Top Real Estate Agents Tell How They Do It: Jere Metcalf Podcast

Today I’m talking to Hilary Farnum-Fasth Broker Owner of Corcoran Reverie on 30a in the panhandle of Florida.

Starting as as on-site agent, to new independent agent in the midst of the 'Great Recession', to top agent, to broker owner, to broker owner of top brokerage, Corcoran Reverie, Hilary is a relentless visionary. She shares her story and passion for making peoples' dreams come true, from her Internship at Disney World that fed her passion for making magic, to the influence and support of her mentor for life, her mom. Hilary shares her story as 

She and I talk about 
How to build your vision.

• 2:28 - Hilary Farnum-Fasth’s real estate business today 
• 4:14 - How Hilary’s real estate journey began 
• 11:15 - How Disney prepared Hilary 
• 17:17 - Disney World to director of marketing for a golf community to real estate agent
• 27:50 - Hilary’s passion for making magic happen for people 
• 30:49 - How Hilary landed Broker Owner of Corcoran Reverie
• 44:12 - Hilary shares her biggest lesson
• 46:36 - Hilary’s biggest Aha 
• 51:15 - Hilary’s team and business structure 
• 1:00:46 - The Final 3

People/Resources Mentioned-

• Walt Disney
•  Disney World 
• Corcoran Reverie
• 30A realty
• Jacob Watkins
• Carly Sostheim
• Zoom
• Barbara Corcoran

Book- 

• Disney Culture by John Wills 

Quote-

"Always check yourself.  It doesn’t matter if you’re having a really bad day. To let anything in your personal world impact someone's dream of owning a home… that's not Okay”

Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.
These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.

All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”

www.JereMetcalfPodcast.com

Powered by
Jere Metcalf Partner

JMPodcast.com
Where top real estate agents well how they do it.

This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.

►  YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast

Today I'm talking to Louise Phillips Forbes with Brown Harris Stevens in New York City. 

From Nashville Tennessee to top NYC Real Estate Broker... 
For over three decades, Louise has been an industry leader in New York City’s residential real estate market. With career sales exceeding $4 billion, she is considered one of the elite Power Brokers in Manhattan. Louise was named the Residential Agent of the Year by REBNY (the Real Estate Board of New York) in 2020 for her consistent achievements and leadership within the industry. A multi-time winner of Halstead Real Estate’s (now Brown Harris Stevens) esteemed Broker-of-the-Year award, Louise has also been acknowledged many times as the #1 listing broker companywide and currently leads one of the firm’s top sales teams. 
Most recently, REAL Trends, who consistently lists her among their annual “Real Estate Top 250”,  named Louise Phillips Forbes as 
one of “America’s Best Real Estate Agents .

She and I talk about
‘How to Create the Career That Will Take You to the Top’

• 02:44 - Louise Phillips Forbes: an industry leader in New York City’s Residential Real Estate Market
• 05:56 - How Louise got traction
• 12:24 - Louise talked about hitting success
• 18:20 - A story of her struggle & what she learned from it
• 20:38 - Louise's Aha moment
• 31:22 - Negotiating: the skill that makes a real difference in success
• 34:47 - Louise talks about her team
• 38:56 - How she structures her team
• 47:27 - The privilege of having a team
• 49:23 - Louise's biggest lesson and advice for the best team
• 53:39 - Louise's top three lessons 
• 56:24 - The Final 3 ...& a special question

People/Resources Mentioned-

• Louise Phillips Forbes Team 
• Nirveeta Mahabir
• Landon Lichtenstein
• Sandra "Mariana" Palacios Vega
• Souraya Hamdi
• Madeleine McGregor
• Constantine Venetis
• Mae Kwan
• Pamela Murphy
• Brown Harris Stevens
• Jarrod Guy Randolph

Books Mentioned-

• Money Is My Friend: Eliminate Your Financial Fears--And Take Your First Steps to Financial Freedom! by Phil Laut
• .The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

Quote-

"The greatest resource in my success has been owning exactly who I am." 

Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.
These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.

