When Smaller Is Better In Real Estate

 

 

Consumers have varied opinions about brand name home builders around the country when it comes to buying. Some prefer new construction and working with an experienced builder with the amenities of a development is a location which works for them. The challenges confronting potential home buyers at the moment is making it rough for some home builders to sell their projects. Many feel it is because of down payments becoming unaffordable even to those that can afford the monthly payments.

A lot of credit goes to D.R. Horton, whether you like the quality of their builds or not. As the below linked article demonstrates, they have made an adjustment to their marketing strategy which appears to have made a positive difference for them.

Their strategy of reducing the size of the homes they build allows them to lower the prices and appeal to more potential buyers. It seems to be working.

I love their way of thinking. Instead of waiting out the market or becoming less aggressive about new projects, they found a way to make what they do work. We need more builders, developers, and investors willing to look into every possibility and be receptive to a change in strategy. Being an established home builder is one thing, but adapting in the face of adversity is another. If Horton can adjust its strategy and increase success, so can other real estate entities.Doing so could make the difference between success and failure.

 

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/dr-horton-affordability-strategy/ 

 

When Real Estate Collaboration Is Key

 

 

I have often told my associates about how I learn as much from my students, whether real estate investors or agents, than they do from me. Some of what I learn is very helpful for others, while some reinforces the need for the strategies I help them to form and the need to execute a complete plan.

A simple example is when investors tell me they “work on flips”. There are times when I see him or her so focused on a flip that they might miss out on a solid deal which could be a rental or could be flipped without performing a lot of rehab, even when needed. They think they need to “simply” formulate a single process and stick with it.

As the below linked article explains, there are some entities which clearly understand the value of having a plan or approach. Leaders in downtown Kansas City are an excellent example. While some municipalities and economic development groups merely “seek” investors, the K.C. group has formulated a solid plan which targets parts of the downtown area.

They are holding meetings to receive input from people involved and not directly involved in the project. More importantly, they have defined roles for developers, contractors, investors, and others that would be involved. Having the “clear blueprint” will truly create a community in which everyone works together while various groups and individuals each benefit. 

It is an excellent reminder to find the right role for the right people, which is important even on an individual basis. An individual flipper would do well to work with others looking to provide a similar path. Perhaps they could share in redeveloping a group of properties instead of a single property “here and there”. Doing so might be able to save each of them money, such as being able to purchase materials in bulk to divide among a group of investors and eventually being able to market multiple opportunities together.

Another set of eyes on the project may also help lead to being “first in” for other opportunities, whether for the specific project under review or a future opportunity!

 

https://rebusinessonline.com/how-to-balance-growth-and-heritage-in-kansas-citys-legacy-neighborhoods/ 

 

Possible Impact of Disney Expanding Real Estate

 

The huge 100+ acre project which will include a 1,367 unit apartment facility including affordable housing in the Orlando area would not command the level of attention it is getting were it not for Disney being involved. As the below linked article details, the permits and related have been approved and the green light has been given. 

 

Some will joke about the irony of Disney trying to make housing affordable while they continue to price people out of the valuable entertainment empire which established them. Others will wonder about a large corporation focused on a different industry stepping into the real estate world to this extent. How will real estate investors, especially in Florida, react?

 

My thinking is there will be much varied reactions, but how real estate investors and professionals respond tells a lot about who will be successful. Let those who think, "I can't compete with that, see you later" move on. Those that understand the importance of research will see the many opportunities this Disney development will open up, especially on the commercial real estate side.

 

Adding thousands of residents to a community creates demand for grocery and retail, restaurants, day care, auto maintenance, and potentially warehouse or industrial spaces looking to employ the locals. It may be worth researching for opportunities for transportation, waste management, solar power, and other possibilities. Being "first in" on a new opportunity can make you the leader and makes others compete against you and your team if they choose to compete at all.

 

It will also be interesting to see whether or not Disney shows its presence after completion. Will Mickey Mouse be appearing in the clubhouse every Saturday? Or will residents and visitors have no idea Disney is even involved? If it is the latter, I wonder if any of the other many major entertainment vendors in and around Orlando will attempt to make inroads to the residents and surrounding businesses.

