Looking to make a lasting impression with postcards? Whether you're staying top of mind with clients or reaching out to new leads, postcards are a proven way to connect! At Kale Realty, we've partnered with Xpressdocs to offer a seamless, professional postcard service designed to help you build relationships and grow your business. Getting Started with Xpressdocs If you're ready to start sending out postcards, follow these simple steps: 1. Visit Xpressdocs: Head over to Xpressdocs and log in using your Kale Realty credentials: - Username: Your email address - Password: Marketing#1 Once logged in, you’ll have access to a wide range of Kale-branded postcards in various sizes, coatings, and designs! XpressDocs Offers: Kale Branded Postcards Open houses Just listing Just sold Price change Personal promotion Stay in Touch Postcards: Keep your past clients engaged with friendly, non-salesy messages. Recipes: Send fun, seasonal recipes that keep your name in front of clients in a creative way. Sports Calendars: Perfect for sports fans, these calendars help you stay visible all year long. Real Estate Related Messages: Market updates, home tips, and other real estate-specific content. Holidays: Send holiday greetings to spread cheer and stay top-of-mind. Various Topics: Customize your message with a variety of designs and themes. Magnets: Choose durable, long-lasting postcard magnets that clients will keep on their fridge! Flexible Mailing Options You have several convenient mailing options for your postcards: 1. Ship Directly to You or the Office: Want to personally distribute your postcards? They can be sent straight to your doorstep or the office. 2. Mail Directly to Recipients: Have your postcards mailed directly to your recipients for a quick and easy approach. 3. Mail to a Zip Code (EDDM): Use Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) to reach every mailbox in a specific zip code. 4. Neighborhood Direct Mail (NDM): Target specific neighborhoods to maximize your reach. Address List Options Don't have a mailing list? No problem! Xpressdocs makes it easy to send postcards to your target audience: Upload Your Own Address List: You can download a free address list directly from REMINE or download from RealScout and upload it to Xpressdocs. Generate a Custom List: Xpressdocs can generate an address list based on your specific criteria. Why Use Postcards? Postcards offer a tangible, personal touch that digital marketing sometimes lacks. They are a simple yet effective way to stay connected with clients, reinforce your brand, and generate new leads. With customizable designs and flexible mailing options, Kale Realty’s postcard service via Xpressdocs makes it easier than ever to enhance your marketing efforts. --- Start sending your postcards today! Visit Xpressdocs and log in to explore the range of options available to you. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at info@kalerealty.com . How to create and mail Just listed or open house postcards Below is a step-by-step guide on how to create and customize postcards on Xpressdocs for Kale Realty. Follow these instructions to design and send your postcards efficiently. 1. Log In to Xpressdocs Go to: https://www.xpressdocs.com/signup/index.php Enter Username: The agent’s email. Click Sign In to access your Xpressdocs dashboard. 2. Navigate to Kale Realty Postcards Choose Flyer Template (on the main dashboard). In the Dashboard, click on “Kale.” Click on “postcards.” 3. Choose Postcard Type Select 1 photo or 3 photo layout, depending on how many images you want to showcase. Choose First Class for the postage option. Select PDF for your proof format. 4. Customize Your Postcard Choose Agent Name: Confirm the correct agent name appears or type it in. Add Contact Information: Enter or update the agent’s phone number, email, and any other relevant details. Upload Headshot: Click to upload your agent headshot and place it on the postcard. Add Property Photos: Click “Click to Add Photo” to insert your property images. Choose the desired photos from the results. Enter Property Information & Description: Include the property address, price, features, and a brief description. 5. Generate & Review Proof Click “Generate Proof.” Review the proof for accuracy—check all spelling, contact info, and photos. If everything looks good, click “Continue” to move forward. 6. Mailing Options After finalizing the design, you have two main mailing methods: Mail to an Existing Database (Free in Remine): You can upload your own list of addresses at no extra per-address fee. Mail to a Generated List via Xpressdocs: Xpressdocs can provide a database of addresses. Please note there is a $0.01 per address fee for using this service. Choose the option that best suits your marketing strategy. You’ll be prompted to review and confirm the total cost before placing your order. That’s it! Following these steps will help you create and customize eye-catching Kale Realty postcards through Xpressdocs. If you have any questions or need support, feel free to reach out to xpressdocs technical team for assistance.

