Rethink Real Estate

Engage in an enlightening conversation with Phillip Hogan, CEO and Founder of Signing Services of America. As a leader in an often overlooked aspect of real estate transactions—the signing and notary services—Phillip brings valuable insights into how to streamline and enhance the closing process. Join us as Phillip discusses the common challenges and misconceptions about contract signings and shares his expert strategies for ensuring a smooth, efficient, and stress-free closing experience for both buyers and sellers. This discussion aims to address the critical feedback from end-of-closing reviews that often cite the need for improvement in the signing process.

In this critical episode of Rethink Real Estate, we sit down with Aaron Hodson, Founder & CEO of Sellwell Inc. The focus of today's discussion is on the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) recent adjustments to the buyer side commission structure affecting real estate agents across North America. Ben and Aaron explore the implications of these changes and share insights into how agents nationwide are adapting to the new commission models. They discuss strategies for agents to effectively negotiate their commissions and the potential impacts on their business operations and client relationships.

This intriguing episode of Rethink Real Estate, featuring Wade Shealy, the innovative Founder, Chairman, & CEO of ThirdHome. ThirdHome is a pioneering platform that transforms how homeowners utilize their vacant properties. By allowing homeowners to rent out their seldom-used properties, they earn credits which can then be used to stay at any of the 18,000 properties worldwide within the ThirdHome network. In this conversation, Ben and Wade delve into the mechanics of ThirdHome and how it's reshaping the way people think about and utilize their second homes. Wade shares insights into the inception of ThirdHome, its impact on the real estate and travel industries, and how real estate professionals can leverage this platform to offer unique solutions to clients with multiple homes or those who love to travel.

Today we explore the nuances of marketing your real estate business to contacts at various stages in their lead lifecycle. Today’s focus specifically is on 'D' leads—individuals who have recently entered your database but may not yet know or trust you enough to engage your services as a Realtor. Our goal is to give you some of the strategies and insight into how to be successful at progressing these 'D' leads through your lead funnel. Ben and Chris dive into the specific challenges and strategies involved in nurturing these early-stage contacts, contrasting these approaches with tactics used for more familiar contacts and those within your established sphere of influence. They discuss effective methods to build trust, provide value, and gradually convert 'D' leads into active clients or even advocates.

In this episode, Chad Widtfeldt joins Ben Brady to share the proven scripts and strategic talking points that his team uses to successfully secure listings—particularly those that have expired under other agents—through the innovative auction method. Ben and Chad dive deep into the techniques that make Chad’s team one of the highest volume prospecting teams in the country. They discuss the effectiveness of the auction method in reviving expired listings and how Chad’s approach not only re-engages sellers but also revitalizes properties that struggled in traditional sales formats.

In this episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady delves into a troubling trend affecting today's housing market: buyer's agents submitting overinflated offers laden with contingencies. Ben discusses the tactics where agents encourage clients to bid significantly above asking price, only to attach a string of contingencies that delay the closing process and, in most cases, derail the sale entirely and fall out of escrow at a later date. This practice not only frustrates sellers but also skews their expectations about the value of their home, leading to prolonged days on the market and, ultimately, a lower final sale price. Ben shares a firsthand account of a transaction where sellers were enticed by an unrealistic high offer, overlooked a solid before auction offer, and ended up losing $10,000 on their home sale due to these Buyer Agent tactics.

In this enlightening episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady is joined by Andy Gurczak, Founder and CEO of AllCity Adjusting. Andy brings a wealth of knowledge from the world of real estate insurance, discussing the common pitfalls that real estate professionals encounter when dealing with property insurance claims. Throughout the episode, Andy shares crucial advice for listing agents and property management specialists on how to handle insurance claims effectively without compromising their clients' interests. He explains the importance of understanding what information to disclose during a claim process and highlights common mistakes that can inadvertently harm a claim, even if the details seem unrelated to the damage or loss.

In this month's recap episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady shares valuable insights and lessons from conducting real estate auctions in 12 different states throughout July. With auction numbers and listings at record highs, Ben provides a transparent look into the efforts of our team and the diverse markets they navigate. This episode delves into the current challenges faced by both our auction team and traditional real estate agents in maintaining deal momentum amid widespread buyer and seller uncertainty. Ben explores effective strategies for managing the urgency of transactions, assessing seller readiness, and ensuring that both parties are committed to the process.

A common issue in the real estate industry: the problem of real estate agents overselling their marketing capabilities. Ben expresses his concerns about the generic marketing strategies that nearly every agent promises will set their listings apart, and the potential backlash that comes when these exaggerated promises don't meet seller expectations. As properties sit longer on the market due to various economic uncertainties, including election outcomes, market fluctuations, and interest rate changes, seller frustration often increases. Ben argues that agents need to set realistic expectations to prevent unnecessary blame and dissatisfaction. He advises on how to communicate effectively with sellers about what truly differentiates an agent's marketing strategy without falling into the trap of overpromising.

Join host Ben Brady in this enlightening episode of Rethink Real Estate as he sits down with Tia Lilly, the seasoned Founder, Broker Owner, and REALTOR® at Property Cape Cod Real Estate. Tia brings over two decades of experience in one of North America's most coveted locations—Cape Cod. In this episode, Tia shares her extensive knowledge of operating in a secondary home market, a niche that has seen significant evolution in recent years. The discussion delves into how these markets have transformed with an increasing number of buyers choosing to make their secondary homes their primary residences. Additionally, Ben and Tia explore the rising impact of short-term rental regulations and how these are shaping real estate dynamics.

