Episodes

Lauren Toppins, founder and broker of Cherrywood Real Estate, emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself in the competitive real estate industry. With a unique background as an attorney, Lauren shares her journey from law to real estate, highlighting how her legal expertise informs her approach to helping agents thrive. The conversation explores her commitment to fostering a family-friendly culture in her company, where education and support are paramount. With 62 agents and a focus on ...

Building a Bullseye: The Art of Cultivating Your Key Connections Sean Carpenter emphasizes the importance of building relationships and maintaining meaningful connections in the real estate industry. He introduces the concept of a "bullseye," which represents the 20 key individuals in one's life who are invested in their success, advocating for a focused, personal approach to networking. Throughout the conversation, Sean shares insights from his extensive speaking engagements across the country,...

Matthew Rathbun shares insights on the evolving landscape of real estate, emphasizing the importance of adapting to consumer needs and technological advancements. He highlights how aggregators like Zillow and homes.com have filled gaps that the real estate industry neglected, urging agents to embrace change rather than resist it. With nearly 25 years of experience, Rathbun discusses his unique background in emergency medicine and law enforcement, which shaped his empathetic approach to real esta...

Debbi DiMaggio's journey through real estate is one of passion, adaptability, and dedication to excellence. Originating from Piedmont, California, she has built a formidable career in real estate alongside her husband, Adam, and their son, Chase. One of the core philosophies that drives the DiMaggio Beta Group is the idea that luxury is about the service provided, not just the price point. This ethos permeates their business practices, ensuring every client, whether a CEO or a school teacher, re...

I've known John Bjorlie for nearly 25 years. 4 years ago, john was diagnosed with terminal cancer. John has chosen to stop aggressive treatments, focusing instead on a "Die Happy Tour" to reconnect with friends and loved ones, embracing quality of life over the length of it. Despite his prognosis, John remains positive and content, surprising even his hospice doctor with his acceptance and joy in the face of mortality, determined to live fully and leave a legacy of kindness and compassion. Time...

Stas Matias, a seasoned professional with nearly 14 years of experience, is the broker-owner of Erin Catron & Company Real Estate, a boutique brokerage in Punta Gorda, Florida. Having transitioned from a background in criminal justice, Stas emphasizes the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in building a successful real estate career. He advocates for new agents to invest in education through the GRI program and stresses the practical application of their acquired knowledge. Commi...

Nick Krautter is the author of "The Golden Handoff," a highly recommended book in the real estate industry that focuses on facilitating smoother transitions between newer and retiring agents. In his work, Krautter addresses the critical issue of setting up agents for retirement, emphasizing the importance of connecting retiring agents with adopting agents before retirement to maintain strong client relationships. The second edition of his book introduces the concept of partial handoffs, a strate...

Tiea Vincent, the Owner/Broker of Next Level Real Estate and Property Management, brings 21 years of experience to the real estate business and actively engages with Florida Realtors on advocacy efforts. Initially from a rural part of Tennessee, Tiea values work-life balance but is deeply committed to expanding her company's portfolio. Drawing on her extensive experience, Vincent highlights the complexities of managing rental properties and underscores the importance of balancing regulations wit...

Sammy DeStefano, seamlessly transitioned into the real estate business, building on his extensive experience in sales since the age of 19. His move was driven by the promising growth and myriad opportunities within the real estate sector, further inspired by his family's own relocation experiences and his professional background at a luxury car dealership. As a dedicated real estate agent with Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty for the past four and a half years, Sammy emphasizes the criti...

Joe Rand, an author and seasoned real estate expert, has significantly shaped modern practices in buyer agency with his profound insights and extensive experience. On The Real Estate Sessions podcast, where he has appeared over 20 times, Joe discusses the evolution of buyer agency, noting the industry's initial seller-centric focus and the major shifts in compensation dynamics that began in the late eighties. He emphasizes the critical importance of securing buyer agreements and adapting to the ...

Bill Risser's Real Estate Sessions podcast, which began in 2015, has grown remarkably over nine years, featuring nearly 400 episodes that delve into the stories of real estate professionals. Initially focused on how guests entered the real estate industry, the podcast has evolved to include in-depth interviews with established and emerging leaders. Bill Risser reflects on the history of the Real Estate Sessions podcast, which he has been hosting for nine years. He started the podcast to explore ...