Keeping It Real Podcast • Secrets Of Top 1% REALTORS ® • Interviews With Real Estate Brokers & Agents

Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Zillow, discusses what today’s housing market means for real estate agents and their clients. Mischa explains why some markets are outperforming others, how rising mortgage rates are affecting buyer demand, and why tracking home values and rental trends can help agents better understand local market conditions. He also shares insights on the rent-versus-buy decision, pricing listings correctly, and preparing for a potential surge in competition if mortgage rates fall ahead of spring 2027.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mischafisher

In this episode Real Estate Video Coach Kim Rittberg discusses how industry leaders are openly saying AI will replace some agents. The truth is, it won’t replace the good ones, but it will expose anyone who’s been hiding behind templates and generic content. Kim shows agents why being visible and human on camera is the one thing AI can’t copy, and how to use video to become the agent clients trust and remember.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview,https://youtu.be/I3U1D0QcWlQclick here to view on YouTube!

Enroll here to Kim’s Video Boot Camp for a live small group coaching for agents starting November, 3rd. ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT!!

Follow Kim on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to Kim on YouTube.

This episode is brought to you by Real Geeks and https://www.courted.io/.

https://www.instagram.com/kimrittberg/

Welcome to another episode of YouTube Lab with Sarah Maslowski.

In this episode, Sarah shares how to overcome camera anxiety, stop worrying about being perfect, find content ideas in the questions clients already ask, and stand out even in competitive markets. Sarah explains why YouTube can deliver stronger lead-generation results than other social platforms and why waiting to get started means missing valuable opportunities to build trust and a pipeline of future clients.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Sarah Maslowski can be reached at hello@keypointhomesgroup.com and +1(470) 577-6472.

This episode is brought to you by Real Geeks and https://www.courted.io/.

https://keypointhomesgroup.com/agents/Sarah-Maslowski/8599683

Anna Kara discusses how agents can help buyers navigate mortgage rates above 7%. Anna explains why waiting for rates to drop could mean facing more competition and higher home prices, and how looking beyond the interest rate to the actual monthly payment can change the conversation. She also shares strategies for helping self-employed borrowers who have been turned down by traditional lenders, negotiating deals in today’s market, and building a personal brand through authentic, value-driven content. Her message to agents is simple: educate your clients, focus on what’s best for them, and build relationships that last beyond a single transaction.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Anna Kara can be reached at (818) 747-8777 and anna@annakaraloans.com.

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://www.annakaraloans.com/

https://brentonmiebach.com/

Welcome to our series Better Your Business With Ben.

In this episode Ben Lalez explains why he calls Q4 “separation season” and why the agents willing to keep making calls, following up, working their database, and doing the uncomfortable things are the ones who will separate themselves from the competition. He breaks down how to analyze where your past business actually came from, identify the activities you can replicate, and use the next 90 days to plant the seeds for a stronger 2027.

Please follow Ben on Instagramand TikTok.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Ben Lalez can be reached at 312.789.4054 and ben.lalez@compass.com.

This episode is brought to you by Real Geeks and https://www.courted.io/.

https://benlalez.com/https://benlalez.com/

In our October episode, Carrie McCormick breaks down what agents need to know heading into Q4. Carrie discusses rising mortgage rates, low inventory, increasingly selective buyers, and why pricing, presentation, and positioning are more important than ever in the current market. She also shares how luxury buyers are changing, how AI is influencing client decisions, and why agents need to bring real market knowledge and human expertise to the table. Finally, Carrie explains why Q4 is the perfect time to start preparing your systems and strategy for 2027 while still finishing 2026 strong.

Please follow Carrie on Instagram.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Carrie can be reached at carrie@atproperties.com or by phone at 312.961.4612.

This episode is brought to you by Real Geeks and https://www.courted.io/.

https://www.carriemccormickre.com/

Brenton Miebach talks about how he built a $10M+ business in his first year in two different markets where he knew virtually no one. Brenton breaks down how he used paid leads, relentless responsiveness, and deep market research to build a network from scratch and why the real value of an internet lead is the referral business that can come from it. He also shares how he built AI-powered systems that automate everything from marketing and website content to detailed showing packets, and how he used AI-generated videos about Cape Coral’s history to grow his Facebook following from 150 to more than 3,000.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Brenton Miebach can be reached at (239) 990-7738 and brenton@brentonmiebach.com.