We’re excited to announce a groundbreaking new tool available exclusively to our agents: the Kale/MRP Reverse Prospecting Tool! This powerful resource takes your listing strategies to the next level by offering unparalleled insights and outreach opportunities. What Does It Do? With the Reverse Prospecting Tool, you can now: Track Agent Activity: Identify which real estate agents in Illinois have viewed, shared, or liked your listings. Enhance Networking: Use this data to develop targeted outreach strategies and foster agent-to-agent connections that bring serious buyers to the table. Inform Pricing Strategies: Provide sellers with actionable insights to help them make smarter pricing decisions based on real-time interest and feedback. Expand Buyer Reach: Tap into a wider pool of potential buyers by leveraging agent networks effectively. Why This Matters: At Kale Realty, we’re committed to helping you and your clients achieve success. By combining this innovative tool with your expertise, you’ll be equipped to: Sell homes in the shortest amount of time for the highest possible price. Offer clients the best marketing tools and resources available in the marketplace. Stay ahead of the competition with informed strategies and cutting-edge technology. How to Get Started: The Kale/MRP Reverse Prospecting Tool is now live and ready to use! To learn more, watch this recording. Thank you for continuing to represent the Kale Realty mission of delivering excellence and innovation. Let’s make 2025 the best year yet for our clients and our agents! How to send a reverse prospecting email Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use the MRP tool to identify a list of agents who may have buyers for your listing and then email them efficiently. 1. Go to the MRP Tool Website Open your browser (preferably Google Chrome). Visit: https://mrptool.com/. 2. Log in to MRP Enter Username: Click Sign In (or similar login button). 3. Download the Chrome Extension (First-Time Users Only) Once logged into MRP, follow the on-screen instructions or the provided link to install the MRP Chrome extension. After installation, restart or refresh your Chrome browser if prompted. 4. Log Into ConnectMLS Open a new tab in Chrome. Go to the ConnectMLS login page. Enter Username: Click Log In to access ConnectMLS. 5. Access Your Listings Navigate to Listings in ConnectMLS. Select View My Listings to see the properties you currently have on the market. 6. Select the Agent Name Within your listings, locate the specific property you’d like to market. Find the agent’s name or relevant information associated with that listing. 7. Check the MLS # Look to the left of the listing’s MLS #. Check the box next to the MLS # to select it. 8. Click “REV Prospect” With the listing selected, click on REV Prospect. This option may appear as a button or link, depending on your ConnectMLS interface. 9. Use the MRP Chrome Extension Click on the MRP extension icon in your Chrome browser’s toolbar. Make sure you are still on the ConnectMLS page. The extension will automatically gather relevant agent information based on the listing. 10. Download Your Spreadsheet After the extension finishes compiling data, look for an option to “Download” or “Export”. Save the spreadsheet (e.g., a CSV or Excel file) to your computer. 11. Gather Agent Emails Open the downloaded spreadsheet. Copy all the agent email addresses from the file. Paste them into the BCC field of your new email (this ensures privacy for the recipients). 12. Send the Email Using the Template Use your preferred email client (e.g., Outlook, Gmail). Compose a new email or open the template you regularly use for agent outreach. Paste the emails into the BCC field. Customize any details in the email to reference the specific listing and your contact information. Send the email, and you’re done! ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: New Listing in [Town]: $[Price], [# Beds] Beds / [# Baths] Baths – Ideal for Your Buyer? Hello [Agent Name], I hope you’re doing well. I remember you mentioned you have a buyer seeking a property in the [Town] area. I believe this new listing might be the perfect match: Price: $[Price] Bedrooms/Bathrooms: [# Beds] beds / [# Baths] baths Location: [Town] Below is a photo of the property for a quick preview: [Insert Property Photo Here or Attach as Image File] I’ve also attached a PDF of the MLS listing sheet for your convenience. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a showing, please feel free to reach out. I’d be more than happy to accommodate you and your buyers. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you! Warm regards,

