New report highlights growing anti-LGBTQ sentiments among agents

New report highlights growing anti-LGBTQ sentiments among agents

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

Anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments are rising, and according to the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance‘s latest annual report, the real estate industry is at the epicenter.

The report, which is based on Alliance member surveys, revealed that real estate agents in the for-sale market (22.2 percent), outdated legal forms that require homebuyers or renters to use an outdated name or gender marker (17.8 percent) and real estate agents in the rental market (15.7 percent) are the top three sources of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. Homesellers (14.4 percent) and landlords (13.5 percent) are also contributing to discrimination issues, with members reporting issues with sellers and landlords refusing to sell or rent their property to an LGBTQ+ person.

Justin Ziegler

LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance President Justin Ziegler said the Trump Administration’s anti-LGBTQ policies — especially those attacking transgender and gender expansive (TGX) people — has created a dangerous and antagonistic environment.

“LGBTQ+ people are facing the greatest hostility since the AIDS epidemic because of the current administration’s anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-TGX executive orders, along with its efforts to end DEI,” Ziegler said in a statement. “We are troubled to learn that our members believe that real estate professionals were the leading cause of record-high housing discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.”

“Our industry has a lot more work to do to root out discrimination and ensure that the LGBTQ+ community has equal access to fair housing and equal access to homeownership,” he added.

A third of survey respondents said housing discrimination has gotten worse over the past three years, with 58 percent of LGBTQ respondents and 42 percent of heterosexual respondents saying President Trump’s anti-transgender policies will cause more trans and gender expansive (i.e., people who eschew traditional gender identities and expressions) individuals and families with TGX children to relocate.

This uprooting, respondents said, will likely lead to poorer homeownership and financial outcomes for LGBTQ+ children.

Parents of heterosexual children were 10.4 percent more likely to believe that their child would have equal access to homeownership than parents with LGBTQ+ children. These parents were also 23.1 percent more confident about their child’s potential equal access to financial stability than parents with LGBTQ+ children.

More than 71 percent of parents with heterosexual children believe their child will have fair housing access in the future, compared to just 49.0 percent of parents with LGBTQ+ children.

“We recognize that more education is needed as those in the LGBTQ+ community had a different view than heterosexuals about numerous homeownership-related issues,” Ziegler said of the report’s findings.

In a phone call with Inman, Ziegler said the Trump Administration’s policies are forcing LGBTQ+ homeowners, especially those who are transgender or gender expansive, to consider moving to a new state or a new country to find safety. However, that safety comes at a high cost, with homeowners losing the benefit of their record-low mortgage rates and equity.

“I can’t tell you exactly how much TGX homeowners have lost, but I can tell you this: I bought a home five years ago. I sit on a 2.75 percent interest rate and my home has appreciated by about 60 to 70 percent since I purchased it. If I were to sell it, I would be sitting on hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cash,” he said. “Let’s say I have $350,000, and if I were to take all of that cash and put it down on purchasing my same home right now, in today’s value, I would still have an increased mortgage payment, due to higher mortgage rates and appreciation trends.”

“I would not be able to afford the home that I’m living in,” he added. “And that’s the situation LGBTQ+ are facing.”

Ziegler said real estate agents are in a special position to help LGBTQ+ homebuyers, homesellers, and renters navigate a difficult housing and political landscape, but bias often gets in the way.

“The reality is the best thing that people can do in our industry is just treat everybody with dignity and respect,” he said. “Being inclusive just is going to create a stronger industry. Treating people the way you would want to be treated is going to create a stronger industry. I mean, how great would the world be if everyone were just accepted for who they are?”

“And I think that that’s, that’s probably the baseline of how to become an ally,” he added. “And even from the business standpoint of it, with homeownership being lower within the LGBTQ+ community, there are more opportunities to get business with folks in a community where the home ownership rate is lower. Why wouldn’t you want that opportunity? And all you have to do is accept people for who they are.”

Ziegler said Pride Month is the perfect opportunity for agents to connect with the LGBTQ+ community by attending local Pride events, learning about LGBTQ+ history, and finding ways they can advocate for equality in their brokerages and communities by supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and bills that protect LGBTQ+ rights.

The Alliance president also said this is the time for LGBTQ+ agents to be more visible and show others, especially those who haven’t disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity, that they’re not alone.