All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”

www.JereMetcalfPodcast.com

Powered by
Jere Metcalf Partner

JMPodcast.com
Where top real estate agents well how they do it.

This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.

►  YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast

Today I’m talking to Maria Patakas of the Mike and Maria Patakas Team in Greater Palm Springs of California and a top real estate agent and team with Desert Sothey’s International Realty. 

Just 10 years ago, Maria and her husband and Business Partner, Mike, moved to Palm Springs. They didn’t know anyone. Brand new real estate agents, other than their personal real estate, they hadn’t sold a single home and didn’t have a single client. 

So, they blogged, networked, video’ed, partnered and tried every marketing technique and platform they could discover. They left no stone unturned. They met every challenge with relentless persistence and determination.

Today they are a strong team of loyal season agents selling well over 50 luxury homes annually. New clients coming to them for their results, they are known for selling Luxury properties that no one else can. 

Last week in episode 245, Maria’s partner and husband, Mike, and I talked about 
How to Launch, Build and Grow in Luxury Real Estate

Today we get Maria’s perspective as she and I talk about their story and 
How to Create momentum for Success.

• 02:51 - Maria Patakas: How she got in the business
• 04:45 - How Mike and Maria decided to live in Greater Palm Springs 
• 07:03 - The initial momentum 
• 09:11 - The easiest way to to create value for your clients
• 10:52 - Maria shares her biggest challenge to breaking into the business
• 15:52 - Maria talks about her team
• 20:07 - The team admin's responsibilities
• 22:51 - How Maria won her first listing
• 26:40 - Maria's biggest Aha about being a top luxury real estate agent
• 31:17 - The Final 3

People/Resources Mention-

• Mike & Maria Patakas Team
• Mike Patakas
• Nick Jarman
• Summit Sotheby's International Realty
• Desert Sotheby's International Realty 
• Thomas Wright

Quote-

Practice your listening skills and be actively interested in other people and get the information you need to get the deal done.

Be empathetic, be curious and ask questions.

Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.
These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.

All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”

www.JereMetcalfPodcast.com

Powered by
Jere Metcalf Partners
404.627.7789
[email protected]
Jeremetcalfpartners.com

JMPodcast.com
Where top real estate agents well how they do it.

This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.

►  YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast

Today I’m talking to Mike Patakas of the Mike and Maria Patakas Team in Greater Palm Springs of California and a top real estate agent and team with Desert Sothey’s International Realty. 

Just 10 years ago, Mike and his wife and Business Partner, Maria, moved to Palm Springs. They didn’t know anyone. Brand new real estate agents, other than their personal real estate, they hadn’t sold a single home and didn’t have a single client. 

So, they blogged, networked, video’ed, partnered and tried every marketing technique and platform they could discover. They left no stone unturned. They met every challenge with relentless persistence and determination. Talking to Mike, it’s clear that along embracing challenges, he has unwavering dedication and focus on learning, finding solutions and getting results. No excuses. 

The impact:
Today they are a strong team of loyal season agents selling well over 50 luxury homes annually. New clients coming to them for their results, they are known for selling Luxury properties that no one else can. 

Mike and I talk about 
How to Launch, Build and Grow in Luxury Real Estate

• 02:29 - Mike Patakas: How he got in the business
• 04:26 - Mike talks about his business partner (and wife), Maria
• 07:40 - How Mike earned his first client
• 12:27 - Two 'keys': Who you are as an agent & How this business works
• 20:07 - Taking on a challenging listing and the outcome(s)
• 25:59 - The most important thing is connections, how and why.
• 30:41 - Preparing for meetings for potential listings
• 39:33 - One of Mike's biggest lessons
• 43:44 - Mike's team structure
• 47:56 - The Final 3

People/Resources Mention-

• Mike & Maria Patakas Team
• Maria Patakas
•  Kim Kubas

Books-

• Lao Tzu Books

Quotes-

"Focus on trying to anticipate problems, anticipate your client, anticipate the process ahead of time and to vocalize that to your clients ahead of when things happen"

Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.
These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.

