Real Estate School Won't Teach You This (But You Need It to Survive)

He used this CMA strategy to list $11M in 90 days. In this new Stay Paid interview, Jimmy Burgess, The Chief Coaching Officer At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices & HomeServices of America, reveals the three strategies every agent should execute in 2026—and they're simpler than you think. He breaks down why you should buy lunches instead of leads, how a weekly "Deal of the Week" email reactivates your database, and why unsolicited video CMAs remain one of the most profitable activities in real estate. You'll learn about: Jimmy framing his approach using John Maxwell's Rule of 5 Why you should 'Buy Lunches, Not Leads' Sending 'Deal of the Week' Emails MLS-based outreach ideas (price drops, nearby sales to spark conversation) Unsolicited Video CMAs Jimmy returning as Head Coach at Berkshire Hathaway Why legacy and helping agents do more deals fuels his mission ▶️  Checkout Jimmy's YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/@JimmyBurgess  📲 DM Jimmy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmyburgess_/ 🚨 Stay updated on real estate news: https://www.inman.com/ 

Real estate school teaches square footage, contracts, and math… but almost nothing about how to actually build a career. In our latest episode of Stay Paid, we sit down with Jenifer Morin, author of Beyond the Sale, who shares the real-world skills agents need to build a lasting career. From calendar discipline to lead generation, mindset to capacity, Jenifer breaks down the exact habits that separate top producers from everyone else. ⭐️You'll learn: Why most agents fail within the first 5 years How to structure your day for success Why your calendar is the best predictor of income The truth about treating real estate like a career How to avoid burnout and find your true strengths If you want stability, income, and longevity in this business, this episode is a must-listen.   📖 Order Jenifer's Book - Beyond the Sale: Unlocking Your Full Potential as a New Real Estate Agent 📲 Connect with Jenifer on Instagram & Facebook: Rookie RE Agent 📩 Email Jenifer: [email protected] 

You're not selling them DOWN—you're selling them UP to the real price!  In this Stay Paid Q&A episode, Luke, Josh, and Acree Brothers Realty answer real agents' biggest challenges—including how to handle a seller who overpriced their listing and now blames the market.  You'll learn the exact script to reset expectations, how to relaunch a listing without losing the client, and what to include in a high-energy marketing plan. You'll also hear advice on how to follow up without sounding salesy and how to use items of value to make conversations feel natural—not forced. Plus, a deep dive into where AI actually fits into your business today. You'll hear advice about: How to talk to sellers who demand unrealistic pricing Why you're actually "selling them UP" to the correct price How long overpriced listings hurt momentum and perceived value Luke's "Call to Say Hello" script + FORD framework (Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams) How to use items of value (magazine, equity reports, contractor lists) to make follow-up natural Why niche messaging works better than "we help everyone" Why personal social profiles outperform business pages Leveraging pastors, partnerships, and email marketing 🏠 Try the Listing Launch App and use Promo Code STAYPAID: ListingLaunch.app ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

Relationships are your savings account. In this Stay Paid interview, we chat with Rei Mesa, President & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty. Rei shares the leadership principles, customer service philosophy, and relationship mindset that built one of Florida's most respected brokerages. He explains why agents must work with a cadence of accountability, how full-service real estate creates customer loyalty, and why relationships are your greatest long-term asset. You'll hear about: ·      Rei's origin: from college student helping at open houses to Rookie of the Year ·      How relationships became his "savings account" philosophy ·      Why customer experience beats technology & AI every time ·      The 600-person wedding analogy for sphere of influence ·      Rei's advice to his younger self: buy real estate and lead with courage, strength, humility, and gratitude Rei also shares what agents must do in 2026 to win more business despite a shrinking "pie." If you want to grow like a true leader, this episode is packed with wisdom. 📧 Email Rei: [email protected] 📞 Call Rei: 305-794-4628   ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