“If you’re in a community where you feel safe to do so, now is the time to be out. Now is the time to be visible,” he said. “When I was 16 years old, I put a rainbow on the back of my car. I wasn’t trying to make any kind of political statement. I just wanted the people around me to know that they knew someone who was gay.”

“It’s very easy to marginalize someone when you feel they’re not part of your community. It’s very easy to lump someone into a ‘those people’ category,” he added. “But when you know someone, you have a relationship with them, whether they’re your neighbor, coworker or friend, it makes it a lot harder to hate on a community.”

Read the full Alliance report below:

Email Marian McPherson

The farming framework: A proven system for listing-driven growth

The farming framework: A proven system for listing-driven growth

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community, and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

If you’re not known as an expert for a specific community or area, then you’re not an expert. Geographical farming is a foundational strategy for agents looking to build a consistent business with a steady flow of listing opportunities.

In a business where burnout is common and consistency elusive, Craig Duran, a Panama City Beach, Florida-based agent, has quietly built a career — and a lifestyle — around geographic farming. In this article, he shares the dos and don’ts of farming the right way.

A rocky start that led to a system

Duran entered real estate in 2003 after a stint as a professional musician and golf shop employee. His early years rode the wave of a hot market — until the 2008 crash struck. One particularly painful year saw only five closings.

“I didn’t have the skill set. I wasn’t really running a business,” he said. Ready to quit, a lifeline came from an unexpected place: His mother gifted him three months of coaching with Bill Fields.

That coaching taught Duran two things that changed everything:

  1. You’re in the people-finding business.
  2. You need a repeatable system to find and serve those people.

That’s when he discovered farming.

Starting with 1 farm and a letter

Duran chose a condo building where his office was located and wrote a letter. Within the first couple of letters, he landed a listing.

“I probably got lucky, but that’s when I saw the potential,” he said.

From there, he added a second, more traditional residential farm. He diversified not just by geography but by product type, balancing vacation condos with primary residences.

Today, his business runs 12 to 13 active farms, which provide him with a business that consistently provides listings.

Selecting a farm: What matters

Duran’s criteria for selecting a farm have evolved. Early on, proximity and product familiarity were key. Now, he encourages agents to evaluate farms based on:

  • Annual turnover rates (ideally 8 percent – 10 percent)
  • Average price point and potential commission
  • Current market share and competition
  • Personal connection to the product or demographic

The annual turnover rate gives you an indication of how many homes will typically sell in the coming year. This gives you the ability to calculate how many homes your efforts may be able to generate for you in the coming year, should you decide to farm that area or neighborhood. You should anticipate a minimum ability to capture 10 percent of the sales in the coming year and even higher with consistent value and communication with the owners in the farm you choose.

The average price point and potential commission provide another way of understanding the investment you will make and the potential return on that investment. Factoring in $2 per household per month is a great way to budget your annual spend for the area or neighborhood. This will be a combination of monthly mailers to the owners, along with “just listed” and “just sold” cards for the homes you list in the neighborhood.

Understanding if there is already a dominant agent in the farm helps you decide which areas have the most opportunity for immediate impact. Finding a neighborhood where there isn’t an agent who has over 10 percent of the previous year’s sales is a factor that increases your ability to become the go-to agent for that farm area.

It’s hard to sell something you don’t like. Duran said, “You should genuinely like the area or property type. It makes conversations easier.” He also considers life stage alignment — young agents farming starter neighborhoods, for example, can connect more naturally with homeowners.

The goal: A 10x return

While he no longer obsesses over exact ROI calculations, Duran aimed for a 10x return early on.

“Some farms hit that. Some get zero for three years and then explode in year four. You’ve got to play the long game,” he noted.

He tracks everything in a spreadsheet, manually entering data at year’s end. His process isn’t just analytical — it’s reflective.

Monthly execution: Direct mail and digital layers

Duran’s strategy centers around consistent, relevant direct mail. The core messages:

  • “Just sold” notifications
  • “For sale” promotions (with QR codes)
  • Market updates curated for each farm

“People want to know what’s happening in their building or neighborhood — not generic data,” he said.

Digitally, he uses landing pages to capture emails and send e-alerts with property activity. The key? Value-first content with no sales pressure. This is an example of one of his postcards for capturing email addresses for e-alerts:

“If someone wants a market update emailed to them, I give it freely. That branding carries weight later when they’re ready to list.” This is an example of a market update postcard Duran has used recently:

Video: The underrated farm asset

Duran creates screenshare video updates, walking viewers through market stats and trends. Each one is tailored to the specific farm.

