Real Estate Business Review: Specials Magazine

Exp Realty

Built for Success

Choosing the right brokerage is one of the most important – and exciting – choices we can make as part of the real estate industry. Most of us have bought a product on the verge of obsolescence, such as an internal combustion car, incandescent light, CD or newspaper. You know there is a newer product being adopted by consumers. Still, you are either comfortable with the utility of the older product, or you are getting a superior value or savings by using an outdated model. The same thing happens in the brokerage business. Many agents discover their brokerage by word of mouth, brand marketing, and perhaps, online reviews. But there is a better way! What is startling is that after conducting thousands of interviews with real estate agents, I have not found one that asked to discuss my brokerage business plan or financial stability. What is the company’s profitability? How many producing agents do you have? I have never had an agent ask for any proof that a brokerage knew how to run a business. What is real value in the brokerage business? Most experienced agents would say a superior financial model, companypaid support for their business and more opportunities that create revenue. Most newer agents would say initial and monthly cost, training, reputation and available opportunity when asked. The unacknowledged truth of the brokerage business is that the financial stability of the company leads to value adds for the agent. Have you noticed that most companies spend very free on systems, services and events when the market is hot? When the market is cooling, like it is now, companies cut staff, services and event spending. But the agents and associate brokers do not get a corresponding commission reduction for reduced services or systems. Take a serious look at your brokerage model and ask yourself five very important questions: • Is the brokerage running at a loss? The market is cooling and an

Top Property Tax Appeal Services 2025

Michigan Tax Appeal Services

Protecting Your Bottom Line from Rising Taxes

Steve Johnson, CEO

Michigan’s property tax system is among the most intricate in the country, designed to maintain fairness and consistency. Yet its complexity, shaped by factors like Proposal A which caps taxable value growth but resets it upon sale, often leads to confusion and disparities. As a result, even experienced assessors frequently encounter rising taxes or assessments that appear disconnected from actual market conditions. Many owners are left wondering how their property is valued or if they’re paying too much. Navigating this process independently can be overwhelming and confusing, leaving owners unsure of where to begin. That’s where Michigan Tax Appeal Services comes in. The company helps property owners across the state simplify this process, ensuring they pay only their fair share of property taxes. Through expert reviews, detailed analysis, and professional representation, it transforms a complex and stressful experience into an opportunity for clarity, confidence, and measurable financial impact. “The reviews often reveal significant savings that property owners did not realize were possible,” says Steve Johnson, CEO. “Our mission is to protect our clients’ financial interests while keeping the process simple and transparent.” Expertise across All Property Types Michigan Tax Appeal Services works with a wide range of commercial properties, including office buildings, retail centers, hotels, multifamily units, industrial buildings, and vacant commercial land. Each property is distinct, and the company tailors its approach to meet specific needs. Hospitality properties and office spaces affected by COVID-19 receive careful revaluation to reflect current market realities, while industrial and retail properties undergo thorough analysis of market trends and comparable sales. Clients who feel confused or overwhelmed by their assessments receive step-by-step guidance, with clear explanations of how values were determined. Every property is evaluated individually to create a strategy that maximizes potential savings. The process begins with a free, no-obligation review of the property’s assessment and market performance to help owners understand whether an appeal is justified. It then conducts a comprehensive analysis using comparable sales, income data, and market trends to build a strong, evidence-based case. The team handles all documentation, filings, and deadlines required by Michigan’s strict appeal system, ensuring no critical step is missed. The company negotiates directly with local assessors and, if necessary, represents clients before the Michigan Tax Tribunal. Transparency and regular updates keep clients informed and confident at every stage, setting the foundation for consistent, measurable results.

Top HOA Management Services 2025

HOA Alabama

Caring for People and the Places They Call Home

Jeff Hall, Co-owner and Nathan Dickson, Co-owner

Home is more than a roof and four walls, but the space people long for, where beauty, safety and belonging come together to create community. As Alabama’s neighborhoods evolve, homeowners’ associations (HOAs) have become essential to how people live together, share responsibility and protect collective value. Effective community management, however, requires responsiveness, communication and trust, not just oversight. HOA Alabama stands out as a company that understands this balance. It was built on the shared values of service and community care, blending personal attention, technology and trust. With professionalism, accessibility and genuine care, the company serves HOAs across the state, from single-family neighborhoods to townhomes and condominiums. By focusing exclusively on HOA management rather than dividing attention between rentals or other services, HOA Alabama has cultivated deep expertise and a nuanced understanding of what communities need to thrive. Boards and developers trust the company to handle day-to-day operations, allowing them to focus on higher-level planning and long-term growth. “We’ve built HOA Alabama on a promise of service and care,” says Jeff Hall, co-owner. “When we put the people and their homes first, communities become stronger and are always at their best.” Each community is paired with a community manager who knows the neighborhood and its people personally, supported by a responsive team of accounting and customer service specialists who keep everything running smoothly. The structure ensures clients reach a real person quickly, with more than 98 percent of calls answered within three rings, and most emails are handled the same business day.

IN MY OPINION

HOA Management

Challenges For Established Brokerages - The Tech Stack

John Currie, SVP of Operations, Weichert, Realtors

LAST WORD

HOA Management

The New Digital Playbook in Real Estate Engagement

Mark Hickman, Director of Digital Strategy, ONE Sotheby's International Realty

IN FOCUS

Transforming Communities: The Impact of HOA Management

HOA management services support the financial health, legal compliance, and operational efficiency necessary for long-term success in residential communities.

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Role of Property Tax Appeal in a Data-Driven Real Estate Market

Property tax appeal services are growing due to rising assessments, digital valuation tools, regulatory complexity and owner demand for accuracy.

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EDITORIAL

Redefining the Real Estate Experience

Real estate in the modern world is more than just brick and value. It is about people, how they live, what they own and the communities they build. The industry’s transformation isn’t happening on construction sites, but in the systems that support residents and property owners. Be it community governance, financial advocacy or operational excellence, service providers are reshaping the experience of ownership across the real estate spectrum.

HOA management companies are the architects of community harmony, shaping the everyday experience of residential living. It helps create neighborhoods where property values and overall livability grow naturally through consistent, thoughtful oversight. Modern HOA managers use technology and transparent financial practices to keep communities informed and engaged, while maintaining the shared spaces that define a neighborhood’s character.

Fluctuating markets leave property owners at risk of being overcharged for taxes that no longer reflect the true value of their real estate. Property tax appeal services play an essential role in protecting owners from these financial inaccuracies. It decodes complex valuation data, challenges unfair assessments and advocates for equitable taxation, bringing clarity to a traditionally opaque system.

Property management firms are the operational heartbeat of real estate. Handling everything from leasing to maintenance to tenant relations, it ensures assets perform at their highest potential. Firms are adopting smart technologies, predictive maintenance tools and elevated service models that enhance tenant satisfaction and boost investor returns. Their contribution is redefining what professional oversight looks like, making the rental ecosystem more efficient, accountable and investment-friendly.

In this edition of the RealEstate Business Review, we highlight companies that are driving innovation in HOA management, property tax appeal and property management.

We hope this edition of the Real Estate Business Review helps you find the right partner for your business requirements.