system and a brand for yourself. Guest Links: Goodreads Cherylknows.com Workpurposefully.com Never Split the Difference, by Chris Voss Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life, by Gary John Bishop — the book and the companion workbook Fascinate: How to Make Your Brand Impossible to Resist, by Sally Hogshead How the World Sees You: Discover Your Highest Value Through the Science of Fascination, by Sally Hogshead Think and Grow Rich for Women: Using Your Power to Create Success and Significance, by Sharon Lechter Burn the Hamster Wheel: Stress Management Strategies for Today's Real Estate Professional, by Cheryl Knowlton Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got: 21 Ways You Can Out-Think, Out-Perform, and Out-Earn the Competition, by Jay Abraham Ninja Selling: Subtle Skills. Big Results., by Larry Kendall To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others, by Daniel Pink Real Estate Tech Reboot: Tips for Leveraging Technology to Grow Your Real Estate Business, by Kristy Hairston Additional Links: OnlineLearning.REALTOR for NAR Online Education Training4RE.com — List of Classroom Courses for REBAC and REBI classes. CRD@realtors.org Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR® Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNBlog.com Additional Bios: Cheryl Knowlton is the CEO and Chief Energy Officer of Dynamite Productions, Inc. A 20-year veteran of the real estate and mortgage industries, Cheryl works with real estate professionals who want to increase confidence through compliance and elevate their expertise through education. Cheryl is a proud member of the National Speakers Association and holds the highly coveted Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) Designations as well as the Distinguished Real Estate Instructor (DREI) designation, given by the Real Estate Educators Association. She also holds fifteen designations and certifications bestowed by the National Association of REALTORS®. A record-breaking recruiter, licensed broker, real estate sales and mortgage expert, Cheryl specializes in enthusiastically empowering excellence by consistently delivering highly engaging, timely and relevant content. Cheryl's programming ensures that today's real estate licensees and brokers the tools they need to hit the ground running to raise the bar of professionalism in the real estate industry. Cheryl is the author of "Burn the Hamster Wheel: Stress Management Strategies for Today's Real Estate Professional." She is consistently working to fight overwhelm and burnout and to "burn her own hamster wheel" in her personal and professional life through long runs, loud concerts in the car, weekly massages, and playing with her grandbabies and her dog, Buzz Lightyear. Kristy Hairston Kristy Hairston is an energetic, driven and compassionate leader. For the past 11 years, Kristy has chosen real estate as the vehicle to use those qualities to add value to family, clients and fellow REALTORS®. She is the Principal Broker at Parks Realty in Nashville. She is a national instructor and was awarded the Educator of the Year award in 2018 by Tennessee REALTORS®. "The most rewarding part of being an instructor is the satisfaction that comes from helping others grow their businesses." Kristy is the 2020 President of the Greater Nashville REALTORS®. At the core, Kristy is a life-long learner and goal-setter. She has served on the Tennessee REALTORS® Forms committee for four years. She had a really interesting experience that helped all of us by being the Co-Chair for the NAR Conference and Expo for 2018–2019. You might have seen her on the big stage!

Today's episode is all about historic homes. These homes have unique architecture and features that set them apart. Monica interviews two different guests about mid-century homes and antique homes. They share information about what REALTORS® should know when it comes to renovating and listing these properties. TJ Pierce — Mid-Century Homes: Homes older than 50 years are now considered historic homes. These mid-century homes are homes that were built in the '50s and '60s, with the more technical definition spanning 1947-1972. These homes followed specific architectural trends (usually a ranch style home). These homes were built so people could stay in them for their whole lives and shared many common features. While the time frame is the biggest qualifier for a mid-century home, TJ shares some of the other common characteristics of these homes. The architect is very important for mid-century enthusiasts. There are two different approaches: mass production and the nuance of an architect-grade home. Builders were putting up homes at a rapid rate for Vets returning from war, as well as more individualized homes for important people and the common person. When it comes to renovating these homes, the best practice kind of falls on two different ends of a spectrum. Some people prefer an untouched home to re-enhance the original features, while others like to keep the structure but bring in new features. If you choose to renovate, you'll get the best premium if you keep renovations era-appropriate. Monica and TJ discuss listing these homes, and whether sellers should renovate before they list it on the market. There are many mid-century experts that can provide tips and ideas for ways to update your home appropriately. As REALTORS®, if you understand mid-century architecture or have an expert who does, it may be worth it to update it before listing. If not, it may be better to let someone else come in and do the work. To market these homes, it may be beneficial to make some connections with other people who already market to the mid-century enthusiast community with other products. It's also important to use the appropriate hashtags on social media. In many markets across the country, if you have a listing that has the mid-century style, find those experts and agents to network with. TJ shares many resources that are linked below that provide great content on mid-century architecture and homes. He also shares why they started their company, and how they seek to help the people in their local market and across the