“You can’t say everything in a postcard. These videos let me explain how I think — how I work. Owners feel like they know me before we ever speak.”

Many are 10–15 minutes long, breaking the “keep it short” rule. “People watch. Especially when it’s about their property,” he said.

This is an example of one of the neighborhood-specific updates he does:

When to let go of a farm

Deciding to drop a farm is difficult. Duran has seen zero ROI in some farms for years, only to have them pay off later. Still, he evaluates annually and adjusts. Factors include:

  • Lack of engagement despite strong effort
  • Shift in inventory or pricing that no longer fits his model
  • Burnout or lack of personal interest

“You can’t farm everything forever. It’s OK to pivot,” Duran said.

Final advice: Consistency over perfection

In a market filled with distractions, Duran’s advice is simple: “Just get good at helping people. Focus on consistency. That’s what separates the agents who survive from those who thrive.”

Whether you’re a new agent or a seasoned pro needing to regain momentum, geographic farming isn’t just a marketing tactic — it’s a foundation. The best time to start farming an area or neighborhood may have been yesterday, but the second-best time is today.

Start farming your first or next area today, and your future business will be stronger and more consistent.

Craig Duran can be found on Instagram and on YouTube.

Jimmy Burgess is a real estate agent and national team builder with Real Brokerage in northwest Florida, serving the 30A, Destin, and Panama City Beach markets. Connect with him on Instagram and LinkedIn.

How to keep a listing (and your sanity) when sellers won’t listen

How to keep a listing (and your sanity) when sellers won’t listen

As a listing agent, you didn’t sign up to be steamrolled. You signed up to serve. Coach Darryl Davis shares strategies for working with difficult sellers.

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community, and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

Let’s talk about something every agent will face eventually — the listing that tests your patience and professionalism.

You know the one. The seller who ignores your advice. Wants to hover during showings. Says no to photos, no to staging and is this close to going back to FSBO even though it didn’t work the first time. One of our clients recently shared a story like that during coaching: a smoker’s home, sellers who insisted on being there for every showing, and now — after weeks of no movement — they’re threatening to walk away altogether.

Sound familiar?

Whether you’re brand new or you’ve got decades under your belt, listings like this can rattle even the best agents. But they don’t have to derail you. Let’s walk through how to manage them with strength, professionalism and maybe even a little peace of mind.

Real talk: You’re not just spending time; you’re making an investment

Real estate is one of the only professions where you work first and get paid later — if the client follows through. No hourly wage. No salary safety net. You’re investing your time, your money and your expertise upfront, hoping that your client will partner with you to bring it to the finish line.

That’s not just a job — that’s a leap of faith. Every minute you spend is a down payment on their success.

So, when a seller decides midway through to cancel the listing or go back to FSBO, you don’t have to simply shrug and walk away. Especially if you’ve done the work. You have every right to protect your investment.

If they want out, don’t let them walk without understanding the cost

Here’s what I teach agents to say in situations like this:

“Seller, I’ve already invested time, money and resources into getting your home sold. I’ve done all that without asking for a penny upfront because I believed in your goals. But if you want to cancel and go back to FSBO, I can’t just walk away from that investment. In any other profession — attorney, consultant, contractor — you’d receive a bill for time and services rendered. I’ve taken the liberty of adding mine up. Here’s what that looks like.”

This isn’t about being confrontational. It’s about creating clarity. You’re not just “the agent”; you’re a professional. You’ve put in real work, and your value deserves recognition.

When sellers sabotage their own sale

Now let’s talk about the showings. Sellers who refuse to declutter, insist on staying during tours or won’t let you take photos aren’t just being difficult — they’re getting in their own way.

Buyers can’t speak freely if the seller is watching their every move. They won’t say, “It smells like smoke” or “This kitchen needs work.” But they will tell their agent, who can then pass that feedback on to help you reposition the property. If the seller shuts down that loop, they’re cutting off their own chance at a successful sale.

Here’s a simple metaphor I often use:

“Imagine I’m a doctor, and I prescribe medicine to help you get better, but you refuse to take it. Then, when your symptoms don’t improve, you blame the doctor. That doesn’t make sense. The same applies here. You hired me to help you sell your home. But I need your cooperation to make that happen.”

That usually lands.

Stand tall, set boundaries

There’s a difference between excellent service and emotional servitude. You are not a doormat. You are not a magician. You’re a skilled professional running a business.

