The REAL in Real Estate
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate with Jean Mitchell, your go-to source for everything property-related! Join us as we delve into fantastic insights, expert tips, and the latest property trends. From buying and selling to investing and renovating, we bring you all the answers directly from industry experts. Tune in and stay ahead in the world of real estate!
100% Zero Down Financing in Texas: How to Buy a Home Without a Down Payment
Show Notes:
Think you need 20% down to buy a home in Texas? You don't. A true 100% zero down loan exists right now, and it is open to any buyer purchasing a primary residence -- no income limits, no location restrictions, no requirement to be a first-time buyer, a veteran, or a doctor.
Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Ben Shores of First Community Credit Union to walk through exactly how this loan works, who qualifies, and how buyers are walking to the closing table with little to nothing out of pocket.<...
DSCR Loans and Zero-Down Financing: How to Build a Real Estate Portfolio with Ben Shores
If you want to build a real estate portfolio but are stuck on income documentation or down payment requirements, DSCR loans and zero-down programs might be exactly what you need. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Ben Shores, a mortgage expert at First Community Credit Union with over 25 years of experience, to break down the financing strategies most buyers and investors never hear about.
What you'll learn:
✔️ How DSCR loans work: qualify based on rental income -- not paystubs or tax returns -- making them ideal for real...
Creative Real Estate Investing: Seller Financing and the Three Paydays System Explained
In a high-rate market where traditional financing feels out of reach, seller financing and creative deal structures are opening doors that most buyers and investors don't even know exist. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Chris Prefontaine, a real estate coach and investor with nearly 35 years of experience, to break down his Three Paydays system and why today's market conditions are uniquely suited for creative financing.
What you'll learn:
✔️ Why stricter bank regulations and higher rates are actually creating more opportunities for creative financing deals -- for both...
Breaking Through Income Plateaus in Real Estate: How Your Self-Image Controls Your Success
Breaking through an income plateau in real estate rarely comes down to a better script or a new lead source. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Kevin Yoder, a 25-year real estate sales veteran and mindset coach, to break down why your self-image acts as an internal thermostat that controls exactly how much success you allow yourself to have.
What you'll learn:
✔️ Why your self-image functions like a thermostat, regulating the energy you project and the clients you attract -- regardless of your strategy
✔️...
How to Find Land Deals by Reverse-Engineering What National Home Builders Are Already Buying
Most real estate investors overlook land -- but national home builders spend millions figuring out exactly where to buy next. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Brandon Cobb of HBG Capital to break down how everyday investors can reverse-engineer those decisions and get into land development before the big builders arrive.
What you'll learn:
✔️ How to find land by tracking where national builders like D.R. Horton are already developing -- they've done the market research, so target land in those same corridors
✔️ Why sitt...
VA Loan Myths Debunked: What Every Texas Veteran and Realtor Needs to Know
VA loans are one of the most underutilized mortgage benefits available to veterans, and outdated myths are largely to blame. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Eric Bernstein, president and co-founder of LendFriend Mortgage, to debunk the most common misconceptions about VA loans and show Texas veterans and their agents how to use this benefit effectively.
What you'll learn:
✔️ Why VA appraisals are not deal-killers -- and what listing agents consistently get wrong about the VA appraisal process
✔️ The zero-down advantage of VA loans an...
Texas Property Tax Protest Deadline: What Every Homeowner Must Know Before May 15th
If you're a Texas homeowner and haven't filed a property tax protest, you're almost certainly overpaying. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Mickey Le, a property tax expert and partner at Ad Valorem Tax Management with 30 years of experience, to walk through everything you need to know before the May 15th deadline -- especially in Harris County.
What you'll learn:
✔️ Why you should protest your property taxes every single year -- and why not protesting almost guarantees you're leaving money on the table
✔️ The key...
AI Automation for Real Estate Agents: How Agentic AI Works and Where to Start
Agentic AI is moving beyond chatbots -- and real estate agents who understand the difference are already pulling ahead. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Eric Bramlett, an Austin-based broker at Bramlett Partners and Inman contributor, to break down how agentic AI works and where agents can start using it today.
What you'll learn:
✔️ The difference between generative AI and agentic AI -- and why agentic AI acts as a "digital teammate" that can reason, write code, and execute multi-step tasks independently
✔️ Practical ways Eri...
