In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, we sit down with Amin—an accomplished real estate agent and GM engineer—to unpack what it really takes to succeed as a new agent in today’s market. From the lack of brokerage support to the critical need for digital tools and mentorship, Amin shares honest insights, personal stories, and practical advice for navigating the challenges of the industry.

We also dive into a candid conversation about ethics in real estate—where lines can blur in dual agency, pricing strategy, and fair housing—and how agents can uphold integrity while still growing their business.

Plus, don’t miss the rapid-fire round where Amin reveals his favorite real estate app, funniest showing moment, and the one superpower he wishes he had as an agent!

Whether you're a new agent, a seasoned pro, or just curious about the modern real estate hustle, this episode is packed with value.

👉 Tune in, subscribe, and keep it real—with Empire.

What’s really driving growth in Farmington Hills — and how do you plan for the future while staying rooted in what makes a city feel like home?In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, host Ali Fawaz sits down with Cristia Brockway, Economic Development Director for the City of Farmington Hills, to talk about what’s working, what’s next, and how the city is thinking long-term.From big business wins and community energy to walkable design and the impact of events like the Farmers & Artisan Market, Cristia shares the strategy and heartbeat behind one of Metro Detroit’s standout communities.

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, we sit down with Walt Gajewski, the passionate Market Manager behind the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market — one of Southeast Michigan’s most cherished community gathering spaces.

Walt shares the inspiring story of how the market evolved from a humble idea into a vibrant cultural hub that supports local businesses, brings people together, and breathes life into Downtown Farmington every weekend. From behind-the-scenes challenges to unforgettable market moments, this episode explores the deeper impact of placemaking and how something as simple as a farmers market can transform an entire city.

🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review if you enjoy the show!
📍 Brought to you by Empire Realty Group — real estate, title, lending, and design under one roof.

#FarmingtonMI #CommunityFirst #FarmersMarket #TheRealDealPodcast #EmpireRealtyGroup

What does it really mean to build a city where people feel seen, valued, and supported?

In this powerful episode, Ali Fawaz sits down with Paschal Eze, Chief Diversity Officer for the City of Westland, MI—an author, community builder, and relentless advocate for connection, belonging, and purpose.

With 18 books under his belt and decades spent mentoring others, Paschal shares the values that drive him: lifting people up, bridging divides, and creating cities that don’t just function—but feel like home.

💡 You'll hear:

• The difference between living in a city and belonging to one

• Why diversity isn’t a checkbox—it’s a blueprint for real progress

• What new residents should really look for when choosing a place to live

• How city planning intersects with human connection

• One letter of recommendation that changed someone’s life

Whether you're in real estate, city government, or just care about stronger communities, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what it means to serve your neighbor—and why it matters now more than ever.

🎙️ Listen now to get inspired, challenged, and reminded of the power of people.

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, we sit down with Real Estate Attorney Ali Dagher for a wide-ranging, high-energy conversation that pulls no punches. We cover the shifting tides of the housing market, the evolving meaning of home ownership, the rise of AI in real estate, and how hedge funds are reshaping the landscape behind the scenes.

It’s all connected—and we break it down in a way that’s insightful, unexpected, and actually fun to listen to. Whether you're in the game or just trying to make sense of where it's all headed, this episode delivers the real talk you won’t hear anywhere else.

Watch or listen—just don’t miss it.

This week on The Real Deal with Empire, we're joined again by Cindy Immonen, VP State Agency Representative at Fidelity, for a no-nonsense breakdown of FinCEN’s latest regulatory push in real estate.

FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) is proposing a sweeping new rule that would require real estate professionals to report up to 111 data points for each non-financed, cash real estate transaction involving entities or trusts. The goal? Cut off the flow of dirty money through U.S. property deals.

Cindy unpacks what’s in this proposal, what it means for the industry, and how professionals can prepare for the compliance challenges ahead. We talk red flags, reporting timelines, potential legal exposure, and how this fits into the broader anti-money laundering (AML) crackdown.

If you're in real estate or connected to the transaction process, this episode is your early warning and action plan.

In the Season 2 premiere of The Real Deal with Empire, we sit down with James Mallette, the former principal of Robichaud High School, whose bold career pivot into real estate is nothing short of inspiring.

James shares his powerful journey from leading in education to leading in real estate — now thriving as a licensed agent, investor, and contractor. But he didn’t stop there. Today, James is part of a groundbreaking initiative helping develop over 2,000 affordable homes in Cleveland, proving that real estate can be both a business and a force for community transformation.

We explore what inspired his transition, how he leverages his leadership background in his new ventures, and what it takes to truly build impact — both personally and for the communities we serve.

This is more than a career change. It’s a mission. And it’s The Real Deal.

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, Ali Fawaz sits down with Ramy from Olympian Mortgage to dive deep into the world of real estate financing for investors, self-employed borrowers, and high-performance professionals.Ramy shares what he's learned from working with top real estate investors, how Olympian Mortgage is growing in a competitive market, and why mindset and leadership are just as important as rates and loan products.We break down:✅ Creative financing strategies investors are using right now✅ The biggest mistakes self-employed borrowers make✅ What makes a mortgage lender stand out in today’s market✅ How Olympian recruits and scales their team✅ The mental game behind sales, success, and sustained growthPlus, Ramy joins Ali for a rapid-fire “Real or Ridiculous?” segment that tackles some of the industry’s biggest myths.Whether you're a first-time buyer, seasoned investor, or loan officer looking to level up—this one is packed with real-world value.Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and more.

In this episode of Welcome to The Real Deal with Empire, we dive into the rapidly growing world of professional coaching—and take a critical look at what separates real expertise from empty titles.Our guest, John Gottchalk, brings decades of executive leadership experience and now works as a coach and consultant guiding professionals across industries. As the coaching space becomes increasingly crowded, especially on social media, it’s more important than ever to understand what truly qualifies someone to lead, mentor, and advise others.We explore:What makes a great coach—and what red flags to watch out forWhy real-world experience matters more than just having a polished online presenceThe parallels between the current state of real estate marketing and the evolution of Tier III automotive marketing a decade ago.

Ever thought about flipping houses but don’t know where to start? In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, host Ali Fawaz sits down with real estate investor and construction expert Frank Mastroianni to break down the fix-and-flip game. With deep roots in the construction industry—his family runs the well-known Italy America Construction—Frank shares insider tips on how to spot the right properties, avoid costly renovation mistakes, and decide whether to flip or rent.We’ll also tackle the biggest myths about house flipping, financing options for new investors, and what REALLY makes a renovation profitable. Plus, in our fan-favorite segment Real or Ridiculous?, Frank reacts to some of the wildest real estate advice floating around.If you’re looking to get into real estate investing, this episode is packed with valuable insights, expert knowledge, and, of course, plenty of laughs. Tune in now!