Join Josh Lavik and Sheri Marie, a top real estate agent who balances business in both Wisconsin and Florida. In this episode of the Better Agent Podcast, Sheri  opens up about her real estate career, working in two different markets, and how she incorporates luxury homes and new construction into her business. Learn about the evolving role of the agent, the growing impact of transparency and social selling, and how to stay ahead of industry trends. Whether you're a seasoned agent or a newbie, Sheri shares valuable advice to help you thrive in today’s competitive market.

🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik

🎤 Featuring: Sheri St. Marie

Sheri St Marie is a Broker Associate with eXp Realty, licensed in Florida and Wisconsin, with real estate experience dating back to 2003. Her work spans residential, luxury, new construction, and commercial real estate, and she partners nationally on commercial sales, private funding, and strategic partnerships through eXp Commercial. Sheri also serves as Co-Chair of the Florida Agent Advisory Council for eXp Realty, where she helps shape agent advocacy and growth at a national level.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Sheri ’s journey from teaching to real estate and new construction

✔️ How working in multiple states changed her approach to business

✔️ The importance of transparency and ethical practices in real estate

✔️ Why social selling is the future of real estate

✔️ How new construction fits into luxury real estate transactions

✔️ Sheri ’s tips for navigating difficult market conditions

✔️ The changing role of agents in the face of new technology

✔️ Valuable advice for real estate agents at every level

📇 Connect with Sheri St. Marie:

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/sheristmarie/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheri-st-marie-ms-%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%B8-8089b494/

🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik
🔖 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and COMMENT below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – iconsofrealestate.com

Join Josh Lavik and John Schneider in today’s episode of The Better Agent Podcast. John shares his 20+ years of experience as a real estate investor and agent. He reveals how real estate investing can enhance your agent business, why understanding property financing is crucial, and how adopting a hunter mindset can lead to success. Tune in to learn actionable strategies and tips for boosting your business and building wealth through real estate.

🎧 Hosts: Josh Lavik – Host, Better Agent Podcast

🎤 Featuring: John Schneider – Real Estate Investor & Expert

John Schneider is a Real Estate Broker with EXIT Realty HGM in Madison, Wisconsin, and principal of JPS Holdings. With 16 years of experience, he has completed more than 100 transactions annually, including over $41 million in closed sales in 2024. In addition to brokerage, Schneider is active in local development and land-use projects, frequently representing clients in Dane County zoning and planning matters.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ How to leverage real estate investing strategies to boost your agent business

✔️ The four key benefits of real estate ownership: income, debt service, taxes, and appreciation

✔️ How to evaluate potential properties and maximize your ROI

✔️ The importance of mentorship in real estate

✔️ How to incorporate investor language into your business

✔️ Navigating uncertainty in today’s market while creating growth opportunities

📇 Connect with John Schneider:

🌎 Website → https://www.livingamidwestlife.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/johnschnieder1/

🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – Icons of Real Estate

Join Josh Lavik as he interviews Joshua Holt, a real estate professional with a unique background, who shares his experience growing a successful real estate career through networking and AI. Learn how Joshua transitioned from an inside sales agent to a top-producing agent and how technology is helping him scale his business. Whether you’re an agent looking to grow or someone interested in the power of AI in real estate, this episode has valuable insights.

🎧 Hosts: Josh Lavik – Host, Better Agent Podcast

🎤 Featuring: Joshua Holt – Real Estate Professional and Team Leader

Joshua D. Holt is the Owner, Realtor®, and Broker Associate of the Holt Real Estate Team powered by Keller Williams, based in Madison, Wisconsin. He is a U.S. Army veteran who now focuses on serving clients in Dane County and greater south-central Wisconsin. Joshua also serves on the Board of Directors for the local Chamber of Commerce and the American Legion Post, while his family remains active in community support and school initiatives

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Key strategies for growing your real estate business through networking

✔️ How AI tools like call coaching and market data analysis can enhance your business

✔️ The importance of embracing failure and learning from mistakes

✔️ Tips for using AI to nurture leads and convert opportunities

✔️ The value of community involvement in building a sustainable business

📇 Connect with Joshua Holt:

🌎 Website → https://www.holtrealestateteam.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/holtrealestateteam

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/holtrealestateteam/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/holt-real-estate-team

🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – https://iconsofrealestate.com

In this episode of the Better Agent Podcast, Josh Vik talks with Michael Leeson about building a real estate business grounded in authenticity, relationships, and experience. Michael shares lessons from his missionary background, strategies for growth, negotiation frameworks, team-building insights, and how to balance family and business while thriving as an agent.

