If your future plan includes moving out on your own, you may have a few concerns as you plan to spread your wings. Unless you’ve been saving funds and working on your finances for the last year or so, you may not be quite ready to buy a home yet. So, how can you find a rental property that is right for you? With a little help, of course! Here are six tips for finding the right rental, right now: 1. Know What You Can AffordBefore you even begin to scour the rental market in your area, you’ve got to know your monthly budget. Fiscal experts suggest that renters (and buyers for that matter) spend between 20-30% of their gross monthly income on housing. But let’s not forget that in addition to a monthly rental fee, you’ll also be incurring monthly utility costs, cable/internet subscription fees and possibly trash removal costs, if your landlord is not footing the bill for that fee. Crunch a few numbers to see what portion of your monthly pay you’ll feel comfortable parting with for housing costs. 2. Determine “Must Have” FeaturesIn some ways, finding the right rental property is a lot like finding the right home to buy. You certainly want to be comfortable in your chosen rental for the entire length of your lease. So, don’t settle for a rental just for the sake of being on your own. If proximity to work, shopping or public transportation are high on your priorities list, find a property that meets those standards. If on-site laundry is something you can’t do without, don’t consider a rental property that would require you to pack up and head to the laundromat. When it comes down to your everyday living, you’ve got to know what you can – and cannot – do without! 3. Don’t Sacrifice SafetyBeing on your own is an awesomely-free feeling; but you shouldn’t feel so free that you don’t feel safe! If you’re searching for the right rental property this year, resolve to only scope out properties in safe neighborhoods and question potential landlords on their safety features. When touring through potential rentals, take a specific look at entrances, door locks and even windows! 4. Do Your ResearchWhen you’re searching for a rental property, there is no doubt that you’re trying to impress potential landlords. Don’t forget that the impressing should go both ways. If you fall in love with a rental property, make sure that you and the landlord will get along as well. You can find out about a potential landlord by inquiring about their tenant turnover rate. You also can ask to speak with current or previous tenants, who are sure to give you an honest opinion about their rental experience. It is one thing to find a great rental property, but it also is important to make sure you can deal with a landlord for the entire length of your lease. 5. Be PreparedFinding the right rental property and landlord for you is only half of the battle – you’ve also got to secure them! Many landlords will require documentation to ensure that you’re not only able to afford their property, but also that you’ll take good care of it. In addition to running a credit and background check on rental applicants, landlords also may require potential renters to submit proof of employment, like pay stubs or tax returns. Some may even require reference letters. Prepare a few of these documents ahead of time, so you’re ready when your potential landlord makes these requests. 6. Understand Your LeaseWhen you do find the rental property and landlord that seem like the right fit for you, you’ll need to sign on the dotted line before calling them your own. Before you add your signature to any legally binding document, make sure that you’re aware of what that signature means. Determine the length of the lease, what is included and what you may or may not be responsible for upon move-out. Further, even after you sign the lease, document the initial condition of the property with photos, so that you and your landlord are well aware of any imperfections that may be pre-existing. Once you’ve scoured rental properties and secured your short-term living arrangements, pick up rental insurance to cover your belongings in your new home. Undoubtedly, your landlord carries insurance on their property, but that does not cover the items you bring inside. So, protect your property, begin the decorating process, and enjoy your new rental property!

Everyone I have ever talked to who has successfully started or operated a business has focused on one overriding thought: what makes my business different from the competing business down the street, or in the same area? I heard this yesterday during a business meeting with fellow CEO peers as one member in our group was processing a business opportunity, and this was the prevailing question being asked of him by the group. I had two primary "professions" prior to doing tech full-time. My first real "profession" was running a bicycle shop while attending college. During the first year of running the bicycle shop, I was ultimately able to grow the business' revenue by over 400% for the owner. Thinking back, it was quite simple to do yet those 'simple things' were so elusive to the person who was running the business before, and to the competing bicycle shops in the area. What I did that set that bicycle shop apart and led to the growth of the business was three simple things: First, any bicycle repair, no matter how busy we were, would be completed within one calendar week. I thought it was crazy to be telling someone that wanted to simply go for a bicycle ride when the weather got nice in Ohio that they had to wait upwards of one month to get their bicycle overhauled to ride. Yet, this is what the previous operator and competing bicycle shops in the area would tell people. In my mind, competing shops were ultimately punishing the customer because they didn't make the effort or have the ability to manage their schedules and business seasonality effectively. This change alone permitted our shop to take significant market share. Second, I decided to keep as many bicycles built and ready to roll as possible. To me it was simple: when someone wanted to purchase a bike, they wanted to take it with them so they could go ride. They didn't want to wait a day, or several days, to get the new bicycle that they had just purchased. When I started running the bicycle shop it was standard procedure to only keep at least one of each bicycle model built and ready to be sold, and the remaining bicycles would be kept in boxes. This was primarily done due to space constraints, but I felt those constraints were mine to figure out, which I did, and I kept nearly all the bikes built all the time. If a sold bicycle wasn't built, I would have it ready later that day or the next day. Again, this was a simple change, but something different that other bicycle shops weren't doing. Third, I stocked a significant number of accessories, which was something no other bicycle shops in the area did. A big part of bicycle riding is the accessories: clothing, helmets, shoes, bicycle racks, upgrades, lights, computers, etc. Additionally, most of these accessory purchases would be impulse purchases which meant if you had it, you could sell it! So, I made sure we had the accessories, especially some women's clothing, which was popular. The best part about the accessories is that the profit margin was much higher than the profit margins on bicycles and the product turns much quicker. It wasn't uncommon for me to sell a bicycle and sell more in dollar volume in accessories than the bicycle purchase, which drove significant profits. There were other things that I did that were different from my competitors, but these were the big three that were done to significantly increase revenue, take dominant market share, and put two of the three competing bicycle shops out of business. So, how does this story of a bicycle shop's success relate to real estate? There are anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred other sales associates competing for business in your hyper-local market. And, if you serve a large market, you are competing against thousands of sales associates for the same business. So, what makes you different? You need to have a list of "things" that make you different and more desirable to do business with than the other sales associates in the marketplace. And, it has to be something different than simply being different in price! Being different on price is a losing game. Here are some questions that may help you figure out what makes you different. What is an unmet need in the market? Are people in your market looking for something in, or during, their real estate transaction that is not being provided at all or adequately? Sometimes the best way to figure this out is to listen to the customer and the answers you give them. Are there repetitive questions? Are you able to meet the needs or provide the service being asked of you? This can give you amazing insight into the things that you can hone in on and take advantage of. What knowledge could I possess that is different and valuable to clients? Information is powerful. Are you an order taker or a true consultant? If you are an order taker, then the price will always be an issue (your fees). If you are a consultant, people will gladly pay for the consultative relationship and, because you met their true needs, they will refer more people to you. You need to intimately understand all aspects of the markets you serve. And, once you have done that, you need to package that understanding for your clients. What can I be doing that makes me different? At the end of the day, you need to be a leader in the market you serve and do things differently in a manner that not only makes people want to do business with you but makes them want to send their closest friends to you after doing business. So, what should you be doing to differentiate yourself?

