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	<title>Redfin Real Estate Blog &#187; Redfin News</title>
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	<link>http://blog.redfin.com</link>
	<description>Real Estate Analysis, Celebrity News &#38; Startup Life</description>
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		<title>Welcome to Miami! (¡Bienvenido a Miami!)</title>
		<link>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/welcome-to-miami-bienvenido-a-miami.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=welcome-to-miami-bienvenido-a-miami</link>
		<comments>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/welcome-to-miami-bienvenido-a-miami.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rachel Musiker</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Redfin News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[broward]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fort lauderdale]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[miami]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[miami-dade]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[west palm beach]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.redfin.com/?p=14425</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>In case you haven’t noticed, we’re on a bit of an expansion spree, with the addition of Charlotte and the Triangle in North Carolina, Delaware, The Bronx, and Houston under our belts already this year. Today, Redfin announced its arrival in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach areas of South Florida. With it...  <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/welcome-to-miami-bienvenido-a-miami.html" class="read-more">Read&#160;More</a></p><p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/welcome-to-miami-bienvenido-a-miami.html">Welcome to Miami! (¡Bienvenido a Miami!)</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="www.redfin.com/city/11458/FL/Miami‎" rel="attachment wp-att-14427"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-14427" alt="Home Photo Redfin" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Home-Photo-Redfin-300x171.jpg" width="300" height="171" /></a>In case you haven’t noticed, we’re on a bit of an expansion spree, with the addition of <a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/3105/NC/Charlotte">Charlotte</a> and the <a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/35711/NC/Raleigh%E2%80%8E">Triangle</a> in North Carolina, <a href="http://www.redfin.com/county/434/DE/New-Castle-County">Delaware,</a> <a href="http://www.redfin.com/neighborhood/30468/NY/New-York/The-Bronx">The Bronx</a>, and <a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/8903/TX/Houston">Houston</a> under our belts already this year.</p>
<p>Today, Redfin announced its arrival in the <a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/11458/FL/Miami">Miami</a>, <a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/6173/FL/Fort-Lauderdale">Fort Lauderdale</a> and <a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/19373/FL/West-Palm-Beach">West Palm Beach</a> areas of South Florida. With it come more than 2 million new properties, including 32,000 active listings, increasing the total number of searchable homes for sale on Redfin.com by 6.6 percent.</p>
<p>Please tell your family and friends in Miami to join us at our welcome fiesta on Thursday, June 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6312937165">OLA</a> in <a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/11467/FL/Miami-Beach">South Beach</a>. The event is free, and Redfin will donate $10 to <a href="http://www.cismiami.org/">Communities In Schools Miami</a> for every person who attends.</p>
<p>For years we’ve had our sights set on South Florida, not just because we’ve been dying to make it possible for our users to browse beautiful photos of South Florida’s <a href="http://www.redfin.com/collections/bohdan-m-u870241">famously lavish homes</a>, but for its multi-faceted real estate market. The quickly growing population allows us to help homebuyers, sellers and investors from all over the world buy and sell homes. With home prices in the area up 20 percent in April, and a market fraught with bidding wars, there is no better time for people to take advantage of Redfin’s powerful online and mobile tools that can help them compete and win.</p>
<p>As with all of our new markets, we focused on hiring the best local real estate agents who share our values and commitment to customer service.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents/robyn-jackson" rel="attachment wp-att-14428"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-14428" alt="Robyn Jackson Redfin 2" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Robyn-Jackson-Redfin-2-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a>Redfin’s new South Florida Area Manager <a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents/robyn-jackson#client_types=past_buyers~past_sellers~current_sellers~other&amp;property_types=house~condo~townhome~multi_family~land~other&amp;min_price=0&amp;max_price=no_max&amp;date_range=since_joining&amp;ratings=1~2~3~4~5~unrated">Robyn Jackson</a>, who joins Redfin after more than 20 years of service in the local real estate market, has all that and more. She has started two local real estate companies and most recently served as a Florida Supreme Court mediator specializing in foreclosures. Robyn and her team of local Redfin agents can now help people buy and sell homes in Florida’s <a href="http://www.redfin.com/county/479/FL/Miami-Dade-County">Miami-Dade</a>, <a href="http://www.redfin.com/county/442/FL/Broward-County">Broward</a> and <a href="http://www.redfin.com/county/486/FL/Palm-Beach-County">Palm Beach Counties</a>.</p>
<p>True to form, Redfin’s South Florida agents will be paid salaries and bonuses based on customer satisfaction, not commissions. We publish those satisfaction ratings by surveying every customer and posting every review—the good, the bad, and the ugly—on our site. Redfin’s technology and unique business model make us about six times more efficient than traditional real estate brokers, and allow us to pass savings onto our customers. For example, in Miami, someone moving from one $500,000 home to another would save more than $12,500 in fees.</p>
<p>South Florida homebuyers will soon have access to <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2011/03/time_to_shake_things_up_again.html">Tour Insights</a>, comments written by Redfin agents about homes they have seen in person and <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/02/redfin_publishes_thousands_of_real-time_insights_on_what_it_takes_to_win_a_bidding_war.html">Offer Insights</a>, details from Redfin agents about what it takes to win a bidding war in a given neighborhood. Those who already own a home in South Florida can check out the <a href="http://www.redfin.com/what-is-my-home-worth?src=homepage">Redfin Home Value Tool</a>, which uses the same data agents use about nearby similar homes to help you hone in on a home’s value, a helpful starting point for a conversation with an agent about selling your home.</p>
<p>You can meet the whole Redfin team at our <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/6312937165">launch celebration on June 13</a>! Hope to see you there!</p>
<p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/welcome-to-miami-bienvenido-a-miami.html">Welcome to Miami! (¡Bienvenido a Miami!)</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Price Your Home Like an Agent Would</title>
		<link>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/price-your-home-like-an-agent-would.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=price-your-home-like-an-agent-would</link>