🎧 Hosts: Josh Vik

🎤 Featuring: Michael Leeson – Real Estate Agent, Entrepreneur, and Mentor

Michael Leeson is a Realtor with Realty Executives Cooper Spransy, serving the Madison and Dane County market. With two decades of experience in real estate investment, sales, and property management, he has closed 125 transactions worth over $66.6 million in the past five years, averaging $368,000 per sale. Leeson runs a team supported by an Executive Assistant and Transaction Coordinator, providing full-service representation across a wide price range from entry-level homes to luxury properties. He and his wife Emma are raising five children in Sun Prairie while remaining active in travel and community involvement.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ How past experiences can inform success in real estate

✔️ Mindset shifts for new and growing agents

✔️ Building a team and scaling a business sustainably

✔️ Negotiation tips and communication strategies

✔️ Maintaining personal balance and strong relationships

✔️ Investing in your business for long-term growth

🎙 Follow Michael Leeson:

🌎 Website → https://leesonrealestate.com/

🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – https://iconsofrealestate.com

On this episode of Better Agent Podcast, Josh Lavik is joined by Lindsay Mefford, a new real estate agent with a unique background in home inspections and radon testing. Lindsay shares her story of transitioning from teaching to real estate, the challenges she faced in her first year, and the value of leveraging her previous experience. She discusses how she’s built a solid system for working with older clients, the importance of staying organized, and why radon testing is an often-overlooked but critical aspect of real estate. Tune in for valuable tips and insights to grow your business in real estate!

🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik

🎙 Featuring: Lindsay Mefford – Real Estate Agent

Lindsay Mefford is a Sales Representative with EXIT Realty HGM, working primarily out of the Madison office and serving clients across Madison and the surrounding areas. A former elementary school teacher and home inspection professional, Lindsay brings a unique perspective to real estate. For over a decade, she and her husband have operated Madison Radon Testing, completing thousands of inspections—including work at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Lindsay’s transition from teaching to real estate

✔️ The benefits of a background in home inspections

✔️ How Lindsay built a system for real estate success

✔️ Why understanding market trends is crucial for success

✔️ Specializing in working with older clients

✔️ Tips for new agents and staying organized

✔️ The importance of radon testing in real estate transactions

📇 Connect with Lindsay Mefford:

🌎 Website → https://meffordrealty.com/

📘 Facebook → https://facebook.com/lindsay.mefford

📷 Instagram →  https://instagram.com/lindsmefford

🔗 LinkedIn → https://tiktok.com/@lindsmefford

🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – https://iconsofrealestate.com

In this episode of The Better Agent Podcast, Josh Lavik is joined by Anne Baranski, a real estate agent with a unique niche of working with dog lovers. Anne shares her journey into real estate, how authenticity and passion for animals have played a key role in her success, and how she’s grown her business through referrals. Anne discusses how being true to your passions can drive growth and the importance of building relationships and staying connected with clients. Tune in for valuable insights and advice on making your real estate career truly thrive!

🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik

🎙 Featuring: Anne Baranski – Real Estate Agent

Anne Baranski is an award-winning Broker Owner of Forever Home Real Estate, proudly serving clients across Wisconsin. Rising quickly in her career, she closed 17 deals in her first year, earned “Corporate REALTOR® of the Year,” and by year four ranked in the top 5% of MLS producers statewide. Anne has been recognized among Wisconsin’s top three agents and was invited to speak at the 2018 REALTORS® Convention.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ How Anne's passion for dogs shaped her real estate business

✔️ The power of authenticity and building genuine client relationships

✔️ Why staying consistent with client engagement drives long-term success

✔️ How to leverage your unique interests to grow your business

✔️ The importance of referrals in building a sustainable career

✔️ Tips for real estate agents looking to grow and stay authentic

📇 Connect with Anne Baranski:

🌎 Website → https://anne.foreverhomerealestate.com/

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/foreverhome.realestate/

🎙 Follow Josh Lavik and the Better Agent Podcast:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

In this episode of The Better Agent Podcast, host Josh Lavik sits down with Timothy Flores, a successful real estate agent who transitioned from the tech world and Airbnb investments into real estate. Timothy shares his journey from getting started in the business to leveraging his tech background to build a thriving real estate career. He discusses the emotional side of real estate, the importance of building relationships, and why client referrals are so crucial to growth. Timothy also offers valuable insights into staying positive, overcoming challenges, and growing a business in today’s real estate market.

🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik

🎙 Featuring: Timothy Flores – Real Estate Agent

Tim Flores is a seasoned real estate professional and Team Lead at Flores & Partners (powered by eXp Realty) in the Madison, WI area. With 7 years of experience and deep roots in the community, he blends innovation and local insight to deliver results-focused service. In 2024, Tim expanded his firm’s presence with the opening of a new Madison office and helped more than 50 local families achieve their real estate goals.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ How Timothy's background in tech and Airbnb investing influenced his real estate success

✔️ The emotional side of real estate and why supporting your clients matters

✔️ How to turn past clients into long-term relationships that fuel business growth

✔️ Overcoming market challenges with a positive mindset

✔️ Why being a good co-broker and nurturing relationships with other agents is essential

✔️ The importance of proactive client engagement and providing value

📇 Connect with Timothy Flores:

🌎 Website → https://searchmadisonhomes.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/floresrealtywi/

🎙 Follow Josh Lavik:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate – https://iconsofrealestate.com

Join Josh Lavik as he sits down with Mike Bailey and Stella Guevara of eXp Realty on the Better Agent Podcast to discuss their success strategies in real estate. From Mike’s transition into real estate, cold calling days, and listing expired properties, to Stella’s approach to staging and vendor relationships, this episode is full of tips and real-world advice. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your real estate business, Mike and Stella’s stories and tips will give you actionable insights to boost your business.

