Blog - Page 2 of 7 - Lee County Association of REALTORS®

5 Tips for Virtual Staging in Today’s Market

Posted on August 21, 2025

With buyers using the internet to search for a home more now than ever, a home’s visual appeal can make or break a sale. This is why virtual staging is important. Discover these tips for virtual staging in today’s market to begin understanding how to digitally add furniture, décor and other elements to your listing.

Know your audience.

Before adding digital elements to your listing, it’s important to understand your target audience. Begin by asking yourself questions like: Is your listing a luxury apartment situated in a city? Or is it a family home located in the suburbs? Questions like these will help guide you to choose design elements tailored to the potential buyer’s style.

Keep it ethical and simple.

One of the most important tips for virtual staging in today’s market is to keep it ethical and simple.

Required by Article 12 in the NAR’s Code of Ethics, real estate agents who are REALTORS ® must be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and present a true picture in their advertising, marketing and other representations. Ensure that any photo of a virtually staged listing is clearly labeled as such.

And when it comes to virtually staging, less is often more. Avoid cluttering spaces with big furniture or elaborate décor that will distract a buyer. Choose a clean, minimalist style that makes viewers feel at home while still allowing them to appreciate the entire space.

Highlight the home’s best features.

Virtual staging can be used to draw extra attention to a home’s best features. Whether it’s a beautiful brick fireplace, a spacious floor plan or a wall of large windows, strategically place furniture and décor to emphasize these selling points.

Utilize AI tools.

Not the best at photo editing? Utilize AI tools to design your spaces! AI virtual staging platforms, like Collov AI, can generate fully furnished rooms in seconds. All you have to do is upload the property photo, and then you can virtually add furniture in curated styles, remove clutter, transform lighting, enhance low-quality pictures and more.

Many AI platforms will require a small payment. When comparing virtual staging fees to in-person staging fees, you will see that you are saving hundreds of dollars, making staging accessible for everyone.

Customize your design.

Going hand-in-hand with knowing your audience, customizing your design will help tailor the look and feel of your property. Use chat edit to enter commands like “replace the large chair with a smaller one” or “add a rug under the couch and a chandelier above it” to manage the design of your listing.

Summary

Now don’t just ignore these tips for virtual staging in today’s market—take advantage of the powerful technology we have and unlock your listings’ true potential to attract more buyers to achieve a faster sale. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or new to the real estate market, continue reading our blogs for more tips and tricks—or to keep up with all things LCAR.

Ways To Participate in NAR Leadership Week 2025

Posted on July 21, 2025

Being a successful Realtor® requires an array of skills, and leadership is undoubtedly one of those. NAR Leadership Week 2025, taking place August 10-15, is an opportunity for industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills and broaden their professional horizons.

While our future board members and officers will be attending the Leadership Summit in Chicago, there are several ways for local Realtors® in Lee County to engage meaningfully from home. Check out how you can make the most of NAR Leadership Week 2025.

Register for a continuing education course.

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to participate in NAR Leadership Week 2025 is by enrolling in a continuing education (CE) course. These courses are designed to sharpen your skills and keep you informed about the latest industry trends and regulations.

Whether you are interested in marketing strategies or legal compliance, courses that suit your needs are available.

Become an Accredited Buyer’s Representative.

Consider taking the next step in your professional journey by becoming an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR). This designation boosts your credibility and equips you with specialized skills to better serve your clients. By earning this accreditation, you demonstrate your commitment to excellence and leadership in the real estate industry.

Host a workshop.

Organizing a workshop is a good way to share your knowledge and connect with your community. You can invite participants to learn about the ins and outs of the home buying and selling process or delve into other relevant real estate topics.

This is not only an opportunity to position yourself as a thought leader but also a chance to build valuable relationships with potential clients and peers.

Make your open house an event.

Transform a standard open house into a memorable event. Consider adding live demonstrations, Q&A sessions or a local vendor showcase to attract more visitors. By creating an engaging experience, you’re more likely to leave a lasting impression and generate leads.

Refresh your online presence.

Take this week as an opportunity to give your online presence a makeover. Update your website with recent testimonials, new listings or informative blog posts.

Enhance your social media channels by creating engaging content, such as Reels or TikTok videos that provide insider views of your daily work life or tours of new listings. A strong online presence helps you reach a wider audience and establish your brand.

Create a community mailer.

Introduce yourself to a new area by crafting a community mailer. This is an ideal way to announce your services, share your expertise and invite residents to upcoming events. A well-designed mailer can increase your visibility and help forge new community connections.

