NAR members and Association staff can borrow up to six electronic books, digital audios and/or videos at no cost, through the Virtual Library eBooks Collection.
Members can also borrow up to three books for 30 days from the Library Catalog for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Black & Decker Codes for Homeowners
by Bruce Barker
Codes are a fact of life for do-it-yourselfers, but getting good information on codes can be a nightmare. Anyone who has ever opened a code book (or even a code interpretation book) looking for the answer to a building, wiring or plumbing question has found the same thing: a lot of arcane, technical words and cross-referencing, pages of meaningless charts, but no information that make sense. Codes for Homeowners combines decades of experience by author and IRC-certified home inspector Bruce Barker with Creative Publishing’s famous studio photography, and the result is the first truly clear and easy to use codes reference book for homeowners and tradesmen alike. Current with 2009 International Residential Code (IRC).
Facebook Marketing: An Hour a Day
by Chris Treadaway
As the second most-visited site on the web, Facebook offers myriad marketing opportunities and a host of new tools. This bestselling guide is now completely updated to cover all of the latest tools including Deals, sponsored stories, the Send button, and more. It explains how to develop a winning strategy, implement a campaign, measure results, and produce usable reports. Case studies, step-by-step directions, and hands-on tutorials in the popular Hour-a-Day format make this the perfect handbook for maximizing marketing efforts on Facebook. This popular guide is packed with up-to-date information to help you develop, implement, measure, and maintain a successful Facebook marketing program.
Get Organized
by Ron Fry
Get Organized shows you how to create your ideal study environment by using simple time-management tips to develop to-do lists, daily schedules, monthly calendars, and project boards. Now updated to include electronic and online planning tools, this new edition also provides strategies that help you prioritize, avoid time trap activities, and anticipate opportunities. You’ll learn how to make your study time efficient and effective.
Leadership for Dummies
by Kris Cole
People may join organizations, but they stay because of good leaders. Find out how inspiring and bringing out the best in the people you lead helps you fulfill your organization’s visions and key priorities. Leadership For Dummies, Australian and New Zealand Edition, quickly gets you up to speed on the latest leadership theories, providing practical strategies and surefire techniques to ensure you and your followers are working in the same direction.
Making Money in Real Estate
by Douglas Gray
Successful real estate investments play an essential role in Canadian investors’ portfolios. The growth in wealth in real estate markets has presented investors with tremendous opportunities to capitalize on and expand their range of investments, and has moved real estate investing from a niche product to a pillar of smart portfolio diversification. Thorough coverage in plain English makes Making Money in Real Estate, 2nd Edition the next logical step for investors who want to begin or expand their real estate portfolios, and is a critical and indispensable tool in investment decision making.
Mindful Leadership
by Maria Gonzalez
If you thought leading a team or organization meant simply creating and implementing a financial plan, delegating responsibility, and watching the bottom line, well, you’re only partly right. True leadership comes from within, a place of deep calm and focus, that allows you to respond to any situation as it arises. In Mindful Leadership, you’ll learn how to draw on those inner reserves through Mindfulness Meditation, a tool you can use to achieve focus and clarity, reduce stress, and develop the presence of mind to meet any number of challenges. Offering essential skills for both life and work, Mindful Leadership shows how it’s possible to successfully lead a team, an entire organization–or just yourself.
Rent vs Own
by Jane Hodges
Finally, a real estate reality check that cuts through all the biased rhetoric to answer the conundrum on everyone’s mind: Should I buy now or keep renting? The magnitude of the housing crash and constantly conflicting reporting have left prospective buyers hungry for a well-researched reference guide. Enter Rent vs. Own, the first real estate advice book not to assume buying is always best. Expert finance and real estate reporter Jane Hodges explains how the housing market works and breaks down all the pros and cons of buying and renting. With dozens of success stories and cautionary tales from real-life renters and owners all over the country, this indispensable decision-making manual gives confused consumers the tools to make the best choice for their budget, market, emotional needs, and future.
