The Basics
37 Underrated Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas
The key to lead gen success is finding the right mix of strategies that work for your personality, budget, and skills. Check out our comprehensive list of the best real estate lead generation ideas for 2023.
Emile L'Eplattenier33 Open House Ideas That Will Actually Get You Leads
If you use the right tools, focus on making people feel truly welcome, and learn some simple scripts and strategies, open houses can still be a fantastic way for new and even experienced agents to generate leads.
The 7 Best Free Real Estate CRMs for 2024
If you're not ready to pay for a CRM quite yet, we've picked the best free real estate CRM platforms to help you establish a consistent client communication plan.
What You Need for a Killer Listing Presentation
Getting all the way to the listing appointment and not signing a new client is like dropping a birthday cake after the candles have been lit. Let's make sure that doesn't happen.
Agent Spotlight
all in Agent Spotlight →How to Grow Your Real Estate Business: 11 Tips + 1 to Avoid
One of the most challenging aspects of growing a team or brokerage is scaling lead generation quickly enough to keep junior agents happy and busy.
14 Real Estate Testimonial Examples to Inspire Your Referral Marketing
When people are hunting for the best real estate agent to work with, they’re looking for examples that show you are trusted by others. That's why testimonials from your past clients can work wonders for your business.
15 Must-follow Real Estate Instagram Accounts (+ 5 Growth Hacks)
All of the agents on this list have found unique and entertaining ways to promote their real estate business without being too sales-y. Check them out if you need some inspiration for your own Instagram account or just a good laugh.
Pride Month: The Real Estate Industry Can Do Better. Here’s How.
We talked to top-producing LGBTQ+ agents, industry friends, and allies about how we can all help make our industry more inclusive.
Buyer Agent 101
all in Buyer Agent 101 →The Ultimate Real Estate Buyer Agent Checklist
We put together six efficient checklists to empower your clients to play a more active role in their transactions—giving you back some of your time to foster more client relationships and grow your business.
The LPMAMA Script for Real Estate & How to Use It
The LPMAMA framework builds trust and rapport, educates buyers, and shows off your expertise—quickly and efficiently.
7 Steps to Writing a Real Estate Business Plan (+ Template)
Whether you are a solo agent, leading team or founding a brokerage, our free real estate business plan templates will help focus your strategy, define your goals, and lay your path for growth and success.
How to Make Your Offer Stand Out: 8 Tips for Savvy Agents
A strong seller’s market is a lot like dealing with the craziness of this pandemic. You never know what to expect day to day. Listing agents are flying high with attention on their listings. But, of course, buyer’s agents are always frustrated with the amount of work they are putting in only to get shot down and have to repeat the process over and over again.
Career Path
all in Career Path →How to Make Money as a Real Estate Agent: 11 Strategies to Earn More
It’s been rough out there lately, but don't worry—I've got your back! I’ll share nine awesome tips on how to make money as a real estate agent, even when things aren't exactly booming.
Women in Real Estate Breaking Barriers: The Barbie Movement in Action at Inman NYC
We're seeing a shift in mindset in the industry centered around personality marketing, making connections through relatable storytelling, and developing an empowering mindset. And women are leading the way.
Real Estate Agent Salary: How Much Do Agents Really Make?
Capturing hard numbers on what the average agent earns is like trying to nail Jell-O to a wall. But here at The Close, we developed a salary database tool that gives unique insight into real estate agent salaries in each state—and we bet the results will surprise you.
9 Common Mistakes New Broker-Owners Make (+ How to Avoid Them)
Establishing a solid foundation for your brokerage is not just a recommendation—it's the key to long-term sustainability. By understanding these nine essential aspects, you can position yourself as a trusted broker and ensure the growth and viability of your new business.
CRMs
all in CRMs →Lofty CRM Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons (2024)
Lofty, formerly Chime, is your all-in-one real estate management buddy, blending top-notch customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities with powerful marketing and lead generation tools.
Realvolve Review: Pricing, Features & Pros & Cons (2024)
Today, we’re going to kick the tires a bit to see if Realvolve is evolved enough for today’s tech-savvy Realtors.
The 10 Best Real Estate CRMs of 2024
Ask any top-performing real estate agent what their can’t-live-without tool is, and chances are they’ll say a great real estate CRM. But which is best?
Zurple Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons
Zurple is more than a lead generation platform, they are a lead conversion platform. Are they right for your business?
Designations
all in Designations →What Is the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) Designation?
The ABR designation is a way to set yourself apart from your competition and win more clients.
The SRES Designation: Is It Worth It for Residential Agents?
After 28 years in real estate, I still love niche marketing. And the SRES designation claims to prepare you for the niche of one of the fastest growing demographics in the U.S.: senior citizens. The question is, is it worth it?