 

Not many entities have the capability of taking on a project of this magnitude, especially when it involved major permit and zoning negotiation. However, there should be plenty of entities with the ability to thrive by being involved with a surrounding or adjacent project. All it takes is good research.

 

https://allears.net/2026/01/27/disney-worlds-attainable-housing-community-gets-major-permit-approval/ 

 

 

Original Or Franchised? Some Food For Thought

 

I use and encourage my valued connections, clients, and students to gather and use as much research in their favor as they can find. When people don't agree or prefer a different approach with me, they need to do some degree of research to come up with a response. They do so a percentage of the time. The purpose of real estate related research is to strengthen your case ahead of making you "right" all of the time. Personally, I think of it like hiring an attorney. We do not always hire an attorney to be "right". He or she is hired to win your case.

 

It is fascinating when one side presents favorable stats and trends to show why a property or opportunity should move forward, while another side has clear data to show why it should not. The current climate with sit-down restaurants provides a major example of different ways to look at the same situation. Many restaurants are struggling, and closings continue across the country. At the same time, many continue to hold their own and, in some cases, expand their presence.

 

As the below linked article demonstrates, you could make a case either way. Its focus is on New Orleans, which has a much lower presence of chain restaurants than most other metro areas. The featured expert in the article talks about how chains are doing better than the "local" operations, especially in that market. However, a real estate professional or investor with a different purpose could turn that around and point out the greater opportunity for chain restaurants to be "first in" with expanding to the area.

 

One aspect of the data is there is nothing to show for consumer preferences. In general, some consumers prefer a chain and to "know what they are getting", while others enjoy the unique local dishes and amenities they can't find near home. It is safe to say that many consumers look at the location, convenience, menu offerings, prices, and quality of service (in whatever order) to make their dining decisions ahead of whether it is a local or chain location.

 

My feeling continues to be that the demands of the audience should dictate. I call it the "Burger King Theory". It comes from years of noticing how many times you see a McDonald's only to see a Burger King in close proximity. King has probably saved millions of dollars on market research because McDonald's has already been placed to draw in the same target audience they serve. Hence, it could be a matter of what menu would best serve parts of the New Orleans area ahead of whether it is a chain or a local. Recent research shows there could be some good opportunities for those that know to take advantage of them. 

 

https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/01/16/franchise-restaurants-grow-independents-decline

 

 

Not Taking A Real Estate Possibility For Grant-ed

 

 

Even if you do not understand or pursue grant proposals, it can be beneficial to be aware of when any involving real estate related projects are approved (or, in some cases, up for approval) because of the opportunities they may bring. The article linked below details a government grant for Galveston Harbor in Texas which will encourage and benefit visitors, whether for business purposes or not.

 

By attracting more visitors, they will need places to eat and various other services which may not currently be in place. Those become opportunities for investors, brokers, lenders, contractors, and eventually for employees. Knowing what and when it's coming can be the difference of being "first in" on an opportunity. You also may know of someone that could apply for the grant and may not be aware of such an opportunity if not for you bringing it to their attention.

 

The current highly competitive market makes it more important than ever to create opportunities which could benefit you, your team, and/or your client(s). 

  

https://www.spartnerships.com/port-of-galveston-receives-state-grant-for-mobility-pedestrian-traffic-safety-initiatives/ 

 

 

 

 

Keeping On Track For New Opportunities

 

 

Many cities continue to be involved with expanding local transportation, especially train service, with projects either starting or continuing during 2026. These projects can have a huge impact on commercial and residential real estate, and it can mean a lot for brokers and investors to be aware of the new opportunities resulting.

 

On the residential side, having new and existing housing within close proximity of a train station has been known to increase property values. I recall a study a few years back by a real estate firm in Chicago showing the increased value of homes within a mile of Metra commuter train stations in the suburbs. For commercial brokers, land and commercial buildings near a new station location can become more valuable. New opportunities like restaurants, convenience stores, and office buildings are sure to follow to accommodate area residents and employees.

 

When it comes to marketing properties and opportunities, it's all about location. Knowing about a transportation expansion and where new or remodeled terminals are going to be could make you and your team "first in" on a great opportunity!

