Watch the video to hear from our winners.

 

– Prestigious awards presented at network’s virtual Global Symposium. –

CHICAGO – October 1, 2020 – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® presented awards of excellence at its Global Symposium September 30.

The two-day event, originally scheduled to take place in Dubai, was held virtually. It offered top real estate professionals affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (LeadingRE) the opportunity to discuss trends in the international real estate market. Topics included technological innovation in real estate, new development marketing, branding and public relations strategies, insights on the luxury segment, and more. Participants also had the opportunity to network with one another virtually in small groups, a key component of LeadingRE events adapted to fit today’s environment.

This year marks the fourth time formal awards were presented in the event’s 13-year history.

“While we could not be together in person to celebrate our winners, the significance of these awards is as impressive as ever. It is an honor for us to recognize these companies and individuals who are leaders not only in their local markets, but also within our global real estate community,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma, who presented the awards along with LeadingRE Chairman of the Board Diane M. Ramirez, Brown Harris Stevens (New York, N.Y., U.S.).

The prestigious Global Leadership Award was presented to Jeremy Hurst, IRG International Realty Group (George Town, Cayman Islands) and Peter Thompson, Barfoot & Thompson (Auckland, New Zealand), in recognition of generosity of time and commitment in supporting LeadingRE’s global growth.

Winning the Global Ambassador Award were Olivier De Chabot, Groupe Immobilier Mercure France (Toulouse, France); Dima Lorenz, Ark Properties Shanghai (Shanghai, China); and Denise Talboy, The Keyes Company (Plantation, Fla., U.S.). These individuals were selected based on their active participation in LeadingRE on many levels, their promotion of the network worldwide and their service as role models for other members.

For the fourth year in a row, Ginesta Immobilien (Zurich, Switzerland) was presented the Global Referral Production Award in recognition of sending the most outgoing referrals this year among companies outside of North America.

The Rising Star Award was presented to One Global Property Services Singapore & Hong Kong in recognition of its enthusiastic adoption of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® from the first day of membership.

REMEXICO Real Estate (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico) was recognized with the Luxury Trendsetter Award for leadership in the affluent real estate space and exemplary engagement with Luxury Portfolio International^®, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World’s luxury marketing division.

Reality Realty (San Juan, Puerto Rico) was presented the Referral Service Excellence Award for above-and-beyond service and professionalism in handling a challenging cross-border referral.

CIR REALTY (Calgary, AB Canada) received the Referral Accelerator Award for its commitment to increasing referral awareness and assisting clients outside their local market by making introductions to fellow members.

Deasy Penner Podley (Pasadena, Calif., U.S.) and Pinnacle Real Estate Consulting Services, Inc. (Manila, Philippines) earned the Long Distance Referral Award for collaborating on the referral that traveled the greatest distance to be transacted – 7,294 miles.

The 2021 Global Symposium is scheduled for October 3-5, 2021 in Dubai.

To learn more about LeadingRE, visit LeadingRE.com.

 

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– SafeWire exists to assure every real estate transaction is free from wire fraud. –

 

CHICAGO – (August 18, 2020) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, a global network of 550 top independent firms, has added SafeWire to its Solutions Group program of preferred business resources.

SafeWire is a software that digitally authenticates buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. SafeWire uses sophisticated multi-authentication technology to eliminate unsecured emails within transactions and deliver financial information safely, timely and efficiently. Since 2018, the company has successfully authenticated over 40,000 transactions.

“Real estate wire fraud is the biggest threat there is to the traditional real estate transaction. If we can’t keep consumer funds safe, who will? SafeWire is proud to partner with companies like LeadingRE who take consumer safety seriously and continue to lead the industry towards fraud free real estate transactions,” said SafeWire CEO Chris Sauerzopf.

Robin LaSure, LeadingRE vice president, corporate marketing, adds, “Our members’ top priority is watching out for the interests of their clients, which includes their financial well-being. The loss associated with wire fraud can be devastating, so we are pleased to offer a solution that provides protection and peace of mind through SafeWire’s secure, modern, paperless application.”