Dotloop is a transaction management platform designed specifically for real estate professionals. It allows agents, brokers, and clients to collaborate on real estate deals in one place by combining forms, e-signatures, compliance, and storage into a single streamlined experience. What is Dotloop? Dotloop simplifies and centralizes your real estate transactions. Instead of juggling PDFs, emails, and multiple tools, everything happens within a single "loop" (a workspace for your transaction). Learn more here:What is Dotloop? Getting Started If you’re new to Dotloop or recently joined our brokerage, here are key resources to set up your account and get started: Set Up Your Account:Step-by-step setup guide Activate Your Account From Email Invite:How to join Dotloop via email invitation How Clients Sign Documents:Guide for Clients: How to Sign Documents Your First Loop (Create a Transaction):How to Create and Manage Your First Loop Best Practices for Brokers and Agents Loop Naming: For buyer-side transactions, name the loop using the buyer’s name (e.g., "John Smith") until you have a property address. For listing-side transactions, name the loop using the property address (e.g., "123 Main St"). Folder Organization: Keep your documents grouped into folders (e.g., Listing Docs, Contract Docs, Compliance) to maintain a clean workflow. Compliance Notes: Use the “Notes” section within each document or loop to communicate with the compliance team or administrators. Review for Missing Signatures: Always verify that all required parties have signed before submitting documents for review. Submit for Review: Submit documents for compliance review as early as possible in the transaction process. Do not wait until closing day. For more best practices, review:Best Practices for Real Estate Professionals Training Videos For a full walkthrough, watch this Dotloop training video:Dotloop Agent Training Video Additional Support Dotloop’s help center offers searchable articles and step-by-step tutorials: Dotloop Help Center If you have any questions or need assistance with setup, compliance, or transaction management, please contact our support team. Steps to Sign In to DotLoop Steps to Sign In: Step 1: Open the Sign in page Open your web browser and in the address bar type in www.dotloop.com If you are on the dotloop homepage, click Sign in at the top right corner. Step 2: Enter your email address and click Continue Enter your email address for your account and click Continue. Step 3: Enter your Password. If you forgot your password, continue to step 4. If not, you are all set! Step 4: Click “Forgot Password?” And enter your email address and click Continue Enter your email address and click Continue. Step 5: Open your email inbox An email will be sent to you from ShowingTime Plus. The email subject will show you the date and time the request was sent, and the subject: Password reset request. Open the email and click the Reset Password button. NOTE: Email providers can "stack" similar emails. If you receive an error when clicking the Reset Password button, delete all prior reset password emails and click the Reset Password button in the most recent email. Use the timestamp from your email provider to determine which email is the most recent. Step 6: Enter new password Type your new password twice, then click the Reset password button to finalize the process. You will now be prompted to log in to your account with your new password. Note: Your dotloop password must contain at least 10 characters, upper case letters, lower case letters, and numbers. How to Submit for Review in Dotloop Open your Loop Navigate to the transaction (loop) that contains the documents you want to submit. Locate the “Submit for Review” Button In Dotloop 1.0 (in other words, not the Beta version), this button is found in the top-right corner of your loop view, above your folders and documents. Select Folder(s) A pop-up will appear prompting you to check one or more folders you’d like to submit. Dotloop only allows folder-level submission (not individual documents). Choose the Workflow Use the dropdown menu to make sure the correct review workflow is selected (e.g., Leasing Review, Sales Review, etc.). Add Notes (Optional) You may include a short message for the compliance team, if needed. Click “Submit for Review” Once submitted, the folder will be marked as “Submitted,” and your broker or admin will be notified. Where to Learn More You can follow Dotloop's official instructions here: Submit for Review – Dotloop Support Dotloop How To’s and Tutorials Customizing a Workflow https://support.dotloop.com/s/article/Customizing-Workflows How to have Clients Sign? https://support.dotloop.com/s/article/How-Clients-Sign Assigning Signature? https://support.dotloop.com/s/article/Assigning-Signatures How do I edit a document in a loop and assign signatures? https://support.dotloop.com/s/article/Working-With-Interactive-Documents How to add Association Documents? https://support.dotloop.com/s/article/Add-an-Association How do I find my NRDS number? https://login.connect.realtor/#!/forgotmember How to change my name, email address or password for my profile? https://support.dotloop.com/s/article/Account-Settings How can I archive and unarchive documents (missing documents)? https://support.dotloop.com/s/article/Archive-Delete-Documents-and-Folders How can I contact support? Hours: M-F 8am-10pm, S-S 9am-6pm EST Call us: 888-dot-loop (888-368-5667) Send us an email: support@dotloop.com Chat with us: use the chat bubble at the bottom right corner of this page

