The Real Estate Sessions

In the latest Real Estate Sessions Rewind episode of 'The Real Estate Sessions,' Episode 365 is this week as host Bill Risser sat down with Luke Carl, a former rock and roll bar owner who transitioned into real estate investing. Luke's journey into real estate was influenced by his family background in construction and his desire to be closer to his wife's family, leading him to invest in various markets and adapt to changing conditions in the industry.

During the episode, Luke shared some valuable insights and tips for finding success in real estate investing:

1. **Patience and Hard Work:** Luke emphasized the importance of patience, hard work, and hustle in achieving success in real estate investment. He highlighted the need to slow down and put in the effort to see results.

2. **Targeting High Demand Markets:** Luke's strategy involves targeting towns with high vacation demand but low permanent residency rates for his successful short-term rental business. By understanding market dynamics, he has been able to maximize his returns in these areas.

3. **Responsive Client Service:** Luke stressed the importance of being responsive to clients and building strong relationships in the industry. He believes that being available and attentive to clients' needs can set you apart in the competitive real estate market.

Introduced amidst the struggle of a terminal illness, John's Die Happy Tour is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and creativity. This remarkable endeavor, spearheaded by John, focuses on spreading happiness through surprising loved ones with creative gestures and meaningful interactions, even while facing personal adversity. Bill Risser, observing John's journey, commends his unique approach to celebrating life. Risser, moved by John's determination and positivity, emphasizes the profound impact of John's actions, which involve surprising folks and creating unforgettable memories for his loved ones and people he's just met. According to Risser, John exemplifies the power of giving and making the most of every moment, inspiring admiration and support.

Here are three key takeaways from the episode:

1. **Spread Joy Through Simple Acts**: John's tour highlights the significance of small gestures in making a difference in someone's life. As Bill Risser mentioned, John finds true happiness in bringing about a positive change in others' lives, echoing the sentiment that "it's better to give than to receive."

2. **Create Lasting Memories**: Despite the challenges he faces, John is committed to making the most of every moment. By surprising his loved ones with thoughtful gestures, he aims to leave a lasting impact and inspire others to appreciate life and the joy of giving.

3. **Embrace Resilience and Creativity**: John's story is a testament to resilience and creativity in the face of adversity. His ability to find unique and humorous ways to surprise people with gifts showcases his unwavering spirit and determination to spread happiness.

As John eloquently put it, "Point your toes. It's the last thing the judges see." This metaphor shared by John reflects his approach to life, where he is focused on making the most of every opportunity and leaving a positive mark on the world.

OVERVIEW

Sam DeBianchi is a native of Fort Lauderdale and the proud owner and founder of Debianchi Real Estate. Her extensive background in real estate, along with her successful brokerage, has led her to be featured on the television show "Million Dollar Listing" and open her own real estate shop after gaining valuable experience in the field for around three years. When it comes to the NAR settlement, DeBianchi harbors a critical perspective, expressing skepticism about its potential impact on real estate agents. She believes that top-performing agents, who provide substantial value to their clients, shouldn't worry too much about the settlement as they already exceed the basic requirements. DeBianchi's viewpoint, shaped by her experience in the industry, emphasizes the importance of being hands-on and selective when choosing a brokerage, underscoring the necessity of a supportive and conducive environment for success in the real estate industry. Her overall focus lies in providing exceptional service and adaptability in navigating industry changes.

Sam's blog post on the NAR Settlement

TIME STAMPS

(00:01:42) Elevating Real Estate Professionalism Through NAR

(00:08:34) "Thriving in Real Estate through Nightlife Skills"

(00:15:05) Personalized Client Relationships in Luxury Real Estate

(00:20:33) Prioritizing Personalized Mentorship in Real Estate Brokerage

(00:26:12) Realtors' Journey to Rebuild Consumer Trust

(00:29:52) Collaborative Nature of Real Estate Deals

(00:36:05) Transition to a Balanced Real Estate Market

KEY TAKEAWAYS

- Real estate agents are discussing the impact of the recent NAR settlement on agent professionalism and consumer trust.

- Sam DeBianchi emphasizes the importance of buyer agreements in preventing dishonest practices and elevating the industry's reputation.

- DeBianchi highlights the expertise, market insights, and personalized services that real estate agents provide, going beyond what buyers can access on their own.

- DeBianchi's experience managing a nightclub helped her develop skills in managing people, marketing, selling, and making quick decisions, which she successfully applied to her real estate business.

- DeBianchi emphasizes the significance of personality over price in the luxury real estate market, stressing the value of building relationships with clients based on their needs and preferences.

- Consumer distrust towards real estate agents due to lack of honesty has created a negative perception of the industry, emphasizing the need for effective representation.

- There is a prediction of a shift towards a more normal real estate market in the upcoming years, requiring adaptability in different market conditions and providing value beyond quick sales.

Socials:

- Twitter: www.twitter.com/SamDeBianchi

- Instagram: www.instagram.com/samdebianchi

- Facebook: www.facebook.com/samdebianchi

- YouTube: www.youtube.com/samdebianchi5650

TRANSCRIPT

00:00:00 - Sam DeBianchi

There's always this post that I see around on Facebook, and it lists like a hundred things of what the buyer agent does. And I appreciate that. But I also don't love that post. And reason being is because some of those items, any, anyone could say, oh, well, I can do that, you know, and I want to take it to a different level to where someone is like, I can't really do that. Peace.

