# The Close > Founded in 2018, The Close is a real estate education platform for agents, teams, and brokerages, delivering expert-backed strategies across marketing, lead generation, technology, and business growth. Our content is shaped by experienced agents, brokers, and industry professionals who understand what it takes to succeed in today's market. The Close is a real estate education platform for agents, teams, and brokerages, providing expert-backed strategies for lead generation, marketing, technology, and business growth. ## Topics - [The Basics](https://theclose.com/category/real-estate-agent-basics/) - [Licensing & Education](https://theclose.com/category/education/) - [Marketing](https://theclose.com/category/real-estate-marketing/) - [Lead Generation](https://theclose.com/category/lead-generation/) - [Tech Reviews](https://theclose.com/category/real-estate-technology/) - [Next Level](https://theclose.com/category/broker/) - [Fun Stuff / Trends](https://theclose.com/category/fun-stuff/) - [News](https://theclose.com/category/news/) - [About](https://theclose.com/about-us/) ## Recent articles - [5 Best Real Estate Schools in Illinois for 2026](https://theclose.com/illinois-real-estate-school.md): Compare the best online real estate schools in Illinois for 2026 based on pricing, flexibility, exam prep, instructor support, and course features. - [5 Best Real Estate Schools in New Jersey for 2026](https://theclose.com/new-jersey-real-estate-schools.md): Compare the best real estate schools in New Jersey for 2026, with a local agent’s insights on pricing, learning formats, exam prep, and support. - [The Top 10 Real Estate Lead Generation Companies in 2026](https://theclose.com/top-real-estate-lead-generation-companies.md): Looking for high-quality real estate leads in 2026? Compare the top 10 lead-generation companies based on pricing, features, and agent fit. - [Private Home Listings Sell for Less, Study Finds — Here's How Much](https://theclose.com/news/news-private-listings-sell-for-less.md): Private listings sold for less than MLS listings in an ARELLO study of 10 million-plus home sales. See the price gaps and what agents should know. - [5 Best Real Estate Schools in Missouri for 2026](https://theclose.com/real-estate-schools-missouri.md): Compare the five best real estate schools in Missouri for 2026, including pricing, learning formats, exam prep, and instructor support. - [PollyOS Launches With AI Mortgage Tools — Will Buyers Benefit?](https://theclose.com/news/news-pollyos-ai-mortgage-platform-launch.md): PollyOS brings AI-powered pricing and risk management to mortgage lenders. Here's what agents should know about its potential impact on buyers. - [Are Open Houses Still Worth It for Real Estate Agents? The 2026 ROI Breakdown](https://theclose.com/news/news-open-houses-real-estate-agents-roi.md): Open houses can generate leads, but do they pay off? Learn how agents can calculate event ROI, track qualified prospects, and evaluate follow-up. - [5 Best Real Estate Schools in Virginia for 2026](https://theclose.com/best-virginia-real-estate-school.md): Compare the best real estate schools in Virginia for 2026, including course formats, pricing, exam prep, and support to find your fit. - [5 Best Real Estate Schools in Hawaii for 2026](https://theclose.com/real-estate-school-in-hawaii.md): Compare the five best real estate schools in Hawaii for 2026, including online and in-person classes, pricing, exam prep, and instructor support. - [The Top 12 Most Famous Real Estate Agents in 2026](https://theclose.com/famous-real-estate-agents.md): Meet 12 famous real estate agents and personalities in 2026, discover what made them recognizable, and get practical lessons for your own career. - [Google Expands AI Search Reports: How Real Estate Agents Can Audit Their Visibility](https://theclose.com/news/news-ai-search-visibility-audit-real-estate-agents.md): Google's new AI search reports reveal more about agent visibility. Learn how to audit your online presence with our free downloadable checklist. - [Instagram Edits Adds Carousel Creator: 5 Posts Agents Can Make From One Listing Shoot](https://theclose.com/news/news-instagram-edits-carousel-real-estate-agents.md): Instagram