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What Is The Best CRM For Commercial Real Estate in 2019

April 22, 2019 | 78 views

For the last 25 years, one of the most common things I’m asked is: What is the best CRM for commercial real estate? I’ve made a career out of cracking the code on this so I’m the guy to ask. Every commercial real estate professional should be using a CRM. Based on my experience, you are at a significant disadvantage without one. And, a commercial real estate CRM is special because it’s made to accommodate a specific type of user. Over the years I’ve identified a distinct list of proven CRM features that are relied upon by our industry’s top producers. This post will help you understand those features so you’ll be able to recognize the best CRM for commercial real estate when you see it.

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Baird & Warner

Established in 1855, Baird & Warner is Chicagoland's largest, locally owned independent residential real estate services company. The Baird & Warner brand has been synonymous with experience, innovation and integrity for more than 150 years. Steve Baird, the firm’s fifth-generation owner, has been consistently recognized among the industry’s most influential leaders.

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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

Why there is Rising Demand for Green Properties?

Article | July 14, 2022

The belief that green properties bring multiple benefits for both residents and developers is becoming universal. The real estate buyers are realizing the integral role played by the green buildings in minimizing carbon emissions and contributing toward one of the biggest global agendas – Climate Change. Across the UAE, some landlords are evaluating the cost and the benefits of making their portfolios greener to meet the expectations of the property buyers as well as the tenants who are becoming more environment-friendly. Rising international focus on climate change, Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit and UAE’s net-zero initiative to minimize emissions and pledging to invest almost $165 billion in clean energy by 2050 are the other major reasons for the landlords to construct green buildings. Covid-19 has created an urge for employee safety to ensure they feel comfortable coming to the office. To take employee safety to the next level, corporations are choosing green properties to prioritize employees’ well-being and adapt to their occupational strategies and achieve their sustainability goals. What is a Green Building? The World Green Building Council (WGBC) defines a green building as – “a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment.” Some of the features suggested by WGBC which make a building green include – Efficient use of energy, water, and other resources Use of renewable energy, such as – solar energy, pollution, and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling Good indoor environmental air quality Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical, and sustainable Consideration of the environment in the design Construction, and operation Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design Construction, and operation Design that enables adaptation to a changing environment Exponential Rise in the Demand for Greener Properties There has been a huge rise in the demand for greener and energy-efficient properties not only in the UAE but across the Middle East. As per the Knight Frank – 2021 survey – proximity to green space and good air quality topped the list of location features and are more important to home buyers in the Middle East than their global counterparts. Half of the respondents cited the energy efficiency of their next home as being a ‘very important‘ issue, compared to 42% of global buyers. There has been a rising demand for green and energy-efficient properties in the UAE. The region is at the pinnacle in the Middle East in the national concentration of sustainable buildings and stands at the 14th spot in the world with 869 green-rated buildings, according to the 2nd edition of Knight Frank’s (Y)our Space report – 2021 which surveyed almost 400 businesses worldwide on their workplace strategies and real estate needs. This sends a strong signal to the developers and planners to embrace building green properties to attract eco-friendly homebuyers in the UAE. Reasons for Rising Demand for Green Properties Here are the top 7 reasons for the rising demand for Green Properties in the UAE 1. Increasing Awareness The last decade has witnessed a colossal rise in the awareness among the UAE real estate developers and homebuyers about sustainable construction practices and the adverse effects of climate change, rising energy consumption, and carbon emission on their health and life which has significantly increased the demand for greener properties. The rising awareness about the advantages of green buildings is very evident from the leading studies conducted recently. The research conducted by EcoMENA in 2021 titled – ‘Green Building Trends in the Middle East’ reveals that in the last decade, green building design has become a top priority of real estate developers across the Middle East. The number of LEED-registered buildings has increased rapidly across the region, from 623 in 2010 to more than 2500 in 2020. UAE is ranked among the top 10 countries that hold LEED certifications in the world with Dubai ranked 3rd in the list of cities having the highest number of LEED-certified buildings. UAE has more than 600 LEED-certified projects. 2. Supportive Government Policies UAE has launched the ‘Net-Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative’ to reduce carbon emissions and will invest over AED 600 billion in renewable energy to minimize carbon emissions and move the nation towards cleaner energy. Other initiatives launched by the UAE to reduce carbon emissions which will increase the sales of green properties include – UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Centennial 2071, and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which sets a 50% target for clean energy in the country, among others. The UAE government has already established several sustainable development goals which serve as a guiding principle for most upcoming real estate projects in the region. 3. Lower Construction & Operational Cost Research conducted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) reveals that the cost of installing green building features and technologies is significantly overestimated. Many developers perceive that the upfront cost of a green building is, on average, 17% higher than the original cost of a similar traditional building, however, that’s not true. The research by the U.S. Green building Council (USGBC) reveals the initial cost of a green building is only 2%-3% higher than its non-green counterpart. Moreover, green buildings consume 25%-35% less energy than non-green buildings and have 14% less operation and maintenance costs than their traditional counterparts. Modern property owners also prioritize renting or leasing green buildings or apartments due to their cost benefits. Green buildings also allow developers to save 20% of the initial construction cost annually by reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, green buildings allow developers to complete large-scale green projects at a much larger scale resulting in more revenues and business expansion. Using incentive technology such as Virtual Power Plants (VPP) combined with an onsite solar asset will further allow real estate developers to reduce the operational cost and utility cost and explore new models of maximizing income outside of increasing rent and making their properties more attractive for eco-friendly homes buyers. 4. Lower Rents & Service Charges Green properties are a win-win situation for every stakeholder. Due to their lower construction cost and energy consumption, green buildings have minimal operational costs. This is indeed good news for the homeowners and tenants as lower operational cost of the building leads to a reduction in their energy bills, service charges, and rents. The lower service charges and rents often result in higher resident satisfaction and occupancy rate for the landlords and developers. 5. The rise in Environment-friendly Buyers Rising awareness about the adverse impact of emissions on the health of humans as well as on the environment has attracted a number of homebuyers toward green properties. This is encouraging real estate developers to construct more green properties to foster quick sales. Two years ago we had to convince property developers to go green and think about efficient energy. The majority didn’t know what ‘green’ meant and assumed there was an extra cost attached. Now developers want to go green and some are achieving Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, an internationally recognized green building rating system. Many large developers are creating their own green design guidelines to be followed by smaller developers building on their plot of land.” Khalid Bushnaq, CEO of Energy Management Services (EMS) There has been an exponential surge in buyers prioritizing green properties as they support a cleaner environment for future generations. 6. Investors Prioritizing Greener Properties for Letting & Sales There has been a rise in the investors and businesses prioritizing the green credentials of a property while making their purchase decision. This will indeed spur their saleability and rentability in the coming days. To cater to the demand of modern and environment-friendly buyers, real estate developers are coming up with greener properties and are evaluating the cost and the benefits of greenifying their portfolios. 7. Rising Sustainability Concerns There have been rising concerns about sustainability among both residential & commercial clients. Corporates across the globe are showing great interest in going sustainable and prioritizing sustainable buildings for their offices. According to the 2nd edition of Knight Frank’s (Y)our Space report, “40% of firms have set a net-zero carbon target and, of those, 77% are aiming to achieve this by 2030. 87% of firms surveyed had less than half of their current global real estate portfolios either ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’. Rising sustainability concerns among the buyers will accelerate the sales and rents of the green properties and will play a crucial role in minimizing the emission rate of the UAE. Summary Here is the summary of the article – There has been a rise in the attractiveness of greener properties among buyers across the UAE to reduce carbon emissions and move towards a healthy lifestyle. Climate change, COP 26, and UAEs investment in clean energy by 2050 have been the major drivers in raising awareness of green properties Along with the residential, the commercial sector is also prioritizing moving their offices to green properties to prioritize employee’s safety and adapt to their occupational strategies A Green building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. The Knight Frank – 2021 survey on Middle East buyers reveals that proximity to green space and good air quality topped the list of location features. Half of the respondents considered the energy efficiency of their next home to be a ‘very important’ issue, compared to 42% of global buyers. UAE is ranked 14th in the world with 869 green-rated buildings The top reasons for the rising demand for green properties are as follows Increasing awareness Supportive government policies Lower construction & operational cost Lower rents & service charges Increase in environment-friendly buyers Investors Prioritizing Greener Properties for Letting & Sales Rising sustainability concerns among the buyers

