The real estate landscape is constantly shifting, and recent class action lawsuits have only added to the complexity. For agents, this means rethinking strategies and focusing on what truly matters: delivering unmatched value to clients, especially investors. In this dynamic market, the right approach and tools, like the Bold Agent platform, can turn challenges into lucrative opportunities. Let\’s dive into how real estate agents can excel by aligning with investor needs in today\’s market.

Understanding the Legal Landscape

Navigating the ever-changing world of real estate law can feel like trying to hit a moving target. Lately, class action lawsuits have been making waves, and they\’re reshaping the way real estate professionals do business. It\’s more than just a bunch of legal jargon; these changes are having real, tangible effects on the ground.

 

• The Ripple Effect of Lawsuits 

Imagine throwing a stone into a pond. The ripples that spread out are like the impact of these lawsuits on the real estate industry. They\’re challenging long-standing practices, especially around commission structures and transparency. For agents, this means it\’s time to sit up and take notice. Staying informed isn\’t just good practice; it\’s essential for survival in this new legal environment.

 

• Adapting to a Shifting Market

But it\’s not all about legal briefs and courtroom dramas. The real story is how these changes are transforming the market itself. Agents are finding that the old playbook doesn\’t cut it anymore. The game has changed. Now, it\’s about being more than just a middleman. It\’s about being a guide, an advisor, and a strategist. Clients today want personalized service and real value, and they\’re savvy enough to know when they\’re getting it. For agents, this means getting creative, being proactive, and really listening to what their clients need.

 

Going Above and Beyond for Clients

In today\’s real estate world, just meeting expectations isn\’t enough; you\’ve got to exceed them. It\’s like being a chef in a five-star restaurant – you\’re not just cooking meals, you\’re crafting experiences. For real estate agents, this means taking client service to the next level.

 

• Crafting Exceptional Client Experiences

Think of each client as a unique story waiting to unfold. Whether they\’re starry-eyed first-time buyers or seasoned sellers, each one deserves a tailored approach. It\’s about understanding their dreams, fears, and everything in between. For buyers, this might mean digging deep into the local market to find that hidden gem of a home. For sellers, it could be about designing a marketing strategy that makes their property shine brighter than the rest. It\’s the little things – the personalized touches – that turn a good service into an unforgettable one.

 

• Embracing Tech as a Game-Changer

Now, let\’s talk tech. In real estate, technology is like a Swiss Army knife – versatile, essential, and incredibly powerful. It\’s not just about listing properties online or sending emails. It\’s about using technology to create a seamless, efficient, and engaging experience for clients. Imagine giving virtual tours that make buyers feel like they\’re walking through their future home, or using data analytics to pinpoint the perfect selling price. Technology isn\’t just a tool; it\’s the future of real estate, and it\’s here to stay.

 

The Investor Advantage

In the real estate game, working with investors is like finding a hidden treasure trove. It\’s a unique, often overlooked opportunity that can be incredibly rewarding for agents who know how to navigate these waters.

 

• Why Investors are Gold for Agents

Think of investors as the repeat customers of the real estate world. They\’re not just in for a one-time deal; they\’re building portfolios, which means multiple transactions, and potentially, a steady stream of business for you. But it\’s not just about the frequency of their transactions. Investors bring a different kind of energy and perspective to the table. They\’re savvy, they\’re focused, and they\’re always on the lookout for opportunities. For agents, this means a chance to flex their market knowledge and investment savvy. It\’s an exciting, dynamic partnership that can lead to some seriously rewarding outcomes.

 

• Solving Investor Challenges

However, working with investors isn\’t without its challenges. These clients have specific needs, like finding properties that offer good returns or navigating complex financial evaluations. This is where you, as an agent, can shine. By helping investors find those hidden gems in the market, or by providing them with clear, concise financial analyses, you become more than just an agent – you become an indispensable part of their investment journey. It\’s about understanding their goals, their risk appetite, and their vision, and then aligning your expertise to help them achieve their investment dreams..