The Social Media Bible
by Lon Safko
The Social Media Bible is comprehensive 700-plus page social media resource that will teach corporate, small business, and non-profit marketers strategies for using social media to reach their desired audiences with power messages and efficiency. This newly revised 3rd edition addresses technology updates to the iPad, apps, Foursquare, and other geotargeted networks. New case studies and company profiles provide practical examples of how businesses have successfully implemented these strategies, using the newest social media marketing tools.
NAR members and Association staff can borrow up to three books for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10.
Members and staff can also borrow up to six electronic books, digital audios and/or videos at no cost, through the Virtual Library eBooks Collection.
Before Hitting Send: Power Writing Skills for Real Estate Agents
By Karen Stafano and Penny Nathan
Kaplan Real Estate Education, 2011
Before Hitting Send: Power Writing Skills For Real Estate Agents is a practical how-to writing guide targeting the unique needs of real estate professionals throughout the United States. Agents spend more time writing than ever before, with email dominating as the preferred mode of communication for banks, clients, other agents, escrow, and more. Some books teach general writing skills, but no other book addresses the specific needs of real estate professionals the way Before Hitting Send does. And with over 200 templates to pull from, the once-tedious task of writing becomes more satisfying.
Fundamentals of Mass Appraisal
International Association of Assessing Officers, 2011
This essential tool for mass appraisers replaces and updates the previous Mass Appraisal of Real Property. If you are using automated valuation models, or mass appraisal, you need to understand the principles developed in this textbook. This volume contains everything you need to know to develop a mass appraisal system, build and calibrate models, and conduct a revaluation.
Principles of Property Law, 6th Edition
By Herbert Hovenkamp and Sheldon F. Kurtz
Thomson West, 2005
Cases and statutory law are updated and the material reorganized; conforms with modern law school course in real property. Chapters open with brief outlines of the law encompassed within, providing an overview of rules in that area. This is followed by a series of factually-based problems designed to generate thoughts about how these rules could be applied in real life situations. In turn followed by statement of applicable law and analysis of legal issues raised, plus likely outcomes and current citations of the various laws.
Home Repair and Remodel Cost Guide 2012
Marshall & Swift, 2012
A powerful negotiating tool, the Home Repair and Remodel Cost Guide is a must-have resource complete with cost tables, diagrams, key term definitions, loan and financing information, sample worksheets and localized costs for cities throughout the United States and Canada. A helpful budgeting resource as well as a handy estimating guide, this home improvement cost manual enables you to quickly create project-specific estimates for any repair or remodel project. Learn industry cost standards for anything from ceiling and floor finishes to plumbing installation, swimming pool construction, site work, heating and air conditioning systems, kitchens, bathroom amenities, windows, doors and much more.
Professional Real Estate Development: The ULI Guide to the Business
Urban Land Institute, 2012
Thoroughly updated, the third edition of Professional Real Estate Development explains the nuts and bolts of the real estate development industry. The book describes the details of land development and how to develop and manage four types of real estate products: residential, office, industrial, and retail uses. Focusing on small-scale projects, the authors offer practical methods for developing each major type of real estate, covering feasibility analysis, design and construction, financing, marketing, and management. Photos, diagrams, spreadsheets, and case studies provide examples of actual projects and how the process works. Information is specific and detailed, with costs, rents, and financing information included by product type.
Green Building and Sustainable Development: The Practical Legal Guide
By Jonathan E. Furr, Nicole C. Kibert, James T. Mayer, Shannon D. Sentman
American Bar Association, 2009
The legal and economic landscape for building and development have fundamentally been altered by the country’s major environmental problems – climate change, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, ozone depletion, pollution, and unsustainable natural resource consumption rates. The editors provide practical information for lawyers to assist their clients in fully understanding green building and sustainable development concepts so they can operate successfully in the evolving economic and regulatory environment while minimizing the potential cost penalty of business-as-usual practices.
