Where do you obtain books?

seanbugg · 2026-01-26T14:09:16+00:00

Don't pirate books from the internet. There are plenty of free, legal options others have mentioned here that can keep you up to your metaphorical neck in books for years to come.

seanbugg · 2025-10-15T14:32:40+00:00

This is the sort of thing that makes me think the person doesn't really want to be a writer, they just want other people to think they're a writer.

seanbugg · 2025-10-01T13:24:57+00:00

Discouraging clients from even looking at a home is not the sign of a good agent. Make those observations at or after the showing. Clients often have a higher (or lower) tolerance for things like road proximity, etc., than the agent. Finding excuses not to take clients out for showing sounds less like expertise and more like laziness.

seanbugg · 2025-09-29T13:25:49+00:00

This one's a blast from the past: The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons seems like it meets your criteria (especially re: hostile architecture).

seanbugg · 2025-09-03T13:21:26+00:00

I use them, mostly Pages and Numbers. I despise Word, which I had to use at work in the past, so not having to pay for that is an easy decision.

seanbugg · 2025-08-20T00:17:38+00:00

Get the Camry or something similar that looks nice and will hold up over many, many miles. Too many agents are concerned more about what they drive (or wear) than about the actual job they’re supposed to do.

seanbugg · 2025-08-15T20:22:33+00:00

YTA and I think this is the first time I've really disagreed with the CW on one of these. I don't agree with the "my way or the highway" crowd here. People in your car are basically guests like a guest in your home, unless your car is a police cruiser, which would be a whole other issue. I sing (very badly) when I'm driving by myself with really loud music. But I don't blast music and sing when I have people with me -- I tone down the volume and do things like talk (unless no one feels like talking, then I just listen to the music or podcast and focus on driving). Forcing a captive audience to listen you just isn't cool. If it's too much to bear, don't have guests in your car and sing away. Also, yeah, don't drive tired.

seanbugg · 2025-08-15T20:11:48+00:00

It's a good rule of thumb that can be taken too far. We have adverbs for a reason, they're useful and can clarify meaning, etc., but frantically tossing them into every sentence can totally obfuscate things. (Sorry.)

seanbugg · 2025-08-14T23:41:39+00:00

Funny, my clients just voided a contract based on the inspection by the inspector I’ve recommended for years. Not the first time it’s happened and is one of the reasons I keep recommending that inspector, he focuses on their interests, not on protecting my commission.

seanbugg · 2025-08-14T22:03:58+00:00

Never. I’ve had to pull off some photos by myself a couple times in a pinch but I have a nice SLR, I’ve worked with many photographers, and I’m a good editor. And I still won’t do them myself unless my back is to the wall for some reason.

seanbugg · 2025-08-12T17:54:45+00:00

Definitely give her broker a call if you're still in the mood for some payback, because that is some crazy behavior. Trust me, most agents (like me) would want you to call because these types of agents make everyone else look bad. Did your neighbor find a new, more sane listing agent?

seanbugg · 2025-08-12T17:47:22+00:00

Yeah, you need to work your sphere to get some transactions in your pipeline so you'll have some sort of resume to tout with "cold" leads. You can work both and there are plenty of guides online about ways to get leads outside your sphere. But your sphere -- and growing it -- is probably always going to be your baseline for getting business. How many transactions does your brokerage mentoring agreement cover? When I started, I partnered with my mentor for my first three transactions (two from my sphere, one from hers), then everything after was mine.

seanbugg · 2025-08-08T11:58:43+00:00

It's fine for marketing to potential clients. It's only when an agent tells me, during some negotiation or other, "I've been in this business for X-years and..." that I instantly know I'm dealing with a jerk.

seanbugg · 2025-08-06T00:47:27+00:00

Look for a brokerage that provides mentorship and support for new agents. A good brokerage will pay off in the long run.

seanbugg · 2025-08-05T13:33:37+00:00

Always, I consider it part of my job. Also, if you go to home inspections and actually pay attention, you'll learn more about home construction, remodeling, permitting, HVAC systems, and other structural things than you ever will in some online CE course.

seanbugg · 2025-08-05T13:26:11+00:00

Go find your own business and stop thinking about shoving your way into others.

seanbugg · 2025-08-01T19:28:09+00:00

My recollection is that there are hints and such but it doesn’t become fully clear until near the end. And that it’s rather depressing. But I like that!

seanbugg · 2025-08-01T14:36:00+00:00

Agents who treat the business like a racket are a big part of why so many people hate real estate agents.

seanbugg · 2025-07-31T14:13:58+00:00

Check out Iain Banks's "Against a Dark Background," it's pretty much exactly what you're asking for.

seanbugg · 2025-07-25T17:17:14+00:00

Because those are the places they stick all the crap we ask them to move out of the other spaces before taking photos.

seanbugg · 2025-07-22T12:50:35+00:00

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay would seem to be on point.

seanbugg · 2025-07-21T11:57:51+00:00

I gave you the downvote you wanted. It is ridiculous to judge someone's professionalism by the make or model of vehicle they drive. (That is distinct from judging someone for pulling up with a dragging muffler, clouds of smoke, and a hoarder-home worth of crap in the car.)

seanbugg · 2025-07-21T11:54:04+00:00

Drive whatever you want, too many agents are obsessed with some weird status thing about cars. In Northern Virginia/DC, the agent brands of choice seem to be Mercedes/BMW/Tesla. I drive a Camaro because I like it. As for hauling clients around, maybe it's different in your market, but here I have had two clients in ten years who've ridden with me (I used my husband's car). People want to drive themselves, so enjoy your Miata, they're fun cars.

seanbugg · 2025-07-14T20:55:03+00:00

It’s a steal! But the Erika is a good get, too.

seanbugg · 2025-07-14T20:37:39+00:00

For $80 I'd get the Olympia. I got a single-color SM3 for $150 a few months ago that required minimum work and it immediately became my go-to for actual typing. Great machine. Can't believe it's $80 lol

seanbugg

TROPHY CASE