 

The below linked article recaps major projects around the country. My team and I would be happy to assist in the planning and marketing of such an opportunity!

 

https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2026/01/01/transit-expansion-in-north-america-a-look-ahead-to-2026-and-a-2025-roundup/ 

 

 

It's Not What One Broker Thinks. It Is What Your Client Is Thinking

 

 

I have talked with so many brokers over the years, whether marketing clients or not, that tell me how upset they are about an opinion story in print, on TV, or on social media. They feel it leads current and potential property owners to think something is true or a standard while they disagree. The same can be said for market trends. I’m no different. For years I have wondered why on earth real estate associations and organizations willingly publish trends such as a drop in home sales.

Those get people thinking they can’t sell their home either and may reduce their interest in even considering. There are situations such as in the below linked story, in which a prominent local agent is called upon to give an opinion about the market. Other local agents may disagree with the assessment, and that is to be expected.

However, those other agents are also competing for listings and sales with the “expert” that made the comments they disagree with. 

One of the many things I have learned over the past 35 years of helping brokers and investors with their marketing is that it helps to tell your audience as much of what they want to hear as possible. There are times it takes some “adjusting” to make that happen. If an expert tells thousands of people about blue widgets and your listing has red widgets, one of my strategies is to accept and compare.

Instead of trying to tell potential buyers why red is better than blue, make it a point to compare the two. “I know red goes great with yellow, but I think blue goes better with three or four colors”, is a good approach. By doing so, you reinforce what the potential buyer may be thinking and getting your points across.

Your goal is to get the transaction done ahead of being more of an expert than one of your competitors. It can be very helpful to gather the opinions of others in your farm area or market along with those reaching a similar target audience within and beyond your scope.

Being able to incorporate what your client and potential buyers may be thinking into your approach with them. It could make the difference of being “first in” on your next deal.

 

https://fox17.com/news/local/selling-or-buying-a-home-in-2026-expert-weighs-in-on-current-real-estate-market-middle-tennessee

 

 

 

Closing A $450 Million Portfolio Is Only The Start

 

 

Real estate brokers, investors, and leasing agents each, understandably, want to be promoting properties and deals under the best possible conditions. When a property or opportunity is not under the "best" conditions, do you continue?

 

It has always fascinated me how some people would move on while certain others would pursue the "problem" deal. There will likely be less competition, if a competitive situation exists. Some people and companies bring an expertise or skill set which is ideal toward potentially solving the problem or resolving the issues surrounding the potential deal.

 

If you have the expertise to overcome a specific challenge, you may be spending your time seeking that chance. The story about a company taking over a $450 million portfolio in New York City with the goal of overcoming 6,500 code violations and countless tenant problems is the most glaring example.The below linked article has the details.

 

From all accounts, the buyer has the financial resources to be able to make a success out of thousands of housing units. I'm sure many within the real estate community are questioning the deal. It is possible that ten years from now this could be ranked among the best deals ever. Or, it could start the downfall of one of the nation's largest real estate entities.

 

Executing the project takes plenty of precise planning, already based on thorough research which was convincing enough to pull the trigger and arrange for financing. With approximately $500 million involved, you had better believe there is solid research and planning. That planning could be done because of having people in place with the skill set to make the project happen. A situation for a real estate company to be "first in" on a significant long-term opportunity.

 

Let's explore the capabilities of you and your team! 

 

https://gothamist.com/news/judge-approves-controversial-sale-of-rent-stabilized-apartments-over-mamdani-objections

 

 

When Homes Appeal To Buyers In Different Ways

 

 

My hunch is that many real estate professionals see the headline of the below linked article and won’t even take a look. “Top 10 Desirable Metros Where Homes Cost Less Than $300,000” should attract real estate pros instead of discouraging them.

If I am not in any of those 10 metros, I’m reading this with two questions in mind. The first is, “What do the homes I represent have that the ones mentioned do not?”. Next, it should be “What do the homes in the article have that the ones I represent do not?”.