Many view winter as the most wonderful time of the year, but it's considered the most difficult in real estate. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), "transactions and housing prices tend to be above-trend in the summer while activity typically slows down in the winter." However, it doesn't have to be this way; there are ways to keep your real estate business warmed up, even during the coldest months of the year. Let's look at some strategies to ensure your business continues to boom this winter.    ATTEND COMMUNITY GATHERINGS Many real estate agents and sales professionals are under the impression that the best time to get out and network in their community is during the summer, but that's not necessarily true. During the winter, and especially during the holiday season, there are many opportunities for you to influence your community. Some gatherings that are great to attend for networking purposes are holiday parties, seasonal festivals, high school sporting events, and community food and clothing drives.  When attending these gatherings, you should never go empty-handed. Collect prospects' contact info so you can stay in touch after the event. It's also a goo idea to bring flyers or step it up with holiday goody bags, mini chocolates, or baked goods to give out so leads have something to take home and remember you by.    DO VIRTUAL SHOWINGS AND OPEN HOUSES Depending on your location, you could be in for some brutal conditions this winter. But instead of letting showings and open houses get canceled due to inclement weather, why not do them virtually? Virtual tours benefit you as the agent, and buyers are interested in taking them because they are convenient. In fact, customers between the ages of 18 and 34 are 130% more likely to book a tour if there is a virtual option. Plus, they don't appear to negatively affect the buyer's likelihood of purchasing the home. According to a survey by Redfin, in 2022, 63% of homebuyers made an offer on a house they never saw in person. Virtual open houses are also an option. Just like a regular open house, a virtula open house allows you to show the home to numerous prospects at once. And you can still collect attendees' information and have them sign up and take surveys.   HONE YOUR MESSAGING Sellers are often afraid to put their homes on the market during winter, thinking they will have to settle for a lower price or not find a buyer at all. On the other hand, buyers think there aren't enough listings for sale and are less motivated to go out and look, especially if they think they have to brace for the freezing cold to do so. Luckily, by honing your messaging, you can eliminate these notions and motivate buyers and sellers to make a move in a minute. When communicating with potential buyers, let them know they have the upper hand. Homes sold in the winter are typically on the market for a longer time, and therefore sellers are more likely to settle for a lower price. They are also more likely to want to close on the deal sooner, considering more sellers in winter are listing out of necessity due to factors like job relocation, death, or divorce. Plus, buyers have an easier time finding a moving company and getting a good deal on movers considering they aren't as booked up. Thoroughly communicating the pros of buying during the winter in your messaging is sure to drive results. When it comes to sellers, the pros may not be as apparent. However, you can assure them that just because they decide to list during winter doesn't mean they won't get any good offers. Also, by selling now, they can have peace of mind that their home is sold and they can enjoy the summer without any stress.   'TIS THE SEASON FOR SOCIAL MEDIA People spend more time on their phones during the winter. This means more time is spent scrolling on social media, making it the best time to work on improving your social presence. The most popular social media platform for real estate marketing is Facebook. With the majority of its users being Generation X and baby boomers, which are the most likely generations to sell a home, it's the perfect place to land new listings. In addition, through paid advertising, Facebook allows you to interact with those who don't follow your page but are just as likely to engage with your content. The second most popular platform for real estate marketing is Instagram. Popular among millenials, which are the most likely generation to buy a home, it's the best spot to market to buyers. Instagram also offers the ability to reach your target demographic through ads and is a completely visual platform, lending itself extremely well to property photos and video.    RECONNECT WITH CLIENTS FROM YOUR PAST The holiday season is the perfect time to reconnect with past clients and stay in touch with leads. Whether you prefer to send a holiday card or share your seasonal greetings in an email, there are plenty of options for ways to connect. Design a traditional hard-copy holiday card and send it directly to your local print shop.  Although most people love the holidays and the warmth and joy they bring, there are Ebenezer Scrooges out there, and you still want their business, right? Send out a newsletter with valuable information about homeownership, buying, and selling to your entire mailing list! Or make it an email campaign including tips for every season! So, just because the season is changing doesn't mean you can't still start the new year off strong. You may have to pivot your strategies. Thankfully, there are many tools and features there to help you succeed, no matter the season.