00:00:28 - Bill Risser

You're listening to the real estate sessions, and I'm your host, Bill Risser. With nearly 25 years in the real estate business, I love to interview industry leaders, up and comers, and really anyone with a story to tell. It's the stories that led my guests to a career in the real estate world that drives me into my 9th year and nearly 400 episodes of the podcast. And now I hope you enjoy the next journey. Hi, everybody. Welcome to episode 384 of the Real Estate Sessions podcast. As always, thank you so much for tuning in, and thank you so much for telling a friend today, staying in my home state again, I like this. I like sticking around here. And we're going to be talking to Sam DeBianchi, who is the owner founder of DeBianchi Real Estate in Fort Lauderdale. Sam's an actual native of Fort Lauderdale, so we're going to have some great conversations about that. She also put out a blog post talking about the recent NAR settlement. And so it's going to be my goal to talk to over the next few weeks to get takes on the Nar settlement from different agents, different parts of the country, and different parts of the industry. So we can kind of make sure everybody's up to speed with what people are thinking. So let's get this thing started. Sam, welcome to the podcast.

00:01:42 - Sam DeBianchi

Thanks for having me.

00:01:44 - Bill Risser

This is going to be a lot of fun. You're my first guest post. Nar settlement, that's just become a thing over the last week.

00:01:53 - Sam DeBianchi

Just a little thing.

00:01:55 - Bill Risser

Yeah, just a few people talking about it, some media outlets maybe saying the wrong stuff in their headlines. I don't know. We'll talk about that in a little bit. I want to first find out. I know you're in the Fort Lauderdale area. I live in St. Petersburg, so I've made a few trips over to the east coast, and it's definitely a different vibe than here in the St. Pete area. But I believe you're a native of Fort Lauderdale, is that correct?

00:02:20 - Sam DeBianchi

That is correct. All 39. Almost 40 years, which is crazy that I'm saying almost 40 now.

00:02:29 - Bill Risser

I think people have their own impression of South Florida or even Fort Lauderdale versus Miami. I like to ask this of guests, no matter where they're from, right. What's the biggest misconception of the area you grew up and love? And then also, what do you think is the best part?

00:02:49 - Sam DeBianchi

So Fort Lauderdale used to you, when anyone would bring up south Florida, they'd say Miami and Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale was kind of like the redheaded stepchilds that we got skipped over and nobody talked about. It's like, you don't really want to go to Fort Lauderdale. And now it has evolved and grown tremendously. And mind you, I've lived. So I'm born and raised in Fort Lauderdale. I went to college in Boca, got my MBA in Fort Lauderdale area, and then lived in Miami. All parts of Miami for a while, moved back to Fort Lauderdale. So I'm really a native south Floridian. It's evolved and changed, especially not just with buildings and real estate and everything else, but transportation. We have now what's called the bright line, which I'm sure you're familiar with, which so many people don't realize. It connects Miami to now it'll be going to Tampa, which is awesome. And so the main stops right now are Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Orlando, and then it will head to Tampa. And I think that is probably one of the most exciting parts. Fort Lauderdale also has the biggest boat show in the world. So all of the mega yachts and tons of people all over the world come to Fort Lauderdale for an extended weekend. And because of that, it's really evolved. And it said its name. It's established its name so much more. It's still a community where you can know a lot of people, and there's a lot of walkability. It's not as overwhelming as Miami. It's not nearly as expensive as Palm beach. And it's a great place to.

00:04:29 - Bill Risser

Yeah, yeah, that's a great take on it. I think Miami is just the south beach and anywhere going north from there for a few miles as a tourist, it's where you want to be, it's where you want to go, it's what you want to see. But, boy, there's so much more in a lot of different areas, a lot of different places where there's coral gables or Brickell or all these different areas. But Fort Lauderdale, do you feel like it's kind of more self contained when it comes to. It's a little easier.

00:04:58 - Sam DeBianchi

Yeah, it's easier to maneuver. It's easier to understand. Miami is very spread out, and I think people assume oh, I'm going to Miami. And I always ask, well, what part are you going to? Brickell, South Beach, Winwood. I mean, there's very different and unique neighborhoods in Miami, whereas Fort Lauderdale, when you say you're going to Fort Lauderdale, it's generally east Fort Lauderdale. Downtown or the beach. And that's. And, and downtown and the beach, it's a mile between them. So it's really the same part. The same area.

00:05:30 - Bill Risser

Yeah, I like that. You mentioned you went to school in Boca. For me, that means fau, right?

00:05:37 - Sam DeBianchi

Yes.

00:05:38 - Bill Risser

And we're recording this on the first day of March Madness here in 2024. And look, Sam, it had to be unbelievable last year when the owls were able to advance to the final four, talk a little bit about what was happening in Fort Lauderdale last year at this time.

00:05:58 - Sam DeBianchi

Again, I mean, it was not really expected overall. You don't hear, especially people, it's now, again, put it on the map, because before, I would say years ago, oh, I went to Fau. It's like, oh, where is that? Oh, it's in Boca. Everyone knows Boca. And then I have to know where exactly it is. It's close to the Boca mall. Okay. And we left it at that. But now with March Madness and everything, there's at least a much bigger connection. A much cooler connection. And so, yeah, again, South Florida schools, a lot is happening in not just south Florida, all of Florida, I think. I mean, I went not to totally pivot, but I even toured, like, Pontavidra, Jacksonville. Everything is completely different than even, I'd say, five, seven years ago. It's wild. And it really comes down to so many people are moving here, and developers are trying to take advantage of that and kind of meet expectations and exceed them.

00:07:02 - Bill Risser

Look, I'll agree with that. Even on this coast. Right now, we live downtown St. Pete. There's a 46 story condo project and a 42 story condo project one block away from each other. Like, racing to see who can get theirs up highest. And that's two of another seven cranes you see going up in St. Pete. Just amazing.

00:07:26 - Sam DeBianchi

Tampa is one of the hottest markets in the country, and the stats show that there's a thousand people moving here. A know, I will also say there's a good amount of people moving out, but I think it's not necessarily because they are dying to get out of Florida. But I think that there's so much opportunity with the fact that you can sell your home, make a bunch of money, and then move to a different state where prices are less expensive and capture more if I can make a substantial amount and move to a different market, not obviously being a realtor, because I don't want to have to rebuild my book of business again, but to the average person, I mean, that's super enticing, and it's very attractive.