Learn more about SafeWire at SafeWire.com. Learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® at LeadingRE.com.

 

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About SafeWire

SafeWire (https://SafeWire.com) is a real estate wire fraud prevention software, free to real estate brokers and agents, that digitally authenticates buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. SafeWire uses sophisticated multi authentication technology to eliminate unsecured emails within transactions and deliver financial information safely, timely and efficiently. SafeWire+ Assurance is an optional warranty for consumers that provides an additional peace of mind in the largest financial transaction of their lives. Since 2018, SafeWire has successfully authenticated over 40,000 transactions as FraudFree™.

 

About Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®
Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (www.LeadingRE.com) is a selective global community of the highest quality independent residential real estate companies, with over 565 companies and 135,000 sales associates in over 70 countries. Network members generate over 1.1 million transactions annually. LeadingRE exists to make its members better by connecting them to opportunities and people around the globe, supporting them with an international referral network, professional development programs, unique events and connections to people and opportunities worldwide.

 

 

 

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– Portugal Luxury Property, Mazatlan4sale and VISTA Real Estate share what makes their markets so special. –

A recent Forbes article (“Living And Retiring Overseas Post The Coronavirus—Three Top Options,” by Kathleen Peddicord) offered three prime destinations for consideration: Portugal’s Algarve Coast; Mazatlan, Mexico; and Cayo, Belize. As it happens, LeadingRE is well-represented in these markets by Portugal Luxury Property, Mazatlan4sale and VISTA Real Estate, respectively. We asked each of these companies for insights on what makes their markets so special and are pleased to share what we learned.

 

An insider’s look at Algarve, Portugal
Insights from Portugal Luxury Property

 

Tell us what makes the Algarve Coast special.

We are blessed with more annual sunshine than anywhere else in Europe. The stunningly beautiful coastline in the south of Portugal, known as the Algarve, stretches 150km from the Spanish border in the east to Cape St. Vincent in the west.

The south coast has a varied geography with long beaches backed by sand dunes and natural lagoons in the east and picturesque rocky coves, which protect magnificent beaches, in the west.

Its high desirability as a destination for holidaymakers offers a highly attractive environment for property investors. For many years, the Algarve has been a preferred destination for a home in the sun either as a permanent residence or a holiday home.

Boat owners and yachting enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that several modern marinas are available throughout the region, offering fully comprehensive facilities.

Many people with business interests elsewhere in the world choose to base themselves and their families in this privileged location, taking advantage of the excellent communication infrastructure and the proximity to Europe’s major capital cities. High-standard health care is ensured by several modern private hospitals in the region.

There is easy access from London and most major European cities via Faro International airport, which is just a half hour connecting flight or 2-hour drive from Lisbon, offering flights to other worldwide destinations.

 

Please explain the type of housing available in Algarve, and discuss the return on investment.

There is a wide range of properties in the Algarve, Lisbon and surrounding areas, including luxury golf villas and townhouses, beachfront villas, sea view homes, luxury penthouses, resort holiday homes and large permanent residences. Many buyers use the accommodations for their own vacations and rent the property out through a management company for the rest of the year, securing an excellent return on their investment. There are several purchasing options available, including properties with a rental guarantee (with or without flexibility on self-usage) and a privately owned property that is rented accordingly to owner preference.

 

An insider’s look at Mazatlán, Mexico
Insights from Mazatlan4sale

 

Tell us what makes Mazatlán special.

Over the past 20 years Mazatlan has gone from a sleepy fishing town to a world-renowned tourist destination, offering ideal weather, spectacular scenery, a family-friendly environment, and easy access.  Mazatlán offers beautiful sand beaches, friendly people and amazing sunsets. Mazatlán also offers a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle at an affordable price.

Featured points of interest include: El Cid Country Club Golf Course, Olas Altas Beach, Mazatlán Golf Club, Playa Norte, and Estrella del Mar Turtle Sanctuary.

