Life & Listings: Balancing Real Estate, Scaling Your Future w/ Jennifer Staats

Want to up your game in real estate, especially when it comes to working with HOAs? Don't miss Episode 78 of the Life and Listings Podcast, where Jennifer Staats sits down with Brandon Barnum. Brandon shares how AI is transforming the HOA space, why over half of U.S. homes being in HOAs means agents must get educated, and how his new certified HOA specialist course can help you stand out. Plus, they dive into the art of getting referrals, building powerful partnerships, and finding the right mentors to elevate your business. Listen to this episode now for insights you don't want to miss!

"A lot of real estate agents don't ask for referrals because they don't feel comfortable and confident, they don't know how to ask the right way at the right time, and so that we teach the art of the ask, but in your system, you can actually automate the ask, so that you've got touch points at the end of the transaction, you're asking for a testimonial, you're asking for referral, and you're asking for reviews."- Brandon Barnum

You'll learn:

• Why understanding HOAs is crucial—53% of homes in the U.S. are in one!

• How agents can become Certified HOA Specialists through a new course

• The "Art of the Ask" – a 3-step system to boost your referrals

• How Brandon scaled his income 10x through strategic partnerships

• Mentorship Matters: Find mentors aligned with your goals—long-term guidance accelerates success.

• Partnerships Create Leverage: Smart, win-win partnerships can rapidly boost income and opportunity.

About Brandon Barnum:

While a single dad in 1997, Brandon was an early technology innovator featuring real estate property listings from Realtors he partnered with and promoted. After learning the art and science of referrals, he increased his annual income 10X from $20K to $200K in just 18 months. Brandon has since closed over $500 million in transactions by referral and has founded multiple local and online referral platforms and networks connecting more than 5 million members in 195 countries.

Connect with Brandon:

Website: https://ravingreferrals.com

Raving Referrals/Speaking: https://ravingreferrals.com/

HOA.com Introduction: https://hoa.com/how-it-works/

LinkedIn: ​​https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonbarnum/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ravingreferralsdotcom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RavingReferrals

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raving_referrals/

Connect with Jennifer Staats:

Website: staatssolutions.com

Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

Listen to this heartwarming episode of Life and Listings Podcast as we sit down with Jeff to explore the power of resilience, faith, and embracing new beginnings. Jeff opens up about his journey of overcoming life's toughest challenges, rediscovering his purpose, and finding strength in unexpected places. This conversation is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and the kind of encouragement that reminds us all—setbacks are just stepping stones to something greater. If you need a dose of hope or love a powerful comeback story, this episode is for you. Join the conversation and let's navigate life's twists and turns together!

"You are going to screw up 100%. You're going to fail. You're going to mess up. But it's what you learn in that process to get better at it. Are you going to get back on the field, or are you going to just sit on the sideline when you get tackled?" - Jeff Biebuyck

Gain insights on:

• Embracing Life's Transitions with Courage – Jeff shares his personal journey of navigating major life changes and how embracing uncertainty can lead to unexpected growth and renewal.

• The Role of Faith in Overcoming Adversity – He reflects on how his faith became a foundation during challenging times, proving that trust in a greater plan can provide strength and direction.

• Resilience in the Face of Setbacks – Jeff's story highlights the power of perseverance, showing that setbacks aren't the end of the road but opportunities to rebuild and redefine one's purpose.

• The Importance of Community and Meaningful Connections – He emphasizes how surrounding yourself with supportive and encouraging people can be a lifeline during difficult transitions.

• Finding Purpose in Every Season of Life – Jeff reminds us that even the hardest seasons serve a purpose, encouraging listeners to remain hopeful, stay present, and trust that new beginnings are always possible.

About Jeff Biebuyck:

Jeff Biebuyck is a founding member of Frontgate Real Estate. The reputation Jeff has crafted for himself has earned him and his partner Dana local and national recognition as premier luxury Southern California real estate agents. A top producer who cements his status with his supreme integrity, professionalism, and negotiation skills, Jeff generates much of his business from past clients and referrals and ranks among the top 1% of agents in the country.