Knowing which differences to point out about a listing or opportunity could be the difference of getting a signed contract or missing out. One example I use with valued clients, students, and connections is a sold out football game. Tickets are priced differently for sitting at the 50 yard line vs. the back of the upper level in the corner of an end zone which faces the sun. Since the game has sold out, there are people willing to pay to do both. 

Some fans are sitting high up in the corner because that was all they could get. Others are there because it saved them over $100 over a higher priced ticket while they could still be inside to witness the game. There are fans sitting by themselves and others that must have a group of eight all together. Even though it is the same game within the same stadium, many fans have different criteria for attending.

Knowing what choices are being made, whether you agree with them or not, applies to the real estate scenario or what makes homes desirable. An agent or broker reading may be working on homes priced below $300,000 or well above that mark. A potential buyer may be looking for corner end zone houses OR one smack on the 50 yard line. Understanding that could help you become “first in” on getting to the closing table.

 

https://www.foxbusiness.com/real-estate/top-10-desirable-metros-where-homes-cost-less-than-300k

 

 

 

When The Business Needs The Person Who Can't Be There

  

A few months back, I was working with a real estate investor putting together a multi-million dollar commercial project that was seeking a partner. It took months of searching to finally come up with a potential partner which made it beyond initial discussion. The potential partner came back with a Proposal which would have made my client nearly one million dollars in profit within two years. At that time, there had not even been a shovel in the ground, and it appeared that the hours of work we had put in were going to pay off for all concerned.

My client turned it down and walked away. He was looking long-term and felt that his team’s contributions were worth significantly more than one million dollars even though they had not been executed. I see situations like this on occasion, where a business or real estate opportunity is attractive, but not positioned for mutual benefit.

The below linked article is a glaring example. It describes a situation for a successful business operation with a current owner not healthy enough to continue on. The challenge is that the owner is not easily able to find a person or entity able to continue under his current methods of operation. I’m seeing a similarity between the scenario in the article and the situation I had with the investor. When the buyer needs to start by doing things a certain way they did not create, it can be a problem. 

There are lessons to be learned from these scenarios.

 

https://www.hourdetroit.com/drinks-beverages/schramms-mead-seeks-a-successor/

 

 

 

 

It's About What The Buyer Thinks

 

 

Whether representing a seller or being the seller, you understand the best sales points of the property or opportunity. I have written thousands of ads and copy for listings over the past 35+ years. Every property has something unique to offer including the cookie cutter builder projects. 

Meanwhile, having unique features may not be the best selling point. There is often a difference in what you think the most important feature is than what potential buyers want. 

There are times a potential buyer is emphasizing a specific convenience. You might have the newest, cleanest, and a highly desirable location for a new listing. However, if the buyer is seeking a master bedroom that has its own adjacent bathroom and your new listing doesn’t have that, it could be a deal breaker.

Even a “typical” or “common” new listing advertisement and/or showing should emphasize what potential buyers want. Obviously, different potential buyers have different needs, wants, and financial qualifications. 

Agents and brokers who don’t think they need research in preparation of selling a listing often overlook what buyers want and “simply” go with what they think would be best, which is often successful. Exploring the most searched keywords is a great way to learn what potential buyers want. The below linked article is a prime example. If you can mention that one thing which is important to that buyer, your chances of getting to the closing table increase!

 

https://www.realestatenews.com/2025/12/26/zillow-wrapped-what-buyers-searched-for-in-2025 

 

 

Sending A Signal For Successful Transaction Follow Up

 

As my valued clients and students know, there is so much more to marketing real estate than producing content and placing campaigns. Customer service and going the extra mile to help with a transaction can create a favorable impression and generate future business. One example is WiFi signals. It continues to surprise me how little attention many residential and commercial brokers pay about it whether representing buyers or sellers.

For residential properties, you and your client should walk the property with a phone or tablet and check for signal coverage in the basement and in the “outer reaches”. Buyers want to know they will easily be able to have a strong WiFi signal. The new residents may be able to work from home and the kids need to do homework and will want to stream games and movies. 

If selling, you (as agent) should be sure of a strong signal throughout and invite potential buyers to check for themselves. It is possible “better WiFi” could help them to decide and that other properties they are considering have dead spots. I will say I know of agents that install a signal booster prior to showings and open houses.