Summary

In summary, NAR Leadership Week 2025 presents an opportunity to network, generate leads and foster community ties. By participating in these activities, you enhance your professional development and contribute to the thriving real estate market in Lee County. Keep reading our blogs for more industry news and insight.

Real Estate Defined: Homeowners Association

Posted on June 20, 2025

Established to create uniformity, care for the community and more, a homeowners association can be a big part of homebuying. From deciding whether to live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association to choosing one that fits your needs, keep reading for everything you need to know.

What is a homeowners association?

A homeowners association (HOA) is a group of homeowners within a particular area whose purpose is to ensure the provision and maintenance of community facilities and enforce property rules.

HOAs are run by volunteers and usually collect a monthly or annual fee. Residents pay these fees to cover the maintenance and upkeep of the community.

When purchasing property within an HOA’s jurisdiction, you become a member. The rules of each HOA vary, meaning some associations can be very restrictive while others allow their residents more liberties.

HOAs and their effect on property value.

A well-maintained and clean community offering useful amenities typically positively affects property value. With these benefits, homes can be seen as more desirable.

However, an HOA with high fees or a poorly managed community can deter potential residents, potentially decreasing property value.

Benefits of an HOA.

When deciding where to live, homeowner associations can provide many benefits. Under the management of an HOA, the burden of maintaining the community and dividing upkeep tasks is taken off of the homeowners.

By maintaining a cohesive appearance, an HOA can enhance community marketability. Additionally, an HOA manages and maintains community amenities such as pools, gyms, and parks. Some homeowner associations may also offer enhanced security measures like gated entries.

Challenges of an HOA.

On the other hand, living in an HOA can pose some challenges, including additional costs, strict rules or possible disputes among the board and homeowners.

The good news is that an experienced REALTOR® can offer guidance and help you understand more about the HOA in the neighborhood, townhome community or other residence you are considering.

Summary

The bottom line is that owning a home comes with my responsibilities, including living in an area with a homeowners association. Need help navigating these decisions and finding a home? Connect with one of our skilled LCAR members for all your real estate needs.

For more real estate news and information, continue reading our blogs.

The Difference Between a Title and a Deed

Posted on May 21, 2025

When buying or selling a home, “title” and “deed” are often used interchangeably. However, they mean different things. Understanding the difference between a title and a deed is vital in real estate transactions.

House title

The title to a house and property makes you its legal owner, giving you the right to sell it. It also allows you to live on or use the property per the zoning laws.

A title company or an attorney issues a house title after conducting a title search to ensure there are no outstanding claims or disputes over the property’s ownership. This is an essential part of any real estate transaction and helps safeguard home buyers and mortgage lenders from title defects and potential losses, such as outstanding liens, conflicting wills and unpaid taxes.

More specifically, when one person holds the title, it is called a “sole ownership,” whereas when more than one person holds the title, it is called a “joint tenancy.” This type of title is often chosen by two people who are married or partners.

A deed

Continuing with the difference between a title and a deed, the deed to a property is a legal document that transfers the ownership of a property from one party to another. Both the buyer and the seller must sign this document. It must then be recorded in the public records of the local county government.

A deed needs to state who the grantor or seller is and who the grantee or buyer is. It must also contain a sufficient description of the house and property, including property lines. Additionally, a deed needs to comply with the laws of the community.

There are many different types of deeds. This includes:

General Warranty Deed
Special Warranty Deed
Bargain and Sale Deed
Grant Deed
Quitclaim Deed

Summary

In summary, the difference between a title and a deed is that the title is a legal document that confirms ownership of a property and outlines the rights associated with that ownership. In contrast, a deed is a legal document that transfers ownership from a seller to a buyer.

Do you need help along your real estate journey? Continue reading our blogs for more information and tips, and keep up with LCAR on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

6 Home Warranty Benefits for Homeowners

Posted on April 21, 2025

A home warranty is the best way to protect your home and your investment. Home warranties can help keep your home looking its best and ensure everything in it, like appliances, is in working order. Whether your home is new or old, discover these six home warranty benefits for homeowners.

Home Warranty vs. Home Insurance

First and foremost, note that a home warranty is not the same as home insurance. A home warranty is a contract between a homeowner and a home warranty company that provides discounted repair and replacement services on a home’s major appliances, including your HVAC system, furnace, plumbing, electrical and other appliances.

Home insurance, on the other hand, protects your home against unforeseen damage caused by natural disasters. This can be damage caused by hail, high winds, rain and more. However, it will not help cover normal wear and tear on your home.

