All Archives — Portia Green, REALTOR®

Lionel Hutz Explains “The Truth” to Marge

When Marge tells prospective Buyers her honest opinions about the houses she shows them, but doesn't actually sell any, Lionel Hutz instructs her to bend the truth. He says she should use more positive descriptions in order to sell the houses. In this clip, Lionel Hutz shows Marge how to be more ho..

Why You Should Get a Home Energy Audit

Performing a home energy audit is the first step toward cutting your utility costs and making your house more comfortable all year long. Drafty rooms and high utility bills are signs that your home could benefit from some much needed, energy-efficient upgrades. According to the Department of Energy..

The Home Buying Process in Plain English

REALTOR.com® and celebrity spokesperson Elizabeth Banks teamed up to explain the home buying process in plain English. This five video series gives you fun & straightforward details on what it takes to purchase a home and all the steps involved. Elizabeth Banks explains the basics of how to fi..

Get a Study Buddy: 6 Homes in 6 Seconds

How do you convince people to hire a REALTOR® in just six seconds? Same as always. Except much faster. REALTOR.com® created a series of short TV commercials to highlight some of the most popular features in real estate. A home office is commonly the functional space designated in a resi..

Knowing When You’re Ready to Buy a Home

Watch professional tips on how to make an offer on a property, whenever the time comes. In Episode 1 of "The Home Buying Process in Plain English" series by REALTOR.com® starring Elizabeth Banks, learn exactly what you should know before you even start house hunting or visiting open houses. Additi..

The Next Generation of Efficient Lighting

When you step into a hardware store, you’re faced by a wall of energy efficient light bulb choices. Those include compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), in addition to light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Both are great replacements for upgrading those phased-out incandescent bulbs, but which energy-efficie..

Tap Rebates, Save on Energy Upgrades

Don’t put off energy-efficient home upgrades just because of seemingly high upfront costs. You can save by tapping into Federal, state, and local rebates and incentives. Search for rebates and incentives for energy efficiency or renewable system installations, like solar panels and HVAC, in the n..

The Basics: Home Mortgage Lending 101

If you're thinking about buying a house, the biggest factor is probably how much home you can afford. Unless you have a boatload of cash stashed under your mattress from doing something shady, buying a property usually costs way more money than you currently have laying around. In Episode 2 of "The..

Hire a Master Master: 6 Homes in 6 Seconds

How do you convince people to hire a REALTOR® in just six seconds? Same as always. Except much faster. REALTOR.com® created a series of short TV commercials to highlight some of the most popular features in real estate. The highly-treasured master bedroom is the largest bedroom in a house or resi..

Home Insulation & Caulking Upgrades

A drafty house and high utility bills are signs that your home could benefit from some insulation upgrades and caulking improvements. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for more than half of the average home’s utility costs. Tighten up and save: Pr..

Solar Panels: More Accessible, Less Costly

If you considered solar panels for your house but were deterred by the cost, it’s time to take a second look. Solar costs have dropped significantly and in some cases, there’s no upfront cost. A Federal tax credit of up to 26%, good through December 31, 2020, just sweetens the deal. Plus, solar..

Marge Simpson Joins Red Blazer Realty

Marge decides to sell real estate for herself & gets a job working for Lionel Hutz at Red Blazer Realty. They have at least two offices in Springfield and all of their REALTORS® wear red blazers, hence the name. In this clip, Marge meets her new co-workers at Red Blazer Realty. The v..

Find a Tudor Tutor: 6 Homes in 6 Seconds

How do you convince people to hire a REALTOR® in just six seconds? Same as always. Except much faster. REALTOR.com® created a series of short TV commercials to highlight some of the most popular features in real estate. Tudor homes are a favorite for their steeply pitched gable roofs, elabor..

Smart Ways to Green Your Lifestyle

Living a more sustainable lifestyle doesn’t have to be expensive or even time-consuming. In fact, some minor changes can actually cut expenses and have a positive impact on your health and quality of life. Making your daily routine more efficient can be as simple as learning some healthy basics, ..

The Search: How to Start House Hunting

Now for the fun part! Before you can buy a house, you've got to find it first. In Episode 3 of "The Home Buying Process in Plain English" by REALTOR.com® starring NAR® celebrity spokesperson Elizabeth Banks, find out why an Open House is some of the most fun you'll have in real estate, and how to..

The Deal: Making an Offer on a House

It's time to get close to your REALTOR® and talk numbers when you're ready to make an offer on a home. In Episode 4 of "The Home Buying Process in Plain English" by REALTOR.com® starring Elizabeth Banks, prepare to analyze the market then part with an insane amount of money if it all looks good. ..

Introducing Compass Concierge for Luxury Homes

Compass launched a new luxury real estate service today. The Luxury Division at Compass builds on our amazing concierge service for home sellers by providing additional specialized marketing to highlight million-dollar homes and attract luxury homebuyers in search of exquisite homes. Compass is ..

The Keys: Closing on Your New Home

The closing is a test of will. There is nothing more awesome than taking ownership of your brand new home, but you have to sign for it first. In Episode 5 of "The Home Buying Process in Plain English" starring Elizabeth Banks, get ready to loosen up your writing hand. Did someone say paperwork? Bec..

Call an Attic Addict: 6 Homes in 6 Seconds

How do you convince people to hire a REALTOR® in just six seconds? Same as always. Except much faster. REALTOR.com® created a series of short TV commercials to highlight some of the most popular features in real estate. The attic is a well-loved space just below the roof of a building that occupi..

Lionel Hutz is a Man of Many Talents

After an auction, Marge meets Lionel Hutz, who has become a REALTOR®. Lionel Hutz is the attorney in Springfield. Beyond the law, he decides to try his hand at selling real estate. He's also affectionately known as Miguel Sanchez and Dr. Nguyen Van Phuoc, following some trouble that prompted him t..

That’s Who We R®: The REALTOR® Difference

The REALTOR® difference means hiring a legit professional who abides by the Code of Ethics, practices advocacy, and is backed by the nation's largest professional real estate trade association instead of just working with a real estate agent who only holds a license. A REALTOR® is the only rea..

How to Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

If you're wondering how to buy energy-efficient appliances, it's time to conserve energy and realize those savings. Replacing old appliances with brand new, energy-efficient models is the surest way to cut long-term energy costs. The mantra “reduce, reuse, recycle” is a foundation of the sustai..

Fact Check: What is a Green Home?

Energy-efficiency, sustainability, and durability all are hallmarks of a green home. Such properties are also called high performance or eco-friendly homes. Common Elements of Green Buildings While some homes are certified as green by housing or environmental industry groups such as LEED ..