Get RE

After 18 years running estate sales, Gary Lawrence kept watching real estate agents mistreat his clients. He complained about it long enough that his wife Blanca finally told him to stop complaining and go get his license. He did, passed on the first try, and is now in his third year with Keller Williams while still running Infinity Estate Sales. In this episode of Get Real About Real Estate, Michelle Quaranta and Mark Riley sit down with Gary to talk about the business almost nobody in real estate is paying attention to. Roughly 80 percent of his clients have either inherited a home or are downsizing, and because he handles both the contents and the property, families get the entire process in one call instead of assembling a team of five. He explains what an estate sale actually is, how a buyout works when an HOA or condo will not allow a sale on site, where to find sales near you on estatesales.net and estatesales.org, and yes, the beat-up Rolex he pulled out of a junk drawer that he was sure was a fake. The heart of the conversation is the senior client. Gary talks about why this work takes patience most agents do not have, why he brings paper documents and hand signatures instead of e-signing, why he and Blanca like to have a family member or trusted neighbor present from the early stages, and how you plant a seed while still letting a client make their own decision. He is candid about the realities of the work, including a 93-year-old client he lost mid-transaction. For newer agents wondering how to survive this market, his advice is not social media. It is your sphere of influence, and specifically the generation above it. Your friends have parents. Those parents own homes they bought decades ago, and some of them cannot manage the stairs anymore. Plus the San Diego cost of living conversation, why quality of life and access to medical care change the math as you age, and a teaser for round two, when Mark shows up in full dude ranch gear. Connect with Gary: Infinity Estate Sales Find his sales on estatesales.net and estatesales.org Get Real About Real Estate is hosted by Michelle Quaranta and Mark Riley. Filmed at Studio 77 Media. #RealEstate #EstateSales #SanDiegoRealEstate #GetRE #SeniorDownsizing

What does a title company actually do—and why can opening title early make such a difference in a real estate transaction? In this episode of Get RE, Michelle Quaranta and Mark Riley sit down with Haylie Collier to get real about one of the most important—and often misunderstood—parts of buying and selling real estate: title insurance and the work happening behind the scenes before a property changes hands. Haylie shares her experience in the title industry and explains what title companies actually look for, including: Hidden liens and judgments that can complicate a transaction Fraud involving vacant land and property transfers Why title insurance protects one of the biggest purchases most people will ever make The difference between owner's title insurance and lender's title insurance Why the timing of opening title can make or break a fast escrow How solar agreements, easements, probate, bankruptcy, and uninsured deeds can create unexpected problems What buyers and sellers should know about CC&Rs and restrictions recorded against a property Why a responsive title team is so important when problems inevitably come up What real estate agents should look for when choosing a title company The conversation also gets into some surprising real-world examples—including properties with historic restrictions, unexpected child-support liens, vacant-land fraud, and even an easement requiring a property owner to keep a path clear for horses. The biggest takeaway? The earlier you know about a problem, the more time you have to solve it. Whether you're an agent, buyer, seller, or real estate professional, understanding what happens behind the scenes with title can help you avoid unnecessary stress—and potentially keep a transaction from falling apart. This is Get RE—where we get real about real estate. #GetRE #RealEstate #TitleInsurance #RealEstateTips #HomeBuying #HomeSelling #RealEstateAgents #Escrow #RealEstateEducation

In this episode of Get Real, Michelle Cor and Mark Riley sit down with San Diego real estate agent Silus Pacheco to talk about his journey from selling cars at 20 years old to building a successful career in real estate. Silus shares how an unexpected conversation with his landlord helped him realize that the skills he had already developed in sales could translate directly into real estate. From working two jobs and burning the candle at both ends to taking the leap into real estate full-time, he talks honestly about the uncertainty, risk, and persistence it took to get started. The conversation also dives into the realities of prospecting, including cold calling and door knocking, why consistency matters more than trying something for a few days, and how Silus landed his first deals after sticking with the process. Later, Michelle, Mark, and Silus discuss building credibility at a young age, growing a personal brand on social media, staying top of mind with your audience, and why your sphere may not become your client base overnight. If you're a new real estate agent, thinking about making a career change, or looking for practical advice on prospecting, social media, and building momentum in your business, this episode is for you. Subscribe to Get Real for more honest conversations about real estate, business, and the people building their careers in the industry.

