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!

In this episode, we sit down with property tax expert Sam Miller to uncover a shocking truth—many homeowners are paying more in property taxes than they should! Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and education to the table, breaking down how property taxes are calculated, common mistakes that lead to overpayments, and what homebuyers (and their real estate agents) need to know to avoid costly surprises. Whether you're a homeowner or a real estate professional, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you navigate property taxes with confidence. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation!

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Is now the right time to buy, or should you wait? In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, host Ali Fawaz sits down with Jeff Berry from Milestone Mortgage to discuss creative solutions for buying a home in today’s challenging market. Interest rates may be high, but Jeff is here to reveal smart strategies that could help buyers and investors make bold, informed decisions.

🔑 In This Episode, We Cover:
✅ The real deal on today’s interest rates – should you buy now or wait?
✅ Creative financing options most buyers don’t know about
✅ How to negotiate the best mortgage terms (even in a tough market)
✅ The biggest homebuying mistakes – and how to avoid them
✅ A hilarious “Real or Ridiculous” mortgage myth that might just shock you! 🤯

🔥 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share! Because real estate isn’t just about transactions—it’s about transformation. See you in the next episode! 🎤🚀 #MortgageTips #RealEstate #HomeBuying #TheRealDeal

👮‍♂️🏡 What happens when a police officer becomes a real estate agent? In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, host Ali Fawaz sits down with Khalil Hojeij, a Dearborn Heights police officer and Empire Realty Group agent, to discuss his unique dual career path.

🚔 Here’s what you’ll learn:
✅ How Khalil balances protecting the community and helping families find their dream homes
✅ His experience as the first-ever School Resource Officer for the Westwood District
✅ Wild and unexpected stories from both the streets and the real estate market
✅ The biggest misconceptions about cops in real estate
✅ A hilarious edition of “Real or Ridiculous” you won’t want to miss!

Title insurance might not be the first thing on your mind when buying a home, but it’s one of the most important protections you can have. In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, host Ali Fawaz sits down with Cindy Immonen, VP & Senior Agency Representative at Fidelity National Financial, to break down everything you need to know about title insurance—what it is, why it matters, and how it protects your biggest investment.

We’ll debunk common myths, explore real-life title nightmares, and even dive into some of the biggest industry changes, including Fannie Mae’s title waiver program and the rise of real estate fraud. Plus, we’re wrapping things up with a fun game of Real or Ridiculous?—you won’t want to miss Cindy’s wildest title insurance stories!

Tune in for expert insights, surprising facts, and practical advice that every homebuyer, seller, and investor needs. Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, and be sure to leave a review!

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, host Ali Fawaz sits down with Gus, a Miami real estate pro now making waves in Metro Detroit. Gus is on a mission to serve Hispanic homebuyers, breaking down language barriers and building trust in an underserved market.

🔥 What You’ll Learn:
✅ The challenges Hispanic buyers face in real estate
✅ Why bilingual agents make a huge difference
✅ The future of Hispanic homeownership in Michigan

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube! #TheRealDealWithEmpire #RealEstate

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, we’re sitting down with Mustafa Zubaidi, the driving force behind the launch of the Empire Institute of Real Estate. We’re talking about what this new institute means for aspiring agents, how it’s shaking up the industry, and why real estate education needs a serious glow-up.

But don’t worry—we’re keeping it fun. We’ll hit Mustafa with some unexpected questions, dive into his journey, and maybe even get some wild real estate stories along the way. Whether you’re in the industry or just love a good conversation, this episode’s got something for you.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube—don’t forget to subscribe! #TheRealDeal #RealEstate #EmpireInstitute #RealEstateEducation

Ever wondered what it takes to build a dream home—especially when those dreams include a walk-in cooler for fur coats? In this episode, we sit down with Nidal Arzouni, a seasoned builder and designer (and partner in Empire Realty Group’s Garden City location), to dive into the wild world of custom home requests. From over-the-top features to the challenge of setting realistic expectations, Nidal shares his journey in the industry and the balancing act between vision and practicality. Some clients want the impossible—but when the customer is always right, where do you draw the line? Tune in for a mix of real estate insights, design talk, and a few head-scratching home requests you won’t believe!