A few weeks ago I wrote this blog: Your Grandma’s SEO is officially dead.
In that blog, I mentioned how our online lead volume plummeted over a few short months because the rules for online search optimization changed significantly and very quickly in the AI era – catching us completely off guard. Almost everything we had learned and were doing had become obsolete.
I also mentioned a friend who updated his Google Business page with the help of highly trained and expensive consultants – and quickly saw his business improve (he had 6 transactions come in online in 2024 and none in the latter half of 2025).
We too made significant changes to our SEO approach and saw our online leads shoot back up instantly.
It was no small task though, as the realm requires a tremendous amount of sophistication. As a result, we decided to do a webinar for agents to share much of what we learned.
We simply want to help agents get found and look good online far more easily (and get more business) – without having to pay for expensive consultants. I am bringing this up because many readers have been asking when the webinar is and how to sign up.
Well, grandma’s SEO funeral (AKA our webinar) is next Thursday!
You can register here to reserve your spot.
Loan Contingency Removal Battles
Borrowers and agents have been reluctant to remove loan contingencies recently. I want to address it briefly because it sometimes fosters extra stress and effort for no reason.
If a loan is approved and all “conditions” are in, borrowers can comfortably remove contingencies before loan documents are drawn. There is no need to “be sure” by waiting for loan documents. Once a loan is fully approved, loan documents will always be drawn.
Similarly, if a loan is approved and the borrower is certain all conditions, e.g. an updated paystub, can be met, conditions can be comfortably removed.
Appraisal Contingencies
Appraisal contingencies should not be removed until the underwriter reviews and signs off on the appraisal.
We often alert borrowers and agents when appraisals come in at contract price, but we tell them not to remove contingencies until after the underwriter reviews the appraisal.
This is just a reminder that an appraisal coming in at value does mean the contingency can be removed immediately.
