Agents Matter SEP 25th - What Matters in Less Than 5 Minutes

In This Week's Edition

We’re diving into some must-know strategies that will help you save time and make smarter business moves. Plus, we’ve got updates on how upcoming Fed decisions might affect mortgage rates and the best tools to streamline your workflow. On top of that, we’ll take a look at why sellers are still covering buyer agents' commissions, the power of having a rock-solid buyer presentation, and why taking action is key to building momentum.

Stories That Matter

Why Sellers Paying Buyer Agents' Commissions Isn’t Going Away Anytime Soon

There's been a lot of buzz around the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement, but it looks like the practice of sellers paying buyer agents’ commissions isn’t going anywhere. Broker-owner Eric Bramlett from Bramlett Residential in Austin explains that this is likely to stay the same for two main reasons: net proceeds and buyer affordability. Sellers care most about what they’re taking home at the end of the sale, and many buyers don’t have extra funds for closing costs. By covering the buyer agent’s commission, sellers help ease the financial load on buyers, making it easier to close deals. Early data shows that most sellers are still stepping up and paying these commissions. As the market adapts, open communication and education will be key to keeping transactions smooth and ensuring buyer agents remain an important part of the process.

Key Takeaway:

Education and communication are essential! As the industry adjusts, it’s important for agents to help sellers understand the benefits of paying buyer agents' commissions. This can lead to stronger offers and smoother transactions overall.

Build Trust and Close Deals with a Strong Buyer Presentation

According to broker Joseph Santini, having a strong buyer presentation is just as important as a listing presentation. It helps set clear expectations and builds strong relationships right from the start. A well-structured presentation walks buyers through every step of the process, making it easy to understand and trust. When agents communicate their value clearly, buyers are more likely to sign a buyer agreement, ensuring agents are compensated fairly for their time. A great buyer presentation should cover everything from pre-approval to closing, leaving no stone unturned. Agents who do this well will build trust, solve objections, and make clients feel taken care of every step of the way.

Key Takeaway:

A solid buyer presentation helps agents showcase their value, ensuring they get paid for their time while making the home-buying process smooth and easy for clients.

Books That Matter

The Motive by Patrick Lencioni is a must-read for anyone looking to grow their leadership skills in real estate. Discover how understanding your "why" can help you build stronger relationships, create a positive work environment, and achieve big results.

Tools That Matter

Descript - If you’re looking to simplify your content creation, Descript is a game-changer! Whether you're editing property videos, putting together virtual tours, or recording client testimonials, this tool makes it all super easy with its intuitive interface and powerful features.

Lessons That Matter

Action Creates Momentum

Big goals start with small steps. Waiting for the "perfect" moment can leave you stuck, while taking small actions can help you build momentum and move forward. Success is built on consistency and effort, so start today!

What’s one thing you can do right now that your future self will thank you for? Don’t wait for perfect conditions—take action today, and watch how things start to fall into place.

Videos That Matter

Consistency Through Clarity

In this video, we break down how to tackle short-term goals and take actionable steps. You’ll see real examples of how this approach works, whether you’re improving your finances, mastering a new skill, or building better relationships. Check it out for a step-by-step guide to success!

Idaho Mortgage Market Updates That Matter

This Week's Mortgage Rate Forecast: Rates likely to hold ??

Mortgage rates are not likely to make any big moves higher or lower this week. Markets continue to digest Fed comments about pending policy rate cuts, but there is little economic data to influence rates this week. The overall outlook is that rates will improve slowly over time, and that we shouldn't expect rates to make any big moves significantly lower anytime soon.

What's affecting rates this week:

- Inflation data: The Fed's favored gauge of inflation, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, will come out on Friday. It is not likely that inflation falls enough to push mortgage rates much lower, but we could see at least a little bit of improvement if the report shows inflation continues to fall.

- Fed speakers: Fed members are out this week sharing their insight into the economy, labor market, and future Fed policy rate cuts.

Happy Wednesday!