Keep this checklist handy whenever you prospect by phone! ✅ Before You Call Check the National DNC Registry – Scrub your call lists. Check Kale’s Internal DNC List – If someone has asked not to be contacted, you cannot call again. Verify Business Relationship – You may call if: You’ve completed a transaction in the last 18 months, OR The person inquired in the last 3 months. 📋 When You Call Only call between 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM local time. Always identify yourself as a Kale Realty broker. Respect requests to stop calling—add them to Kale’s internal DNC list immediately. Keep notes on the source of your lead and outcome of the call. 🚫 Never Do Do NOT cold-call numbers on the National DNC list without a valid exception. Do NOT ignore “Do Not Call” or “Do Not Contact” requests (verbal or written). Do NOT use autodialers or robocalls for residential prospects. ⚠️ Penalties for Violations Fines of up to $51,744 per call (FTC/TCPA). Possible state penalties and lawsuits. Disciplinary action by Kale Realty. 💡 Best Practices Use Kale-approved CRM tools with DNC compliance. Focus on SOI, referrals, and networking for prospecting. If unsure—don’t call. Choose another method (email, social, mailers). Remember: Compliance is not optional—it protects you, the brokerage, and our clients. Do Not Call Registry As part of our ongoing commitment to professionalism and adherence to legal regulations, we are writing to remind all Kale Realty real estate agents about the procedures for complying with the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry. It is imperative that all our agents understand and follow these procedures diligently to ensure we maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct and legal compliance. We have adopted the use of the RealPhoneValidation platform (click here) to facilitate compliance with the DNC Registry. Before any agent picks up the phone to call or send a text message to a prospect or client, it is mandatory to check the DNC Registry through the RealPhoneValidation platform. The DNC Registry exists to protect individuals from unwanted solicitation calls and messages. By respecting the DNC Registry, we demonstrate our commitment to ethical business practices and respect for individuals’ privacy preferences. Failure to comply with the DNC regulations can result in severe consequences, including significant fines and damage to our agency’s reputation. Consequences of contacting someone on the Do Not Call Registry may include, but are not limited to: Monetary fines imposed by regulatory authorities for each violation. Negative publicity and damage to our agency’s reputation. Potential legal action taken against both the individual agent and our agency. It is crucial that all our agents understand the gravity of non-compliance with the DNC regulations and take the necessary steps to ensure full adherence. We encourage open communication and support for any questions or concerns regarding DNC compliance. Thank you for your attention to this matter. By working together to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and legal compliance, we continue to strengthen our reputation as a trusted real estate agency. Should you have any questions or require further clarification on DNC compliance procedures, please do not hesitate to contact risa@kalerealty.com. Do Not Call Lookup Use our DNC lookup to verify if a phone number is on the federal do not call registry. Do Not Call Registry Will you refresh my memory about the Do-Not-Call Registry? Answer: The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) created the Do-Not-Call Registry and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enforces the same. The Do-Not-Call Registry is a nationwide database where consumers place their telephone numbers indicating that they do not wish to be contacted by telemarketers. The Federal Trade Commission manages the database and also responds to complaints about prohibited calls to those number on the Do-Not-Call Registry. Simply put, if a consumer’s telephone number is on the Registry, they must not be contacted for telemarketing purposes. There are a couple exemptions to this rule: Has the consumer reached out to you to inquire about your services? If so, that consent exists for three months beginning from the date the consumer makes the inquiry. You would be able to return calls to those interested consumers even if their