First-time home buyers have it tough. The supply of homes for sale is tight, and lenders are tightfisted.

Provided By: MoneyCNN.com

Student debt, at an all-time high of nearly $30,000 per grad, is getting in the way of saving for a down payment, says David Stevens, president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association. But it's a great time to get your foot in the door.

"Interest rates remain the envy of even your grandparents," says Keith Gumbinger, vice president of mortgage publisher HSH.com. First, make your finances sparkle.
THE TURNING-POINT CHECKLIST
12 months in advance
Make sure the time is right. Use Trulia.com's rent or buy calculator to see if you'd really come out ahead, based on loan rates, taxes, and where rents and prices are headed in your area. Nationwide it's 38% cheaper buying vs. renting.
Clean up your act. Devote this year to saving money and paying down debt. You'll need at least 3.5% down for an FHA loan, or 10% to 20% for a conventional mortgage. Lenders also like to see job stability, so settle in for now.
Learn what you like. When a home catches your eye -- a listing, say, or a photo -- pin it to a board on Pinterest. Or try Swipe, a new app from the site Doorsteps, which lets you browse listing photos and mark them pass or save.
Six months out
Look better to lenders. To boost your credit score, order your free credit reports at annualcreditreport.com and fix any mistakes. Pay bills on time, chip away at credit card balances, avoid new debt, and don't close any accounts or apply for new credit. The average credit score for approved mortgage applicants is 755.
Related: Budgeting for a new home, and a disability
Figure out what you can buy. Use an online calculator like the one at Zillow.com to estimate how much house you can afford based on your income, savings, and debts. That'll help you research homes and drill down on costs.
Forecast future bills. With an idea of how big a house you can buy, you can do a more detailed budget. Scan listings for property taxes on homes you like. Get a homeowners insurance quote at Insweb.com. Call local utility companies for the typical bills. And tack on 1% of the home's value for yearly maintenance.
Three months out
Pick your loan. Fixed mortgage rates, now 4.4%, may edge up to 5% this year, forecasts HSH.com. If you are confident this is a starter home, you can save with a 7/1 adjustable-rate loan, now 3.5%. The risk: You end up staying longer than seven years and rates rise sharply. Most -- 92% of mortgage borrowers -- opt for fixed-rate loans.

Careers in Real Estate

Provided By realtor.org

The real estate profession has expanded and offers one of the widest career selections in the business world today. Helping people buy and sell homes, office buildings, industrial property and corporation farmland, property management, land development, mortgage banking, urban planning, real estate counseling, appraisal and research are all aspects of a career in real estate.

Advantages and Rewards of a Career in Real Estate

A career in real estate provides flexibility and freedom to set your own pace. Income directly reflects your efforts, with no limits on what astute, hard-working men and women can earn. Successful people in real estate are goal-oriented, persevering, self-motivated, ambitious and people-oriented. The rewards of a real estate career are a potential for high earnings, status in the community, autonomy, time freedom, helping people, the intellectual challenge and the satisfaction from those accomplishments.

Working in real estate allows for independence and choices of environment in which to work, such as affiliation with a large or small firm as a listed salesperson. With more experience and upon passing of an additional exam, becoming a real estate broker is the next step. Brokers can own their own businesses and employ other salespeople.

Education for a Career in Real Estate

Colleges and universities now offer a variety of real estate and related courses. At many of these colleges, students can specialize in a program that leads to a bachelor’s degree in real estate. Some universities offer graduate level courses. Contact your local public library for university and real estate college course information and directories.

Professional Requirements for a Career in Real Estate

Entry into the real estate profession takes preparation. As with other professions, licensing is required. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, but all require prospective salespeople and brokers to pass a written exam. For more information on licensing, contact the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials at 334/260-2902 or at their Web site.

Some states allow students to take pre-licensing educational courses accredited by the state licensing agency before they qualify to sit for the exam. In other states, students can take these educational courses within a specified time after being licensed.

