As we enter the second half of the year, encouraging agents to pause and reset is yet another way to ensure their success. Broker Karen Shanahan Garrett offers specific strategies to help you re-boot this summer.

Think indie shops can't compete with big-box brokerages? Think again! Broker Ian Hoover breaks down the numbers on why, thanks to new technology, indie brokerages have the edge over franchises.

As a society, we are recognizing the need to become more environmentally conscious. It’s been shown that consumers are more often shopping with their values in mind, choosing brands that are good for the planet — not just good for their wallets. 

Nearly all major corporations now have environmental goals, outlining the ways they intend to better their practices and foster a greener tomorrow. Unsurprisingly, this trend has also spilled over into the housing sector, with many homeowners looking for ways to make their property more sustainable. 

Making your home environmentally friendly is not just trendy, it’s also a great way to save on utility bills in the long term, and ultimately boost the resale value of your house. While some renovations can be pricey, there are certain things you can do to put money away for these eco-updates. For instance, when buying a house, consider negotiating a home buyer rebate to potentially save thousands at closing. And when selling your house, try working with a low commission real estate agent (some of whom charge as little as 1% commission). 

Once you can afford some upgrades, consider things such as adding solar panels, dual-paned windows, insulation, Energy Star appliances, energy-efficient light bulbs, under-the-floor heaters, chemical-free cleaning supplies, adding compost to your garden, using drought-tolerant plants for landscaping, installing low-flow toilets, using water-based eco paints for the walls, and designing your house to get more natural light. 

1. Add Solar Panels

Solar panels enable homeowners to power their properties with renewable, clean energy. As a replacement for traditional energy, which depends on fossil fuels, solar panels help combat greenhouse gas emissions.

Whitestone Home Collection today announced its partnership with Side, the only real estate technology company that exclusively partners with high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages to transform them into market-leading boutique brands and businesses. The alliance will ensure that Whitestone Home Collection, a firm driven to create an experience of partnership for both clients and agents, is powered by the most advanced platform in the industry.

Whitestone Home Collection founder Lisa Mailhot began her industry career as a real estate investor who flipped a dozen properties throughout Southern California. Mailhot has become a top-producing agent, closing out 2021 with nearly $20M in sales and achieving almost $50M in total sales since becoming a licensed agent in 2018. Mailhot draws from her personal real estate experience and supreme resourcefulness to expertly handle every facet of her clients’ transactions. Whitestone Home Collection represents buyers, sellers, and investors throughout San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside counties.

Partnering with Side will ensure Whitestone Home Collection remains on the cutting edge of the evolving real estate market while continuing to deliver premium services to its clients. Side will operate as the broker of record, working behind the scenes to support Whitestone Home Collection with a one-of-a-kind brokerage platform that includes proprietary technology, transaction management, branding and marketing services, public relations, legal support, lead generation, vendor management, infrastructure solutions, and more. Additionally, Whitestone Home Collection will join an exclusive group of Side partners, tapping into an expansive network from coast to coast.

“Side better prepares me to attract a robust, like-minded team of agents,” Mailhot said. “Furthermore, its incomparable platform, services, and support provide me with the resources and tools to help my company become the brand of choice within the community.”

About Whitestone Home Collection

Ask Brian is a weekly column by Real Estate Expert Brian Kline. If you have questions on real estate investing, DIY, home buying/selling, or other housing inquiries please email your questions to askbrian@realtybiznews.com.

Question from Lucas in WV: Hi Brian, We got married as a young couple a little over four years ago with plans to buy our first home as soon as we could. Right now, we are very frustrated. Both of us work and between us, we earn a little more than $150k before taxes, our 401ks, and other withholdings. We both have car payments that total $600 per month and make credit card payments of $350 each month. We’ve been frugal these past four years and have saved a 5% down payment towards a home purchase of around $290,000.

We’ve been looking at houses for almost eight months. There hasn’t been much to look at although we’ve stretched into areas that would have a 45-minute work commute. We’ve had six offers rejected. Our realtor tells us to be patient because more houses are starting to come on the market, and we will probably be able to make a successful bid on a house that we want in the next several weeks or a couple of months. Now, we are watching mortgage rates climb almost every week. I talked to our mortgage broker yesterday and she said to expect to pay an interest rate of at least 6.1% if we find something to lock-in during the next couple of weeks. We think that interest rate is insane. We’re thinking about giving up altogether and using our savings for something else like a big vacation or refurnishing our rental house. Should we give up on buying a house now the interest rates have gotten so high?

Answer: Hello Lucas. I don’t think you should be thinking about giving up at all. I think you should keep everything in perspective. Yes, interest rates are going up. But that is why you are more likely to find the house that you want and have an offer accepted. It’s unfortunate for others that are being priced out of the market by higher interest rates but that is expected to stabilize prices and make more houses available to the people that can still qualify. More or less, you are trading a higher interest rate for rising house prices that have been skyrocketing for a couple of years. Interest rates might go a little higher but not at the rate houses have gone up. It should become a more stable market.

Based on the price range that you are looking to buy in, you should be looking at a mortgage payment of around $1,850 per month. That includes the principal, interest, property taxes, and insurance. Using that and a rough calculation of your finances, I looked at how affordable a house should be for you.