00:08:06 - Bill Risser

Yeah. Your main focus of study, FAU, was communications, correct? Communications major. Do I have that right?

00:08:13 - Sam DeBianchi

Correct. That meant that I wasn't truly sure what I wanted to, but. So communications sounded great, and I really actually enjoyed getting that degree and focusing on that major.

00:08:28 - Bill Risser

What was your first gig out of school, then? Where did you land?

00:08:34 - Sam DeBianchi

So I always knew that I wanted to be in nightlife, believe it or not. Not necessarily real estate, but I always knew I wanted to be in nightlife. And while I was getting my MBA at NSU Nova Southeastern University, I was interning at a nightclub, and I worked my way up very quickly to become a manager of a nightclub. And I did that in Miami for a few years, and that's where I learned so much about my real estate business. And you're thinking, what does one have to do with the other? But everything from how to manage people, how to manage people's expectations, how to think quickly. Marketing, advertising, PR, relationships in general, selling, and the time span of a life of a nightclub is generally two years. So you really have to think quickly and be very creative and unique. And I used those skills and that knowledge to really catapult my real estate business. And I always tell people when I speak to large groups, it was weird how I knew growing up that I wanted to be a nightlife. I wanted to be on TV, and I wanted to be a thought leader in whatever. I was going to be in the bigger picture in my true career, because I always knew nightlife was going to have an expiration date. So needless to say, I was able to accomplish all of those things. But I always go back to my experience and my job and nightlife because it made me grow thick skin. And in situations like the NAR lawsuit to you, you got to have thick skin, and you got to know how to pivot and make decisions and make moves and educate people and do all of these things that I learned back in the day, the job that everyone laughed at and said, oh, you're a promoter? I said, no, I manage a nightclub. And they never took seriously. That's what I did. And totally in a different direction. I also created a college course. I'm an adjunct professor as well. I created nightclub management when I was 25 at FIU, which is one of the top hospitality programs in the country. But I had to stop teaching when I was going on million dollar listing because there's only 24 hours in a day. And I was hoping to change that, but I never could get that to happen.

00:11:02 - Bill Risser

Yeah, hospitality is probably the top two, one of the top two or three previous careers that I come across. You see a lot of healthcare, there's that empathy to go in there and the education. Right. A lot of teachers turn into really good agents because of the same kind of reasons you're talking about. You got to be able to bring this knowledge that you built at that other career to that real estate space. So what was the trigger that moved you into real estate?

00:11:31 - Sam DeBianchi

So if you read, I recently wrote a blog that starts off with snakes, con artists, vultures. This is what most, or not, maybe, hopefully not most, but many consumers feel about realtors and real estate agents. Those are the words that come to mind if you go on Google. And I was one of them and that was the truth, I always was. Know so many people like this realtor, they're just after me and they're just in a relationship with me because they want my sale or my purchase or whatever it is, they want the commission. And so I never really liked the idea of being a real estate agent. But as I'm sure everyone has heard from their parents and family, get your license because it's always good to have that is another thing that I was born and raised with was get your real estate license. Get your real estate license. So it's kind of this weird battle, internal battle of I should get it. But I kept putting it off, putting it off. And when I was 25, when I created this course for nightlife, I knew I wanted to get out of nightlife because again, I didn't want to do that for the rest of my life. I decided, you know what, it's in this weird position and I decided to just go and take the test, which took me four times to pass. Everyone told me, any moron can pass the real estate exam. Well, it took me four times and I got my real estate license. And of course, just like everyone, it's like, wow, I'm going to have all of this business, I'm going to make all of this money like the people on Bravo on million dollar listing. And needless to say, that did not immediately happen. And I thought to myself, what can I do to be different? And what is my background? My background is that I enjoy educating people. My background is that I love PR and marketing and advertising. So I thought about everything that I knew and my toolbox, my mental toolbox, and how can I use my skills and my talents and my ability to grow a successful real estate company or real estate career? And that's what I did. I started go on social media and go at it instead of look at me and what a lot of these agents now are doing on TikTok, dancing in front of property. That's never been me. I'm more of the hardcore. Here's what's happening in the world. Here's what's happening with the economy. Here's what information that's being put out there means. Whether it's mortgage rates went up or down or the world is ending, here's what you should do with your real estate. So I went into this industry wanting to educate and help people, not just for the money, but because I genuinely care about people.

00:14:22 - Bill Risser

Yeah, that is apparent. Anyone that follows you or kind of checks out your social, it's obvious. And you work the luxury market, right, in South Florida, which is a difficult and different sort of market, right. You have to have a certain level of expertise. You have to have a certain level of the ability to connect and probably connect quickly. Talk about that a little bit. And then I want to find out how million dollar listing heard about you or found out about you. It had to be an amazing phone call to get that and say, hey, we're thinking about using you. Right. And I would just guess just to kind of round this out that that doesn't hurt your business down the road.

00:15:05 - Sam DeBianchi

No, that's a very long story. So I hope we have enough time. Okay, so I work with personality over price. So what I mean by that is I don't focus on, okay, I only work at this price point and that's it. Because I think that that's really for me, it'll stress me out. I have clients that buy a million, 2 million, $5 million homes, but then also want a real estate portfolio of properties that are $200,000. And I work with that client because I want, again, to round it out and to be all things to that person, not just all things to that price point, because then they're going to go out to other agents for other things. And it's about the relationship. It shouldn't be about the price point. And I think a lot of realtors don't think long term about that. So that's first and foremost. And that kind of segues into million dollar listing and how I got on there because I was not necessarily a luxury real estate agent. I didn't have a lot of sales. I didn't have a lot of luxury sales. I did have my own brokerage and I was at that point speaking on Fox News, CNBC as talking about real estate and the market. And so through my relationships when I was in nightlife, I knew a ton of people. And I heard that million dollar listing was coming into a variety of markets. I saw it on Facebook. It was, I believe, South Florida, Hawaii, Atlanta, like, just a lot of different markets everywhere. And you could kind of figure out that it was that show. And I remember I called my friend Chad and I said, hey, I'm going to get us on that show. And he said, sam, you're crazy. So many people are applying to be on. And I found someone who knew the production company and the people that were kind...

