Articles
Podcast: Strategies for Successful Business Planning in the New Year with Matthew Rathbun
In the dynamic world of real estate, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success. Recently, I was interviewed by Monica Neubauer for the National Association of REALTORS Center for REALTOR Development about planning for the new year, productivity, and making...
Free Mac Menubar Tools for Creatives
I love a solid app and it's a big win if it's free! Its one of my favorite finds online and bonus points for making me more productive. The menu bar on my mac is often full of quick-access apps that I use all day long. The list below is a collection of my favorite...
How To Avoid Mistakes When Hiring A Real Estate Assistant
Hiring An Assistant As real estate continues to grow more complex by the day and the demands on real estate are ever-increasing, it is becoming more and more necessary for Realtors to seek out and hire help. Many agents are lost at where to start and how to structure...
Creating a YouTube Video Thumbnail in Canva
YouTube is one of the most powerful platforms online and it is also one of the most crowded platforms. Getting your video found and getting people to engage it starts with a snazzy video thumbnail that will grab their attention. When uploading a video on YouTube,...
Addressing Smart Home Devices In A Sales Contract
Smart Home Conveyance Smart Home Devices are in nearly every home in America at this point. How we address these devices in the listing and selling of real estate is an important matter to consider and a question that I'm often asked. The video below is a review of...
Apple Focus Time Review
You Really Do Have Time One of the most often heard questions from people in business is "where will I find the time?!?!" As an instructor, I hear this question in nearly every course. People constantly feel that they do not have time to learn new skills, focus on...
How to Fix AirPods Connection Issues 2021
Your Airpods Went From Awesome to WTH Sometimes when we try to improve something we end up breaking it. I've learned that lesson over and over again as a blogger, parent, gadget guy and leader in my company. That doesn't mean that we keep trying to improve things,...
Best iPhone Apps for Real Estate Agents
Keeping up with the latest and greatest apps to keep your business going and to increase your productivity can be a daunting task. I am constantly testing and evaluating various apps and tools to make sure that I have the best damn apps that I can. One of the most...
Make Custom Community Google Maps for Real Estate Marketing
The Value of a Map How often have you seen a friend on social media ask for restaurant recommendation or ideas for a fun family outing around town? How about that client who is looking for the location of all of the active adult communities in town? As real estate...
The Proper Way To Share PowerPoint and Keynote Via Zoom
Easily See Your Slides and Your Learners In A Zoom Session I have heard from a lot of virtual trainers that they are using a second device to keep track of Zoom Chat, Attendees and to see the learner's videos while trying to teach. With a very simple change, you can...
Teaching, Annotating and Editing PDFs During Zoom via PDFExpert
Teaching Forms and Contracts on Zoom If you teach contracts, forms, or anything that requires editing or drawing you know that teaching via Zoom can be a challenge. PDFExpert has both an iPad and MacOS application and frankly, it's everything an Apple product should...
NAR Adds Ethical Accountability for Online Posts
Standard of Practice 10-5 Fair Housing and Public Statements On Friday, November 13th, 2020 the National Association of REALTORS® passed a new Standard of Practice to add to Article 10. Standard of Practice 10-5 reads: “REALTORS® must not use harassing speech, hate...
Creating Checklists and Contract Templates in Zipforms
Organize Your Transaction With Zipforms Have you ever awaken at 3am and had a little rush of panic wondering if you ordered that inspection you were supposed to order or deposited the EMD check with the office administrator? Most of us have had that manic moment in...
Writing Dynamic Real Estate Agent Bios
Telling Your Story For well over a decade I've been a Real Estate instructor and Broker. In that time I've studied a number of agent-behaviors that sometimes are hard to understand. Today I am going to help agents who often have no problems verbally sharing about...
Lume Cube Panel is Awesome for Videos and Webinars
The Need For Good Lighting Video reigns... From videos for listings, brand recognition, or the never-ending Zoom webinar we are finding ourselves on camera far more than we have been in years past. Aside from the quality of your webcam, smartphone camera, or DSLR...
Free Virtual Tours with Google Tools
Over the past few months, one of my favorite among those tools has become the Google Poly project which has introduced free virtual tours to the world, in an easy-to-create system using only your smartphone.
How Agents Can Help Clients With Understanding SmartHomes and Aging in Place
What Our Elderly Families Need She's been there your entire life. With energy, fervor and zest she took on all of life's challenges and nurtured you into the amazing person that you are. However, lately mom has had a little harder time moving about, a little bit...
Mobile Apps Every Homeowner Should Have 2018 Edition
SmartPhones And Households I love my iPhone. Its become a resource that is far beyond a simple messaging device. The SmartPhone has become a functioning part of my lifestyle and helps me complete tasks more easily and free my mind to work on other things. The...
Nest Secure Is A Great SmartHome Alarm System
Nest Secure Smart Home Security In the world of technology five years is a long time so it is no surprise that I now find myself needing to replace some of the devices that I have installed in my home. The replacement of my security system is the first such total...
Fredericksburg Virginia Weather Resources
Weather Geeks Tool Chest I'm a huge weather geek and I love any type of extreme weather. Today is day four of a historic blizzard in the Fredericksburg area. With totals between 24-30 inches of snow depending on where you are, you're...
What Is the Legal Definition of a Bedroom in Virginia?
What Is Required For A Bedroom in My Virginia Home? I've been a Realtor for a long time and I recall that even in my licensing class that there was confusion as to what constituted a bedroom. I remember that the common opinion was a room with a window and a closet....
What A Seller Needs To Know About Selling and #SmartHome Cameras
Selling #SmartHomes with Cameras There are a number of facets to consider when a homeowner decides to offer their home for sale. What some homeowners don't consider are the implications of using their smart cameras while placing the home on the market. ...
A Parent’s Guide To Resources To Keep Kids Safe Online
Keeping Kids Safe Online I'm a statistics guy, but for this post, I've decided to leave out all the numbers. If you've found yourself here you probably know that the internet has more than a few pitfalls that our children can fall into. My house is hyper-connected. ...
August Locks – Give Your Front Door An Upgrade
Get Rid Of Your Keys Have you ever needed to let someone in your house when you weren't there? Have you ever locked your keys in the house? Have you ever had your hands full and wish that you didn't have to put down your packages in order to find your keys and open...
Best Virginia Boater’s Licensing Course Online
Virginia Requires A Boating License For Boats and Jet Skis Last summer I was at a friend's lake-home enjoying the boats and jet skis when he asked if I had a boating license, so that I could drive. I didn't even know there was such a thing. Since I'm under 50 years...
Fredericksburg, VA FHA 203k Mortgage Facts
Fredericksburg, VA FHA 203k mortgage facts, covered repairs, and other information.
Will I Need To Sign Something?
What is "Agency" and Why Does The Law Require Me To Sign Something? The Law In real estate, "Agency" is the relationship between a Realtor and their client. The agency relationship is defined in law and requires the Realtor to provide a specific level of...
What Buyers Should Know About Signing Agreements
What is "Agency" and Why Does The Law Require Me To Sign Something? The Law In real estate, "Agency" is the relationship between a Realtor and their client. The agency relationship is defined in law and requires the Realtor to provide a specific level of...
From Generation to Generation
There are certain landmarks in the career of a REALTOR® that gives one pause and reminds us how important our clients are. Home Buyers and Sellers all have stories, we become involved in their lives and help them in a time of important decisions. Matthew and I take...
HUD Helps Buyers
Between REALTORS®, lenders, and the title companies, I think most clients are kept aware of time frames and expectations during the housing purchase process. However HUD (The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) wants to make sure that this is happening....