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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

Why the Growing Number of Homes for Sale Is Good for Your Move Up

Article | July 12, 2022

Are you thinking about selling your current home? If so, the biggest question on your mind may be: if I sell now, where will I go? If this resonates with you, there’s something you should know. The number of homes coming onto the market is increasing and that could make it easier for you to move up this summer. While this news has clear benefits for buyers who are craving more options for their home search, what does that mean for current homeowners like you? It gives you two distinct opportunities in today’s housing market. Opportunity 1: Take Advantage of More Options for Your Move Up If your current house no longer meets your needs or lacks the space and features you want, this gives you even more opportunity to sell and move up into the home of your dreams. As more options come to market, you’ll have more to choose from when you search for your next home. Partnering with a local real estate professional can help make sure you see these listings as soon as they come onto the market. And when you do find the one, that professional can advise you on how to write a winning offer to seal the deal. Opportunity 2: Sell Before You Have More Competition Just know that, in order to make sure your house shines above the rest, it may make sense to put your home up for sale before your neighbors do the same, creating more competition in your area. The increase in the number of homes being listed for sale is expected to continue, and a recent study from realtor.com says two-thirds of homeowners looking to sell say they’ll do so by August. A real estate professional can advise you on what you need to tackle to get your house ready to list so they can put that for sale sign up in your yard sooner rather than later. That’s because the process of getting a home ready to sell isn’t taking as long as you may think. As a result, you can capitalize on today’s sellers’ market and get ahead of the competition. Bottom Line If you’re a current homeowner looking to sell, let’s connect to begin the process. You have a unique opportunity to benefit from the additional homes being listed today and sell before your house has more competition.