On the commercial property side, strength of signal takes on added meaning. Some states and municipalities are able to mandate a “Radio Signal Strength Test”. The reason is that first responders need to have a strong signal throughout the property in case of emergencies. The “signal booster” needed to be compliant for large commercial properties (i.e. shopping centers, big box stores, warehouses) can cost up to several tAs my valued clients and students know, there is so much more to marketing real estate than producing content and placing campaigns. Customer service and going the extra mile to help with a transaction can create a favorable impression and generate future business. One example is WiFi signals. It continues to surprise me how little attention many residential and commercial brokers pay about it whether representing buyers or sellers.

For residential properties, you and your client should walk the property with a phone or tablet and check for signal coverage in the basement and in the “outer reaches”. Buyers want to know they will easily be able to have a strong WiFi signal. The new residents may be able to work from home and the kids need to do homework and will want to stream games and movies.

If selling, you (as agent) should be sure of a strong signal throughout and invite potential buyers to check for themselves. It is possible “better WiFi” could help them to decide and that other properties they are considering have dead spots. I will say I know of agents that install a signal booster prior to showings and open houses.

On the commercial property side, strength of signal takes on added meaning. Some states and municipalities are able to mandate a “Radio Signal Strength Test”. The reason is that first responders need to have a strong signal throughout the property in case of emergencies. The “signal booster” needed to be compliant for large commercial properties (i.e. shopping centers, big box stores, warehouses) can cost up to several thousand dollars including installation. (For example, in Florida it is Statute 633.202.) Meanwhile, older buildings with large elevator systems are also dealing with the planned elimination of POTS lines, as they had been known for years, and requiring significant telecommunications system updates.

As a potential buyer representative, you should check to ensure compliance, potentially adding another negotiation point if not. When representing a seller, being able to point out that “your” property is compliant gets your potential buyer(s) to inquire for other properties they may be considering.

The marketing value is showing your client AND the potential buyer or seller on the other side how “on top of things” you are. In addition, showing concern for the safety of others will get you more future business than showing more concern for quickly getting to the closing table.
thousand dollars including installation. (For example, in Florida it is Statute 633.202.) 

As a potential buyer representative, you should check to ensure compliance, potentially adding another negotiation point if not. When representing a seller, being able to point out that “your” property is compliant gets your potential buyer(s) to inquire for other properties they may be considering. 

The marketing value is showing your client AND the potential buyer or seller on the other side how “on top of things” you are. In addition, showing concern for the safety of others will get you more future business than showing more concern for quickly getting to the closing table.

 

 

 

Marketing For The New Age In Home Buying

 

 

We continue to see data showing that the average age for first-time homebuyers is now around 40 and may continue to rise as economic challenges dictate. As a real estate research and marketing specialist, I continue to see brokers who would benefit significantly by doing more research toward better identifying their target audience. Knowing exactly who you need to reach is very helpful in determining how best to reach them. You need to be where your target audience is.

The below linked article goes as far as to show the average first-time homebuyer age for several large municipalities. That tells me that such info can be found for plenty more municipalities, and likely for your farm area or location(s) of concentration.

Finding your target audience can vary from city to city, based on the local economy, amenities, and ethnicity. Your target audience for properties you work on might be families, individuals, or people that stay within certain areas for any of the aforementioned reasons. To put it another way, a 40 year-old single person living in San Francisco is likely to have different habits and needs than if they lived in Fargo, ND. 

One way to learn their habits and where you can find them is by direct observation. I still remember a story I read many years ago about a rock band which did a lot of live concerts. They would have members of the stage crew and wives or girlfriends of band members scatter and go further out into the audience during their shows acting as fans of the group. Their mission was really to notice which songs got the crowd around them to rise, which ones they liked to sing along with, and to hear the “Oh, I wish they would do (name of song)” type comments. 

Over the course of their tour, the band adjusted their set list and parts of their presentation as a result of direct and unsolicited reactions. They listened to their target audience and doing so led to an increase in album sales and concert ticket sales!

If you have a listing which would appeal to a buyer in the 40-year old age range, check out restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and places where your audience goes. Listen in on what their concerns are. Think of that rock band, and think of how one comment you hear or observation you make could help you be “first in” to get your listing sold.

