Drive With NAR

The forthcoming rule mandating the use of written representation agreements and other practice changes that are part of NAR's proposed settlement agreement allows you to emphasize and communicate your value to clients. Host Marki Lemons Ryhal discusses with two practitioners how to maximize these opportunities with buyers.

Real estate professionals have always had to demonstrate tangible value to the buyers and sellers they serve. Now that's doubly important. NAR's proposed settlement agreement is prompting changes in the real estate industry, but you have all the tools and expertise necessary to navigate those changes smoothly and confidently. Host Marki Lemons Ryhal speaks with four pros, both agents and brokers, about how they're preparing for the practice changes that are coming.

Let's say you have a buyer who heard about a car break-in a block away from the home you're touring, and that buyer asks whether she "needs to worry about that kind of thing around here." Pause and use your situational awareness skills. What kind of neighborhood are you in? Depending on the circumstances, the client's question could be a loaded one. And if you're not thoughtful and careful about how you respond, you could easily introduce a fair housing problem. Listen as host Tracey Hawkins helps two real estate pros role play the scenario to come to the right answer.

Many real estate professionals may think all they need to know about fair housing is what the law requires of them. "It's more than just the law," says Sabrina Brown, an instructor of NAR's "Bias Override" course. "It's how you treat people. It's how you practice your business on a daily basis." To truly evaluate whether you're representing your entire community—start by examining your client base—you need to go deeper in your self-reflection. Host Marki Lemons Ryahl and two fair housing experts discuss how to use NAR's new fair housing training requirement, which takes effect in 2025, as an opportunity to challenge yourself and your business practices for the better.

Older homes and fixer-uppers, which buyers are turning to for greater affordability, are often in disrepair and can present hazardous safety conditions during a showing or inspection. One Florida real estate broker recalls a home inspector falling through the floor of an attic, landing on the agent in the garage below and crashing into the property owner's Porsche. You'll be shocked to hear what happens next. Host Tracey Hawkins talks with the broker and a home inspector (who was not involved in this incident) about measures to take when working with properties that may be physically unsafe. This episode is sponsored by Forewarn.

The existing housing stock isn't built to meet increasing consumer demand for greener living. So, if your buyers want a high-performance home, they'll likely need to retrofit a property with energy-efficient features. That may sound like an expensive process, but there are financing options to help your customers reach their goals. Host Marki Lemons Ryhal speaks with two sustainable housing experts about the green financing avenues every agent should know. This episode is sponsored by the Center for REALTOR® Development.

Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely experience. You are solely responsible for everything that happens with your business, and that kind of pressure can feel heavy at times. Real estate professionals, who are small business owners, need a safe space to express themselves and find camaraderie around common challenges and goals. Taking care of your mental wellness is part of practicing safety. Host Tracey Hawkins speaks with two experts who are creating these spaces for real estate professionals.

Not everyone understands or recognizes the vital role that diversity, equity and inclusion plays in real estate. Some even see the DEI movement overall as unfairly hostile toward people who are perceived to be privileged. This is a misguided notion—but one that real estate pros must confront in their quest to support a freer, fairer real estate market. Host Marki Lemons Ryhal speaks with two real estate pros who are part of underrepresented groups and fight every day against biases and stereotypes.

When you're explain to clients and prospects what you do and why your services are worth it, don't leave safety out of the conversation. You can use your knowledge of how to protect customers, properties and transactions from physical and cyber harm as a point of differentiation and value. Help buyers and sellers understand why they're safer in the hands of a well-trained real estate professional, and they could become clients for life. Host Tracey Hawkins talks to two practitioners who have different ways of infusing safety best practices into client consultations.

Real estate professionals consider their business plan their Bible, especially at the start of a new year. But chances are good that potential curveballs in the housing market may throw you off your goals as the year progresses. What's important is how you respond and adjust your plan of action in these challenging moments. Host Marki Lemons Ryhal speaks with two practitioners who have advice for what to do when you realize you need to make changes to your business plan in order to stay on track.