AUGUST 2024
I AM WEST USA
SOCIAL MEDIA PROMPTS FOR
JULY MARKET STATS
ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE KEY ACTIVITIES FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS FROM BROKER DEAN BECKER BACK TO SCHOOL WEST USA CARES AUGUST CALENDAR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HVAC REPLACEMENT & REPAIR PART 2 FROM AMERICAN HOME SHIELD
I had a great experience working with Tom Wolf. The experience of finding a space was initially very overwhelming. However when speaking with Tom, he made the process simple and easy. I was able to ask any questions, share my idea of what I wanted in a space, and in a short amount of time I found my office. As a small business owner, I am grateful for the individualized attention and support I received working with Tom. I am so excited for my new journey in the office space I was able to find with Tom's guidance.
Axel and Tom were able to find me a new office space that was less than half the price of my previous office space and full service as well! I love my new location and recommend Axel and Tom wholeheartedly.
Tom is an amazing real estate agent and an awesome person to work with. He is flexible, realistic and truly puts the best interests of his clients ahead of his own. He has a calm demeanor, is practical in his advice and extremely knowledgeable. The single most professional aspect we gained from working with Tom was his honesty in showing us properties. He frequently pointed out deficiencies we may have missed or trivialized making sure we had all the information needed to make a big financial decision.
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of real estate, staying informed and knowledgeable is crucial for success. Here are several key activities real estate agents can engage in to boost their expertise and remain competitive:
1. CONTINUING EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS & MEETINGS
Enrolling in courses and obtaining certifications can significantly enhance an agent's skill set. Many institutions offer specialized programs in areas such as real estate law, property management, and commercial real estate. Designations like Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) or Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) can provide agents with advanced knowledge and credibility. Regularly attending Office Meetings will keep you up to date on latest happenings in your area.
2. MARKET RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
Regularly analyzing market trends and data is essential. Agents should study local market reports, track housing prices, and keep an eye on economic indicators that affect real estate. Utilizing tools like the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) and staying updated with real estate news can help agents provide accurate and timely advice to clients.
3. NETWORKING & PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Joining professional associations such as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) or local real estate boards can offer numerous learning opportunities. Attending conferences, seminars, and workshops allows agents to network with peers, learn from industry leaders, and stay abreast of new developments in the field.
4. TECHNOLOGY & TOOLS TRAINING
The real estate industry increasingly relies on technology for marketing, customer relationship management, and virtual property tours. Agents should familiarize themselves with the latest software, apps, and digital tools. Participating in webinars or training sessions on new technology can improve efficiency and client service.
5. MENTORSHIP & PEER LEARNING
Learning from experienced colleagues or mentors can provide invaluable insights. New agents should seek out mentorship programs or informal guidance from seasoned professionals. Participating in peer group discussions and sharing experiences can also foster a deeper understanding of practical challenges and solutions in real estate.
6. READING & SUBSCRIBING TO PUBLICATIONS
Staying current with industry publications, blogs, and books is another effective way to expand knowledge. Subscribing to real estate magazines, following bloggers, and reading books by industry experts can provide fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.
7. CLIENT FEEDBACK & CASE STUDIES
Analyzing past transactions and soliciting feedback from clients can help agents identify areas for improvement. Studying case studies of successful and challenging deals can offer lessons in negotiation, client management, and problem-solving.
By engaging in these activities, real estate agents can continually enhance their knowledge, adapt to market changes, and provide exceptional service to their clients. Continuous learning is not just beneficial but essential for long-term success in the dynamic real estate industry.
BY KEITH FLYNN
These prompts can encourage engagement, spark conversations, and provide valuable insights to real estate agents and their clients.
New Year’s Resolution Homes:
“Share your top real estate goals for the new year. How can I assist you in achieving them?”
Valentine’s Day Listings:
“What features do you love most about your current home, and what are you looking for in your dream home?”
Spring Cleaning and Selling:
“What are your best tips for preparing a home for sale this spring?”
Tax Season Real Estate Insights:
“How can strategic real estate investments benefit your tax planning? Ask me for advice!”
Outdoor Living Spaces:
“Describe your ideal outdoor living space. I can help you find homes that match your vision!”
Summer Moving Tips:
“What are your must-haves for a seamless summer move? Let’s discuss!”
Vacation Home Dreams:
“Tell me about your dream vacation home. I’ll help you turn that dream into a reality.”
