The Elevate and Execute Podcast

Episode: Should You Get Your Real Estate License?

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this episode, the Elevate and Execute crew debates whether getting your real estate license is a smart move—especially if you're an investor or entrepreneur. The team breaks down the costs, the perks, the misconceptions, and the real-life scenarios where having a license can help (or hurt).

From waiving commissions to win offers, to using your license for flips and investment purchases, this is a brutally honest look at whether becoming an agent is worth it for the average person—or just a distraction from building wealth.

What You’ll Learn:

• How access to the MLS can help (but isn’t always necessary)
• When waiving your commission can win a deal
• Why using your license for flips can save massive money
• The surprising tax and financing implications of taking a commission
• Why some agents fail—and how to avoid the same fate
• How to leverage a license without making real estate your full-time job
• Why a reserve fund matters more than your down payment
• The power of agent networks (and why non-investing agents send great deals)

Notable Quotes:

Subscribe & Review:

Thinking about getting your license—or helping someone who is? Hit subscribe, leave a review, and send this episode their way. Whether you're an investor, house hacker, or future agent, this one will help you make a smarter move.

Episode: The Biggest Mistakes in Real Estate

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this no-fluff episode, the Elevate and Execute crew lays out the biggest—and most expensive—mistakes they’ve seen (and made) in real estate. From flipping disasters and contractor nightmares to newbie agent errors and investment regrets, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons and practical advice for both investors and real estate professionals.

They cover what to watch for on your first flip, how to avoid being scammed by contractors, what every new agent should focus on, and why real estate is never as easy or passive as it looks online.

What You’ll Learn:

• The #1 mistake new investors make with flips and rentals
• Why underestimating rehab costs can sink your deal
• How to vet contractors and avoid getting burned
• What to know before buying a rental property
• Why having reserves is non-negotiable
• The importance of mentorship, partnerships, and learning from others
• The biggest first-year mistakes most agents make
• How to avoid killing your deals with social media missteps
• Why real estate is a marketing game—especially for agents
• Why every deal has problems (and how to get better at solving them

Notable Quotes:

⚠️ Content Note:

This episode contains some adult language and candid stories.

Subscribe & Review:

If this episode helped you avoid a mistake—or made you feel better about one you’ve already made—hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s diving into the world of real estate. Learn from others’ lessons, and elevate faster.

Episode: Building a Referral-Based Business

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this value-packed episode, the Elevate and Execute crew breaks down what it really takes to build a sustainable, referral-driven real estate business. From creating unforgettable client experiences to leveraging CRMs, social media, and good old-fashioned follow-up, the guys share practical tips, personal stories, and mistakes to avoid if you want clients—and their friends—to keep coming back.

They also talk about referral partners like lenders, marketing touchpoints that matter, and why most agents lose repeat business without realizing it.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why providing a great experience is just the beginning
• The real reason clients don’t come back—and how to fix it
• How to use Net Promoter Score thinking to evaluate your client journey
• Ways to automate follow-up using CRMs, Facebook, and mailing tools
• Why referral partners (like lenders) are critical to scaling
• Simple social media habits that build trust and visibility
• The importance of consistency in marketing and posting
• How referrals create exponential growth over time

Notable Quotes:

Subscribe & Review:

Learned something that could grow your business? Subscribe to the show, leave a review, and share this episode with another agent or entrepreneur. Whether you’re new to real estate or scaling up, a strong referral network is your most powerful tool.

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this laugh-out-loud episode of Elevate and Execute, the guys swap their wildest, creepiest, and downright unbelievable real estate stories—from vent cover hacks that somehow passed inspection, to walking in on a sleeping man with a loaded Glock.

They also share lessons learned from hoarder houses, squatters, and awkward agent encounters that could’ve gone very wrong. Whether you’re new to real estate or a seasoned investor, this episode reminds you that behind every deal, there’s usually a crazy story—and a lesson to go with it.

