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There is no shortage of headlines telling consumers that it's a difficult time to buy or sell real estate. High interest rates, affordability concerns, and uncertainty have been dominating the conversation over the last few years. But, last month with us, June proved something important: Opportunity still exists. This month, Homestead celebrated its largest Million Dollar Club in company history, with an incredible 19 agents closing more than $1 million in sales volume in Jun

Most agents don’t leave their brokerage because of one big problem. They leave because of a hundred small ones. Things they tolerate. Things they work around.Things they’ve just… gotten used to. But here’s the truth: Not all brokerages are built to help you grow. Some are just built to exist. The Question Most Agents Avoid It’s easy to stay where you are. You know the systems. You know the people. You know what to expect. But comfort and growth are rarely the same thing. So h

When agents hear “100% commission,” their first reaction is usually one of two things: Excitement. Or skepticism. And honestly? Both are fair. Because 100% commission isn’t automatically better. But when structured well, it can dramatically change how much of your hard-earned income actually stays in your pocket. Let’s break it down. You Keep What You Produce At a traditional split model, your first several transactions each year often go toward paying your brokerage. At a 7

Mortgage Rates, Buyer Hesitation, and the Strategies That Can Help Agents Create Opportunities in a Changing Housing Market The real estate market is constantly evolving, and the agents who succeed aren't necessarily the ones who can predict what happens next. They're the ones who know how to adapt. With fluctuating mortgage rates, affordability concerns, and buyers taking a more cautious approach to purchasing, real estate professionals are facing a new set of challenges. Bu

Compare 70/30, 80/20, and 100% real estate commission models. See how different brokerage structures affect what agents actually keep. When choosing a real estate brokerage, one of the biggest decisions you'll make is how your commission is divided. Some brokerages operate on a 70/30 split. Others offer 80/20 arrangements, commission caps, or a 100% commission model with transaction fees. At first glance, the differences seem straightforward. But when you look at how those pe

How much does your real estate brokerage really cost? Learn about commission splits, transaction fees, monthly expenses, and keeping more of your income. You know how much you've sold this year. You probably know how many transactions you've closed, what your average sale price looks like, and how much commission you've generated. But here's a question worth asking: How much of that money are you actually keeping? For many real estate agents, brokerage fees are simply part of

At some point, almost every agent has said: "My CRM doesn't work." But more often than not, the CRM isn't the problem. The problem is how it's being used. A CRM Is a Tool, Not a Solution A CRM can organize contacts. It can create reminders. It can automate follow-up. But it cannot build relationships for you. The best CRM in the world won't help if no one is using it consistently. Incomplete Data Creates Incomplete Results Many agents only enter partial information. A name, a

Few stages of a transaction create more anxiety than the inspection period. Buyers worry about hidden problems. Sellers worry about losing the deal. Agents find themselves managing emotions, expectations, and negotiations all at the same time. Understanding how to navigate this stage effectively can make a significant difference in the outcome of a transaction. Set Expectations Early One of the most important things an agent can do is prepare clients before the inspection eve

Commission splits are important. No ones denying that. But if you ask many top-producing agents why they've stayed with a brokerage—or why they've made a move—the answer is often about much more than money. We've spoken with agents who pay tens of thousands in commission splits a year -- but they will never leave. Because a brokerage isn't simply a place to park your license. It's the foundation that supports your business. Support Matters When Things Get... Complicated Most

Ask a homeowner who helped them buy their first house five years ago, and they'll probably remember their agent's name. Ask them what brokerage that agent worked for at the time, and there's a good chance they won't know. That's not a knock on brokerages—it's simply the reality of how consumers make decisions. People work with people. Your Personal Brand Is What Clients Experience Your personal brand isn't your logo, headshot, or social media graphics. It's the impression peo

From June 1st through August 31st, Homestead Realty agents accomplished: 500+ closed transactions $150 Million+ in total sales volume 10 new agents joined Homestead during the summer Our 2 largest Million Dollar Clubs ever While those numbers tell part of the story, what's more important is what created them. Built by Our Agents There isn't one team, office or group responsible for a summer like this. It came from agents across Homestead consistently showing up for their clie

Most agents don't realize they need systems until they're overwhelmed. A few transactions become five. Five become ten. Before long, deadlines, emails, appointments, and client conversations start piling up. The best time to build systems isn't when you're busy. It's before you're busy. Start With Your CRM Your CRM should be more than a digital address book. It should tell you: Who you've talked to When you last spoke What their goals are When you should follow up Without org

"I need more leads." It's one of the most common frustrations in real estate. When business slows down, many agents immediately begin searching for new lead sources. They invest in advertising, purchase internet leads, or spend hours looking for the next marketing strategy that promises more opportunities. But in many cases, the problem isn't lead generation. It's follow-up. Most Leads Aren't Ready Today One of the biggest misconceptions in real estate is that every lead shou

Choosing a brokerage is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your real estate career. Yet many agents focus on only one thing when evaluating their options: commission splits. While compensation certainly matters, the right brokerage can impact far more than your paycheck. It can affect your growth, confidence, productivity, and overall experience in the industry. Before you make a move, here are 10 questions every agent should ask. 1. How Accessible Are the Bro

Personal branding has become one of the most talked-about topics in real estate. Yet many agents still struggle to build a brand that attracts business. The good news? Most branding mistakes are completely fixable. Mistake #1: Trying to Appeal to Everyone One of the fastest ways to weaken your brand is trying to be everything to everyone. When your message is too broad, it becomes forgettable. Strong brands are clear. People should immediately understand: Who you serve What y

Most agents don't wake up one morning and suddenly decide to switch brokerages. In reality, the decision is usually much more gradual. It often starts with a feeling. A feeling that you've stopped growing.A feeling that you're not getting the support you need. A feeling that your business has changed, but your brokerage hasn't evolved with it. Not every frustration means it's time to make a move. But there are times when taking a closer look at your current environment is wor

Eight months into her real estate career, Amanda Rahlf is already proving that it is never too late to bet on yourself. Fresh off earning a place in Homestead Realty’s June Million Dollar Club, Amanda has quickly turned a new career into real momentum—closing transactions, navigating a competitive market and reaching milestones she set her sights on from the beginning. Before earning her real estate license, Amanda spent five and a half years as a Scentsy consultant. She knew

Over the last couple of months, one word has come up over and over again in conversations with our agents: consistency. Whether you're brand new to the business or have been selling homes for years, the question is always the same: "What should I post today?" And honestly? We get it. Social media is one of the biggest pain points for real estate agents. Not because you don't know it's important, but because you're already wearing a dozen hats. Between showings, contracts, cli

One of the biggest misconceptions in real estate is that agents have to choose between independence and support. You're either at a brokerage that gives you freedom but leaves you to figure things out on your own, or you're at a brokerage that provides support but wants to dictate how you run your business. Most agents are looking for something in the middle. They want the flexibility to build their business their way, but they also want to know someone has their back when th

When was the last time you ended a workday being exhausted despite accomplishing, well... very little? If it's more recent then you care to admit, you're not alone. Real estate agents are busy people. The problem is that being busy and being productive are not the same thing. In fact, some of the busiest agents are often the least productive. Busy Work Feels Productive Answering emails, Organizing your desk, scheduling social media posts, creating new folders, updating spread