A Detroit native, Jeff moved to Hollywood to make his mark on the music and film industries before turning his attention to real estate. He earned his agent's license for the opportunity to flip homes, securing some of his rockstar friends as his first clients before deciding to sell full-time. In Calabasas for more than 20 years now, Jeff services a diverse and sophisticated clientele, including corporate and entertainment executives, attorneys, and well-known celebrities. Additionally, Jeff belongs to the Exclusive Referral Group to The World's Best Realtors®, which unites an elite network of nationally recognized agents who represent the highest echelon of the industry.

Connect with Jeff:

Website: https://frontgaterealestate.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffbbuck/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffbiebuyck/

Connect with Jennifer Staats:

Website: staatssolutions.com

Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

Hey everyone! This week on Life and Listings Podcast, we're diving into a game-changer for your real estate success: your database!

I hear it all the time—"I don't have a sphere of influence!" But trust me, you do. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to uncover and organize your contacts (from your phone, emails, even old address books!) into a solid database that can grow your business.

Plus, I'll share some practical steps to build connections without feeling salesy—because relationships matter!

"We're going to start with a spreadsheet, and then we're going to start going through, what information am I missing on these people? Am I missing phone numbers? Am I missing emails? Whatever that is, then I'm going to start going through and I could start reaching out to some of these people, and this is a perfect way as a touch point to reach out"

Key Takeaways:

• You Already Have a Sphere of Influence (SOI) – Many agents think they don't have an SOI, but in reality, they do. Contacts are scattered across phones, emails, social media, and even old address books.

• Start by Organizing Your Existing Contacts – Gather contacts from various sources (phone, email, past invitations, etc.) into a spreadsheet before transferring them into a CRM.

• Segment and Update Information Thoughtfully – Don't immediately start cold messaging people. Instead, update missing details through natural touchpoints, like asking for updated addresses for holiday cards.

• Use Social Media and Playbooks for Growth – Your Facebook friends and local network can be a great source for your database. Plus, tools like the Sphere of Influence Playbook can help agents refine and expand their database effectively.

Connect with Jennifer Staats:

Website: staatssolutions.com

Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

Join Jennifer Stats on the Life and Listings podcast as she dives deep into one of the most crucial tools in real estate—your CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system! Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, this episode is packed with must-know tips on organizing your contacts, optimizing your database, and setting yourself up for long-term success—without the dreaded rework. If you've ever struggled to keep your leads, clients, and business data in check, this episode is for you! Listen in and take your real estate game to the next level!

"Most people have way too many custom fields and tags that they're utilizing in their system. So think about segmentation. Segmentation is something that we want to be able to put a chunk of people in. If a tag only is going to apply to one person, it's not a tag or custom field, it's a note. If it's something that you want to segment, so it's all of your buyers, all of your sellers, all of your SLI, all of I don't know some other group of people that you want to be able to segment everyone that's interested in a specific city that is a tag or a custom field."

Key takeaways:

• Understanding CRMs and Their Importance – Explanation of what a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is and why it's essential in real estate.

• Notes vs. Tags for Organization – Clarification on the difference between notes and tags, how to properly use them for segmentation.

• Consistency in CRM Usage – The importance of fully committing to a CRM, ensuring all contact details are correctly recorded.

• Updating CRM Information Regularly – Steps to keep contact details up to date, including adding new addresses after transactions.

• CRM Playbook Announcement – Introduction of the monthly playbooks, with a focus on the CRM Playbook.

Connect with Jennifer Staats:

Website: staatssolutions.com

Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

Are you overwhelmed by the idea of setting up Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for your business? Don't worry—this episode of Life and Listings is here to change that! Join us as we sit down with Jen Davis, the Training and Tech Coordinator at Staat Solutions, who shares practical, easy-to-implement strategies for creating SOPs that actually work. Whether you're a solopreneur, a team leader, or simply looking to streamline your processes, Jen's insights will help you save time, increase efficiency, and set your business up for success. Listen now and take control of your workflow!

