A woman saved a decrepit building in the 70s and turned it into, among other things, an art museum, an opera house and a jazz club. It is about to be listed for sale.

Turning your Instagram Stories into your own mini reality show is one of the most relatable, trust-building, and free marketing tools you can use as a real estate agent. Here's how to pull it off with style: Why It Works People don't just hire agents — they hire humans they like and trust. Stories disappear in 24 hours, so it's low-pressure, high-e...

D.I.Y. influencers indulge our most ambitious housing fantasies — and cash in on them.

The reality of being a contractor includes labor shortages, brutal competition and low, low margins.

The collapse of some of the city’s most popular clubs have put a spotlight on the financial realities of nightlife.

Looking to grow your influence this year? Whether you’re just starting out or need strategies to tap into your sphere’s full potential, here are four best practices for staying connected to your current followers while bringing more under your umbrella.

What Is a Sphere of Influence in Real Estate and Why It Matters 

Clients put a lot of trust in their real estate agents. Between gathering potential properties, placing bids, setting listing prices, and navigating every step of the buying and selling process, agents carry a ton of influence. That’s why you want to present yourself as an expert in everything from real estate transactions to neighborhood knowledge. The best way to cultivate that image is by establishing a consistent and reliable social media presence.

Building and Expanding Your Sphere: 4 Steps to Mastery 

Step 1: Commit to Your Community and Build Relationships

Aside from investing money into your community, investments of time and effort also go the distance when it comes to bringing people into your sphere. Some agents even map out a yearlong marketing campaign, broken down by quarter, based on opportunities for community events their teams can host and participate in.

Gestures as simple as a tagged business spotlight on Instagram or Facebook could go a long way toward establishing yourself as a valued member of the community. Partnering with other local businesses to host an event is also a great way to build recognition and rapport with your friends and neighbors.

Step 2: Provide Value Through Service and Expertise

Sharing resources you already have on hand is a great way to boost your standing with your sphere. For example, if you have professional camera equipment or a great partnership with a photographer, you can find a scenic area in your community and host a free family photo day!

Social media is one of the most powerful tools in a real estate agent's toolkit—when used intentionally. It's not just about being online; it's about showing up with purpose, consistency, and value. Here's how to make it work for your business: 1. Choose the Right Platforms Instagram: Great for photo and video content—ideal for showcasing listings ...

A ranch house in Napa, a Streamline Moderne home in Pasadena and a townhouse in Oceanside

A potential buyer confronts an unexpected monthly fee.

Follow These Steps to Prepare for KW’s Annual Day of Service Each May

Every year, KW® associates across the country and around the world take part in our annual day of service. Launched in 2009 in celebration of the birthday of KW legend Mo Anderson, the second Thursday in May is set aside as a time to step away from work and step into our communities to renew, energize, and donate.

While activities typically span a single day, your involvement can make an impact that lasts far longer. So whether you decide to raise funds for a worthy cause or you and your teams choose to lend a hand at a local organization, the following steps will help guide you in spreading KW’s culture of giving wherever you work and live.

Gather Your Ideas

Pre-planning  provides an opportunity to learn which organizations are near and dear to those around you. Kick off your RED Day by asking what’s important to your fellow associates — or share your own favorite causes with your market center leaders.

Host a Brainstorming Session: Organize virtual or in-person meetings where everyone can pitch service ideas, or conduct a short online survey to ask for input. KW® associates across the globe have organized charity runs, food drives, park clean-ups, animal shelter visits, school renovations, blood drives, and more.Research Local Needs: Need more ideas to bring to the table? Check community boards, social media, and nonprofit directories to find high-impact opportunities.Vote on Top Choices: Conduct a Google or Slack poll to let stakeholders vote on the organizations they’d most like to support. Announce the winning cause along with next steps for getting involved.

Plan Ahead

If your chosen activity involves being onsite at an organization, you’ll want to have the details nailed down in advance. Food banks, shelters, and other nonprofit campuses may have practices that help protect the folks they serve, such as limited hours or guidelines for visitors. Be sure to reach out to your selected organization to tell them all about RED Day, discover their specific needs, and understand logistical considerations for onsite activities.

Set a Goal: Define a clear, achievable goal that meets a need and that participants will feel proud to have contributed to.Set a Date: If you can’t take part on the second Thursday in May, choose a date that works well for all involved, ideally when the most number of people can participate.Define Volunteer Roles: Streamline operations by assigning clear responsibilities — such as site coordinators, project leaders, and communication liaisons.Establish a Budget: Secure funding for materials, transportation, or meals and snacks, along with promotional items.Offer Flexible Participation: If possible, look for ways to provide options for both in-person and remote service. Communications coordination, press management, and similar tasks are necessary functions that can be done from afar.Find Vendor Partners: Consider if there are any area vendors that could add even more impact to your event, while bringing visibility to their business or brand.Order RED Day Swag: Deck out your team in RED Day gear to build team cohesion and increase your visibility in the community.

