Inside the Mind of a Luxury Airbnb Investor w/ Clay Hepler [REWIND]

In this solo episode of the Uncommon Real Estate Podcast, Chris breaks down the brutal truth about building your first $100K: why it feels so slow, frustrating, and honestly…not worth it in the beginning.If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the right things but not seeing results yet, this episode will hit home.Chris unpacks the math behind saving and investing, explains why your money isn’t working for you (yet), and reveals the psychological shift required to push through the hardest phase of wealth building.But more importantly, he shows how real estate can accelerate your path. Turning small amounts of money into serious long-term wealth through leverage, house hacking, and smart decision-making.What You’ll Learn: How to stay consistent when results feel invisible  The exact phase where most people give up—and how to push past it  How to use real estate as a shortcut to building net worth  Why process matters more than outcome in the early stagesHit Chris up: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCraddockBusiness/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craddrock/RESOURCES: 🏠 The Redux Group: hire or refer Chris’s Real Estate Team Serving Northern VA & Richmond VA, Washington DC, and Maryland⚡ DMV Agents, Join Our Team: Agent Opportunities with The Redux Group🧠 Worldwide Agent Mastermind: Join the Uncommon Real Estate Community Facebook Group💰BEST Text Marketing Automation Software: let the power of AI bring your dormant leads to the surface so you can spend more time closing deals!🧑‍🎓AGENTS, get a 25% discount on your pre-licensing and continuing education from The CE Shop with promo code UNCOMMON25 but only if you go through the link here.

What separates agents who struggle from those who scale fast?In this episode, Chris sits down with Kelli Brown, who went from being completely broke, overwhelmed, and unsure if real estate was even a viable career… to closing multiple deals a month in less than a year.Her secret? She stopped avoiding hard problems—and started running straight at them.From tracking down a missing property owner living under a bridge to navigating complex title issues, Kelli proves that the biggest paydays in real estate come from solving the toughest challenges.Key TakeawaysEverything Is Figureoutable: the agents who win aren’t the smartest—they’re the ones who refuse to quit when things get hard.The Bigger the Problem = The Bigger the Paycheck: most agents avoid complex deals… which is exactly why opportunity lives there.Environment Changes Everything: proximity to the right people, systems, and accountability can completely accelerate your growth.From Chaos to Structure: success came when Kelli stopped guessing and started following proven daily actions.Identity Shift Is the Real Breakthrough: her results changed when she stopped seeing herself as someone “trying to make it”… and started operating like a top producer.Connect with KelliPhone: 484-643-8758Hit Chris up: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCraddockBusiness/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craddrock/RESOURCES: 🏠 The Redux Group: hire or refer Chris’s Real Estate Team Serving Northern VA & Richmond VA, Washington DC, and Maryland⚡ DMV Agents, Join Our Team: Agent Opportunities with The Redux Group🧠 Worldwide Agent Mastermind: Join the Uncommon Real Estate Community Facebook Group💰BEST Text Marketing Automation Software: let the power of AI bring your dormant leads to the surface so you can spend more time closing deals!🧑‍🎓AGENTS, get a 25% discount on your pre-licensing and continuing education from The CE Shop with promo code UNCOMMON25 but only if you go through the link here.

