he top five metros by count of single-family rentals are:

• New York
• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Philadelphia
• Dallas

Most people have never gone through the home building process and aren’t sure what to expect. They want to know how much it will cost, how long it will take, and how much work they will have to do. Lynn Tribon, director of market development for custom home builder Adair Homes, says real estate professionals can give clients the confidence to move forward by providing them with information about how the home building process works. “As a trusted guide, you can offer your clients multiple paths for buying (or building) their dream homes,” she says. “The end results are happy clients and an additional income stream for you.” Here are three tips from Tribon for easing clients’ concerns and giving them peace of mind as they consider building a new home.

1. Outline costs. With the occasional exception, most clients have budget restrictions when buying a new home. “Many also believe the common misconception that building a new home always costs more than buying an existing one,” says Tribon, who has a background in construction, administration, and home planning. “This is certainly not always true and the sooner you can dispel this idea, the sooner your clients can switch gears and start looking for land.”

For clients who are weighing their options, talk about all the costs associated with buying versus building. Remind them that buying an existing home often costs more than just the listing price, especially if they plan to make upgrades or do renovations. The cost of building a new home includes the price of land, site work, and the home itself. Work with a builder to get estimates on site work for lots they are considering so you can determine how much of the budget is available to build a new house, Tribon recommends. “It’s not always cheaper to buy an existing property and building new allows clients to get the features and finishes they really want,” she says.

2. Tackle timelines. Most people shopping for a home are on a timeline. Whether they need to sell an existing house and find a new one before it closes or want to get into a new school district by the time the kids reach a certain age, the fact is, many clients want some idea of when they will be able to move, Tribon says. “In a buyer’s market, this typically isn’t a big problem, but these days demand is high, and it could take awhile for clients to find the right home and offer the best bid.”

Fortunately, new construction usually includes a clear process with a defined timetable that allows clients to plan around a scheduled move-in date. “It might seem like building a new home always takes longer than buying an existing one, but clients can get their ideal home within a predictable time frame if they decide to build,” Tribon says.

3. Compare builders. Nothing makes the dream of constructing a new home more real for your clients than meeting with builders. “Just the act of sitting down with the people who could potentially be building the house can shift a client’s perspective from fear of the unknown to excitement about the future,” she says.

Getting clients in front of builders allows them to more fully understand the new construction process and what requirements each builder has in order to present an overall price, Tribon says. Visiting with builders early in the process also helps alleviate many of the fears and concerns a customer has and can give them the confidence they need to make an offer on land, she adds.

“If you want to support the clients who are considering new construction, nurture your relationships with builders so they are readily available to answer questions and provide estimates,” Tribon advises.

In an era where inventories are still low in many markets, building a new home can be a viable option for home shoppers. “Fear of the unknown is a powerful force,” she adds, “but by educating your clients and making them feel more comfortable with the process, you can increase your new-home sales and help fill the housing gap in your area.”

Home buyers and sellers may have false assumptions about the real estate transaction process, believing in myths that could rob them of a purchase opportunity or keep them from selling for more money. Leaders of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association culled the top myths consumers fall for.

1. The longer a home has been on the market, the more negotiable the deal is. There are many reasons a property may be on the market for a long time that have nothing to do with price or condition. Buyers shouldn’t automatically assume time on market indicates the sellers are more willing to haggle over the price.

2. An open house must be part of the marketing plan for a home. Open houses actually aren’t terribly effective when looking for potential buyers. In reality, only 7 percent of buyers find the home they buy through an open house, according to a 2017 survey by the National Association of REALTORS®.

3. A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is the best form of financing. Every buyer’s situation is different, and not everyone will benefit from a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. “If you don’t plan on staying in your home for 30 years, you need to evaluate other options, like a 7-year fixed-rate,” ORRA says.

4. Overpricing your house leaves room for negotiation. While negotiations are a part of most real estate transactions, if you price your home too high, you run the risk of not getting buyers to the table at all.

5. Online evaluations can give you an idea of home value. Automated valuation models don’t take every factor into consideration when determining the value of a property. Environmental hazards, recent nearby sales, and renovations, for example, aren’t calculated into AVMs, but they can certainly affect the home’s price. “The best way to check your house’s value is to ask a real estate professional,” ORRA notes.

6. You have to put 20 percent down on a home purchase. While buyers can save money on financing costs by bringing a higher amount to the table, it’s not necessary to buy a home. Conforming loans will enable your clients to buy a home with as little as 3 percent down. There are other resources for buyers struggling with down payments.

While people focus on spending time with family and friends, shopping for gifts, and traveling during the holiday season, it’s also important for them to pay attention to keeping their homes safe.

Without putting a damper on the holiday spirit, here are some simple precautions from Brian Collins, a writer for Hippo, an InsurTech company, that you can share with your clients.

If you’re home for the holidays:

• Track all your online orders and make sure you’re aware of delivery times and days. Do your best to be home to receive packages when they are scheduled to arrive.
• Even when you’re home, it’s wise to keep all doors locked.
• Keep in mind that gifts under the tree can attract thieves. If you do put gifts out, keep them away from windows.
• Burn or cut up packaging for expensive gifts before discarding it. Some thieves will dig through trash for clues about what valuables may be inside your home.
• When shopping online, shop at websites you trust, create strong passwords for your accounts, pay with credit cards for more liability protection, and be very wary of email scams (don’t open attachments from people or businesses you don’t know).

Read more: Brokers Offer Tips for the Ultimate Holiday Gifts

If you’re away for the holidays:

• Web-based security cameras are the best method to remotely monitor your home. You can see who is coming and going, when packages are delivered, and othre activity that occurs when you’re away.
• Leave a key with a neighbor or make copies for family and friends instead of hiding it outside your home., where a would-be home invader might find it.
• Don’t make announcements on social media that you will be leaving for the holidays.
• Wait until you return home to make holiday-related posts online, and don’t post your location while you’re away.
• Put your lights on a timer and have them turn on during hours when you would ordinarily be home, so your home doesn’t appear unoccupied.
• Make sure mail and packages are held for you until your return.
• Record the make, model and serial number of your valuables (artwork, electronics, firearms, etc.) and photograph or make a video log of your jewelry and other important belongings. Stolen property is much easier to recover if you have solid identifying information.
• Tell a neighbor or friend when you’re going to be out of town, and have them drop by to check on your home.

Fire Prevention

According to the National Fire Protection Association, unattended cooking appliances are the leading cause of house fires in the United States, with Christmas Day and Christmas Eve among the times when these kinds of fires most frequently occur. Decorations, such as candles, are also to blame for many fires in homes.

Here are some tips to help clients to stay safe:

• Keep a close eye on your oven and stove when cooking.
• If possible, opt for a freshly cut Christmas tree, since natural trees are more fire-resistant than artificial ones. Also, be sure to keep your tree watered and away from open flames, radiators, or space heaters. If you’re shopping for an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled as “fire-resistant.” Never use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
• Avoid putting wrapping paper, which can ignite suddenly and burn intensely, in your fireplace.
• Ensure your flue is open before igniting a fire, and remove any decorations from around the fireplace.
• Test your smoke alarms and keep exits from your home clear.
• Don’t overload your circuit breaker or extension cords.
• When you leave the house or go to bed, turn off all your holiday lights to avoid a potential fire.