Below are some top reasons to invest in Mazatlán:

• Safety and security
• Lower cost of living
• Proximity to an international airport
• Ease of travel, with easy access to all that Mexico has to offer
• Investment potential
• A strong community that promotes interaction between residents
• Access to quality medical care
• Access to beaches

 

Please explain the type of housing available in Mazatlán, and discuss the return on investment.

Properties include beachfront homes, lots and condos. Private residences (mostly re-sales) are available in the town center of Mazatlán. The central historical area exhibits a significant number of buildings in various states of disrepair and ruin and may provide an ideal investment for people who want to create their home by means of a colonial restoration project.

In outlying areas, investors are buying homes offering semi-rural surroundings and ocean and/or mountain views. There are also a number of time-share projects in and around Mazatlán, and especially in the tourist “golden zone” area of the city (note that time share is not ownership). Mazatlán runs an average of 43% occupancy rate for the year. With an average nightly rental rate of $2000 Pesos.

 

An insider’s look at Cayo, Belize
Insights from VISTA Real Estate

 

Tell us what makes Cayo special.

The Cayo District has always been the heartland of Belize, providing a traditional way of life with abundant food and water resources, great weather and beautiful wide-open spaces. It is the largest district in the country and is home to over 90,000 residents of all cultures and ethnicities.

Cayo is the center of Maya culture and contains some of Belize’s most famous caves, waterfalls and natural attractions. It is approximately two hours away from Belize City and contains the very popular twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. It is also bordered to the West by Guatemala and hosts two of Belize largest Maya sites.

Popular activities within the Cayo District include cave tubing, Maya sites and caves, canoeing, horseback riding, birding, zipline, hiking, camping, waterfalls and much more.

Living expenses in Belize are substantially lower than those of the developed world. While goods and products are often priced relatively higher due to import duties, services are often quite cheaper than in the developed countries. Good healthcare, insurance, legal services and so forth can be found for reasonable prices.

Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world and three of four atolls in the Western Hemisphere. About 42% of Belize’s land is under protected status. Among some of these guarded treasures is the world’s only jaguar reserve (Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary), the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Community Baboon Sanctuary as well as scores of ancient Maya sites and many more protected areas.

 

Please explain the type of housing available in Cayo, Belize, and discuss the return on investment.

Recently in Belize, the housing market has become very diverse in terms of offerings and pricing. Single family detached homes can be found throughout Belize either on small lots or on acreages.

On the islands and beachfront communities, where beachfront land is scarce, condominium projects have been flourishing, ranging from basic accommodations to highly luxurious properties that bring the cache and recognition from major global brands. Recently, vacation rentals have increased in popularity as in other tourist driven markets. These products have also become popular in non-tourist and more commercial markets such as Belize City. This took away from the more traditional offerings that were rented long term.

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– Record-setting 1.5+ million votes cast in annual online promotion. –

 

CHICAGO – August 6, 2020 – The winners of the HGTV Ultimate House Hunt 2020 have been announced, based on a record-setting 1.5+ million votes. The popular promotion held annually on HGTV.com features extraordinary real estate listings, with all 89 finalists represented by Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® and Luxury Portfolio International^® members.

For the second year in a row, the Overall Winner was a listing represented by Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, which also took top honors in the Beachfront Homes category. The stunning contemporary residence on the big island of Hawaii blends indoor and outdoor living space, with open walls offering views of the ocean and amenities such as an infinity pool, a hot tub designed to look like a natural hot springs, an outdoor bar, a tropical courtyard, and 300 feet of beachfront access.

Other category winners include Allen Tate Company for Amazing Kitchens; Baird & Warner for Big City Digs; Silver Creek Real Estate Group for Countryside Retreats; Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers for Curb Appeal; Smith & Associates Real Estate for Homes With a History; Pinnacle Estate Properties for Outdoor Escapes; and Premier Estate Properties for Waterside Homes.

In addition to these categories, a special Global Homes gallery featured exceptional homes from 13 countries around the world.

