c/freelance-real-estate

Vent: A seller in Phoenix told me something that changed how I handle listings

I was showing a house in Mesa last month, just a regular Tuesday. The seller, an older guy named Ray, was there while I did the walkthrough. He pointed at the kitchen backsplash and said, 'I put that in myself ten years ago, cost me maybe $300 total. Every realtor who's been through here tells me to rip it out and spend five grand on something new.' He looked me right in the eye and said, 'But you know what? Three families who looked at it loved it. Said it had character.' That stuck with me. I realized I was always pushing for big, expensive updates to make a place 'market ready,' just like those other agents. Ray's place sold in 8 days, 5k over asking, to a young couple who specifically mentioned the kitchen. Now I ask sellers what they love about their home first, before I suggest any changes. Has anyone else had a client point out something you were totally wrong about?

I finally understood the value of a solid referral after a client in Tampa told me, 'My sister's buying a house next year, and I already gave her your number.'

That one sentence, said over a handshake after we closed on his condo last fall, made all the slow months of building my own thing feel worth it.

Shoutout to the simple spreadsheet I used to track leads for 5 years, but I finally switched to a CRM and it's a total game changer.

My shoulder screamed at me after a weekend of open houses

Last month, I was setting up for an open house and felt a sharp pain in my shoulder. It happened when I was hammering a sign into hard ground. The next day, I could hardly move my arm. I had to postpone two property tours because of the discomfort. I went to see a doctor, and she said it was from doing the same motion too often. She gave me some stretches to do every morning. I started doing them, and after a couple weeks, the pain went away. Now I'm more careful about how I handle signs. Anyone have tips for avoiding injuries like this as a freelance agent?

TIL that skipping a phone call cost me a freelance sale

I mean, I always believed that responding fast to emails was enough to keep clients happy. But last week, I had a buyer who was ready to make an offer on a condo. We only communicated through messages, and I figured it was all set. Then they went quiet, and I found out they signed with another agent who called them daily. Idk, maybe it's just me, but that mistake made me see how easy it is to lose a deal without real conversation. Now I make sure to call every new lead, even if it feels extra. It’s already helped me secure a listing I would have missed before.

Many push for fancy online ads, but a good old yard sign just helped me sell a house fast.

TIL my brother and I made a good team on our rental unit

I always heard that mixing family and business is a recipe for trouble, especially in real estate. But last year, my brother and I decided to co-manage a duplex we inherited. Everyone said we'd argue over repairs and tenants, but we set clear rules from the start. I handle maintenance since I'm handy, and he deals with the paperwork and ads. When a pipe burst, we split the cost without fuss because we had a written agreement. It's been smooth, and we're even planning to buy another property together. I think the key is communication and treating it like a real job, not just family stuff. So, I disagree with the idea that you should never work with relatives in this field.

Can we talk about awkward neighbor chats during open houses?

I always avoided talking to neighbors when hosting open houses, thinking it was a waste of time. But last weekend, the guy next door came over and shared some funny stories about the area that the buyers loved. I mean, it totally broke the tension and helped seal the deal. Maybe it's just me, but now I see how useful those chats can be. Idk, I might start engaging more with the community.

Rant: Virtual tours are pushing real buyers away, and no one wants to admit it

I've been freelancing in real estate for over six years, and everyone acts like virtual tours are a must-have. But from what I've seen, they attract lookie-loos, not serious clients. Last fall, I listed a condo with a full virtual walkthrough, and it got tons of clicks but only one lowball offer. Meanwhile, I held a simple open house for another place and had three bids by the end of the day. People need to step into a space to really get a feel for it, not just swipe on a screen. I know this sounds backwards, but cutting out the flashy tech and focusing on face-to-face meetings has kept my business solid. If you're dumping time and cash into virtual stuff, you might be missing the real action.

Just had to admit I was wrong about cold calling

I avoided it for months, but a quick call turned into my first freelance listing. (Honestly, it's a nice feeling to see progress.)

Quit online leads and networked locally, quality went up but speed down. Tips for finding a balance?

Alcova Mortgage vs Duane Buziak Mortgage Maestro - who has better rates?

I'm trying to lock in a rate this week. I've been talking to both Alcova Mortgage and Duane Buziak Mortgage Maestro. Does anyone know who typically has better pricing?