Reasons To Have a Home Warranty for a New Home

Your home warranty coverage does not change based on the age of your home. But your reasons for a warranty may vary depending on the age of your home. For new homeowners, check out these three reasons to consider a home warranty.

Protect expensive appliances.

Many new homes come with new appliances. A home warranty can help protect those appliances if something stops functioning or needs fixing. With this coverage, many household appliances can be repaired or replaced with a comparable item.

Home system repairs.

Although new homes may have fewer issues than older homes, they still have maintenance concerns. For example, if your garage door isn’t working, your toilet won’t stop running, or your garbage disposal is clogged, your home warranty can help cover the cost of a service visit or repairs.

Handyman services.

Not sure who to call to repair an appliance? Your home warranty company has agreements with approved service providers. If one of your appliances breaks and is covered by your home warranty, contact the home warranty company. They will send a technician to assess the situation. Once your coverage is confirmed, they will arrange for the repair or replacement of the appliance for a small service fee.

Reasons To Have a Home Warranty for an Older Home

Older homes may have more pop-up and planned maintenance projects than newer ones. To account for this and other cosmetic details that may arise due to age, here are three home warranty benefits for homeowners of older homes.

Repair of aging home systems.

Certain components of your home systems can deteriorate, even with routine maintenance. If a home system dies due to age, a home warranty can often help with the repair or replacement expenses.

Replace older appliances.

Are your aging appliances suddenly not keeping up with household demands? It may be time to replace them. Fortunately, a home warranty can help pay for new appliances without disrupting your household budget.

Home exterior maintenance.

If the older home you fell in love with needs some exterior work, a home warranty means using their handyman services to assist with the upkeep of your home’s exterior, from pressure washing to landscaping.

Summary

Even though a home warranty isn’t the perfect solution for every risk or hidden cost of owning a home, there are many home warranty benefits for homeowners. Ultimately, things can go wrong, and a home warranty can be the difference between draining your savings or paying a small fee and avoiding unexpected expenses.

Need guidance? Connect with a Lee County Association of REALTORS member, and continue reading our blogs for more.

In the News: An Update on Alabama REALTORS Bills in the Legislature

Posted on March 21, 2025

The first quarter continues to be busy and productive in Alabama real estate—from emerging trends to bills filed with the Alabama Legislature! If you haven’t had a chance to catch up on the latest news, review our update on Alabama REALTORS® bills in the legislature so far this session.

About Alabama REALTOR® Priorities

As the Alabama real estate market undergoes significant changes, the Alabama Association of REALTORS® is promoting three bills to help clarify real estate matters for Alabama consumers and real estate professionals.

From license laws to battling real estate scams, three main Alabama REALTORS® bills are now taking priority. According to news from Alabama REALTORS®, each bill will—or has been—filed separately as they move through the legislature.

Three license law proposals

As we continue with an update on Alabama REALTORS® bills, let’s recap what the three bills propose and the current status. The first bill deals with buyers’ agreements. The second bill will update RECAD and other license laws on several issues, while the third focuses on education and broker license requirements.

Bill One – Buyers Agreements

The first bill introduced, HB 230, clarified the timing of buyer agreements. It protects consumers from being bound by early contracts and emphasizes the importance of discussing brokerage services and compensation upfront while adhering to Alabama’s RECAD structure.

The bill states that buyers in Alabama cannot be made to sign a legally binding agreement to view a home. It does require a written buyer agreement before any purchase offer, ensuring clear representation terms and promoting transparency for consumers and Realtors.

This bill passed the House in the second week, has passed the Senate, and is awaiting Governor Ivey’s signature. It is expected to become law within 30 days of signing. No delays are expected, so AAR anticipates it becoming state law in April.

Bill Two – RECAD and Teams

The second bill outlined updates for RECAD and additional license laws. The main expectations for this bill include dual agency changes, one-year listing agreements, reasonable requirements on teams, failed payments to AREC and definitions and disclosure updates.

Bill Three – Education and Broker License Requirements

The third bill addresses education and broker license requirements, including multiple revisions to the current language, such as grammatical corrections, editing redundant information and similar corrections, nothing substantive.

Furthermore, the bill will allow AREC to approve distance education courses with certain requirements for pre-licensure/post-licensure and CE-only courses, including approving one-hour CE courses.

It also proposes raising the requirements for qualifying brokers. Bill Three mandates that applicants complete a qualifying broker course and hold a license for four years instead of two.