		<comments>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/price-your-home-like-an-agent-would.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 16:00:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Daniel Petkevich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Redfin News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.redfin.com/?p=14095</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Today Redfin launched the Home Value Tool, a new online feature that helps homeowners estimate the value of their home. The tool is the vastly improved version of the home price estimator we introduced in March of last year, which helped grow the listing business by 120% in 2012. The Home Value Tool looks better,...  <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/price-your-home-like-an-agent-would.html" class="read-more">Read&#160;More</a></p><p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/price-your-home-like-an-agent-would.html">Price Your Home Like an Agent Would</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today Redfin launched the <a href="http://www.redfin.com/what-is-my-home-worth">Home Value Tool</a>, a new online feature that helps homeowners estimate the value of their home. The tool is the vastly improved version of the home price estimator we introduced in March of last year, which helped <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/01/redfin_listing_agents_sell_homes_more_effectively_faster_and_for_more_money.html">grow the listing business</a> by 120% in 2012. The Home Value Tool looks better, flows better, and uses the most <a href="http://www.redfin.com/about/press/releases/wav-group-publishes-study-local-brokerage-websites-most-complete">up-to-the-minute real estate data</a> out there. It’s the best way to price your home online because it prices your home the way an agent would.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.redfin.com/?attachment_id=14100" rel="attachment wp-att-14100"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-14100" alt="640x690_PR_Blog_HVT_ComparableHomes" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/640x690_PR_Blog_HVT_ComparableHomes.jpg" width="640" height="690" /></a></p>
<p>We started working on the Home Value Tool when we realized that in real estate, there’s no magic formula or complicated algorithm listing agents use to figure out how much your home is worth. Instead, they create a list of every home in your neighborhood that sold in the last several months, grab a big red marker, and emphatically start crossing homes out until they&#8217;ve got a list of the four or five that are most like yours. Then they make some small adjustments, take an average, and give you a price.</p>
<p>Agents work this way because they know more about the homes in your neighborhood than just their square footage or number of beds and bathrooms. They&#8217;ve seen these homes inside and out, so they can say that a recently sold ranch-style house with a view of the river is similar to yours and that the house down the street, which looks just like yours on the outside but has an outdated 1960’s interior, isn’t. Their local knowledge gives them the edge over any algorithm for pricing a home.</p>
<p>Agents aren’t the only ones with a local edge. Homeowners have one too. Probably not as much as agents do, but certainly way more than a number crunching computer hundreds of miles away. That’s why we made the Home Value Tool more than a black box that spits out a number. We built it to take advantage of what homeowners know about where they live. Here’s how it works.</p>
<p>The Home Value Tool takes your address and shows you a list of homes recently sold in your neighborhood based on the <a href="http://www.redfin.com/about/press/releases/wav-group-publishes-study-local-brokerage-websites-most-complete">most up-to-date real estate data available</a>. Then you look through those homes and choose the three most like your own based on what you know about your neighborhood and stats like square footage and the number of beds and baths. When you’re done, we show you an estimate of your home’s value, a map of all the homes used to create the estimate, and a chart that lets you compare them all to each other.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.redfin.com/?attachment_id=14097" rel="attachment wp-att-14097"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-14097" alt="640x480_PR_Blog_HVT_ComparablesChart" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/640x480_PR_Blog_HVT_ComparablesChart.jpg" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>
<p>And if you want a real estate agent’s opinion of your estimate, we’ve included a button to<a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents"> contact a Redfin Agent</a> in your area.</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.redfin.com/?attachment_id=14098" rel="attachment wp-att-14098"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-14098" alt="640x480_PR_Blog_HVT_EstimateSummary" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/640x480_PR_Blog_HVT_EstimateSummary.jpg" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>
<p>Click <a href="http://www.redfin.com/what-is-my-home-worth">here </a>to take Redfin’s new Home Value Tool for a spin. Or if you’re feeling a little like some fun, use it to price <a href="http://www.redfin.com/what-is-my-home-worth?estPropertyId=34989943">Carmelo Anthony’s mini-Versailles</a>, <a href="http://www.redfin.com/what-is-my-home-worth?estPropertyId=23099637">Kim and Kanye’s iberian palace</a>, or<a href="http://www.redfin.com/what-is-my-home-worth?estPropertyId=7122592"> Channing Tatum’s tropical bungalow</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/price-your-home-like-an-agent-would.html">Price Your Home Like an Agent Would</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>10 Spring Cleaning Tips That Will Help You Sell Your Home</title>
		<link>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/10-spring-cleaning-tips-that-will-help-you-sell-your-home.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=10-spring-cleaning-tips-that-will-help-you-sell-your-home</link>
		<comments>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/10-spring-cleaning-tips-that-will-help-you-sell-your-home.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2013 18:00:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christin Camacho</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Redfin News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sell Your Home]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spring Cleaning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Staging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tips & Advice]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.redfin.com/?p=14002</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>May is not only a great time for spring cleaning, it’s also the best month to sell your home. Redfin listing agent Eric Tan offers the following spring cleaning tips for homeowners who want to impress potential buyers. If you don’t have time to do them all, start with the first three, which have the biggest impact. <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/10-spring-cleaning-tips-that-will-help-you-sell-your-home.html" class="read-more">Read&#160;More</a></p><p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/10-spring-cleaning-tips-that-will-help-you-sell-your-home.html">10 Spring Cleaning Tips That Will Help You Sell Your Home</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Happy May Day! May is not only a great time for spring cleaning, it’s also <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/02/top_five_home_selling_tips_from_redfin.html">the best month to sell your home.</a> Redfin listing agent <a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents/erictan">Eric Tan</a> offers the following spring cleaning tips for homeowners who want to impress potential buyers. If you don’t have time to do them all, start with the first three, which have the biggest impact.</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 223px"><img alt="Popcorn Ceiling" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Popcorn-Ceiling.jpg" width="223" height="167" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Popcorn ceilings can detract potential buyers.</p></div>
