Columbus Brick by Brick

Nine months into his real estate license, Conner Kochansky had not closed a single deal. In this episode, Jon sits down with Conner Kochansky, Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Impact on The KR Group, to break down how he got through that first year and built a business he does not have to burn himself out running.

🎙️ About Our Guest

Conner Kochansky is a Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Impact on The KR Group in Columbus, Ohio. He got his license in 2022 looking for an education in sales, and spent his first nine months without a closing. He worked part time out of a bar and event space, building clients through the people he met there, before going full time in August 2024. Since then he has grown into a top producer, sold 33 homes last year, and is finishing his second book on self belief while building systems that let him step back from working every weekend.

🧱 What We Cover in This Episode

Why Conner got into real estate looking for an education in sales, not a love of houses

The first nine months with zero closings, and the client who backed out mid-honeymoon

Working a bar and an event space to stay in the game while building a client base

The social media marketing side hustle that led him toward real estate in the first place

A TikTok video that hit eight and a half million views right as he went full time

Going from 33 homes and just under $9 million last year to a pace near $10 to 12 million this year

The mountain-high, mountain-low first year of going full time

Building leverage with a mentee agent and a buyer concierge instead of showing every house himself

The team philosophy of selling the client on you, not just the house

His first published book on serving tables, and the one on self belief he is finishing now

What his ideal day looks like five years from now

💼 Key Takeaway

"I know if I do the right stuff today, it's gonna translate four or five years down the line."

🔗 Links & Resources

📱 Follow Conner Kochansky on Instagram: @connerkochansky

📘 Conner Kochansky on Facebook: facebook.com/conner.kochansky.1

🏠 Styer Hospitality Co, furnished short and mid-term rental management: StyerHospitalityCo.com

🎧 Subscribe & Follow

New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation with the people building Columbus.

Website: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick

Know an agent grinding through their first year with nothing to show for it yet? Send them this one.

Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It. 🧱

#ColumbusOhio #ColumbusRealEstate #RealEstateAgent #RemaxImpact #TheKRGroup #ColumbusBrickByBrick

Your kitchen is dated, your listing has been sitting for months, and the options seem to come down to a gut renovation or another price cut. What if there is a third one? In this episode, Jon sits down with Hailey Major, Owner of HOMEstretch: Columbus, to break down what actually drives ROI on pre-sale improvements and where sellers should put their money before they list.

🎙️ About Our Guest

Hailey Major is the Owner of HOMEstretch: Columbus, a home preparation company that gets houses cosmetically ready to list, covering everything between the listing agreement and staging. Born in Texas, she moved to Columbus in elementary school, went to Ohio State, left for a while, and could not shake the city. She spent the first 15 years of her career in sales, mostly tech, with the last decade or so in startups. A franchise broker introduced her to HOMEstretch, and she recognized the service she had needed when selling her own first home.

🧱 What We Cover in This Episode

Why HOMEstretch takes only work tied to a real estate transaction, even when friends ask

Turning around Columbus listings that sat three and six months by putting part of a planned price cut into the house

What makes an update strategic, and why a gorgeous basement in a disjointed house still costs money

Where the biggest returns show up: painting, flooring, and kitchen updates

The Grandview project where the asking price went up in the neighborhood of $50,000 to $75,000 after the work

The two mistakes sellers make most: overspending in one room, and bold design choices right before listing

Coaching sellers through the emotional handoff from family home to largest asset

Pay at close financing and what it does to a seller's decision making

Competing against new builds, and what millennial and Gen Z buyers expect from a resale

Digital rendering tools that show sellers their own space updated before any work starts

Mentorship, and the Columbus women in real estate who opened doors early

💼 Key Takeaway

"Our goal is to neutralize the space and attract the largest buyer pool possible, so that you have the highest potential to sell your home quickly and for top dollar."

🔗 Links & Resources

🌐 HOMEstretch: Columbus: home-stretch.com/locations/oh/columbus

📱 Follow HOMEstretch: Columbus on Instagram: @homestretch_columbus

📘 HOMEstretch: Columbus on Facebook: facebook.com/homestretch.columbus

👤 Hailey Major on Instagram (personal): @hailsmaj

📞 Call or text for a free consultation: (614) 532-4663

🎧 Subscribe & Follow

New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation with the people building Columbus.

Website: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick

Know a seller who is about to take another price cut? Send them this episode first.

Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It. 🧱

#ColumbusOhio #PreListingPrep #HomeSellingTips #ColumbusRealEstate #HOMEstretchColumbus #ColumbusBrickByBrick

Will AI replace real estate agents, or just replace the ones who refuse to change? On this episode of Columbus Brick by Brick, host Jon Styer sits down with Red 1 Realty agent Jim Ross to challenge the industry's favorite catchphrase and dig into what's actually at stake for agents over the next three to five years.

Jim Ross has spent 11 years building a high-volume, investor-focused real estate business in Columbus, and he's not buying the comfortable narrative that AI is "just another tool." In this conversation, Jim and Jon break down which parts of the real estate transaction are already being commoditized, what history's biggest tech revolutions teach us about disruption, and why trust, not information, is about to become an agent's most valuable asset.

In this episode, you'll learn:

- Why the phrase "AI won't replace agents, but agents who use AI will replace those who don't" may be missing the bigger picture

- Which parts of an agent's job (market analysis, transaction coordination, information gatekeeping) are most at risk of automation

- What past technology revolutions, from the MLS to the internet to Zillow, teach us about surviving disruption

- Why AI punishes "gatekeepers" and rewards "advisors"

- How to build a personal brand and a defensible "moat" around trust, negotiation, and local expertise

- The simple exercise Jim used (tracking every hour of his day, then feeding it into ChatGPT) to find out exactly where his time, and value, is really going

- Why Jim believes the number of real estate agents nationally and in Columbus will shrink significantly in the next three to five years, and who will be left standing

About Jim Ross

Jim Ross is a real estate agent with Red 1 Realty in Columbus, Ohio, licensed since 2015. After starting his career with the goal of becoming a real estate investor, Jim discovered a passion for the traditional agent side of the business, particularly working with investors and flippers. Over the past 11 years he's built a high-volume, top-producing business in Central Ohio centered on repeat investor clients and as-is properties, while staying deeply engaged in how technology and AI are reshaping the future of the industry.

Connect with Jim Ross:

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jim.ross.944

- Instagram: @heyjimross

Mentioned in this episode:

- Styer Hospitality Co — furnished short and midterm rental management: https://www.styerhospitalityco.com

Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone building a career or a business in Columbus real estate. New episodes drop weekly.

🌐 Website: https://www.columbusbrickbybrick.com/

📱 Follow us: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

#ColumbusBrickByBrick #RealEstateAI #ColumbusRealEstate

What if architecture wasn't just an expense on your renovation budget, but the single biggest lever for long-term value in your real estate? In this episode, Jon sits down with Nick Karakaian, Principal and Co-Founder of ArcFluence, to talk design as a multiplier, the ADU boom about to reshape Columbus, and why thoughtful spaces drive better outcomes for investors, homeowners, and entire neighborhoods.

🎙️ About Our Guest

Nick Karakaian is the Principal and Co-Founder of ArcFluence, a Columbus-based architecture firm blending design, technology, and real estate strategy. A specialist in maximizing property value through thoughtful design and material use, Nick earned his master's in Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State before launching a construction and design firm in NYC, working for Google, and joining the Keller Williams Realty family. He and his wife Sarah were featured on HGTV's Beach Flip, where they renovated a beach house together in Gulf Shores, Alabama. In 2017, they made Columbus home to take advantage of one of the most exciting real estate markets in the country. Today, Nick is focused on growing ArcFluence with his partners and shaping the spaces that will define the next chapter of Columbus.

🧱 What We Cover in This Episode

Nick's path from striping parking lots to the Air Force, to Google, to launching an architecture firm

Why architecture is an investment, not an expense — and how design directly drives property value

The "third skin" philosophy: how built environments shape behavior, business, and longevity

Renovation math: when you get 80 cents on the dollar vs. $1.30 on the dollar back

Columbus's new ADU regulation — and why it's a game-changer for homeowners and investors

Real ADU use cases: better school districts, multigenerational living, fixed-income retirees, work-from-home setups

Common misconceptions real estate professionals have about working with architects

Why permit timelines are shifting and how to plan accordingly

The rise of universal design, interior design investment, and amenity-driven spaces

Lessons in leadership, scope creep, and the shift from self-employed to true business owner

What ArcFluence is building next — and the commercial projects beginning to shape the skyline

💼 Key Takeaway

"You're not just designing a space. You're creating an environment where humans can perform at their best — and that impacts everything."

🔗 Links & Resources

ArcFluence: ArcFluence.com

Follow ArcFluence on Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn: @arcfluence

Styer Hospitality Co. — furnished short & mid-term rental management: StyerHospitalityCo.com

🎧 Subscribe & Follow New episodes drop every week.