Most real estate agents believe the path to more income is simple: get more leads. But what if the biggest opportunity is sitting inside the leads you already have?In this replay episode of Uncommon Real Estate, Chris Craddock sits down with entrepreneur, tech founder, and REI BlackBook creator Damon Remy to talk about the real reason most agents miss deals—and how better follow-up systems can unlock massive hidden revenue.In This Episode, We CoverWhy most real estate agents lose deals in the follow-upThe stat that changes how you think about lead conversionHow to turn cold or dead leads into new opportunitiesWhy automation and systems are critical for scaling your businessDamon’s Vision → Systems → People framework for building companiesThe importance of designing your life before your businessLessons from Damon’s journey from hardship to building a successful tech companyHow real estate professionals can make more money without more leadsConnect with DamonFacebook: Damon RemyREI BlackBook: reiblackbook.comHit Chris up: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCraddockBusiness/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craddrock/RESOURCES: 🏠 The Redux Group: hire or refer Chris’s Real Estate Team Serving Northern VA & Richmond VA, Washington DC, and Maryland⚡ DMV Agents, Join Our Team: Agent Opportunities with The Redux Group🧠 Worldwide Agent Mastermind: Join the Uncommon Real Estate Community Facebook Group💰BEST Text Marketing Automation Software: let the power of AI bring your dormant leads to the surface so you can spend more time closing deals!🧑‍🎓AGENTS, get a 25% discount on your pre-licensing and continuing education from The CE Shop with promo code UNCOMMON25 but only if you go through the link here.

Most agents try to build their business alone. They grind, hustle, and try to carry everything themselves—from production to leadership to operations. But eventually, that approach hits a ceiling. Today’s guest, Kristina Price, shares her journey from working in corporate sales at Homes.com to becoming a top 1% agent in Hampton Roads and building a multi-state real estate team. Along the way, she experienced the highs of rapid growth—and the burnout that can come from trying to do everything yourself.Chris and Kristina break down why partnerships are often the missing piece for agents who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or capped in their growth. They also explore how the right relationships can accelerate production, create wealth-building opportunities, and help agents build businesses that are sustainable long-term.Key Topics CoveredWhy many real estate agents hit a ceiling trying to do everything aloneThe burnout that can come from scaling a team without the right supportWhy strategic partnerships are essential for long-term business growthThe advantage of combining retail real estate with creative dealsBuilding a real estate team that supports agent success and developmentWhat to look for when choosing the right business partnersConnect with Kristina:Instagram: Home Journey Grouphttps://homejourneygroup.com/Hit Chris up: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCraddockBusiness/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craddrock/RESOURCES: 🏠 The Redux Group: hire or refer Chris’s Real Estate Team Serving Northern VA & Richmond VA, Washington DC, and Maryland⚡ DMV Agents, Join Our Team: Agent Opportunities with The Redux Group🧠 Worldwide Agent Mastermind: Join the Uncommon Real Estate Community Facebook Group💰BEST Text Marketing Automation Software: let the power of AI bring your dormant leads to the surface so you can spend more time closing deals!🧑‍🎓AGENTS, get a 25% discount on your pre-licensing and continuing education from The CE Shop with promo code UNCOMMON25 but only if you go through the link here.

Real estate isn't a hobby—it's a high-stakes professional sport.If you are an ambitious new agent feeling overwhelmed, broke, or like an "imposter," this episode is for you. Chris sits down with his "Franchise Player," Belle Tunstall, who went from crying in her car with a failing engine to being named one of the Top 30 agents under 30 in the world. She explains exactly how she translated her background as an elite college athlete into a real estate career that consistently clears 65+ transactions a year.What You'll Learn:How to turn a single closing into 13 pieces of high-authority content so you look like a market leader even when you’re a "nobody."Why elite "Franchise Players" hunt for low-stakes showings and rentals early on to master the mechanics while the average agent is "too good" to work.How to stop "Tokyo Drifting" into your 9:00 AM meetings and start prepping for a listing appointment like it’s a National Championship game.Belle’s strict rules for protecting her headspace and why she refuses to play "defense" against client texts before 8:30 AM.The High-Volume One-Two Punch: When to stop doing everything yourself and how to hire a "Showing Partner" to explode your transaction count past 65+ a year.Connect with Belle:@[email protected] Chris up: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCraddockBusiness/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craddrock/RESOURCES: 🏠 The Redux Group: hire or refer Chris’s Real Estate Team Serving Northern VA & Richmond VA, Washington DC, and Maryland⚡ DMV Agents, Join Our Team: Agent Opportunities with The Redux Group🧠 Worldwide Agent Mastermind: Join the Uncommon Real Estate Community Facebook Group💰BEST Text Marketing Automation Software: let the power of AI bring your dormant leads to the surface so you can spend more time closing deals!🧑‍🎓AGENTS, get a 25% discount on your pre-licensing and continuing education from The CE Shop with promo code UNCOMMON25 but only if you go through the link here.