Read More
REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY

4 Facts to Help First-Time Homebuyers Overcome Common Fears

Article | July 25, 2022

For first-time homebuyers, making the transition from renter to homeowner can be exciting, overwhelming, and scary all at once. Yet as Gary Keller and Jay Papasan write in the second edition of Your First Home, “Those who live the most fulfilling lives base their decisions on facts, not fears.” Below, we’ve outlined four powerful facts from Your First Home to help move anxious homeowners toward the fulfillment and abundance Keller and Papasan nod to. Delivered with empathy, care, and your expertise – these facts can help ease fears and move clients closer to experiencing all the bounties homeownership brings. Fear 1: “I can’t afford to buy a home now.” Fact: Until you do the math, you don’t know what you can or can’t afford. If you are currently paying rent, generally you can afford to buy. From a financial point of view, in the United States, the tax savings on mortgage interest alone usually make up most of the difference between your rent and mortgage payments – the tax write-offs you get at the end of year will generally help you save a lot of money. Additionally, depending on your credit score, you can end up affording more than you realize. Note: The credit scores used for mortgage lending tend to take on a much larger picture of your overall credit score. Finally, although there may be a higher initial cost to buying a house, if you’re planning on staying in one place for a few years, the equity you build can end up being a financial boon. Fear 2: “I should wait until the real estate market gets better.” Fact: There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. Whether “right” means the right price or the right property for you, waiting for the perfect market timing seldom works to your advantage. If you don’t believe us, look back to the Great Recession when the bubble around the housing market burst, GDP declined 4.5% and unemployment rose to around 9.5%. Everyone still feels the impact of this incredible financial event. But, like those who endured the Great Depression, the people who lived through the Great Recession made it through, and benefited from an era of financial growth. In fact immediately following the Great Recession, the United States entered the longest period of rising prices and general prosperity since World War II. The fact of the matter is, even the biggest economic downturns are, well, normal. Even when there were some events that threatened to dampen the economy, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market still continued to thrive. In the end, there are two ways to make money in real estate: timing and time. That is you happen upon the right moment to purchase your home before the price appreciates, or you hold it for a long enough time so that appreciation makes your purchase investment right. If you miss the first, you can most certainly count on the second. Fear 3: “I don’t have the money for a down payment.” Fact: There are a variety of down-payment options available to you. While many people believe that making a home purchase requires a substantial down payment, as as much as 20%,, this is seldom true. Options are always available to you that require much less than this number, as low as 5%, some even less. Moreover, most states have down-payment assistance programs that can help you afford to buy. House-hacking can also be a great way to make homeownership a more affordable option. House-hacking is when you purchase a piece of real estate and lease out one of the bedrooms or units. This rental income can then be applied toward your mortgage. Or, you can participate in home rental programs like Vrbo or Airbnb. While it may not be ideal all of the time, you could always make your month’s mortgage payment by renting your place while you’re on vacation. Fear 4: “I can’t buy a home because my credit score isn’t good.” Fact: A less-than-perfect credit score won’t necessarily prevent you from buying a home. Although it’s valuable to have a good credit score, a poor one shouldn’t necessarily prevent you from talking to lenders to explore your options. You can expect that a good loan officer (or mortgage specialist) will be able to help you resolve your credit challenges, often simply by showing you how to move or consolidate your debts, or by referring you to a credit counselor who will put you on a plan. If you’re facing the challenge of having no credit history because you are new to the workforce or have not made regular purchases on credit, there are still possible solutions that you may want to explore. One is to secure financing with the help of a cosigner, such as parents or a close relative, who is willing to stand by your ability to make the payments. Another can be finding a lender who is willing to use alternative forms of history such as student loans, rent, and utilities. Looking For More Homeownership Resources? Head over to the Your First Home webpage for freebies, including information on how to build out your real estate dream team and for your clients, a resource on how to determine their homeownership criteria.

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REAL ESTATE ADVICE

Why You Need an Expert To Determine the Right Price for Your House

Article | June 6, 2022

If your lifestyle has changed recently and you’re ready to make a move, taking advantage of today’s sellers’ market might be just the answer for your summer plans. With homes continuing to get multiple offers, this could be your moment to get the contract you’re looking for on your house if you’re ready to sell. And here’s the thing – you need an expert on your side to ensure you make all the right moves when you do, especially when it comes to pricing your house. Even in this competitive market, you can’t stick just any price tag on your home and get the deal you want. A key piece of the puzzle is setting the right asking price so you can help buyers notice your home (and get excited about it) from the very first time they view the listing. That’s where a real estate professional comes in. Why Pricing Your House Right Is Important The price you set for your house sends a message to potential buyers. Price it too low and you might raise questions about your home’s condition or lead buyers to assume something is wrong with the property. Not to mention, if you undervalue your house, you could leave money on the table which decreases your future buying power. On the other hand, price it too high, and you run the risk of deterring buyers. When that happens, you may have to do a price drop to try to re-ignite interest in your house when it sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag for some buyers who will wonder why the price was reduced and what that means about the home. In other words, think of pricing your home as a target. Your goal is to aim directly for the center – not too high, not too low, but right at market value. Pricing your house fairly based on market conditions increases the chance you’ll have more buyers who are interested in purchasing it. That makes it more likely you’ll see multiple offers, too. And if a bidding war happens, you’ll likely get an even higher final sale price. Plus, when homes are priced right, they tend to sell quickly. Lean on a Professional’s Expertise There are several factors that go into pricing your house, and balancing them is the key. That’s why it’s important to lean on an expert real estate advisor when you’re ready to move. A local real estate advisor is knowledgeable about: The value of homes in your neighborhood The current demand for houses in today’s market The condition of your house and how it affects the value A real estate professional will balance these factors to make sure the price of your house makes the best first impression and gives you the greatest return on your investment in the end. Bottom Line If you’re thinking about selling, pricing your house appropriately is key. Let’s connect to make sure your house is priced right for the local market, for your home’s condition, and to stand out from the competition.