telephone number is on the Registry. However, if you contact this consumer and they then make a specific request for no further contact from you or your company, you must abide by that request, and add their information to your company specific do-no-call list. Do you have express written permission from the consumer to contact them? If so, you may contact them even if their number is on the Registry. That permission must be in writing and include the person’s name, signature and telephone number. The consumer can revoke that consent at any time. A common question regarding the Registry relates to FSBO or expired listings. If you are representing a buyer and you contact a FSBO listing, that would not be considered a telemarketing call because YOU are not offering any services or products. But, you must be calling on behalf of your actual buyer client who is actually interested in the listing. However, if you are calling an owner who is advertising a FSBO listing, or are reaching out to an owner whose listing with another agent has expired, you cannot call that owner if their telephone number is on the Registry AND the purpose of your call is to offer your services, such as listing the property. A possible exception in this scenario is where your company had the expired listing, and you fall under the existing business relationship exemption. Please note, if you are making pre-recorded/artificial messages or using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) you must have express written consent from the consumer that clearly and conspicuously discloses that the purpose of the consent is to authorize you to place prerecorded calls to that consumer. You cannot require that the consumer give this consent as a condition of purchasing a good or service. Finally, you must obtain that consent directly from the consumer – you cannot place calls with prerecorded messages to consumers whose information you obtained from third parties. Here are some best practices to keep in mind relating to telemarketing: The best way to protect yourself from violations of the TCPA is to obtain prior express written consent from the consumer and make sure you retain those records. Have an office policy in place that addresses the Do-Not-Call Registry and the TCPA. Train your agents and staff on that policy and make sure it includes maintaining and updating a list of consumers with express consent along with consumers that have opted out of contact from your office, through a company specific do-not-call list. Even if you receive a curated list of leads, you must cross check those names and numbers with the Registry before calling or texting. Review the terms of service with your vendors that you use to obtain telephone numbers or provide automated calls and texts. Will those vendors indemnify you and your office from potential TCPA liability? We have adopted the use of the RealPhoneValidation platform - https://realphonevalidation.com/do-not-call-list-scrubbing/

Need to pay Kale? Skip the checkbook. You can pay in seconds from your phone with Zelle or Venmo. 📱 Send Payment To Email: nick@kalerealty.com Phone: 773-610-3041 Works for both Zelle and Venmo. How to Pay with Zelle Open your banking app (or the Zelle app) and tap Send. Enter nick@kalerealty.com or 773-610-3041. Add a memo with your full name and what the payment is for. How to Pay with Venmo Open Venmo and tap Pay/Request. Search 773-610-3041 or nick@kalerealty.com. Add a note with your full name and what the payment is for. ✅ Memo example: "Jane Smith – September monthly fee" Your name and payment purpose help us apply your payment to the right account quickly. Questions about a payment? Email info@kalerealty.com.

Here is the correct procedure for listing a property with Kale Realty to ensure a smooth and timely activation. How long does activation take? Listings are activated during the hours below, usually within the same processing window you submit in. ✅ Listing Steps: Accurately complete all listing paperwork in Dotloop. Attach the signed documents to your Dotloop checklist. Submit for review once fully executed for managing broker signature. Go to www.kalehuddle.com and click "ACTIVATE MY LISTING" 📆 Activation Hours: Our team processes listing activations: Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm Saturday: one batch at noon If you submit a request outside of these hours, there may be a slight delay until the next processing window. ⚡ High-volume listers: skip the queue If you list frequently, you can be added to our listing whitelist so your listings go live ASAP, without waiting for the standard activation process. To request it, email rob@kalerealty.com with the subject "Listing Whitelist Request." Note: You still need to complete steps 1–3 before your listing goes live. Thanks for helping us keep everything running smoothly! Let us know if you have any questions.