<ol>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><b>Replace popcorn ceilings.</b> Otherwise known as cottage cheese ceilings or acoustic ceilings, this type of treatment was common in homes built from 1950-1980. Unfortunately modern day homebuyers don’t like it. Removing or covering a popcorn ceiling is a time intensive process, but can increase the value of your home.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><b>Apply fresh paint.</b> A new coat of interior and exterior paint dramatically improves the appearance of your home and makes it feel fresh and clean. To appeal to the widest audience, stick to neutral colors that will go with any furniture, and choose an exterior paint that matches other homes in the neighborhood.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><b>Focus on the floors. </b>Steam clean all carpets, use a wood-cleaning product on hardwood floors, and consider professional cleaning for tile or marble. The walls, ceiling and floors are what potential buyers pay the closest attention to while on home tours, so it’s important that they are as clean as possible.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><b>Make a grand entrance. </b>Consider replacing or painting the front door; if you have shutters, paint them a matching color. Clean and polish the door knob and fixtures, and dress up the entry with seasonal decorations such as flowers or a wreath. People are naturally attracted to symmetry, so place any accents on both sides of the door.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><b>Replace or repair the mailbox. </b>An old or damaged mailbox makes the wrong first impression. You can purchase a new one at most hardware stores and major retailers. If you replace the post, make sure it sits at a height of 42 inches above ground to meet <a href="https://www.usps.com/manage/know-mailbox-guidelines.htm">federal regulations</a>.</li>
<div id="attachment_14007" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 384px"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Monrovia/616-W-Olive-Ave-91016/home/7965805" rel="attachment wp-att-14007"><img class="wp-image-14007" alt="Home with Curb Appeal" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Home-with-Curb-Appeal.jpg" width="384" height="254" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Clean landscaping with native plants improves curb appeal. This Monrovia, CA home is listed by Redfin Agent Eric Tan.</p></div>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><b>Maintain the yard.</b> Landscaping has a major effect on curb appeal. Make sure your home looks its best by mowing the lawn, weeding the flowerbeds, and pruning the bushes. Planting small flowers in the yard can be an inexpensive way to add a pop of color.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><b>De-clutter and organize. </b>Keep only the essentials, and put everything else in storage or give it away. Not only will your home will feel cleaner and bigger when it’s not filled with stuff, this process will save you time when you’re ready to move.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><b>Let in the light. </b>Wash the windows inside and out, clean the curtains and blinds, dust any light fixtures and replace any burnt-out bulbs. A room filled with light will feel more warm and inviting.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><b>Deep clean the kitchen and bath. </b>Wipe down or paint the cupboards, clean the grout between tiles, clear everything off the counters. Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks and polish the fixtures. Make sure no mold is present.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><b>Stage the backyard. </b>The backyard is often the last thing buyers see on a tour, so it should look nice. Simple staging can make a big difference. Get rid of decorations and clutter in the yard, add a table and chair set, power wash and stain the deck and fence, and clean the pool and spa. Remove any dying plants, and take down any shed or outdoor storage that’s in poor condition. If budget permits, add a barbeque, fire pit, Koi pond or outdoor lighting to create an inviting space.</li>
</ol>
<p>For additional home staging tips, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIGjbULS9t0&amp;list=UUgUhbrjk_eROz89zygVl-gw&amp;index=5">check out this video</a> featuring Redfin Agent Bree Al-Rashid, or contact a Redfin <a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents">real estate agent</a> in your area. To contact Eric Tan in Southern California, email Eric[dot]Tan[at]Redfin[dot]com.</p>
<p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/05/10-spring-cleaning-tips-that-will-help-you-sell-your-home.html">10 Spring Cleaning Tips That Will Help You Sell Your Home</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Redfin Reveals Top 10 Cities with the Greenest Homes</title>
		<link>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-reveals-top-10-cities-with-the-greenest-homes.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=redfin-reveals-top-10-cities-with-the-greenest-homes</link>
		<comments>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-reveals-top-10-cities-with-the-greenest-homes.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christin Camacho</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Redfin News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earth Day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eco-friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green Homes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.redfin.com/?p=13783</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>With Earth Day just around the corner, today Redfin announced a ranking of the country’s top 10 cities with the greenest homes. The Redfin analysis looked at each city’s overall carbon dioxide emissions, as well as the number of homes currently for sale that have “green” features or eco-friendly ratings. Examples include solar panels, low-flow...  <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-reveals-top-10-cities-with-the-greenest-homes.html" class="read-more">Read&#160;More</a></p><p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-reveals-top-10-cities-with-the-greenest-homes.html">Redfin Reveals Top 10 Cities with the Greenest Homes</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_13792" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 375px"><a href="http://blog.redfin.com/?attachment_id=13792" rel="attachment wp-att-13792"><img class=" wp-image-13792    " alt="CarbonDioxideEmissions" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/CarbonDioxideEmissions.jpg" width="375" height="205" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Carbon dioxide emissions (per capita) across the country; greener areas have fewer emissions, dark red areas have the most</p></div>
<p>With Earth Day just around the corner, today Redfin announced a ranking of the country’s top 10 cities with the greenest homes. The Redfin analysis looked at each city’s overall carbon dioxide emissions, as well as the number of homes currently for sale that have “green” features or eco-friendly ratings. Examples include solar panels, low-flow faucets, dual pane windows, ENERGY STAR® appliances, LEED certified homes, and new construction by green builders. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is the most widely used green building program worldwide.</p>
