Continuing education is for every real estate broker. Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, wants to make sure no one gets caught off guard: once you have passed your first June 10th as a North Carolina licensee, you will need 8 hours of CE before the next June 10th. And with mid-May already here, that deadline…
Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, does not mince words on this one: if you get a call to list vacant land, assume it is a scam until it is not. That is how rampant vacant land fraud has become in the real estate industry, and brokers are on the front line. Why Vacant Land Is…
Should it stay or should it go now? Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, admits he is not a singer, but that tune plays in his head every time the topic of fixtures comes up. Knowing the difference between a fixture and personal property, and putting anything questionable in the contract, can save your clients from…
Got married? Moved? Finally changed your cell number because the telemarketers would not leave you alone? Life happens, and Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, wants you to remember one more item on the to-do list: update your information with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission. Keeping your profile current is part of staying compliant. What…
Does your seller want to put some restrictions on that land before it changes hands? Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, has seen this situation cause real issues. His advice: get those deed restrictions in place, or at least in writing, before going under contract, because they are a material fact the buyer needs to know…
Your brand may be gorgeous. Your team logo may be the sexiest thing on the yard sign circuit. But Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, has a reminder: your brand may not be enough. In North Carolina, your firm must be identified in all of your real estate marketing. Brands and Teams Are Great Many brokers…
Why does the phone feel like it weighs ten thousand pounds? Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, keeps this tip simple and powerful: pick up the phone. In a world of texts, emails, and quick messages, a real conversation has become a competitive advantage, and Stephen guarantees it will change your business. Messages Get Lost in…
Tip number 1,200, and on a Friday no less. Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, marks the milestone with a question brokers ask him regularly: “I am listing multiple parcels of land. Do I need a separate listing agreement for each parcel?” The answer, of course, is the favorite answer in real estate: it depends. It…
Dating is good. At least in the real estate contract world, says Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC. This tip is about the due diligence date in the Offer to Purchase and Contract (Form 2T). Even when your buyer wants to waive or shorten due diligence, always put a date in that blank. The Problem With…
When is private not really meant to be private? When it comes to material facts. Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, often gets asked how a listing broker should disclose something the broker knows about a property, especially when the seller has chosen not to disclose it. The answer comes down to one principle: the buyer…
Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, often hears from for sale by owner sellers and others outside the industry who assume the property disclosure forms are just “real estate agent paperwork.” Not so. These disclosures are set by North Carolina general statute, and they apply to residential sales whether or not an agent is involved. Two…
“Yeah, you might want to get that looked at.” It is good advice for a strange noise in your car, and according to Stephen Long, The Notorious BIC, it is great advice for your MLS listings too. Before a listing goes live, print a draft and have your seller review it for accuracy. It is…