Every month, millions of consumers visit Realtor.com to find homes and agents to help them buy or sell. Your Agent profile is a free feature available to all real estate agents. Your profile is visible to consumers on Realtor.com, who can easily find you using the Agent Search experience. The information you add to your profile will also appear in other consumer-facing areas on the site, such as Home Seller and Market Insights reports. Not sure if you already have a Realtor.com® account? Click here. Logging in / Signing Up To update your profile, log in to your Realtor.com Pro Dashboard account: http://dashboard.realtor.com/ If you do not have one, create your free account here: Create your free account Accessing your Agent Profile Once logged into your Realtor.com Pro Dashboard, select “Profile” from the left-side navigation, then “Manage Profile”. Profile completeness rating Your profile includes a “Profile completeness score”, so you can understand the strength of your current profile. This section also provides recommendations to help you maximize your profile's visibility to potential clients. Selecting a recommendation will take you directly to the section that needs updating, and your score will automatically change when you're finished. Realtor.com highly recommends making your profile as complete as possible to help ensure maximum exposure. Fully complete profiles can get up to 4x as many impressions.* *Based on Realtor.com profile impressions, measured from June 2024 - June 2025 Add/Edit a profile picture Upload a photo that represents you! Your profile picture makes a strong first impression and showcases who you are, allowing potential clients to connect a face to your name and get a sense of your professional brand before working with you. Select the profile image to access the editor. Select “Upload photo” and choose the desired image from your device. The editor will allow you to rotate and move the image to get the placement just right. You’ll also get a preview before you save. Use a high-resolution image (500x500 pixels), and present yourself professionally to reflect your personal brand. NOTE: To learn more about how to add, update, or remove a profile photo, click here. Complete your profile (about me) Begin completing your profile by selecting the “Edit” button. Bio Introduce yourself to potential sellers and buyers by showcasing your experience, skills, and achievements. Specialties Use the dropdown list to select up to 10 specialties. Other languages Select any additional languages spoken from the dropdown list. Years of Experience Select the year and month you began working in real estate. Areas Served Enter a city or zip code where you work, then select “Add”. Add all of the areas you serve; completing this section ensures your profile appears in the Agent Search experience when a consumer searches by location. Ratings and Reviews Past clients can leave a review and/or rating on your profile, sharing their experience to boost your profile's visibility. We will publicly display your Realtor.com, RealSatisfied, and RateMyAgent ratings on your profile. Adding ratings and reviews will take you away from your profile page; we recommend completing your other profile fields first. For more information, see: Add Ratings and Reviews to your Profile Recommendations / Testimonials Recommendations can be added to your profile from family, friends, colleagues, and others you have worked with. They do not have to be tied to a specific listing. You may also import recommendations from RealSatisfied and Testimonial Tree. Adding recommendations/testimonials will take you away from your profile page; it is recommended to complete your other profile fields first. For more information, see: Add and import recommendations to your profile Social Media Add URLs for your social media pages to further connect with visitors. Your Agent profile supports the following channels: Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Instagram TikTok X View and edit your Contact details Keeping your contact details up to date is crucial, as this is how consumers visiting your profile will reach you. You can quickly edit your contact information using the Edit button on the right side of the main profile page. Note: Your Agent license is automatically pulled from your MLS. This information cannot be manually updated in your Dashboard, and it will be visible on your Agent profile to the public. Are you a REALTOR?® (Find a REALTOR® Profile) If you are an NAR member, add your Member ID (NRDS ID) to populate your credentials and designations. This will allow your profile to be displayed when site visitors exclusively search for REALTORS®. If you do not know your NRDS ID, you can choose the option “Look it up on the National Association of REALTORS® site” or click here. Brokerage Office Information and Brokerage Branding Important note regarding the information displayed Certain profile fields can be locked from editing at a broker or office admin level. If yours is locked, an “Edit” button will not be displayed. If this information is locked, changes may need to be made by your broker or office admin using the email address displayed under “Need to make a change?”. If you notice an incorrect office noted in your profile that you are unable to edit, please contact our Customer Care Team. MLS Details Your MLS information is displayed in the profile edit view, which also affects the listing information displayed in your Dashboard and Profile. To add additional MLSs or remove an MLS account, give us a call at (877) 309-3151. Need to hide or remove your Agent profile? If you want to keep your profile in your dashboard but hide it from consumers on Realtor.com, follow these steps: Access your Settings from the Avatar menu in the upper right of your dashboard. From the Settings page, select “Profile settings”. Turn off the switch next to the “Display profile on Realtor.com” option. If you’d like to have your Agent profile removed entirely, please contact us at your earliest convenience. You can contact our Support team at 1-844-299-7646, Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST, or Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST. You may also contact us by submitting an email with your support request or chat with a Customer Care Representative here.