<ol>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/17151/CA/San-Francisco"><b>San Francisco, CA</b></a>– In addition to having the lowest carbon dioxide emission rate per capita, San Francisco has a large number of homes for sale with eco-friendly features. One incentive for locals to go green may be Pacific Gas &amp; Electric’s <a href="http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=CA242F&amp;re=0&amp;ee=0">rebates</a>, which offer up to $4,000 for home energy upgrades including insulation and air duct sealing.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/12839/DC/Washington-DC"><b>Washington D.C.</b></a> – According to the <a href="http://www.usgbc.org/articles/usgbc-releases-2012-list-top-10-states-leed">U.S. Green Building Council</a>, Washington D.C. has the most (LEED)-certified space, which likely contributes to the city’s low carbon dioxide emission rates. In addition, the district offers <a href="http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?re=0&amp;ee=0&amp;spv=0&amp;st=0&amp;srp=1&amp;state=DC">a number of</a> rebates and tax credits for residential energy efficiency, which may help explain the high number of homes for sale with eco-friendly features.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/16409/CA/Sacramento"><b>Sacramento, CA</b></a> – Sacramento has the second-lowest carbon dioxide emissions in the country, and new developments have focused on energy-efficient homes, such as the <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2013/03/29/northwest-land-park-infill-slideshow.html">Northwest Land Park</a>, which will build 800 new homes that use net-zero electricity.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/1826/MA/Boston"><b>Boston, MA</b></a>–Boston Mayor Thomas Menino launched an initiative to be “Green by 2015,” which includes powering homes using a combination of waste products and solar panels. The city also supports the<a href="http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthoritynews.org/2011/03/11/e-plus/">Energy Positive &#8220;E+&#8221; Green Building Demonstration Program</a>, which aims to bring green homes to Boston&#8217;s neighborhoods.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/30772/OR/Portland"><b>Portland, OR</b></a>– Portland General Electric offers residents <a href="http://www.portlandgeneral.com/residential/renewable_energy/default.aspx">the choice </a>to pay a little more for renewable energy options, including wind-sourced power. In addition, Portland residents who want to make their home more green can attend <a href="http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/41892">Fix-It Fairs</a>, which offer resources and information to help attendees reduce water and energy usage, among other green initiatives.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/15502/PA/Philadelphia"><b>Philadelphia, PA</b></a>– Even though Philadelphia’s carbon dioxide emissions were higher than other cities, it ranked second for homes with eco-friendly features. In 2009 the city passed two laws that advance green building practices. The first requires that new city government buildings meet LEED Silver Certification, and the second requires all new construction to have “cool roofs” that meet or exceed Energy Star standards.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/14240/AZ/Phoenix"><b>Phoenix, AZ </b></a>– As part of the “<a href="http://phoenix.gov/greenphoenix/greenphx/homesandbusinesses/index.html">Green Phoenix</a>” initiative, Phoenix offers a one-time grant to homeowners for making improvements that reduce energy consumption. The city has also received funding to retrofit low-income residential homes with cost effective energy saving measures.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/11203/CA/Los-Angeles"><b>Los Angeles, CA</b></a>– Homeowners looking to reduce costs associated with air conditioning in L.A.’s warm climate can take advantage of the L.A. County’s<a href="https://energyupgradeca.org/county/los_angeles/about_local_financing"> Energy Loans Program</a>, which offers loans of up to $50,000 dollars with financing as low as 4.99% when homeowners undertake home energy improvements. In addition, <a href="https://energyupgradeca.org/overview">Energy Upgrade California</a> offers rebates of up to $4,000 to homeowners who make their home more energy efficient. To see some stylish green homes on the market in L.A., check out this <a href="http://www.redfin.com/collections/julie-j-u269795/los-angeles-green-home-listings-c2880">Redfin Collection</a>.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/16163/WA/Seattle"><b>Seattle, WA</b> </a>– Seattle residents are known for being eco-conscious, as evidenced by the recent ban on plastic bags, so it’s not surprising they’d want their homes to be green too. Although the city is known for its rain, Seattle receives more sunlight than Germany, the world&#8217;s leading solar market, and Washington State offers <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/light/Conserve/cgen/">financial incentives</a> for those who generate their own electricity using solar electric systems.</li>
<li style="margin: 0 0 15px 0"><a href="http://www.redfin.com/city/30818/TX/Austin"><b>Austin, TX</b></a> – Austin Energy is the nation&#8217;s top seller of renewable energy, and the company offers homeowners low-interest loans of up to $20,000 dollars for energy efficient upgrades. In addition, the company offers <a href="http://www.austinenergy.com/Energy%20Efficiency/Programs/Rebates/index.htm">rebates</a> for numerous upgrades, including extra attic insulation, high-efficiency clothes washers, rainwater collection barrels, and low-flow toilets.</li>
</ol>
<p>“The residents of these cities are reducing their environmental footprint and saving money at the same time,” said Julie Jacobson, a LEED Green Associate certified Redfin Agent. “By making your home green, you can reduce monthly utility bills, make your home’s indoor air quality healthier, reduce your environmental footprint and even help increase the value of your home without any sacrifice in design or comfort. It is truly a win-win.”</p>
<p>For more information on how to save money by making energy efficient upgrades, check out the <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/earth-day-tips-from-redfin.html">tips from Redfin</a> published today. To learn more about eco-friendly homes in your area, contact a <a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents">Redfin real estate agent</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-reveals-top-10-cities-with-the-greenest-homes.html">Redfin Reveals Top 10 Cities with the Greenest Homes</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How to Save Money by Making Your Home More Eco-friendly</title>
		<link>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/earth-day-tips-from-redfin.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=earth-day-tips-from-redfin</link>
		<comments>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/earth-day-tips-from-redfin.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:00:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christin Camacho</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Redfin News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earth Day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eco-friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Green Homes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.redfin.com/?p=13767</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Today Redfin released tips for homeowners who want to reduce their environmental footprint, increase their home value, and save money at the same time. <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/earth-day-tips-from-redfin.html" class="read-more">Read&#160;More</a></p><p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/earth-day-tips-from-redfin.html">How to Save Money by Making Your Home More Eco-friendly</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today Redfin released tips for homeowners who want to reduce their environmental footprint, increase their home value, and save money at the same time:</p>
<p><a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/earth-day-tips-from-redfin.html/tipstogogreen_final" rel="attachment wp-att-13815"><img class="size-full wp-image-13815 aligncenter" alt="TipstoGoGreen_final" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/TipstoGoGreen_final.jpg" width="640" height="480" /></a></p>