The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal
Appraisal Institute, 2010
Learn the Language of Real Estate Valuation. Dozens of dedicated valuation professionals debated and discussed the language of real estate to create the new edition of The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal. With a new focus on the future of the profession, the dictionary will be an essential tool for years to come!
Interested in getting the widget for your own website? I comes in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit different spaces. Visit our custom widget page to create your own.
Updated in the Library at Realtor.org:
Field Guide Updates
Buying vs. Renting
it better to buy or rent? Whether renting is better than buying depends on many factors. The information listed here will assist you in helping answer this question. Included are statistics and studies on home owners and renters as well as financing options and tips.
Compensation Plans for Real Estate Agents
Get the latest news on compensation plans. Are salaries a better idea than commissions? What’s the best way to modify your compensation plan? Find the answers to these questions and much more.
Meth Labs
The production of methamphetamine is alarmingly simple, composed of readily available, household items. The resulting chemical cocktail permeates nearly every surface of the home and property, exposure to which can lead to cancer, organ damage and numerous other health problems, particularly to children. The effects on homes and property are long-lasting and cleanup requires a hazardous materials team. This field guide contains information for REALTORS® and property managers regarding warning signs, disclosure laws, and hazardous effects of meth and meth labs upon humans and property.
Mortgage Interest Deduction
Introduced along with the Income Tax in 1913, the Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) allows homeowners who itemize their taxes to deduct mortgage interest attributable to primary residence and second-home debt totaling $1 million, and interest paid on home equity debt up to $100,000. Though the MID is a popular tax deduction for millions of U.S. homeowners, it has become a controversial topic in recent years. This field guide highlights basics, perceived pros and cons, IRS rules, and more to get you up-to-speed on this widely-debated tax deduction.
Real Estate Transaction Standards (RETS)
Short for Real Estate Transaction Standard, RETS provides a common language so that computers can more easily transfer real estate information, such as MLS data, to other computer programs or Web sites. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and other industry groups launched RETS in 1999.
Appraising Wayne Manor, sales tax holidays, and the rise of meadows
If Bruce Wayne decided to sell Wayne Manor, what would it appraise for? According to Movoto via Wired Magazine, a little over $32 million. They base this on the size, land and location (assuming Gotham is really Chicago). Note that this appraisal doesn’t include the Bat Cave and other goodies owned by the Caped Crusader: one would assume that Batman would seal off the Bat Cave in case he decided to ever return. And with the way Hollywood is recycling movies, you know he’ll be back…
“Don’t get sick in July” is a popular refrain in some quarters. The theory goes that July is the month last year’s interns leave and a new batch starts in most hospitals, making it the month with the least-experienced crew on board. But is it true? Time reviews the “July Effect” and comes to the conclusion…maybe. They also give advice on how you can counter any effect, even if there really is none.
Seventeen states will have sales-tax holidays this year — and 12 will fall on the first weekend of August, according to the Federation of Tax Administrators. Georgia returns to the list of states offering tax breaks this year after canceling its sales-tax holiday in 2010 because of a budget deficit. See if your state is on the list here.
Green, manicured lawns are old school. Meadows have taken their place, says the Wall Street Journal. Meadows are a backlash against perfect lawns that use fertilizer, chemicals, lots of water and lots of energy. Landscape artists love them, but homeowners associations, not so much. Meadows can be a sore point with suburban homeowners associations, whose lawn codes often frown upon anything remotely weedy-looking. Meadows generally take about three years to be established, with the first year looking straggly and weedy. After more growth, you will need to mow only once a year.
A wrinkle-free approach to traveling. Hint: knits, wrinkle-resistant fabrics, rolling when packing, and wrapping in dry-cleaning bags can all help.
