In this episode of Real Estate First Friday, hosts Matthew Hodge and Luis Fermin of LPT Realty break down how real estate agents can end the year strong and build unstoppable momentum heading into 2026.

From goal setting and habit formation to AI integration and business systems, this conversation is packed with practical ways to reset, refocus, and grow your real estate business during the holiday downtime.

Learn how to set action-based goals (not just outcome goals), create consistency in your income-producing habits, and future-proof your brand by understanding how consumers are now using AI tools like ChatGPT to find and evaluate agents.

Agents will learn the difference between habit goals and result goals, how to build stability and consistency by working backwards from desired outcomes, and how to use open houses, social media, and CRMs to create momentum in their business. The episode also breaks down the new ways clients are using AI to find Realtors, a proven method for using AI to generate stronger client reviews, and how to slowly implement new systems for long-term success. More importantly, it explains why 2026 will reward the agents who plan ahead, adapt early, and stay consistent.

KEY POINTS 

Learn the difference between habit-based goals and result-based goals.

Build income-producing habits that create sustainable success.

Use open houses, CRMs, and social media intentionally to drive growth.

Reflect and reset during the holiday season to plan for 2026.

Break goals into daily and weekly action steps for consistency.

Overcome fear of visibility and vulnerability on social media.

Understand how AI is changing consumer behavior in real estate.

Use AI tools like ChatGPT to optimize your online presence and client reviews.

Start slow with new tech—consistency beats complexity.

Focus on alignment, momentum, and clarity heading into 2026.

QUOTES 

“Anchor your goals around habits, not results.”

“You can’t control the outcome, but you can control the activity.”

“Most people set goals around results. Top producers set goals around actions.”

“AI isn’t coming—it’s already here. Learn it before it learns you.”

“You can’t do it all at once. Start small and stay consistent.”

“True entrepreneurship begins when you can replace yourself with a system.”

RESOURCES: 

Learn from the Best Brokerage Now!

@lpt realty

In this episode of Motivational Monday with LPT Realty, Robert Palmer (Founder & CEO) and Matthew Hodge (EVP) take us inside LPT’s whirlwind week in New York City — from meeting with NASDAQ, the New York Stock Exchange, and JP Morgan to attending the Deloitte Fast 500 Awards at the NYSE.

Robert shares what it means for a brokerage to be courted by both major stock exchanges, why LPT’s agent-first, debt-free model is disrupting the industry, and how this next chapter positions agents as true shareholders in a company built for long-term success.

Additionally, he unpacks key market insights, including the delayed jobs data, rate volatility, and why the Fed’s next moves could spark a powerful real estate rebound in 2025.

👉 LPT isn’t just preparing for the boom, it’s building the platform that will lead it.

KEY POINTS:

- Inside LPT’s meetings with NASDAQ, NYSE, Deloitte, and JP Morgan

- Why both stock are exchanges competing for LPT’s IPO listing

- What becoming a publicly traded company means for LPT agents

- How LPT’s debt-free model sets it apart from legacy brokerages

-The story behind LPT’s NYSE interview and national recognition

- What to expect from the next round of Fed rate cuts

- Why consistency and readiness will define who wins in 2025

- How LPT is already changing the future of the real estate industry

QUOTES: 

“We built this company with one clear goal: to create a platform where agents could be true shareholders.”

“NASDAQ wants us. The NYSE wants us. That’s what happens when you build something that actually works.”

“We’re not begging to be listed… we’re being courted by Wall Street.”

“Agents who close deals here aren’t just selling homes. They’re earning equity in one of the fastest-growing brokerages in the world.”

“Speed, consistency, and preparation, that’s how you win when the boom hits.”

RESOURCES: 

Learn from the Best Brokerage Now!

@lpt realty

The data is delayed, the government is shut down – and the market is about to make its move.

In this episode of Motivational Monday with LPT Realty, Robert Palmer (Founder & CEO) and Matthew Hodge (EVP) unpack the impact of the government shutdown on the housing market, jobs data, and inflation reports, and explain why this volatility could actually trigger the start of the next real estate boom.

Robert breaks down the ripple effects of missing jobs and inflation reports, the potential return of the 50-year mortgage, and Fannie Mae’s decision to remove the 620 minimum credit score requirement… a move that could help thousands of new buyers qualify for conventional loans.

Plus, he shares an inside look at LPT’s meetings with Deloitte, NASDAQ, and the New York Stock Exchange as the company continues preparing for massive growth and a potential IPO.

👉 The agents who put in the work now will be the ones who win when the market turns.