<p>The list was compiled by Julie Jacobson, a Redfin Agent who is certified as a LEED Green Associate. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the most widely used green building program worldwide.</p>
<p>“All of the incentives out there can really help homeowners with the initial costs associated with making their home more green. And over time, with all of the savings on monthly bills, the upgrades can quickly pay for themselves,” said Jacobson.</p>
<p>By making these simple upgrades, collectively homeowners can have a positive impact on the environment; according to the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources/electricity.html">Environmental Protection Agency</a>, when factoring in electricity use, residential and commercial buildings emitted 35 percent of all greenhouse gases in the U.S in 2011. That’s more than cars and trucks, which emitted 28 percent. Homes also use a tremendous amount of water; according to the U.S. <a href="http://www.eia.gov/">Energy Information Administration</a>, residential homes use 29.40 billion gallons of water per day. By completing “green” upgrades, homeowners can reduce the amount of water and electricity (and associated greenhouse gases) required to run their home.</p>
<p>Homeowners can also save money on their water, electricity and gas bills. According to <a href="http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/energy-savers-guide-tips-saving-money-and-energy-home">Energy.gov</a>, the typical U.S. family spends at least $2,000 a year on home utility bills. By taking measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce water waste, homeowners can reduce these costs significantly. Homes with green certifications such as GreenPoint, EarthCraft, ENERGY STAR®, or LEED have the potential to use 20-30% less energy and water than homes built using conventional standards.</p>
<p>Eco-friendly upgrades can also increase the value of a home. A <a href="http://www.builditgreen.org/_files/Marketing/ValueofGreenHomeLabelsStudy_July2012.pdf">recent study</a> by UCLA and Maastricht University, found that homes in California with a green certification label sell for an average of nine percent more than comparable homes without a certification. The Earth Advantage Institute found <a href="http://www.earthadvantage.org/assets/uploads/Final_report_from_web_from_greenresourcecouncil.org_site.pdf">similar results</a> in Portland and Seattle.</p>
<p>To help homeowners pay for these upgrades, there are a variety of city, county, state and utility rebates, as well as some federal and state tax credits and loan options available. More information on various incentives available in each state can be found in the Database of State Incentives for Renewables &amp; Efficiency, or <a href="http://www.dsireusa.org/">DSIRE</a>.</p>
<p>For a ranking of the nation’s top 10 cities with the greenest homes, check out <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/category/redfin_news">the report </a>released by Redfin today. To learn more about recommended home upgrades and regional rebates in your area, contact a <a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents">Redfin real estate agent</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/earth-day-tips-from-redfin.html">How to Save Money by Making Your Home More Eco-friendly</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How do you plan to spend your refund?</title>
		<link>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/how-do-you-plan-to-spend-your-refund.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-do-you-plan-to-spend-your-refund</link>
		<comments>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/how-do-you-plan-to-spend-your-refund.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:00:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christin Camacho</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Redfin News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Redfin Refund]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tax Day]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Taxes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.redfin.com/?p=13672</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s tax day! By now you should be aware of how much you’ll receive as a tax refund – if you filed electronically, that is. According to the IRS, as of March 29, the average 2013 tax refund is $2,790. But the government isn’t the only one doling out refunds. Redfin gives a refund to...  <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/how-do-you-plan-to-spend-your-refund.html" class="read-more">Read&#160;More</a></p><p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/how-do-you-plan-to-spend-your-refund.html">How do you plan to spend your refund?</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s tax day! By now you should be aware of how much you’ll receive as a tax refund – if you filed electronically, that is. According to the IRS, as of March 29, the average 2013 tax refund is $2,790. But the government isn’t the only one doling out refunds. Redfin gives <a href="http://www.redfin.com/buy-a-home/refund">a refund</a> to anyone who buys a home through a Redfin Agent! How does that work?</p>
<p>Typically, the seller of a home pays a commission of five percent, which is split between the seller&#8217;s agent and the buyer&#8217;s agent. Buyer’s agents from traditional brokerages keep all of their commission, but when you buy with Redfin, we share a portion of our commission with you, so you can get thousands of dollars back. The amount of the refund is calculated on a sliding scale and based on the list price of the home; you can find the actual amount on every listing.</p>
<p>We’re curious; how do you plan to spend your tax refund? For those of you who bought a home with Redfin, how do you plan to spend your Redfin refund? Is it all going to the same place?</p>
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<p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/how-do-you-plan-to-spend-your-refund.html">How do you plan to spend your refund?</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>New Species of Shark Discovered in Puget Sound: Redfin Adopts it as Company Mascot</title>
		<link>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-adopts-new-species-of-shark-discovered-in-puget-sound-as-company-mascot.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=redfin-adopts-new-species-of-shark-discovered-in-puget-sound-as-company-mascot</link>
		<comments>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-adopts-new-species-of-shark-discovered-in-puget-sound-as-company-mascot.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:00:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christin Camacho</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Redfin News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.redfin.com/?p=13205</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Today Redfin announced it has adopted a newly discovered species of shark &#8211; the Pacific Redfin Shark &#8211; as its new mascot. On March 28 Tom Vogl, a Redfin employee, discovered the shark while fishing in the Puget Sound. “I wanted to take advantage of some of the sunshine we’ve been getting so I decided...  <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-adopts-new-species-of-shark-discovered-in-puget-sound-as-company-mascot.html" class="read-more">Read&#160;More</a></p><p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-adopts-new-species-of-shark-discovered-in-puget-sound-as-company-mascot.html">New Species of Shark Discovered in Puget Sound: Redfin Adopts it as Company Mascot</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_13206" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 347px"><a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-adopts-new-species-of-shark-discovered-in-puget-sound-as-company-mascot.html/redfin_shark_small" rel="attachment wp-att-13206"><img class=" wp-image-13206      " alt="redfin_shark_small" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/redfin_shark_small.jpg" width="347" height="195" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">The Epalzeorhynchos ruber, or Redfin Shark, was discovered on March 28 in the Puget Sound. Redfin adopted the shark as its company mascot.</p></div>