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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

3 Ways to Simplify Leasing Out Your Commercial Property

Article | July 14, 2022

The belief that green properties bring multiple benefits for both residents and developers is becoming universal. The real estate buyers are realizing the integral role played by the green buildings in minimizing carbon emissions and contributing toward one of the biggest global agendas – Climate Change. Across the UAE, some landlords are evaluating the cost and the benefits of making their portfolios greener to meet the expectations of the property buyers as well as the tenants who are becoming more environment-friendly. Rising international focus on climate change, Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit and UAE’s net-zero initiative to minimize emissions and pledging to invest almost $165 billion in clean energy by 2050 are the other major reasons for the landlords to construct green buildings. Covid-19 has created an urge for employee safety to ensure they feel comfortable coming to the office. To take employee safety to the next level, corporations are choosing green properties to prioritize employees’ well-being and adapt to their occupational strategies and achieve their sustainability goals. What is a Green Building? The World Green Building Council (WGBC) defines a green building as – “a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment.” Some of the features suggested by WGBC which make a building green include – Efficient use of energy, water, and other resources Use of renewable energy, such as – solar energy, pollution, and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling Good indoor environmental air quality Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical, and sustainable Consideration of the environment in the design Construction, and operation Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design Construction, and operation Design that enables adaptation to a changing environment Exponential Rise in the Demand for Greener Properties There has been a huge rise in the demand for greener and energy-efficient properties not only in the UAE but across the Middle East. As per the Knight Frank – 2021 survey – proximity to green space and good air quality topped the list of location features and are more important to home buyers in the Middle East than their global counterparts. Half of the respondents cited the energy efficiency of their next home as being a ‘very important‘ issue, compared to 42% of global buyers. There has been a rising demand for green and energy-efficient properties in the UAE. The region is at the pinnacle in the Middle East in the national concentration of sustainable buildings and stands at the 14th spot in the world with 869 green-rated buildings, according to the 2nd edition of Knight Frank’s (Y)our Space report – 2021 which surveyed almost 400 businesses worldwide on their workplace strategies and real estate needs. This sends a strong signal to the developers and planners to embrace building green properties to attract eco-friendly homebuyers in the UAE. Reasons for Rising Demand for Green Properties Here are the top 7 reasons for the rising demand for Green Properties in the UAE 1. Increasing Awareness The last decade has witnessed a colossal rise in the awareness among the UAE real estate developers and homebuyers about sustainable construction practices and the adverse effects of climate change, rising energy consumption, and carbon emission on their health and life which has significantly increased the demand for greener properties. The rising awareness about the advantages of green buildings is very evident from the leading studies conducted recently. The research conducted by EcoMENA in 2021 titled – ‘Green Building Trends in the Middle East’ reveals that in the last decade, green building design has become a top priority of real estate developers across the Middle East. The number of LEED-registered buildings has increased rapidly across the region, from 623 in 2010 to more than 2500 in 2020. UAE is ranked among the top 10 countries that hold LEED certifications in the world with Dubai ranked 3rd in the list of cities having the highest number of LEED-certified buildings. UAE has more than 600 LEED-certified projects. 2. Supportive Government Policies UAE has launched the ‘Net-Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative’ to reduce carbon emissions and will invest over AED 600 billion in renewable energy to minimize carbon emissions and move the nation towards cleaner energy. Other initiatives launched by the UAE to reduce carbon emissions which will increase the sales of green properties include – UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Centennial 2071, and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which sets a 50% target for clean energy in the country, among others. The UAE government has already established several sustainable development goals which serve as a guiding principle for most upcoming real estate projects in the region. 3. Lower Construction & Operational Cost Research conducted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) reveals that the cost of installing green building features and technologies is significantly overestimated. Many developers perceive that the upfront cost of a green building is, on average, 17% higher than the original cost of a similar traditional building, however, that’s not true. The research by the U.S. Green building Council (USGBC) reveals the initial cost of a green building is only 2%-3% higher than its non-green counterpart. Moreover, green buildings consume 25%-35% less energy than non-green buildings and have 14% less operation and maintenance costs than their traditional counterparts. Modern property owners also prioritize renting or leasing green buildings or apartments due to their cost benefits. Green buildings also allow developers to save 20% of the initial construction cost annually by reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, green buildings allow developers to complete large-scale green projects at a much larger scale resulting in more revenues and business expansion. Using incentive technology such as Virtual Power Plants (VPP) combined with an onsite solar asset will further allow real estate developers to reduce the operational cost and utility cost and explore new models of maximizing income outside of increasing rent and making their properties more attractive for eco-friendly homes buyers. 4. Lower Rents & Service Charges Green properties are a win-win situation for every stakeholder. Due to their lower construction cost and energy consumption, green buildings have minimal operational costs. This is indeed good news for the homeowners and tenants as lower operational cost of the building leads to a reduction in their energy bills, service charges, and rents. The lower service charges and rents often result in higher resident satisfaction and occupancy rate for the landlords and developers. 5. The rise in Environment-friendly Buyers Rising awareness about the adverse impact of emissions on the health of humans as well as on the environment has attracted a number of homebuyers toward green properties. This is encouraging real estate developers to construct more green properties to foster quick sales. Two years ago we had to convince property developers to go green and think about efficient energy. The majority didn’t know what ‘green’ meant and assumed there was an extra cost attached. Now developers want to go green and some are achieving Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, an internationally recognized green building rating system. Many large developers are creating their own green design guidelines to be followed by smaller developers building on their plot of land.” Khalid Bushnaq, CEO of Energy Management Services (EMS) There has been an exponential surge in buyers prioritizing green properties as they support a cleaner environment for future generations. 6. Investors Prioritizing Greener Properties for Letting & Sales There has been a rise in the investors and businesses prioritizing the green credentials of a property while making their purchase decision. This will indeed spur their saleability and rentability in the coming days. To cater to the demand of modern and environment-friendly buyers, real estate developers are coming up with greener properties and are evaluating the cost and the benefits of greenifying their portfolios. 7. Rising Sustainability Concerns There have been rising concerns about sustainability among both residential & commercial clients. Corporates across the globe are showing great interest in going sustainable and prioritizing sustainable buildings for their offices. According to the 2nd edition of Knight Frank’s (Y)our Space report, “40% of firms have set a net-zero carbon target and, of those, 77% are aiming to achieve this by 2030. 87% of firms surveyed had less than half of their current global real estate portfolios either ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’. Rising sustainability concerns among the buyers will accelerate the sales and rents of the green properties and will play a crucial role in minimizing the emission rate of the UAE. Summary Here is the summary of the article – There has been a rise in the attractiveness of greener properties among buyers across the UAE to reduce carbon emissions and move towards a healthy lifestyle. Climate change, COP 26, and UAEs investment in clean energy by 2050 have been the major drivers in raising awareness of green properties Along with the residential, the commercial sector is also prioritizing moving their offices to green properties to prioritize employee’s safety and adapt to their occupational strategies A Green building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. The Knight Frank – 2021 survey on Middle East buyers reveals that proximity to green space and good air quality topped the list of location features. Half of the respondents considered the energy efficiency of their next home to be a ‘very important’ issue, compared to 42% of global buyers. UAE is ranked 14th in the world with 869 green-rated buildings The top reasons for the rising demand for green properties are as follows Increasing awareness Supportive government policies Lower construction & operational cost Lower rents & service charges Increase in environment-friendly buyers Investors Prioritizing Greener Properties for Letting & Sales Rising sustainability concerns among the buyers