KEY POINTS: 

- How the government shutdown delayed jobs and inflation data (and why that matters)

- Why the next data release could cause major rate volatility

- The truth about the 50-year mortgage and its real potential

- What Fannie Mae’s 620 credit score change means for buyers

- How these market changes could trigger the 2025 housing boom

- Why “Booms Day” will be the biggest surge in home sales in decades

- How LPT is preparing to lead through meetings with NASDAQ, NYSE, and Deloitte

- Why speed and preparation are everything before the boom

QUOTES: 

“We’re putting in the work now to make sure LPT is ready for the coming boom because once it hits, it’s too late to prepare.”

“The bond market has never had to digest this much data at once – it could shock the system.”

“Booms Day isn’t a prediction. It’s an inevitability… and we’re getting ready for it.”

“Every deal you’ve missed over the last four years will show back up when the boom hits.”

RESOURCES: 

Learn from the Best Brokerage Now!

Website | https://www.lpt.com/ 

In this episode of Real Estate First Friday, hosts Matthew Hodge and Luis Fermin of LPT Realty sit down with Mike Bernier—top-tier real estate coach, brokerage owner, and open house expert—to unpack the systems that turn open houses into serious lead-generation machines.

Mike shares how he built one of the most effective open house frameworks in the industry, blending signage, social strategy, pattern interrupts, and unique consumer-facing programs to attract, engage, and convert buyers in any market.

Learn how to convert more buyers through pattern interrupts and genuine conversations that drive connection and conversion. Discover the signage and balloon strategy that actually boosts traffic, and how to leverage neighborhood engagement to win new listings. Mike shares how to use assumable FHA rates and creative finance options to stand out, turn open houses into a consistent, predictable lead source, and even host for other agents when you don’t have your own listings. 

This episode breaks down the mindset, frequency, and systems behind high-performing agents—and how to create lasting buzz, credibility, and visibility in your community.

KEY POINTS 

Open houses still work; most agents just do them wrong

The two keys to success: Get traffic + convert traffic

Use pattern interrupts to break predictable buyer behavior

A feedback form creates instant engagement and follow-up

Display consumer-facing programs (like Knox Home Swap or renovation credits)

Highlight assumable FHA/VA loans to attract serious buyers

Post tent cards and feature signs in each room to guide attention

Use massive signage + balloons to increase traffic visibility

Treat open houses as a system, not a one-off event

Consistency over intensity (3–4 every month) for compounding results

QUOTES 

“Open houses don’t fail… agents just fail to systemize them.”

“You can’t have conversion without conversation.”

“Break the buyer’s pattern. That’s where the connection starts.”

“Consistency beats intensity every single time.”

“If you’re just a little better than the last ten agents, your conversion rate skyrockets.”

“Treat open houses like a part-time job, and they’ll pay like one.”

RESOURCES: 

GUEST RESOURCES

Mike Bernier

Website | realtygroupmn.com/about-mike 

Learn from the Best Brokerage Now!

@lpt realty

The Fed just cut rates again — and mortgage rates got worse.

In this episode of Motivational Monday with LPT Realty, Robert Palmer (Founder & CEO) and Matthew Hodge (EVP) unpack why the market reacted this way, what it means for real estate agents, and how it actually sets the stage for the next housing boom in 2025.

They explain why inflation fears continue to drive long-term mortgage rates, how the 10-year Treasury influences market behavior, and why this “higher-for-longer” moment could be the ideal setup for the upcoming spring buying season.

The episode also spotlights LPT’s Step-Up Collection,  a marketing program helping agents raise their price point by 20% a year,  and why now is the time to prepare for more listings, more inventory, and a massive rebound in transactions.

Agents who prepare for the bust will win in the boom. Do the work now… and get ready for the shift.

KEY POINTS:

- The Fed cut rates again, but mortgage rates rose instead

- Inflation fears still control long-term mortgage rates

- Why this sets up a stronger spring 2025 boom

- How higher rates now create pent-up demand for next year

- What tightening mortgage spreads mean for agents

- Why the 10-year Treasury is key to forecasting rates

- How LPT’s Step-Up Collection helps agents win bigger listings

- Why education and preparation beat “party culture” in real estate events

- Fall Con Recap — how LPT is changing industry training

- Bust now, boom next — speed and consistency will win

QUOTES: 

“Once again, the Fed cuts rates – and mortgage rates get worse.”

“The one thing bond investors fear more than the Fed is inflation.”

“Inventory is up, rates are stabilizing… and that’s exactly what we need for the boom to hit.”