<p>Today Redfin announced it has adopted a newly discovered species of shark &#8211; the Pacific Redfin Shark &#8211; as its new mascot. On March 28 Tom Vogl, a Redfin employee, discovered the shark while fishing in the Puget Sound.</p>
<p>“I wanted to take advantage of some of the sunshine we’ve been getting so I decided to take my kayak out on the sound. About a mile off of Bainbridge Island I saw a red fin bobbing above the water. It didn’t look like anything I had ever seen before, so I immediately snapped some photos. To my surprise, the shark actually followed me home,” Vogl said.</p>
<p>Area biologists studied the shark and determined that it was a previously unidentified species, which they named <i>Epalzeorhynchos rube</i><i>r</i>, or Redfin Shark. The shark is roughly ten feet long and features a bright red dorsal fin and an elongated, dark-black and greenish body. It is thought to have evolved from <i>Epalzeorhynchos frenatus</i>, known as the Rainbow Shark, which is much smaller in size.</p>
<p>“We were so excited to hear one of our employees discovered a new species, and just couldn’t believe our luck when it turned out to have Redfin in the name,” said Glenn Kelman, CEO of Redfin.</p>
<p>Redfin plans to feature the Redfin Shark in a national multi-media campaign, which will include television advertisements, branding, and appearances. Redfin is also planning to sponsor at least three days of Shark Week 2013, with the Pacific Redfin as the star. The shark is currently residing in Vogl’s large salt water pool, where it is available for viewing.</p>
<p>“The shark, who we’ve been calling Finny, is helping us leave Tour Insights on Redfin.com,” said Vogl. “It turns out he has quite the discerning eye when it comes to pools.”</p>
<p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/04/redfin-adopts-new-species-of-shark-discovered-in-puget-sound-as-company-mascot.html">New Species of Shark Discovered in Puget Sound: Redfin Adopts it as Company Mascot</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Careers: What Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent? Part 6</title>
		<link>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-6.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-6</link>
		<comments>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-6.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 31 Mar 2013 16:00:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christin Camacho</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Redfin News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[career]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate Agents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate Jobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[working at Redfin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.redfin.com/?p=13132</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>What is it really like to be a real estate agent, and what does it take to become one? We interviewed six Redfin Agents to find out why they chose real estate as a career and how they came to work at Redfin. Yesterday we profiled Chad Pluid, who managed a restaurant and worked in...  <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-6.html" class="read-more">Read&#160;More</a></p><p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-6.html">Careers: What Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent? Part 6</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What is it really like to be a <a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents">real estate agent</a>, and what does it take to become one? We interviewed six Redfin Agents to find out why they chose real estate as a career and how they came to work at Redfin. Yesterday we <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-5.html">profiled Chad Pluid</a>, who managed a restaurant and worked in banking before joining Redfin. Today you’ll hear from Bree Al-Rashid, a Redfin listing agent who worked as horse trainer, financial planner, and a real estate agent at another brokerage before joining the company.<i><br />
</i></p>
<p>If you’re looking for more agent info, be sure to check our entire series of <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/tag/career">real estate agent profiles</a> and don’t hesitate to investigate open <a href="http://www.redfin.com/about/jobs">real estate jobs</a> at Redfin.</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents/breea" rel="attachment wp-att-13134"><img class="size-full wp-image-13134 alignright" style="margin-top: 15px;margin-bottom: 15px" alt="bree-alrashid-270x360" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/bree-alrashid-270x360.png" width="270" height="360" /></a>Bree Al-Rashid &#8211; Listing Agent</b></p>
<p><i>Before joining Redfin, Bree worked as horse trainer, financial planner, and a real estate agent at another brokerage.</i></p>
<p><b>What did you do before you joined Redfin?</b></p>
<p>In college I ran a riding school and summer camp for kids to help pay for my tuition. One of my riding students ended up being a high level VP of a financial planning firm. She tried to hook me up with her son, but when that didn’t work out she said I should work for her firm. I did that for about two years, and stayed in the financial planning industry for six years.</p>
<p><b>What made you want to pursue your real estate license, and what was the process like?</b></p>
<p>I was tired of being stuck inside an office. My husband worked in real estate and was looking for help, so I decided to become licensed. We built a business together at Keller Williams, and then worked at <em>RE/MAX</em> for awhile.</p>
<p>Coming from an industry where there was a lot of licensing that you had to obtain, getting my license was pretty easy. You have to plan it out and do the classes, but if you’re a good test taker it’s fine. For most people who are interested in the industry, it’s totally feasible. You don’t have to have achieved high levels of math or analysis to be a licensed real estate professional.</p>
<p><b>How did you hear about Redfin, and why did you decide to apply?</b></p>
<p>A colleague at RE/MAX became a Redfin partner agent, and he introduced me to it. I was a partner agent for awhile, but when I decided I needed more balance in my life, I applied to Redfin. I started as a listing specialist, which provides the opportunity to keep regular hours. It has afforded a much more balanced life, especially with vacation time.</p>
<p><b>Do you worry about the market going up and down?</b></p>
<p>It hasn’t been a problem. I was always very lucky; I had as much or more business than I wanted.</p>
<p><b>What’s the best part of your job?</b></p>
<p>Redfin has a team of people that you can count on for support, so you can create balance in your life. Working on your own as an agent is a challenge; it’s hard to be a graphic designer, HR manager and bookkeeper all in one day and be successful. Now my day is spent marketing houses, negotiating contracts, and solving real estate-related problems. Redfin offers a chance to get your life back.</p>
<p>I love Redfin’s feel, the corporate culture. I love its weirdness – how we’re thinking out of the box – it’s super progressive, not stale and stodgy. I’m sick of it sounding like real estate is only for people who are over sixty. Redfin is really fresh. There’s also a lot of room for growth. If you want to work in other parts of the company, there are options. You’re not stuck being an agent for the rest of your life.</p>
<p><b>What skills do you think are important to be successful as a real estate agent?</b></p>
