Real Truth Real Estate

  The real estate market is often described as a roller coaster—full of ups, downs, twists, and unexpected turns. Yet, for those who step into this dynamic industry, it’s precisely this variety that makes real estate so thrilling and filled with opportunity. The market is a place where every day offers something new and where flexibility, resiliency, and optimism are rewarded, regardless of your level of experience as an investor, first-time homebuyer, or new agent. Currently, we’re seeing shifts in interest rates, housing demand, and inventory levels across the country. Certain people may find this intimidating—limited inventory can make finding the ideal property seem like a never-ending quest, and higher loan rates may mean that certain purchasers are priced out of particular regions. But here’s the silver lining: each challenge in real estate brings new opportunities to think creatively, leverage expertise, and grow. These changes in the market present an opportunity for real e...

  In real estate, professionals often choose to work either as a buyer’s broker or a seller’s broker, each role offering unique advantages and challenges. Understanding the differences can help new agents decide which path aligns best with their skills and preferences. As a buyer broker, you guide clients through one of the most significant purchases of their lives. This role is rewarding as you help buyers find their dream homes, often forming long-term relationships. Working with buyers offers a sense of fulfillment as you’re typically assisting people in achieving personal goals, like finding a family home. But there are drawbacks to becoming a buyer broker. From house viewings to negotiating offers and managing inspections, buyers frequently need additional time and care. Longer transaction times may result from this time-consuming procedure. Buyers may also be indecisive, resulting in delayed decisions or backing out of deals, which can be frustrating for agents relying on com...

  I’m excited to be on the journey toward becoming a licensed real estate agent in Illinois! As I prepare for the Illinois Real Estate License Exam, I’m looking for advice and resources that might help me succeed. The test requires a thorough comprehension of Illinois-specific laws, real estate principles, and practical expertise. It can be daunting to juggle all the study material, but I know that having a solid understanding of contracts, property ownership, and Illinois legislation will be crucial. At this point, I am still learning the courses but I am definitely overwhelmed thinking about all the material I have still yet to learn. I hope to lean on my mentor from my internship to help guide my studies but I am open to new ideas on how to prepare.  For anyone who has already been through the process, what study methods worked best for you? Are there particular flashcards, practice exams, or online courses that made a difference? If you used prep books, I’d love to know wh...

 A little bit into my freshman year of college, I was presented with an amazing opportunity. There was a vacancy in a rental property that my friend's dad owned. Our friend came to my boyfriend and me and asked if we would all want to live there while we spent our two years of community college at home. We would get a whole house for a very unbelievably affordable price. So, we had to hop on the opportunity. It ended up being perfect and we made so many great memories. We have since moved out and I thought it would be fun to give my previous landlord a call. I wanted to interview him for his insights on real estate and share what he thinks about investing in rental properties. Our conversation touched on several key aspects of managing rental properties, from the challenges of finding good tenants to the rewards of long-term wealth building. One of the biggest takeaways from the interview was the importance of tenant relationships. Finding reliable, responsible tenants can make or ...

  The real estate market over the past few years has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. Let’s take a trip back to the pandemic era—2020. At the start, everything froze. Contracts were withdrawn by buyers, sellers refused to let anyone into their houses, and everyone believed the market was going to collapse. Then the opposite happened. One of the craziest seller's markets ever witnessed occurred! Properties were selling for thousands more than the listed price, often with ten or more offers, and people were ignoring inspections as though that was a reasonable course of action! Then 2021 arrived, bringing with it more of the same craze mixed with supply chain problems that made fresh builds an aggravating process. Rising costs and first-time buyers? Yeah, best of luck. People who had been saving for years suddenly found they couldn’t compete with the all-cash offers from out-of-state buyers looking to escape major cities. Fast forward to 2022, and guess what? Interest rates sho...

  The debate between working in a team versus operating as an independent broker is a longstanding one in real estate. Although each strategy has advantages, there is more and more evidence to support the advantages of being an independent broker. One of the greatest advantages of independence is autonomy. As an independent broker, you control your own schedule, choose your own clients, and have the freedom to execute your business strategies without the pressure of team consensus. This flexibility is essential for agents who are self-driven and want to build their brand on their own terms. As an independent broker, internal disputes, which frequently occur in team contexts, about leads, commission shares, or the course of the company are absent. Rather, you are free to choose if you want to reinvest every dollar you make as an independent agent into expanding your company. In terms of finances, independent brokers have much greater earning potential. Independent brokers can negoti...

 This past year has been a large step for myself and my career. At this time last year, I was a junior in college taking 4 classes each semester. Because I transferred, it was my first year at a 4-year university so there were a lot of new changes. I had an apartment and new roommates, I was back in person for classes, and I was far away from my family and hometown friends. Throughout the year, I adapted and did my best to succeed. I really enjoyed all of my classes and the material I was learning really clicked for me. Once I finished my second semester last year, I finally got to move home for the summer. During a hair appointment, funny enough, I was put in touch with a designated managing broker. This is when my career in real estate really started to develop. I met with the broker and asked for an internship opportunity with her brokerage and to my surprise, she took me up on it. At first, I began working on helping agents with their marketing aspects. I created posts, along w...

 After getting your license and when starting your career, there are many steps you have to take. This article gives a great outline of key steps for newly licensed Illinois real estate agents. After passing the exam, agents must find a brokerage with a managing broker who acts as a mentor and business coach. This step is very important for guidance and mentorship in the craziness of the real estate world. Finding someone you feel comfortable learning from is going to take you further than you would imagine. Building and nurturing a network is also crucial for long-term success, as well as taking advantage of training and professional development opportunities. Whether this is building relationships with coworkers, clients, or local business owners, this will lead to success in the long run for your career as well. Furthermore, a strong marketing strategy is essential, particularly early in a real estate career, and working with a brokerage that offers support in these areas can si...

Ryan Serhant, one of the most recognized names in real estate, has become a benchmark of success for many aspiring agents. Best known for his role in Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York , Serhant has built an empire that goes beyond just selling houmes. He's built a brand that is synonymous with luxury and hustle. Serhant entered the industry in 2008, during one of the most challenging periods for the housing market. Despite the market's collapse, he managed to carve out a niche for himself, using his people skills and relentless work ethic to build a name from scratch. One of the key characteristics that sets Ryan Serhant apart is his resilience. He didn't shy away from challenges but embraced them. Starting in real estate during a market downturn taught him how to adapt, strategize, and constantly learn from every deal, whether successful or not. He is also known for his hustle mentality--he emphasizes the importance of showing up, doing the work, and going above ...