In real estate, research and marketing go a long way toward success!

 

https://www.investopedia.com/you-just-turned-35-and-dont-own-a-home-yet-see-how-us-adults-compare-11875760  

 

 

The Research Should Be More Important Than The Funding

 

As 2026 began, I spent some time reviewing notes from the private investor coaching sessions I held throughout 2025. The majority are newer investors relying on my team and me for strategies toward getting started or preparing for the next and bigger deal. 

It is human nature to find reasons to make your concept or plan look “even better” in hopes of easier acceptance. However, keeping it real is the far more practical approach when it comes to real estate, especially when involving properties which need repairs and/or upgrades between the time of acquisition and the time of profitable resale.

A real estate investor or professional that is eyeing a property needs to present a lot more than “what I think this could sell for” in order to make the deal happen. My biggest takeaway is (and continues to be) to focus on the deal instead of the funding. Being strong with thorough and accurate research can make your presentation stronger than the next investor a potential partner or funding source looks at.

I recently had an investor student that was already negotiating with the owner of a triplex that “wants out” even though all three units are rented and a property manager is in place. She asked me about preparing to approach her lender, and was concerned about using her personal credit data since her LLC was brand new. 

My response was to examine the situation further to determine if “we” need a lending source or investor partner. Although she knew the estimated value of the property, she did not (yet) know how it comps out. She did not know the rent amount(s) being paid by the tenants or the length of current leases. I told her that her credit score doesn’t matter if all three units could be vacant by the time her acquisition closes. That landlord may “want out” because the tenants do.

If she can present having happy tenants at market rate rents in a building which comps well and has value add potential, her personal credit may not matter. The point is that this investor may have missed out on a good deal by worrying about her credit score OR entered into a purchase without enough research and put her finances at severe risk. 

Meanwhile, I still hear from brokers that there “is no inventory”. As I see it, there are plenty of opportunities to be “first in” that thorough research would uncover. 

 

Working The Workforce Toward Real Estate Solutions

 

Some geographic areas are placing more of an emphasis on “growing” jobs while others place an emphasis on developing more places to live which are affordable housing. The below linked article about efforts within Texas to increase and attract workers for manufacturing plants provides plenty of interesting research. It shows that Texas is currently ranked sixth nationally in manufacturing job growth, which would seem to indicate a demand for employees that relocate from other states and regions.

However, the research also shows that housing costs for employees looking at living within reasonable proximity of expanding manufacturing facilities are too high to make a move worthwhile. Manufacturing plants do not control housing prices, and it’s not as though current homeowners would wish to reduce housing costs. These are problems without easy solutions.

As many of my valued clients, students, and connections know, a huge part of marketing for real estate is about developing solutions to best serve your clients. Many brokers and investors wait for “someone” to bring them potentially strong deals ahead of working on creating them. Doing your homework should not always be confined to running the numbers strictly for the real estate considerations.

Potential home sellers (whether interested in selling, already listed, or who have not been approached with an innovative solution) know what amount they need or expect in order to move the needle. Some need plenty of money up front, while others could benefit from strong monthly payments. 

It is possible that people willing to relocate for a job would want to rent for six months or one year to get a feel for the job and the neighborhood before committing to purchasing, whether they can afford it or not. If you don’t know about specific situations which are or may be available, you don’t have solutions to offer. 

A few years back, a connection of mine took over a 4-bedroom house following a divorce (grown children no longer living there) and was by himself, wanting to stay in “his” house. He was able to rent the other three bedrooms to three women that came to the United States from Asia on a 6-month work visa. The three were each employed at the same place, and the house was convenient to the bus stop. Everybody involved “won” in this situation. The three women had below-market rent in a convenient location, and the owner had steady income which allowed him to stay in his house, covering maintenance and property tax expenses. (He also had his tenants cooking Asian meals for him, but that’s not related to the story.)

By the end of the six months, he knew the company which hired people on visas from other countries and had recommendations to go along with it. His divorce and the work visas for the women each had zero to with the then current real estate market. It was his solution, which happened to involve his home, that led to the success story.