Read More
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

The Economic Slowdown and Its Impact on the Housing Market in 2022

Article | July 12, 2022

Are you thinking about selling your current home? If so, the biggest question on your mind may be: if I sell now, where will I go? If this resonates with you, there’s something you should know. The number of homes coming onto the market is increasing and that could make it easier for you to move up this summer. While this news has clear benefits for buyers who are craving more options for their home search, what does that mean for current homeowners like you? It gives you two distinct opportunities in today’s housing market. Opportunity 1: Take Advantage of More Options for Your Move Up If your current house no longer meets your needs or lacks the space and features you want, this gives you even more opportunity to sell and move up into the home of your dreams. As more options come to market, you’ll have more to choose from when you search for your next home. Partnering with a local real estate professional can help make sure you see these listings as soon as they come onto the market. And when you do find the one, that professional can advise you on how to write a winning offer to seal the deal. Opportunity 2: Sell Before You Have More Competition Just know that, in order to make sure your house shines above the rest, it may make sense to put your home up for sale before your neighbors do the same, creating more competition in your area. The increase in the number of homes being listed for sale is expected to continue, and a recent study from realtor.com says two-thirds of homeowners looking to sell say they’ll do so by August. A real estate professional can advise you on what you need to tackle to get your house ready to list so they can put that for sale sign up in your yard sooner rather than later. That’s because the process of getting a home ready to sell isn’t taking as long as you may think. As a result, you can capitalize on today’s sellers’ market and get ahead of the competition. Bottom Line If you’re a current homeowner looking to sell, let’s connect to begin the process. You have a unique opportunity to benefit from the additional homes being listed today and sell before your house has more competition.