Subscribe so you never miss a conversation with the people building Columbus.

Website: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick

If today's conversation sparked an idea — whether it's an ADU on your lot, a renovation you've been sitting on, or a bigger vision for what your real estate could become — share this episode with someone who'd love it.

Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It. 🧱

#ColumbusOhio #ArchitectureMatters #RealEstateInvesting #ADU #ColumbusRealEstate #ArcFluence #ColumbusBrickByBrick

Capital is the most powerful tool in any investor's toolbox — but knowing how to use it is what separates investors who scale from those who stall. In this episode, Jon sits down with Alex Rose, Managing Director of DSCR Lending at Renovo Financial, to break down the financing strategies fueling Columbus's most successful real estate investors.

🎙️ About Our Guest

Alex Rose is the Managing Director of DSCR Lending at Renovo Financial and one of the top-producing loan officers in Ohio for hard money and investment lending. Over the last two years, Alex has closed more than 1,000 units totaling over $175 million in originations. With deep expertise across the Ohio market and surrounding states, he works at the intersection of capital markets and real estate entrepreneurs — helping investors scale through asset-based financing strategies that go far beyond traditional lending.

🧱 What We Cover in This Episode

Alex's path from medical sales at Cardinal Health to leading investment lending in Columbus

What DSCR loans actually are — and how to qualify (the 1.0 vs. 1.2 ratio explained)

Why net cash flow matters more than headline numbers on multifamily deals

Bridge loans, fix-and-flip financing, and the A-to-B gap most lenders miss

How portfolio loans work, when they make sense, and the trap of the 120% release price

The biggest mistakes new investors make — and how to avoid them

Why design quality is now winning flips in a slower

Columbus market The case for "walk, don't run" when building your first rental portfolio

Why mentorship, partnerships, and abundance mindset matter more than ever What makes the

Columbus investor community uniquely collaborative

💼 Key Takeaway

"Walk, don't run. You don't have to hit a home run on your first deal — just get on base."

🔗 Links & Resources Renovo Financial: renovofinancial.com

Connect with Alex Rose on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.rose.942450

🎧 Subscribe & Follow

New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation with the people building Columbus.

Website: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

Instagram, Facebook & YouTube: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick

If today's conversation hit home, share it with a fellow investor, agent, or entrepreneur who's building something here in Columbus.

Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It. 🧱

#ColumbusOhio #RealEstateInvesting #DSCRLoans #ColumbusRealEstate #RenovoFinancial #ColumbusBrickByBrick

What does it take to go from car sales to owning a mortgage brokerage, 16 investment properties, and a house on a private Florida island? Liz Lawrence, founder of LFG Lending, sits down with Jon Styer to share the unfiltered story of how she carved out a niche in investment real estate lending — and built a life on her own terms.

About Liz Lawrence: Liz Lawrence is the owner of LFG Lending, a Columbus-based mortgage brokerage that works exclusively with real estate investors across more than 40 states. With over 10 years of mortgage experience — built on high-volume teams at Huntington, Fifth Third, and U.S. Bank — Liz made the leap to open her own firm three years ago. She's also an active investor herself, with 16 properties in her personal portfolio and a deep belief that the BRRRR method is far from broken.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Liz went from car sales to banking to becoming one of Columbus's go-to investment lenders
• Why niching down is the most powerful business decision she ever made
• The honest story of growing LFG Lending from scratch — the highs, the hard seasons, and what she'd do differently
• Her personal real estate investing journey: partnerships, BRRRR deals, a 6-pack purchase, and a house on Dog Island
• What's actually happening in the Columbus real estate market right now — and why investors need to slow down and run ALL the numbers
• The mindset shift required when you go from employee to business owner
• Why she's focused on making LFG saleable — even if she never sells it
• How she manages a team with wildly different motivations than her own

Links & Resources:

• 🌐 LFG Lending: lfglending.com
• 📘 Liz on Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/liz.mills.9400/
• 📘 LFG Lending on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LFGlending/
• 📸 LFG Lending on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfglending/
• 🏠 Styer Hospitality Co.: StyerHospitalityCo.com
• 🎙️ Columbus Brick by Brick: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

Subscribe & Follow: If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow investor or entrepreneur who needs to hear this. New episodes drop weekly.

📍 Follow us @ColumbusBrickbyBrick on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube 🌐 ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

Every Brick Has a Story. We're Here to Tell It.