 

Staying Ahead in Today\’s Market

In the fast-paced world of real estate, staying ahead isn\’t just about keeping pace; it\’s about setting the pace. The market today is like a high-speed train, and as an agent, you need to be the conductor, not just a passenger.

 

• Adaptability is Key

The secret sauce to success in today’s real estate market? Adaptability. It\’s like being a chameleon, constantly adjusting to the changing environment. Market trends, client preferences, economic shifts – they\’re all pieces of a constantly evolving puzzle. The agents who thrive are those who don\’t just react to these changes but anticipate and adapt to them. It\’s about having your finger on the pulse of the market, understanding what makes it tick, and using that knowledge to guide your clients. Whether it\’s a sudden interest in suburban properties or a shift towards sustainable living, being in the know gives you an edge.

 

• Learning from Success Stories

There\’s a wealth of knowledge to be gained from those who\’ve already carved a path to success in this dynamic landscape. These success stories are like roadmaps, offering valuable insights and strategies. Maybe it\’s an agent who\’s mastered the art of social media marketing, or another who\’s become the go-to expert in a niche market. These stories aren\’t just inspirational; they\’re instructional. They show us that success is not just about hard work; it\’s about smart work – leveraging your strengths, identifying opportunities, and always being ready to learn and grow.

 

The Bold Agent Edge

In the competitive arena of real estate, having an edge can make all the difference. This is where the Bold Agent platform comes into play, not just as a tool, but as a game-changer for real estate professionals.

 

• Why Bold Agent is a Game-Changer

Imagine having a personal assistant, a market analyst, and a tech guru all rolled into one. That\’s the Bold Agent platform for you. It\’s designed to give agents a significant advantage in the market. With features like real-time market analytics, automated marketing tools, and investor-focused resources, it\’s like having a secret weapon in your arsenal. This platform isn\’t just about making your job easier; it\’s about elevating your entire approach to real estate. Whether it\’s pinpointing the perfect property for an investor or crafting a compelling marketing campaign, Bold Agent is there to ensure you\’re always a step ahead.

 

• Empowering Agents for Investor Success

The real beauty of Bold Agent lies in how it empowers agents, especially when working with investor clients. Investors need more than just listings; they need insights, trends, and data-driven recommendations. Bold Agent delivers just that, making it easier for agents to provide high-value service. It\’s about turning data into wisdom, insights into action. With Bold Agent, you\’re not just showing properties; you\’re providing a comprehensive investment vision. This level of service not only attracts investor clients but also builds lasting, trust-based relationships.

 

In summary, the Bold Agent platform is more than just a technological tool; it\’s a strategic partner for real estate agents. In a market where staying ahead means staying informed and equipped, Bold Agent provides the edge that can transform challenges into opportunities and transactions into lasting client relationships. The future belongs to those who adapt, innovate, and consistently deliver solutions that meet and exceed client expectations.

 

Venture Madness 2024

Venture Madness, organized by Invest Southwest, is Arizona\’s premier capital conference and has been a pivotal event since 1992. It\’s known for being a unique competition where early-stage firms pitch against each other, attracting active accredited investors from the region. The event focuses on connecting investors with emerging growth companies, offering networking opportunities, and providing marketing and public relations exposure.

Bold Street at a Glance

Bold Street empowers local real estate agents, enterprise brokerages, and institutional investors. Bold Street’s Bold Agent Platform helps real estate agents work with residential real estate investors. It provides AI-powered tools for identifying investment-grade opportunities, automating lead generation, and closing more residential investment sales. Bold Street’s solutions emphasize the importance of technology in helping agents provide overwhelming value for investor clients.

Seattle, WA – February 1, 2024 – Bold Street, a leading innovator in real estate technology, has been selected to present at Venture Madness 2024, Arizona\’s most prestigious capital conference organized by Invest Southwest. This selection marks a significant recognition for Bold Street AI, as Venture Madness is renowned for featuring the most promising early-stage companies in the region.

Bold Street AI will be showcasing its Bold Agent Platform, a revolutionary tool designed to empower real estate agents working with residential investors. The platform leverages artificial intelligence to provide near real-time MLS data, investment-grade opportunity identification, and automated lead generation. This technology is particularly crucial in today\’s market, where a third of all single-family transactions involve investors.