Read More
REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY

Investing in real estate CRM? Top 8 features to improve customer experience

Article | July 25, 2022

For first-time homebuyers, making the transition from renter to homeowner can be exciting, overwhelming, and scary all at once. Yet as Gary Keller and Jay Papasan write in the second edition of Your First Home, “Those who live the most fulfilling lives base their decisions on facts, not fears.” Below, we’ve outlined four powerful facts from Your First Home to help move anxious homeowners toward the fulfillment and abundance Keller and Papasan nod to. Delivered with empathy, care, and your expertise – these facts can help ease fears and move clients closer to experiencing all the bounties homeownership brings. Fear 1: “I can’t afford to buy a home now.” Fact: Until you do the math, you don’t know what you can or can’t afford. If you are currently paying rent, generally you can afford to buy. From a financial point of view, in the United States, the tax savings on mortgage interest alone usually make up most of the difference between your rent and mortgage payments – the tax write-offs you get at the end of year will generally help you save a lot of money. Additionally, depending on your credit score, you can end up affording more than you realize. Note: The credit scores used for mortgage lending tend to take on a much larger picture of your overall credit score. Finally, although there may be a higher initial cost to buying a house, if you’re planning on staying in one place for a few years, the equity you build can end up being a financial boon. Fear 2: “I should wait until the real estate market gets better.” Fact: There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. Whether “right” means the right price or the right property for you, waiting for the perfect market timing seldom works to your advantage. If you don’t believe us, look back to the Great Recession when the bubble around the housing market burst, GDP declined 4.5% and unemployment rose to around 9.5%. Everyone still feels the impact of this incredible financial event. But, like those who endured the Great Depression, the people who lived through the Great Recession made it through, and benefited from an era of financial growth. In fact immediately following the Great Recession, the United States entered the longest period of rising prices and general prosperity since World War II. The fact of the matter is, even the biggest economic downturns are, well, normal. Even when there were some events that threatened to dampen the economy, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing market still continued to thrive. In the end, there are two ways to make money in real estate: timing and time. That is you happen upon the right moment to purchase your home before the price appreciates, or you hold it for a long enough time so that appreciation makes your purchase investment right. If you miss the first, you can most certainly count on the second. Fear 3: “I don’t have the money for a down payment.” Fact: There are a variety of down-payment options available to you. While many people believe that making a home purchase requires a substantial down payment, as as much as 20%,, this is seldom true. Options are always available to you that require much less than this number, as low as 5%, some even less. Moreover, most states have down-payment assistance programs that can help you afford to buy. House-hacking can also be a great way to make homeownership a more affordable option. House-hacking is when you purchase a piece of real estate and lease out one of the bedrooms or units. This rental income can then be applied toward your mortgage. Or, you can participate in home rental programs like Vrbo or Airbnb. While it may not be ideal all of the time, you could always make your month’s mortgage payment by renting your place while you’re on vacation. Fear 4: “I can’t buy a home because my credit score isn’t good.” Fact: A less-than-perfect credit score won’t necessarily prevent you from buying a home. Although it’s valuable to have a good credit score, a poor one shouldn’t necessarily prevent you from talking to lenders to explore your options. You can expect that a good loan officer (or mortgage specialist) will be able to help you resolve your credit challenges, often simply by showing you how to move or consolidate your debts, or by referring you to a credit counselor who will put you on a plan. If you’re facing the challenge of having no credit history because you are new to the workforce or have not made regular purchases on credit, there are still possible solutions that you may want to explore. One is to secure financing with the help of a cosigner, such as parents or a close relative, who is willing to stand by your ability to make the payments. Another can be finding a lender who is willing to use alternative forms of history such as student loans, rent, and utilities. Looking For More Homeownership Resources? Head over to the Your First Home webpage for freebies, including information on how to build out your real estate dream team and for your clients, a resource on how to determine their homeownership criteria.

