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Beware of Scope Creep

By Lisa Scoble posted 2 days ago
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Beware of Scope Creep Avoid Going Outside Your Area of Expertise The complexity of most real estate transactions is a key reason why documentation, clear communication, and attention to detail is so critical to a successful deal. The desire to please and be helpful to clients can sometimes get in the way of clear roles and responsibilities. Your expertise is real estate, not inspections, zoning, construction, or real estate law. The best way to limit risk is to operate within your role as a realtor and resist the temptation to assist in areas outside your scope of knowledge. Learn how easily agents can cross the line, sometimes unknowingly or even mistakenly, ...
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Leadership Academy Alumni Member Spotlight: Deana Wolfe

By Missouri REALTORS posted 3 days ago
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What makes Missouri REALTORS ® so great are the members that we have. Not only do we care about real estate, but we care about each other as well. We know that by investing in our fellow REALTORS ® we are making our community, and the industry as a whole, stronger. That’s why we created Missouri REALTORS ® Leadership Academy , a program that trains emerging leaders so they may exert a positive influence on the future of the real estate industry. Our Leadership Academy Alumni Member Spotlight series highlights the graduates of the program. We want to introduce some of our wonderful REALTOR ® leaders and showcase how Leadership Academy helped them grow. ...
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Remodel or Relocate?

By Missouri REALTORS posted 8 days ago
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A house is more than just a place to live, it’s where memories are made. It’s difficult to break the emotional ties you have to your home, which can make moving especially difficult. But what happens when your house stops meeting your needs? Do you remodel or relocate? Although it can be challenging to take the emotion out of the decision making process, once you asses the logistics you will likely find that the answer is more clear than you thought. Location If you adore where your house is situated, from the friendly neighbors to the great schools, remodeling may make more sense than moving. Alternatively, if you don’t like your location, transforming ...
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Leadership Academy Member Spotlight: Shari Asher

By Missouri REALTORS posted 20 days ago
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What makes Missouri REALTORS ®  so great are the members that we have. Not only do we care about real estate, but we care about each other as well. We know that by investing in our fellow REALTORS ®  we are making our community, and the industry as a whole, stronger. That’s why we created  Missouri REALTORS ®  Leadership Academy , a program that trains emerging leaders so they may exert a positive influence on the future of the real estate industry.  Our Leadership Academy Alumni Member Spotlight series highlights the graduates of the program. We want to introduce some of our wonderful REALTOR ®  leaders and showcase how Leadership Academy helped them grow. ...
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$50,000 in the 50th Year Grant Program

By Nate Johnson posted 22 days ago
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To commemorate the 50 th Anniversary of Fair Housing, Missouri REALTORS ® created the ‘$50,000 in the 50 th Year’ Grant Program; a program designed to promote Fair Housing throughout Missouri communities. Our goal was to be flexible and encourage creativity; therefore, grants could be requested in any amount, up to $5,000, for any purpose as long as the selected activity promoted cultural diversity and the ideals of Fair Housing. Missouri REALTORS ® accepted grant applications from Local Boards/Associations between April 25 and July 31, 2018. In total, 14 Local Boards/Associations were granted funds to better their community and promote Fair Housing. ...
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MAREI Announces Real Estate Investor Meeting in Kansas City Metro on October 9th

By Kim Tucker posted 29 days ago
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Mid-America Association of Real Estate Investors Announces Nathan Brooks to be Guest Speaker October 9 th , Learn How to Flip Over 100 Houses a Year Mid-America Association of Real Estate Investors (MAREI) announced that registration is open for their Tuesday October 9 th meeting in Overland Park Kansas at the Holiday Inn and Suites located at 8787 Reeder Road in Overland Park at 6pm.  The meeting features guest speaker Nathan Brooks with the Lessons and Losses he has from building an 8-figure real estate flipping business in Kansas City. “Anyone can buy a house. However, it takes a special kind of business to buy dozens of deals, consistently every ...
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2019 Leadership for Missouri REALTORS®