9 Real Estate Designations That Will Actually Make You Money
These 8 real estate designations will position you as a subject matter expert, help you develop your professional network, and are the mostly likely ones to boost your income.
Is the CRS Designation Worth It? + CRS Member of the Year Interview
If you have been interested in earning your certified residential specialist (CRS) designation, now may be the best time to do it.
Featured Listings
all in Featured Listings →What Is a Pocket Listing? Definition, Pros & Cons for 2024
A pocket listing is a real estate industry term for a property that a broker has been given the exclusive right to sell by virtue of a signed listing agreement.
16 Weird Real Estate Listings You Won’t Believe
As a real estate agent, have you ever sold a weird house?
25 Popular Home Styles Every Realtor Should Know
If you’re even a little unsure about the common home styles you’re going to sell in your farm area, check out our cheat sheet of common home styles.
45 Bad Real Estate Photos Agents Actually Posted
There’s just something about the combination of real estate agent + homeowner + camera that leads to artistic disasters. Check out this epic collection as well as six expert tips on staging and photography so your images never end up on our list.
First-Time Homebuyers
all in First-Time Homebuyers →136 Real Estate Terms & Definitions Your Clients Expect You to Know
Your clients expect you to be their interpreter. This comprehensive list of real estate definitions will help you ensure you’re communicating with clients effectively.
Does the Market Hate Everyone or Just My First-time Homebuyers?
Are your first-time homebuyers slowly unraveling in the current market? They're not alone. Everyone talking about residential real estate is saying the same thing: We’ve never seen anything like this.
Do Buyer’s Agents Have All the Fun?
The mission for buyer's agents is deceptively simple: find the perfect property for buyers and guide them through the homebuying process. It’s pretty great, actually—kind of like being a real estate superhero.
Launch Your Business
all in Launch Your Business →13 Tips for Creative Real Estate Headshots (+ Examples)
In the world of digital marketing, your headshot is often the first time prospects, leads, and clients will see your face. This means a professional, polished photo that represents who you are and what you stand for is a must have.
How to Educate Unrealistic Buyers & Convert More Leads (Quickly)
If you learn how to educate unrealistic buyers the right way, you just might get an evangelist for life. Here are 11 tips that will help you do just that.
9 Pros & Cons of Being a Real Estate Agent (+ Tips for Success)
Choosing a career in real estate is a big decision, and you should feel fully prepared to move forward. Or perhaps not move forward. That’s why we're sharing some not-so-popular opinions on this industry to really get you thinking.
21 Fun Real Estate Door Hanger Ideas to Inspire You
Ready to up your prospecting game? We’ve scoured the internet to find some creative real estate door hangers to inspire you.
Motivation
all in Motivation →Why Do Real Estate Agents Fail: 7 Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
You may have read online that many real estate agents fail.
The 12 Best Real Estate Motivational Speakers for 2024
Luckily, we live in an era where the collected wisdom of some of the smartest, most successful people in your industry are giving away their secrets for free.
The Best Real Estate Coaches for 2024
Since choosing the wrong real estate coach can be an expensive mistake, we crunched the numbers to find the best real estate coaches and programs in the industry.
How to Switch Real Estate Brokerages in 2024 (+ Template & Checklist)
So you’re thinking you want to switch real estate companies in the new year, but you’re not sure how or where to start? This step-by-step guide will make sure you’re prepared to make the transition to a new brokerage as smooth and efficient as possible.
Realtor Safety
all in Realtor Safety →How to Spot & Avoid the Top 7 Real Estate Scams (+ Protect Your Clients)
There’s no shortage of scammers and fraudsters trying to take advantage of you and your clients. Here's what to watch out for and some ways for everyone in the real estate community to stay safe.
Realtor Safety Month Resources for Agents, Teams & Brokerages
Whether you’re a new agent or you’ve been in the business for decades, it’s easy to get complacent.
Shock Study: More Than 50% of Realtors Carry Weapons on Showings
We talked to Realtors who carried weapons during showings to find out their stories.
Stats + Trends
all in Stats + Trends →Top 5 Green Building Trends for Real Estate
In 2024 green building won’t be just for granola munching hippies or off-grid survivalists.
5 Emerging Real Estate Industry Trends for 2024
At The Close, we always have our finger on the pulse, so we know that some real estate trends come and go, and some change our industry forever.
4 Real Estate Technology Trends to Watch in 2024
Real estate tech trends are changing the way we do business for the better. We break down what we saw at NAR’s 2023 NXT conference to show you how you can capitalize on the latest technology in your business.
65 Real Estate Infographics + How to Make Your Own & Go Viral
Real estate infographics are one of the most engaging ways to get your message in front of your audience and get your content shared far and wide.