A Simple Way to Negotiate Multiple Offers
With the severe lack of inventory in many markets, multiple offers are still common. When you are representing a buyer and they ask your opinion about how to bid, here’s what to say:
“There are four ways to negotiate in this situation. The first is to make an offer as if there are no other competing offers.
If you really want the house, the second approach is to offer close to asking price.
If you absolutely must have this house, the third strategy is to offer full asking price or slightly over asking price.
The fourth option is to withdraw your offer and see what happens. It’s your choice, what would you like to do?”
By placing the client in control, you eliminate virtually all pushback that you would normally experience in this type of negotiation situation. Furthermore, if your client doesn’t get the house, it was their choice rather than something you recommended.
Inventory Knowledge Never Goes Out of Style
No matter what your experience level is, maintaining a strong knowledge of the inventory is critical for real estate success. Top agents can rattle off comparable sales and correctly price properties without ever
having to check the MLS.
Agents with this level of expertise have a huge advantage, whether they are working with sellers or buyers. Clients want to know that their agent is an expert in the area where they are looking. Having a strong knowledge of the inventory is one of the best ways to demonstrate this expertise. Best of all, inventory knowledge is the one skill that never goes out of style.
When’s the Best Time to List a House?
When’s the best time to list a house? According to Zillow’s research data, the month a homeowner lists their home for sale has a powerful influence on the seller’s bottom line.
So, what’s the best month to list your house? It depends upon the weather! Depending upon where you live, sellers will sell faster and net the most money if they list their home in March. If you’re being hammered with snow in March, however, the best time may be the first week in April.
How can you determine the best timing? Watch for a significant increase in the number of new listings that normally takes place in late February or early March. The time to have your sellers list is several weeks later when this initial rush has passed and there is much less competition.
To take advantage of this fact, get your postcard marketing campaigns, mailing pieces, and keep-in-touch-with-past-client phone calls focused on this data now. And by the way, in case you didn’t know this, NAR says the best day of the week to list a house is on Friday.
Using Feng Shui to Hit Your Income Goals
As we head into the second half of 2026, did you hit your goals for the first half of the year? If you did, keep doing what’s working. If not, look at what activities produced closed transactions and devote more of your time to those activities. Dump the activities that did not produce the results you want.
On a more fun note, here’s a fun tip from the people who practice Feng Shui that will help you to hit your 2026 income goals. 
Find a pretty, red bag and place some coins in it. A smart place to put the bag is in your home office. To place the bag properly, walk into the room and place the bag in the left-hand corner most distant from the door. The concept is simple: Money attracts money.
The Value of a Happy Customer
What is one of the best ways to have your marketing go viral? A happy customer who tells everyone they know about your services.
How do you get happy customers? Three great strategies include:
- Promise less than you know you can deliver and then deliver more than you promise.
- Respond promptly to their inquiries throughout the transaction. Even better, anticipate what they want and provide before they even ask.
- Go the extra mile—take their dog to doggie day care on moving day, remember their birthdays and anniversaries, and always remember to stay in touch after your transaction closes.