Hey guys, have you had a chance to talk to your social and sphere audiences about the importance of flood insurance?

This should be a priority, especially with what's happened with Helene and Milton—it’s on the top of everyone's mind.

Here's something interesting: typical homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Since 1996, 99% of counties in the U.S. have experienced some kind of flooding event. What’s more, 20% of all flood claims come from homes not in traditional flood zones. And just one inch of flooding in your house can cause at least $25,000 in damage.

That’s a huge reason to encourage your clients to get flood insurance.

To help with this, there are a couple of things we can do:

First, partner with a local insurance agent who specializes in flood insurance. We could record a webinar or have them join a live stream to discuss the importance of flood insurance.

Another option is to direct people to the government website,...

Hey guys, you know what everyone’s starting to get right now?

Their property tax statements.

When people get those statements, they rush to open them and think, "My home’s worth more than that," or "My property’s worth less than that," or something in between.

Here’s an opportunity for us. Why not reach out to all of your clients, your sphere of influence, and your social audiences with this message:

“Hey guys, you’re probably getting your property tax statements around now. If you look at that assessed value and disagree with it, or just want an updated value of your property, give me a quick call or text. I do this as a free service for all my friends and family, just to keep you in touch with your finances and your equity position.”

That’s it! That’s the messaging. People will absolutely take advantage of this, and it opens the door to conversations.

You might wonder, "Jim, why would I do this if they’re not interested...

Did you know that pools are currently in high demand in the real estate market? If you own a house with a pool, you can expect to sell it for about 8% more on average compared to homes without pools.

This is important for us as real estate professionals because we can inform pool owners that they have the potential to sell at a premium.

Speaking from personal experience as a pool owner, I can tell you what happens after buying a house with a pool:

Initially, it's an exciting novelty, and you use it constantly for the first couple of summers. However, over time, the novelty fades, and while you may not use the pool as much, the constant maintenance remains. This maintenance can be quite a hassle if you're doing it yourself, or it can become expensive if you're hiring someone to maintain it.

For those who have owned a pool for several years, it can eventually become more of a headache than a luxury. This could...