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, recognized each March since its official inception by President Clinton in 2000, emphasizes the critical need for early colon cancer screenings to mitigate disease progression. Survivor Bill Risser offers a deeply personal viewpoint on this topic. His perspective, shaped by his own journey battling colon cancer, highlights the importance of regular screenings, particularly colonoscopies, for early detection and high survival rates. Risser's experiences also underscore the value of a strong support system during treatment and recovery, as well as the significance of maintaining a positive mindset throughout the process. His advocacy for colorectal cancer awareness is imbued with a sincere dedication to encouraging others to prioritize their health through regular screenings, especially those over 45 or with a family history of the disease.

ColorectalCancer.org

Post 1 - The Three Words You Never Want to Hear

Post 2 - My Top Ten Takeaways From Colon Cancer Surgery

Port 3 - Therapy Treatment Begins

Post 4 - Chemo and Caffeine - A True Story

Post 5 - It's All About the People, Not the Cancer

Post 6 - My Life a Fortnight at a Time

Post 7 - Bumps in the Road

Post 8 - And Down the Stretch They Come!

Post 9 - Elephants, Ants and Gelato

Matthew Simpson is a proficient entrepreneur with extensive experience in the technological and business development sectors. His perspective on LoLo, a relationship retention tool, is deeply influenced by his unique background. Simpson perceives LoLo as a crucial means for real estate agents to stay relevant with their network by providing local, significant gifts consistently. He contends that nurturing relationships and expanding one's network is vital for long-term success in sales, particularly in domains involving infrequent, high-value transactions. Simpson emphasizes the importance of overcoming the fear of rejection and failure, viewing each setback as a valuable learning opportunity paving the way for future triumphs. Furthermore, he sees Lolo as a tool that not only supports local independent businesses but also helps to maintain the unique community atmosphere that differentiates these businesses from larger corporate chains.

00:04:07) Harmonious Diversity: Nashville's Community Tapestry

(00:15:58) Market-Driven Solutions Fuel Business Expansion Success

(00:19:12) Learning from Failures: Entrepreneurial Guidance and Impact

(00:24:25) Monthly Gifts for Real Estate Agents Strategy

(00:29:42) Building Relationships for New Real Estate Agents

(00:29:42) Enhancing Sales Success Through Network Relationships

(00:00:00) "And so that began the initial discussion for what is now Lolo, which is, how can we help them stay top of mind with an item of value, with something meaningful and local, with a write up, with pictures." - Matthew Simpson

(00:04:06) "Matthew Simpson (00:04:07): "When I think about what was so special about growing up in Nashville and then comparing it to mean it was always the people. The people were just so kind, thoughtful, welcoming, just a really community centric vibe." - Bill Risser

(00:13:14) "I was going to say, the entrepreneur runs deep in you. You want to create your own things, and that's great." - Bill Risser (00:13:14)" - Bill Risser

(00:17:28) "If you can find someone who has a specific need and go address that need, and that need allows for enough money to be paid to solve it, that's where you really want to focus your efforts." - Matthew Simpson" - Matthew Simpson

(00:27:11) "The psychology of receiving something that was given to you creates a very positive response and makes people feel good. And that's really what we deliver." - Matthew Simpson" - Matthew Simpson

(00:30:41) "If I look back and think about had I prevented myself from failing at something, would it have been an improvement in my career? And I would say absolutely not. In fact, I wish I had failed faster." - Matthew Simpson

OVERVIEW

Matthew Rathbun, a seasoned real estate professional with a background in law enforcement, has dedicated over two decades to the industry, advocating for consumer protection and ethical practices. Rathbun's perspective on consumer preferences in real estate is rooted in the belief that the industry needs to be more attentive to what consumers want, whether it's a preferred realtor, platform, or service. He argues that ignoring these preferences can result in missed opportunities, as demonstrated by the rise of new industry players who have successfully catered to unmet consumer needs. Rathbun also underscores the importance of effective communication and storytelling to highlight the value that agents and organizations bring to consumers. Drawing from his extensive experience, he emphasizes the need for the industry to adapt to evolving consumer behavior and technological advancements, urging industry leaders to lead by example in embracing these changes.

TIME STAMPS

(00:15:53) From Law Enforcement to Real Estate Success

(00:21:08) Inclusive Real Estate Experience for Families

(00:22:59) Balancing Family and Professional Commitments in Real Estate

(00:25:13) Embracing Technological Advancements in Real Estate Market

(00:28:06) Putting Consumers First in Real Estate Industry

(00:39:10) Role of Knowledge Workers in Real Estate

(00:48:56) Smartphone Tools for Real Estate Efficiency

(00:50:13) Consumer-Centric Homes Reshaping Real Estate Market

(00:52:38) National MLS Impact on Property Valuation

(00:59:10) Centralized Real Estate Data for Consumer Reach

(01:00:43) Human-Centered Approach for Real Estate Success

(01:07:12) Transforming Real Estate Marketing with AI Technology

KEY TAKEAWAYS

- Matthew Rathbun transitioned to a career in real estate after finding a new purpose in life, bringing him growth and fulfillment over the past 21 years.

- Rathbun emphasizes the importance of putting clients first, building trust, and involving children in real estate discussions to create a unique and inclusive experience.

- Maintaining work-life balance in the real estate industry is crucial, prioritizing family over professional commitments and setting boundaries with clients.

- Adapting to changes in the real estate industry, particularly with the integration of AI, is essential for remaining competitive and enhancing efficiency.

- A consumer-centric approach in real estate is crucial, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing consumers and effectively communicating the value provided by real estate professionals.

- Knowledge workers play a crucial role in industries like real estate, mortgage, and settlement, providing valuable information to clients and shaping the industry.

