Skip to main content

Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Contributing Editor

Melissa Tracey

Melissa Dittmann Tracey is a contributing editor for REALTOR® Magazine. She can be reached at mtracey@realtors.org. Follow her on Twitter: @housingmuse

Content by Melissa Dittmann Tracey

modern style foyer

How I Staged It: The Fabulous Foyer

Good interior design starts at the front door of the home.

Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Weitzer uses her work van for numerous local outreach events, including Halloween trunk-or-treats.

A Real Estate Office on Wheels

Amber Weitzer brings true mobility to her brokerage as a way to more fully meet her clients’ needs and build unprecedented brand recognition for her independent firm.

September 6, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Using AI Platform For Big Data Analysis

How a Franchise Giant Uses AI to Predict the Future

Coldwell Banker’s CEO Charlie Young shares how the brand is using artificial intelligence to empower prospecting.

September 5, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Solomon

Easing the Path to Civilian Life

REALTOR® and naval officer Mark Solomon is on a mission to create “housing with dignity” to end veteran homelessness.

August 28, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
dining area

How I Staged It: A Stylish Dining Room for Any Occasion

The space where homeowners entertain deserves luxurious treatment—even if it’s mostly used for casual socializing.

Melissa Dittmann Tracey
a luxury gray toned master bedroom

How I Staged It

This series of slideshows offers tips from professional stagers, interior designers, and real estate pros who have added modern decorative twists to rooms throughout the home.

Melissa Dittmann Tracey
banned online content

Is Your MLS Policing Your Listing Photos?

In response to a number of salacious listings featuring people in the pictures, some MLSs and other real estate groups are developing guidance for removing potentially offensive content.

July 8, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
terrazzo wallpaper

Design Comebacks

These features from years gone by are making a comeback, but with a contemporary twist.

July 3, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
home as prize in claw machine game

Unlocking Inventory

Real estate pros are seeking—and finding—solutions for persistent housing shortages across the nation.

July 3, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Farmer is holding fruit basket in computer

‘Click-and-Collect’ Keeps Physical Retailers Relevant

Businesses that connect online shopping options with in-store services are returning to growth mode.

July 2, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
pink velvet couch

9 Home Trends Making a Huge Comeback

History repeats itself when it comes to design. Several home fads from years past are re-emerging, but with a modern twist. 

Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Aaron Cole and his wife and two children

Buyer Bilked Out of $123K: ‘Just Like That, It’s Gone’

Falling prey to a wire fraud scheme, he lost the down payment that took his family years to save. Now he’s helping real estate pros protect their clients against cyber scams.

June 27, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Vanessa Deleon And Nelson Chen

Creative Brokerage Design: A Real Estate Office and Café Combine

The Chen Agency wanted to add foot traffic to their new brokerage, so they turned to coffee and sandwiches.

June 10, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
BoxBrownie sunset original

The Worst Offenses in Virtually Staged Photos

When editing listing images, make sure to avoid misrepresenting a property and giving buyers a false impression.

May 23, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Tech error smartphone

5 Tech Blunders You Can Bounce Back From

Technology can be your best ally or worst enemy. How can you recover from an embarrassing incident over email, social media, or the phone?

May 23, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
BoxBrownie sunset original

The Worst Offenses in Virtually Staged Photos

When editing listing images, make sure to avoid misrepresenting a property and giving buyers a false impression. 

From the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, May 13-18, Washington, D.C. 

May 17, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
cash for home keys exchange

‘You Can’t Afford to Ignore iBuyers’

What if you’re conducting a listing presentation with homeowners who’ve already received an instant offer on their property? Real estate technology strategist Mike DelPrete explains how to avoid being blindsided.

May 3, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Amazon Alexa Echo Plus on a white table with green plants in the background

Make Alexa Your Ally: 6 Ways Brokerages Can Use Voice Tech

As voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google’s Assistant are seeing explosive growth, real estate firms are looking into getting their voices heard on smart devices.

April 22, 2019
Melissa Dittmann Tracey

The Magazine

Current issue Past Issues Digital Edition Contact Us