If your client refuses to listen and insists on ending the listing early, you can offer a conditional release, meaning they can cancel, but if the home sells before your agreement expires, you’re still owed your commission.

“I want to support your decision, but I also have to honor the time and resources I’ve already committed. A conditional release protects both of us and respects the work that’s already been done.”

That’s not being “difficult.” That’s being fair.

This business is simple, but it’s not always easy

At the end of the day, the formula is clear: Be honest. Be professional. Set clear expectations early. And when necessary, be willing to have the tough conversations.

Because sometimes, the most important thing you can do for your client is not to agree with them. It’s to guide them. To educate. To hold the line. And to remind them that success comes when we act like a team — not when we go rogue.

So, if you’re in one of those listings right now — the kind that keeps you up at night — take a breath. Stand your ground. And remember: You didn’t sign up to be steamrolled. You signed up to serve. And there’s a big difference.

And you’re reading this on Inman, so you’re in the right place

This is where smart agents go to grow. To sharpen their skills. To find perspective and solutions when things get tough. My team and I are proud to support professionals like you — because this business needs strong, heart-centered leaders now more than ever.

Keep going. Keep learning. And keep standing tall.

Why now is the perfect time for a mansion boom

Why now is the perfect time for a mansion boom

Wealthy buyers are choosing stability over speculation, market expert Chris Drayer writes. They’re thinking long-term and betting on real estate as a safer, smarter place to park their wealth.

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community, and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

Mansions over $10 million are selling to the ultra-wealthy like hotcakes. What does this mean, and what do we say to real estate buyers and sellers?

Outside of the lifestyles of rich and famous, real estate buyers and sellers seem nervous, hesitant and on the fence. They may want to move or need to move due to a life event, but are reluctant to move forward. Agents are frequently looking for conversations to have with prospects around the current market conditions.

This is actually a great opportunity to have a conversation with your prospects who are always wondering if now is the right time to buy or sell. So this is good news for you, and here’s what to tell your buyers and sellers.

Mansion sales are booming

This week, Fortune reported what I found very surprising. Thanks to uncertainty in the market due to the volatile trade war, mansion sales are booming.

This is counterintuitive to me, and likely, many sellers. Aren’t we in a high-rate, low-affordability market? Isn’t the real estate slowdown still dragging on?

Yes, and no.

Here’s what you need to know and, more importantly, what you should be telling your buyers and sellers.

The mindset of mansion buyers matters

Why are insanely rich people investing in high-end real estate this year? These wealthy buyers are choosing stability over speculation. They’re thinking long-term and betting on real estate as a safer, smarter place to park their wealth.

Your clients should consider this mindset as well. 

They may be moving for any other reason that life throws at you, but rest assured that the market has spoken, and it believes in the stability and long-term growth of real estate. If you’re going to make a move, you won’t be alone. But when to pull the trigger?

Trying to time the market is like rocket surgery

As you know, buying the dip is not easy to do. Stocks fluctuate wildly daily, but in general, the market continues upward over time. Homes are not stocks and are not as volatile. Rates may drop. Prices may fluctuate. But unless you are doing a fix and flip, this is a long-term purchase.

Nobody has a crystal ball. If a move would improve your client’s quality of life, give them more space, reduce stress, or bring them closer to family. That’s the value that matters now.

Waiting might feel safe, but inaction has a cost, too. Life’s timing matters most.

So, what should you tell your clients?

“Let’s have a conversation. We can talk about the headlines, but I want to know what’s going on in your life.”

Life conversations are where trust begins and where clarity forms. That’s how you help someone get off the fence. Use confidence and care. Talk to them about life, and be able to back up their decisions with relevant, timely information about their long-term goals.

Chris Drayer is co-founder of Revaluate, which segments consumers for marketers by propensity to move.

How today’s agents are merging media, marketing and mastery

Savvy agents are leveraging digital media to showcase and share their expertise and win new business, The Agency’s Mauricio Umansky writes.

Since the NAR commission suit settlement, buyer agents have faced new rules, new documents and a new normal. This month, Inman drills down on Today’s Buyers Agent with the fresh marketing strategies, skills and tools buyer agents are using to prosper in changing times.

In 2025, agents who aren’t actively leveraging public relations, digital marketing and social media are likely already falling behind. Today’s most forward-thinking agents understand that their business success is no longer driven by sales technique alone — it’s increasingly powered by visibility, credibility and creating meaningful connection with their sphere of influence.

