The Domino Effect
Did you know that a single domino is capable of bringing down another domino that is actually 50% larger. With this random fact in mind, think of this... If you started with a single... »
HomeBridge Loan Originators
Getting a Home Mortgage with Credit Issues
So, you are thinking about buying a home and are concerned that your credit may hold you back from your dream of home ownership. Well you are not alone; the number one reason... »
An Agent’s Guide to Lower Car Expenses
As a real estate pro, chances are you spend a great deal of time in your car traveling to open houses, driving clients to showings and familiarizing yourself with neighborhoods. Here are a... »
Six Checkout Line Hacks
It's frustrating to make your way to grocery or retail registers only to find long, winding lines that await you. And, sometimes it feels like you get stuck in the slowest one. These six... »
Everyone Makes a Difference
Do you add to or take away from the experience of your customers and colleagues? Do you move your organization closer to or further from its goals? Do you perform your work in... »
Beware of These IRS Audit Triggers
Now that tax season has come to a close, there's no better time to get organized for next year while everything is fresh in your mind. As a real estate agent, there are many... »
Construction Junction, What’s Your Function?
New Home Sales and Housing Starts posted high marks recently, and homebuilder sentiment was positive too. The Commerce Department reported that sales of new homes in February hit a seven-month high, rising 6.1 percent... »
Now Presenting!
You can't win all listings, but you can win more with a cue from these top listing presentation techniques: Pave the way. When potential sellers call, asking intake questions about why they want to... »
Apps for Busy Agents
These great apps help busy real estate pros be more productive. Doodle ends back-and-forth appointment scheduling hassles. It synchronizes your personal and work calendars, then allows others to select a mutually convenient time. Free... »
Improving Leadership Wherever You Are
It is such a joy to join a team like HomeBridge. For most of my career I have been in various leadership and management roles. A few years ago I began writing about... »
The Right Pro for the Job
Whether buying a fixer-upper or updating their home to sell, clients may be interested in home renovations. If it's their first renovation-rodeo, give them some guidance on where to start when hiring a... »
Six Principles to Perfect Persuasion
Highly persuasive people don't fall into a single personality type, but they all share some fundamental skills. Here are six key principles to follow to be more persuasive: Present the positive. Always position your... »
Helping Prospects Who Have a Friend in the Business
Don't let objections scare you off. In fact, each objection you hear is an opportunity to get valuable information and help move a step closer to gaining authentic trust with clients. While "I... »
MortgageSMART
The Five Stages of Grief – don’t have to be your experience in choosing a Home Mortgage. Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.” Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?” Bargaining: “Make this not happen - in... »
Six Ways to Declutter Your Countertops
If you find yourself short on counter space, these six inventive tips can help you organize and maximize any counter in the house: On the wall. Take a look around your walls, particularly walls where... »
Timing Testimonials
As more and more homeowners head online for real estate information, getting great testimonials and reviews needs to become a key component of a well-rounded marketing plan. Since you already provide stellar customer service,... »
A New Take on Old Tech
It used to be that electronics and devices performed a single job. But at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), manufacturers unveiled a host of products that expand our notions of what household... »
You Gotta Have Heart
February is American Heart Month, and a perfect reminder to make small changes that can have a big impact in your heart health. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the... »
Dessert in 6 Ingredients or Less
Dive into dessert with these simple recipes in no time flat—all requiring six ingredients or less. Trouble-Free Tiramisu (Serves 2) 14 vanilla wafers, divided 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules 2 tablespoons hot water 2 snack-size... »
HomeBridge Purchases Operating Assets of Prospect Mortgage
HomeBridge Purchases Operating Assets of Prospect Mortgage, Becoming One of the Largest Non-Bank Mortgage Lenders in the United States ISELIN, N.J. (February 2, 2017): HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc., a national independent mortgage lender, completed... »
Break the Ice Like a Networking Star
