Coldwell Banker is getting diverse & A Ring Captured an Open House Burglary

Coldwell Banker faces backlash for it's diversity program, we prepare you for dealing with divorcing clients as we approach Valentine's Day, A Ring Captured an open house heist, and The home on Full House is on the market!!

Transactions involving divorcing couples can take longer than “traditional” real estate deals due to the legal complexities of what is required in a marriage dissolution suit and the time it takes for the parties to decide on various matters concerning their real property.

You must be patient if you take on a divorcing party. You will also need to show compassion toward them as this is probably one of the most, if not the most, difficult times in their lives.

Divorce transactions take additional skills and know-how, as no two deals are alike. Each phase of the listing period and the time between contract and close can be time-consuming and exhausting, sometimes due to unexpected drama or one or both of the parties’ attorneys delaying the closing.

Here are six tips I would encourage every real estate professional to use when working with clients who are, or soon will be, in the process of a divorce:

1. Communicate with the divorce attorneys
2. Recognize that emotion is driving a lot of the decision-making
I have yet to be involved in
3. Keep the process professional and on track
4. Set the list price
In a divorce listing, it is critical everyone agrees on a list price. 
5. Communicate with all parties on a regular basis
During the listing and contract-to-close periods, it is critical you communicate with both parties on a regular basis
6. Remain neutral
Finally, and perhaps, most importantly, when working with divorcing sellers, remain impartial at all times.

One of the parties may try to vent to you about the other one doing or not doing something, but you must never take sides. You should never state how you feel or offer any advice outside of your real estate expertise.



In a major new effort to increase diversity among its ranks, Coldwell Banker announced that it will waive franchise fees and give other financial support to would-be franchise owners who self-identify as minorities.

The new offering — dubbed the Coldwell Banker Diversity in Ownership Program — is available now to any real estate professionals who identify as racial or ethnic minorities, as well as women, military veterans and agents who identify as LGBT. Members of those groups can apply for the program and, once accepted, will be able to start a Coldwell Banker franchise without paying the normal $25,000 franchise fee.

Additionally, program participants will get up to $100,000 in funding support from Coldwell Banker, receive mentoring opportunities, two years of royalty fee rebates, and complimentary membership in various industry organizations such as the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) and the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP).


A Ring camera captured a burglary at an open house now being investigated by police in Summerlin, Nevada.
An agent was showing the home on South Hualapai Way and West Sunset Road when six suspects entered the home briefly before walking out around 3 p.m., according to the Las Vegas Review Journal. Later, four of the suspects returned, with one distracting the agent as the others ran upstairs into a master bedroom.
The agent followed the suspects and reported seeing a man with a bag of designer items and, after seeing the agent, dropping some of the contents of the bag and running off with about $4,000 to $5,000 worth of property.

Open houses have been home to numerous burglaries and attacks over the years. Real estate safety experts recommend removing any cash or valuables and, especially for agents, never being in a home alone during an open house.


'How rude': Original 'Full House' home gets $500K price cut
Originally listed for $5.999M, the San Francisco Victorian home used to tape the iconic family sitcom is now up for sale for $5.499M.

The Tanner family home is not proving to be an easy sale.

After nearly a year on the market, the San Francisco Victorian home used to taped the iconic family sitcom has been cut down by $500,000. Originally listed for $5.999 million, it is now up for sale for $5.499 million.

The home, located at 1709 Broderick Street, was built in 1883 by Charles Hinkel Lewis. It exemplifies the type of Victoria Italianate home that has now come to be synonymous with San Francisco architecture — three stories, bay windows and a flat front of light walls.

Rachel Swann of The Agency is the listing agent representing the property. It is currently owned by “Full House” creator Jeff Franklin, who bought it for $4 million in 2016, and had originally planned to turn it into an homage to “Full House” fans — he even went so far as to paint the front door back to the red it was during the filming of the show.