Exciting news for Cook County homebuyers: the Cook County Down Payment Assistance Program has officially reopened, and A & N Mortgage is an approved participating lender. This program can provide eligible buyers with assistance equal to 5% of the final first-mortgage loan amount, up to $25,000. Funds may be used toward the down payment, closing costs, or an interest-rate buydown. The assistance is structured as a forgivable second loan over five years. (Cook County) Why Agents and Buyers Need to Act Quickly Cook County allocated only $2 million for this phase of the program. Previous phases helped hundreds of households purchase homes, so the available funds are expected to be claimed quickly. Agents with interested or potentially eligible buyers should connect them with a participating lender as soon as possible. (Cook County) What You Need to Know Assistance is equal to 5% of the buyer’s first loan amount, up to a maximum of $25,000. Funds may be used for the down payment, closing costs, or a mortgage interest-rate buydown. The assistance is provided as a forgivable second loan with a five-year term. Buyers may use conventional, FHA, or VA financing, subject to lender and program requirements. The program is available to both first-time and repeat homebuyers. Eligible properties must be located in Cook County and used as the buyer’s primary residence. Income limits generally apply up to 120% of the Area Median Income. There is no income limit for qualifying purchases in certain Disproportionately Impacted Areas or Qualified Census Tracts. First-time homebuyers must complete an approved homebuyer education course before closing. (Cook County) Additional credit, property, occupancy, loan-program, and underwriting requirements may apply. Buyers should speak directly with an approved lender to confirm eligibility before relying on the assistance in an offer or purchase plan. Connect Your Buyers with A & N Mortgage Maria and Terrence with A & N Mortgage can help buyers review the program, determine eligibility, and understand the financing process. Find their contact information here:https://www.kalehuddle.com/post/a-n-mortgage-preferred-lenders Because funding is limited, do not wait until your buyer finds a property to begin the conversation. Encourage interested buyers to speak with Maria or Terrence now so they can understand their options and prepare to move quickly. Official Cook County program information:https://www.cookcountyil.gov/news/cook-county-launch-third-phase-down-payment-assistance-program

Starting a real estate career can feel exciting, overwhelming, and confusing all at the same time. New agents often come into the business motivated and ready to succeed, but quickly realize that earning a license is only the beginning. The real work starts when they begin learning how to build a database, talk to people about real estate, understand buyer and seller expectations, use brokerage systems, navigate forms, and figure out what steps to take first. To help new agents build confidence, connection, and direction during their first six months, Kale Realty is launching Monthly New-Agent Cohort Sessions. These sessions are designed specifically for agents in their first six months with Kale who need structure, practical guidance, and a place to ask questions as they begin building their real estate businesses. Why the New-Agent Cohort Matters Many new agents struggle not because they are unmotivated, but because they are unsure where to begin. They may have access to training, videos, tools, and resources, but without a clear path, it can be difficult to know what to focus on first. Some agents feel isolated. Others wait until they have a client or transaction before asking for help. By then, they may already feel behind or overwhelmed. The New-Agent Cohort Sessions are meant to close that gap. The goal is to give agents a recurring monthly touchpoint where they can connect with others at a similar stage, receive direction, practice important skills, and better understand how to apply what they are learning in Career Kickoff. What the Sessions Will Cover Each month will focus on one key area of early agent development. The six-month series includes: Month 1: Start Like a Professional Agents will learn what to do first, how to avoid overwhelm, what is expected in Career Kickoff, how to begin setting up their database, and how to start having their first real estate conversations. Month 2: Building Your Database and Sphere Agents will identify who belongs in their database, what to say to people they already know, how to track conversations, and how to begin creating follow-up habits. Month 3: Buyer Readiness This session will focus on buyer agreements, buyer consultation basics, showing expectations, compensation conversations, and when to ask for help before working with buyers. Month 4: Open Houses and Opportunity Creation Agents will learn how to prepare for open houses, promote them properly, engage visitors, follow up, and use open houses as a real lead-generation opportunity. Month 5: Seller Basics This session will introduce seller intake, CMA basics, listing preparation, seller expectations, and pricing conversations. Month 6: First Transaction Readiness Agents will review the contract-to-close process, required forms, file submission expectations, when to involve a coach or mentor, and common mistakes to avoid. More Than Just Training The New-Agent Cohort Sessions are not meant to be another lecture. They are designed to be practical, interactive, and focused on action. Agents should leave each session with a clearer understanding