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://brentonmiebach.com/

Bill Melnick talks about his career transition from luxury merchandising at Ralph Lauren to real estate in Litchfield County. Bill shares how the Ralph Lauren approach of selling a lifestyle, not just a product, shapes the way he markets homes, from staging and photography to telling a property’s complete story. He also breaks down how he sold the $12 million Ivan Lendl estate, why luxury buyers care about much more than square footage, and how local knowledge, relationships, and authentic marketing can give agents an edge in an increasingly AI-driven industry.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Bill Melnick can be reached at 917-330-5241 and bill@harneyre.com.

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://harneyrealestate.com/

Alex Maldonado reveals a strategy many first-time buyers (and even agents) overlook: using seller and lender credits to help cover closing costs. Alex explains how he helps buyers who have saved for a down payment but are still short on the cash needed to close, and how he structures offers so those credits don’t automatically make them less competitive. He also breaks down how he generates leads through targeted marketing, SEO, bilingual content, and AI, and why becoming a better salesperson may be more valuable than simply making more calls.

Alex is offering a free marketing audit to a limited number of agents here.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Alex Maldonado can be reached at (323) 688-4710.

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://alexmaldonadorealestate.com/

Welcome to our monthly feature Unpopular Real Estate Opinions with Chris Linsell.

In this episode Chris and DJ tackle some of the biggest questions facing agents today. They discuss how AI could reshape the real estate profession, why relationship-building and expertise may become more valuable than ever, and what agents need to do to stay relevant as technology takes over more of the traditional work. They also dive into the future of Zillow, Compass, and independent brokerages, exploring how changing business models and control of listings could reshape the industry.

Please check Chris’ profile on LinkedIn.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

This episode is brought to you by Real Geeks and https://www.courted.io/.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-linsell/

Frances Katzen talks about how the discipline and resilience of a professional ballet career shaped the way she approaches business. Frances shares how she built the Katzen Report into a powerful marketing tool, established herself as a trusted voice in the media, and learned to stand out by having a real opinion rather than trying to please everyone. She also explains why she’s willing to tell clients “no” when she believes they can do better, and how honesty, consistency, and genuine relationships have helped her build a lasting luxury real estate business.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Frances Katzen can be reached at 212.350.8575 and fkatzen@elliman.com.

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://www.elliman.com/

Chris Wolfe shares how he went from losing a 12-year house-flipping business to closing 33 transactions in his first year of real estate. Chris shares how he started from scratch in a new market with no sphere, generating 95% of his first-year business through open houses and cold calling. He breaks down his daily schedule, his three non-negotiable tasks, and why focusing on the fundamentals instead of getting distracted by AI, technology, and endless marketing strategies has helped him build a rapidly growing business.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Chris Wolfe can be reached at 559.289.8218 and chris@chriswolferealestate.com.

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://www.eldoradohillsliving.com/

David has built a successful real estate business almost entirely through relationships and referrals. But with years of professional commitments, volunteer work, and personal goals competing for his attention, he knows he needs to get more focused if he wants to reach the next level.

In this episode of Breakthrough with Michael, David uncovers what’s really holding him back: avoidance, inconsistent follow-up, and the tendency to take on too much. The conversation explores why the right strategy isn’t always the one that works for everyone and how understanding yourself can be the key to building a more scalable business.

No quick fixes. Just an honest coaching conversation about letting go of what no longer serves you, focusing on what matters, and finding the approach that allows you to do your best work.

Ready to break through what’s holding you back? Apply now for your chance to be coached live on the show. Spots are limited to just one agent per month, so don’t wait – apply today.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Sign up for a personal breakthrough session with Michael Opyd here.

This episode is brought to you by Real Geeks and https://www.courted.io/.

https://www.michaelopyd.com/

Welcome to another episode of YouTube Lab with Sarah Maslowski.

In this episode, Sarah sits with Shawn Shackelton who shares how she built a steady stream of highly motivated real estate leads through YouTube by staying consistent long before she saw the payoff. After starting in 2021, it took two years for her first YouTube lead to close, but she kept creating and eventually went from two videos a week to a reliable source of inbound business. Shawn breaks down what kept her going, why YouTube clients have become some of her favorite clients, and the lessons she’s learned about hiring an editor, using AI without losing her voice, and avoiding the shiny objects that distract agents from what actually works.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Sarah Maslowski can be reached at hello@keypointhomesgroup.com and +1(470) 577-6472.