“Every agent who treats this as a prep season will own the market next year.”

RESOURCES: 

Learn from the Best Brokerage Now!

@lpt realty

In this episode of Real Estate First Friday, hosts Matthew Hodge and Luis Fermin of LPT Realty sit down with Craig Zuber – business coach, author, and leadership strategist known for helping top producers get clear, stay focused, and build businesses rooted in long-term growth.

Craig breaks down The Four Roots to Real Estate Results, a practical framework that helps agents align mindset, skill set, relationships, and schedule to produce predictable success. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about becoming more: learning to slow down, gain clarity, and build from the inside out.

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or out of rhythm in your business, this episode will help you get grounded, refocused, and ready to grow again.

KEY POINTS 

The Four Roots of real estate results: Mindset, skill set, relationships, and schedule

Mindset = foundation: Your beliefs, identity, and stories shape your performance

Skill set = leverage: Focus on the 1–2 skills that unlock your next level

Relationships start with you: The most important relationship is the one with yourself

Schedule with purpose: Does your calendar reflect your actual goals?

Eliminate limiting beliefs and rewrite the stories that hold you back

Get honest with yourself; clarity creates momentum

Learn to slow down to speed up: Sustainable growth starts with reflection

Shift from self-employed to business owner by building systems and leadership skills

Confidence comes from truth: Face what’s real so you can move forward stronger

QUOTES 

“You have to divorce the story and marry the truth.”

“You can’t give what you don’t have. Start by building a better relationship with yourself.”

“The better you get at one or two key things, the easier everything else becomes.”
“There’s a big difference between building a career and building a business.”

GUEST RESOURCES

Craig Zuber 

Website | craigzuber.com

Learn from the Best Brokerage Now!

@lpt realty

In this episode of Motivational Monday, hosts Robert Palmer (Founder & CEO of LPT Realty) and Matthew Hodge (EVP at LPT Realty) deliver one of the most powerful conversations of the year, covering leadership, focus, and how agents can prepare for the coming real estate boom.

Robert shares his personal blueprint for “Booms Day Prepping”—how he’s realigning LPT’s leadership, simplifying business holdings, and sharpening focus to lead one of the fastest-growing brokerages in the country toward its next phase, including a future IPO.

From lessons in courage and alignment to the power of eliminating noise and doubling down on purpose, this episode gives every real estate agent a clear playbook for how to position themselves to win big when the market turns.

KEY POINTS:

- Booms Day is coming: Why 2025 will bring one of real estate’s biggest market surges

- Speed Wins: Agents who prepare now will capture the most opportunity

- Leadership Alignment: Build a high-performing team before the boom hits

- Focus over Everything: Eliminate distractions, toxic relationships, and bad habits

- Courage to Simplify: Robert shares why he’s trimming his personal business portfolio

- LPT’s AI Integration: How internal systems are evolving to support agents faster

- Vendor Review Strategy: Surround yourself with partners aligned for growth

- Mindset Shift: Replace fear with focus and doubt with discipline

- Family Alignment: Success must match personal and family priorities

- Entrepreneurship Truth: What you build in the bust defines how you win in the boom

QUOTES: 

“Be brave enough to dream big enough.”

“Booms Day is coming—and the agents who prepare will win.”

“You can’t fix leadership in the middle of the boom.”

“Your network, your vendors, your team…all of it must align before the shift.”

RESOURCES: 

Learn from the Best Brokerage Now!

@lpt realty

In this episode of Real Estate First Friday, hosts Matthew Hodge and Luis Fermin, Executive VPs at LPT Realty, sit down with Michael LaFido, founder and CEO of the Luxury Listing Specialist Designation (LUXE) and one of the nation’s top voices in high-end real estate strategy.

They break down the real path to higher price points and why stepping into luxury doesn’t happen overnight. Michael shares practical strategies agents can use to raise their average sale price, attract more affluent clients, and build credibility in competitive markets.

✅ Learn how to move from $300K to $600K+ listings

✅ Overcome limiting beliefs holding you back from bigger deals

✅ How to “borrow credibility” from your brokerage or teammates ✅ Why knowledge, confidence, and visibility are the keys to breaking into higher-end markets

✅ How to use open houses and LPT’s Power Tools to position yourself differently

✅ The 5 price point “buckets” every Realtor should know

✅ Real-world steps to grow your network, reputation, and income

Whether you’re ready to break into luxury – or just ready to work smarter – this episode gives you the blueprint to confidently step up your price point.