How to Successfully Protest Your Texas Property Tax Assessment
Wondering how to protest your property tax assessment in Texas? Every spring, Texas homeowners have the right to challenge their county appraisal district's valuation — and most are overpaying simply because they do not know how. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Mickey Le, a property tax consultant with Ad Valorem Tax Management in Houston, to break down the entire protest process so you can walk into your appraisal review board hearing prepared and confident.
In this episode you will learn:
- Ho...
How to Avoid Real Estate Lawsuits in Texas: Legal Tips for Agents, Buyers, and Sellers
Real estate transactions come with legal landmines most agents and buyers don't see until it's too late. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Grant Harpold, a partner at Buck Keenan LLP and legal counsel for the Houston Association of Realtors, to break down the legal updates and best practices every Texas agent, buyer, and seller needs to know right now.
What you'll learn:
✔️ The new Harris County FEMA flood maps post-Harvey -- what changed, why it matters, and what agents must disclose to clients in affected areas
Will AI Replace Real Estate Agents? Why the Answer Is No, and What to Do Instead
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this episode, host Jean sits down with returning guest Dr. Noah St. John to discuss how real estate professionals can break through their revenue ceilings.
Dr. Noah St. John is recognized as the world's leading authority on Neural Performance and the Human-AI Gap. A TEDx speaker and 27-time published author—the only author in history published by HarperCollins, Hay House, Simon & Schuster, Mindvalley, and Nightingale-Conant—Noah's clients have added more than $3.2 billion in documented revenue growth. He has appeared on over 1,000 medi...
How to Hire a Moving Company in Texas: Red Flags, Scams, and What to Check Before Moving Day
Hiring the wrong moving company in Texas can turn a stressful day into a costly nightmare. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Gregory Gray, President of Graceful Moves, to walk through exactly how to vet a mover before signing anything -- and what red flags to catch before it's too late.
What you'll learn:
✔️ How to spot rogue movers: red flags like refusing to put terms in writing, missing license info, and large upfront payment demands
✔️ Why phone estimates are a mistake for homes la...
How to Build a Long-Term Real Estate Career: Service, Referrals, and Staying Top of Mind
Building a sustainable real estate career has nothing to do with what you see on HGTV. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Paul Silverman, a seasoned agent at Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty in Houston, to talk about what it actually takes to build a business that lasts -- through relationships, follow-up, and a service-first mindset.
What you'll learn:
✔️ Why treating every client with elite-level service regardless of price point leads to exponential referrals -- Paul shares how a $130,000 client eventually generated over $3 million in referral sales
Let's Get Real about The 20% Down Payment Myth with Jean Mitchell
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this solo episode, host Jean Mitchell tackles the paralyzing fear many millennials and first-time buyers face in today’s housing market.
With interest rates hovering around 6%, many buyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting for a return to 3%—a wait that Jean argues is costing them thousands in lost equity. Jean dispels the myths about needing a massive down payment or a perfect "forever home" right out of the gate. Instead, she offers a reality check on the cost of renting vers...
AI Tools for Real Estate Agents: How to Automate Content and Social Media While Staying Authentic
AI isn't replacing real estate agents -- but agents who know how to use it are pulling ahead of those who don't. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Sharon Yeary, a broker with over 24 years of experience and an instructor at Champions Real Estate School, to break down how she uses AI to automate her content, social media, and marketing without losing her authentic voice.
What you'll learn:
✔️ How to hire a trained AI assistant through programs like the Krem Institute -- vetted specialists who can rebuild webs...
Building Wealth with $0 Minimums: Cash Flow, Real Estate, and Smart Financial Planning
Real estate and market investments don't have to be separate strategies. In this episode of The REAL in Real Estate, Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with wealth advisors Kamela Scarbeck and Duane Wagner of the Fitzpatrick Group to talk about why getting started matters more than waiting for perfect conditions.
What you'll learn:
✔️ Cash Flow vs. Asset Accumulation: Why a modern financial strategy should prioritize generating consistent income over simply stacking assets for retirement.
✔️ Social Media Myths: Why most "renting is always better than buying"...