This episode is brought to you by Real Geeks and https://www.courted.io/.

https://keypointhomesgroup.com/agents/Sarah-Maslowski/8599683

Justin Black explains how he turned his website into an AI-ready authority that LLMs like ChatGPT and Claude actively recommend to high-end buyers and sellers. Justin breaks down his question-based content strategy, how he uses AI (especially Claude) to ideate, draft, and audit pages, and how he even built his entire site with AI instead of hiring a dev shop. Justin also shares his high-touch expired listing system – FedEx packets, AI-generated market snapshots, and positioning audits, and explains how these tactics have already produced multi‑million‑dollar listings directly from AI referrals.

Check out Justin’sLinkedIn profileand follow him on Instagram.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Justin Black can be reached at (719) 684 – 3329 and jblack@livsir.com.

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://justinblackre.com/

Megan Waltersbreaks down how she built a seven‑figure real estate business without buying leads or cold calling. She shares her people-first approach – working from coffee shops, leveraging FSBO/expireds with value-packed drop-offs, and running four open houses every weekend. Next, Megan explains her daily 4 a.m. routine, CRM systems, and strict financial discipline, plus how consistent short-form video and personal branding drive 90% of her business and fuel a 50+ door investment portfolio.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Megan Walters can be reached at megan@thewalters.team.

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://waltersteamrealty.com/

Bobby Kerr, founder of LOC8 My Business, reveals why Google Business Profiles are becoming one of the most powerful, and overlooked, marketing tools for real estate agents. Bobby explains how hyper-local content, strategic reviews, and geographic keywords can help agents stand out in Google Search and Maps while increasing their chances of being recommended by AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini. Bobby also shares five practical tips for getting better reviews and turning your Google Business Profile into a powerful source of visibility, credibility, and leads.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Bobby Kerr can be reached at 239.268.3852 and info@loc8mybiz.com.

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://www.loc8mybusiness.com/

Chris Wands shares how he built a powerhouse Miami luxury real estate business by embracing the fundamentals: hard work, showing up, answering the phone, and treating every client and transaction as an opportunity. Chris explains why rentals have been a major driver of his team’s growth, how a $1,000 rental can eventually lead to a multimillion-dollar client, and why agents should never underestimate the value of smaller deals. Last, Chris also opens up about building a team, using AI and CRM systems to improve operations, becoming a trusted advisor rather than simply a salesperson, and maintaining client relationships long after the transaction is over.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Chris Wands can be reached at 561.420.9610 and christopher.wands@elliman.com.

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://www.elliman.com/agent/christopher-wands/1025536

Greg Roeder breaks down how he turned a pickle-ball league and community events into a steady stream of high-end, referral-only business. He explains the “invisible agent” problem and shares his 3M framework: mobilize your people, make content for your dream clients, and multiply your impact through systems and support. Greg walks through how he uses niche-specific newsletters, short-form video, and authentic signature events to become the obvious choice for $1M+ buyers and sellers. Greg also reveals how redefining success beyond being “on” 24/7 helped him scale from $12M to $40M in volume without sacrificing his personal life.

“Join the launch list and grab the digital version of Getting to a Million for $1″ when it’s released on September 29th! Get your copy here.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Greg Roeder can be reached at greg@sellingfortcollins.com and 970.213.2095

This episode is brought to you by RealGeeks and Courted.io.

https://www.sellingfortcollins.com/

Welcome to another episode of YouTube Lab with Sarah Maslowski.

In this episode, Sarah pulls back the curtain on how a single missed upload exposed the cracks in her YouTube content system. Sarah breaks down why consistency is non-negotiable for the algorithm and audience trust, and how to eliminate single points of failure by using backup editors and a video bank. Sarah also shares her two-week planning/filming rhythm, four-bucket content strategy, and realistic batch filming approach for busy real estate agents. Last, Sarah shares her editor hand-off system and why staying two weeks ahead on both filming and editing is the key to long-term channel momentum.

If you’d prefer to watch this interview, click here to view on YouTube!

Sarah Maslowski can be reached at hello@keypointhomesgroup.com and +1(470) 577-6472.

This episode is brought to you by Real Geeks and https://www.courted.io/.

https://keypointhomesgroup.com/agents/Sarah-Maslowski/8599683