Drive With NAR

Many real estate professionals strive to be authentic on social media, but where is the line in the sand? What you say about your clients, your listings and yourself could reveal valuable information to bad actors who may be looking online for an easy target. Host Tracey Hawkins speaks with two social media superstars in the real estate profession about the online boundaries they set to protect themselves and their clients' privacy. One of them says she knows of a sale contract that was canceled over a social media post.

Many real estate agents who are frustrated with their business amid a stalled housing market may be thinking it's time for a change. They might be tempted to seek greener pastures at another brokerage where they think their growth will be better supported. Recorded at NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, in Anaheim, Calif., host Marki Lemons Ryhal invites three brokers onstage in front of a live audience to discuss what they're doing to strengthen agent retention and keep talent from giving up in difficult moments and walking out the door. Their strategies include making sales meetings a can't-miss event, boosting education and training programs and underscoring a close-knit company culture.

The real estate market is changing on a daily basis, and the housing data you're looking at today may not be relevant tomorrow. So, how do you know which statistics to pay attention to, and how reliable can they be? Host Marki Lemons Ryhal goes behind the numbers with real estate pros Barb Betts and Mark T. Donnelly, both of whom have developed specific strategies around applying industry research to their business and sharing actionable data with their customers. They say the best data you can find lies within a tool you likely use every day.

When real estate professionals develop a comfortable work routine, it's easy to fall into patterns of practice that potentially could put you at greater risk. An agent with more than 20 years of experience and one who's been in the business just under a year talk about their impressions of safety in the industry.

Real estate professionals can honor military veterans by getting educated about how VA financing works. This knowledge will help agents bust pervasive myths that sometimes put military home buyers at a disadvantage in the transaction. Host Marki Lemons Ryhal discusses serving those who serve with two military experts who teach NAR's Military Relocation Professional certification. Hear why they say military clients may require extra support in the homebuying process.

Even if your personal data, like passwords, credit card numbers or transaction details, are in the hands of cybercriminals, there are steps you can take to minimize the potential damage. Of course, it would be more advantageous for real estate professionals to make a habit of following these best practices before their data is at risk. Host Tracey Hawkins speaks with IT expert Burton Kelso and Marki Lemons Ryhal, host of sister podcast "Drive With NAR: The REALTOR® to REALTOR® Series," who tells an alarming story about what happened once when she posted her location on social media.

The National Association of REALTORS® is at trial defending the American MLS model, which is being challenged in two class-action antitrust lawsuits. The first case in Kansas City, Mo., known as Sitzer/Burnett, is happening now. And the outcome could have a lasting impact on the way real estate transactions operate. Host Marki Lemons Ryhal speaks to NAR Chief Legal Officer Katie Johnson to help you get the details you need to know about this important moment for the real estate industry. Get updates on the trial, as well as information on actions you can take to support NAR's position, at competition.realtor.

The cyberattack on MLS vendor Rapattoni, which took down 23 MLSs nationwide for weeks in August, has left real estate agents and brokers wondering how they can prepare for the next time something like this happens. (After all, hackers are virtually guaranteed to target MLSs again in the future.) Podcast host Marki Lemons Ryhal speaks with two members of NAR's MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board, who delve into the issue and offer cybersecurity action items real estate pros can take now.

When preparing for a natural disaster, real estate professionals need to think about safety in terms of not only their physical workplace—whether at their home, office or elsewhere—but also their access to critical business and client data. Take it from REALTOR® Rocky DeVon, whose community in Washington state was burning in a wildfire at the time this episode was recorded in August. Host Tracey Hawkins talks to DeVon about how his real estate business is powering through the 20th blaze in his lifetime, as well as how the REALTORS® Relief Foundation saved his neighbors. Former FEMA inspector and trainer Coni Meyers, who faced a tropical storm in Las Vegas, where she lives, also joins the conversation with disaster preparedness and insurance tips.

"There is no such thing as privacy." That's a warning from national real estate safety trainer and educator Tracey Hawkins when it comes to how practitioners operate online. All the tools real estate agents and brokers use on a daily basis—even Google—are capturing their personal data and that of their clients, Hawkins says. And new real estate technology enhancements, like artificial intelligence, are helping cybercriminals find new ways to infiltrate private data. Hawkins joins host Marki Lemons Ryhal to talk about how real estate agents and brokers can plug the security holes in their business while exploring new innovations in the industry. Nashville, Tenn., broker Brian Copeland joins the conversation to talk about where agents need the most cybersecurity training and how that affects a company's brand.

Though real estate agents are independent contractors, brokers are wise to offer safety training and other resources to help agents protect themselves on the job—partially to avoid possible liability. Brokers who have built safety programs for REALTORS® at their companies discuss how they did it and how it's helping.