"As you start to streamline these things, you'll also see where you're wasting time. Where can I get back some time? Because before I had all of these things scattered around, and they weren't organized, and I wasn't doing them in a systematic way, things become sort of a little chaotic. So you can actually gain back more time by keeping things in a very consistent, repeatable process." - Jen Davis

Let's talk about:

• The Importance of SOPs – Why having Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is crucial for business efficiency, consistency, and scalability.

• Starting Small with SOPs – How businesses can begin with simple checklists and templates instead of overwhelming, complex documentation.

• Time-Saving Benefits – How SOPs help streamline tasks, eliminate repetitive work, and free up time for more important business activities.

• Tools for Creating SOPs – Discussion of easy-to-use tools like Loom, Tango, Asana, and Google Docs to simplify the process.

• Continuous Improvement of SOPs – The idea that SOPs should be living documents that evolve with business needs, helping refine processes over time.

Download the playbook

About Jen Davis:

Jen brings her 30+ years of business experience in administrative assistance, project management, and operations management to the Staats Team. Along with her technical acumen in business systems, she also has a background in Graphic Design, Web Design, Photography, and Video Production. When not on the computer she enjoys getting out in nature with her camera, spending a day in the kitchen cooking and baking, creating stained glass art, and just about anything "Creative"

Connect with Jennifer Staats:

Website: staatssolutions.com

Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

What if the key to scaling your business isn't just working harder—but working smarter with the right systems, strategies, and partnerships?

Don't miss this insightful episode of Life & Listings Podcast! Join us as Tarasa Hurley and her husband, Brian, share their journey of growing a thriving real estate business while balancing entrepreneurship and family life. From lead generation strategies to the power of mentorship and automation, they reveal the key lessons that have fueled their success. We covered key mindset shifts, the early challenges of entrepreneurship, and strategies for navigating the competitive real estate market. From setting up systems for success to overcoming setbacks, that laid the groundwork for the insights shared today. Tune in now and take your business to the next level!

"We started out with 30 names in my database, and we've grown to over 15,000 and it is very important, when you have a database that large, to have very good systems and procedures and automations to help you be the agent you need to be, because you can't remember that many people, and it's very hard to keep track of them, so the systems are very important." Tarasa

Gain insights on:

• Entrepreneurship and Business Growth

• Real Estate Lead Generation and Automation

• Work-Life Balance and Sacrifices

• The Importance of Relationships in Real Estate

• Leveraging Technology in Real Estate

About the Tarasa and Brian Hurley:

Tarasa Hurley is the co-owner of River Point Realty, an independent brokerage in Pittsburgh, where she leads a high-performing real estate team while actively helping buyers and sellers every day. She started her career in new construction, selling homes before they even had walls—an experience that taught her how to help clients see the potential in every opportunity. With a background in psychology, Tarasa focuses on the deeper "why" behind each move, building long-term relationships rather than just closing transactions. As a leader, she is dedicated to creating systems and processes that hold her agents accountable, ensuring they don't just sell homes but establish trust and consistency that drive long-term success. Since starting in real estate in 2020, she has grown her business to serve around 100 families per year with a team of five licensed agents and additional support staff.

Brian Hurley is a senior software engineer at Google, a problem-solver, and a builder at heart. His career began in military aviation, where he specialized in reverse engineering and hacking, eventually leading him to work on advanced aerospace projects and large-scale cloud infrastructure at Google. His passion for tech and learning naturally led him to real estate marketing and automation, where he now helps real estate professionals run smarter, more effective campaigns. To support Tarasa's growing business, Brian became an expert in Google Ads, SEO, and system automation, developing custom ad technologies that drive real results. His focus is always on solving complex problems, building better systems, and staying ahead of the curve.

Together, Tarasa and Brian live in Wexford, PA, a northern suburb of Pittsburgh, with their three children—two boys (14 and 12) and a girl (9)—along with their two dogs. Married for nearly 18 years, they combine their expertise in real estate, technology, and business strategy to create a powerhouse duo, each bringing a unique skill set that fuels their success.