\”We are thrilled to be part of Venture Madness 2024,\” said Chris Fellows, CEO of Bold Street AI. \”This opportunity allows us to demonstrate how our platform can transform the real estate investment landscape, making it more efficient and accessible for agents and investors alike.\”

Venture Madness is known for its competitive pitch-style event, attracting the region\’s most active accredited investors. Bold Street AI\’s participation is expected to not only highlight their innovative solutions but also to open doors for potential investment and partnership opportunities.

For more information about Bold Street AI and their participation in Venture Madness 2024, please visit Bold Street AI and Venture Madness.

 

Venture Madness 2024

Venture Madness, organized by Invest Southwest, is Arizona\’s premier capital conference and has been a pivotal event since 1992. It\’s known for being a unique competition where early-stage firms pitch against each other, attracting active accredited investors from the region. The event focuses on connecting investors with emerging growth companies, offering networking opportunities, and providing marketing and public relations exposure.

Bold Street at a Glance

Bold Street empowers local real estate agents, enterprise brokerages, and institutional investors. Bold Street’s Bold Agent Platform helps real estate agents work with residential real estate investors. It provides AI-powered tools for identifying investment-grade opportunities, automating lead generation, and closing more residential investment sales. Bold Street’s solutions emphasize the importance of technology in helping agents provide overwhelming value for investor clients.

Seattle, WA – February 1, 2024 – Bold Street, a leading innovator in real estate technology, has been selected to present at Venture Madness 2024, Arizona\’s most prestigious capital conference organized by Invest Southwest. This selection marks a significant recognition for Bold Street AI, as Venture Madness is renowned for featuring the most promising early-stage companies in the region.

Bold Street AI will be showcasing its Bold Agent Platform, a revolutionary tool designed to empower real estate agents working with residential investors. The platform leverages artificial intelligence to provide near real-time MLS data, investment-grade opportunity identification, and automated lead generation. This technology is particularly crucial in today\’s market, where a third of all single-family transactions involve investors.

\”We are thrilled to be part of Venture Madness 2024,\” said Chris Fellows, CEO of Bold Street AI. \”This opportunity allows us to demonstrate how our platform can transform the real estate investment landscape, making it more efficient and accessible for agents and investors alike.\”

Venture Madness is known for its competitive pitch-style event, attracting the region\’s most active accredited investors. Bold Street AI\’s participation is expected to not only highlight their innovative solutions but also to open doors for potential investment and partnership opportunities.

For more information about Bold Street AI and their participation in Venture Madness 2024, please visit Bold Street AI and Venture Madness.

 

Real Estate Agents: Navigating the Terrain

Ever wondered what hurdles real estate agents face when dealing with residential real estate investors? From fluctuating market trends to unique investor demands, this journey is as challenging as it is rewarding. Let’s dive into what makes this terrain so intriguing.

Real estate agents working with residential real estate investors often face challenges, such as understanding investor goals, navigating market fluctuations, handling legal complexities, and balancing multiple client needs. These hurdles require agents to be adaptable, knowledgeable, and resourceful.

Stick around as we unpack these challenges in detail. Whether you\’re an agent, an investor, or just curious, there\’s a wealth of insights waiting for you.

Understanding Investor Goals and Expectations

Investor Profiles: Real estate investors come in various forms. Some are focused on short-term gains through property flipping, while others seek long-term wealth through rental properties. An agent\’s first task is to understand the specific goals, risk tolerance, and investment strategies of their clients. This understanding forms the foundation of a successful partnership.

Communication is Key: Effective communication is the cornerstone of any good relationship between agents and investors. It involves not just talking, but actively listening to the investors\’ needs, concerns, and expectations. Regular updates, transparent discussions about potential properties, and honest feedback about the feasibility of the investors\’ goals are essential.