“In our ninth year of working with HGTV.com on the Ultimate House Hunt, we were thrilled with the incredible response. Clearly, HGTV’s audience shares our passion for beautiful homes, and we congratulate our winning members and all of the finalists,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma.

To view the Ultimate House Hunt winners, visit hgtv.com/ultimatehousehuntwinners.

 

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About Luxury Portfolio International^® (LPI)

Luxury Portfolio International^® (www.LuxuryPortfolio.com) is the luxury marketing division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, the largest global network of premier locally branded firms dominated by many of the world’s most powerful, independent luxury brands. Luxury Portfolio attracts a global audience of visitors from over 200 countries/territories every month and markets approximately 50,000 luxury homes annually. Well Connected.™

 

About Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®
Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (www.LeadingRE.com) is a selective global community of the highest quality independent residential real estate companies, with over 565 companies and 135,000 sales associates in over 70 countries. Network members generate over 1.1 million transactions annually. LeadingRE exists to make its members better by connecting them to opportunities and people around the globe, supporting them with an international referral network, professional development programs, unique events and connections to people and opportunities worldwide.

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– Platform automates the collection, reporting and reconciliation of earnest money payments. –

CHICAGO – July 21, 2020 – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has expanded its Solutions Group program with the addition of Earnestly by Payload, offering its members an automated and secure way to collect earnest money and manage agent fees, commission distribution and other real estate transactions.

The platform facilitates electronic payments for credit card and ACH payments, replacing manual check payments and costly wire transfers. Payments can be initiated by the agent, home buyer, or title company. Earnestly can be integrated easily into transaction workflow platforms through Payload’s comprehensive API libraries.

“As we continue to look for ways to modernize and streamline the real estate transaction process, Earnestly addresses an important need by providing a convenient, secure, paperless solution for earnest money and other real estate payments,” said LeadingRE Vice President, Corporate Marketing Robin LaSure. “The platform is strengthened by Payload’s position as a leader in emerging financial technology and their success maintaining the industry’s highest certification for payment security.”

“Payload’s relationship with LeadingRE could not come at a better time. Real estate firms across the country have been hindered by the manual acceptance and reconciliation of earnest money payments. Earnestly by Payload is a secure transfer platform that automates this historically manual process. We’re excited to deliver LeadingRE members exclusive access to the Earnestly platform,” said Payload CEO Ryan Rybolt.

Learn more about Earnestly by Payload at payload.co/earnestly. Learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® at LeadingRE.com.

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About Payload
Payload (www.payload.co) is a financial technology (fintech) platform that facilitates credit card and ACH payments. The platform was built for developers, software providers, SaaS platforms, and merchants to accept secure payments without the burdens often associated with card acquiring. Payload’s proprietary platform is a developer-friendly technology stack that simplifies integration effort and minimizes card data security exposure. Payload was founded by two entrepreneurs with over 20 years’ experience successfully starting and growing fintech companies. Payload is headquartered in Cincinnati with an office in New York City.

About Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®
Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (https://LeadingRE.com) is a selective global community of the highest quality independent residential real estate companies, with over 565 companies and 135,000 sales associates in over 70 countries. Network members generate over 1.1 million transactions annually. LeadingRE exists to make its members better by connecting them to opportunities and people around the globe, supporting them with an international referral network, professional development programs, unique events and connections to people and opportunities worldwide.

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– Annual online promotion spotlights extraordinary real estate listings –

 

CHICAGO – June 30, 2020 – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® and Luxury Portfolio International^® announce the launch of the HGTV Ultimate House Hunt 2020. This is the ninth consecutive year HGTV has worked exclusively with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® and Luxury Portfolio International^® for the popular online promotion, which generated more than one million votes last year.

This year’s Ultimate House Hunt runs from June 30 through August 4 on HGTV.com and features extraordinary homes for sale in eight categories: Amazing Kitchens, Beachfront Homes, Big City Digs, Countryside Retreats, Curb Appeal, Homes with a History, Outdoor Escapes, and Waterside Homes. A special Global Homes gallery is also featured, spotlighting beautiful properties from outside of the U.S. All featured homes are represented by members of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® and Luxury Portfolio International®.