Connect with Tarasa and Brian:

Website: https://www.tarasa.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TarasaRealtor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarasah

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarasa-h-112a2014

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCQCe3XhdRgNzHymX2uQG1Q

X: https://x.com/TarasaHurley

Connect with Jennifer Staats:

Website: staatssolutions.com

Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

What's the secret to an 18-year career in real estate? Misty Maki, a Utah-based realtor, shares her inspiring journey from hairstylist to real estate success. You'll hear how she transformed her business by embracing self-improvement, setting SMART goals, and mastering time management with tools like color-coded calendars.

Misty dives into strategies that drive her success, from hosting client events and maintaining high communication to leveraging social media and agent referrals. She also shares her ambitious plan to grow her brokerage by adding four agents in 2025, along with a hilarious story about an unexpected tumble into a water meter hole during a showing.

If you're looking for actionable tips and a dose of humor, Misty's journey will leave you inspired to elevate your own career!

"I could see real estate as our future. It is sustainable. It gives us good income. It gives us a way to better ourselves– better our community." –Misty Maki

Hear more about:

• Transitioning to Real Estate

• Building a Long-Term Business

• Mentorship and Foundational Support

• Implementing Systems and Scheduling

About Misty Maki:

Misty began her real estate career in 2005 and quickly discovered her passion for helping people find more than just a house—they find a home. This passion led her to establish Maki Real Estate, a brokerage built on the belief that a home is more than a place to live—it's where life happens.

Beyond her work in real estate, she is dedicated to uplifting others, especially women in business. She values time with her grown children, her husband of 28 years, and their two loyal mastiffs. Whether at home or out exploring Utah's stunning outdoors, Misty brings warmth and purpose to everything she does.

Connect with Misty:

Website: www.makirealestate.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misty.maki.9

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misty_maki

Connect with Jennifer Staats:

Website: staatssolutions.com

Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

Are you a real estate or mortgage professional struggling to turn social media followers into real clients? In this episode, Jen sits down with Michelle Berman, founder of Berman Media, to break down the power of social media prospecting. Michelle shares game-changing strategies on leveraging your unique passions and skills to stand out in a crowded market—without obsessing over vanity metrics. She'll walk you through how to create content that actually converts, build meaningful relationships, and use social media as a tool for real business growth. Plus, she gives a sneak peek into her new group coaching program and a free workbook to help you take action right away!

Don't just post—connect, convert, and grow. Hit play now and start using social media the right way!

"I am a social media prospecting coach, not a social media coach. They're different. And so I think it's sort of the illusion of influence of more followers means I'm going to make more money. That's the opposite of true. And honestly, it's misleading, because it's really counterproductive. You're telling people go try to get viral. But virality doesn't equate to money. " - Michelle

Gain insight into:

• Michelle Berman's Journey & Background – Michelle shares her transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship, her passion for fitness, and how her experiences shaped her approach to business.

• The Power of Social Media Prospecting – Michelle explains why traditional social media marketing (focused on likes and followers) is ineffective and emphasizes prospecting strategies that create meaningful client connections.

• Content Creation & Personal Branding – She discusses how real estate and mortgage professionals can leverage their unique skills, passions, and personal interests to differentiate themselves online and attract clients organically.

• The Engagement Tracker & Structured Outreach – Michelle introduces a five-day engagement strategy that helps professionals use social media intentionally to build and nurture relationships with potential clients.

• The Handshake Concept & Primary Skill Identification – She shares the importance of crafting a strong introduction (or "handshake") that sparks curiosity, helps control the narrative, and creates opportunities for deeper conversations and business growth.

About Michelle Berman-Mikel:

Michelle is a former Division 1 swimmer, turned competitive cross-fitter, turned female entrepreneur and now Instagram expert. Michelle is also a certified speaker, teacher, Writer and coach as part of her creation: the Beyond The Method™️ course. This program has allowed Michelle to introduce an approach with Realtors *& Lo's using Instagram unlike anything you've seen before. She prides herself on making things seem simple enough that "anyone" can do it and her passion keeps everyone interested and excited to learn. She puts the emphasis on the power of psychology to truly tap into the power of Active prospecting and the potential lead opportunities Instagram provides. She has also been married to her retired special forces husband (Dave) for almost 5 years and has one incredible 3 year old son, Knox!