globe. Michelle Drum — Older Homes This portion of the episode focuses on homes that were built in the 1800s and early 1900s. When looking for older houses, it really comes down to structure and stability. Some of the most important structural things to look for when listing an antique house are pest infestation and authentic features. Michelle talks about her own home renovation property, and how she and her husband curated it to be as authentic as possible for the next generation. The story of a property is essential for REALTORS® when it comes to listing these homes. When people are looking for an old home, they're looking for a story, not just a building. As an agent, you can help buyers find the story by going back to look at the deeds or historians to see if you can give a name to the house. It will give it a complexity that other properties don't have. Creating these connections between historians and agents can be very beneficial. Michelle talks about some of the renovation/restoration considerations for older homes. When people want to update an older home with modern amenities, some of the most important things to consider are flooring and color schemes. Michelle shares some best practices for listing an older home. The number of bathrooms is usually an issue — she recommends having an original floor plan, and also one with some proposed changes a buyer could make to make it more family-friendly. You may also want to get a quote for central A/C. Anything to get ambiguity off the table will help the listing. Antique houses can also be hard to photograph, so you want to make sure you consider room size, lighting, etc. It is good to give some of the story in the MLS listing. You can share the rest of the story and history of the property at the showing. Putting your home on the national registry won't necessarily increase the value. If a property becomes part of the city's historic register, it may increase the value a little bit. Michelle shares some of the resources she has for people who want to learn about old homes. Most states have a Historical Preservation Commission, and you can also connect with lecturers and builders to learn more about the architecture and style of these older homes. Everybody should find what they love, and really dig deep to learn as much about it as you can. This will bring in buyers and sellers for your career. Additional Links: OnlineLearning.REALTOR for online education offered through NAR's Center for REALTOR® Development Training4RE.com — List of classroom courses for NAR and REBI classes. CRD@REALTORS.org Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR® Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNBlog.com Additional Bios: TJ Pierce For the Mid Century Section: Instagram.com/boisemidcenturyhomes/ Instagram.com/h3kdesign/ Instagram.com/savemidmod/ Instagram.com/midcenturyhome/ #midcenturyhome #midcentury Atomic Ranch Magazine Mid-centuryhomes.com Instagram.com/stussiluquedesign/ Modernism Week TJ Pierce is the owner and team lead of a real estate company based in Boise Idaho called Mid-Century Homes. He is also a Co-host to a podcast called Next Up — Mid-Century Homes where they highlight the people, the places, and the work of folks that are making an impact in the world of mid-century design and architecture. TJ and his team spend as much of their waking time as possible helping make mid-century dreams come true and you can find out more about their work on the web at mid-centuryhomes.com or you can find them on Facebook and Instagram @boisemidcebturyhomes. Michelle Drum Gustavewhite.com/eng/associate/336-a-614-4001805/michelle-drum Facebook.com/MichelleDrumNewportRealtor/ Michelle Drum specializes in the sale of historic & coastal properties in Rhode Island. She lives in a nationally registered Schoolhouse that she and her husband are always in the process of restoring. She puts her Ivy League education in Historic Preservation to good use helping buyers and sellers. Circaoldhouses.com Historicproperties.com RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission

One of the most important things that can help your inspections go smoother is to have a good relationship with your home inspectors. This not only benefits you as the REALTOR® but also benefits your client. An excellent REALTOR® and an excellent inspector is a fabulous combination to help create a better experience for buyers. Today's guest, Scott Frederick, joins Monica on the show to talk about how we can foster better relationships between REALTORS® and inspectors, including what to look for in an inspector and communication skills. The U.S. is about 50-50 between states that require home inspectors to have a license and those that don't. Inspectors should be a member of ASHI or NACHI, especially in states that do not require a license. ASHI is the American Society of Home Inspectors, and InterNACHI is the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. ASHI tends to be more credible, simply because of the guidelines and requirements it takes to become certified. When looking for a home inspector, you should look for at least one of those certifications. Training for home inspectors involves a technical instruction background, but almost as importantly, good communication skills, good grammar, punctuality, and time management are key to becoming a good home inspector. There is usually a mentor/shadow period, where you train with an experienced inspector. As an agent, it's important to do your due diligence to find an inspector to help with the real estate transaction. The most important part of Scott's job is to build the relationship between the client, the buyer, and the REALTOR®. He talks about some of the customer service standards they use on their team, starting from the first call to the systematic inspection of the house. During the inspection, they set up shop, go over what the client ordered in terms of the inspection, and get the expectations of the buyer upfront. Get an unbiased opinion from the beginning so the inspection can be thorough and honest. The way you present yourself from the beginning of the inspection and instill confidence in yourself and your