Consumers can tour the 89 homes selected as finalists by viewing photo galleries on HGTV.com and can then cast a vote for their favorite properties. A winner will be chosen in each category based on the highest number of votes received, and an overall favorite will be awarded for the listing receiving the most votes.

“We are delighted to join forces with HGTV for the Ultimate House Hunt again this year to highlight some of the extraordinary homes our members represent around the world,” said Paul Boomsma, President/CEO of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®. “HGTV’s audience shares our passion for beautiful homes, and I am confident they will find inspiration in the exceptional designs and breathtaking locations showcased this year.”

This year’s finalists include 89 homes represented by 35 real estate companies: @properties; Allen Tate Company; Ansley Atlanta Real Estate; Baird & Warner; Chase International; Dickens Mitchener; Dunes Real Estate; Ebby Halliday Realtors; Edina Realty; Florida Executive Realty; Greenwood King Properties; Halstead Real Estate; Harry Norman, REALTORS; Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers; Hilton & Hyland; Houlihan Lawrence; Locations; Long & Foster® Real Estate, Inc.; Long Realty Company; McEnearney Associates, Inc.; Pinnacle Estate Properties; Premier Estate Properties, Inc.; PureWest Real Estate; ReeceNichols Real Estate; Richardson Properties; Sibcy Cline Realtors; Silver Creek Real Estate Group; Smith & Associates Real Estate; Strand Hill Properties; The Group, Inc.; Village Properties/ William Raveis Real Estate; Williams Trew; Willis Allen Real Estate; and Windermere Real Estate – Utah.

The winning homes will receive editorial exposure on HGTV.com, as well as the prestige of being selected as fan favorites.

Additional properties featured in the Global Homes gallery come from 13 different countries or territories around the world and are represented by Bahamas Realty Limited; Barfoot & Thompson; Chas Everitt International Property Group; Immobiliere Le Lion; INS Portugal – Fine Properties; Jawitz Properties Ltd.; Oikos Immobiliare; REmexico Real Estate; Sea Glass Properties; Select Caribbean Properties; Servmor Realty; Sunshine Properties; and Turks & Caicos Property.

To view all homes and cast your vote, visit: HGTV.com/househunt

 

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About Luxury Portfolio International^® (LPI)

Luxury Portfolio International^® (luxuryportfolio.com) is the luxury marketing division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, the largest global network of premier locally branded firms dominated by many of the world’s most powerful, independent luxury brands. Luxury Portfolio attracts a global audience of visitors from over 200 countries/territories every month and markets approximately 50,000 luxury homes annually. Well Connected.™

 

About Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®

Chicago-based Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (www.LeadingRE.com) is a global network of top independent real estate firms, with 550 companies and 135,000 sales associates in 70 countries. In 2019, network members participated in over 1.1 million global transactions. LeadingRE supports its members with powerful connections to other market leaders and access to innovative, performance-driven programs. Its online learning platform, LeadingRE Institute, was named to Training magazine’s Top 10 Hall of Fame. LeadingRE is also active in commercial real estate, with 200 firms in 15 countries specializing in the commercial arena.

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– Company offers suite of automated and custom marketing tools –

CHICAGO – June 8, 2020 – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has welcomed Paradym to its Solutions Group, a collection of preferred business resources curated for its network of 550 real estate firms. Paradym connects real estate agents and brokers virtually with clients through a suite of automated listing and social media marketing.

Paradym Marketing provides agents with automated tools to promote listings, including Virtual Open House tours, property websites, YouTube videos, social media campaigns, and print marketing. Reach Social provides agents with original content that is automatically shared to social media.

“Paradym’s focus on helping agents and brokers connect with clients virtually is especially timely,” said LeadingRE Vice President, Corporate Marketing Robin LaSure. “Their on-demand virtual tour experience and 3D model and zoom integration offer compelling solutions for home tours, and we look forward to sharing these tools with our members.”

