Hi everyone. This is a question I was going to ask in the lab call last night. What would you do in the following scenario: I had a listing appt and suggested that she make some refreshes to the vacant house before putting it on market: paint, clean carpets and clean the interior, remove the blinds, replace damaged pieces of siding, clean out gutters and replace a fallen gutter. I had told her with the improvements, she could show better than the comps that are nearby and dated. She could possibly get $318k. She had a "guy". He told her that she didn't have to have gutters here in GA. Basically, he told her to sell it as-is. I believe she just didn't want to pay the money to get the work done. When we talked yesterday, she said she'd rather use the money to pay closing costs because she will have to pay. She is aware that she will not make any money and will have to come to the table with money. She bought the home in 2023 for $314.5k and she currently owes $302k. She said last month was the first time she deferred a payment. When you factor in compensation (3% list and potential 2% to buyer's agent) and attorney costs, she'll be in the negative. So she just needs to get out from under this house. Do I take this potential headache? I've already told her it's likely to sit if listed at $318k which is what she still wants to try.

@Laura Dahl We are still waiting for the expired strategy with Claude…. I know you’ve got a lot going on.

Hi Laura. Trying to decide between the different AI options. Can you confirm if you are using the free version of Claude to do the letter and landing page for expireds and fsbo? I would have texted you, but I didn't have your number saved.

What’s one thing you’re stuck on right now? - Lead generation - Converting clients - Systems and processes - Handling objections Drop your question below and I’ll answer every single one. 👉 Even if you don’t have a question, tell us what you’re focused on this week.

U.S. Government Shutdown: What you need to know! As you know, the U.S. federal government is now in a shutdown. This may impact certain housing programs, financing, and insurance processes. It’s important that we stay informed, keep our clients updated, and remain steady in our role as their trusted professionals. Key Impacts to Watch For: • Flood Insurance (NFIP): New policies and renewals may be suspended if NFIP funding lapses. For clients in flood zones, this could delay closings. Encourage them to renew early or explore private flood insurance options. • USDA / Rural Development Financing: These programs are likely to pause new loan guarantees or commitments until the shutdown is resolved. Have backup options ready with lender partners. • VA Loans: VA will continue guaranteeing loans, but certificates of eligibility (COEs), appraisals, and processing may slow due to reduced staff. • FHA / HUD: FHA will continue operating, but new multifamily commitments and some HUD programs could be delayed. • IRS / Tax Transcripts: Lenders may face delays obtaining IRS transcripts or verifications, which could slow loan approvals. Action Steps for Agents: • Communicate early and often with lenders to understand current turnaround times. • Set client expectations for possible delays and help them explore backup options if needed. • Encourage clients in flood zones to secure or renew insurance as soon as possible. • Remain flexible with timelines and build in buffer time where possible. • Stay alert for updates — we’ll continue sharing new information as it becomes available.