Back-to-School House Hunt:
“What are your criteria for finding the perfect family home before the school year starts?”
Fall Market Forecast:
“What do you predict for the real estate market this fall? Let’s analyze the trends together.”
Spooky Listings Challenge:
“Share your favorite haunted house stories or explore unique listings with a spooky twist.”
Gratitude and Real Estate:
“What are you most thankful for in your real estate journey? Let’s celebrate your milestones!”
Holiday Home Wishlist:
“Create your holiday home wishlist. I’ll help you find properties that match your desires.”
Moving on to part 2 of everything you need to know about HVAC replacement & repair.
With so many options out there, deciding which unit to purchase can be overwhelming. Here are some important considerations: Use the right professional contractor. Your new HVAC unit’s efficiency can be determined by its installation, so it’s imperative that you work with a reputable contractor. Interview several candidates and get detailed quotes from each.
Determine the correct unit size. The best way to get an accurate size estimate is to have your
home professionally evaluated. Make sure your contractor performs a load calculation, which takes into account the size of your house, the climate, the roof material, the orientation of the unit, the number of units, and more. An HVAC installation professional will consider factors like whether or not your home has a crawlspace or basement, how much insulation there is in the attic, how many floors it has, the number of people living there, what kind of doors and windows it has, how
high the ceilings are, and what your desired indoor temperature is. Most homes will need a new HVAC unit sized around 20 BTUs per square foot.
Don’t ignore the SEER rating. The higher the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, the more efficient the unit. Although a unit with a higher SEER rating may be more expensive, it could end up saving you more money in the long run.
If you expect to have a tax bill for 2023, it might be a good year to get an A/C replacement, especially if your unit is on its last leg anyway.
Air conditioner units labeled ENERGY STAR
Most Efficient meet the requirements for the tax credit. You need to get either a split or packaged system that meets specific energy
efficiency requirements. For a split system, you would need a SEER rating of 16 or higher or an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) rating equal to 13 or higher. For a package system, you would need a SEER rating of 14 or higher and an EER rating of 12 or higher. You can also get federal tax credits for high-efficiency heating units, heat pumps, boilers, and biomass stoves.
To further offset some of your HVAC replacement costs, there are often residential efficiency tax credits and rebates available on the state level. You also may be able to get money back for your installation of a new A/C or heating unit in the form of a rebate from your local utility company.
Heating units usually last longer than air conditioners— the average A/C unit lasts 10 to 15 years, while the average heating unit lasts 15 to 20 years—so one might wear down sooner than the other. If your heating unit still has plenty of life left when your A/C needs replacing, consider keeping it for a while. Replacing both a heating unit and an A/C together will cost more than just the cost to replace the A/C unit itself. But, if you do have the budget to replace both, you could save the headache of unmatched systems. If you’re installing a new, high-efficiency A/C, it’s a good idea to pair it with a highefficiency heating unit.
Nothing says “investment” like a home system that you paid a pretty penny for. Unfortunately, regardless of how much you end up spending on your HVAC replacement, it can still have some hiccups in performance every once in a while. When you’re looking for the best home warranty for HVAC coverage, look no further.
An American Home Shield home warranty plan protects your budget when your HVAC gives you trouble from normal wear and tear—no matter its age. Your HVAC system will be covered because each of our home service plans includes air conditioning warranties and home heating warranties. If the covered problem can’t be repaired, we’ll replace your HVAC unit, subject to contract limitations and exclusions.
