VIDEO BLOG
Hey everyone, Michael LaFido here! I hope your Friday is going well. I wanted to jump in with some fresh insights for you this week—specifically, ideas around bringing more value to your database and really standing out in this ever-changing market.
First off, it’s hard to believe, but we just hit the one-year anniversary of the NAR settlement—yes, that important change around buyer agency agreements and compensation not being disclosed on the MLS. It’s a great opportunity to reach out to your audience and recap what’s changed: remind buyers that they do need an agreement in place to see listed properties (open houses being the exception). Just recently, I was working with a buyer looking at a $2 million home, and she didn’t even realize the updated rules because she hadn’t been active in a year. Don’t assume your clients already know—be proactive and use this anniversary as a natural touchpoint.
On another note, let’s talk numbers. The June stats have just come out, and it turns out that a record one in seven deals under contract actually canceled last month—the highest ever for June. Things have shifted: gone are the days when sellers could skip repairs, inspections, or little upgrades and still expect multiple offers, sight unseen. Now, it’s time to go back to basics. I recommend urging your sellers to consider pre-inspections, pre-appraisals (especially for unique properties), and even including home warranties or preliminary title work. Give your listings every possible edge by being proactive, not reactive. For example, I’m currently marketing a $1.65M home with a cedar shake roof, and I’ve already started talking to specialized insurance companies since major carriers won’t insure it—little things like this make a difference in keeping deals together.
What else is happening? I’ve been hearing from agents all over that July and August have felt dead—no showings, frustrated sellers—but remember, historically, this is totally normal in many markets. We’d gotten used to the frenzied pace of the last five years, but now we’re seeing a return to the usual summer slowdown. Nobody knows what’s next for interest rates, so we all just need to stay proactive and be ready for anything.
If these messages resonate with you, please don’t keep us a secret—like, review, and share! And if you have questions, reach out anytime. I’ll be speaking soon at the Florida Association of Realtors (August 26th), then heading to Kentucky and Orlando in September, and some more exciting events in October. If your brokerage—or you personally—are seeking a speaker or want to host a luxury designation event, I’d love to hear from you.
Before I go, just a quick reminder—step out of your comfort zone. My son tried out for the golf team this year, and even though he didn’t make it, I couldn’t be prouder of him for giving it a shot. Taking risks, even when you might fail, is where real growth happens. Get off the couch, tune out the negative noise, and remember: someone is going to be a top producer this month. Why not you?
Make it a great weekend, everyone. Let’s go out and make things happen!