In order to obtain a broker’s or sales agent associated license, more than half the states specify special education and/or experience or their equivalents. However, states are upgrading their license laws and prerequisites for both brokers and sales associates at a rapid rate. Current information is available from your local Board of REALTORS® at www.realtor.com or the Real Estate License Commission in the state(s) where you would practice.

Getting Started in Real Estate

Entry into the real estate field depends on education, training and interests. Most people begin as sales trainees in a brokerage firm. Other possibilities include office assistant, listing or rental agent, assistant in a department of a large real estate organization, or in the mortgage division of a bank or savings and loan.

Continuing Education in Real Estate

Formal education is available while working in real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and its Institutes, Societies and Councils sponsor continuing education programs for members, and award designations for specialty areas of real estate. Continuing education increases knowledge and skills, improving earnings potential and enhancing opportunities for success.

Careers in Residential Brokerage

Helping people buy and sell homes is one of the most important and basic services a real estate agent performs. Agents are experts in the process of buying and selling property, financing, government programs, etc. The real estate agent’s expertise facilitates the transaction, saving clients time, trouble and money. Real estate professionals need to have a thorough knowledge of such areas as real estate law, local economics, fair housing laws, types of financing, mortgages and government programs. Contact the Council of Residential Specialists on the Web or call them at 800/462-8841.

Careers in Commercial Brokerage

Commercial brokers specialize in income-producing properties, such as apartment and office buildings, retail stores and warehouses, shopping centers and industrial parks. To understand and explain why the properties are good investments, commercial brokers need to be aware of the growth possibilities of the area where the property is located, current income tax regulations and purchasing arrangements that give the buyer a greater return on investment. Commercial brokers may also have to arrange financing. Contact the CCIM Institute at 800/621-7027.

Careers in Industrial and Office Brokerage

Industrial and office brokers specialize in the developing, selling or leasing property used for industry or manufacturing. Brokers need to understand different types of industries and determine such variables as transportation, proximity to raw materials, water and power, labor availability and local building, zoning and tax laws. Contact the Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS® at 202/737-1150.

Careers in Farm and Land Brokerage

Land brokers deal in land for farming, and acquisition of rural land by cities for residential, commercial and industrial expansion. Success as a land broker depends on how accurately the income potential of the property can be established. Brokers need a good working knowledge of various factors which determines a farm’s capacity to produce, including agricultural knowledge and information such as market centers and transportation facilities. Contact the REALTORS® Land Institute at 312/329-8482.

Careers in Real Estate Appraising

Real estate appraisers determine the value of properties. Real estate is appraised to determine many types of values—assessed value for tax purposes, investment value or present value for a potential investors, "book" value of accounting purposes, rental value for income projections and insurable value. Appraisers need to know acceptable principles of appraisal and related information. They need to have practical experience, technical education, good judgment and some knowledge of mathematics, accounting and economics. Contact NAR's Appraisal Specialty section at narappraisalsource@realtors.org or call 800/874-6500, ext. 8393.

Careers in Property Management

The property manager’s primary function is to maintain the property in order to produce the highest possible financial return over the longest period of time. More importantly, they are responsible for protecting the owner’s investment. Managed commercial properties are likely to be office buildings and shopping centers. Residential properties might be apartment buildings, apartment developments, condominiums and groups of homes owned by a single investor. Property managers usually work for real estate firms. However, other opportunities are found in the real estate department of banks and trust companies. For large housing and commercial development, managers are often expected to maintain an office or residence of the premises and work with only one enterprise. When living on-site, property managers can expect to be on call for emergencies at all times, beyond maintaining standard working hours. Contact the Institute of Real Estate Management at 800/837-0706.

Careers in Land Development

Land development is one of the most important and challenging specialties in real estate today. Developers turn land into profitable, marketable developments --residential, commercial or industrial. Site selection is the first decision developers must make. Planning and layout is handled only after the developer determines the need for a project. Before the actual building can begin, developers must first analyze all costs and arrange the financing. Then they contract for the physical structures and supervise construction. Finally, developers promote the finished development to the prospects for whom it was planned.