All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”

www.JereMetcalfPodcast.com

Powered by
Jere Metcalf Partners
404.627.7789
[email protected]
Jeremetcalfpartners.com

JMPodcast.com
Where top real estate agents well how they do it.

This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.

►  YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast

Today I’m talking to Christie Baines of the Baines Server Group at Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty in Barrington Illinois, the northwestern suburbs of Chicago. 

A real estate agent for over 34 years, Christie started in traditional resale. It was within her first year that she was offered and transitioned to an onsite opportunity. She was the first salesperson hired for the Wynstone development in North Barrington Illinois with its highly acclaimed Jack Nicklaus Golf Course. In 13 months, she and her team pre-sold every home in the 750 acre community. After selling Wynstone, Christie was the Broker and  led the strategic planning of inception sales and marketing for 4 more new residential developments in and around Chicago, including Barrington, Long Grove, and St. Charles. In 1995 Christie transitioned to resales with her brokerage, Wynstone Realty.  In 2005, Wynstone Realty was selected and offered the esteemed and coveted opportunity to become a Sotheby’s Affiliate. In 2007, she and her partner finally accepted. As part of the arrangement, she was able to sell her Brokerage to an investor who was of course agreed to and approved by Sotheby’s.  Christie achieved what most real estate agents aspire to and dream of; she sold her Business.  She then continued to forge ahead as a top real estate agent still paying it forward to her team and the industry at large. 

In our conversation today, she shares details and stories behind the transformation of her career and how she grew from onsite agent to agent on top.

• 03:35 - The story behind the transformation of Christie's career
• 04:47 - How Christie got her license & jumped in
• 09:20 - Christie shares she crosses her expertise in new development sales and marketing into the resales
• 15:21 - Christi's work with builders and developers
• 20:44 - Becoming a Broker Owner
• 29:47 - The approach to always have that personal touch & do things differently.
• 37:14 - The Sotheby's Affiliate (franchise) story.
• 43:26 - Christie's shares the the differences and challenges in to resell brokerage
• 52:29 - Christie's biggest 'Aha' 
• 54:26 - The genuineness of caring
• 58:05 - The Final 3

People/Resources Mentioned-

• Jack Nicklaus Development Corporation
• The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company
•  Sotheby's International Realty
• Jameson Sotheby's International Realty
•  M/I Homes, Inc.

Books Mentioned-

• David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell
• Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff

Quote-

"Success in the luxury market is simply having the genuineness of caring about what's in the clients best interest and acting on it."


Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.
These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.

All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”

www.JereMetcalfPodcast.com

Powered by
Jere Metcalf Partners
404.627.7789
[email protected]
Jeremetcalfpartners.com

JMPodcast.com
Where top real estate agents well how they do it.

This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.

►  YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast

Today I’m talking to Vickey Barron in New York City with Compass, a top real estate agent recently ranked #2 in the city and #8 in the country. 

As remarkable  as her results are her stories. 

It’s not just the record-breaking sales for her listings like the Ralph Walker Collection (100 Barclay, Stella, and Walker Tower) but also  how she won them. 

Vickey has also won several achievement awards, including the Real Estate Board of New York's Eileen Spinola Award for distinguished service. 

Vickey has been featured in: 
The Wall Street Journal, The Real Deal, The NY Times and HGTV’s Selling New York, to mention a few. 

When Vickey talks, the real estate world listens. 
Once you’ve listened to this interview, you’ll know why. 

She and I talk about 
How to Learn, Grow and Crush It.

• 03:50 - Vickey Barron shares some sales records and representation of developments
• 07:31 - She talks about what made her successful
• 14:29 - How curiosity, passion and the desire to learn fuel success
• 21:22 - Just ask questions...
• 30:41 - A funny story about right question
• 35:25 - Vickey's advice to all agents who want to get to the next level
• 39:20 - What mistakes are being made by agents and how they can fix
• 44:22 - What interview or pitch stands out and why
• 52:20 - Asking the right questions
• 58:00 - Handling the losses
• 01:06:47 - The Final 3

People/Resources Mentioned-

• Jim Rohn
• Robert Reffkin 
• Compass
• Jarrod Guy Randolph
• The Wall Street Journal
• The Real Deal
• The NY Times
• HGTV

Books-

• The Referral of a Lifetime: Never Make a Cold Call Again! by Tim Templeton
• The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by  by John David Mann & Bob Burg

Quote-

"Don't ask questions if you don't understand what you're gonna do with the answer"

"Have fun, be kind, don't be afraid to fail; there's always more to come."

Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.
These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.

All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”

www.JereMetcalfPodcast.com

Powered by
Jere Metcalf Partners
404.627.7789
[email protected]
Jeremetcalfpartners.com

JMPodcast.com
Where top real estate agents well how they do it.

This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.

►  YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast

Today I’m talking to Julia Hoagland Nationally ranked top 1% by Real Trends, a real estate agent with Compass in New York City.

Before real estate, Julia was Vice President and Director of Marketing at two leading Wall Street firms. Not to mention, she has completed seven marathons and climbed Mt. Rainier in Washington, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, and Mt. Fuji in Japan. Julia has traveled to over 40 countries, building her international network. She serves on the board of Brick by Brick, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable development in Uganda.

A person of service and great drive in every aspect of her being and doing, it’s clear talking to her and listening to her story that Julia is just the person to figure out what so many in our industry struggle with throughout our career. She figured it out and has built a team  that is structured for growth and thrives.

She and I talk about, how she did it and how she does it.


01:58 - Julia Hoagland: A top agent in New York City
04:30 - How Julia got into the business
08:00 - Julia’s first deal and one of her biggest lessons
12:01 - A big turning point in Julia’s career
15:32 - Julia ’s processes
20:42 - About Julia’s team
24:34 - The types of agents on Julia’s team (Senior vs Junior)
29:46 - How to enforce systems for solutions
36:55 - Julia’s team structure
38:18 - Habits and daily support for a great team
42:48 - The Final 3

People/Resources Mentioned-

• Emma St. Laurent
• Stephane Guerrier
• Maggie Wu
• Mary Barbrack
• Compass
• Jarrod Randolph

Book-

• Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

Quote-

"Hire an assistant before you can afford one, hire a god coach and make sure you go in with an abundance mindset and understand what that is."

Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.
These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.

All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”

www.JereMetcalfPodcast.com

Powered by
Jere Metcalf Partners
404.627.7789
[email protected]
Jeremetcalfpartners.com

JMPodcast.com
Where top real estate agents well how they do it.

This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.

►  YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast

Today I’m talking to Nina Fabbri.
She is the Director of the Business Partnership Group for Home Services of America.

As the owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Real Living Real Estate franchise networks, they are the largest residential brokerage firm in the country. Home Services of America also includes mortgage companies, settlement service providers, insurance companies, corporate relocation and other affiliated businesses.

Nina, of course, didn’t begin her impressive career as a corporate executive nor in the corporate world at all. She began in law school and, to her mother’s dismay, dropped out. But, like any ‘Natural’ in real estate, Nina made a deal with her mom and gained her support right away.  Within just 2 years, Nina was a top listing agent in Fisher Island with $75m in sales.

Nina’s success as an agent and the path that led her to her success today, were built from exactly what she does for Home Services America. She built alliances for her business, for her clients and for the organizations she volunteered for and served. This included a trip to China to present to AREAA, Asian Real Estate Association of America.

Nina and I talk about, How to Build Alliances for Advantage and Opportunity.

02:45 - Nina Fabbri explains what it is to be Director of the Business Partnership Group for Home Services of America
07:19 - How Nina became a real estate agent
11:11 - Nina shares insights on handling stressful situations
13:24 - How Nina broke into the business and won her first deal
18:16 - Nina shares lessons learned in businesses
21:46 - Building teams and partnerships: Nina talks about payment structures that work and don't work
23:50 - Nina’s actions as an agent that laid the path to her leadership role today
31:21 - Nina's most inspirational lessons and mentors.
33:25 - Shifting from the agent role to a corporate leadership role
41:21 - Nina’s questions for considering a partnership
50:12 - Benefits of business partnerships, brand to client experience
50:50 - The Final 3

People/Resources Mentioned -

• Steve Jobs
• Elon musk
• Propy, Inc
• Gina Blefari - CEO of Home Services of America - Home Services of America
• Jarrod Randolf - Managing Partner at VESTRE Partners

Books- 

•  How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Quote-

"Exercise, diet and sleep right, those are the four key things for someone to be a productive individual as well as professionally"

"Always stay humble and always be thankful, and never stop learning"

Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.
These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.