Real estate technology developers aim to solve pain points in the transaction. But unless they have intimate knowledge of how the real estate business works, how do these developers know whether their products are making a difference for you? That's where real estate pros come in. You can work with developers to offer insights into how their solutions are working in the market and what they can do to bring more value to agents and their clients. Join host Marki Lemons Ryhal as she discusses technology with two pros who are exploring the future of real estate.

An Indiana real estate agent tells her harrowing story of being attacked at a vacant property. Thought leaders assess the real estate industry's effectiveness at highlighting workplace safety issues and discuss how real estate agents and brokers can consistently avoid becoming a victim of crime. Plus, an honest take on the threat level for women versus men.

When Jenean Watson was searching for an avenue to give back to her community, she tapped her local REALTOR® association in Sacramento, Calif., for ideas. That opened doors leading to the creation of a homebuyer expo, which now educates hundreds of underserved would-be owners. Watson joins 2020 Good Neighbor Linda Brown—who builds tiny home villages for people experiencing homelessness—and host Marki Lemons Ryhal to discuss how to build a plan of action for your philanthropic passion. Remember, the REALTORS® Are Good Neighbors campaign has a well of suggestions for community service projects to get you started. Pros looking to expand their current charitable efforts can learn about support from the Good Neighbor Awards and Volunteering Works programs.

Many of your clients want to upgrade their home or commercial space to be more energy efficient. But the question is: What do they need to invest in to achieve that goal? Should they replace all their windows? Purchase all-new Energy Star appliances? Install a new HVAC system? Location is a determining factor when deciding which green upgrades will earn the greatest return on investment. But there isn't universal agreement. For example, while 36% of REALTORS® say solar panels increase the perceived value of a property, 30% say they have no effect, according to NAR's 2023 REALTORS® and Sustainability Report. So, how should you advise clients who are considering energy efficient property updates? Two REALTORS® who work in the sustainability space in their markets share insights into how they help clients with their energy goals.

You and your clients feel it every day: the inventory crunch. Your clients are frustrated with too few options on the market, and you might be feeling stuck, wondering what you can do to make the situation better. You'll find that your voice as a REALTOR® is one of the most important tools you have to create change for your clients. Drive With NAR host Marki Lemons Ryhal talks to two REALTORS® on both the residential and commercial sides of the business about the inventory issues in their communities and the action they're taking to help fix the problem.

A lot has been happening in America's schools lately. Battles over the appropriateness of classroom curriculum and books in school libraries have captured the national conversation. This may lead to more questions from your clients about the suitability of local schools for their children. You must remember that it's a violation of fair housing law to give customers your opinion about school quality and steer them toward or away from certain schools. But what can you discuss with clients, and how can you add value to the conversation without crossing the line? Two REALTORS® who are taking on this issue every day join host Marki Lemons Ryhal to discuss this important topic.

Potentially the most contentious part of a real estate transaction, the appraisal can cause angst for both agents and their clients. Buyers and sellers want reassurance that the value of the home will hold up, but you, as the real estate pro, may think it's completely out of your hands. Not so, say two appraisers who also have experience working as agents. In this episode, listen to their advice on how agents can work ethically with appraisers to ensure a fair and accurate property valuation.

You're excluding a lot of potential customers by not serving different types of communities. Two REALTORS® explain why DEI is a business decision.

New agents may find it challenging to win over potential clients' trust when they don't have a track record in real estate to point to. Even experienced agents who are entering a new niche may have trouble articulating their competence in a market that's unfamiliar to them. This is when you can amplify your status as a REALTOR®. Two pros who are in the early stages of their career explain how they used the REALTOR® brand, among other tools, to assuage prospects' concerns about their inexperience in the business.

As you prepare for the year ahead, are you creating a business plan for 2023 that not only supports your professional growth but also your work-life balance? Two REALTORS® who lead agent development at their companies discuss how to use your annual business "roadmap" to set expectations for both your job and your life.

You may think of professionalism in terms of how you're dressed for client appointments, whether you respond to calls and emails in a timely manner, or what you say out loud when you're touring a home. But your interactions with clients aren't the only consideration when thinking about your level of professionalism. What about how you work with cooperating agents or take advice from brokers and mentors? Two REALTORS® who have helped develop the Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) platform, which tests real estate pros' knowledge of professional standards, discuss what kind of effect your dealings with your colleagues can have on your reputation.

Evolving wire fraud schemes and ransomware attacks are putting you and your clients at risk every day. Randy Hatada, CRS, broker-owner of Xpand Realty in Las Vegas, had his company's phone line—which was in operation for 13 years—taken down and held for ransom. Bill Soffel, president and CEO of ERA Team VP Real Estate in Chautauqua, N.Y., has helped his agents and their clients recover from wire fraud schemes. They share their difficult experiences bouncing back from these scams and impart lessons for other real estate professionals to keep their sensitive information, business operations and clients safe from cybersecurity threats.