By John Sebree posted 09-07-2018
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We are excited to announce 2019 Leadership for Missouri REALTORS ® , including committee leadership and members as well as output group chairs and vice chairs. This group is focused on providing essential resources to advance the role of REALTORS ®  in real estate transactions and safeguarding Missouri real property rights. They are committed to ensuring that your Association is the “go-to” source for essential business resources while defending the American Dream of Homeownership. I am so excited to work with these dedicated members to ensure that the products and services offered by the Association are relevant and valuable to our broad membership. ...
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When the Septic Hits the Fan

By Lisa Scoble posted 09-05-2018
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When the Septic Hits the Fan Verifying Property Disclosure Statements If you are relying on a seller’s property disclosure statement and the MLS to market your properties to potential buyers, you may need to dig a little deeper and flush out more details. Verifying key features of a property will go a long way to help protect you from possible claims. Plus, it can pump up your credibility with potential clients. No one wants to buy sight unseen, so your first task should be a trip to the property. It’s okay. You can bring a frie nd. Here’s a case study highlighting mistaken assumptions and the issues that arose as a result. Situation A real estate agent ...
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Member Spotlight: Sandy Maag

By Missouri REALTORS posted 08-21-2018
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Missouri REALTORS ®  are not only real estate professionals – we're so much more. We're active in the community – serving on school boards, in elected positions and volunteering our time to make communities where we work a better place to be. We're educators – serving on panels and facilitating industry discussions. The philanthropic efforts of our members are inspiring and the difference they are making within their communities is significant. Our Member Spotlight series highlights these efforts and introduces some of our wonderful members.  This month, we are shining the Member Spotlight on  Sandy Maag , a member of Kansas City Regional Association of ...
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7 Reasons To Own A Home

By Missouri REALTORS posted 08-14-2018
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1. Tax benefits. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes, and selected costs incurred in the home buying process. 2. Appreciation. Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. In fact, median single-family existing-home sale prices have increased on average 5.2 percent each year, from 1972 through 2014, according to the National Association of REALTORS ® . The recent housing crisis has caused some to question the long-term value of real estate, but even in the most recent 10 years, values are still up 7.0 percent on a cumulative basis. In addition, the number of U.S. households ...
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Sometimes Your Gut Just Tells You “No”

By Lisa Scoble posted 08-03-2018
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Sometimes Your Gut Just Tells You “No” Unique Seller Disclosure Circumstances A host of factors come into play as potential buyers weigh the pros and cons of a property. Maybe they don’t like the carpeting, the paint colors, or the noisy motorcycle across the street. In some rarer cases, a property may have developed a stigma, either real or imagined, that could negatively affect a potential buyer’s final decision. Is the obligation to disclose a psychological stigma bound by law or ethics? What if a stigma is simply not verifiable either by law or scientific fact? Here’s a unique case study involving stigmatized property that will shed light on best practices ...
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THE SUMMIT Recap and More!

By Nate Johnson posted 07-26-2018
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Missouri REALTORS ® , I’d like to thank all of you who attended THE SUMMIT this past week, hosted at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks, Lodge of Four Seasons. It was a tremendous success. To view photos of the event,  check out our Flickr page. In addition, I’d like to invite you to view my most recent video blog which includes a recap of THE SUMMIT and highlights of the upcoming September Business Conference , September 19 -21, 2018 at the Intercontinental Kansas City at the Plaza. With a full schedule of events , it is sure to be a great time! I encourage you to register as soon as possible and I hope to see you in attendance.     Nate K. ...
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Member Spotlight: Forrest Stodghill

By Missouri REALTORS posted 07-25-2018
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Missouri REALTORS ®  are not only real estate professionals – we're so much more. We're active in the community – serving on school boards, in elected positions and volunteering our time to make communities where we work a better place to be. We're educators – serving on panels and facilitating industry discussions. The philanthropic efforts of our members are inspiring and the difference they are making within their communities is significant. Our Member Spotlight series highlights these efforts and introduces some of our wonderful members.  This month, we are shining the Member Spotlight on Forrest Stodghill , a member of Ozark Gateway Association of ...
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Clarity is Key When Dealing with Buyers and Sellers