<p>People who come from a liberal arts background are often successful in real estate. 90% of what we do is good communications, reading into subtext, connecting the dots for human beings. People who are overly analytical struggle in this industry because they lose sight of the human component. There’s so much that can’t be measured in real estate; you can’t measure human emotions or the layout of a house.  It takes people skills and good communicators to be successful. Organization, problem solving, and the ability to be calm during stressful situations are also important.</p>
<p><b>What would you tell people who are thinking about becoming an agent?</b></p>
<p>If you’re getting into real estate as an independent broker and you have no background in the industry or a natural market to find business, it’s a tough business to get into. I came from financial planning, which has a similar struggle. It’s very difficult to find clients right off the bat. That’s what is unique about Redfin; if you have interest in the agency and you’re 22 years old, you can get into it right away. Or if you’re 50 and coming back for a second or third career, you can do the same thing. There are so many great built-in systems, and there’s an opportunity for mentorships. We don’t let people fail at Redfin.</p>
<p><b>At Redfin our motto is “keep it weird.” What’s something “weird” about you?</b></p>
<p>My pig won “Grand Champion Market Hog” at the 1994 Oakhurst Fair. I didn’t get chicken pox until I was 14.  Then I gave them to my mom who was 41. I can throw a Frisbee with my feet.</p>
<p><em>To get in touch with Bree or read her reviews from Redfin clients, check out <a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents/breea">her profile page</a> on Redfin.com.</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-6.html">Careers: What Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent? Part 6</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Careers: What Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent? Part 5</title>
		<link>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-5.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-5</link>
		<comments>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-5.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 30 Mar 2013 16:00:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christin Camacho</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Redfin News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[career]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate Agents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate Jobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[working at Redfin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.redfin.com/?p=13113</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>What is it really like to be a real estate agent, and what does it take to become one? We interviewed six Redfin Agents to find out why they chose real estate as a career and how they came to work at Redfin. Yesterday we profiled Jana Katrusin, who balances a full-time school schedule with her...  <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-5.html" class="read-more">Read&#160;More</a></p><p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-5.html">Careers: What Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent? Part 5</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What is it really like to be a <a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents">real estate agent</a>, and what does it take to become one? We interviewed six Redfin Agents to find out why they chose real estate as a career and how they came to work at Redfin. Yesterday we profiled <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-4.html">Jana Katrusin</a>, who balances a full-time school schedule with her work as an Associate Agent. Today you’ll hear from Chad Pluid, who had a few different careers before joining Redfin.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for more agent info, be sure to check our entire series of <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/tag/career">real estate agent profiles</a> and don’t hesitate to investigate open <a href="http://www.redfin.com/about/jobs">real estate jobs</a> at Redfin.</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents/chad-pluid" rel="attachment wp-att-13114"><img class="size-full wp-image-13114 alignright" style="margin-top: 40px;margin-bottom: 40px" alt="chad-pluid-270x360" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/chad-pluid-270x360.png" width="270" height="360" /></a>Chad Pluid – Team Lead &#8211; Seattle<br />
</b></p>
<p><i>Not all Redfin Agents started their career in real estate. Chad managed a restaurant and worked at a bank before joining Redfin.</i></p>
<p><b>What did you do before you joined Redfin?</b></p>
<p>I studied business in college, and after I graduated all of my jobs were customer-service focused. I started out managing a restaurant, and then I did banking for four years.</p>
<p><b>What made you want to pursue your real estate license, and what was the process like?</b></p>
<p>I always had an interest in real estate, because my grandma was a real estate agent. I had thought about getting into it, but I didn’t have any client leads and with my mortgage and car payment, I couldn’t rely on commission. It took me about four months to get my license. I started taking real estate classes on the weekend, and then took a vacation and spent the time studying to knock it out. If someone really wanted to do it, they could do it in a month or two. The licensing and testing are less than a thousand dollars – a lot less than college!</p>
<p><b>How did you hear about Redfin, and why did you decide to apply?</b></p>
<p>I sold my townhome to someone who used Redfin, and that’s how I first learned about it. I got obsessed looking into it! I liked the fact that there was an introductory role at the company, where I could learn about the business and make money at the same time. I might not have gotten into real estate if it wasn’t for Redfin’s unique pay structure, which offers the security of a regular paycheck. It’s so expensive in Seattle that it’s risky to make the jump to a commission based job with no background or leads. If it wasn’t for that introductory role I never would have gotten the experience and skill set that I have now.</p>
<p>Once I learned about it, I jumped all in; I got my license and left the bank to join Redfin as an Associate Agent. Three months later, I became a Transaction Coordinator, after three months I became an Agent, and then I became a Team Lead. One thing I didn’t expect going into it was the great cultural fit. My internal values for customer service matched with the company. The survey system really works; my customers know who I am and rate me on my specific performance, which is different from other jobs I’ve had before.</p>
<p><b>Do you worry about the market going up and down?</b></p>
<p>It would be risky if you were working on a commission, but at Redfin it’s different. I joined in a down market! With Redfin, you still get paid when it is slow. Real estate is as risky as any other job; restaurants close, businesses go out of business.</p>
<p><b>What’s the best part of your job?</b></p>
<p>What I like about being an agent is that every day is different; some days I’m in the office, some days I’m with clients, some days I’m interviewing. It never gets boring, and it’s a challenge. It’s perfect for someone who doesn’t want mundane routine.</p>
<p><b>What skills do you think are important to be successful as a real estate agent?</b></p>
<p>It’s important to have management experience. When I look for candidates, I look for customer-service oriented jobs where they’ve shown leadership. When you get to the Team Lead role, it’s important to know how to manage people. With Redfin you also have to have a passion for working with clients and customer satisfaction. You need to have an innate quality in yourself to go with your gut and do the right thing.</p>