This shift has given rise to a new kind of real estate professional: one who integrates deep market knowledge and client service with strategic ways of reaching and educating their audience. Through digital content, community engagement and thought leadership, agents are growing their businesses by sharing their market insights and staying relevant in a fast-evolving industry.

This isn’t about building personal celebrity or becoming a coach. It’s about making the most of the tools at our fingertips to communicate value, share expertise and drive results for our clients. Agents are finding new ways to lead conversations, answer questions before they’re asked and build trust long before a client ever picks up the phone.

My job is to empower this growth — by helping agents harness digital tools, sharpen their communication and align their expertise with business development strategies that help them go further, faster.

Strive for brand consistency

One of the most powerful ways that brokerages can support any agent is by helping them articulate their unique value proposition. It’s crucial to guide agents in defining their brand positioning — while ensuring it fits within well-defined brokerage brand guidelines. Are they an economics expert, a client service fanatic, a contract crusader? Figuring out what they and only they can provide to clients in their market is crucial.

Once defined, promoting and amplifying agents across the company’s owned channels is an effective way to help them build their business. At my brokerage, these include our real estate and lifestyle blog, email marketing newsletters and social media channels, to name a few. 

Helping agents develop unified messaging creates consistency and lends agents a sort of “brand halo” that strengthens and uplifts the agent’s brand in their market — and it’s essential to creating real connection between consumers, your agents and your brokerage’s brand.

Leverage multifaceted marketing programs

Agents must effectively leverage the multi-faceted marketing support offered by their brokerage. Many of these programs are designed to help agents scale all aspects of their business. 

Competition is fierce, and it’s no longer enough for agents to rely on instinct and hustle. To truly thrive, they must become savvy marketers — strategically tapping into the full spectrum of support their brokerage offers. From targeted training to bespoke media opportunities, brokerages now serve as more than just a place to hang a license — they’re dynamic engines for brand building and business growth.

Smart agents know how to take advantage of this. They use in-house learning programs to sharpen their edge in social media, digital branding and content strategy. They collaborate with marketing teams to craft compelling narratives around their listings, market expertise and brand identity.

Perhaps most critically, they engage their brokerage’s public relations team to tell those stories at scale — securing press coverage, building credibility and expanding their reach far beyond their immediate networks.

It’s about more than just visibility. It’s about creating momentum — amplifying every listing, every achievement, every unique point of view with the kind of strategic firepower that turns a good agent into a known entity. For those willing to lean in, the tools are there. The next move is knowing how to use them.

Build powerful media relationships

Agents can lean into established public relations partnerships or seek them out on their own. Leveraging established relationships with media outlets can bring an agent’s brand narrative to a broader audience and emphasize their diverse roles as sales professionals, but also as industry influencers and changemakers.

Our PR team actively supports our agents by repurposing agent-generated content into public relations assets and story pitches, generating additional media exposure for them. They also organize agent-led panels, secure speaking opportunities at conferences, nominate agents for awards and recognition programs, and coordinate thought leadership opportunities, such as feature articles in key industry publications. All of these efforts serve to increase agents’ exposure, enhance their credibility, and showcase their unique perspectives and experience.

From a coaching standpoint, our public relations team provides media training and talking points, making agents media-ready for interviews, panels, events and speaking engagements — aligning messaging with the broader company narrative to ensure consistency across all of our communications. Again, an essential aspect of effective brand messaging. 

What’s next: Empowering expertise in a digital age

At our brokerage, we view our agents as trusted advisors, market experts and community leaders. Our role is to support them — not by asking them to become influencers or coaches, but by helping them use the tools of the digital age to better serve clients and grow their businesses.

In an environment where content drives conversation, agents who can articulate their expertise clearly and consistently will have a competitive advantage. As a brokerage, we aim to provide the structure, tools and amplification they need to do just that — while always staying grounded in what matters most: knowledge, service and results.

We’re proud to champion this evolution and even prouder to work alongside agents who are committed to raising the bar — not just for their business, but for the entire industry.

Mauricio Umansky is the founder and CEO of The Agency in Los Angeles. Connect with him on Instagram.

5 financial tasks to delegate to boost productivity and profit

5 financial tasks to delegate to boost productivity and profit

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community, and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

As a real estate agent, your time is a valuable resource. With a packed schedule of client meetings, property showings and negotiations, managing your financial tasks can feel overwhelming. Yet many agents find themselves spending hours on financial responsibilities that could be handled by professionals.

