Complete, Accurate, & Up to Date.

How many times have you heard the pros and cons of listing syndication in the last five years, and the resulting question..."should you or should you NOT syndicate?" More times than you care to remember, I am sure.

Unfortunately, that is not the right question. 2013 is the year to begin to ask the right questions and to advance to the next phase in the distribution of listing data. It is time to move toward control, specific licensing and eventual monetization.

Pocket listings-listings sold outside of the MLS-are gaining heat inside the real estate industry. Far from a new concept, they are one of real estate's biggest in-house controversies, with professionals from across the country

taking different stances as to whether or not they help or hinder the market.

These off-market listings are never entered into the MLS. Instead, the homes are marketed directly by the seller's real estate agent or broker, who has complete control over the listing, thus keeping the listing in their "pocket."

There are some things you need to know about establishing a relationship with a client. First, the relationship with your client needs to be a dual one; professional and helpful.

Real estate marketing continues to move toward online and mobile mediums. It's obvious why, since that's where the buyers are. Real estate marketing has transformed from flyers, magazines, newspapers and postcards to property sites, YouTube videos, social networking and mobile technologies. Below are four items to implement to market successfully in our connected world.

Media

Thanks to the Internet, REALTORS
and consumers have countless sources of information to scout through when researching the buying process or individual property information. But how much is too much? With this flood of information in our digital age, how can industry professionals and consumers be confident that the info they have found is both accurate and trustworthy? Realtors Property Resource
(RPR
) has the answer to that.

You’ve already “sprung forward” your clocks to let a little more sunshine in, but did you know that March is also National Maintenance Month? Daylight Savings acts as an annual reminder to make sure your whole pad is up to par.

Rent.com conducted a survey of 1,000 renters nationwide and found a few startling stats that shine a light on how unprepared most renters actually are in case of an emergency situation:

• 21 percent of 18-24 year old renters didn’t know they were supposed to perform maintenance.

With spring 2013 around the corner, many Americans will finally be venturing out to enjoy their yards. And according to an online survey conducted by Harris Interactive in December 2012, those with a yard/landscape will be looking forward to three yard and landscape activities most of all: relaxing, planting, and spending time with family.

As winter gives way to spring, the threat of water flooding your basement substantially increases. As soil thaws it is overly saturated with water, and when a spring rain adds a few fresh inches, the water finds the easiest path to flow—usually along your home’s foundation, down to the basement and into your sump pump basin. If your sump pump fails, you’ll have a major water damage problem on your hands.

It's been a long time since the original "free lunch" prompted economists to remind us there's no such thing as one. Saloon patrons in the late 19th century were often treated to a free meal in exchange for a drink.

Editorial note: Watch for 'In Focus with BH&G' as a new monthly column to appear the first Tuesday of each month.