“As a leader in real estate marketing for over 20 years, the team at Paradym is pleased to partner with LeadingRE. For many years Paradym has worked closely with LeadingRE brokerages and agents to provide industry-leading virtual tour marketing and social media solutions. The commitment within LeadingRE to provide agents access to the best tools and technology is a perfect complement to what Paradym has to offer,” said Chief Executive Officer Steve Jarrell.

Learn more about Paradym at www.paradym.com. Learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® at LeadingRE.com.

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About Paradym

Paradym is an industry-leading provider of automated listing and marketing solutions for real estate professionals. For over 20 years, their technology and coaching have made it easy for real estate pros to create and share stories about properties, places, and people so they can win more listings and grow their online sphere. Learn more at www.paradym.com.

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Global real estate network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE), has announced it is expanding services in the EMEA region with the appointment of Hristo Bushev as Director of Business Development (EMEA). Hristo, who is based in Sofia, Bulgaria will be responsible for expanding LeadingRE’s network across Europe, the Middle East and Africa with a particular focus on eastern European countries.

In his most recent role, Hristo worked for AG Capital, the parent company of Unique Estates in Sofia, Bulgaria specialising in brand partnerships and research. His impressive employment history also includes jobs at The Ministry of Energy of Bulgaria and advertising giant Saatchi & Saatchi. Growing up in the family of a UN ambassador, Hristo has lived in the US, Mexico and India and is fluent in English and Spanish as well as his native Bulgarian tongue. His postgraduate degree took him to the world’s leading energy business school Energy Delta Institute in Groningen, Netherlands.

Chris Dietz, Executive Vice President of Global Operations at LeadingRE said: ‘‘We are delighted to welcome Hristo to the LeadingRE family. He brings over 15 years of professional real estate experience and a wealth of knowledge across sales, research and business brand-building to the role. EMEA is a very exciting market and I’m looking forward to working with Hristo as we look to expand our presence in these regions – particularly eastern Europe. His out-of-the-box thinking and ability to speak three languages will make him a great addition to the global team, especially during these difficult economic times.’’

Hristo Bushev commented: ‘‘I am thrilled to be joining LeadingRE, a business with an outstanding reputation across the international real estate industry. I am passionate about building global partnerships and cannot wait to bring my energy and enthusiasm to help LeadingRE expand in the EMEA region. I believe that, by actively exploring new business opportunities, markets and cultures, we can positively contribute to our corporate experience, personal development, and to society as a whole.’’

This announcement follows the appointment of Jojo Romarx Salas as Director for Global Research and Business Development (APAC) last year.

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By Chris Dietz, executive vice president global operations at LeadingRE

Published by PrimeResi (subscription required)

 

The devastating COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in mandates requiring much of the work force to work remotely until the virus can be slowed, and this certainly applies to real estate professionals. The impact means the world of work has changed – for the short-term and perhaps forever – as countless offices and shops close their physical premises for weeks if not months. The good news is much of the tech that underpins remote working, such as the video-conferencing service Zoom and workplace apps such as Microsoft Teams and Slack, are reliable and relatively intuitive.

Even with the correct tools, there are many other challenges we face when we switch from an office to home working. Plenty of people fantasize about working from the comfort of their own home, foregoing their commute in favor of more sleep, family or exercise time. But working remotely is a double-edge sword. Whether it’s a pile of laundry that suddenly looks more appealing than your bosses’ to-do list, or a quick Netflix binge, staying productive at home can take a little extra effort. It can also quickly become lonely or isolating for those used to working with people in their career, like property professionals. Here are my top ten tips to successfully work from home during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