- Real estate agents can boost productivity and mental well-being by using mobile-friendly tools and apps, emphasizing the importance of embracing technology for better organization and efficiency.

Jorge Guerra is a seasoned veteran in the real estate industry, having founded Real Estate Salesforce, a brokerage based in Coral Gables, South Florida, at the young age of 26. With nearly 25 years of experience under his belt, Guerra's perspective on real estate salesforce is shaped by his belief in simplicity, consistency, and relationship-building. He views technology as a tool that should be carefully evaluated and implemented by brokers, only if it significantly contributes to the industry. Despite acknowledging the importance of technology and embracing innovations like AI, Guerra emphasizes that the core of the real estate business lies in human interaction and providing value to clients. His experiences, including the collapse of the real estate market and the rise of the internet, have led him to see opportunities for young, tech-savvy individuals to enter the industry and leverage new technologies for greater exposure and success.

TIME STAMPED OUTLINE

(00:01:36) Tech-Savvy Real Estate Brokerage Revolutionizing Industry

(00:03:49) Immigrant Journey: Sacrifices, Opportunities, and Resilience

(00:06:13) The Determination Fueled by Parental Sacrifice

(00:14:37) Embracing Innovation: Revolutionizing the Real Estate Industry

(00:17:46) Embracing Technology to Revolutionize Real Estate

(00:22:41) Industry Influence through Volunteering and Advocacy

(00:27:13) Embracing Technology and Building Client Relationships

OVERVIEW

Richard McDonough is a renowned real estate agent in Stillwater, Minnesota, who has built a strong reputation in the industry through his dedication to continuous learning and effective use of social media and technology. His perspective on the real estate market in Stillwater is overwhelmingly positive, shaped by his experiences and deep appreciation for the town. He views Stillwater as a beautiful small town with a strong sense of community, excellent schools, and a variety of activities, making it an attractive place for many people to move to. His admiration for the town is further reinforced by its consistent recognition as one of the best small towns in America. This appreciation, combined with his commitment to building relationships within the industry, has significantly contributed to his success, as evidenced by his remarkable growth in 2012 GCI from $79,000 to $485,000 in just one year.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:05:17) Desirable Real Estate in Scenic Stillwater

(00:16:29) Luxury yacht crew life and career transition

(00:24:11) From Yachting to Real Estate: Embracing Change

(00:28:03) Collaboration and Communication in Real Estate

(00:31:18) Maximizing Lead Generation with Google Business

(00:36:42) Stillwater: A Small Town with High Home Prices

(00:41:22) Enhancing credibility and effectiveness through accurate real estate data

OVERVIEW

Real estate in Stillwater, Minnesota offers a unique blend of small-town charm and access to major corporations, making it an attractive place to live. In a recent episode of "The Real Estate Sessions" podcast, host Bill Risser interviewed Richard McDonough, a successful real estate agent in the area, who shared insights into the local market and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Located in the St. Croix Valley, Stillwater is not just a suburb but a beautiful small town with a strong sense of community. It is home to Anderson Windows, one of the world's leading window manufacturers, and is in close proximity to other major corporations like 3M, Target, and Medtronic. This combination of small-town atmosphere and employment opportunities makes Stillwater an appealing place for both residents and businesses.

One of the interesting aspects of the Stillwater real estate market, as McDonough pointed out, is that many residents have deep roots in the area. Generational homes are common, with houses being passed down within families. This means that a significant portion of McDonough's business comes from people moving into the area, attracted by the sense of community, excellent schools, and the variety of activities available.

The St. Croix River, which flows through Stillwater, adds to the town's appeal. It is one of the narrowest national parks in the country and was one of the first two rivers designated as a national scenic waterway. The river offers protection and scenic beauty, making Stillwater consistently recognized as one of the best small towns in America.

However, the real estate market in Stillwater is not without its challenges. McDonough highlighted the competitiveness of the industry, which can lead to inventory problems. To address this, he emphasized the importance of collaboration, information sharing, and effective communication among real estate agents and companies within the marketplace. By working together and helping each other, the real estate community can make the process smoother for everyone involved.

McDonough also stressed the need for real estate agents to treat their profession as a business from day one. Many agents focus solely on transactions and wait for the phone to ring, rather than planning for their future. He compared being a real estate agent to owning a franchise, where keeping the doors open and actively seeking opportunities are essential.

In terms of technology, McDonough expressed his enthusiasm for AI (Artificial Intelligence). While the episode did not delve into specific AI tools or strategies, it is clear that McDonough sees the potential of AI in the real estate industry and is exploring its applications.

When it comes to making informed decisions in the Stillwater real estate market, accurate data is crucial. McDonough emphasized the importance of obtaining data from reliable sources, such as Altos research reports. Having access to accurate and up-to-date information allows real estate professionals to better understand market trends and make informed recommendations to their clients.

In conclusion, Stillwater, Minnesota, offers a unique blend of small-town charm, employment opportunities, and natural beauty. The real estate market in Stillwater presents both challenges and opportunities, and real estate professionals like Richard McDonough are adapting to new methods and platforms to thrive in this competitive industry. By prioritizing collaboration, information sharing, and effective communication, the real estate community in Stillwater can continue to provide excellent service to residents and newcomers alike.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

https://www.facebook.com/RichardMcDonoughLSIR

https://www.twitter.com/rmrealty1

https://www.instagram.com/richardmcdonoughmn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-mcdonough-33949417b/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6yABDgRo5b-zr-THwvvEtA

SUMMARY

Megan Farrell-Nelson, a former kindergarten teacher, made a bold career transition into real estate at the age of 26 and has been in the industry for approximately twelve years. Megan's perspective on transitioning to a real estate career is that it was a challenging and unexpected journey, met with skepticism and lack of support from her peers. However, she persevered and learned to embrace the grit and perseverance required in the industry. Her background as a kindergarten teacher played a significant role in her ability to break down complex real estate concepts for clients and provide them with the necessary education. Megan, along with her husband, who is also a former educator, now relishes the opportunity to educate and train new agents in their office. Her experiences underscore the importance of resilience, learning from failures, and providing support to others in the real estate industry.