In this revealing episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady shares his unique perspective as a third party in real estate transactions, highlighting his ability to unearth the hidden expectations of sellers. Ben discusses the common scenario where seasoned Realtors might struggle with sellers who have hidden pricing expectations. He explores how a straightforward conversation can often align seller expectations with the current market reality, facilitating a listing price that is both competitive, buyer approachable, and market-appropriate. Ben shares insights into effective communication strategies that help reveal the true price a seller is willing to accept. This episode is not just about finding the minimum acceptable price but also understanding the negotiation boundaries to secure the best possible deal for the seller.

In this transformative episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady is joined by Jim Haley, President of Signature Impact Coaching, who has a proven track record of guiding business owners to surpass their professional and personal goals. Today, Jim brings his expertise to the real estate sector, having notably assisted one of our top agents, Drew Teicheira. Ben and Jim delve into the critical importance of discovering and embracing your purpose as a Realtor. They discuss how having a clear purpose not only provides direction but also serves as a powerful motivator through the inevitable challenges and plateaus faced in the real estate industry. This episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiring stories aimed at helping real estate professionals refine their drive and redefine their success metrics.

In this thought-provoking episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady is joined by Chris Cochran, Director of Marketing for Harcourts Auctions, to delve into a recent Forbes article that explores the evolving landscape of internet and social media usage across different generations. The article, which can be found below, provides a comprehensive breakdown of how each generation is uniquely interacting with the digital world and how they are searching for local services online. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/social-media-new-google/ Ben and Chris discuss key takeaways from the article, including the preferred social media platforms and devices of various age groups, and the implications these preferences have for real estate professionals aiming to effectively target their marketing efforts. This episode is packed with actionable insights on tailoring content and outreach strategies to meet the needs and behaviors of different demographic segments.

In this episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady is joined by Jonathan Bell, Owner and Director of Wingman Group, based in Australia. Jonathan is a pioneer in utilizing virtual assistants to scale businesses, particularly in the property management sector. He shares his journey of growing his property management business from zero to managing over 2,500 properties through strategic use of virtual assistants. Jonathan discusses how virtual assistants can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of real estate operations, both in property management and sales. He provides insights into how North American agents can integrate virtual assistants into their business models to drive success and manage larger volumes of transactions without compromising service quality.

Join hosts Ben Brady and Jesse Salas in this special episode of Rethink Real Estate, featuring a webinar that addresses one of the most pressing challenges for real estate agents today: discussing price reductions with clients. With the changing market dynamics, homes are remaining on the market longer, and seller expectations remain high due to previous years' market surges. This scenario has placed many agents in the difficult position of needing to broach the topic of price reductions to align with current market realities. In this webinar, Ben and Jesse, along with Realtors from across the country, explore effective strategies and tactful approaches to handle these conversations. They discuss how to manage client expectations, deliver tough news without damaging relationships, and ultimately, how to navigate the delicate balance between meeting market conditions and satisfying client desires.

Join host Ben Brady in this episode of Rethink Real Estate as he engages in a fascinating conversation with Jonathan Harris, CEO of Scout Realty and a prominent member of the Forbes Real Estate Council. Broadcasting from Nashville, Tennessee, Jonathan is renowned for his innovative approach to real estate, consistently thinking outside the box to attract new clients and grow his business. In this episode, Jonathan shares insights into his creative strategies and how he leverages various sales techniques, including Harcourts Auctions' non-distressed auction platform, to deliver exceptional results for his clients. He discusses the mission of Scout Realty to make real estate transactions faster, easier, and more certain for clients, highlighting how his forward-thinking methods have shaped his success in the industry.

Join host Ben Brady in this informative episode of Rethink Real Estate as he takes you through a detailed analysis of the past month's real estate auctions conducted across 15 states in the United States. This episode is a crucial part of our monthly series designed to provide transparent and direct insights from our team's experiences in diverse markets nationwide. Ben discusses not only the performance and trends of each market but also shares valuable lessons learned from our marketing, sales, and leadership efforts. This comprehensive recap aims to equip real estate professionals and enthusiasts with the knowledge of how different regions are performing and what strategies are driving success in the auction sector.

In this insightful episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady is joined by Dr. Robert Scranton, the visionary behind YourFinancialIQ.org. Dr. Rob introduces the concept of the 'Infinite Banking System,' a strategic approach to managing and growing wealth through whole life insurance policies. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Rob explains how real estate professionals can leverage this system not only to save money but also to ensure that their finances are working effectively for them and their future generations. This episode provides a deep dive into using whole life insurance as a tool for financial growth and security, offering Realtors and real estate professionals unique insights into diversifying their investments and maximizing their financial potential.

Join host Ben Brady in today’s episode of Rethink Real Estate, where he sits down with the newest member of the Harcourts Auctions team, Matt Blethen. Coming from a robust background in startup and tech sales, Matt recently made a dynamic shift into the real estate industry, joining Harcourts Auctions as an Auction Associate. In this discussion, Matt shares his unique insights into the transition from tech sales to real estate, focusing on how the skills he developed in his previous role apply to real estate auctions. He talks about his reasons for joining the auction team, the learning curve associated with understanding the real estate market, and how the auction process not only benefits clients but also provides a powerful tool for agents to enhance their own brands.

In this engaging episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady is joined by Ty Tashiro, acclaimed author of 'AWKWARD: The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward and Why That's Awesome' and renowned TED speaker. Ty brings his expertise on social awkwardness to the realm of real estate, a field where interpersonal skills are crucial yet often challenging. Ben and Ty explore the nuances of managing social awkwardness not only as real estate agents, who are often mistakenly perceived as extroverts, but also in dealing with clients who are navigating significant life changes. They discuss practical strategies for real estate professionals to improve their interactions and communication, ensuring they can extract vital information and provide top-notch service even when social dynamics become complex.