Edits now lets agents create listing carousels. See five ways to use the new feature, plus download free templates and ready-to-use captions. - [Mortgage Rates Hit 7.40%, a Nearly 3-Year High: What Buyers and Agents Should Know](https://theclose.com/news/news-mortgage-rates-hit-740-percent.md): Mortgage rates reached 7.40%, a nearly three-year high. Here's how rising borrowing costs affect buyer budgets, financing, and negotiations. - [Meta Muse Comes to HighLevel, Bringing AI to Real Estate Lead Management](https://theclose.com/news/news-meta-muse-highlevel-real-estate-automation.md): Meta Muse now connects with HighLevel, giving real estate agents new ways to automate lead management, appointments, and CRM tasks. - [UWM VantageScore 4.0 Results: What Agents Should Verify](https://theclose.com/news/news-uwm-fico-vantagescore-4-agent-guide.md): UWM now selects the strongest qualifying FICO or VantageScore 4.0 result. Here's what agents should check before buyers make an offer. - [ARM Share Hits 10.3% as Mortgage Rates Rise: 5 Questions Buyers Should Ask](https://theclose.com/news/news-adjustable-rate-mortgage-questions-for-buyers.md): As adjustable-rate mortgages gain traction, agents can help buyers weigh lower initial payments against future costs with five key lender questions. - [5 Open House Apps Agents Use to Get More Leads in 2026](https://theclose.com/open-house-apps.md): Discover the best open house apps for real estate agents in 2026 to generate more leads, streamline sign-ins, automate follow-up, and grow your business. - [Listing Price Cuts Hit a 4-Year High as Mortgage Rates Jump — What Agents Should Tell Sellers](https://theclose.com/news/news-price-cuts-seller-conversations.md) - [NAR’s Meta Advantage+ Test Cut Traffic Costs 29% — But Did It Lower Lead Costs?](https://theclose.com/news/news-meta-advantage-real-estate-ads.md): NAR’s Meta Advantage+ test cut landing page costs 29%, but the bigger question for agents is whether cheaper traffic also means cheaper leads. - [5 Best Real Estate Schools in Minnesota for 2026](https://theclose.com/minnesota-real-estate-schools.md): Compare five Minnesota real estate schools by price, learning format, exam prep, and instructor support to find the right fit for your licensing goals in 2026. - [13 Halloween Marketing Ideas for Real Estate Agents (2026)](https://theclose.com/real-estate-halloween-marketing.md): Explore 13 Halloween marketing ideas for real estate agents, from trunk-or-treat events and pet costume contests to postcards and fall home checklists. - [10 Fall Client Event Ideas for Realtors in 2026](https://theclose.com/finance-lending/10-fall-client-event-ideas-for-realtors-in-2026.md): Explore 10 fall client events, from pie-making classes to family photo days, and find fresh ways to connect with clients through fall real estate marketing. - [Pennymac Takes VantageScore 4.0 Live — What Agents Should Check on Buyer Preapprovals](https://theclose.com/news/news-pennymac-vantagescore-4-rollout.md): Pennymac’s VantageScore 4.0 rollout gives agents another reason to verify which credit model supports a buyer’s preapproval. - [Instagram's New Edits Assistant Analyzes Your Reels — Here's What Agents Can Do With It](https://theclose.com/news/news-instagram-edits-assistant-reels.md): Instagram’s new Edits Assistant helps real estate agents analyze Reel performance, test content ideas, and spot what may be worth repeating. - [Most Realtors Spend $500 or Less a Month on Tech, NAR Finds](https://theclose.com/stats-trends/news-real-estate-tech-spending.md): NAR’s 2026 report shows most agents spend $500 or less a month on technology even as AI use continues to rise. ## Popular articles - [30 Real Estate Quotes to Motivate Agents & Real Estate Teams in 2026](https://theclose.com/real-estate-quotes.md) - [How To Become a Successful Real Estate Agent (Minus the Burnout + Free Milestone Roadmap)](https://theclose.com/how-to-be-a-successful-real-estate-agent.md) - [Colibri Real Estate Review 2026: Pricing & Features](https://theclose.com/colibri-real-estate-review.md) - [6 Best Home Mortgage Lenders for 2026](https://theclose.com/best-home-mortgage-lenders.md) ## Feeds - [Sitemap](https://theclose.com/sitemap_index.xml)