What You’ll Learn:

• How they once faked a bathroom vent fix (and it actually passed inspection)
• Why short sales sometimes come with spooky history
• How to safely approach a vacant property
• How to spot a hoarder house opportunity—and close it profitably
• The danger (and reward) of buying the worst house in a great area
• Best practices for showings, inspections, and avoiding awkward encounters
• Why some of the worst houses yield the best returns

Notable Quotes:

⚠️ Content Note:

This episode contains some explicit language and stories that may not be suitable for all listeners.

Subscribe & Review:

If this episode made you laugh or taught you something about risk-taking in real estate, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your team or investor friends. These stories are real—and so are the wins that come from them.

Episode: AI Is the New Agent: The Revolution Is Here

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this forward-looking (and slightly unnerving) episode, the Elevate and Execute crew dives into how artificial intelligence is already changing the real estate industry—and what agents, teams, and brokerages need to do to stay ahead. From bots that can hold 50,000 conversations at once to cloned voices reading entire audiobooks, the guys break down what’s helpful, what’s creepy, and what’s just plain game-changing.

They also share firsthand examples of using AI tools to write contracts, generate marketing copy, follow up with leads, and even narrate a book—plus the existential questions that come with it all.

What You’ll Learn:

• How agents are using AI right now (and how you can too)
• Why AI is the biggest shift since the internet—maybe bigger
• How bots are replacing call centers and lead nurturers
• The pros and cons of using AI in client communication
• How AI voice cloning works (and how it saved one of the guys weeks of recording)
• Why real estate franchises may not survive the tech shift
• How ignoring AI could cost you your job—or your business
• Practical ways to lean in and leverage AI for growth

Notable Quotes:

Subscribe & Review:

Learn something new or get a little freaked out by this episode? Hit subscribe, leave a review, and share this one with a fellow agent or entrepreneur. Whether you’re excited or skeptical, AI is here—and it’s not waiting around.

Episode: Flipped, Fumbled, and Fighting to Close

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Elevate and Execute, the team dives into the chaos of a recent flip deal gone sideways, highlighting the importance of knowing your contracts, preparing for worst-case scenarios, and navigating real estate deals with confidence. From over-the-top inspection requests to last-minute buyer fallout, they share a real-world story of how one seller nearly lost everything (and what they did about it).

They also discuss the tricky legal gray areas of lease-option buyers, final walkthrough issues, and how storms, yes, literal tornadoes—can derail closings. Full of lessons, war stories, and hard-earned advice, this episode is a must-listen for flippers, agents, and real estate investors.

What You’ll Learn:

• What to do when a buyer backs out days before closing
• How legal contracts protect sellers (and what to look for)
• The truth about buyer inspection negotiations
• Final walkthrough horror stories and how to prevent them
• Why working with experienced agents (and attorneys) matters
• Navigating tornado damage and escrows during closing
• Why Saint Louis’s contract structure is unique and how to use it wisely
• Creative deal ideas for solving last-minute move-out and funding issues

Notable Quotes:

Subscribe & Review:

Learn something new from this episode? Hit that subscribe button, leave a review, and share this with your favorite investor or agent. These are the kinds of stories and strategies that save deals and sanity.

Episode: Getting Out of the Rat Race

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this raw and honest episode, the team dives into what it really means to "get out of the rat race"and why so many people are stuck in it without realizing. Drawing from their own experiences leaving corporate jobs, Kyle, Brian, and David talk about the mindset shifts, risks, failures, and small wins that eventually led them to freedom.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who's ever felt trapped in the 9-to-5 grind and wants to break out. Whether you’re dreaming of starting your own business or just want more control over your time, this conversation offers both the inspiration and the practical reality of what it takes to make that leap.

What You’ll Learn:

• What the “rat race” really is (beyond just a job you don’t like)
• How corporate America lulls people into a false sense of security
• The real risks of staying in a job you hate
• Why mindset is the first battle you have to win
• The importance of side hustles and proof of concept before quitting
• How to mentally and financially prepare to leave your job
• The value of surrounding yourself with people who’ve done it
• Why having your spouse or family’s support makes all the difference

Notable Quotes:

⚠️ Content Note:

This episode contains some explicit language.

