Off Market | Stories of The Top 1% in Real Estate

This week on The Off Market Podcast, we sit down with Mike Smallegan, who went from selling 10 phones a month in a tiny Michigan town to leading one of the top 1% real estate teams in the country. Now running a powerhouse Keller Williams group that closed 265 transactions and $60M in volume last year, Mike shares how he built a thriving business from scratch with just $4,000, four kids, and no safety net.

Mike breaks down:

Ready? Let’s dive in!

In this episode, James Michener pulls back the curtain on his unlikely real estate journey—from a master’s student dreading cold calls to brokering nearly 1,500 home sales and amassing a 32‑property portfolio (half of which are fully paid off). Inspired by his “guardian” father’s 24‑rental retirement strategy, James shares how six months of zero deals turned into 26 by year’s end, then 365, all by dialing relentlessly, house‑hacking duplexes for $400/mo, and reinvesting every dollar back into real estate.

He also dives into the often‑invisible scaffolding that supports a high‑performing team: documenting systems, setting realistic expectations, and balancing individual goals with collective growth. Whether you’re launching your first transaction or scaling a multi‑agent operation, James’s hard‑won playbook—covering budgeting, risk‑management, and the art of recruiting rockstar assistants—offers practical tactics to build your own stress‑tested “real estate machine.” Tune in to learn how discipline, persistence, and smart leverage turned cold calls into a thriving, seven‑figure empire.

With over 30 years in the business and over $125 million in gross sales in 2023 alone, Joel Carson stands at the top of Utah’s real estate scene. After leaving an accounting career and teaming up (and eventually parting ways) with his father‑in‑law, he found his niche by relentlessly door‑knocking FSBOs—closing 106 transactions his first year and earning national recognition.

In this episode, Joel shares how he systematically adds a new lead source each year mastering everything from bus‑side ads and pay‑per‑click to social media engagement and in‑house handyman services to build a one‑man operation that enables him to meet with every buyer and seller himself.

He also dives into the power of consistency (yes, answer your phone!), local branding, and pivoting quickly when the market shifts. Whether you’re a new agent carving out your first niche or a veteran looking to scale without losing your personal touch, Joel’s playbook is packed with hard‑won lessons and practical tactics for long‑term success. Tune in to learn how he turned persistence into profit—one deal at a time.

Imagine starting your career with almost nothing and ending up as one of the most respected commercial real estate agents in San Francisco. That’s the story of Allison Chapleau, who took an internship at Marcus & Millichap, worked for $400 a week, and learned the ropes by cold-calling and running errands. Her big break came when she co-listed a mortuary in Weed, California—earning an $80,000 commission that wiped out her debt and kick-started her career.

In this episode, Allison shares how saying “yes” to every opportunity helped her build a thriving business and why forming relationships with other agents is essential to long-term success. She dives into the power of farming—consistently marketing to a targeted group—and how segmenting clients based on their time horizon has helped her stay top of mind when they’re ready to buy or sell. Whether you're a residential agent looking to break into commercial real estate or someone seeking inspiration from a self-made success story, this episode is packed with practical tips and motivation. Hit play and learn how Allison built a $1B career—one deal at a time!

Imagine moving to a brand-new city, knowing no one, and trying to break into real estate. That’s exactly what Amanda Howard did—by knocking on doors, hustling like crazy, and building a business from the ground up. Fast forward to today, she’s the #1 real estate team owner in Alabama, a TV show host, and a top 1% agent with over 8,000 clients served and $2 billion in sales.

In this episode of The Off-Market Podcast, Amanda keeps it real about what it takes to make it in real estate. She shares how she turned a borrowed listing into her first deal, why hiring a coach was the best decision of her career, and the unconventional strategy that made her stand out in a crowded market. Plus, she talks about expanding into property management, title services, and even TV—all while staying true to her mission of serving clients at the highest level.

If you’re a new agent trying to get your foot in the door (literally) or a seasoned pro looking for fresh inspiration, this episode is for you. Hit play and learn from one of the best in the game!