ability will put the client at ease. The inspection is also an opportunity for the client to do their own walk-through and identify anything they are concerned about. Communication is key between inspectors and REALTORS®. Agents need to learn how to be facilitators of information between inspectors and buyers. To be a good communicator, you have to be able to give and receive. As a REALTOR® or an inspector, try to create a good dynamic between you and the other people, so collaborating is productive and easy. As REALTORS® and home inspectors work together over the course of their careers, it creates a camaraderie that leads to good questions and open communication. If there is an issue with the house that comes up during the inspection, it's important to engage the conversation so that the buyer can hear all the information from the inspector themselves. It is all about how you phrase the problem verbally as well as in your report. Scott's team addresses issues in three tiers: 1. Safety 2. Structural Defects 3. Cosmetic Defects. When presenting issues, make sure to offer solutions as well. Whether the agent is at the inspection or not, they are the ones who will be negotiating with the broker. It is important that the inspector leaves thorough comments about any necessary repairs so that the agent can effectively negotiate these. One of the worst habits an inspector can get into is deferring everything to another expert. Agents can help with this by providing feedback to inspectors on what they would like to see. A REALTOR® is just as important in creating a good inspector as an inspector's time in the field. Sometimes it may be a good idea for the inspector to come back after any repairs are made to ensure that they were actually done as the receipt says. Scott does this as a courtesy, but if the relationship is there between the REALTOR® and the inspector, hopefully, something can be arranged at a fair price to provide a level of comfort. When it comes to older homes and inspections, you want to make sure you find an inspector who is knowledgeable about old homes. As a REALTOR®, you can ask questions to make sure you are going to hire a qualified inspector for the home in question. Cosmetic issues are going to differ between old and new homes, and that's something to keep in mind during inspections. When it comes to cosmetics, it comes down to dollars and cents. Depending on cost, cosmetic issues could become larger or more important issues. Scott brings awareness to cosmetic issues but differentiates based on the cost of repair. From there, it is up to the REALTOR® to negotiate price. The final thing Scott reiterates for REALTORS® is the importance of building relationships with inspectors. The more that you know each other and what you want from each other, the better the work relationship is, which ultimately provides the buyer with the best customer experience. Developing open lines of communication is key; it is all a collaborative effort. Some additional courses for more information on this topic: ABR Designation SRS Designation New Home Construction Course Guest Links: Pillar to Post Additional Links: OnlineLearning.REALTOR for NAR Online Education Training4RE.com — List of Classroom Courses for REBAC and REBI classes. CRD@REALTORS.org Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR® Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNBlog.com Additional Bios: Scott Frederick, Pillar to Post Franchise owner, Kirkwood, MO in the Greater St. Louis area. Scottfrederick.pillartopost.com Franchise Owner/Home Inspector Franchise Owner since 2013 Retired St. Louis City Firefighter Former owner of Frederick Renovations ASHI certified home inspector InterNACHI certified home inspector CE Educator Married with two children Enjoys fishing, boating, and spending time with his family

For clients who are in some phase of the divorce process, the house is often the largest asset in the case. As REALTORS® in these cases, you can help your client navigate through the real estate aspects of doing what's best for the family and the property. Laurel discusses her work as a court-appointed real estate expert and shares helpful tips for divorce cases that are also great tips for regular listings. It's important to note that the court has jurisdiction over most things in a divorce case. The first thing that needs to be established is whether the court has made any specific orders regarding the house and the client; the client would be whichever person is on the title. The orders can indicate anything from the list price to certain terms defined. The house often comes into play with other aspects of the case as well. The title company usually disperses the proceeds, but as the REALTOR®, you want to make sure the title company gets a copy of an order that dictates how these should be dispersed. Laurel has been involved in some legal work during her real estate career. In family law, the court and attorneys are accustomed to working with experts. In her work, Laurel is a real estate expert that is appointed by the court to handle the real estate aspect of the case, making recommendations and making sure the court orders are followed. Usually, an agent on the deal would be the court-appointed expert. When you get a client who may be recently divorced, the first step is to do an intake to gather information, like who is and isn't in the house, any court orders, who is on the mortgage, etc. After that, you would generally want to visit the property and do a walk-through; in divorce, there is often evidence of distress. There may be opportunities for improvement so they get the most money. These should always be suggested with discretion and sensitivity for the situation. Asking probing questions to get more information may be uncomfortable, but as REALTORS®, you must own your professionalism. You can't best help your clients without all the information. Proactive communication is especially important in these cases. When it comes to education, it's really important to take the position of not being attached to the outcome. It's not about trying to get them to list the house, it's about giving all the information