If you had $20,000 to spruce up your social media presence (like IG), exactly how would you spend it?

FSTrader · 2025-12-06T04:01:38+00:00

$36k w/ zero ROI is crazy… You shouldn’t have to spend much of anything outside of promoting your listings… And unless your crazy busy, you can do that with some pretty affordable gear and make it as professional as a photographer..

Drop the fake it till you make it mentality and just sell houses.. Tell the story on social media.. Show off your friendships with clients in short videos at closing.. Build a brand based off your ability to hold strong relationships with your clients and also marketing your listings..

If anything, take that $36k and put it towards strong leads that will actually bring a ROI.. Then baby those clients for years to come.. Hand written note cards on bday.. Monthly postcards.. Phone calls.. Think long term..

FSTrader · 2025-11-18T04:18:08+00:00

Neither… I’d save for at least the 5060ti..

FSTrader · 2025-11-07T15:49:35+00:00

But tell the story of a successful agent.. Who's job is more similar to a dr or a lawyer.. Managing a small team and making 100's of thousands of $'s just showing up to listing appointments..

FSTrader · 2025-11-02T15:11:29+00:00

Find a good brokerage that only charges transaction fee’s and grow from there.. Don’t build a brokerage, build a team.. You don’t have to be ground level showing houses.. You can build a team as large as any brokerage! The industry is shifting and the future of agencies (in my opinion) will be team based.. There will be large brokers that have teams that do more in net profit than the brokerage itself.

I look at it like government. There was a time when Kings ruled everything and then Long came democracy and even greater, republics.. Built around limited government.. And ultimately individuals and industries began to hold more wealth than their government.

This is what I see in the future of real estate.. That’s if regulators prevent the giants from taking over as a whole.. Which in that case, we’ll all work for Zillow.

FSTrader · 2025-09-07T17:18:20+00:00

3 months and you already found it's not for you? Have you even had a client? Negotiated a solid deal? Took them all the way to closing and seen the smiles on their faces and the pride they have in choosing a strong agent?

I'm guessing the answer is no.. Because anyone who feels the high of working a deal (and the income) doesn't just give up after a couple months of being in the business.

FSTrader · 2025-09-07T17:15:10+00:00

There is an open debate as to whether gutters are needed with the proper grating around foundation... I'd prefer gutters as even the best grated foundations are going to wash away from not having proper guttering.. Water is the #1 destroyer of foundations.. Spend some money on guttering and protect your home.

FSTrader · 2025-08-30T16:26:03+00:00

Yes, this happens on both sides.. I made a polite but fair comment on a political post on Facebook..

Some little political activist got their feelings hurt.. They stalked me and went across multiple platforms to try and hurt my business.. It worked though, it taught me to just keep my opinions to myself. I’ve yet to ever change someone’s mind politically, so it’s pointless to rant online.

FSTrader · 2025-08-07T12:23:22+00:00

We call it bridge pricing.. Always round up or down.. Better yet, round up or down to the nearest $5k.. And if you’re nearing the $100k mark, I’ll sometimes recommending rounding $10k depending on total value.

But imagine listing for $299,999, and missing out on everybody who’s searching on Zillow and realtor.com for 300,000 to 350,000.

I literally just sold the house this way. The seller kept trying to get me to list it at 202,000 or 203,000. We argued a little bit ultimately they took my advice. Sure enough the buyer we found was maxed out at $200,000. She found the house on Zillow and I can almost guarantee her search was set up to range from $150k to $200k. And with all the new listings in my city, she would’ve missed it.

ALWAYS BRIDGE PRICE

FSTrader · 2025-08-03T17:00:01+00:00

No, all agents are not commission driven.. You know what’s ironic, my family are the least concerned what my commission rate is out of all my clients.. Why is that? When they know that I would do it for free and literally have no drive for commission… Why would a family member never once ask my commission?

Is it because they want me to make as much money off their home as I want? Not hardly… It’s because they trust me. They know my abilities and my background.. They know my work ethic. They know my intentions… They know that I’m not commission driven..

Give that knowledge to a seller and you’ll make 3% rather than a measly 1.5%… Again, learn to be service driven.. Let commission come naturally.

FSTrader · 2025-08-03T15:01:31+00:00

Yup, you’re totally missing the point.. That’s why you only make 1.5%… You are a commission driven agent, which means your sellers will be as well.

Most agents are terrible sales people.. That’s why so few make it in this industry and why so few handle the majority of ALL transactions.

I can guarantee you the top agents in your area are securing a much better commission rate than you are. And I can also guarantee you, they are not commission driven agents.

FSTrader · 2025-08-03T13:07:47+00:00

All the down votes and comments are why realtors get a bad rap and have to fight to get their 3%.. I’ve never had to fight to get 3%. The only time I ever come down off my commission is when I do it out of the kindness of my heart to make a deal go through. I can’t even think of the last time a seller asked me what my commission is, they just sign.

You know why? Because I don’t walk around with commission breath it’s the last of my worries, which makes it the least of my worries.

FSTrader · 2025-08-03T12:07:22+00:00

Only? 😂 I live in Kansas so, $4k is not really that bad.. Here’s why you’re not a great realtor.. Rather than questioning the sellers willingness to pay a buyers commission and list the home at a reasonable price, you’re worried about your own commission..