QUOTES

(00:00:03) "I walked in as from kindergarten world, right, where you're like, be kind and treat each other with the golden rule. And then I walked into a real estate office and I was like, hi, I'm Megan and super bubly and super, you know, just basically who I am now again. But I was greeted with not as much excitement as I had, let's, let's, let's call it that. And just a lot of like, I remember the first day I did floor time and the agent telling me that I was going to flounder just like the rest of them." - Megan Farrell-Nelson

(00:09:41) "I need something. I know this is going to sound kind of weird, like, you can only go to the beach so many times when you're by yourself, right? And I was 26 and I was excited about life, and that just wasn't it." - Megan Farrell-Nelson

(00:10:52) "I went from taking care of their most valuable possession, which is their baby, right, to the largest transaction. They're going to have experience. And so it's kind of like kid gloves both ways. And like you said, over explaining things is really big in real estate and education. And I went from teaching people who knew nothing about standing in line and reading and writing to breaking it down on a very low level for them. And so it really did transition naturally into helping with real estate because I was able to break it down." - Megan Farrell-Nelson

(00:20:51) "I think the number one thing that agents don't do, I really think it's the number one thing they don't do, which makes me crazy, is they don't learn the contract. They just know what blank spots they need to fill in. Right. They don't understand a contract." - Megan Farrell-Nelson

(00:25:14) "I think that horrible situation I went through, I think that being able to turn away from substances and being able to take care of myself when I needed to are really what helped me heal and continue to heal." - Megan Farrell-Nelson

(00:33:22) "Don't quit before the magic happens." - Megan Farrell-Nelson

SOCIAL LINKS

https://www.instagram.com/meganfarrellnelson/

https://www.facebook.com/TheMeganFarrellTeam/

TRANSCRIPT

00:00:00 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Yeah. So I was 26, like I said. And it, it was, I walked in as from kindergarten world, right, where you're like, be kind and treat each other with the golden rule. And then I walked into a real estate office and I was like, hi, I'm Megan and super bubbly and super, you know, just basically who I am now again. But I was greeted with not as much excitement as I had, let's, let's, let's call it that. And just a lot of like, I remember the first day I did floor time and the agent telling me that I was going to flounder just like the rest of them.

00:00:36 - Bill Risser

You're listening to the real estate sessions and I'm your host, Bill Risser. With nearly 25 years in the real estate business, I love to interview industry leaders, up and comers, and really anyone with a story to tell. It's the stories that led my guests to a career in the real estate world that drives me into my 9th year and nearly 400 episodes of the podcast. And now I hope you enjoy the next journey. Hi, everybody. Welcome to episode 378 of the Real Estate Sessions podcast. As always, thank you so much for tuning in. Thank you so much for telling a friend. Today we're going to go up to the palm coast of Florida and we're going to be talking to Megan Farrell Nelson. Megan and her husband Brady have a team with Real Brokers LLC. They've been in the business roughly twelve years, kind of in that range, doing some really cool stuff. I've had a chance to work with them at the re bar camps in Florida, whether it was at the state level or one coast up in Jacksonville. So I know you're going to enjoy this conversation. Let's get this thing rolling. Megan, welcome to the podcast.

00:01:35 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Thank you. I'm so excited to be here.

00:01:38 - Bill Risser

Well, I can't tell you how much fun I think we're going to have today because you and I were re bar camp. Know we've been in a few sessions together. I'm watching you take a picture right now, so I know you're going to post this. A social thing. I wouldn't expect anything else. That's great. Well, Megan, I want to start at the beginning. This is what I do. I like to find out the backstory of interesting people in the and so, doing some research, I was looking around, I saw a lot of Pennsylvania in there, a Scotia of North Carolina. And then you've been in Florida for a little while now. So I'm just going to guess born and raised in PA. Am I right? And tell me a little bit about growing up in Pennsylvania.

00:02:25 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Yeah. So I'm actually from Scranton, which everyone thinks is so cool because the office, Dunder Mifflin, does not actually exist there. But yeah, I grew up in a city called Clark Summit, right outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Grew up with all the seasons, including the snow. And it was college. I can remember I was walking to class in college and my face hurt and my hands hurt and I was like, this ain't it for me. And I was going to school to be a teacher at the time. And so when I graduated, there was a big push for hiring in the Carolinas. And so I went down to the Carolinas because I knew I wanted to get out of the snow and ended up getting a teaching job.

00:03:04 - Bill Risser

Scranton is, I think, that's closer to Philly than Pittsburgh. Right.

00:03:08 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

It's northeast. So, like, the pog knows I'm about an hour and a half outside of New York City.

00:03:14 - Bill Risser

Okay. So I'm just going to know, do you grow up as a Phillies fan or an, when you, when you live in Scranton or does it go the other way?

00:03:22 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

I grew up as a New York Giants fan and a Yankees fan. Yeah. Crazy.

00:03:28 - Bill Risser

How does that happen?

00:03:29 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Philadelphia is actually further away from where we live than New York. And I don't know, I guess you kind of go with your parents, right? And my dad was a Giants fan and a Yankees fan. And then my mom's side of the family, they're like hardcore eagles, like, season not. We can't be around each other if the teams play each other kind of.

00:03:47 - Bill Risser

Stuff, which the Giants and the Eagles play every year.

00:03:55 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

And my brother moved to DC and I was like, cool. So now you're like, Redskins, Eagles, Giants. So perfect.

00:04:00 - Bill Risser

Got it all covered. So tell me, growing up in Scranton, I know roughly how old you were talking 20 years ago. You're going through high school, right? And before that, what is it like growing up there?