Jen Stanbrough lost her close friend and fellow real estate agent Ashley Okland, who was shot and killed at an open house in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2011. Kitty Wallace was stalked for months, finding notes on her windshield from a man who had three years' worth of her real estate ads in his trunk. These two REALTORS® say practitioners can't ignore the inherent risks of their job and must adjust how they interact with clients to put safety top of mind. Listen to their stories for yourself.

People in countless communities across the country need help every day, and REALTORS® are stepping up to fill the void. Whether it's providing holiday meals to neighbors or giving a local high school band new instruments, REALTORS® are showing up for their communities. We spoke to two community development advocates, Maria Landmesser, managing broker of the RE/MAX Concepts office in Ankeny, Iowa, and Ryan Gable, CEO of StartingPoint Realty in Palatine, Ill., about how they got started in philanthropy, how others can get involved, and why giving back can be good for business.

Energy efficiency and sustainable home features may have seemed trendy a couple of decades ago, but now they're becoming must-haves for today's buyers. Two REALTORS® who have built their businesses in green real estate—Jan Green, an EcoBroker in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Christopher Matos-Rogers, founder of the sustainability-focused Matos-Rogers Group in Atlanta—share steps they took to break into the sustainability market, how green homes are changing and what other pros need to know about rising demand for these properties.

First-time homebuyers today have more access to information than ever before. Thanks to reality television and the ubiquity of social media, first-time buyers often come to transactions knowing exactly what they want and what they don't. But the current market—complete with rising prices,multiple-offer situations, and slim inventory—poses new challenges for this group. Two REALTORS®, Bethany Nolan and Blair Myers, share their experiences with first-time homebuyers in their respective areas, East Texas and Atlanta, what the latest generation of homebuyers wants and if the traditional "American Dream" still exists.

From flood insurance to transportation and infrastructure, it's critical for real estate professionals to understand and advocate for policy initiatives that build strong communities on the federal, state, and local levels. We speak with two REALTORS® who've walked the halls on Capitol Hill and in their home state of Illinois to push initiatives protecting property rights and promoting a vibrant business environment. Dan Wagner is senior vice president of government relations at the Inland Real Estate Group of Companies Inc. in Oakbrook, Ill., and Nykaa Pippion McGriff is vice president of strategic growth for ColdwellBanker Realty in Chicago and a candidate forthe1stCongressional District seat in Illinois. BothWagner and McGriff are past presidents of the Chicago Association ofREALTORS®. They offer firsthand advice on how real estate professionals can get involved in advocacy and take the first step toward moving the needle on crucial industry issues.

Issues of equality, including fair housing, are often viewed through the prism of the struggle between Blacks and whites. But that vantage point excludes many other people of different backgrounds who may continue to feel invisible. Three REALTORS® who identify with underrepresented minorities—Lorraine Arora, ABR, GRI, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in Alexandria, Va.; Stephen Beard of Keller Williams Advisors in Oakland, Calif.; and Tim Hur, CRS, SRS, of Point Honors and Associates, REALTORS®, in Duluth, Ga.—share their experiences encountering discrimination in real estate. They offer firsthand advice on how to spot biases and avoid fair housing violations. With almost three decades in the business, Arora gives back to the real estate profession by volunteering in numerous positions. She served as the president of the Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS®' Board of Directors in 2018. She currently serves as vice chair of NAR's Global Business and Alliances Committee, treasurer of the Virginia Association of REALTORS®, and a member of the Dulles Association of REALTORS®' Budget and Finance Committee as well as the Education Advisory Committee. Additionally, she is an RPAC trustee at the local and state levels.

Women who serve the high-end market are showing up and showing out with major multimillion-dollar deals in residential and commercial. Two powerhouses in the luxury space, Tiffany Curry of Houston and Deena Zimmerman of Chicago share how they forged their own leadership paths and provide tips for how other women in the industry can take aim at the glass ceiling.

There's been a renewed focus on greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the real estate industry, but how can individual agents and brokers be change-makers? Minneapolis broker Paul Ekstrom and Greenwood, CO, broker Natalie Davis talk about the steps they've taken to build a safe space for honest conversations in their companies. Plus, what grade does the industry deserve for its DEI efforts?

Ultra-low housing inventory and super-fast home sales mean buyers and sellers must make quicker decisions. So, consumers are turning to you for technology that can help them speed up the transaction. Do you have the right tools? REALTORS® Sam Medvene of Washington, D.C., and Kristy Hairston of Nashville, TN discuss the innovations that are helping their clients become more competitive in a challenging market.