Consider Logistics

Even a seemingly simple group activity can require a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination. Taking care of details in advance helps ensure you and your people can make the most of your time together — and have fun in the process!

The Nunez Group is now affiliated with Keller Williams® City Views, a KW® market center located at 2200 Fletcher Avenue in Fort Lee, New Jersey. In 2024, The Nunez Group sold 265 units, equating to a sales volume of $123.4 million.

The Nunez Group

Oscar Nunez founded The Nunez Group, a New Jersey-based real estate team specializing in strategic investment opportunities. “The main reason I joined KW is that I wanted to be shoulder-to-shoulder with people doing more than me,” said Nunez. “I was with KW before, and I truly missed the collaboration that came with being part of this amazing community.”

The Nunez Group has 14 agents and one staff member. “At KW, people are so helpful, and the support system on the back end is excellent and assists us with great exposure,” said Nunez. “The Nunez Group mainly works with developers and investors. Our agents are true experts in real estate, providing deeper insights and value to clients.”

“The Nunez group has built an ecosystem everyone wants to be a part of. From their culture to their expertise, they’ve inspired many agents in our community,” said Josue Barros, Team Leader, Keller Williams® City Views. “We are committed to helping Oscar and the entire team make an even bigger impact on our market, as well as give them the platform to change many more lives on their path of growth,” said Barros.

“Keller Williams® City Views is honored to be a strategic partner to The Nunez Group,” said Barros.

A modern farmhouse near Lac-Brome, a hilltop house in Racine and a sprawling home in Sutton

An exhibition honors Tapio Wirkkala in the context of the remote northern region that captivated him.

Keller Williams Realty, LLC (KW), the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, was again ranked as the No. 1 real estate franchise in the U.S. by agent count, transaction sides, and sales volume by T3 Sixty, a leading residential real estate analyst firm.

“Once again, our ranking as the top real estate franchise in the U.S. is a testament to the dedication of our affiliated agents, franchisee leaders, and the strength of our culture,” said Chris Czarnecki, CEO and President of KW. 

As part of T3 Sixty’s annual Real Estate Almanac rankings, KW secured the No. 1 spot among real estate franchise brands by achieving $370.8 billion in U.S. sales volume, 828,875 transaction sides, and 145,042 in U.S.-based agent count in 2024. 

“We remain committed to providing our real estate entrepreneurs with the best technology, training, and support to thrive and serve clients at the highest level,”​ said Czarnecki.

Within T3 Sixty’s Top 20 franchisees ranking lists, KW had nine affiliated franchisees ranked in the U.S. by agent count, seven ranked by transaction sides, and four ranked by sales volume. 

Shaking off first-time, home-buying jitters, a couple with a budget of just over $1 million searched for a two-bedroom with room for guests and their dog.

Municipalities are encouraging office conversions with incentives and rule changes.

Following the KW Expansion Model, EZ Referral Network founders Mike Zinicola and Greg Erlanger combined their strengths to build multiple high-performing teams across Ohio.

There was a time in Mike Zinicola’s career when he had $2.78 to his name. A successful attorney in Columbus, Ohio, Mike had left his practice to pursue a promising investment opportunity in Tampa, Florida. The deal didn’t work out.

Thirty years old and broke, Mike found himself scrounging for loose change to call his parents back home. Over at the nearest pay phone, a passing stranger noticed his distress. She stopped to offer Mike a hug — along with a $5 winning lottery ticket, telling him to cash it in to get something to eat. It was an act of kindness Mike says he’ll never forget — one that gave him a sense of hope that everything would be okay.

Today, Mike Zinicola is co-founder, with Greg Erlanger, of one of the most powerful real estate businesses in Ohio. Based in Cleveland, the two built the EZ Sales Team and EZ Referral Network with an emphasis on servant leadership, driven by the needs of their agents. Their approach has helped them retain top talent and create a network of real estate teams across Ohio, with sales of more than $3.4 billion since 2008.

The Need for Role Models

Mike grew up in a modest household in Cleveland, with an abundance of love and a strong sense of community, but few examples of economic success. “If Fortune were to evaluate families not on how much money they have to give and spend and receive, but rather the amount of love that they give and receive, we would have been on the Fortune 500 list,” Mike reflected. Though he didn’t have financial role models to follow, Mike says he was motivated to excel professionally.

He pursued his law degree with the aim of working his way into politics. But when he came out as gay in 1982, just as AIDS deaths were on the rise, Mike says Columbus wasn’t ready for a gay politician. Though he felt law wasn’t his true calling, he committed himself to his career and got involved in AIDS prevention, founding the Columbus AIDS Task Force and serving on the Ohio Department of Health advisory committee on AIDS.

This week’s properties are a modern four-bedroom house in North Caldwell, and a colonial-style four-bedroom in Great Neck.

This week’s properties are in TriBeCa, Hudson Heights and Fort Hamilton.

A midcentury modern home in Murray, a Craftsman in Birmingham and a brick rowhouse in Washington