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What should one do or not do when considering a career in real estate?

Alex Min, Lake Tahoe, NV: "Make sure you are ready to jump in head first. In today's market, this is not a hobby job. You have to commit to working long and odd hours. If you aren't an expert on your market and inventory, you won't be able to service your clients properly."

Anne Perry, Honolulu, HI: "Develop a strong and current data base; constant growth; strong market knowledge, and leave your ego at the door."

Brian Pearl of the Pearl Antonacci Group, Boca Raton, FL: "Join a team where you receive leads, work and close them, and you'll establish yourself organically by being in the field learning the business."

Debra Johnston, Atlanta, GA: "Be prepared to spend six months in business development and getting set up for business."

Elisa Linton, Humble/Kingwood (Houston metro area), TX: "I say this is hard work. You have to be disciplined, approachable, and determined to protect your clients' interests throughout each stage of the transaction. You are assisting them with a large financial decision."

Frank D. Isoldi, Westfield, NJ: "Be patient and honest. Your integrity is everything."

Heidi Bintz, Vail Valley, CO: "Be prepared for a full time job that can be seven days a week."

James Beasley, Las Vegas, NV: "Start building your data base (databank)."

Jeff Hyland, Bel-Air, CA: “Stay calm and work through it. You might not sell your first listing, but with time, due diligence and a bit of luck, the world could be your market.”

Kathleen Floryan, Jacksonville, FL: "Your 'why' has to be very clear. Your choice of realty companies and the future education, support, plus mentorship is critical to your success."

Kelly Ringer-Radetich, Redwood City, CA: "If this is your very first introduction into real estate, I would recommend assisting an agent. If I had it to do all over again from the start, that is what I would do. Giving up something to gain the knowledge and experience can be priceless."

Kim Martin-Fisher, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL: "You must be vigilant, patient, and genuine."

Kristine Farra, Chicago, IL: "Work hard. Build relationships, not leads. Take marketing and branding seriously."

Maggie Gold Seelig, Boston, MA: "Find the nicest and smarter person from whom to learn the business, as real estate is an apprenticeship profession."

Mark Salmon,  South Tahoe, CA: "Do not enter this business thinking it’s easy money -- it takes a lot of tremendous amount of time, devotion and capital to become established in order to have a lasting career."

Toni Itkin, Sandy Springs, GA: "Join a brokerage that provides the best training and technology, not the one that gives the highest commission split! Know that this is a full time business, not a part time job or a hobby. Then, network, network, network!!"

For more, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post How To Start A Career In Real Estate? The Experts Weigh In! appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

If you’re looking to sell your house, a few inexpensive changes to your home’s exterior could go a long way in making the process smoother: from being able to sell faster to add greater value to the asking price.

1. Add a fresh coat of paint

Depending on what your budget is, painting can give you a lot of bang for your buck. When painting, don’t forget picket fences around your yard, trimming around the eaves of the roof, and replacing old gutters and downspouts may catapult the appeal of the exterior of your home.

2. Update your landscaping

Before you spend a dime on your house, look at your yard, landscaping, sidewalk, and front entryway. In all of these areas, a few hours of yard work, tidying up your property can go a long way. Tall trees and shrubs can make a small house look smaller. Look for lush ground cover plants and add a few pops of color to build more dimension to your walkway.

3. Emphasize the front door

2508 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, Florida 33134

A brightly colored door is a great way to draw attention to your house and make it feel more inviting. The front door should be your home’s exterior focal point — ramp up the appeal by painting it a rich hue, updating door hardware or adding a new knocker.

4. Add exterior architectural details

Turn a standard structure into a period piece by adding attractive trim and stone to your walkway. Or spice up your front entry door hardware by using new metal finishes and different decorative styled lighting fixtures.

5. Turn on the charm

The strongest appeal to any home is adding bits of charm that welcome your visitors. You can do this by adding details that make your homes unique such as a sitting bench or rocking chair and subtle walkway lighting. If you have a large front porch, add furniture and an outdoor area rug. Wall décor can also bring the indoors out.

6. Update your walkway

3686 SW 23 Terrace 3686, Miami, Florida 33145

This can be as easy as pressure washing your concrete walkway and adding in colored mulch to your landscaping. The contrast between a lighted walkway and darker mulch creates an illusion of length.

7. Create symmetry

Symmetry is not only pleasing to the eye, it's also the simplest to arrange. Symmetrical structures such as light fixtures, potted plants, and other front-door accents can create a welcoming entryway and boost curb appeal.

8. Mailbox Makeover

Mailboxes should complement the home and express the homeowner's personality. Dress up your mailbox for easy curb appeal by painting the wooden post to match the house's exterior color, or by surrounding it with a beautiful flowering garden.

9. Add shutters or accent trim

2508 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, Florida 33134

Shutters and trim add a welcoming layer of beauty and curb appeal to your home's exterior. Exterior shutters can be made of wood, aluminum, vinyl, composite, or fiberglass.

10. Replace the gutters

If your home has an older gutter system, odds are it's also suffering from peeling paint, rust, or other problems that can convey a sense of neglect. Replace old systems with a newer vinyl gutter system or pull out the paint.

Henry Tamayo is the exclusive agent representing the Coral Gables, Florida real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

Images courtesy of Henry Tamayo

Re-published with permission from MovingBillions.com. Read the original here.

The post Henry Tamayo’s 10 Curb Appeal Makeover Tips To Increase Your Home’s Value appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.