Making changes to your home can be a lot of fun. It’s enjoyable transforming an old room into one that’s modern and exciting. Besides being entertaining, home improvements can really help when it’s time to move. Not only can they entice buyers into making an offer, they can earn you more money.

However, not every remodeling project helps you financially. Read on for some tips on picking the right project, including how to avoid some common home improvement scams.

Remodeling For Resale

If you are hoping to raise your home’s sale price, then there are some home improvements to avoid. As CNBC explains, most projects directed to your particular tastes will not translate into added value. That’s because not everyone shares your passions. For example, you might love having a home gym or a home recording studio, but that’s not always popular with potential buyers. To some, those changes make the home less valuable.

That’s why SMCU.com recommends...

We all know that typically the Real Estate market slows down during the winter months but that does not mean that everyone who wants to list their home vanishes into thin air. They just need a little extra motivation and reason to list during the winter months. According to Realtor.com here's a holiday shocker: Dec. 28 was actually one of the busiest days for real estate searches in the entire year, despite the fact that Dec. 24 was the single slowest. There are unique advantages to selling your home during the holiday season to share with your clients.  

Emotional Triggers run high around the holiday time and your home will look great all decorated for the holiday season. Emotions play a huge rule when a buyer is looking at your home. Turn up the heat, so it is warm and inviting when they come in from the cold. Take advantage of the holiday time by using some holiday decorations to trigger those emotions of a cheery, cozy home spent with family.

Many homeowners will wait...

Learn Success from Success

Napoleon Hill interviewed some of the most successful people of his time and used those interviews to write his book Think and Grow Rich. Find a successful real estate agent, treat them to lunch and ask questions about how they started off. You can also search for real estate agents on social media. Ask if they would be willing to talk with you. Prepare some questions to ask. Here is a list of questions to help you get started, but do not limit yourself to these. Everyone will have different goals; ask questions that will help you meet your goals.

How long did it take you to get a flow of steady income?
What was your biggest mistake starting off?
What benefited you the most when you started?
How do you set yourself apart from others?
Where do most of your leads come from?
What does your typical day look like?
What do you enjoy the most about being a real estate agent?
What do you dislike about being a real estate agent?
What advice would you give to someone just...

We see many students come through our school, many already have a sponsoring Broker and other's do not. We recommend those who do not, talk to as many as you can before you make the decision, in fact this should be the least of your worries while contemplating this new career in Real Estate?

One of the first things you need to realize when getting into real estate, you are not starting a new job. You are starting a new business.  There is a big difference!

You do not get paid unless a house gets sold. You may go months with out seeing a paycheck. creating a budget can be challenging.  In the corporate world you know exactly what day you will get paid and how often. As a real estate agent you will not know for sure when the next commission check will come in. However, you do not need to worry about the company cutting cost and reducing your hours or being laid off. You would have to fire yourself. In the corporate world you do not have any control over how that business...

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

Being a homeowner is more than just sitting pretty in a desirable house. It takes work and careful planning. You wouldn’t head into the cold outdoors without a jacket and scarf, so why would you expect any different from your house?

As fall and winter approaches, the weather will undoubtedly change, but you can make sure that your home stays cozy and warm by implementing these savvy tips that will save you time and money.

Pool Maintenance

According to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, there are over 10.4 million pools within the United States, and swimming s the 4th most popular recreational activity among Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With so many people swimming, especially during the summer months, there are a lot of health and safety risks involved, if you don’t cover your pool before the cooler weather hits.

With the use of a chemical winterizing kit, you can ensure that your pool...

The mortgage industry continues to change annually. There are increased requirements for protecting the consumer, complying with time requirements, and increased disclosures. A seasoned MLO has witnesses these many changes and has likely come to expect new regulations and requirements flowing from the regulatory agencies on a regular basis. Experienced MLOs have learned to be well-prepared MLOs to confidently abide by new regulations and guidelines.

Staying complaint with updated and new mortgage laws is essential to remaining a well-prepared MLO. As processes become more streamlined, regulated, and protective of consumer safety, it is up to the mortgage loan originator to prepare for these changes and confidently adapt when they are implemented. Mortgage loan originators should set lifetime career goals to become highly skilled and accomplished in the mortgage field.

The most important aspect of the MLOs performance is to protect the consumer from any type of harm that could occur...

A certified general appraiser is the highest level of licensing. The ability to appraise all types of property – residential or commercial –  with no value limit.  Typically, these appraisers will spend the majority of their time appraising commercial properties. The type of appraisal could vary from a small, one-story office building valued at $250,000 to a high-rise apartment building with a value of $20,000,000.

For most states, especially New York State, the main differences between a certified appraiser and certified general appraiser are many additional hours of coursework and 1,500 of commercial appraising (non-residential) experience under a certified general appraiser, and a bachelor’s degree. Commercial appraisals are much more complex and time consuming and require far more research. There is far less margin of error. The intended user of the appraisal may be basing a significant business decision on the outcome and an erroneous appraisal could...

Many people come in and out of the real estate industry for many different reasons, here at Manfred we talk to so many of our past students who for whatever reason are looking to get their real estate license reinstated and are Makin' a Come Back!

We know first hand how frustrating and confusing it can be to understand all the the changes that have occurred in the real estate business in New York State. Depending on who you ask, a Real Estate Broker or even a Real Estate Association, the information they provide may not be completely accurate and up-to-date, rightfully so it's not their business.

Below is a quick, precise understanding of what you need to know if you let your license expire. Here is also a helpful link directly from the source, Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.

If your License has been expired for less than two years then you just need to complete 22.5 hours of continuing education including 3 hours of Fair housing and 1 hour of Law of Agency and...

Some agents in the Real Estate industry take continuing education to meet a state minimum requirement and then there are those who better equip themselves for change, have recognized in their own businesses that because of the lack of educational advancements in the real estate industry, there is significant room for career advancements so choose to go above and beyond to advance their own careers by attending every classroom opportunity. Opportunities to grow are all around you, all it takes is your willingness to take the first step! Ready 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO! Thanks to The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

Many students inquire on a regular basis on what it takes to become a real estate Broker in New York State. Chances are if you are interested in becoming a Real Estate Broker, you already have previous real estate education. Having completed such education is a prerequisite in this process to upgrade your license. Manfred would like to take the time now to give you accurate,...

For more than 30 years, Manfred Real Estate Learning Center has been providing the education you need to get ahead in today’s complex real estate industry. Our mission is to provide a high-quality educational experience for real estate professionals in licensing and continuing education courses for New York Real Estate Salespersons, Brokers, Appraisers, Home Inspectors, Mortgage Loan Originators, and Assessors.

We've taken The Manfred Experience in real estate training to a wider audience of students. We now have 16 classroom locations in 14 cities across New York State, including: Albany, Buffalo, Ithaca, Rochester, Utica, Lake George, Queensbury, Glens Falls, Saratoga Springs, Syracuse, Monticello, Rexford, Hudson, Kingston and Newburgh We are committed, at the Learning Center, to provide a practical and meaningful learning experience.

To make our courses even more accessible to you, we offer our programs in classroom settings or online. All our classroom courses are held in...