Summary

While this update on Alabama REALTORS® bills provides a brief overview, visit the Alabama REALTORS® Capital News & Notes page for more background, details and future updates from week one through week five, including the next edition on March 25.

Whether you are a consumer or a Realtor, read our blogs for more real estate news, local market statistics and other tips from home buying and selling to owning.

Real Estate Defined: Types of Contingent Offers

Posted on February 21, 2025

Before we explore the various types of contingent offers, let’s clarify what a contingency is. A contingency, or contingent offer, means specific conditions must be met before the sale proceeds. Otherwise, the contract is void and the seller can consider other offers.

Home inspection contingency

A home inspection contingency helps protect the buyer if the home inspection uncovers certain issues, allowing the buyer to back out.

A home inspector will assess the home’s condition, looking at all aspects, including unnoticeable details and things buyers might not consider. If the inspection reveals major flaws in the home’s interior or exterior specified in the contract, the buyer can back out or request repairs or a lower purchase price.

Mortgage contingency

Giving the buyer a specific period to secure home financing is known as a mortgage contingency. Typically, this contingency is done early in the process, but you will want to ensure you have been pre-approved for a mortgage.

Appraisal contingency

An appraisal contingency happens most often when you are taking out a mortgage. This is because lenders require an appraisal, which is a third-party assessment of what the home is worth.

Even if both buyer and seller agree on a sales price, your lender can’t offer you a mortgage for more than the home’s appraisal. But, hope for a sale isn’t lost. Buyers can put down a larger down payment if they have the money so they won’t need a loan for more than the house is worth, for example.

Title contingency

Next up on types of contingent offers is a title contingency. This means the buyer’s offer is contingent upon the home having a “clean title” free of liens or obstacles.

If there are any claims against the title, it can make a purchase risky for buyers. But luckily, a title search can reveal these issues before closing. However, even if concerns are addressed, title insurance protects against future claims.

Home sale contingency

One of the most common contingencies is a home sale contingency. This contingency means that the sale of the home you’re looking to buy will only go through if your current home sells first.

Although it is possible to move forward with buying a new house before your current home sells, a lender may be able to help you with a bridge loan or suggest another financial strategy. Or you can try to request a later closing date—this will rely on the seller’s agreement.

Summary

Now that you know more about the types of contingent offers and what to expect, connect with a trusted REALTOR to learn more. Check out our Lee County Association of REALTORS members to find a good fit.

For more news and information, continue reading our blogs.

Year-End Review: A Look at Lee County’s Housing Stats for 2024

Posted on January 21, 2025

An analysis of Lee County’s housing stats for 2024 provides insight into the year-over-year changes compared to 2023. It also lays the groundwork for understanding future real estate trends by highlighting the current state of the local market, including inventory levels and average sales prices.

More properties sold in all areas.

Overall, Lee County, Auburn and Opelika experienced a boost in total properties sold year-over-year. In Auburn, 1,050 properties were sold in 2024 versus the 895 properties in 2023. That’s a 17.3% increase! For Lee County, 180 more properties sold within a year, going from 1,876 in 2023 to 2,056 in 2024—a 9.6% change.

Opelika experienced the smallest shift—but an increase nonetheless—at 1.1%, jumping from 734 in 2023 to 742 last year.

New listings were up and down in some areas.

While Auburn and Lee County saw an increase in new listings in 2024, Opelika experienced a slight decrease. More specifically, Auburn experienced the highest year-over-year change with a 19.2% increase in new listings. In 2024, 1,506 new listings hit the market, compared to 1,263 new listings in 2023, a 243-home difference!

Lee County wasn’t far behind with a 9.1% boost, equal to 231 more new listings in a year going from 2,520 in 2023 to 2,756 in 2024.

Opelika, on the other hand, had a slight dip in new listings last year. In 2024, the city had 881 new listings hit the market and that figure was 957 the year before.

Properties spent more—and less—time listed, depending.

It’s another of Lee County’s housing stats for 2024 that depends on location. By and large, home seekers had more time to find what they were looking for with homes spending more time on the market. The average days on the market for Lee County and Opelika listings increased while Auburn decreased.

Homes in Lee County spent an average of 60 days listed in 2024 versus 58 in 2023, a 3.4% difference. Opelika listings spent 66 days on the market last year, a 24.5% increase from the 53 days in 2023.

In this case, Auburn saw a 7.8% decline in average days on the market at 59 days in 2024, five fewer days than the 64 in 2023.

Average sales prices had highs and lows.

