AI Realtor Dominates, Client Connections Hack, and FHA's No-Credit Lifeline. And Rates are holding!
Tuesday Tips for Realtors 3/18/2025
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Top Story: AI Realtor Dominates
How does $100M in sales sound?
A few weeks back, we sent out an article about the importance of Realtors leveraging AI to improve their game. Well, just recently, news broke that the world's first AI real estate agent has already generated a staggering $100 million in sales (HousingWire, 2025). This company is doing work in Portugal and here in the US. So that raises the question—What does your role look like in the next 5, 10, 15 years as a real estate professional?
The Human Touch Still Matters
AI is not poised to completely replace human agents. People may look at their phones more, but at the end of the day, no one will replace you. Sure, we have fancy ways to schedule and get into properties without a listing agent, but the agents are there to think of the things that a client doesn’t know to think of—to create some conflict in clients' wants and needs to make sure the home they are buying is what they truly want!
However, AI-powered tools are rapidly becoming essential for streamlining tasks, enhancing client service, and gaining a competitive edge. It’s about augmenting human capabilities, not replacing them.
The Hybrid Approach: AI + Human Expertise
The future of real estate lies in a hybrid model, where AI handles routine tasks and time-consuming tasks. Leaning on various AI tools maximizes the effectiveness and outreach of agents to focus on what they do best: building relationships, providing expert advice, and closing deals! Imagine an AI assistant that qualifies leads, schedules showings, and generates marketing materials, allowing you to dedicate more time to meeting with clients, negotiating offers, and providing exceptional customer service.
Embracing the Change
Rather than viewing AI as a threat, real estate professionals should embrace it as a powerful tool for growth and efficiency. Start small and then take time to think of other tools that may be out there you can lean into.
I know this much from talking to my agents at various production levels. The agent who uses AI will ultimately replace the agent who does not.
Speaking from Experience
The Mortgage industry went through a change like this a long time ago with a little something called AUS (Automated Underwriting System. I started in mortgage a few years after its release, but there were so many horror stories at that time about how it was going to take everyone’s jobs! What did AUS allow us to do, just do more in our day!
References/Other Articles:
HousingWire. (2025). World’s first AI real estate agent has already made $100M in sales. Retrieved from HERE].
Fox Business. (2025). First ever AI real estate agent generates $100M sales in Portugal. Retrieved from HERE].
If you missed the AI Tools for Realtors Article from Tuesday Tips, check it out HERE.
Top Growth Tip: Client Connection Hack
In the fast-paced world of real estate, it’s easy to get caught up in chasing new leads. However, nurturing existing relationships can be just as, if not more, rewarding. Consistent contact with your client base not only strengthens bonds but also generates repeat business and valuable referrals (even from those who may never buy!)
Imagine maintaining at least four meaningful conversations each year with everyone in your network. It's more achievable than you might think!
Find Your Style
Whether it’s setting up Outlook reminders, meticulously crafting CRM events, or even using a good ol' wall calendar, having a system to track client communication is paramount to your success. The key is to pick an approach and make it stick. Do not deviate or feel like you have to switch your style all the time.
Four Conversations a Year? Here's How!
The secret is breaking down the task into manageable chunks. Dedicate one day each week to contacting everyone in your Rolodex outreach. I am talking friends, family, aged leads, and even people who never called you back - everyone who isn’t actively working with you should be on this list!
Next, organize them by last name. This will allow you to systematically connect with a portion of your database each week, ensuring everyone gets touched at least quarterly.
Here’s the simple breakdown:
Allocate One Day a Week: Pick a day and timeblock strictly for client contact. Block it out and make it mandatory a critical task each week. Create a theme for it and make it fun (e.g., "Connection Thursday")
Divide Your List: Break your client list into alphabetical segments (A-B, C-D, E-F, and so on).
Weekly Focus: Each week, focus on contacting clients within that week's alphabetical segment.
Contact Suggestions for each contact:
Check-in on them and whatever notes you have on their situation/family life
Tell them about what is going on with you personally
Ask questions about their thoughts and feelings on the market
Recommend any local businesses you may have used that were positive experiences
Most importantly, bond with them! It’s about connecting, not selling!
