Top 10 Most Popular Articles of March: Scripts, Home Design Trends, the NAR Settlement, and more

Spring is here, and it's not just the weather that's about to warm up. But before the volume of home sales cranks up, let's take a moment to look back at last month — and the articles that can help you get ready for real estate's busy season.

First, let's address the elephant in the room: the NAR settlement. For advice on how to talk to your sphere about it, check out article #1 on the list below. The settlement isn't the only thing you'll be talking about, of course. For scripts on steering sellers away from a too-high listing price, see article #3. Next, scroll down to article #7 for scripts that can help improve your business communication skills.

Have sellers who are considering remodeling before putting their home on the market? Check out articles #2 and #5. Finally, see article #9 for a list of real estate podcasts that can help level up your career.

1. How to Talk About the NAR Settlement with Clients and Prospects
The Ides of March brought a whopper of an announcement to the real estate industry: that the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) had settled the commissions lawsuit. Thanks to wall-to-wall media coverage, it's likely that your sphere of influence has had some questions about the news. This list of do's and don'ts can help guide your conversations with clients, leads, and your social sphere.

2. Top 5 Home Improvements that Will Deliver Sellers the Greatest ROI
The art of selling a home at the highest possible ROI takes more than making great first impressions. Getting the most out of a home sale lies in making the right improvements that appeal to buyers' emotions and practical needs. Let's explore five home improvements that can deliver the greatest return on investment (ROI) to sellers.

3. Price It Right: 3 Scripts to Guide Sellers Away from Overpricing Pitfalls
Have sellers who are intent on overpricing their home? There's an ancient communication hack you can use to steer sellers towards a more reasonable price point. The Socratic method, created by ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, is a way to discuss topics by asking questions rather than telling or instructing the other party what to do. To help you understand what a pricing discussion using the Socratic method looks like, here are a few sample scripts.

4. 4 Must-Have AI Mobile Apps to Level Up Your Real Estate Game
Want to leverage the power of artificial intelligence while you're on the go? You're in luck — there are several AI-powered mobile apps available to help you do everything from research to crafting social media posts. Today, you'll learn about four of them.

5. Trend Alert: These Features Help Homes Sell Faster and for More Money
Home buyers are willing to pay more for a backyard decked out with all the bells and whistles. New Zillow research finds homes equipped with an outdoor TV command 3.1% more than expected — or $10,749 on a typical U.S. home. What other home design trends are catching the eyes of buyers?

6. Best Real Estate SEO Keywords for 2024
Real estate agents spend a lot of time on their website design and pay a lot of money for advertisements, but many still struggle with lead generation. One cannot ignore the value of what is in demand and what folks are looking for on the web. In this article, we are going to explore the top real estate keywords of 2024 that bring a lot of SEO value to your real estate website.

7. 6 Real Estate Scripts (and When to Use Them)
One persistent stereotype about real estate agents is that they're hyper-social creatures blessed with the gift of gab. While it's true that many agents are people lovers who like to talk, simply being talkative isn't necessarily a talent. Instead, knowing what to say and when to say is a skill that's learned — especially in business situations. These six scripts can help you hone your communication skills.

8. Top Buyer Trends in the Real Estate Market for 2024: What Realtors need to know
The real estate landscape is constantly evolving, driven by shifts in buyer preferences and technological advancements. As we edge closer to prime real estate season, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve by understanding the emerging trends shaping the market. Dive into the top buyer trends expected to dominate the real estate market in 2024, and get insights to help you navigate the changes and capitalize on new opportunities.

9. 15 Essential Podcasts to Level Up Your Real Estate Career
Podcasts offer a convenient and engaging way to learn and grow while you're on the go. This curated list of 15 podcasts is specifically tailored to real estate agents. We've got you covered, from mastering the art of the deal to developing a winning mindset, and staying on top of the latest industry trends. So, grab your earbuds, hit play, and get ready to level up your real estate career!

10. Make DIY Marketing Campaigns a Reality with RPR
As an individual real estate agent, you need to be a master of self-promotion. Did you know that with RPR, you can create all kinds of marketing materials, including digital and printed items, that are jammed with local market insight? And you can produce them in very little time, at no additional cost.