RISMEDIA, October 18, 2010—In today’s dicey lending environment, many a would-be home buyer often falls into one of two camps: uninformed or running scared. Unfortunately, tightening lending standards and a pervasive unease about the overall economy have combined to keep many potential buyers on the sidelines of homeownership. In many cases, however, proper guidance on the available loan products could have shown them that not only is a home purchase achievable, but affordable as well.

RISMEDIA, October 15, 2010—The light bulb. Bubble wrap. The Post-It. The iPod. The Snuggie. Facebook. Twitter. These inventions, products, and businesses all started with an idea. An idea that to anyone other than its creator(s) may have seemed like an insane thing to invest much

RISMEDIA, October 14, 2010—With the recession finally in our rearview mirror (so they say), most companies are finally beginning to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and at least try to get back to business. But the past year has left its mark: employees are in a funk.

RISMEDIA, October 13, 2010—When was the last time you did business with someone you didn’t like? Now granted, sometimes we don’t have a choice—like at the license branch, or maybe the checkout clerk we happen to get stuck with. But the truth is, when we have a choice, we deal with

RISMEDIA, October 12, 2010—Every month, Point2 Agent real estate professionals across the U.S. and Canada fill out a short survey sharing their take on the real estate market across each country. The data is then tabulated and presented through the Real Estate Confidence Index

RISMEDIA, October 1, 2010—In one of the most challenging real estate markets we’ve experienced in years, real estate professionals across the board are taking the time to set themselves up to find success in today’s market and ride the wave into the future. This was just part of the motivation behind the announcement that Pleasanton, Calif.-based Mason-McDuffie Real Estate, Inc. has joined the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLCs national franchise network—marking the largest franchisee ever to join the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate brand, as well as the largest in Realogy history.

RISMEDIA, October 1, 2010—Many home buyers now and into the foreseeable future will face tight lending standards and the need to improve their credit score to get prequalified or preapproved for mortgages. Be aware of the following steps your prospects can take for some speedy credit

RISMEDIA, September 30, 2010—Do you have an accountability problem at your real estate company? According to Rick Lepsinger, president of OnPoint Consulting and author of Closing the Execution Gap: How Great Leaders and Their Companies Get Results, there are two main ways to tackle it. First, you need to forestall excuse-generating problems upfront by creating conditions that make it more likely your agents will follow through. Second, you need to help and encourage your agents to take responsibility after mistakes have already been made—without making them feel worse than they already do.

RISMEDIA, September 29, 2010—I am frequently asked what I think the single most important factor is in determining the success or failure of a salesperson. My response is often met with surprise, because most people expect me to say something about the necessity

RISMEDIA, September 27, 2010—In 1957, Earl Nightingale, speaker, author and co-founder of the Nightingale-Conant Corporation, recorded his classic motivational record "The Strangest Secret." "The Strangest Secret" sold over one million copies and made history in the recording industry by being honored as the first Gold Record for the spoken word. Nightingale, known as the "Dean of Personal Development," concluded that life's "strangest secret" is that we become what we think about all day long.

RISMEDIA, September 24, 2010—Finding success in today’s real estate market is proving to be a challenge to real estate professionals across the board. Here, Maurice Vaughn, CEO, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Hometown Connection in Clarksville,

RISMEDIA, September 23, 2010—The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is making available $1.68 billion in homeless assistance grants to thousands of local projects that house and serve homeless persons and families across the country.

RISMEDIA, September 22, 2010—While every industry defines professionalism in a different way, it is crucial that real estate professionals understand how to recognize and encourage professionalism in their agents. In this month’s Power Broker Round Table, industry experts Stephen Baird and Beverly Kendall discuss what their definition of professionalism entails and how you can maintain a level of professionalism within your office.

RISMEDIA, September 21, 2010—We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. One of the basics of shooting a good video is to always use a tripod. You’ll be rewarded with steadier shots, smoother pans, and a more enjoyable

As the real estate industry continues its transition into mobile marketing, real estate professionals across the country are jumping on board to get their company up-to-speed in the mobile arena. John Packes, director of Product Development and John Lim, CEO