Example Schedule:
Week 1: A-B: Reach out to everyone with last names starting with A through B.
Week 2: C-D: Focus on contacts with last names C through D.
Week 3: E-F: Connect with those whose last names start with E through F.
And keep going until you get through Z in week 13! Then do it again!
Beyond the Phone Call
Don’t bail on making a call but feel free to take a moment and connect with them on another level while you are thinking of them:
Personalized Email: Share a relevant article or industry update directly to them (no drip emails!)
Quick Text Message: A simple "Thinking of you!" can go a long way.
Social Media Engagement: Comment on their posts to stay top-of-mind.
Handwritten Note: A personal touch that stands out in a digital world.
Consistency is Key!
By making client connection a regular habit, you’ll reap numerous rewards:
Increased Referrals: They may not know anyone in the market today but who knows next week or even a few weeks out.
Repeat Business: When clients need to buy or sell again, you'll be the first person they call since you regularly talk with them.
Stronger Relationships: Genuine connections come from repetition.
Market Insights: Staying in touch helps you understand what clients are hearing and fearing in the marketplace.
Consistent client contact isn’t about high-pressure sales tactics; it’s all about building relationships and providing value. Being genuine and authentic with them will only position you even more as their trusted advisor. So, whatever tracking system you choose, if you use this, your business will flourish!
If you have any follow-up questions on this concept, shoot me an email HERE.
Top Lending Tip: FHA’s No-Credit Lifeline
Did you know that millions of Americans are considered "credit invisible," making it difficult to obtain a mortgage? According to the CFPB, a staggering 22% of adults in the US, roughly 57 million people, lack a FICO credit score due to limited or no credit history. This untapped market represents a tremendous opportunity for both aspiring homeowners and real estate professionals.
The good news? The FHA's No FICO loan option is designed to help.
This program takes a more holistic approach, considering factors beyond a traditional credit score. Lenders look at things like rent and utility payment history, demonstrating that responsible financial management can open doors to homeownership.
Key Features of FHA No FICO:
Manual Underwriting: Lenders evaluate alternative credit collected from borrowers.
96.5% LTV: Minimal down payment required.
Versatile: Designed for those new to the market and those who don’t use credit.
Reasonable DTI: Limits debt-to-income ratios to ensure affordability.
While this program expands access, borrowers still need to demonstrate sound financial habits. However, for those who think you need great credit or even credit in general, this can be a pathway to break those loan stereotypes!
This loan avenue opens opportunities for us as professionals to spread the word and educate those who think you need great credit to buy a home. As a former underwriter, I would take thin credit over bad credit any day!
Understanding the FHA No FICO loan is a must if you want to serve more clients and unlock their homeownership potential. Contact me today to learn more about this program!
Quick Rate Reference guide for 3/18/2025: ⚖️
The following for visuals to help you see where rates are. These are never final and are intended to be a more realistic look than what you find advertised on popular sites. All rates are subject to client scenarios, and subject to change. Thank you for using common sense when reviewing! 😊
REMEMBER: When was the last time you had a 740+ fico, with 20% to put down on a home? With solid income and no curveballs hiding from you? Chance’s are it's rare - so be sure you are referring your clients to a lender who handles them like a Pro!
Pricing at the top: This is your perfect client scenario
Below that: Average FICO, minimal down payments per product guidelines
Think of rates as a seesaw, the more issues/curveballs a client has, the higher the rate on the other end.
Quick glance at rate changes from last week:
There have been no major changes. Pricing for buydowns is better, in my opinion. Keep in mind that all lenders have a range of rates. I have rates in the 4s, but that doesn’t mean it makes any sense to buy down to those rates!
National: ⬆️ (barely)
FHA: ⚖️ (No Change)
VA: ⚖️(No Change)
Conventional: ⬇️
Non-QM (DSCR Investment): ⬇️
Non-QM (Bank Statement): ⚖️(No Change)
If you don’t have a broker in your lineup-get one! Like me at MyLendingPro.com!
*See the difference in base rate vs national.
Thank you for reading. If you haven’t connected with me yet, schedule a time on the calendar, and let’s talk!
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