D R I V E
9:00am - 10:00am / Webinar West USA Weekly Podcast
10:30am - 12:00pm / Zoom West USA Agent Orientation
3:30am - 4:30pm @ Goodyear O ce Goodyear O ce Accountability
9:00am - 10:00am / Webinar
West USA Weekly Podcast
3:30am - 4:30pm @ Goodyear O ce Goodyear O ce Accountability
9:00am - 3:00pm / Zoom REACT
10:00am - 11:30am @ Surprise O ce Surprise O ce Meeting
9:00am - 3:00pm / Zoom REACT
9:00am - 12:00pm / Zoom
FREE REMOTE CE CLASS: To Be Or Not To Be Paid, That is the Question (3Hrs Contract Law)
1:00pm - 3:00pm @ Chandler O ce iFound Agent Class
10:00am - 11:00am @ Arrowhead O ce Arrowhead O ce Meeting
10:00am - 1:00pm @ Scottsdale O ce LIVE CE CLASS: Elevating Professionalism in a Changing Industry (3Hrs Commissioner Standards)
1:00pm - 2:00pm / Zoom New BBA & New BBA To Show
2:00pm - 4:00pm @ North PHX O ce Monthly Meet Up
9:00am - 10:00am / Webinar West USA Weekly Podcast
3:30am - 4:30pm @ Goodyear O ce Goodyear O ce Accountability
10:00am - 1:00pm @ Mesa O ce
FREE LIVE CE CLASS:Duties to Clients and Customers (3Hrs Commissioner Standards)
10:00am - 11:30am @ Scottsdale O ce Google Business Profile
10:00am - 11:00am @ Goodyear O ce Goodyear O ce Meeting
1:00pm - 4:00pm @ Chandler O ce
FREE LIVE CE CLASS: FHA & VA Loans: What Agents Need to Know (3Hrs Legal Issues)
10:00am - 1:00pm @ Surprise O ce FREE LIVE CE CLASS: Advanced Contract Writing - MHCA Mobile & Manufactured Home Contract (3Hrs Contract Law)
9:00am - 12:00pm / Zoom
FREE REMOTE CE CLASS: Disclosure and the Law (3Hrs Disclosure Law)
10:00am - 11:30am @ Scottsdale O ce Scottsdale O ce Meeting
10:00am - 11:30am @ Surprise O ce
ARMLS - RapidStats Training with Windy Ogba
1:00pm - 3:00pm @ Scottsdale O ce Using the New AAR Settlement Forms
9:00am - 12:00pm / Zoom
FREE REMOTE CE CLASS: Secrets to Unprecedented Growth & Referrals (3Hrs RE Legal Issues)
10:00am - 1:00pm @ Scottsdale O ce LIVE CE CLASS: Understanding New Contruction (3Hrs Disclosure)
10:00am - 11:00am @ Chandler O ce Chandler O ce Meeting
4:30pm - 6:30pm @ State 48 Surprise Happy Hour
9:00am - 12:00pm @ Chandler O ce
9:00am - 3:00pm / Zoom REACT
10:00am - 12:00pm @ Chandler O ce Real Estate Wealth Manager Academy Event
10:00am - 11:30am @ Ahwatukee O ce Ahwatukee O ce Meeting
1:00pm - 4:00pm @ Scottsdale O ce FREE LIVE CE CLASS: Navigating Divorce, Property, and Financing (3Hrs Disclosure Law)
10:00am - 11:00am @ Surprise O ce Co ee with Justin
10:00am - 11:00am / Zoom Coaching Essentials 1:00pm - 2:00pm / Zoom New ER and Seller Compensation Addendum
9:00am - 10:00am / Webinar West USA Weekly Podcast
9:00am - 4:00pm / Zoom ProStart Session 1 (3 Days)
3:30am - 4:30pm @ Goodyear O ce Goodyear O ce Accountability
9:00am - 4:00pm / Zoom ProStart Session 1 (3 Days)
10:00am - 1:00pm @ Goodyear O ce
FREE LIVE CE CLASS: Master the AAR Listing Contracts (3Hrs Contract Law)
10:00am - 11:00am @ Chandler O ce Google Business Profile Workshop
10:00am - 11:00am @ Chandler O ce Agent Insights with Cynthia & Justin
FREE LIVE CE CLASS: Contracts 2: The Latest! (3Hrs Contract Law)
9:00am - 4:00pm / Zoom ProStart Session 1 (3 Days)
9:00am - 12:00pm / Zoom
FREE REMOTE CE CLASS: Advanced Contract Writing (3Hrs Contract Law)
10:00am - 11:00am @ Goodyear O ce Goodyear Monthly Coaches Meeting
10:30am - 11:30am @ Stapley Center Mesa O ce Meeting
2:00pm - 3:00pm @ Goodyear O ce Goodyear Monthly TC Huddle
10:30am - 11:30am @ North PHX O ce North Phoenix O ce Meeting
11:30am - 1:00pm @ Surprise O ce Fairway Media Day
2:00pm - 3:30pm @Scottsdale O ce Trusted Advisor University with the Cromford Report and Tina Tamboer
1:00pm - 2:00pm / Zoom Broker Round Table
9:00am - 2:00pm @ North PHX O ce Blood Drive
10:00am - 1:00pm @ Scottsdale O ce
LIVE CE CLASS: Understanding Reverse Mortgage Strategies and Guidelines (3Hrs General Credit)