Market Knowledge and Trends

Local Market Insights: A successful agent must possess an in-depth understanding of the local real estate market. This includes knowledge about neighborhoods, property values, rental rates, and upcoming developments. Being well-informed allows the agent to provide valuable insights to investors, helping them make informed decisions.

Adapting to Market Changes: The real estate market is dynamic, and an agent must be adept at adapting strategies in response to market shifts. This could mean advising investors to hold off on buying or selling based on market predictions, or identifying emerging areas for investment before they become widely recognized.

Legal and Regulatory Navigation

Staying Informed: Real estate laws and regulations can be complex and vary greatly from one location to another. An agent must stay informed about current laws, zoning regulations, and any changes that could affect investors. This knowledge is crucial in guiding investors away from potential legal pitfalls.

Risk Management: Part of an agent\’s role is to help investors understand and manage the risks associated with real estate investment. This includes advising on legal compliance, potential liabilities, and the implications of different types of investment structures.

Balancing Multiple Client Needs

Juggling Act: Real estate agents often find themselves managing the needs of multiple investors simultaneously. Each investor may be at a different stage in the investment process and require different levels of attention and service.

Prioritization and Organization: Effective time management and organizational skills are essential. Agents must prioritize tasks and manage their time efficiently to ensure that all clients receive the attention and service they require.

Building and Maintaining Relationships

Long-Term Relationships: Successful agents understand the value of building and maintaining long-term relationships with their clients. Repeat business and referrals from satisfied investors can become a significant part of an agent\’s business.

Networking: Building a strong professional network, including other real estate professionals, legal experts, and financial advisors, can provide agents with a wealth of resources and information. This network can be invaluable in helping agents provide the best service to their investors.

Conclusion

Navigating the world of residential real estate investment is a complex, yet rewarding journey for agents. It\’s about understanding, adapting, and thriving amidst challenges. What strategies do you think are crucial for success in this field?

 

Seattle, WA – October 1, 2023 – Bold Street, a leader in data and analytics for real estate investments for real estate agents, has secured significant funding from Cision Capital, the real estate investment firm led by Colin Brechbill as COO. Additionally, Colin is joining the Bold Street advisory board as a Product Advisor.

Strategic Expansion and Technological Advancement

This move marks a significant expansion for Bold Street, as it includes Colin joining the Bold Street Advisory Board as a Product Advisor. Colin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience at how to build software for residential agents, investors, and professionals. Cison’s investments and Colin’s experience are set to enhance Bold Street\’s analytical capabilities, offering more profound and more actionable insights to real estate investors and agents.

Colin Brechbill, the visionary behind Cision Capital, has a history of identifying and nurturing technology-driven ventures. \”Our investment in Bold Street aligns with our commitment to foster innovation in the real estate sector. We are excited to see how this synergy will revolutionize the market,\” said Brechbill.

A New Era for Real Estate Analytics

Bold Street\’s Bold Agent Platform is expected to bring a new level of efficiency and precision to real estate investment analytics and powering real estate agents. \”This is a game-changer for us,\” said Chris, CEO of Bold Street. \”With Cision Capital\’s support and Colin’s product knowledge, we are poised to offer unmatched services for real estate agents working with residential investors.\”

About Bold Street

Bold Street is at the forefront of transforming real estate investment strategies through data and analytics. By leveraging advanced technologies, Bold Street provides institutional investors and real estate agents with critical insights for informed decision-making.

About Cision Capital and Colin Brechbill

Cision Capital, led by Colin Brechbill, is a distinguished real estate investment firm that empowers technology-centric startups. Brechbill\’s expertise in identifying potential and driving growth has positioned Cision Capital as a key player in the investment community.

For More Information:

For further details about this exciting development for Bold Street and its partnership with Cision Capital.

Press Contact: marketing@boldstreet.ai

 

SEATTLE, WA – September 1, 2023 – Bold Street is a leading technology company that provides sophisticated valuation tools for on and off-market single-family real estate listings. Bold Street recently secured funding from Lighter Capital to fuel technology and marketing for the Agent Platform. Bold Street will use this funding to expand solutions for real estate agents working with investors. Bold Street’s tools could not come at a better time for agents looking to grow sales and commissions in a turbulent economy.