Opening up a dialogue at a networking event, and keeping your intentions for business development clear, is easier than it may appear. While the most effective opener is, in fact, saying "hi" and... »
FHA Reducing Annual Insurance Premiums
As the nation’s housing market continues to improve, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro announced today the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will reduce the annual premiums most borrowers will pay by... »
Bad Habit Busters
Establishing habits is how our brains simplify tasks, saving time and energy for more important matters. The only problem is not-so-healthy patterns can develop into habitual behaviors we would rather not have. Here are... »
Beat the Winter Break Blues
Taking a little extra time to make days off more special for kids doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Use these activity ideas as a winter fun springboard! Fortify the fun. A favorite... »
Delightful December Drinks
Even if the weather outside is not so frightful, there's nothing like curling up by a fire with a good book and a nice warm beverage. We've chosen three special concoctions perfect for... »
Case Study | How HomeBridge Establishes Customer Satisfaction as a Key Differentiator
HomeBridge had a mission to be the most highly recommended mortgage company in the country. So they set out to achieve it by working hard to satisfy every customer’s needs, going beyond merely... »
Holiday Hosting Hacks
We all love having family and friends home for the holidays, but most of us wish we could spend more time chatting than being on kitchen detail. The following time-saving tips and holiday... »
Instagram Updates Realtors Need to Know
The latest changes to Instagram allow your followers to get in touch with you without leaving the app—and allow you to promote posts with preset calls-to-action (for a nominal fee) from within the app, instead... »
HomeBridge to Purchase Operating Assets of Prospect Mortgage
HomeBridge to Purchase Operating Assets of Prospect Mortgage, Becoming One of the Largest Mortgage Lenders in the United States Iselin, N.J. (November 1, 2016): HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc., a national independent mortgage lender, announced... »
Six Ways to Declutter Your Countertops
If you find yourself short on counter space, these six inventive tips can help you organize and maximize any counter in the house: On the wall. Take a look around your walls, particularly walls where... »
Can Your Children Impact Your VA Loan?
Believe it or not but having a child or children can have an affect on your VA home loan. There are 3 main areas that can have a huge affect on whether or... »
The FHA 203(k) Loan: Your Secret Weapon
The FHA 203(k) is an often overlooked option when it comes to mortgage financing. This is a mortgage loan that allows you to purchase a home and finance in the renovation costs at... »
Home Buying Secrets – Off-Season Home Shopping
As we’ve noted before, there was a substantial drop in mortgage rates this past summer. If you were ready to buy, you should have been able to take advantage of some very low and... »
Don’t Let Colder Temps Cause Your Home Ownership Dreams To Hibernate
Historically, summer is the time when most people are looking to buy and sell real estate. As you may have heard, there was an unexpected and significant drop in rates this summer, which was... »
Six Ways to Foil Hackers, Phishers and Pushy Marketers
Update software. The latest computer, smartphone and apps software is the most secure. Update now and choose ‘Update Automatically’ in Settings. Update your WiFi router on its app or Web setup page. Strengthen passwords. Make them... »
Five Things Not to Store in Your Garage
For many of us the garage is a catchall for stuff that refuses to fit neatly inside our houses. The problem is most garages are neither climate controlled nor dust- or pest-free. Here... »
How to Get Your Dream Home with the FNMA HomeStyle Loan!
How to Get Your Dream Home with the FNMA HomeStyle Loan! Have you ever walked into home and said, “This house is perfect except…?” You may love the school district, the location, the size... »
WOOP Your Goals Into Success
Dr. Gabriele Oettingen, psychologist, researcher and author of the book "Rethinking Positive Thinking," says we've been inundated with advice to think positively or visualize success. While visualizing the achievement of our goals may feel good, those... »
Take a Thank You Walk
This week on Chasing Excellence we take another look at The Energy Bus. You might find "The Thank You Walk" to be a bit silly, but I think it's a great idea! Watch this... »
Reclaim the Hours in Your Day
The average workweek in the U.S. is almost eight hours longer than those in the rest of the world. One Harvard Business School study showed 94 percent of subjects worked over 50 hours per week, and of... »