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REAL ESTATE ADVICE

Why You Need an Expert To Determine the Right Price for Your House

Article | June 6, 2022

If your lifestyle has changed recently and you’re ready to make a move, taking advantage of today’s sellers’ market might be just the answer for your summer plans. With homes continuing to get multiple offers, this could be your moment to get the contract you’re looking for on your house if you’re ready to sell. And here’s the thing – you need an expert on your side to ensure you make all the right moves when you do, especially when it comes to pricing your house. Even in this competitive market, you can’t stick just any price tag on your home and get the deal you want. A key piece of the puzzle is setting the right asking price so you can help buyers notice your home (and get excited about it) from the very first time they view the listing. That’s where a real estate professional comes in. Why Pricing Your House Right Is Important The price you set for your house sends a message to potential buyers. Price it too low and you might raise questions about your home’s condition or lead buyers to assume something is wrong with the property. Not to mention, if you undervalue your house, you could leave money on the table which decreases your future buying power. On the other hand, price it too high, and you run the risk of deterring buyers. When that happens, you may have to do a price drop to try to re-ignite interest in your house when it sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag for some buyers who will wonder why the price was reduced and what that means about the home. In other words, think of pricing your home as a target. Your goal is to aim directly for the center – not too high, not too low, but right at market value. Pricing your house fairly based on market conditions increases the chance you’ll have more buyers who are interested in purchasing it. That makes it more likely you’ll see multiple offers, too. And if a bidding war happens, you’ll likely get an even higher final sale price. Plus, when homes are priced right, they tend to sell quickly. Lean on a Professional’s Expertise There are several factors that go into pricing your house, and balancing them is the key. That’s why it’s important to lean on an expert real estate advisor when you’re ready to move. A local real estate advisor is knowledgeable about: The value of homes in your neighborhood The current demand for houses in today’s market The condition of your house and how it affects the value A real estate professional will balance these factors to make sure the price of your house makes the best first impression and gives you the greatest return on your investment in the end. Bottom Line If you’re thinking about selling, pricing your house appropriately is key. Let’s connect to make sure your house is priced right for the local market, for your home’s condition, and to stand out from the competition.

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Spotlight

Baird & Warner

Established in 1855, Baird & Warner is Chicagoland's largest, locally owned independent residential real estate services company. The Baird & Warner brand has been synonymous with experience, innovation and integrity for more than 150 years. Steve Baird, the firm’s fifth-generation owner, has been consistently recognized among the industry’s most influential leaders.

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The Carin Nguyen Real Estate Network Joins The Real Brokerage

Real Brokerage | August 18, 2022

The Real Brokerage Inc., an international, technology-powered real estate brokerage, today announced that The Carin Nguyen Real Estate Network, based in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area of Arizona, is joining its growing network of agents. The Carin Nguyen Real Estate Network was founded in 2014 by Carin and Son Nguyen, husband and wife partners who bring a combined 28 years of experience to the team. In the past 12 months, the team closed over 500 transactions, resulting in more than $210 million in closed volume. The team demonstrated success for 12 years at Keller Williams before making the move to Real and is proud to have been ranked among the top ten real estate teams in both Arizona and the United States by the Wall Street Journal over the course of the last decade. Carin, who is also an accomplished speaker, trainer, author and productivity coach, co-founded the team with a focus on empowering agents to thrive in any real estate market. We’re excited to be partnered with an organization that focuses on innovation in an ever-changing industry, Real’s commitment to working hard and being kind is in perfect alignment with our team’s mission, and we look forward to bringing our passion, professionalism and commitment to education and service to the organization,Carin said. “We’re excited to partner with The Carin Nguyen Real Estate Network to further expand our footprint in Arizona, Carin and team are committed to enabling agents to build wealth through real estate excellence, which makes them an ideal fit for our growing community of agents.” -Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tamir Poleg About Real The Real Brokerage Inc. is revolutionizing the residential real estate industry by pairing best-in-class technology with the trusted guidance of the agent-led experience. Real delivers a cloud-based platform to improve efficiencies and empower agents to provide a seamless end-to-end experience for homebuyers and sellers. The company was founded in 2014 and serves 44 states, D.C., and two Canadian provinces with over 6,000 agents.

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Incendium Consulting, Part of The Instant Group, Acquires Capstan Advisors to Scale Workplace and Strategy Practice; Continue U.S. Expansion

The Instant Group, Incendium and Capstan Advisors | August 17, 2022

Workspace and strategy consultancy Incendium Consulting, part of the global workspace innovation firm The Instant Group, has acquired Capstan Advisors. As the shift to hybrid work environments has challenged businesses cross-functionally, Fortune 1000 companies look to Incendium and Instant for smarter working strategies. This alliance strengthens Incendium's global reach and accelerates its U.S. growth strategy to help enterprise corporations with organizational and functional strategy. Leaders need flexibility and smarter working practices to address ever-changing workplace dynamics, particularly in this pivotal moment of change, As part of the world's largest global flexible marketplace, we work with business and corporate real estate leaders to challenge traditional approaches to real estate and evolve workplace models that deliver smart work solutions. Capstan Advisors will ignite Incendium's U.S. expansion plans for our real estate advisory services practice. Their experience and strength in corporate real estate consulting, procurement and strategy brings depth of capability and additional blue-chip clients to the group,said Mike Perkis, Global Head of Incendium Consulting. Headquartered in the U.S., Capstan Advisors is a leading provider of organizational design, outsourcing process management, contract negotiation, and transition support for the full spectrum of corporate real estate services for global Fortune 1000 companies. Like Incendium, they work with some of the largest firms in pharmaceutical, technology, manufacturing, financial services and telecom/media services. "Corporate real estate executives face tremendous challenges today, with the changing nature of work and renewed pressure to reduce costs, Incendium expands both our global reach and the services we can offer to our clients, from our core business of operating model and procurement to Incendium's other advisory areas such as sustainability, executive recruiting and workplace strategy advisory services." -Paul Garity, one of Capstan's partners Garity and his partners, Sherri Parman, John Davis, and Kent Wiegel are all seasoned corporate real estate executives with hands-on experience managing corporate real estate as both corporate real estate executives and service providers. Since inception, Capstan has completed advisory assignments for over 100 corporations with real estate portfolios in the Americas, EMEA and Asia. About The Instant Group The Instant Group has been rethinking workspace since 1999 with over 500 experts working globally across more than 175 countries. Instant's digital platforms constitute the world's largest digital marketplace for flexible workspace listing meeting rooms, virtual offices, flexible office space and coworking memberships. Its global team advises on commercial real estate solutions from serviced offices to fully customized managed offices, and consulting services for portfolio and net zero strategies. Instant's approach enables agility, hybrid working solutions and improved operational resilience for more than 250,000 businesses every year. Clients include Amex, Prudential, Booking.com, Shell, Jaguar Land Rover and GSK.  Instant has global offices including London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney. About Incendium Incendium is a leading global corporate real estate consultancy business that partners with occupiers to support and enable their business performance through its core service lines of Strategy & Change, Operating Model and Procurement, and Sustainability. Incendium works with a range of significant blue-chip global clients across many sectors to use real estate as a catalyst for agility, performance, and value. As part of The Instant Group, it works together with colleagues from across the business to devise and implement innovative agile workplace strategies and solutions for all clients. About Capstan Advisors Capstan Advisors, founded in 2007, is a leading consulting firm in the U.S. dedicated to advising corporate real estate and procurement executives of global companies on best practices for corporate real estate organizations, operations and service delivery. Capstan's primary consulting services include organizational transformation, outsourcing consulting, ongoing contract governance, transition implementation, and performance management. Capstan assists clients across the spectrum of services including facilities operations, transactions, project management, lease administration, and a variety of other corporate services.