Bold Street\’s Agent Platform is an innovative solution designed to help real estate agents focus on the most lucrative investment-grade opportunities. The platform empowers agents to intelligently assess property values, enabling them to effectively cultivate relationships with both new and existing investor clients. In today\’s challenging real estate market, this capability serves as a much-needed lifeline.

\”We\’re thrilled to join Lighter for strategic access to undiluted growth capital and the larger resources from such a vibrant business community,\” said Chris Fellows, CEO and Founder of BoldStreet.ai. \”Our objective is to empower agents and brokers looking to stabilize and expand their businesses, and we believe this partnership will significantly contribute to achieving that goal.\”

About Bold Street

Bold Street is a technology company that helps real estate agents increase sales by working with residential real estate investors. The company provides a unified, standardized data platform that values on and off-market listings, enabling agents to focus on the best investment-grade opportunities.

About Lighter Capital 

Lighter Capital is the pioneering leader in founder-friendly, non-dilutive financing. Since 2010, we have provided hundreds of millions of dollars in over 1,000 rounds of financing to U.S., Canadian, and Australian tech companies. Founders achieve success on their terms with Lighter’s tech-enabled financing, which has no fees and does not require the company to give up equity. The application process takes minutes and requires no pitch deck. Beyond financing, Lighter’s “more than money” benefits provide founders access to invaluable connections within the Lighter Capital Community, resources, and product discount opportunities. Learn more and apply at https://www.lightercapital.com.

Press Contact: marketing@boldstreet.ai

 

The Value of a Crime Score for Real Estate Investors

Crime is one of the key factors investors consider when buying a property. The crime rate can affect a property and its tenants in multiple ways. The first is physical safety. High crime rates have the potential to drive down buyer and tenant demand. Insurance rates are also affected by crime rates, and can factor into additional costs in an investor\’s buy box.

Knowing the crime rate of a neighborhood and property can help investors factor in ongoing crime cycles – as crime affects property values, that in turn can influence crime.

Even though crime rates and a relevant crime score are critical factors to consider when purchasing a property, accurate crime scores are not readily available. This is especially true for crime scores that are relevant to the residential real estate investment industry.

Bold Street’s Crime Score solves this gap. It’s a proprietary calculation to provide a score for the SFR Industry.
We partner with a crime data provider that aggregates FBI statistics and uses an algorithm leveraged by the largest financial institutions for over 20 years.

 

Bold Street – SFR Crime Index

The Bold Street SFR Crime Risk Index is an assessment of relative risk across seven major crime types against people and property down to the census block group. The underlying crime algorithm is leveraged by the largest financial and insurance institutions for over 20 years.

 

Usage
The Index uses 100 as the national average where a lower number represents less risk and a higher number is proportionately more risk. For example an index number of 50 means there is half the national average whereas an index of 300 would mean there is three times more risk than the national average.

 

Methodology

Crime data is derived from FBI aggregated statistics and the local law enforcement jurisdictions nationwide.

• Crimes include the primary reporting categories including murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft
• A complex set of statistical models estimate and forecast crime risk
• Crime incidents are combined with land use data, and demographic details, and account for population density and size, i.e. a murder in a small town is likely to be a major event as opposed to a dense urban area
• The index is based on the last 5 years to even out anomalous crime incidents
• Ethnicity, race, ancestry, or language are not considered in statistical models

 

 

Standardization

Data is compiled from over 16,000 separate law enforcement jurisdictions and requires extensive standardization including:

• Law enforcement jurisdiction reporting matched to Census Bureau codes including typographical and formatting errors
• Managing inconsistencies of year-to-year reporting by individual jurisdictions
• Accounting for inconsistencies across jurisdictions where some metros do not report all crimes evenly
• Deduplication across overlapping jurisdictions
• Crime rates in general have been declining year over year and require adjustments for historical data to reflect today’s data

 

 

Crime impact on single-family investments
Crime is one of the key factors to determine a buy box and profitable single-family investment. Accurate crime analysis can make or break an investment. A few elements that Crime can impact include:

• Property damage and theft
• Tenant satisfaction and renewals
• Time to lease
• Rental rates and appreciation
• Property value appreciation
• Exposure to legal risk
• Exposure to squatters
• Neighbor and HOA complaints and fines
• Risk to operation technicians and leasing agents

 

What is the MLS 

MLS (Multiple Listing Service) data refers to the main source of property information for real estate agents who work with either home buyers or real estate investors.

