Three Best Practices for New and Experienced REALTORS®

Louisiana REALTORS • March 29, 2019

Whether you’ve recently planted your first sign in a yard, or have been selling real estate for years, it’s important to understand the basics and let them work for you.  For new REALTORS® , this could mean learning the ropes and creating good habits.  For seasoned pros, this could be mean re-evaluating what’s working, what isn’t, and why; resetting your routine to include some of these simple best practices could pay serious dividends.

Face-to-Face Meetings

This may seem like a no-brainer, but with the ease of texting, email, and social media, face-to-face meetings can easily be replaced.  In 2018, the NAR Profile of Buyers and Sellers showed that 75% of sellers only interview one agent.  This makes creating opportunities to meet in person very valuable.  Whenever possible arrange to meet your prospects and clients physically.

Contracts and Documentation

Your knowledge and expertise are what sets you apart.  While the process of buying and selling a home is a complex one, your clients depend on you to not only understand it but to clearly and effectively communicate with them.  Everything that is printed, read, and signed plays a significant role in the transaction.  Being able to smoothly fill out each item from a purchase agreement to disclosure documents is a valuable skill.  If you are just starting, begin reviewing these contracts and practice filling them out.  If you’ve got your system down already, see if there are any improvements you can make to either streamline the process or make it a better experience for your client.

Leverage Referrals

Referrals continue to be a tried and true source for prospects and clients.  Leveraging the relationships that you have and that you are establishing is a very productive way to keep your pipeline filled.  Remember to ask for referrals throughout a transaction with an existing client.  Ask when you begin working with them, again when you have a property under contract, and again at the closing table .  If you have former clients, they are an excellent resource for referrals as well.  It never hurts to reach out and see if they know anyone that could use your services.

Consumer Guide Update: Buying Land and Building a New Home

By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 17, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on buying land and building a new home. This guide covers how to find land for sale, explains construction loans, and weighs the pros and cons of building a custom home. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Buying Land and Building a New Home Deeds and Titles Alternative Listing Options Navigating Multiple Offers Homeowners Associations Thank you for continuing to engage with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover property title theft.
5 Negotiation Secrets Smart Buyers Use to Get Better Deals

5 Negotiation Secrets Smart Buyers Use to Get Better Deals—And How a REALTOR® Can Help

By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 16, 2025
Negotiating a real estate deal can be overwhelming, especially for buyers who don’t have experience with the process. Here are five key negotiation strategies smart buyers use—and how working with a REALTOR® provides a competitive edge.

Consumer Guide Update: Deeds and Titles

By Louisiana REALTORS® • April 11, 2025
As previewed last week, NAR is pleased to share the latest consumer guide focused on deeds and titles. This guide covers the difference between a deed and a title, common types of deeds, and title searches and insurance. As a reminder, all guides in this series are available for download—in both English and Spanish—on facts.realtor . Please allow a few days for the Spanish version of the latest resource to be translated and uploaded. For ease of reference, below is a list of the most recent guides: NEW: Deeds and Titles Alternative Listing Options Navigating Multiple Offers Homeowners Associations Marketing Your Home Thank you for continuing to engage with the “Consumer Guide” series and for sharing the resources with prospective clients to ensure they have the information they need to find success in their homebuying or selling journey. Remember that these guides are for informational purposes only and are not meant to enact or change any existing NAR policy. Be on the lookout for next week’s guide on Wednesday, which will cover buying land / constructing a new home.
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