00:04:13 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

My dad was a builder and my mom was a school teacher, so I was always involved around my parents because my dad, we could go to the job site whenever we wanted. Like, had a bobcat in our backyard. There's a bobcat in my parent's backyard right now, which, if you don't know a bobcat is a piece of machinery, not the animal.

00:04:37 - Bill Risser

It's a little tractor.

00:04:38 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

It's kind of tractor guy. But yeah. So I grew up basically, like on construction sites or at school with my mom or with my mom after school and things like that. So I kind of was immersed in the real estate business world without really knowing that, and then the teacher world, which is the path I ended up pursuing initially out of college.

00:05:01 - Bill Risser

By the way, I have to ask you about college.

00:05:03 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Yeah.

00:05:04 - Bill Risser

Tell me a little bit about that, because I've never heard of.

00:05:08 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Yeah, King's College. It's in Wilkesburg, Pennsylvania, and it's like, christ, the. So it was a religious school, I guess I was not religious. That's not why I chose to go there. I went for sports because at the time, that was my thing, was sports. And that's how I picked my college. But, yeah, I went there, majored in early childhood and elementary education.

00:05:35 - Bill Risser

Awesome. Now, wait, you said sports. Did you play sports there? Was that part of the plan?

00:05:40 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Yeah. So my mom is actually a d one, NCAA national champion in field hockey. She was on the national team? Yeah. She's in all these hall of fames all over the place for field hockey.

00:05:54 - Bill Risser

Where'd she go to school?

00:05:55 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

She went to Chippensburg University, which used to be d one. Now it's d two, but at the time it was d one. And, yeah, they won the national championship. She was like, MVP. She's incredible. And I started playing when I was really young, and then it kind of was like, oh, well, you're going to play, and you're expected of me. And then my middle school years, I was like, I'm not playing and I'm not being like my mom. And then I came back around to it in high school. And turns out some things are also inherited. And I was pretty good at field hockey. And when I went to college, my girlfriends who played hockey, some of them played lacrosse, and they were like, hey, why don't you try out for lacrosse? I said, okay. And I tried out, and I ended up making the starting team my first year. So I played field hockey and lacrosse in college.

00:06:45 - Bill Risser

Wow. So for those that don't know, me included the difference between field hockey and lacrosse, one, I'm going to guess, is the stick you're holding. They're quite different, am I right?

00:06:58 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Yeah. So you have a hockey stick, and it's obviously the balls on the ground, but honestly, it's very similar. So I'm showing, Bill, when you dribble, you do this on the ground, and then when you run with the lacrosse ball, so it's the same basic motions with your wrists, just one's in the air and one's. And they both have goals. So you're trying to get down the field, up and down the field, and really, it's a lot of speed game and an endurance game. Another fun fact about me is I'm a marathoner. Yeah, I've run five full marathons. And so, yeah, I'm a little bit of a, I guess, like, glutton for physical pain when it comes to that kind of stuff, but, yeah.

00:07:41 - Bill Risser

Wow.

00:07:42 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Yeah, I was really good at running in college.

00:07:45 - Bill Risser

I guess both those sports, incredibly physical. Right. I don't think. There's not the level of contact that can happen sometimes in sports, but I'm sure it's still there. And you probably have a few stories. We'll get to those on episode two. I could talk to you the whole show about your. I had no, we've, we've met quite a few times. We've worked together, and I've never knew that you were a lacrosse and field hockey jock. That's great. All right, so let's get to the fact that you get out of school, you end up in North Carolina teaching, but somehow we have to get you to Florida in real estate. What's that transition look like?

00:08:28 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

So I was a school teacher making $30,400 a year in North Carolina, which as a 20 year old, that's not such bad money. But once you start getting to 25, 26, and you have to talk about buying houses and stuff, it's a little bit more challenging. And I was working at a gym, I was waitressing on the weekends, and I was teaching full time. And that sounds all good when you're single. But then I started to build a life with someone else, and I needed a different income. That person I was building a life with lived in Palm Coast, Florida, and I lived in North Carolina. We had dated long distance, and at the end of the school year, he owned a commodities brokerage. And it was time for one of us to move. And so it made more sense for me, who made $30,000 to move my life. And also I could teach in Florida. And when I got here, I knew I didn't want to jump right back into teaching. So I was know, hanging out a little bit and just staying at home, enjoying the beach and Florida life. And I actually got really kind of depressed. I was. I need. I need something. I know this is going to sound kind of weird, like, you can only go to the beach so many times when you're by yourself, right? And I was 26 and I was excited about life, and that just wasn't it. So upon a few suggestions from some friends, they were like, hey, why don't you get your real estate license? You like people, and you like to talk. And so I was like, okay. And that was almost eleven years ago, and eleven years later, we're still here, still doing it. But, yeah, I got my license in 2013 and joined a local brokerage down here and just hit the ground running.

00:10:19 - Bill Risser

First of all, I've interviewed a lot of people on the show, and you didn't teach a long time. Just a few years. But I'm going to assume even in those few years, whenever I talk to teachers who move into real estate, there's a slight advantage there. I think there's just a different way of thinking about things. Education is a massive part of a great agents tool chest. So my guess is that was a big help for you, right?

00:10:44 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Yeah. So I was actually a kindergarten teacher, which I adored. And so when I transitioned, I was like, all right. I went from taking care of their most valuable possession, which is their baby, right, to the largest transaction. They're going to have experience. And so it's kind of like kid gloves both ways. And like you said, over explaining things is really big in real estate and education. And I went from teaching people who knew nothing about standing in line and reading and writing to breaking it down on a very low level for them. And so it really did transition naturally into helping with real estate because I was able to break it down. I'm able to break it down now, even, and talk to people who've never sold before or take it up to people who have done it. Lots of. Yeah. And everyone, like teachers and nurses, they're the best agents because they know that's. That's another thing. Brady, also my husband and my business partner, he was a former educator. And so it's kind of cool how we do. Like, we just left an appointment this morning, and we were both educating the whole time. And it's really been a fun transition, and not just with our customers, but also now we have an office in a team where we're recruiting agents in, we're training them. And so that has been a huge thing. We didn't even realize when we opened our office how much that was going to be a part of what we enjoyed is the education part, because it brings us back to who we are in our core. We are educators. So it's a really cool transition. Now I can sell one house and make $30,400 instead of.