Success isn't a skill; it's an identity. Chris breaks down the "Uncommon" traits that separate the best from the rest. He dives into the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and the specific core values he looks for when hiring "machines" for his own team. Inside this episode, you’ll discover:Why "Harvard smart" doesn't matter in real estate, but pattern recognition does.Why you must expect the win BEFORE you walk into the listing appointment (and the "paperwork test" that proves if you actually do).Why Chris prefers hiring former athletes with a chip on their shoulder over "freaks of nature."How to master the mundane and why Bruce Lee’s philosophy is the key to a 6-figure career.Why you will never outperform the way you see yourself, and how to build an "unrealistic" view of your own potential.The "Uncommon" Reading ListTraction by Gino Wickman (The EOS System)The Art of Learning by Josh WaitzkinPsycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell MaltzThe Psychology of Winning by Denis WaitleyAtomic Habits by James ClearConnect with Chris:📲 Instagram: @craddrock🌐 Facebook: Chris Craddock BusinessRESOURCES: 🏠 The Redux Group: hire or refer Chris’s Real Estate Team Serving Northern VA & Richmond VA, Washington DC, and Maryland⚡ DMV Agents, Join Our Team: Agent Opportunities with The Redux Group🧠 Worldwide Agent Mastermind: Join the Uncommon Real Estate Community Facebook Group💰BEST Text Marketing Automation Software: let the power of AI bring your dormant leads to the surface so you can spend more time closing deals!🧑‍🎓AGENTS, get a 25% discount on your pre-licensing and continuing education from The CE Shop with promo code UNCOMMON25 but only if you go through the link here.

Are you a new agent tired of the "hamster wheel" and ready to actually hit those six-figure goals? In this power-packed replay, Chris sits down with top-producer Jon Smith to dissect exactly how he closed a staggering $34 Million in volume during his first two years in the business. Jon doesn't have a secret database or a magic wand-he had a system. He explains why your background (whether it's ministry, sports, or corporate) is your greatest asset and how to translate your past experiences into massive real estate momentum. What You'll Learn: Why outworking your doubts is more effective than waiting for "motivation."Jon breaks down the exact 5-point system he used to gamify his productivity and ensure he only focused on income-producing activities.How to identify whether your current bottleneck is a Belief, a Skillset, or a Character Trait.Shift your mindset from "closing a prospect" to "leading a client" to win in a post-trust era.Why you need a "NASCAR team" of mentors and how to find them to compress your learning curve from years to months.Connect with Jon:▶ Twitter: @iamjonathansmConnect with Chris:📲 Instagram: @craddrock🌐 Facebook: Chris Craddock BusinessRESOURCES: 🏠 The Redux Group: hire or refer Chris’s Real Estate Team Serving Northern VA & Richmond VA, Washington DC, and Maryland⚡ DMV Agents, Join Our Team: Agent Opportunities with The Redux Group🧠 Worldwide Agent Mastermind: Join the Uncommon Real Estate Community Facebook Group💰BEST Text Marketing Automation Software: let the power of AI bring your dormant leads to the surface so you can spend more time closing deals!🧑‍🎓AGENTS, get a 25% discount on your pre-licensing and continuing education from The CE Shop with promo code UNCOMMON25 but only if you go through the link here.