Craig Hartraft, head of the award-winning Hartraft Team at Berkshire Hathaway, has spent over three decades perfecting the art of serving clients—culminating in more than 400 homes sold and $150 million in transactions in 2023 alone. Ranking #1 in Lancaster County for six years straight and in the top 5 nationally for almost a decade, Craig is no stranger to success. But what truly sets him apart is his unwavering commitment to relationships, integrity, and a willingness to put in the work it takes to stay at the top.

In this episode of The Off-Market Podcast, we dive into Craig’s remarkable transition from the Air Force to law enforcement, and eventually into real estate. He shares hard-won lessons on building a trusted team, scaling without sacrificing service, and crafting a business that thrives on referrals and repeat clients. Whether you’re navigating your first listing or looking to join the ranks of the nation’s top 1%, Craig’s story offers a blueprint for earning your place at the pinnacle of the industry.

Ready to learn from a true master of the craft? Tune in and discover how unwavering dedication and a passion for helping people can turn a humble beginning into a growing real estate empire.

In the latest episode of The Off-Market Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Hvizda, co-owner of the Hvizda Realty Group under Keller Williams and one of New Hampshire’s top 1% realtors. With over $500 million in transactions and a commitment to the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—Ryan has redefined what it means to succeed in real estate.

Ryan’s unconventional journey began as a high school art teacher with a vision for improving her community. She shares how her background in permaculture and her passion for sustainable living led her to see real estate as a platform for creating meaningful change. From hosting educational seminars on sustainable living and first-time home buying to building a team of like-minded agents, Ryan has cultivated a business that thrives on authentic connections and a mission to leave the world better than she found it.

Whether you’re a new agent or a seasoned pro, Ryan’s insights into scaling a values-driven business, leveraging community involvement, and staying disciplined in a competitive market are pure gold. Ready to be inspired? Tune in to hear Ryan’s incredible story and actionable advice for building a resilient, impactful real estate career.

In this episode of the Off Market Podcast, Lisa Lippman, a top-ranked broker at Brown Harris Stevens and one of Manhattan’s most accomplished real estate professionals, with nearly $2 billion in transactions shares her unconventional journey from law to real estate powerhouse.

Lisa reveals the keys to her success, from building lasting client relationships to staying disciplined in a competitive market. She talks about the importance of working hard, embracing technology early on (including being the first at her firm with a Blackberry), and cultivating a client-centered approach that prioritizes long-term value over quick commissions. Additionally, she offers advice for new agents, emphasizing the importance of “casting a wide net,” staying humble and embracing the relentless hustle of the industry.

For those entering the real estate field, Lisa’s insights on grit, perseverance, and the art of real connection offer invaluable lessons. Tune in to hear Lisa’s story and her top tips for building a thriving career in real estate. Ready? Let’s dive in!

In this episode of the Off Market podcast, Austin sits down with Rick Fuller, Broker/Owner of the #1 Real Estate Team in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento County with over $100 million in annual sales and more than 1,000 five-star reviews. Rick shares his journey from working at Circuit City to becoming a real estate mogul, starting with his first home purchase, which sparked his passion for real estate.

Rick discusses the importance of building a team, leveraging customer experience, and taking calculated risks to grow in the real estate industry. He emphasizes focusing on customer generation, client conversion, and delivering a world-class customer experience as the key elements for success in real estate. Rick also shares his expansion strategy, inspired by Walmart's "black dot" approach, and his philosophy of targeting markets with high volume and low competition.

Toward the end of the episode, Rick offers invaluable advice for new and aspiring agents, encouraging them to dream big, take risks, and stay disciplined in their focus on what truly drives their business. This episode is packed with insights on team building, market strategy, and the entrepreneurial mindset needed to thrive in real estate. Ready? Let’s dive in!

Breann is a third-generation realtor who started her journey at the age of 18 with encouragement from her grandfather. She completed her first sale while in high school and has sold well over 2,500 homes since then. She’s a certified divorced real estate expert, is in the top 1% of the 1% of brokers nationwide, and has been crushing it in Oklahoma City—with over 300 transactions last year, and a projected 500 this year!

Join us as we dive into her journey and her perspective on the importance of coaching as a realtor. From prospecting four hours a day to setting and achieving ambitious goals, her story is a testament to the dedication, resilience, and power of compounding. Sit back, buckle up, and get ready to hear firsthand what happens when someone is bold and brave enough to pursue their personal legend.