By Lisa Scoble posted 07-13-2018
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Clarity is Key When Dealing with Buyers and Sellers: Managing Dual Agency Situations and Conflicts of Interest Representing both parties in a real estate transaction can be challenging for even the most senior professional. However, it is possible to fulfill your due diligence with some forethought and preparation. Agents need to be aware of possible self-dealing and use/misuse of confidential information in dual agency situations. The agent or broker can be held liable if both parties are not equally informed and the proper disclosures are not made. Here is a real-world case study that demonstrates the complexity of dual agency real estate transactions ...
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Five Ways to Beat the Heat

By Missouri REALTORS posted 07-12-2018
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With summer comes a hot market and even hotter weather. Temperatures are rising and although you probably want to spend every day at the pool, you are bound to be out on the town, jumping from house to house and interacting with clients. It can be hard to stay cool while working as a REALTOR® (in Missouri, no less!) but we have a few tips and tricks to help you beat the heat. Pack plenty of water . There’s nothing worse than warm water on a hot summer day, so be sure to keep plenty of cold water in your car. Pack a cooler full of ice packs and water bottles in your trunk and enjoy them throughout your busy day of showings. Pack water for your clients ...
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A Picture Can Be Worth a Thousand Words

By Lisa Scoble posted 06-26-2018
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A Picture Can Be Worth a Thousand Words: You Can Never Be Too Clear When Disclosing Known Facts No home is without its peculiarities. Some would call it charm. But others classify these quirks as known issues that may, or may not, need to be disclosed upon sale. It’s not necessary to disclose every little problem, but determining the important issues–both legally and ethically–will go a long way in reducing your risk of a claim. Even if written disclosure is regulated in your state, accompanying images can provide added clarity for all parties involved. Here’s a typical scenario that may have been prevented if the agent was more aware of managing the level ...
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End of Year General Session Report

By Sam LICKLIDER posted 06-14-2018
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Missouri REALTORS®, The following is a reasonably complete description of actions taken in the most recent, completed session, that have direct impact on the real estate profession. I’ve also included a list of all bills we were following as well, including a much shorter list of bills that contain issues described within this report. As was reported earlier, HB 1796, strictly speaking (Senate Substitute No 2 For House Committee Substitute for House Bill No. 1796), was Truly Agreed and Finally passed on May 18, 2018 - the final day of the session. Much work went into the final vote, but the two most significant factors in our success was our House Sponsor, ...
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Member Spotlight: Nancy Gratz

By Missouri REALTORS posted 06-12-2018
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Missouri REALTORS ®  are not only real estate professionals – we're so much more. We're active in the community – serving on school boards, in elected positions and volunteering our time to make communities where we work a better place to be. We're educators – serving on panels and facilitating industry discussions. The philanthropic efforts of our members are inspiring and the difference they are making within their communities is significant. Our Member Spotlight series highlights these efforts and introduces some of our wonderful members.  This month, we are shining the Member Spotlight on  Nancy Gratz .  Nancy Gratz, REALTOR ®  with Gratz Real Estate ...
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2018 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo Review

By John Sebree posted 06-01-2018
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As the 2018 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo has come to a close, I am happy to report Missouri REALTOR® leaders had a very successful week in Washington, DC.  The week began with a "Top 25 Broker" fly-in, approved by the Missouri REALTORS® Board of Directors in January. The Top 25 Brokers were selected based on their agent count. In addition to designated briefings, the group enjoyed a White House tour and economic briefing in the Vice President’s office. We will continue our broker outreach at all levels.  Additionally, Missouri had a very high profile at the National Association of REALTORS® this year as Missouri’s very own Elizabeth Mendenhall ...
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Give Your Marketing Material a Spring Cleanup

By Missouri REALTORS posted 05-10-2018
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Spring is in the air, which means warmer weather and a busy real estate market. It also implies some major cleaning – but this year we challenge you to focus on your marketing material rather than your home. Refreshing your marketing strategy from time to time is important for your business, and it allows you to flex your creativity. Here are a few ideas on how to spring into the season with your best foot forward: 1. Create an infographic. One California agent created an awesome infographic that shared both fun and business related facts about himself. He went to professionals, but you can make your own expertly designed infographic with the marketing ...
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