How to Access MLS Data

Each MLS is independently managed and there are now well over 600 local MLSs. These are private databases. MLS access provides a centralized and comprehensive database of real estate data exclusive to agents, brokers and professionals with a real estate license. This can help agents find property listings that meet their clients\’ requirements and preferences. 

Additionally, MLS data often provides insights and other data points into the real estate market. These can include trends in property prices, recently sold listings, and days on market – key data points which can assist retail real estate agents and real estate brokers in finding and suggesting properties to their clients.

Overall, MLS data can be a useful tool for retail real estate agents and brokers to enhance their market knowledge and make informed decisions when advising their clients on buying or selling properties.

How do Agents and Brokers use MLS Data to research and find investment grade property for a client?

As a client, the first step is to find and work with a knowledgeable brokerage or agent. Once you have an agent to work with, they can certainly run a quick search – generally using the MLS portal – with your criteria to find and share properties that match.

Agents can also help conduct the analysis. Most agents will select and create reports within the MLS. The system has pre set templates and pre set calculations. This can then be exported into a PDF to be shared with the client. While this is faster, it’s also limited and doesn’t offer flexibility for your own analysis. Agents that want more flexibility can export the MLS data into a spreadsheet to calculate and compare key metrics.

Metrics that are valuable to investors include number of bedrooms, bathrooms, days on market, and square footage price, just to name a few.

The square footage data is the basis of defining your criteria and one of the most important pieces of the puzzle when trying to calculate a good price. It sets the baseline for how much you can pay for a given property. This is just one example of a metric that an investor will analyze differently than a retail buyer.

Lastly, this process has several key challenges for a agent or broker conducting the analysis including:

1. Data sourced from Zillow or Realtor is not always complete and difficult to export for analysis
2. Data sourced from the MLSs is often not unified across each MLS and is also difficult to compare

 

How Bold Street’s MLS Listings Helps Agents Select the Right Properties

Access to historical and off market data

Bold Street offers MLS data – specifically a backoffice feed – that consolidates data across multiple MLSs into a single endpoint. This is valuable for investors and agents or brokers who reference and compare data across multiple MLSs. Rather than relying on an IDX feed which only gives active listings – the MLS and its backoffice feed provides all fields as well as historical listings.

This data feed is extremely valuable for agents, brokers and investors that are looking for the most comprehensive real estate data that is not constrained by needing to post listings publicly for buyers.

Standardized Data Mapping in a Single View

Another challenge faced by real estate professionals and investors is unifying and standardizing data pulled from different MLS sources – even for data sourced from multiple MLSs that are using RESO compliant data schemas.

This is because data fields are often stored differently across MLSs, even with the same schema. Bold Street unifies this data so that agents and brokers only need to pull data from a single source – without needing to do any manual updates – in order to compare data across properties.

Data Accuracy

Bold street audits data returned by the MLS to ensure it is accurate and correct so your analysis for real estate investing is based on the facts. 

After mapping the data and integrating an MLS, Bold Street audits the data over time to make sure that the data is correct, the data types are aligned with what is expected, empty values are treated appropriately, and there are no edge cases or unexpected variations. We also provide an option for our customers to report data discrepancies in real time for specific MLS listings.

Data Timeliness

Our timely data updates help your analysts be first to the best listings.

 

Time is of the essence with underwriting for identifying and moving on deals fast. Bold Street offers data updates every 5 to no more than 15 minutes from when the MLS is updated. Instead of using a “one size fits all” approach, Bold Street optimizes our systems to each individual MLS and their specific technology platform to gather listings at the fastest rate possible.