Careers in Urban Planning

If you would like to improve the environment and the quality of people’s lives, becoming an urban planner may fulfill your career objective. Urban planners work with local governments and other civic groups to anticipate their city’s future growth. They propose physical changes to accommodate this growth. Not many career guidelines exist for urban planning, but broad general experience is important. Some colleges are now offering degrees in urban planning. Contact the Urban Land Institute at 800/321-5011 or visit their Web site.

Careers in Real Estate Counseling

Real estate counselors are in the business of giving advice about property. They are the experts others seek when they want answers to real estate questions. Counselors must know every phase of the real estate business because they use that knowledge in nearly every consultation. Often they will be asked about income opportunities and productive uses of different kinds of properties. There are relatively few brokers specializing in counseling, but the field will grow as investors and owners realize the value of expert advice in developing property and improving income. While accumulating experience in other real estate specialties, people planning to become real estate counselors also continue to study in continuing education programs in financial management. Contact the Counselors of Real Estate at 312/329-8427.

Careers in Real Estate Research

Real estate researchers contribute to the decisions of many other real estate specialists. Brokers, property managers, appraisers, financing experts and counselors all depend on data provided by research.

Research can be divided into two main categories — physical and economic. Physical research means studying buildings and structures of all types, especially in terms of the selection and efficient use of construction materials. Economic research consists of determining reliable answers to questions like "How many people hope to buy homes next year?" "What will it cost them to borrow mortgage money?" and "What percentage of the nation’s homes are sub-standard?"

Real estate is a rewarding career, offering flexibility, freedom and the opportunity to build a secure future for yourself and also help shape the future of your community.

 

BIG Improvements for KW Products

Provided By: Michael Tritthart

Keller Williams is constantly improving the tools provided to their agents.  Here are two big changes.

KW Mobile App Seamless Branding.  The mobile app for each agent now offers seamless branding.  No need for your clients to download a code.  Market your mobile app URL.  Clients tap the open or view button and they can download YOUR app without the need for an install code.

Additionally, use the AppShare option to text your app to clients.  This will enable them to receive the app, install and open it, again without an install code.  Do you and your office need more training on the app and all of the KW Tech Tools?  Contact me to inquire about available training dates.

Here is a BIG, BIG, BIG one.  A common complaint has been the inability to forward the Market Leader email.  Thanks to Katrina Benton, here are steps on how to forward the email to your Gmail account or your KW email (now checked within Google.)  My TIP:  Copy/paste the email AND the password when inputting into the correct spots, instead of typing in the data.  Doing this setup will ensure that you are not missing any business and will streamline your business process.

www.michaeltritthart.com

myKW Education

Provided By: mykw.kw.com

The Education Section of myKW is your hub for everything that surrounds learning. At the center of Keller Williams' progressive learning-based culture is Keller Williams University — provides industry leading training delivered by expert trainers on a global level. If you are looking to power your career forward, dig in to the educational offerings you'll find here—books, workbooks, self-study guides, videos, classroom training and more!

Click below to find out more! 

http://mykw.kw.com/kwintranet/getSiteCT.action?id=261&sid=61

The Best Technology

Provided By: http://www.kw.com/kw/keller-williams-careers.html

Gain the high-tech edge!

As technology continues to transform the ways in which buyers search for homes and real estate professionals communicate with their clients, Keller Williams Realty’s, agent driven technology development group is on the forefront of advances that continue to sharpen our agents’ competitive edge.

Read about our latest technology initiative, eEdge, the real estate industry’s first and only complete lead-to-close agent business solution, and the winner of the 2011 Inman Innovation Award!

“Keller Williams is determined to stay ahead of the curve to provide the most services and support in the industry to our entire network – especially in today’s real estate climate."

-Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty

Best Business Jobs:Real Estate Agent

Provided By: money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/real-estate-agent

 

The main difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker is that brokers are licensed to manage their own businesses, while agents are not. But even though real estate agents work under brokers, their jobs are similar. Brokers and agents both help clients sell their homes as well as buy new homes. It’s possible for people to buy or sell their home without using a professional, but a real estate agent can make the process a lot easier. By advising clients on prices, mortgages and market conditions, an agent shows sellers how to price their house accurately and make the property as appealing as possible to potential buyers. Agents also guide buyers toward the homes that best fit their needs by generating a list of properties for sale, accompanying the client to see the properties and negotiating an offer with the seller. Real estate agents must be intimately familiar with the communities in their area, especially with regard to job opportunities, healthcare and activities.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11.1 percent job growth for real estate sales agents between 2012 and 2022, which is about as fast as average. During that time period, an additional 38,000 jobs will need to be filled. Couple these projections with a fairly low unemployment rate and the promise of increased home sales as the economy continues to improve following the downturn, and the outlook for real estate agents is quite solid.

Salary

According to the BLS, in 2012, real estate agents earned a median salary of $39,140. The best-paid earned about $95,540, while the lowest-paid earned approximately $20,700. The highest earners worked in the metropolitan areas of Lake County, Ill., White Plains, N.Y., and Wayne, N.J., amd Santa Fe, N.M.

Salary Range

75th Percentile $63,300

Median $39,140

25th Percentile $27,470

•             See Full Salary Data

•             See Real Estate Agent Jobs Near You

Training

Real estate agents need to acquire a license, which they can do by passing a written exam administered by their state. (They first need to be 18 years or older and to have a high school diploma.) In addition, a college or graduate degree in finance, business administration, statistics, economics or even law can help prospective agents get ahead in the profession. The National Association of Realtors also sponsors courses that touch on the basic financial and legal aspects of real estate. But education isn’t the only deciding factor: Social skills, good judgment and enthusiasm are key and among the traits that brokers look for in applicants.

Reviews & Advice

Moe Veissi, the 2013 president of the National Association of Realtors, says commission should be the last thing on the mind of an aspiring real estate agent. He says education comes first: “Without that education upfront, you limit yourself initially.” Veissi says using the NAR as a viable resource for further learning, as the NAR features an extensive library that’s free for members. He also suggests taking courses at state and local associations, as they will be more specific about laws and regulations. “You’ve got a three-tier level of education available, which is more than most other professions,” Veissi says. He also recommends using other real estate agents and brokers as mentors: “People within this business are willing to help you along, even though they are your competition.” On top of education, Veissi says employers are looking for applicants with some background in sales, who exhibit excellent people skills and who are fully committed to the profession. “A good real estate agent must be willing to accept both the stress and the rewards of sales,” he says.

 

Keller Williams Strategic Alliances

Provided By: mykw.com

Service and Profitability through Strategic Alliances

Our Mission is YOU

The mission of the Strategic Alliances Division at Keller Williams Realty, International is to create value for Keller Williams associates’ clients, associates and market centers in the areas of Mortgage, Title, Closing, Home Warranty and Property and Casualty Insurance and as a result, create alternative alliances with companies who serve our associates' clients. Our goal is also to generate alternative sources of profit for market centers. This value is primarily created in two ways:

Leveraging Keller Williams’ size, experience, and reputation in the marketplace to identify best-in-class providers and negotiate unique and tailored benefits. In other words, we do the secure the relationship, and your market centers enjoy the benefits of that alliance on a local level.

Develop the systems and models that market centers can use in order to maximize their relationships regardless of who their relationships are with.

In order to satisfy our objective of creating Keller Williams’ systems and models, we engaged in a deliberate process to learn from the most successful full service real estate operators both inside and outside of Keller Williams.

Thinking about becoming a real estate agent?

Please call us!

972-772-7000