PATIENCE IS NOT A VIRTUE

WELCOME

Hello and happy September! I don’t know about y’all, but September always feels like such a fresh start to me. The kids are back in school, the air is just starting to shift, and suddenly I’m ready for new routines, new projects, and new energy. I just want to buy sweaters and pencils, although I won’t need sweaters for a while and pencils… well, probably ever.

Anyway, after a whirlwind summer of travel, I’m actually excited to be home in Atlanta for a hot minute, enjoying my own patio before I’m back out on the road again.

Since we’re discussing fresh starts, let’s focus on your buyers. A lot of clients have been telling me they’re holding off on buying because they’re waiting for the market to crash. I have to level with them, saying, “If that’s your plan, you’re going to be waiting a long, long time.” Today I want to share why that crash isn’t coming—and why sitting on the sidelines might be the one thing that keeps them from finding their dream home. So let’s dive right in!

YOUR FACE. YOUR VOICE. YOUR BRAND… ELEVATED!

Now I absolutely love hearing from agents who are ready to step into their spotlight, because that is exactly how I got started. The only difference is that I didn’t have half the resources y’all do now. (Ring light… never heard of one.)

So, if you missed it, let me catch you up. The Estate Media Agent Growth Program isn’t just another content bundle. No, ma’am. This is your brand glow-up! We take powerhouse agents and turn them into the stars they were born to be… with short-form video that doesn’t just look good, it builds trust, drives leads, and gets those phones blowing up!

I promise, this isn’t fluff. This is brand fire. You’re working with the same team behind some of the biggest, best, and most fabulous voices in real estate. So if you’re ready to stop fading into the feed and start turning heads, this is your moment!

THE REALITY OF REAL ESTATE

Taking a Test-Drive, Real Estate-Style

I can’t stop thinking about this article I read last week in the Wall Street Journal. The newest trend in selling luxury? Letting buyers take it for a test drive with a sleepover!

I have to say, this actually makes sense because real estate at this level is not your typical Sunday open house with cookies on the counter. When you start adding a second comma to the home’s price, the game changes.

In this particular story, we’re talking $60 million mansions where the buyers don’t just want to see the house, they want to live in it before signing on the dotted line. And this is exactly what happened with Eric Albert’s Newport Coast estate.

A couple flew in from overseas after loving the video and the tour, but said, “We feel like we need to spend the night.” And for $60 million, Eric was like, “Pfft, absolutely! Try it before you buy it.” They ended up staying two whole months for a whopping sum of $500K, complete with staff and cars.

Now, the couple didn’t buy that particular house, but they still scooped up another property through his agents, and Eric walked away with a cool half a million just for letting them play house. That is what I call win-win, baby.

Here’s the thing—this “test drive” trend is gaining momentum in the luxury market. If you can test drive a car, why not test a house, right? Buyers want to feel the flow of the floor plan, see if the closet really holds their wardrobe, or if the morning light hits just right in the primary suite. Sellers who are open to it are creating opportunities, not just for a sale, but for relationships and referrals. It’s about access, trust, and experience.

At this level, the deal isn’t just about square footage; it’s about how the home makes y’all feel. And let’s be honest, if someone’s writing a $60 million check, they deserve to know if that kitchen really does feel like home.

So I’m curious as to what everyone thinks about this!

STORYTIME WITH GLENNDA

He Who Hesitates Is Lost

If you’ve been in this business since Jesus was a baby, too, y’all know one of the hardest things we deal with is clients who think they’re smarter than the market. Oh, my stars and stripes, I can’t even say how many times I’ve heard, “Glennda, I’m just going to wait until prices come down. I’ll get a deal if I hang back.”

I… sigh.

Let me tell y’all about one of these folks who sticks out in my mind. Back in 2015, I had a buyer who absolutely fell in love with a home in East Cobb. It had everything—big backyard, chef’s kitchen, finished basement. It was everything he and his family wanted and more. Listed at $450,000, and worth every damn penny. That client looks me square in the eye and says, “No, Glennda, I’m waiting for the market to cool. I’ll get it cheaper if I’m patient.”

Well, guess what?

A couple of years later, that same house sold for $575,000. And my poor client was still renting, still waiting, still convinced the crash was right around the corner.

Here’s the thing we need to remember when we’re counseling buyers right now: this ain’t 2008. Homeowners are locked into rock-bottom rates and have no incentive to sell unless they’re truly motivated. Inventory is still scarce, demand is still strong, and demographics are keeping pressure on the market. What we’re in is a shift, not a crash. Yes, prices are leveling, and, sure, buyers have regained a little leverage, but the bottom falling out is just not happening.

That is where we, as professionals, have to step in. We need to educate our buyers that waiting for a mythical crash is like waiting for Santa Claus to bring you a deed on Christmas morning. If they sit on the sidelines too long, they’re not going to outsmart the market. Instead, they’re just going to price themselves right out of it.

So, next time you have a client hesitating, share the stories. Show them the data. Remind them that the best time to buy was yesterday, and the second-best time is today. Because at the end of the day, our job isn’t just selling houses; it’s helping people stop chasing fairy tales and start building their future.

@glenndabaker

When is the best time to buy a house #GlenndaBaker #RealEstate #AtlantaRealEstate #RealEstateMarket #GoogleGlennda #GlenndaTok

GLENNDA’S GURU

Welcome, Matt Lionetti!

I am beyond excited because today I’ve got a very special guest—Mr. Matt Lionetti! Now, if y’all don’t know Matt, he’s a top real estate agent and content creator with REAL in Toronto, Canada. He’s built a brand on being funny, clever, and absolutely impossible to look away from. This man has racked up millions of organic views on social media, and his unconventional style has landed him on stage with giants like Ryan Serhant, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Tom Ferry. He’s here with me to discuss how he manages it all. So buckle up; this one’s gonna be good!

Thanks so much, Matt!

GLENNDAISM

Today’s Words of Wisdom

GLENNDA BAKER & ASSOCIATES

The Three Cs

Welcome to 1122 Tranquil Lake Drive in Grayson, Georgia, where we are all about the three Cs: charm, comfort, and convenience!

This 5-bed, 3-bath beauty in the sought-after Summerlake neighborhood offers nearly 3,000 square feet of sun-filled living, perfect for families, guests, or anyone who craves space to grow. From soaring ceilings and a cozy corner fireplace to a kitchen that shines with cherry cabinets, granite counters, and stainless steel appliances, this home was made for gathering.

With a bedroom and full bath on the main, a spacious upstairs primary suite, and a backyard built for everyday living, you’ve got the perfect mix of style and function. Add in top-rated schools and a location close to shopping, dining, and parks, and I promise y’all, this is the one that feels like home the minute you walk through the door.