Subscribe & Review:

If this episode inspired you to take action or re-evaluate where you’re headed, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

You don’t have to stay stuck. There’s a way out—and it starts here.

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this practical and timely episode, the Elevate and Execute team breaks down everything sellers (and agents) need to know heading into the summer real estate market. They discuss the sudden surge in seller activity as people get off the sidelines, what home improvements actually help you get top dollar, and how to prepare your home so it sells quickly and profitably in a hot market.

The team also shares why pricing strategy is key, how to navigate competing offers, and what sellers should expect in the Saint Louis market—plus tips on finding your next home once your current one sells.

What You’ll Learn:

Why clutter and personalization matter (and when personal photos can help or hurt)

Which updates pay off and which don’t (like roofs and HVAC)

How Zillow’s Zestimate can mislead sellers, and why expert pricing is essential

The two reasons homes don’t sell: price and location

Why negotiating up is always better than negotiating down

Strategies to get multiple offers and leverage competition

The importance of great media—drone, 3D tours, high-def photos—in marketing your home

How to vet an agent, especially if you’re buying or selling investment property

Notable Quotes:

“The home doesn’t sell for two reasons: price and location.”

“Price cures everything—it’s the easiest way to create competition.”

“There are a lot of bad agents out there. Do your homework before you hire one.”

Subscribe & Review:

If this episode gave you insight into selling your home faster, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone planning to sell this summer. An educated seller is an empowered seller.

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode, the Elevate and Execute crew dives deep into Zillow, what it is, how it works, and why so many real estate agents love to hate it. From syndication and Flex programs to fears about Zillow becoming a full-on brokerage, the team pulls back the curtain on what Zillow really means for today’s agents, sellers, and buyers.

They also explore how Zillow's expanding influence (from showing apps to CRM tools and home loans) is shifting the industry and how agents can stay competitive in a world of data, automation, and evolving client expectations.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Zillow dominates the real estate search game
• The difference between market-based pricing and Zillow Flex
• How Zillow profits from leads and how agents can still win
• Why blaming Zillow is a mistake (and who to really blame)
• What agents must know to stay relevant in the tech era
• A look at Zillow’s broader strategy, acquisitions, and “super app” vision
• How AI could disrupt real estate even faster than Zillow
• Why buying investment property is more essential than ever for agents

Notable Quotes:

Subscribe & Review:

If this episode gave you a new perspective on Zillow, tech, or the real estate industry, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone in your network. Change is coming and those who adapt will thrive.

Hosts: Kyle Fernandez, Brian Preston, David Ounanian

Episode Summary:

In this lighthearted and hilarious episode, the Elevate and Execute crew tests their knowledge (or lack thereof) of Gen Alpha slang. From "brain rot" to "womp womp," the guys try to decode the strange new language their kids are speaking—and the results are pure gold.

Along the way, they discuss parenting in the digital age, how trends spread among kids today, and why staying connected to the next generation is more important (and funnier) than ever.

What You’ll Learn:

• What "Rizz," "Cap," and "Sigma" really mean to Gen Alpha
• The surprising origins of today’s trending slang
• How kids communicate across schools and states with shared lingo
• Why slang might just be the ultimate parenting challenge
• A hilarious breakdown of Savannah Bananas baseball and viral marketing

Notable Quotes:

"The shttier the house, the better the deal."*

"These kids are speaking a universal language—no one taught them, but they all know it."

"I thought 'Rizz' was short for 'jizz'... I was wrong."

Subscribe & Review:

Enjoyed the laughs and the confusion? Hit that subscribe button, leave a review, and share the show with a fellow parent or friend who needs to brush up on Gen Alpha slang.

It’s not just about real estate—it’s about life, parenting, and keeping up with a world that moves fast.