What does it really take to stand out in Columbus real estate today? In Episode 29 of Columbus Brick by Brick, Jon Styer sits down with Justin Bruce to talk about personal branding, relationship-driven business, and why authenticity beats the highlight reel every time. From building trust through content to navigating burnout, mentorship, and major career pivots, this conversation is packed with practical insight for agents, entrepreneurs, and anyone building something meaningful in Columbus.

Welcome back to Columbus Brick by Brick, the weekly podcast uncovering the people, projects, and ideas shaping Columbus, Ohio. Hosted by Jon Styer, broker and owner of Styer Real Estate Professionals, the show features conversations with local leaders, business owners, and community builders who are helping shape the future of our city—one story at a time. In this episode, Jon is joined by Justin Bruce, a Columbus-based real estate agent, speaker, and TV host. Known for his strong personal brand, consistent content, and relationship-first approach to business, Justin shares the real story behind his growth in real estate—and what it looks like to build trust both online and in the community. Justin opens up about how he found his niche, why he stopped trying to look like every other agent, and how leaning into family, faith, and authenticity changed the trajectory of his business. He also shares lessons from one of his toughest seasons, the role of mentorship in his journey, and why Columbus continues to be a city full of opportunity for those paying attention.

In this episode, we cover:

How Justin built a recognizable personal brand in Columbus real estate

Why relationships matter more than chasing leads

The power of authenticity and consistency in content creation

What agents get wrong about social media and personal branding

Lessons learned from burnout, pressure, and unrealistic expectations

Why mentorship, community, and values matter in long-term success

Trends Justin is watching in the Columbus real estate market

What it means to create a “blue ocean” instead of competing with everyone else

About Justin Bruce: Justin Bruce is a family man, top-performing realtor, TV host, and speaker who is passionate about building meaningful relationships and making an impact. Whether he’s helping clients find the right home, hosting a show, or speaking to others about branding and business growth, Justin leads with authenticity, energy, and connection. When he’s not working, he’s spending time with his wife, Dr. Kate, and their kids, Carter and Sky, enjoying bourbon, golfing, or cheering on the Columbus Crew.

Connect with Justin Bruce: Instagram: @thejustinbruce

Follow Columbus Brick by Brick: Website: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

Instagram, Facebook, YouTube: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, comment, and share it with someone who’s passionate about Columbus, real estate, entrepreneurship, or building a meaningful brand.

Every Brick Has a Story. We’re Here to Tell It.

From rollerblading to a job interview… to raising $50M+ and building one of Columbus’s most powerful investor communities. In Episode 28, Jon Styer sits down with Dave Payerchin to unpack the real story behind capital raising, wholesaling/novations, single-family rental strategy, and the mindset required to build (and rebuild) long-term success in real estate.

Dave Payerchin is a real estate investor, educator, and founder of The CREAM Group (Columbus Real Estate and Money)—Central Ohio’s largest and most engaged networking community for real estate professionals, service providers, and vendors. With 1,000+ investment transactions and $65M+ raised in private capital, Dave is known for blending practical deal strategy with a powerful focus on integrity, personal growth, and community-driven collaboration.

Guest highlights:

1,000+ Real Estate Investment Transactions

65M+ Private Capital Raised

Multifamily Apartment Buyer Asset Performance Specialist

In-house Construction & Property Management Team

Ohio Real Estate Specialist

What we cover in this episode:

Dave’s origin story

Cleveland → Arizona construction → MCI WorldCom telemarketing → real estate obsession

The first deal mindset shift: why belief matters more than the size of the win

Raising private capital early (even without credit): how trust is earned before resources exist

Why Dave is bullish on single-family rentals in Columbus: flexibility, underwriting simplicity, and exit strategies

“Pay to play”: the reality of expensive money early on—and why it can still be worth it

Setbacks, ego, and rebuilding: what the last 24 months taught Dave about staying “checked in”

The “Core Four” framework: mindset/spirituality, health, relationships, business—and how it affects performance

Avoiding burnout by building around your true core competency

New investor myths: fear of the phone, scaling too fast, and “busy work” vs. revenue-generating activities

Market outlook: why Columbus continues to look resilient compared to boom/bust metros

No-constraints vision: what Dave is building next—and how he wants to change the perception of “we buy houses”

Links & Resources Mentioned:

The CREAM Group (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/groups/ColumbusCREAM/

Connect with Dave: Instagram: @therealdavep

Connect with Columbus Brick by Brick Website: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

Follow: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone building their own Columbus story—whether they’re investing, developing, or just getting started.