KEY POINTS 

The truth about stepping into luxury real estate? It's a process, not a leap

5 price point buckets every agent should know: entry-level, average, high-end, luxury, and ultra-luxury

How to increase your average sale price without working more deals

Why confidence starts with knowledge (and how open houses can grow both)

Use LPT Power Tools and print collateral to stand out in higher-end markets

Build your network in new communities to grow your referrals and credibility

Don’t wait for experience! Borrow success stories from other LPT agents

Leverage open houses as your audition for new listings and clientele

Learn how to market smarter, not harder, when expanding your price point

Why belief and mindset are the real foundation for luxury success

QUOTES 

“Stepping up your price point isn’t about luck. It’s about diversification.”

“If they can do it, you can do it.”

“We all have limiting beliefs. You have to believe you can sell in those areas.”

“Your network grows your net worth.”

“Work smarter, not harder: you don’t need more deals, just better ones.”

GUEST RESOURCES

Michael LaFido 

LinkedIn | @mikelafidorealtor 

Learn from the Best Brokerage Now!

@lpt realty

The boom is coming – but it will only reward those who stay ready.

In this episode of Motivational Monday with LPT Realty, Robert Palmer (Founder & CEO) and Matthew Hodge (EVP) reflect on the massive success of Fall Con 2025 and the lessons that will shape the next chapter for agents across the country.

Robert shares the emotional story he couldn’t finish on stage, how fear once held him back from launching LPT Realty, and why courage, vulnerability, and perseverance are what drive real success in real estate.

They also unpack the three new certifications (AI Advantage, In-Person Influencer, and Price Point Step-Up), agent testimonials, and how LPT’s agent-first culture continues to set a new standard for community, innovation, and education in real estate. 

“You don’t paint the path for others by hiding your failures; you paint it by sharing them.”

👉 Stay motivated. Stay ready. The shift is coming - and speed will win.

KEY POINTS:

- Why vulnerability and courage matter more than ever in leadership.

- How Robert’s story of fear, failure, and faith inspired LPT’s creation.

- The three certifications preparing agents for the 2025 market boom.

- What makes Fall Con 2025 different from every other real estate event.

- Why speed, preparation, and community will win the next market shift.

- How LPT’s culture and education create true agent alignment.

- The emotional side of entrepreneurship: overcoming fear to build legacy.

- Why the next 6–12 months are a once-in-a-decade opportunity.

QUOTES: 

“We have a responsibility to be ready — speed will win when the market shifts.”

“I delayed launching this brokerage out of fear, not failure. But courage is what builds legacy.”

“We’ve survived the bust, so we can prepare for the boom.”

“Every seat was full at 8 p.m. on a Friday night, that’s the commitment our agents have to growth.”

RESOURCES: 

Learn from the Best Brokerage Now!

@lpt realty

Fall Con 2025 week is here – and LPT Realty is about to make history.

Today, Robert Palmer (Founder & CEO) and Matthew Hodge (EVP) share a final preview of the four-day Fall Con 2025 and the free ASCEND Agent Expo happening in Orlando. They pull back the curtain on the three brand-new agent certifications: AI Advantage, Price Point Step-Up, and In-Person Influencer, and why these trainings will equip agents for the biggest real-estate boom of the decade.

Robert also talks about his personal process for building high-value education that actually transforms businesses, how LPT’s agent-first culture drives growth, and why speed matters when the market turns.

👉 Whether you’re attending Fall Con, joining the Expo, or tuning in virtually, this episode shows you how to leverage momentum, get loud, and be ready for boom season.

KEY POINTS:

Fall Con 2025 and the free ASCEND Agent Expo kick off in Orlando

Free Expo open to all brokerages — 100+ speakers, vendors, and sponsors 

Last-minute Fall Con tickets available for agents wanting all three certifications

New Certifications: AI Advantage, Price Point Step-Up, and In-Person Influencer courses debut at Fall Con

The first company-wide email: direct updates, motivational messages, and transparency

Steady 10-year Treasury and cautious optimism ahead of next Fed meeting

Boom-Day Prep Message

Agents who prepare now will dominate once rates drop and volume returns

Focus on value & execution: Emphasizes actionable content over hype

Get loud about the ASCEND Agent Expo

QUOTES: 

“Speed is critical when the market turns — and these certifications are built to get you ready for that moment.”

“My bar is always this: can an agent take what’s in this book and make at least $2,500 from it?”

“We don’t make money selling training, we win when our agents win.”

“Every deal you didn’t close over the last three years is waiting for you on the other side of this market shift.”

RESOURCES: 

Learn from the Best Brokerage Now!

@lpt realty