A modern farmhouse in Los Angeles, a Spanish-style home in Kensington and a midcentury-modern retreat in Palm Springs.

Moving to a New Home with Pets

When moving day arrives, no one wants to leave behind their favorite family member, right? But, if your pet has become clingy, standoffish, or maybe excited at the sight of the suitcase, then you know how sensitive they can be to the change of scenery.

Therefore, you can expect the same reaction when moving, especially if long-distance trips are involved. It can be challenging to figure out what to bring with you and what your furry companion actually needs.

That’s why we compiled a short guide that will help you pack and move like a pro.

Get familiar with laws and regulations

If you are traveling to a new state, city, or overseas, keep in mind that some regulations could be related to pet ownership. In fact, some requirements might affect or even postpone your move, so check policies on time.

For instance, if you own exotic animals like reptiles or domesticated livestock, you may need to fulfill additional requirements, paperwork, or quarantine periods. Keep in mind that some states might have breed restriction rules, so you won’t be able to bring your pet with you. Check valuable resources, city hall, and local laws before making any move. 

There are many ways to access the equity in your home, but they're not all the same. Count on author and coach Bernice Ross for the most innovative strategies available to tap into all of that newfound wealth.

With so many platforms and processes to learn as you launch your business, you'll need to learn the unwritten rules fast — both old and new. Here's a quick-hit list to help everyone be better behaved in the office, online and during the transaction process.

For listings with a Zillow interactive floor plan, customers can seamlessly travel through an entire home as if they were touring it in person.

We sat down with Fayyad Sbaihat, President of Supra to understand how the company is using technology to shape the future for their 1 million+ eKEY® app subscribers across North America.

New agents need to know this: You aren’t bothering anyone. People are busy. By staying on them and trying calls, texts, and emails, you are doing your best to help and to meet them where they are, at a time when it’s best for them to connect.

For agents looking to lift their careers, luxury real estate holds immense promise. So how can you break into it?

Green construction is a hot topic right now. Many people talk about it, and many businesses are trying to get in on the action. But what is green construction? And is it as great as everyone seems to think it is? In this blog post, Vikki Gerrard La Crosse will discuss the truth about green construction. We will look at both the pros and cons of going green, and we will help you decide if this is the right choice for your business.

What Is Green Construction?

Green construction is a term used to describe buildings designed and built in an environmentally responsible way. This means that they are constructed using sustainable materials, are energy-efficient, and have a small carbon footprint. Green construction is also often referred to as “sustainable construction” or “high-performance building.”

Why Is Green Construction Important?

There are many reasons why green construction is essential. First of all, it is crucial because it helps to protect the environment. Green buildings use less energy and water than traditional buildings, generating less waste. They also often use recycled materials, which means they have a more negligible impact on the environment.

In addition to being good for the planet, green buildings are also suitable for the people who live and work. Studies have shown that green buildings can improve indoor air quality and improve the overall health and well-being of the people who live and work in them. Green buildings have also been shown to increase productivity and improve cognitive function. So, as you can see, there are many good reasons to choose green construction for your next building project.

The Benefits of Green Construction

There are many benefits to green construction. As we mentioned before, green buildings are good for the environment. They also tend to be more energy-efficient than traditional buildings, which costs less to operate.

Just days after two of the industry’s biggest online brokers announced job cuts, the remote online notarization firm Notarize has gone and laid off workers too.

The announcement came directly from Notarize Chief Executive Pat Kinsel, who revealed on Twitter that the company had laid off 25% of its workforce. It is the second time the 7-year-old Boston firm has laid off staff, having previously done so in 2019 after it failed to secure funding.

Kinsel said in a statement that he was “exceptionally proud” of the team Notarize had built and stressed they are leaving through no fault of their own.

“They are truly the best of the best,” he said. “I will forever be grateful for the chance to work with them.”

Kinsel explained that the layoffs were his decision and that it was taken to put the company on a path to profitability with its current level of capital.

Recent residential sales in New York City and the region.

Rising inflation means that more homeowners are delaying home improvement and maintenance projects, but experts warn that it may not always be wise to do so.

A new survey by Hippo Insurance shows that 43% of homeowners have delayed planned home improvement and maintenance projects this year as a result of high inflation, which means they have less spending power than before.

The poll used to generate the study was conducted April 29 to May 1 among 1,915 U.S. adults, by Ipsos on behalf of Hippo.

At that time, inflation was already up by 8.6% from the year prior, the fastest increase since 1981. Because of inflation, households are seeing the price of everything from groceries and gas to rent and clothes increase by a considerable margin.

That has forced more homeowners to delay making repairs to their homes, but Hippo warned that doing so may not always be smart. Putting off some projects can be risky, because if it’s something important then not fixing it will result in even greater damage, and more expense, later on down the road.

Most agents have been driving hard this year, according to coach Darryl Davis, navigating both heavy competition and a changing (and sometimes challenging) market. Here are a few ideas to get the most from your summer season — and stay at the top of your game. 

No such arrangement is without risk. Just make sure that the terms of the employer-employee agreement are clearly spelled out.

Looking for a quick catch-up on the buzziest stories of the past seven days? Here's Inman Top 5, the most essential stories of the week, according to Inman readers.