so the family can make the best choice for them. Communication helps establish trust and neutrality. In Laurel's practice, when they do the intake and the walkthrough, she never meets the clients twice. She meets with the parties separately and will alternate appointments. You want to avoid having too much communication with one client to make it look like you're taking sides. Each situation will be different, but it's important to gather all the information so you are considering both person's needs. Laurel shares some best practice tips for when it comes to communicating through emails. In these situations, it is very common to have pacing issues. One spouse may be ready to sell the house and get everything done, while the other is still grieving the loss of both their house and their marriage. You may have to slow down and get the other spouse on board before you get too far. When getting a lawyer involved, you want to keep them reasonably updated, but don't bombard them with too much communication. Some things to update lawyers on: when the listing agreement has been signed, the terms, once the house is on the market, when the house is in escrow, and when they are ready to close. Don't involve the lawyers unless you absolutely need to. There are some things to prevent early on in a divorce listing. Make sure you know who all is on the title, and make sure the title will respect a Power of Attorney in the situation that the client themselves is unavailable. This is helpful even for a regular listing. You also want to check loan payment amounts that may be affected by previous loan modifications. Laurel recommends ordering a mortgage payoff early on. Knowing how to prevent land mines is key — if you think or know something may be a problem, address it sooner rather than later. Reverse mortgages can be used as a tool in divorce when one person wants to stay in the house or to help a buyer when they want to move into a new house. A spouse who wants to keep the house has to qualify all on their own. With all the expenses surrounding divorce, oftentimes they don't qualify. Laurel is a proponent of not staying married to the mortgage. Reverse mortgages only apply to clients over the age of 62. In normal mortgage situations, you usually will have to refinance to get one person off the mortgage, or sell the house and take the proceeds to find a new living situation. The rules for ownership and how things are dispersed vary from state to state. When it comes to listing agreements, some states take a listing agreement with whoever is on the title. In some states, you also need both parties to sign the listing agreements. It's important to look up your state's regulations. This determines who the client is — whoever you are taking the listing agreement with. If you're working with friends or people you are familiar with, it's important to establish professionalism. You should treat it the same as a situation with a new client, and make sure all the education is provided and you're still following through with all necessary procedures. There are some warning signs when entering divorce real estate situations. One is to make sure your client has an attorney; as a REALTOR®, there is no legal pull, and your client may need help navigating the court system. If one party is trying to sway your allegiance, maintain boundaries and neutrality. Another big warning sign is that lawyers can write into orders a right of first refusal. This can affect the basic rules and regulations of real estate sales. If you take on a case where one spouse wants to buy out the other, make sure that option has been detailed out up front so you don't run into anything later. As REALTORS®, it's not your position to create a sense of urgency to list and sell a property, but you can help motivate them if they are experiencing grief or anger. It starts by building trust with your client. If you can seek to understand their goals and concerns, you can help guide their actions. Children are the unintended casualties in divorce cases. Sometimes parents will use the children as pawns to try to sabotage the sale. There is not an obligation to the kids, but you can help to advise your client on how they can help their children through the situation. Divorce listings are very complex listings. They far surpass agents trying to hit their sales goals; it's about meeting people on their worst day and helping them rebuild. Guest Links: Starks Realty Group The House Matters in Divorce: Untangling the Legal, Financial & Emotional Ties Before You Sign On the Dotted Line, by Laurel Starks Additional Links: OnlineLearning.Realtor for NAR Online Education Training4RE.com — List of Classroom Courses for REBAC and REBI classes. CRD@Realtors.org Host Information: Monica Neubauer Speaker/Podcaster/REALTOR® Monica@MonicaNeubauer.com FuntentionalLiving.com FranklinTNBlog.com Additional Bios: Laurel Starks is a recognized expert in family law real estate, has sold over $120 million in divorce sales volume throughout Southern California, and is often regarded by her peers as the pioneer of the divorce real estate niche. In this capacity, she has advised, consulted, and testified in hundreds of divorce cases, and serves as a court-appointed expert in the disposition of real property. Attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals have come to rely on Laurel's knowledge, judgment, integrity, as well as her ability to explain complex real estate matters to those affected by them. In 2016, Laurel was recognized as an Inman Innovator by Inman News for her pioneering work in the divorce real estate field, and in 2017, Laurel Starks was recognized once again by Inman, as an Inman Influencer for her contributions to the real estate industry. Laurel speaks at numerous events around the country each year and is equally at home addressing ordinary homeowners, REALTORS®, or a room full of judges and attorneys. She is the founder and owner of the Divorce Real Estate Institute for real estate agents. Laurel is the author of The House Matters in Divorce: Untangling the legal, financial and emotional ties to the house in divorce. StarksRealtyGroup.com DREInstitute.com