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MYSA Estate Property Management Selects Yardi Cloud Platform

MYSA and Yardi | August 16, 2022

MYSA, a subsidiary of Pearl Investment LLC, has chosen the Yardi® platform to enhance its end-to-end real estate operations from prospect nurturing to financial management. The company will utilise solutions from Yardi's Residential Suite; including Voyager for property management and accounting and RentCafe CRM which will digitise their entire leasing journey from lead to lease. Tenant services will be enhanced via a resident self-serve portal for payments and maintenance requests and a landlord dashboard will provide instant insight in relation to the business's most important KPI's. "Yardi's all-in-one solution will enable us to oversee the management of our portfolio through a single platform, By implementing the cloud-based technology, we will be able to streamline the end-to-end process, access better insights and provide an enhanced service to our tenants." -Sajjad Kalam, managing director for MYSA Estate Property Management Yardi technology will help digitise operations, simplify processes, automate complexities and help future growth, We're excited to work with MYSA and are delighted that Yardi continues to further help companies with their real estate digitisation strategies across the Middle East,said Neal Gemassmer, vice president of international for Yardi. About MYSA Estate Property Management LLC MYSA, a subsidiary of Pearl Investment LLC, develops property management solutions for residential, commercial, hospitality and mall management. The company is passionate about creating the right space for its clients, building bespoke worlds. MYSA is the property management division of Flora Hospitality. For more information, please visit mysaestate.com. About Yardi Yardi® develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. With 8,000 employees, Yardi is working with clients globally to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry.

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The Carin Nguyen Real Estate Network Joins The Real Brokerage

Real Brokerage | August 18, 2022

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Incendium Consulting, Part of The Instant Group, Acquires Capstan Advisors to Scale Workplace and Strategy Practice; Continue U.S. Expansion

The Instant Group, Incendium and Capstan Advisors | August 17, 2022

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MYSA Estate Property Management Selects Yardi Cloud Platform

MYSA and Yardi | August 16, 2022

MYSA, a subsidiary of Pearl Investment LLC, has chosen the Yardi® platform to enhance its end-to-end real estate operations from prospect nurturing to financial management. The company will utilise solutions from Yardi's Residential Suite; including Voyager for property management and accounting and RentCafe CRM which will digitise their entire leasing journey from lead to lease. Tenant services will be enhanced via a resident self-serve portal for payments and maintenance requests and a landlord dashboard will provide instant insight in relation to the business's most important KPI's. "Yardi's all-in-one solution will enable us to oversee the management of our portfolio through a single platform, By implementing the cloud-based technology, we will be able to streamline the end-to-end process, access better insights and provide an enhanced service to our tenants." -Sajjad Kalam, managing director for MYSA Estate Property Management Yardi technology will help digitise operations, simplify processes, automate complexities and help future growth, We're excited to work with MYSA and are delighted that Yardi continues to further help companies with their real estate digitisation strategies across the Middle East,said Neal Gemassmer, vice president of international for Yardi. About MYSA Estate Property Management LLC MYSA, a subsidiary of Pearl Investment LLC, develops property management solutions for residential, commercial, hospitality and mall management. The company is passionate about creating the right space for its clients, building bespoke worlds. MYSA is the property management division of Flora Hospitality. For more information, please visit mysaestate.com. About Yardi Yardi® develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. With 8,000 employees, Yardi is working with clients globally to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry.

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