In this throwback solo episode from the COVID days, Chris breaks down how smart investors are using tax law, retirement rollouts, and creative strategies to build massive wealth even without a pile of cash.You'll learn how to tap into your retirement accounts penalty-free, how to compare stock market vs. real estate returns the right way, and how to use depreciation and principal paydown to legally reduce your tax bill while stacking cashflow.Chris also shares his personal playbook for deciding whether to flip or hold, his favorite types of properties to invest in, and how to get started with no money and no experience using a simple strategy anyone can do from their car.Hit Chris up: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCraddockBusiness/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craddrock/RESOURCES: 🏠 The Redux Group: hire or refer Chris’s Real Estate Team Serving Northern VA & Richmond VA, Washington DC, and Maryland⚡ DMV Agents, Join Our Team: Agent Opportunities with The Redux Group🧠 Worldwide Agent Mastermind: Join the Uncommon Real Estate Community Facebook Group💰BEST Text Marketing Automation Software: let the power of AI bring your dormant leads to the surface so you can spend more time closing deals!🧑‍🎓AGENTS, get a 25% discount on your pre-licensing and continuing education from The CE Shop with promo code UNCOMMON25 but only if you go through the link here.

In this banger episode, Chris breaks down the jaw-dropping new NAR data: 71% of real estate agents did zero transactions in 2025. If that doesn’t light a fire under you, nothing will.Chris calls out the excuses, dismantles the lies agents tell themselves, and delivers a no-BS roadmap to rising above the 71% and finally building a business that prints both cash and long-term wealth.Whether you're new to the game or 10 years in, this episode will challenge you, inspire you, and give you the real blueprint to stop sucking — respectfully.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why thinking you’re working hard doesn’t countThe difference between the “cash machine” and the “wealth machine” — and how to build bothThe only activity that matters if you’re doing fewer than 2 deals/monthWhy branding, websites, and social media won’t save youWhat Chris did when he had no listings, no leads, and no teamHow to prospect like a pro (even if you suck at it right now)Hit Chris up: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCraddockBusiness/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craddrock/RESOURCES: 🏠 The Redux Group: hire or refer Chris’s Real Estate Team Serving Northern VA & Richmond VA, Washington DC, and Maryland⚡ DMV Agents, Join Our Team: Agent Opportunities with The Redux Group🧠 Worldwide Agent Mastermind: Join the Uncommon Real Estate Community Facebook Group💰BEST Text Marketing Automation Software: let the power of AI bring your dormant leads to the surface so you can spend more time closing deals!🧑‍🎓AGENTS, get a 25% discount on your pre-licensing and continuing education from The CE Shop with promo code UNCOMMON25 but only if you go through the link here.

Most agents want to "act" like entrepreneurs when they're actually unemployed. If you don't have a client, you don't have a business.In this throwback episode, host Chris goes into the essential strategies for scaling a real estate business from goose eggs to 24 deals per year. He offers actionable insights to help real estate professionals navigate common pitfalls and achieve sustained success.Takeaways:- Focus on the right activities.- Master the basics before getting fancy.- Turning your "shoulds" into "musts."- Lean on your network to find deals now and in the future.Action steps:- Compile a list of contacts and reach out consistently.- Concentrate on lead-generating activities.- Practice scripts to build confidence.- Transform "shoulds" into "musts" and maintain high motivation.- Provide value to contacts to leverage reciprocity.In-episode mentions:Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert CialdiniHow to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale CarnegieHit Chris up: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCraddockBusiness/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craddrock/RESOURCES: 🏠 The Redux Group: hire or refer Chris’s Real Estate Team Serving Northern VA & Richmond VA, Washington DC, and Maryland⚡ DMV Agents, Join Our Team: Agent Opportunities with The Redux Group🧠 Worldwide Agent Mastermind: Join the Uncommon Real Estate Community Facebook Group💰BEST Text Marketing Automation Software: let the power of AI bring your dormant leads to the surface so you can spend more time closing deals!🧑‍🎓AGENTS, get a 25% discount on your pre-licensing and continuing education from The CE Shop with promo code UNCOMMON25 but only if you go through the link here.