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Let’s make your week a little easier. The Empire Weekly Roundup newsletter brings you real estate tips, market know-how, and CE updates—all in one quick email.
🗣️ Quote of the Week
“There is little success where there is little laughter.”
― Andrew Carnegie (Industrialist and Philanthropist)
🚀 Featured Article
“LOL”: How Humor Is Becoming Real Estate Agents' Secret Weapon
Picture this: A real estate agent walks into a house showing — and starts cracking jokes. It’s not a setup for a sitcom, but a growing reality in 2025. Take Breanna Banaciski in Tampa, FL, for example. She’s only been an agent since last year, yet her snarky TikTok home tour videos have made her a minor real estate celebrity. Her sardonic listing tours, where she roasts everything from baby boomers to housing costs, now regularly draw millions of views on social media. Not bad for a newcomer who simply decided that a little humor might sell a home faster than yet another dreary walkthrough...
🏆 Trending on Empire Learning
🩴 The Great Flip-Flop Debate: Professional vs. Comfortable?
Summer is here, and so is the annual wardrobe dilemma: can you really show houses in flip-flops? 😅 Generally, the answer is no (save those for the beach, folks!).
- While hot weather might tempt us to dress down, remember you’re still the CEO of your own mini business.
- In some laid-back markets (or when trekking ranch properties), agents do get away with dress shorts or even jeans and cowboy boots.
- But unless you’re literally selling surf shacks on the sand, flip-flops remain a faux pas – most people agree they scream “casual client on vacation,” not savvy professional.
- The trick is finding that sweet spot: lightweight linens, breathable fabrics, comfy loafers or stylish sandals (yes, open-toed can be done professionally if chosen wisely).
- You can survive 100°F days and look sharp doing it. So before you leave for your next showing, do a quick mirror check: are you rocking summer chic or just plain sweaty and sloppy?
😎 The Pickleball Effect: A Big "Dill" for Home Sales
Pickleball isn’t just taking over local parks – it’s sneaking into home listings, too. In fact, references to pickleball in for-sale listings have spiked by 64% in the past year. America’s new favorite sport has become a real estate wildcard: some buyers love the idea of a nearby court (free fitness and friendly competition!), while others hear the constant pop-pop of paddles and think “deal breaker.” But there’s no denying it’s a big "dill" in today’s market buzz.
- If you’ve got a listing near pickleball action (or even a yard fit for a DIY court), lean into it.
- After all, pickleball courts tend to appeal to specific buyers (active retirees, fitness-focused young professionals, and families who appreciate fun amenities).
- Highlight it as a lifestyle perk – think built-in community and health benefits.
- And if noise is a concern for some prospects, time your showings during quieter hours (and maybe gift a stylish set of paddles at closing for the enthusiasts).
- P.S. If you're thinking the references to "dill" make no sense, you're likely not the only one. In pickleball, "dill" or "dill ball" refers to a ball in play that has bounced once on the opponent's side.
🐶 "Barkitecture": Pet-Friendly Sells
A built-in dog wash station is a prime example of “barkitecture” – pet-centric home features that have tails wagging in today’s market. Pet pampering has gone fully mainstream in real estate. Buyers aren’t just looking for a home for themselves; they’re house-hunting for their fur-babies too.“Barkitecture” is booming.
- We’re talking listings that flaunt fenced yards, doggy doors, catios (yes, patios for cats are a thing), and built-in pet spas complete with dog wash stations.
- It might sound a little extravagant, but consider this: 43% of U.S. households said they’d be willing to move if it meant a better home for their pet. That’s a huge chunk of clients who will choose the listing with the puppy paradise over the one without.
- So, highlighting a home’s pet-friendly features is no longer just a niche angle – it’s smart business.
- If the house has a mudroom perfect for a grooming station or a window ledge ideal for Mr. Whiskers’ afternoon naps, mention it!
🎯 Quick CE Tip of the Week
✅ Take your CE outdoors for a change of scenery. Studying on your patio with an iced coffee in hand can turn a dull requirement into a mini mental vacation. You’ll soak up some knowledge (and some Vitamin D), and your future self will thank you for staying on top of it. Stay cool, stay smart, and keep that license as fresh as a dip in the pool! 🍹📚
→ Sign Up for Online CE Courses You Can Take Outside
📈 Market Highlight: Trading Red Bull for Iced Tea
🔥 Did You Know? National housing data is giving us a mixed bag of sun and clouds (with a light breeze of optimism). Here’s the scoop: home sales are cruising at a leisurely pace – the latest count is about 4.00 million existing-home sales (annualized) for April, which is roughly 75% of the pre-2020 “normal” level. In plain English: the market’s not crashing, but it’s not the frenzy of a couple years ago either (remember those 15-offer weekends?). Buyers actually have a bit more breathing room now because inventory has finally opened up. The price scene is relatively calm and reasonable (words we haven’t uttered in a while). Think of it as home prices trading their Red Bull for iced tea – still caffeinated, but far from the jittery jump of previous years.
💡 Feedback Welcome!
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Happy Learning,
— The Empire Learning Team
www.empirelearning.com