Your listing isn't selling? It's price, promotion, or presentation. In this week's Q&A episode, agents call in with real problems — wasted marketing spend, low-converting leads, and a condo sitting 116 days on the market — Luke, Josh, & the Acree Brothers Realty team walk them through how to fix each one. Learn how long ROI really takes, how to talk a seller into a price drop, and when vendors should enter the deal to save a falling escrow. Fast, tactical answers you can use today. You'll learn: ✔ How to stop wasting money on marketing platforms that don't convert✔ Why ROI often takes years (not months) — and how to survive the "float"✔ What to do when your listing sits for 116 days✔ The real way to avoid "annoying" prospects while doing effective lead gen✔ Why Facebook leads take 18+ calls and years of nurturing✔ How insurance & vendor partnerships SHOULD work (and where agents go wrong)✔ How belief, tonality, and confidence make or break your sales conversations ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

Vince Leisey—president of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Network—reveals what truly separates top agents from the 90% who don't make it. In this powerful Stay Paid interview, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices President Vince Leisey breaks down what truly separates top producers from the 90% who fail. Vince explains why discipline—not skill—is the defining characteristic of elite agents, why culture must be built in person, and how leaders can create teams that thrive in a changing industry. You'll learn: Vince's leadership lesson: patience + decision-making with facts The "Google model" for innovation: roll out fast, adjust fast, don't fear failure Why competition prevents complacency Why culture is built in person and cannot be replaced by virtual work Why relationship-building has remained unchanged for 40+ years   ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

What if AI could tell you EXACTLY who will buy your listing—before you ever shoot the video or write the description? 🤯 In this episode of Stay Paid, Luke, Josh, and Acree Brothers Realty sit down with Realtor®, author, and AI power-user Jayson Flory. Jayson reveals the insanely simple AI prompts he uses to predict the ideal buyer with shocking accuracy & cut days-on-market from 86+ to as little as 7! You'll also learn how to: ✔ Create SEO-optimized listing descriptions, scripts, and ads✔ Run YouTube in-stream ads that reach buyers across entire cities✔ Win listing appointments by out-positioning top-producing competitors✔ Automate market updates with AI avatars and workflow tools Whether you're an AI beginner or knee-deep in prompts, this episode gives you ridiculously practical ways to turn AI into a money-making machine. 📖 Get Jayson's book Empowered Agents on Amazon📲 Follow him on Instagram: @realestatejayson

How do you go from hustling solo to running a scalable real estate business? In this Stay Paid Q&A, Luke Acree, Josh Stike, and Acree Brothers Realty take live calls from agents across the country to discuss how to build systems, track performance, and stay consistent in an unpredictable market. From picking the right CRM to turning Zillow leads into long-term clients, this episode breaks down what separates agents who survive from those who scale. 👉 You'll learn: The exact steps to systematize your business How to pick and stick with a CRM that works Why clarity and tracking fuel confidence The compounding power of consistency How to turn paid leads into repeat and referral business ⁉️ Do YOU have a question you'd like us to answer on air? Send us an email at [email protected] or shoot us a DM on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/staypaidpodcast

How do you lead 40,000 agents, stay fit, balance family, and navigate industry change? In this Stay Paid interview, Chris Kelly, CEO of HomeServices of America, shares powerful lessons from leading one of the nation's largest real estate organizations through massive industry change. From balancing family, fitness, and leadership to navigating the NAR lawsuits and AI transformation, Chris opens up about what it really takes to lead at scale—and stay grounded doing it. 👉 You'll learn: Why "harmony" beats "balance" for entrepreneurs How to let go of setbacks and lead through crisis The habits that keep top producers focused and consistent How AI and consumer expectations are reshaping real estate What makes agents truly irreplaceable in the digital age 🔗 Visit HomeServices website: https://www.homeservices.com/     🗣️ Connect with Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-kelly-5aa16028/

In this Stay Paid interview, Garrett Maroon — agent, team leader, podcast host, and author of The Balanced Breakthrough: Winning at Work Without Losing at Life—shares how he built a $60M business by focusing on faith, family, and alignment. Garrett breaks down how to define your own scoreboard for success, why "balance" is a question of priorities, and how mastering one system (his Rule of 8 and PDA Formula) helped him sell 650 homes without losing what mattered most. 👉 You'll learn: How to create your own definition of success The Rule of 8 that keeps your business focused and balanced The PDA Formula for building a predictable, profitable business Why authenticity beats hustle every time How faith and alignment create sustainable success 📖 Order Garrett's book, releasing 11/25: https://www.garrettmaroon.com/book 🎙️Listen to Garrett's podcast, The Faithful Agent: https://www.garrettmaroon.com/podcast