Real Voices Podcast

Today, we speak with licensed REALTOR®, Armida Ruiz.

In this episode, our guest delves into her upbringing in the West Valley, and the 20 years she spent devoted to the law industry - which helps her real estate career tremendously. She explains that learning the language, paperwork process, and how to negotiate was crucial to her current success.

From there, Ruiz talks about the nuances of her career path and how she became interested in the real estate industry. A positive experience with her real estate agent and the process of selling her house became the catalyst to get a license and branch out into the community. Ruiz describes her love for connecting with others, and how real estate helps foster client relationships.

“I don’t like to forget about people. You get to know people, their family, what they’re into, and a lot of times there is common ground,” Ruiz explained.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about her incredible journey!

Today, we speak with licensed REALTOR®, Jason Strother.

In this episode, our guest discusses his beginnings in the engineering field that abruptly shifted when the position ended. Undeterred, he talked with his wife about new, potential avenues – where it was decided that he was to join her in real estate. With over a decade of experience, she mentored Strother for a while, who eventually started to carve his path in the industry.

“We’re very different and have our lines of business. We work together when we need to, but otherwise, we run our businesses very differently,” he stated.

Strother touches on challenges in the business such as working with appraisers in the market and explaining down payments to first-time buyers. The latter piece leads to a few words of wisdom, as he dives into why he considers new builds his specialty to make the transaction more feasible for customers.

“My advice right now is to look for new builds. The equity on that house continues to grow, especially if you’re in there first. There’s no overbidding, the price is the price,” Strother explained.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about his incredible journey!

Today, we speak with Angel Harris, a licensed REALTOR® at HomeSmart and Administrative Assistant for Open Houses Direct.

In this episode, our guest discusses her beginnings growing up in Washington and taking inspiration from her father by forming a strong work ethic. She recalls how weekends at the family cabin instilled the values of responsibility and dedication - which she then translated into later passions.

“My father was a marine engineer, and he was a big inspiration to me. I watched him build our cabin and that inspired me to become a real estate agent. Just watching him turning nothing into something was so beautiful,” Harris stated.

Harris then segues into talking about career development and how finding several female role models in the industry was key to her success. She touches on her experiences as a new agent, obstacles, and overcoming them with the help of mentorship and technology. She introduces Open Houses Direct which is an app geared to helping agents grow and connect in the community.

“The best thing is it’s an icebreaker into the industry; I’ve been able to market myself tremendously through the app. Open Houses Direct has been a way for me to interact more with people and give them something exciting to talk about,” said Harris.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about her incredible journey!

Today, we speak with Hector Suppici, a licensed REALTOR® at HomeSmart and home inspector at Regal Choice.

In this episode, our guest discusses his career path from humble beginnings in building houses and general construction - before finally landing in the field of home inspections. After 30 years of honing his skills, he decided to start his own business specializing in home inspections. Suppici talks about what sets him apart from competitors when it comes to talent and industry know-how.

“You don’t have to know much about houses to study to become a home inspector...after about a year you can go get your license. But, having years of construction experience makes the whole difference: you decide - do you want a [former] chef to inspect your home? Or do you want a construction guy to inspect your home?” Suppici posited.

He then segues into other perks of his expertise such as his background in realty that he offers as a free service when choosing him as a home inspector. Suppici describes the breadth of his service model as being a one-stop-shop without hidden fee structures. Also, in this episode, he provides a snapshot of his upbringing in Uruguay - growing up amongst a rich culture, within a military family. He touches on how that experience shaped the trajectory of his career and his intentions in the industry.

“I want to serve my community - I really identify with the people I grew up with. So, I know there is a need for agents that can speak both Spanish and English, preferably well, and can translate important documents," Suppici explains.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about his incredible journey!

Today, we speak with Brooke Jacobs who is a Business Development Specialist at Minute Mortgage.

In this episode, our guest discusses her past in respiratory therapy, followed by years of being a homemaker - and what propelled her to make a change. She explains that a stint in an office that specialized in real estate and loan origination acted as a catalyst to join the industry. From there, Jacobs earned a real estate license then eventually settled into business development with Minute Mortgage.

“It was really scary at first, I thought people would think I didn’t know anything. So, that was something I had to overcome and get out of my own way,” she stated.