<p><b><a href="http://blog.redfin.com/?attachment_id=13124" rel="attachment wp-att-13124"><img class=" wp-image-13124 alignright" alt="Hello Kitty Office_v3" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Hello-Kitty-Office_v3.jpg" width="124" height="172" /></a>What would you tell people who are thinking about becoming an agent?</b></p>
<p>Becoming a <span style="text-decoration: underline">successful</span> agent is something you need to think about. When you go through the licensing process, it’s a lot of real estate law more than anything. It doesn’t teach you about being an agent, about writing contracts, negotiating, the MLS, none of those day-to-day skills. At Redfin you get a chance to work on a team and learn from others how to be a successful agent. You do it over and over again. At Redfin I write three offers a week, and I’ve closed almost 200 deals, which some agents wouldn’t accomplish in a lifetime. The volume of work and team atmosphere means you gain valuable knowledge and experience in a short amount of time.</p>
<p><b>At Redfin our motto is “keep it weird.” What’s something “weird” about you?</b></p>
<p>I work in the “Hello Kitty” office. See photographic evidence…</p>
<p><em>To get in touch with Chad or read his reviews from Redfin clients, check out <a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents/chad-pluid">his profile page</a> on Redfin.com.</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-5.html">Careers: What Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent? Part 5</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Careers: What Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent? Part 4</title>
		<link>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-4.html?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-4</link>
		<comments>http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-4.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:54:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Christin Camacho</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Redfin News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[career]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate Agents]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate Jobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[working at Redfin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://blog.redfin.com/?p=13107</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>What is it really like to be a real estate agent, and what does it take to become one? We interviewed six Redfin Agents to find out why they chose real estate as a career and how they came to work at Redfin. Yesterday we profiled Risa Bell, who had a few different careers before...  <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-4.html" class="read-more">Read&#160;More</a></p><p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-4.html">Careers: What Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent? Part 4</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What is it really like to be a <a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents">real estate agent</a>, and what does it take to become one? We interviewed six Redfin Agents to find out why they chose real estate as a career and how they came to work at Redfin. Yesterday we <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-3.html">profiled Risa Bell</a>, who had a few different careers before joining Redfin. Today you’ll hear from Jana Katrusin, who is an Associate Agent and full-time student.</p>
<p>We’ll post a new Redfin Agent profile each day this week. If you’re looking for more agent info, be sure to check our entire series of <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/tag/career">real estate agent profiles</a> and don’t hesitate to investigate open <a href="http://www.redfin.com/about/jobs">real estate jobs</a> at Redfin.</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.redfin.com/real-estate-agents/team/south-end-pierce" rel="attachment wp-att-13108"><img class="size-full wp-image-13108 alignright" style="margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px" alt="jana-katrusin-270x360" src="http://blog.redfin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/jana-katrusin-270x360.png" width="270" height="360" /></a>Jana Katrusin – Associate Agent &#8211; Tacoma/South Seattle<br />
</b></p>
<p><i>Jana is a full-time student at University of Washington-Bothell and works as an Associate Agent in between classes and homework.</i></p>
<p><b>What did you do before you joined Redfin?</b></p>
<p>I’m originally from Slovakia; while I lived there I worked at a daycare and in office jobs. I first moved to the United States when I was 19, to be an au pair for two years in New Jersey. I went back home for awhile but returned to the U.S. because I liked it here. I worked as a nanny full-time before I became an Associate Agent, and have been attending UW Bothell simultaneously.</p>
<p><b>What made you want to pursue your real estate license, and what was the process like?</b></p>
<p>I caught the fever for real estate from a friend and got my license so I could apply to the company. I did an online course, for a total of 90 hours. It was pretty easy; you just listen to the lecture and take quizzes along the way. I had bought a home before, so I was familiar with the process.</p>
<p><b>How did you hear about Redfin, and why did you decide to apply?</b></p>
<p>After a friend told me about Redfin, I started to research the company, and I really liked the business model. I wouldn’t have considered traditional agencies because I don’t want to hunt people down to find clients. I’m not a sales person! If it wasn’t for Redfin’s model, I wouldn’t have gotten into the business. I don’t want to pressure people to buy houses.</p>
<p><b>Do you worry about the market going up and down?</b></p>
<p>I don’t worry about it going up and down. Clients can tour as many houses as they want, so we stay busy throughout the year.</p>
<p><b>What’s the best part of your job?</b></p>
<p>I was interviewed by three people when I applied for the position, and every time I asked them what they like about it, the first thing they said is the people. Redfin employees feel that they work with good people and work for a company that is doing something good. I agree – the team structure works well for me. Since I’m going to school full-time, the flexible hours are also nice.</p>
<p><b>What skills do you think are important to be successful as a real estate agent?</b></p>
<p>First of all, you need to be organized. You need to be on-time to tours, and you need to follow up via email and phone to schedule them. It’s important to keep track of everything. You also need to be a good communicator and good with people in general. It helps to know about homes or have an interest in houses; I was familiar with construction, so I know how houses are supposed to look and not look in the middle of construction.</p>
<p><b>What would you tell people who are thinking about becoming an agent?</b></p>
<p>I would recommend the Associate Agent job for other students. I used to do school at night and work during the day, and now I do school two full days a week. You can plan your schedule around classes and continue to work for Redfin after you graduate.</p>
<p><b>At Redfin our motto is “keep it weird.” What’s something “weird” about you?</b></p>
<p>I’d sacrifice a whole night of sleep for a good book just to finish it. I&#8217;ve never seen “The Godfather” but the book is my favorite (I don&#8217;t want to ruin it). I usually have a &#8220;to do list&#8221; even for Saturday or Sunday.</p>
<p>The post <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/03/careers-what-does-it-take-to-become-a-real-estate-agent-part-4.html">Careers: What Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent? Part 4</a> appeared first on <a href="http://blog.redfin.com">Redfin Real Estate Blog</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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