Lifehacker discusses clever ways Amazon can save you time and money. You can share your Prime Membership with four people and save on shipping costs, have valuable items shipped to a locker instead of waiting in the open on your front porch, and upgrade to a ebook after you have purchased a hardcopy book.
America is the land of the free—and that applies to many of the country’s star attractions as well. Make the most of your summer by visiting these famous spots around the United States; you won’t have to pay a penny to do it.
In addition to our Field Guides, Realtor Magazine used to have some similar one-stop-shopping tool kits to various real estate agent and brokerage office management topics on their website. The tool kits were an easy way to see the best articles and resources on important on-the-ground topics important to agents and brokers.
With website refreshes and several other changes, the information, while still good, got a bit long in the tooth. The decision was made to take the tool kits offline pending an update. We’re happy to report that Realtor Magazine is starting to restore these valuable tools. I’ve hyperlinked all available ones below. Please be aware that some of these are still being updated and their web addresses may change in the future. If a click below results in a dead link, try a direct search. Also comment to this post and I’ll try to keep it up to date.
- Rookie
- Personal marketing
- Prospecting
- Follow-up
- Multicultural client
- Personal assistant
- Buyer representative
- Fair housing
- Employment
- Risk reduction
- Insurance and law
- Sell your business
- Leadership
- Hiring
- Recruitment
- Retention
- Assessment and termination
- Brokerage marketing
- Brokerage PR
- Listing
- Property disclosure
- Coaching, mentoring & training
update: the centralized tool kit home is now live!
Foods fit for a president, marketing musings, and more…
With the recent Supreme Court ruling on the health care law and the 2012 election campaigning running in full gear, there are a lot of rumors going around with regards to tax and real estate. Get the facts straight here and on our health insurance reform web page. The Washington Post also published a succinct and informative article on this topic today.
For a marketing class we read Kotler Marketing Group’s Q&A on marketing. “Satisfy the unment needs of target markets” made us wonder: what unfulfilled needs of your prospects can you satisfy? Perhaps connecting them with an energy efficient mortgage or energy efficient tax credits.
Colleagues in our marketing class have also discussed the pros and cons of holding open houses and using print publications. The concensus? It all depends on your location, the readership of print publications in your area, the generation of buyers and sellers in your area, and what is necessary to provide assurance to your clients that you are working hard for them, espeically when much of what you do is behind the scenes; maybe your clients need something tactile to feel at ease with the process? Our readings for this class include Sales and Marketing 101 for Real Estate Professionals and Marketing Real Estate Properties: The Science and the Magic.
Realtor.com helps homebuyers prepare for the zombie apocalypse with their list of stronghold estates.
And for fun, we give you: foods fit for a president (what the presidents ate when not at official functions). The one thing in common for all, regardless of political party? Indulgent and unhealthy!
Staying in tune, keeping your cool, and tweeting it all
Does studying music make you more “in tune”? Northwestern University researchers argue that it does with the release of their recent study detailing the arguably profound effect of music on the human brain. While on the topic of creativity and art: have you taken the online color challenge? Arrange 88 hues to find your score.
Much of the center of the country is roasting. Other than the obvious, stay in air conditioning, what can you do to keep cool? Time gives 10 tips on surviving the latest heatwave.
Apartment Therapy discusses the benefits of following REALTORS® on social media—you can access the newest listings. Look at your social media from the consumer’s point of view to realize how important it is for attracting clients and customers.
Both the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg reported that a smaller Apple tablet may be on the market by the year’s end.
Not haunted. Indoor plumbing. Love shack, baby. Phrases not normally seen on For Sale signs. An article in the Wall Street Journal Developments blog highlights the marketing idea of Jake Palmer, a Canadian real estate agent. He likes using the quirky phrases on his For Sale signs as listings go stale. For a house that had been on the market for a year, Palmer updates the phrases weekly to promote interest in the property. Also, the price has been lowered over time to keep the house at the top of the local listing queue. Palmer says “I’m changing that sign every week until the thing sells.”