of what to do next. That may include completing specific Career Kickoff modules, updating their database, attending a live workshop, scheduling time with a coach or mentor, practicing a conversation, or preparing for their first buyer, seller, rental, or transaction opportunity. The purpose is to help agents move from passive learning to active implementation. Creating Community and Reducing Isolation One of the hardest parts of starting in real estate is feeling like everyone else already knows what they are doing. The cohort model gives new agents a place to connect with others who are also learning, growing, and figuring out how to build momentum. This creates community, reduces isolation, and helps agents see that they are not alone in the early stages of the business. It also gives Kale a better way to identify which agents are engaged, which agents need additional support, and which agents may be ready for Launch Coach or Transaction Coach guidance. Connecting Career Kickoff to Real-World Action Career Kickoff remains the foundation for new-agent learning at Kale Realty. The online program helps agents understand the basics of real estate, including lead generation, buyer and seller representation, open houses, forms, contracts, professionalism, and transaction procedures. The cohort sessions are designed to enhance that learning. Instead of simply watching videos, agents will be encouraged to discuss what they are learning, ask questions, complete assignments, and apply the material to their actual business. The goal is not just to complete training. The goal is to become more prepared, more confident, and more capable of serving clients professionally. A Scalable Support System The New-Agent Cohort Sessions are also part of a larger effort to create a more scalable support system for agents in their first six months. Rather than relying only on one-on-one calls or waiting until agents request help, the cohort format creates a predictable monthly structure. It gives agents a place to go, a rhythm to follow, and a clearer path for support. It also allows coaches, mentors, and leadership to better understand where agents are getting stuck and how to help them move forward. Session Schedule The New-Agent Cohort Sessions will meet once per month on Zoom from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Month 1: Start Like a Professional Wednesday, July 8, 2026 Month 2: Building Your Database and Sphere Wednesday, August 12, 2026 Month 3: Buyer Readiness Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Month 4: Open Houses and Opportunity Creation Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Month 5: Seller Basics Wednesday, November 18, 2026 Month 6: First Transaction Readiness Wednesday, December 9, 2026 The Bottom Line New agents do not need to figure everything out alone. They need structure, direction, support, and a clear path from learning to action. The Monthly New-Agent Cohort Sessions are designed to help agents build that foundation during the first six months of their real estate careers. By participating consistently, agents will have the opportunity to gain confidence, ask better questions, build stronger habits, and move closer to becoming productive, professional real estate agents. Real estate success does not happen by accident. It starts with showing up, learning the right things, taking action, and staying connected to support.

While we encourage brokers to use CloudCMA for comp reports, sometimes you want a professional packet to bring to a client. We have you covered! Below are templates that you can customize immediately to use in your business. Click on the design that best fits your aesthetic! You will be directed to Canva which will allow you to edit and customize the pages to best fit your needs. Once edited to your satisfaction we recommend having it printed at a local printer (FedEx/Kinkos) or printed through XpressDocs. We hope you enjoy these listing and buyer presentations! If you’d like to access Kale logos, please click here. (Kale Branded Seller's Guide) https://canva.link/76sdygr6zu0mxxr (Kale Branded Buyer's Guide) https://www.canva.com/design/DAFBLFeJ9EQ/gHqHOdym0yv-t1IkFEWGyQ/view?utm_content=DAFBLFeJ9EQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview (Kale Branded SPANISH Buyer's Guide) https://www.canva.com/design/DAGk6YFFV_g/HS-uTxwzBvLi3QE3bahZSQ/view?utm_content=DAGk6YFFV_g&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview (Kale Branded SPANISH Seller's Guide) https://www.canva.com/design/DAGk6btllXg/gAJ20XnNy3tLFiF4sh8lFQ/view?utm_content=DAGk6btllXg&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview Other Misc. Buyer and Seller Guides: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFDC-2E8a0/t5CWW_PmKjboGGZhkFZ6lg/view?utm_content=DAFDC-2E8a0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview https://www.canva.com/design/DAFC8jUThvY/vC54XogAe6LM1R3tA2pkPQ/view?utm_content=DAFC8jUThvY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview https://www.canva.com/design/DAEW_0MqnU4/7pmx4_5pQeZ-DrCf775COw/view?utm_content=DAEW_0MqnU4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton&mode=preview https://www.canva.com/design/DAD6d_XXeSQ/FUZPhoy3TuFbXW0UBdvkiQ/view?utm_content=DAD6d_XXeSQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton&mode=preview

For t-shirts, sweatshirts, water bottles, magnets, stickers, and more… click this link – https://www.markful.com/kale-realty Phone: 1.800.789.6247 Email: info@markful.com Markful can be contacted from 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. PT between Mondays and Fridays.