Connect with Michelle:

Instagram: @bermanmediasocial

Website: https://michelle-berman.mykajabi.com

Connect with Jennifer Staats:

Website: staatssolutions.com

Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

If you're not using social media and SEO to grow your real estate brand, you're leaving money on the table.

Norman Kinsey III, aka Mr. Liftoff, breaks down how to niche down, create valuable content, and turn your online presence into a lead-generating machine.

From starting Liftoff Agent in a garage to helping agents scale their businesses, Norman shares the tools and strategies that actually work—like Hotjar, VideoAsk, and Warmly. Plus, he dives into the power of YouTube, passive prospecting, and why giving back is key to long-term success.

Ready to take your brand to the next level? Let's go.

"Sometimes in life, you just have to, roll the punches, and you have just to pivot quick. And that's what I did."-Norman Kinsey III

Hear more about:

• Growing the Business Online and Helping Agents

• The Power of YouTube and Passive Prospecting

• Challenges and Opportunities in the Digital Space

• Giving Back and Future Goals

About Norman Kinsey III:

Norman grew up in Pleasanton, California, and graduated from Foothill High School in 2005. After dabbling in several industries including nightclub promotion and outsourced personal assistant work, he started his entrepreneurial journey at 23 years old. Being so close to Silicon Valley, he wanted to serve and support an industry online but didn't have a clear direction. Then by chance, he stumbled upon J Rockcliff Realtors in the East Bay. It's here he started calling 350 of their agents to understand their real estate businesses and digital marketing pain points, and to see how he could support and serve them with amazing real estate marketing.

Fast forward to 10 years later, 16,000 agents met, 5,000 agents, serviced, and now has hundreds of agents with Liftoff Agent monthly programs in 17 different states and Canada, and a team of 20 stretched over the globe! We are growing rapidly and building innovative custom positioning programs that drive individual agents, teams, and brokerage results. Norman is here to give you the tools to expand and scale your real estate business!

Connect with Norman Kinsey III:

Website: http://www.liftoffagent.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misterliftoff

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nlkiii/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078008437027

Connect with Jennifer Staats:

Website: staatssolutions.com

Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/

How do you balance ambition with life's challenges? John Tiller's 25-year journey in real estate offers a blueprint for integrating personal and professional success. From a career pivot out of banking to navigating personal tragedy, John's story is one of resilience and purpose.

Now focused on coaching and mentorship, John shares his philosophy on whole life coaching, financial stability, and long-term impact. With tools like his health score resource and podcast, he equips real estate professionals to align their goals with their values.

Ready to lead with intention and build a life that works as hard as you do? This episode is your guide.

"There's a lie out there that you can't have it all, and the truth is that if you're intentional about it, you can have it all."-John Tiller

Hear more about:

• Return to Real Estate and Coaching

• Whole Life Coaching and Business Strategy

• Integration of Personal and Professional Life

• The Role of Coaching in Personal and Professional Growth

About John Tiller:

John Tiller is a Real Estate Broker, Investor and Leadership Coach.

John and his teams have SOLD over $1 Billion of real estate during his 25-year career; including everything from starter homes to multi-million dollar developments; property management and real estate fund management. John is also an active investor buying dozens of properties per year and he currently leads his team F4 Realty @ REAL Broker.

In 2024, John launched the MegaTeam Mastermind podcast where he interviews top MegaTeam leaders and the people who support them. He also launched MegaTeam Mentor coaching for team leaders who want to scale their business, get their time back, and love their business again.

He has coached hundreds of agents, brokers and team leaders across multiple brands with a focus on living a full life and leaving a legacy that makes an impact, without sacrificing family.

John is a speaker and trainer at international real estate industry conferences and has been featured on radio, television and podcasts for his ability to simplify the complex world of real estate into useful, bite-sized pieces of information easily digested by agents, investors and consumers.

He also travels with his family sharing their faith-based inspirational story of Hope after Tragedy.

Connect with John Tiller:

Website: http://johntiller.com

Social Media Links: http://johntiller.me

Connect with Jennifer Staats:

Website: staatssolutions.com

Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/

Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/