While you continue with your job, my team and I can be helping your team and you to develop beneficial solutions. Being “first in” on opportunities starts with doing your research!

 

https://trerc.tamu.edu/blog/texas-manufacturing-needs-power-people/ 

 

 

 

 

 

While Some Agents Want Listings, Their Audience Needs Solutions

 

When you see survey results showing Americans are discouraged about personal finances for the coming year, it is easy to think it will challenge your potential for success as a real estate professional or investor. Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you are probably right.

A huge part of real estate marketing is being able to put your clients and potential clients into a position to succeed. If and as they succeed, so do you!

As my coaching clients and students already know, there are many ways to put yourself in a position to help your clients succeed during 2026. Marketing yourself and your brand is about providing solutions, even when your database does not see the problem.

Being “first in” with a solution can be a significant difference maker. Let’s find at least one situation you and your team can utilize to your advantage for helping your target audience. Suppose you are a residential agent in a “slow” farm area where the monthly expenses for homeowners (mortgage, property tax, HOA, etc.) comes to $2,400 per month. 

The next step is to find the nearest rentals in which tenants are currently paying $2,500 or more per month. We already know they can afford the monthly amount needed to own a property in the same area. Perhaps you know a lender able to provide down payment assistance and/or an owner willing to provide seller financing. 

If so, you can show a nearby tenant how you can SAVE them money each month while bringing them tax benefits and advantages. Maybe you can show them how for less money they could go from a two-bedroom apartment to a three-bedroom house. Perhaps they could have their own private swimming pool (other desired local amenity) instead of sharing it with dozens of neighbors who always use it at the same times they want to.

While other real estate professionals continue to think the market is slow, you can be doing the research and using your brand and reach to generate clients.

On the commercial real estate side, there are plenty of conversion, mixed use, and zoning opportunities to present to those that didn’t think it was possible. 

My team and I are available to help you and your team be “first in” on increasing your bottom line during 2026!

 

https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/12/26/survey-fewer-americans-believe-their-finances-will-improve-in-the-year-ahead-compared-to-past-2-years/175521/ 

 

 

If We Can Tell The Photos Are Enhanced, Does It Help To Sell It?

 

It is no surprise that I’m seeing more residential and commercial listings around the country which are enhanced by Ai. Maybe it is because I have been working with tech teams which create virtual reality environments specific to real estate, but I continue to find it easy to recognize Ai enhanced photos and videos. There is a big difference when using Ai to “show” a property or a room which is proposed and does not exist than to make a real property look more favorable than it will when a potential buyer or tenant sees it for the first time.

Long before Ai and virtual reality environments, we would often see a photo of someone we were about to meet. When we actually met him or her, we would instantly be able to tell that the photo we saw is very much outdated. Our image of that person would immediately become less favorable. The same theory goes with properties. If seeing the actual property becomes less impressive than the version we saw before arriving, many of us wind up being “less impressed” while we are touring. 

Real estate agents and brokers with properties to market should want it to be the other way around!

Suppose you place a “realistic” photo (or series of photos) in your promotional pieces and advertisements for your listings. Before showings and/or open houses, you clean up and make improvements to the appearance of the property. Make it look even better than the photos!

By doing so, your goal is to make the visiting potential buyer or tenant think even more positively about the property. The value of an out loud “Wow! This looks even better than I thought!” is more in your favor than a “Oh, this doesn’t look as nice as I was expecting”. If you are holding an open house or hosting multiple showings simultaneously, chances are the visitors will have already toured other properties they may be considering. Getting a “This is better than I expected” reaction carries more weight when they just visited other properties which may not have impressed them “even more”.

The below linked article includes a video which shows Ai being overused in a residential presentation. It is way too easy to tell, especially when you look at their weak simulations of a fire in the fireplaces. Those made me think, “I wonder what else is fake about the interior”. 

Getting a potential buyer or tenant to be “first in” on your listing or opportunity should be done with a realistic approach and not one which is practically an insult. The last word in Ai is “intelligence”. 

 

https://www.azfamily.com/video/2025/12/31/what-know-about-ai-content-real-estate-listings/