All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”

www.JereMetcalfPodcast.com

Powered by
Jere Metcalf Partners
404.627.7789
[email protected]
Jeremetcalfpartners.com

JMPodcast.com
Where top real estate agents well how they do it.

This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.

►  YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast

Today I’m talking to Craig Studnicky, the co-founder and CEO of RelatedISG in South Florida. Craig began his career in New York City in 1978. In 1984, a  New Jersey native, he founded Steven Craig Realty in Atlantic City that became the city’s leader in real estate, cornering two thirds of the market. In 1992, Craig relocated to Florida to work for Ben Franklin Properties as Director of Sales. In 1994 he and Philip Spiegelman co-founded International Sales Group. 
There he created the ISG World Miami Report has served as the go-to source on the state of the Miami real estate market. 

In 2011 Craig and Jorge Perez, of Related Group, came together and created merger of their companies, now RelatedISG. Craig shares openly in our conversation you are about to hear, both mistakes and breakthroughs, lessons learned and the path that ensured his success today. How to grow, Realtor to CEO.

• 00:21 Craig Studnicky: The CEO of Related ISG
• 4:00 Real estate in the 80's
• 10:30 Craig's lessons from being in the real estate business
• 21:50 The shift - the secret sauce of Craig's success
• 25:32 The role of a CEO
• 29:45 How you know when your team is in line with the vision.
• 38:49 The common denominator of successful agents
• 45:00 Getting the right mentor
• 46:52 The biggest resource in Craig's success
• 50:30 Books you must read 
• 53: 50 Don’t forget this

People/Resources Mention- 

• RelatedISG 
• Jimmy Carter
• Watergate scandal
• Steve Jobs
• Bill Gates

Books-

• The Road Less Traveled, Timeless Edition: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck
• Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
• The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell 

Quote- 

When you get attached results you stop evolving

Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.
These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.

All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”

www.JereMetcalfPodcast.com

Powered by
Jere Metcalf Partners
404.627.7789
[email protected]
Jeremetcalfpartners.com

JMPodcast.com
Where top real estate agents well how they do it.

This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.

►  YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast

Today I’m taking to Alison Melton the Founder and CEO of Luxe Lowcountry Properties of Charter One Realty in the Hilton Head/Bluffton area. 

A top agent in her market and the country, it all started with Alison’s move from the Big City to the Lowcountry. Before real estate was in New York. She spent 15 years on Wall Street in Latin American investment banking in sales and trading.

In 2014, 6 years ahead of the rest of the country (pre-covid), Alison realized, she didn't have to live in the big city to live her dreams. To live her her dreams, she needed to do just that, and she did. She moved to Hilton Head Island and to her dream life where finally she feels at home. Today she is a top agent with a top producing team, helping her clients do the same, find their dream life and dream home.

She and I talk about 
How to Create a Top a Notch 
Team, Service and Sales

Jere interviews the world’s most renowned and best real estate agents around the country and the world.
These outstanding Agents tell their stories, how they got into the business, and what has made them successful in one of the oldest and most competitive industries.

All of this on the “Jere Metcalf Podcast, Top Real Estate Agents tell how they do it.”

www.JereMetcalfPodcast.com

Powered by
Jere Metcalf Partners
404.627.7789
[email protected]
Jeremetcalfpartners.com

JMPodcast.com
Where top real estate agents well how they do it.

This podcast is where real estate agents across the country to come together sharing ideas to take your there and our business to the next level.

►  YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/c/JereMetcalfPodcast