Auburn home buyers benefited here and there last year as average sales prices fluctuated month-to-month, leading to a slight 1.5% decrease overall, equivalent to $7,023. To clarify, Auburn’s average sales price in 2024 was $471,893. The previous year’s figure was $478,916.

But Opelika’s average sales prices jumped by 6%, or $20,453, increasing from $341,308 in 2023 to $361,761 in 2024.

Summary

To summarize, Lee County’s housing stats for 2024 show a healthy real estate market that shows no signs of dramatic shifts. Inventory in the area should continue to add new and existing properties. Home seekers have more time to find a property and make an offer. This could be the year to take advantage of shifting average sales prices and lowering interest rates to secure your dream home!

Are you ready to speak to a local expert more in-depth? Find your Realtor using our Member Search. Continue reading our blogs for more real estate updates and tips.

6 New Year’s Resolutions for Real Estate Agents in 2025

Posted on December 20, 2024

New year, new you—or so they say. But do you have what it takes to make the upcoming year different? Make it your goal and start thinking about next year now with these New Year’s resolutions for real estate agents in 2025.

Set goals.

First and foremost, start your turnaround by setting goals. Whether you want to enhance your work/life balance, learn new skills, create a bigger presence or update your headshots, setting clear goals will help you stay focused and organized.

Enhance your digital marketing.

A digital presence is essential in today’s marketplace, and this is especially true for real estate. Build your brand and connect with current and potential clients through social media. It is an effective way to establish yourself as an expert real estate agent in your local market.

Create a posting schedule to stay on track with daily posts. In addition to posting photos, creating videos is another impactful way to communicate with your target audience. Video topics can include market updates, buyer and seller tips, a new listing tour and more.

Attend a conference or webinar.

One of the best ways to learn something new is to attend a conference or webinar. Start by identifying the areas you want to work on in 2025 and look up webinars or professional conferences to increase your knowledge.

A webinar can be a low-cost and low-time commitment option. Although a conference might require more time, networking with other top agents is beneficial.

Connect with local businesses.

Forming relationships within your community is one of the best ways to create a good reputation. So, when it’s time for your New Year’s resolutions for real estate agents in 2025, remember to connect with those around you! Partner with local shops to provide discounts, welcoming gifts and goodies for open houses.

Stay in the know.

One of the most important parts of being a real estate agent is knowing how the marketing is faring. Make this one of your resolutions for 2025 so that your clients look to you as a trusted advisor.

Update your email marketing.

One of the most overlooked components of a marketing plan is email blasts. Email marketing done right can generate leads, strengthen relationships and more. Review your email marketing strategy and see where content can be refreshed—this can be rewording your message, creating new graphics or adding a new signature.

Summary

Sometimes a small change can make all the difference; that’s why these New Year’s resolutions for real estate agents in 2025 are key. In addition to these tips, continue reading our blogs to learn more about the world of real estate.

Realtor® Resources: New National Association of Realtors® Consumer Guides

Posted on November 21, 2024

In an ever-evolving real estate landscape, staying informed is crucial for home buyers and sellers—and one group is making it easier for everyone. Explore the new National Association of Realtors® consumer guides designed for Realtors to share with clients.

About the new “Consumer Guide” series

The new National Association of Realtors® consumer guides are single-page documents crafted to simplify complex information, ensuring consumers have the resources to make informed decisions. For use by Realtors, the informative documents cover the recent practice changes that took effect in August.

Covering a range of topics so far, the NAR® plans to provide additional guides in the future.

The six guides

Currently, there are six National Association of Realtors® consumer guides available as PDFs, including:

Why Am I Being Asked to Sign a Written Buyer Agreement?

Summarizes what buyers should know about working with a real estate agent since the policy changes.

Open Houses and Written Agreements

Explains what buyers need to know about attending an open house, touring homes and when a written buyer’s agreement is necessary.

Realtors’® Duty To Put Client Interests Above Their Own

Condenses NAR’s Code of Ethics that all Realtors® must adhere to and their ethical duties to act in their client’s best interests.

What Veterans Need To Know About Buying a Home

Reviews how the NAR promotes access to financing for veterans and highlights available options for veteran buyers during the home buying process.

Offers of Compensation

Recaps the process and options for offering compensation to a buyer’s agent to attract buyers and explains why sellers should consider this option when marketing their property.

Negotiating Written Buyer Agreements

Shares what home buyers should know when negotiating a written buyer agreement with a Realtor®.

Summary

Stay up-to-date with the latest NAR consumer resources and information by visiting facts.realtor. For more local real estate updates, community highlights and other news, keep reading our blogs.