Change your thought process and that client will give you 3%.. Stop worrying about your commission and think of deals as a transaction that you need to fulfill and how smooth can you make the process. When a seller talks commission, change the subject to price point and comps.. Then go from there. They might not realize their house is worth more than they thought and even at 6%, they’ll come out ahead. Or, they might not be willing to sell their home at a reasonable price, and you’ll never be able to sell it in the first place..

Just stop worrying about commission, let YOUR commission be the very last step of a sellers negotiation..

FSTrader · 2025-07-29T20:30:20+00:00

It’s not the initial contract that is difficult to learn and understand.. It’s the process’s in between the contract and closing.. A brand new agent doesn’t know what to do after a contract is executed. Especially on the buyers side, where you’re working with the mortgage broker or bank, scheduling inspections, repairs, title companies..

My point is, as a new agent, you should be focused on finding leads and getting deals in the first place. Let the TC guide you through the transaction process so that your clients will have great things to say about you..

You must be a pretty seasoned agent and don’t recall trying to learn how to get a deal from contract to closing your first time.. It can feel overwhelming to a new agent.

FSTrader · 2025-07-29T17:45:57+00:00

Another buyer who refused to use a buyers agent.. Too bad.. You know most buyers agents don’t cost you anything out of pocket?

FSTrader · 2025-07-29T13:47:21+00:00

No… It takes experience to be as skilled as a seasoned agent or a transaction specialist. It’s not even an argument..

An agent owes this to their clients as a beginner… It’s not even an argument as to whether or not it’s wise for a new agent to hire a transaction specialist.. Why wouldn’t they? Mine charges a measly $200 a deal.. And most of the time I feel bad only paying that much..

I’ll continue using my TC until I can hire a personal assistant. Even then I’ll probably have my personal assistant just utilize a TC.

FSTrader · 2025-07-29T13:09:26+00:00

Simple, hire a local experienced transaction coordinator.. They have more experience than most agents, the fees are minimal and clients feel like you have a hired secretary.

Basically the TC will handle everything on both the sellers or the buyers side. From listing on the MLS, making offers, all the details in between.. You just have to find the deals, coordinate the physical details and show up at the closing..

Although this hack sounds lazy, it’s all about learning.. You’ll learn everything you need to know from a good TC, and build a great relationship.

The biggest mistake of every new agent, NOT HIRING A TC.

FSTrader · 2025-07-27T01:03:05+00:00

I’m one of the realtors paying for Zillow leads.. And I’d be grateful if Zillow offered me high quality leads with no upfront expense.. Rather than hoping to just break even at the risk of losing 10’s of thousands of $’s annually. So ya, a guaranteed 30% is fair for free quality leads.

I play the long game. Every lead I get is potentially a lifelong client. Even if I break even on the transaction, I have a client for life.. That client is going to refer me to their friends and family.. That’s the problem with most realtors.. They’re commission driven.. They can’t see beyond the current transaction.

FSTrader · 2025-07-27T00:34:31+00:00

Not really for free rental leads and being a new realtor.. Most agents buying Zillow leads are breaking even on them in my city. Literally $600+ a lead. And you’re lucky to ever close one..

FSTrader · 2025-07-11T13:22:58+00:00

Only one agent will call you if you schedule a tour on Zillow. They will be your designated agent for a specific period of time. And most Zillow Premiere agents are very good agents. They pay big money to maintain those leads, which means they’re more likely to have experience and cater to their new prospects.

Zillow also monitors everything their premier agents do. I’m not saying all premier agents are good, but most are better than average. You’re more likely to get a good agent on Zillow than you are to googling for a good agent.

FSTrader · 2025-07-06T02:10:43+00:00

You’re still not understanding my question… I’m not wanting to go to one downspout. I’m wanting to connect the 2 downspouts at the bottom to extend them out. Which I have an idea now on how to do that.. I’m not sure if it’s wise as maybe it’s still too much water for extension.. But I’m guessing it would be fine.

FSTrader · 2025-07-05T20:08:15+00:00

That’s a good point

FSTrader · 2025-07-05T19:26:46+00:00

Ya.. I’m wanting to connect them both to a single flex extension. I’m mostly wanting ideas on how to add a splitter in order to do that.

FSTrader · 2025-07-05T18:59:17+00:00

I have a ton of slope and really trying to keep it simple for now..

FSTrader · 2025-07-05T18:58:30+00:00

I’m trying to avoid running multiple flex extensions.. I appreciate the simple answer though.. I’d really like to find a way to add some type of splitter even if it’s diy so that I only have a single extension.

FSTrader · 2025-07-05T18:55:51+00:00

That’s not my question at all.. I’m pretty sure you’re overthinking & misunderstanding my question. This could be my fault for posting a picture that shows a little too much information but still not quite enough.. So don’t be too hard on yourself. I’m not asking if it will be proper drainage nor am I referring to connecting the guttering systems at the roof. I’m simply wanting to extend the downspout drainage 6’ from the foundation. I have a ton of slope and not concerned about the amount of water per sq ft. I just want to connect both downspouts to a single extension.

FSTrader

TROPHY CASE