00:12:34 - Bill Risser

True. Yeah. Especially on the coast in Florida. So I want to ask you this. You are relatively young, maybe I'll say very young that first year in the business, because it tends to be a second career. But usually people are in their 30s, sometimes even 40s, right. Maybe even later before they make the leap. So, first of all, what was it like the first year? I mean, I could imagine that you had some old veterans hanging around, that it was just a little bit different. Any stories from there?

00:13:04 - Megan Farrell-Nelson

Yeah. So I was 26, like I said, and I walked in from kindergarten world, right, where you're like, be kind and treat each other with the golden rule. And then I walked into a real estate office and I was like, hi, I'm Megan, and super bubly and super, just basically who I am now again. But I was greeted with not as much excitement as I had, let's call it that. And just a lot of, like, I remember the first day I did floor time and the agent telling me that I was going to flounder just like the rest of them and being like, so nice to meet you, Sharon. That was kind of my first experience with it. And then I think it's just like starting anything new. It took me time cutting my teeth, as they call it, to get the earn respect. I was the youngest president of our local board ever, too. I was president in 2019, and I was 32, I believe, at the time. And that was even more challenging than getting in the business. I could get people to trust me with their house, but once I got into leadership, they were like, what's this little girl going to teach me? So it definitely was an uphill battle at the beginning, which anything new is. But I also think I had an advantage being young because I didn't care what anyone thought, right? I moved here, I knew one person, his best friends were real estate agents, so I wasn't getting referrals from them. So I had to go knock on doors. I had to join clubs. I had to join. I supported the humane society when I got there because I knew everyone liked two things. Everyone likes their kids and everyone likes their dogs. And so if I could find a group that if I'm there, they already like me because they know we're on the same page. I did that with the humane society, and I wasn't embarrassed to knock on doors. I wasn't embarrassed to make calls. I wasn't embarrassed to do video. And that was back when video wasn't the cool thing. Everyone, I remember, they were teasing me. She puts her listings on Facebook, and I remember sitting in the seat and ignoring it and feeling really bad because I also came from kindergarten world as a teacher who if I thought someone was doing something not right, I would have reached out and offered help rather than stood behind them and commented, but don't worry, because the next year, I remember the same agent, as I'm sitting there on the computer, came up to me and said, hey, are you putting your listing on Facebook? And I said, yeah. And she said, how much money do you think you made last year off of Facebook? This is probably in 2015. And I was like, I can account for exactly $30,000. And that was the first year I had made six figures. So...

Jacki Semerau Tait is a seasoned real estate agent with Realty One Group, boasting over 20 years of experience in the industry. Her perspective on the real estate career and work-life balance in Flagstaff, Arizona is shaped by her love for the area and her emphasis on building relationships. She cherishes the beauty and diversity of northern Arizona and finds fulfillment in helping clients achieve their dreams, whether it's finding a second home or assisting with the sale of a forever home due to a job opportunity. Her journey, including challenges such as having to short sell her own house in 2008, has led her to value work-life balance and build a supportive team around her. Join Bill Risser and Jacki Semerau Tait as they delve deeper into these topics on this episode of The Real Estate Sessions podcast.

QUOTES

(00:00:00) "I think everything is relationships. I think if you're a small business owner, which as a real estate agent, you are a small business owner. And that's the first thing that any new agent needs to understand. This is not a job, this is a career. This is where you own your business. And if you're a small business owner, relationships are everything." - Jacki Semerau Tait

(00:04:57) "I think the thing that people need to know is in northern Arizona, you do get four seasons, especially in the Flagstaff area. In Flagstaff, where it's 7000ft, so we have the same type of climate as what people typically associate with Denver, Colorado. And I think a lot of people forget that when they think Arizona, they think dry heat, 120 degrees, saguaro cactus. That's what they think. But no, we've got the Ponderosa Pines, the four seasons. Last year we had a brutal winter and had record breaking snow, 180 plus inches. So, yeah, that's what you need to know. And here's the thing. It's beautiful in northern Arizona. Once you get up north to about the 3000 foot level, there's so much to do, there's so much diversity. You've got the red rocks of Sedona, you have the old mining town in Jerome, you've got the pines and the snow up in Flagstaff. So there's a lot to see and do and it's beautiful." - Jacki Semerau Tait

(00:11:03) "I fell in love with the process of real estate. I just fell in love, which is very odd because I'm a creative. And so for me to really grab onto the legalities and the intricacies, but to me, all these pieces that you have to put together, it's kind of like putting together a puzzle. And when you do it well, you get a great outcome. And it intrigued me." - Jacki Semerau Tait

(00:18:00) "I became far more successful in my business by cutting down the amount of time that I made myself available to my business." - Jacki Semerau Tait

(00:22:38) "Well, Bill, I'll tell you, the one thing that we all have in common as human beings is that we will face adversity. And I know that right now our society is trying to tell us like, hey, if you set up everything right, you can be safe and you can be secure and don't risk anything. Just stay safe. Stay safe. And that seems to be the messaging from our society at large. But honestly, you got to put some risk out there. No risk, no reward. The bigger the risk, potentially, the bigger the reward, but the bigger you can fall." - Jacki Semerau Tait

(00:32:52) "Get a mentor. Get a mentor. It is that simple. Honestly, I think it's a disservice to new agents that it's not a requirement." - Jacki Semerau Tait

LINKS

Jacki's Facebook group

Jacki's Facebook page

@jacki.semerau.tait on Instagram

@homewithjacki on X

Jacki on YouTube

Jacki's Website

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