She landed in San Diego from London with three kids, couldn't legally work for five years — then bought 300 plastic moving totes from a guy with no business plan. Today she runs one of San Diego's top moving companies. Michelle and Mark sit down with Lindsay, founder of A Smart Move, whose tagline says it all: calm the chaos of moving. She shares how she built the business from Craigslist to Forbes Top Mover three years running, why the same driver who packs you in San Diego meets you at your door in Chicago, and how "care, custody and control" keeps your belongings safe when escrow dates don't line up. Plus: the extra sparkle her senior-move team brings, why you should NEVER hire a mover without a DOT number, her book-early advice for summer moves — and the story of the missing Kirkland toilet paper (they sent him two bundles). For agents: this is the one-stop vendor answer for clients stuck between closings. Wanna be a guest — or know someone who should be? Contact us: (310) 962-8585 Follow @getrewithQ on TikTok, Instagram & YouTube GET RE · Getting Real About Real Estate with Michelle Quaranta & Mark Riley. DRE #02158776 / DRE #02203421 #RealEstate #GetRE #SanDiego #Moving #Podcast

From growing a real estate business through authentic social media to embracing AI without losing the human touch, Lynn Rinner of Coldwell Banker joins Michelle and Mark for a fun conversation about North County San Diego, today's housing market, and what it takes to stand out as an agent. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and let us know who you'd like to see on the show next! #RealEstate #NorthCountySanDiego #Oceanside #RealEstateAgent #AI #SocialMediaMarketing

What if you could build a real estate portfolio without ever seeing the properties you buy? That's exactly what Professor Julie Hanson did — and she's here to tell us how. Julie joins Michelle and Mark on Get Real to break down her unconventional path from a $50K savings account to a multi-property portfolio spanning California and Texas. From buying houses sight unseen to walking up to college students on a university campus and saying "go find me a house and I'll buy it" — Julie's approach is equal parts bold, intuitive, and brilliantly simple. In this episode we cover: Why Texas markets made more sense for cash flow than California ever could The snowball effect of building a portfolio in a small college town Tenant relationships, landlord-tenant laws, and the real differences between CA and TX Her newest development deal in Pacific Beach Why she's now looking to hand off her entire Texas portfolio to the right investor If you've ever thought about getting into real estate investing but didn't know where to start — or if you're a seasoned investor looking for a performing cash-flow portfolio — this episode is for you. Interested in learning from Julie or taking over her Texas portfolio? DM us and we'll connect you. Get Real About Real Estate with Michelle Quaranta & Mark Riley Recorded at Studio 77 | Warrendale, PA #GetRE #RealEstateInvesting #CashFlow #RealEstatePodcast #InvestmentProperties #TexasRealEstate #GetReal #Studio77 #RealEstateTips #LandlordLife

In this episode of the Get Real Podcast, Michelle and Mark sit down with Natasha Keitges from Foundation Escrow to talk about the power of relationships in real estate, the importance of authentic follow-up, and what truly makes a great escrow partner. Natasha shares her journey in the industry, how Foundation Escrow supports agents beyond transactions, and why leading with contribution has become a core part of their business philosophy. The conversation also dives into marketing in modern real estate, using AI tools like Gamma to elevate presentations and client communication, and how agents can better connect with buyers and sellers through authenticity and education. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned agent, or curious about what happens behind the scenes in escrow, this episode is packed with valuable insight and real-world perspective.

In this episode of the Get Real Podcast, Michelle Quaranta sits down with mortgage broker Mark Reilly for an honest conversation about homeownership, financial confidence, and the emotional side of money. Together, they break down the fears many people face when thinking about buying a home and explain why the lending process doesn't have to feel intimidating.

Mark shares his perspective on helping clients navigate credit, debt, savings, and long-term wealth building through real estate, while also discussing the importance of financial education, mindset, and surrounding yourself with people who push you forward. The conversation also takes some fun turns into golf, salsa dancing, karaoke, and learning new skills later in life — proving that getting real goes far beyond real estate.

If you've ever wondered whether you're truly ready to buy a home, how lenders actually evaluate your finances, or how successful people approach money and growth, this episode delivers practical insight with plenty of personality along the way.

Featuring: • Home buying and mortgage advice • Financial mindset and wealth building • Credit, savings, and lending insights • Real conversations about money and ambition • Life, growth, and stepping outside your comfort zone