• Keep motivated
  Loneliness, disconnect, and isolation are common issues, especially for jobs such as real estate agents which require working with people every day. If you are on a team, make sure to check in regularly just like you would in the office. Create to-do lists to keep yourself organized and share the status of your lists with your manager so they know you’re on top of your work. It’s a good idea to set up regular check-ins via phone or video conferencing like Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. And remember to stay in touch with your sphere in meaningful ways. A chat with a client to see how they are doing not only strengthens that relationship, but also reminds them of your value.
• Maintain regular hours
  Set a schedule, and stick to it. Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps maintain work-life balance. Working irregular shifts can be draining, and that applies to remote workers, too. That said, working remotely sometimes means extending your day or starting earlier to accommodate others.
• Set ground rules
  Set ground rules with other people in your home on how you will share the work space. If you have children who come home from school while you’re still working or are attending “virtual” school classes, they need clear rules about what they can and cannot do. Additionally, just because you’re home and can attend to household responsibilities doesn’t mean other family members or housemates should assume you will always do it.
• Schedule breaks
  Know your company’s policy on break times and take them. It’s important to give yourself adequate time during the day to walk to away from the computer screen and phone. A lunch hour and two 15-minute breaks is standard for most employees.
• Be flexible and adaptable
  Many people will be working from home for the first time during the Covid-19 outbreak and may not realise all the equipment they need as soon as you start working from home. Some companies have a budget for home office equipment, but at a time when most businesses are controlling expenses it may be best to make do with what you have. Talk to colleagues or friends who are used to working from home to learn new ways to operate. For example, instead of scanning a document for signature, use a program like DocuSign. Take business calls from your computer or your cell phone. Adjust to working from your laptop screen instead of dual monitors.
• Keep a dedicated workspace
  In an ideal world, remote employees would have not only have a dedicated office, but also two computers, one for work and one for personal use. It’s more secure for the employer, and it lets you physiologically separate your work and personal lives. But not everyone has a separate office in their home, and keeping two machines isn’t always realistic. Instead, dedicate a space in your home for work use only. This will help keep focus and also make it easier to switch off at the end of the day.
• Resist the urge to multitask
  This may seem like a convenient time to catch up on chores around the house, but it’s easier than you’d expect to get distracted. Don’t let chores distract you from being productive. If you meal prep or pack snacks ahead of time for the office, do the same at home so you don’t get preoccupied in the kitchen. You probably don’t watch TV at work either, so try not to leave it on, even if it’s just background noise.
• Let there be light (and some fresh air)
  Since experts advise to cease contact with others, you’re likely going to spend a lot of time indoors. Open your windows to let in as much natural daylight and fresh air as possible, and take short walks (maintaining social distancing)— and be sure to wash your hands as soon as you return home.
• Get dressed
  It’s hard to get motivated if you’re still sporting pyjamas at your desk. Make it part of your routine to get up, shower and dress in clothes appropriate for your video conferences. You’ll feel motivated and more ready and able to work.
• End your day with a routine
  Just as you should start your day with a routine, create a habit that signals the close of the workday. It might be a sign off on a business messaging apps, an evening dog walk, or a 6 p.m. yoga class. You might have a simple routine such as shutting down your computer and turning on a favorite podcast. Whatever you choose, do it consistently to mark the end of working hours.

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– Real estate tech company offers full technology suite, individual modules, and data services. –

CHICAGO – April 16, 2020 – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, a global network of more than 565 top real estate firms, has named Constellation1 to its Solutions Group, a collection of preferred  business resources. Constellation1 provides real estate technology services to brokerages and MLSs across North America. The Solutions Group relationship will incorporate Constellation1’s back office solutions, data services and relocation management software.

“As so many brokers are taking this time to evaluate systems and efficiencies, we are happy to present Constellation1’s solutions, which include flexible options like their robust back office accounting software, powerful real estate data services and web-based relocation software, Relocation Specialist,” said LeadingRE Vice President, Corporate Marketing Robin LaSure.

“We have a unique opportunity to partner with LeadingRE members who value investing in their future,” said Doug Fisher, Vice President of Sales at Constellation1. “Our ongoing commitment to research and development and our position in the industry as a stable, long-term partner demonstrates our investment in not only our future, but also that of our clients. Additionally, the power of our data services, our strength in normalizing data from more than 500 MLSs across the country, and the expertise of our team further enhances this partnership and represents a true win for all.”

Learn more about Constellation1 at constellation-1.com. Learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® at LeadingRE.com.

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