Every Brick Has a Story. We’re Here to Tell It.

How do you stand out in Columbus real estate, especially in new construction, without becoming “salesy”? In this episode, Jon Styer sits down with Justin Phillips to unpack the relationship first playbook that helped him rise to the top 1% of home sales reps nationally, plus how he uses social media and AI to create real momentum in a crowded market.

Welcome to Columbus Brick by Brick, where we uncover the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future of Columbus, Ohio, one story at a time.

Meet the Guest: Justin Phillips

Justin Phillips is a new home sales specialist with D.R. Horton and a familiar name in the Columbus new construction scene. Known for high performance, bold creativity, and a “go-giver” mindset, Justin shares how he built a powerful referral network, developed his digital presence, and stayed authentic while working within a national builder.

What We Cover in This Episode

Justin’s path into real estate (Ohio State, NetJets, sales, and the pivot into new home sales)

The “go-giver” networking strategy that builds relationships (and business) without asking for favors

Why social media isn’t the magic… it’s the megaphone for the real work How to balance short-term pipeline moves with long-term relationship-building

Justin’s take on AI in business and life (and why early adopters will win)

Columbus market realities: inventory shortage, affordability, and investor ownership

Why new builds + incentives + financing can compete hard with resale right now

A clear explanation of tax abatements and how they can impact monthly payments

Marketing that actually works: entertainment + curiosity → trust

Career lessons: authenticity, legacy, mentorship, and “your people will find you”

Links & Mentions

Follow Justin: @justinphillipsofficial

Podcast site: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

Follow the show: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube)

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone building a career in real estate, sales, or entrepreneurship. New episodes drop weekly.

Every Brick Has a Story. We’re Here to Tell It.

Ryan Moody went from behind-the-camera TV production in Los Angeles (The Voice, Ridiculousness, The Late Late Show) to building a high-performing real estate career right here in Columbus. In this episode, we break down the systems, mindset, and relationship-first strategy that helped Ryan scale, plus practical advice for today’s market.

Welcome to Columbus Brick by Brick, the show where we uncover the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future of Columbus, Ohio, one story at a time. I’m Jon Styer, broker and owner of Styer Real Estate Professionals, and each week we sit down with local leaders, entrepreneurs, and community changemakers to explore the real stories behind the growth of our city, brick by brick.

Today’s Guest: Ryan Moody (Ferrari Home Group) Ryan Moody is a Columbus-raised real estate agent and coach with Ferrari Home Group. Before real estate, Ryan built a career in television production in Los Angeles, working on major shows like The Voice, World of Dance, Ridiculousness, The VMAs, and The Late Late Show with James Corden. After returning home to Columbus with his wife, he applied a producer’s mindset, systems, consistency, and execution, to build a real estate business rooted in trust, service, and scalability.

What We Cover in Episode 26:

Ryan’s “why Columbus” story

The personal decision that brought Ryan (and his wife) back home, and why it became the foundation for everything that followed.

From film and TV to real estate: transferable skills

How production taught Ryan patience, leadership, and how to work with different personalities, skills he uses daily with clients and agents.

How to scale without getting distracted Why agents should master one pillar before chasing shiny objects.

Building two to three pillars of business so you are not dependent on a single lead source.

Marketing and organic lead generation that compounds Ferrari Home Group’s focus on visibility and credibility through reviews, SEO, and online presence.

Ryan’s approach to client events, handwritten notes, and being intentional about building relationships in the community. Investor strategy and building your ecosystem

Ryan’s investing background (rentals and flips) and how it informs how he advises investor clients.

Why investors require a different approach, and how to earn their respect with knowledge and execution.

Advisor vs. salesperson: protecting long-term reputation and referral momentum. Real talk for new agents

Mentorship, pipeline-building, and how to handle rejection without losing momentum.

Why availability and support matter in a business with constant moving parts.

What’s next for Ryan and Ferrari Home Group Growth plans, team scaling, and finding the right balance between size and quality. L

inks Mentioned: Ferrari Home Group: https://www.ferrarihomegroup.com/

Connect with Ryan: Instagram: @_MoodyMoves_

If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with someone who cares about Columbus growth, real estate, and building meaningful businesses. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube: @ColumbusBrickbyBrick More episodes: ColumbusBrickbyBrick.com

Every Brick Has a Story. We’re Here to Tell It.