🎧 Host: Josh Lavik

🎙 Guests: Mike Bailey and Stella Guevara – Real Estate Agent at eXp Realty

Mike Bailey & Stella Guevara — Mike & Stella are an award-winning real estate duo with over 30 years of combined experience, proudly serving South Central Wisconsin through eXp Realty. Ranked among the top 1% of Realtors nationwide, earning multiple “Top Agent” and Centurion awards. Mike brings a disciplined, coach-like approach from his background in athletics and education, while Stella offers a client-first mindset shaped by 17+ years as a small business owner. Together, they’re known for their honesty, responsiveness, and warm, family-oriented service that makes every client feel like part of their community.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ The importance of persistence and follow-up in building a real estate business

✔️ How to leverage cold calling to get new listings

✔️ Tips for staging homes to sell faster

✔️ Building a vendor list to support your business growth

✔️ How to manage client expectations when discussing pricing

✔️ The role of referrals in growing your business

🎙 Follow Mike Bailey & Stella Guevara:

🌎 Website → https://www.mikeandstella.com/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bailey-and-stella-guevara-1612bb2a/

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/mikeandstellaexp/

🎙 Follow Josh Lavik:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

 Josh Lavik talks to Alex Young, a successful real estate agent from the Bow Tie Group, about his journey in the industry. Alex shares his personal milestones, lessons learned from struggles, and his approach to high performance and mental health in real estate. He emphasizes the importance of having a support system, a solid routine, and the role of coaching in long-term success.

🎧 Hosted by: Josh Lavik

🎙 Guest: Alex Young -  a successful real estate agent from the Bow Tie Group

Alex Young is a top-producing Realtor® with over 8 years of experience and over 300 closed transactions across Northeast Wisconsin. As a Green Bay native, Alex understands what it means to be Midwest nice in the world’s biggest small town. His purpose is to travel the world and learn from the best in the business, creating relationships that will allow him to do what he does best: serve others. Having lived both out of the state, and out of the country, Alex is excited to bring fresh perspective, service, and unending value to his clients, his community, and his industry. Outside of work, Alex is a loving husband to his wife of 10 years, Amanda and a proud dog dad to Sierra and Apollo.

Key Takeaways:

✔️ How Alex transitioned from retail to real estate

✔️ Pivotal moments in Alex’s career that shaped his path

✔️ Tips for maintaining mental health and productivity in real estate

✔️ Why defining success is about more than just numbers

✔️ The importance of establishing a routine and having a support system

✔️ How coaching can unlock growth and performance

💼 Connect with Alex Young:

🌎 Website → http://www.thebowtiegroup.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/thebowtiegroup

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/alexyoungrealtor/

🎙 Follow Josh Lavik:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

In this episode of the Better Agent Podcast, Josh Lavik interviews Keith Schulz, the managing broker of Great Rock Realty, to explore Keith's evolution from real estate investor to full-time agent and broker. Keith opens up about house hacking, his first duplex investment, and how he scaled his business. The conversation takes a deeper dive into his real estate development project, Third Space Garages, which offers large storage units designed for vehicles and recreational equipment. Tune in to hear valuable insights on how to leverage investments, build a referral-based business, and navigate the challenges of development.

🎧 Host: Josh Lavik

🎙 Guest: Keith Schulz – Managing Broker at Great Rock Realty and Real Estate Investor

Keith Schulz is the Managing Broker at Great Rock Realty, with over 15 years of real estate experience and more than 300 homes sold across Southern Wisconsin. A former engineer with a degree in Architectural Technology and a licensed home inspector, Keith brings unmatched technical insight to every transaction. He’s also committed to community impact—donating 10% of every commission to client-chosen charities.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ How to start investing in real estate with duplexes and house hacking

✔️ Leveraging equity to scale your real estate business

✔️ Building a business with referrals and sphere of influence

✔️ Transitioning from engineering to real estate sales and investing

✔️ Developing unique projects like Third Space Garages

✔️ Partnering with a spouse to grow a successful business

✔️ Overcoming challenges and fluctuations in the market

🎬 Listen to this episode for practical strategies on growing your real estate business, developing projects, and making smart investments.

🎙 Follow Keith Schulz:

🌎 Website → https://www.keithandkinsey.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/KeithandKinsey/

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/keithandkinseyrealestate/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithschulz/

🎙 Follow Josh Lavik:

🌎 Website → https://www.joshlavik.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joshlavikassoc

📷 Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/jla_madison/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlavik

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/