Jacobs also delves into her midwest upbringing, then relocation to Arizona that largely shaped her social circle and career interests. She offers advice on how to maintain child-like confidence and persistence when following your dreams – no matter how daunting they may appear.

“Fear of the unknown and what will happen next is so much worse than just doing it. By just doing it, you get over it,” she emphasized.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about her incredible journey!

Today, we speak with REALTOR® and Coach, Tina Valiant.

In this episode, our guest discusses her past as a homemaker and wife and goes into the multitude of reasons she wanted to make a change. Primarily, she was inspired to leap into a new industry to create a legacy for herself and her family. This idea to pursue real estate came at a pinnacle time: while in the midst of an unfulfilling marriage and major health issues. 

“[While in the hospital] I remember looking at my daughters and thinking ‘I haven’t created enough memories.’ If I don’t make it out of here, they’re not going to remember me at all. In that defining moment, I realized I had to make a change,” Valiant recalls.

After that wake-up call, she decided it was time to rewrite the trajectory of her life. Now, with 21 years of real estate experience under her belt, Valiant is dedicated to helping other women successfully navigate the business world through coaching. She emphasizes the importance of going for your dreams despite what others may think, and how tenacity always pays off.

“I didn’t have the look, the knowledge or anything people thought would succeed. But what they underestimated is my determination,” stated Valiant. 

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about her incredible journey!

Today, we continue our discussion with Shannon Quagliata, Founder of Open Houses Direct.

"Online real estate has given the consumer a lot more access but it doesn't give them access to the front door. You still need an agent to get you in there."

When it comes to showcasing properties, knowing the neighborhood and its elements can make or break a client’s experience. Quaqliata details how lifestyle differences and housing needs are vastly different, and how agents can bolster the transactional process by paying attention to detail and doing research.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about her incredible journey!

Today, we talk to Shannon Quagliata, Founder of Open Houses Direct.

In this episode, Quagliata discusses her background in international relocation - which is where her passion for real estate first originated. She touches on how rewarding it was to assist people across the globe in finding a home in the United States. From there, with a real estate license in tow and 12 years of experience, she decided to start her own business, centered around open houses.

“People are moving to Arizona from all over; it’s not any different than moving to another country,” Quagliata said.

When it comes to showcasing properties, knowing the neighborhood and its elements can make or break a client’s experience. Quaqliata details how lifestyle differences and housing needs are vastly different, and how agents can bolster the transactional process by paying attention to detail and doing research.

“Buyers that are coming into town want to work with someone who is a resident expert: that is where our market has landed now,” she explained.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about her incredible journey!

Today, we continue our conversation with Chris Alvord, Regional Sales Manager for Minute Mortgage.

In part two of this conversation, Alvord dives into the business model of Minute Mortgage and his predictions about the company's future and trajectory. He anticipates exponential market growth that will place their business ahead of the competition as a top 5 industry contender. This guess is due largely in part to their existing value props and production schedule that delivers results.

“We speed it up and make closing more efficient; our services remove the anxiety and stress – agents will be confident at the closing table that with Equitable Title and Minute Mortgage: the deal is going to get closed,” Alvord expressed.

He also describes some of the benefits of using their all-encompassing mortgage services and highlights the mobile app, online document upload features, and speedy approval processes. Many other concepts are reinforced - including a few tips and tricks for agents about time management and ways to significantly improve each transaction.

Today, we talk to Chris Alvord, Regional Sales Manager at Minute Mortgage.

In part 1 of 2, Alvord discusses his real estate background, with a focus on business development where he works to provide agents with necessary resources. He explains how offering individual services to agents in a one-stop-shop format not only adds value, but increases business in the escrow, and home warranty fields.

“It is something that other places can’t offer - that’s a really huge advantage of having everything in-house,” Alvord stated.

He talks about his favorite parts of the job, noting that a huge upside is interacting with so many different people across the field. Alvord describes how his high-energy, high-output work ethic is a perfect fit for such a dynamic and ever-changing environment.

He also addresses the benefits of advancing technology in the industry, which results in streamlined services without the need for extensive manpower. Alvord outlines the key advantages of mobile applications and online interfaces.

“You’re able to plan your day and it helps with time and workflow. With all of these features and being self-autonomous, agents can take more control of transactions - which keeps fees low,” he explained.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts, and learn more about her incredible journey!