Delegating these tasks not only gives you more time to focus on your clients but also ensures that your financial strategies are optimized for long-term success. Here are five key financial tasks real estate agents should delegate to a trusted financial advisor.

1. Tax planning

Navigating the complexities of tax planning can be daunting, especially for self-employed individuals like real estate agents. With fluctuating income and various potential deductions, it’s easy to make costly mistakes.

A financial advisor can work with your CPA to help you develop a personalized tax strategy, optimizing your deductions and minimizing your liabilities. This might include advice on tax-deferred retirement plans, maximizing expenses and ensuring compliance with changing tax laws. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your taxes are being managed professionally allows you to focus on building your business without the constant worry of tax season.

Additionally, a financial advisor can help you explore various tax-advantaged accounts and investment strategies, like IRAs or HSA accounts, to reduce your taxable income and prepare for future financial needs. By delegating your tax planning, you ensure you’re not leaving money on the table, and you can focus on growing your real estate business.

2. Retirement planning

One of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects of being a real estate agent is retirement planning. Unlike traditional employees, agents don’t have employer-sponsored retirement plans, so it’s essential to take the initiative in building a secure financial future. A financial advisor can help you explore options such as Solo 401(K)s, SEP IRAs and traditional IRAs, allowing you to save and invest for retirement despite variable income.

A key benefit of delegating retirement planning is that a financial advisor can help you craft a strategy that aligns with your fluctuating income. They will assess your contributions, make recommendations on how much you should be setting aside each year, and adjust your strategy as your financial situation evolves.

Furthermore, your advisor will ensure that your retirement savings are properly invested to maximize growth while minimizing risk, helping you build a reliable source of income for your future.

3. Estate planning review

Estate planning is essential for protecting your assets, ensuring your wealth is passed down to loved ones and minimizing estate taxes. However, many agents neglect this area, focusing solely on their business while overlooking the importance of securing their personal legacy. While a financial advisor is not a substitute for an attorney, they can help organize your financial information and work with legal professionals to create a comprehensive estate plan.

A financial advisor will ensure your assets, including real estate holdings and investments, are protected and distributed according to your wishes. They’ll help you review your life insurance coverage, analyze trusts and suggest strategies that minimize estate taxes and probate costs.

Additionally, they can assist in creating a will that aligns with your broader financial plan. By outsourcing this task, you ensure that your loved ones are taken care of and that your wealth continues to grow even after you’re gone.

4. Insurance analysis

As a real estate agent, ensuring you and your family are adequately protected with the right insurance coverage is critical. Without employer-provided benefits, you must navigate different insurance options on your own, which can be overwhelming. A financial advisor can help assess your current coverage needs, which may include life, disability, health and long-term care insurance.

A professional advisor will evaluate your current policies, helping you avoid overpaying for coverage or leaving gaps in your protection. They can suggest insurance plans that are tailored to your needs and budget, ensuring you’re covered against life’s unexpected events.

For example, if you’re in a high-risk industry like real estate, disability insurance can be essential for protecting your income in case of illness or injury. With a financial advisor handling your insurance analysis, you can rest easy knowing your future is secured, no matter what happens.

5. Investment portfolio management

Managing an investment portfolio can be time-consuming and complex, especially if you have limited experience. As a real estate agent, your focus should be on your clients and building your business, not on tracking stocks or managing mutual funds. A financial advisor can take on this responsibility, ensuring that your investments are working toward your long-term financial goals.

They will assess your risk tolerance and develop a diversified portfolio that aligns with your financial needs, whether that involves growing wealth for retirement, saving for a child’s education, or investing in real estate. Additionally, a financial advisor will regularly review your investments, make adjustments when necessary, and advise you on the best strategies to maximize returns while minimizing risk.

Delegating investment management frees you from the stress of monitoring the market and provides you with the expertise needed to achieve financial growth.

Delegating key financial tasks to a trusted advisor allows you to concentrate on what matters most: building and growing your real estate business. By outsourcing responsibilities like tax planning, retirement strategy, estate planning, insurance analysis and investment management, you can ensure that your financial situation is in capable hands while you focus on serving your clients.

Working with a financial professional not only saves time but also helps you optimize your financial decisions, increase your wealth and plan for a secure future. You’ll find that by freeing up your time and relying on expertise, your business and personal finances will flourish.

In addition to hosting the Color of Money real estate podcast, Julia Lashay Israel advises, trains, and coaches leaders, team members, and agents to recognize and address diversity, equity, and inclusion opportunities and challenges.