Let's Get Real about The Truth Behind Rate Drops & Affordability with Chad Helmcamp
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this insightful episode, host Jean welcomes back mortgage expert Chad Helmcamp from BWC Lending to decode the complex financial landscape facing today's home buyers.
Navigating today's market requires more than just hoping for rate drops. With interest rates settling into a "new normal," the era of ultra-low rates may be behind us due to national economic factors. In this episode, the hosts offer a hard look at the mathematics of affordability, comparing payment increases against the risks of waiting for a "...
Let's Get Real About the Ultimate Roadmap for First-Time Home Buyers with Jean Mitchell
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this special episode, we are hitting pause on the expert interviews to have a heart-to-heart discussion about one of our absolute favorite topics: Buying Your First Home.
First-time buyers bring an excitement that is contagious, but the process can also feel overwhelming. In this episode, the hosts provide a complete, step-by-step roadmap to navigate the journey from renter to owner. If you are ready to stop building your landlord's wealth and start building your own equity and family legacy, this guide...
Let's Get Real About Quitting Renting & Building Wealth NOW with Jennifer Larson
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this episode, we're tackling the biggest question in the market: with interest rates fluctuating, is it still a good time to buy? The answer might surprise you.
Host Jean is joined by expert realtor Jennifer Larson, who breaks down why today's high-inventory "buyer's market" is a golden opportunity. Jennifer explains why buyers should stop focusing on the rate—which you can refinance later—and start focusing on the power to negotiate the price of their dream home, an impossibility in the hype...
Let's Get Real About the #1 Mistake Killing Your Credit Score with Gar Russell
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this episode, we are demystifying one of the most critical and often misunderstood topics for agents and clients alike: credit. Whether you're aiming to buy a home or advising someone who is, this conversation will give you the facts to build a powerful financial foundation.
Host Jean is joined by credit expert and entrepreneur Gar Russell. As the author of two books on the subject, Gar shares simple, actionable strategies to take control of your credit profile, dispel common myths, and...
10x Growth and Zero Friction: How to Remove the Hidden Blocks Killing Your Business with Dr. Noah St. John
If your business has plateaued even though you're working harder than ever, the problem might not be your strategy -- it might be hidden friction. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Dr. Noah St. John, author of 25 best-selling books and coach behind more than $3 billion in client results, to break down why most high achievers are unknowingly driving with the brakes on.
What you'll learn:
✔️ Why every business problem is ultimately a friction problem -- and how to find where your foot is on the brake
<...
Let's Get Real About Financial Planning with $0 Minimums with Kamela Scarbeck
Welcome back to The Real in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this episode, we bridge the crucial gap between real estate and financial planning. If you've ever wondered how to make your property investments work harder for your long-term wealth, this conversation is for you.
Host Jean is joined by financial strategist Kamela Scarbeck with the Fitzpatrick Group to discuss how to build and grow wealth. Kamela explains her firm's unique philosophy of providing comprehensive financial education to everyone by removing traditional barriers like consultation fees and high investment minimums, proving...
Let's Get Real About 100% Home Financing in 2025 with Dan Monson
Episode Summary:
Welcome to The Real in Real Estate Podcast, where we deliver expert advice and real talk for real estate success. In this episode, we demystify the often-intimidating world of mortgages and home financing. If you're planning to buy a home, this conversation will provide the clarity and confidence you need to make smart financial decisions.
Host Jean speaks with Dan Monson, a loan originator with over 20 years of experience. With a background in political science and economics, Dan is known for his thoughtful, client-first approach and his ability to explain complex financial topics...
Let's Get Real About Fostering Relationships with Garrett Maroon
Episode Summary:
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast! Are you tired of the real estate hustle culture that demands endless hours for uncertain results? This episode offers a powerful alternative. We explore how to build a massively successful business—without working more than 40 hours a week by focusing on genuine relationships instead of cold leads.
Host Jean speaks with Garrett Maroon, a realtor, author, and podcast host who has closed nearly 650 homes in 11 years by prioritizing authenticity and care. He argues that in an era of AI, trust is the only real currency, an...
Let's Get Real About the Craziest Stories from Real Estate Showings
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast! In a unique and hilarious deviation from our usual format, this episode takes a break from expert analysis to dive into the lighter, more unpredictable side of the business. Get ready for a collection of the funniest and strangest real estate stories you've ever heard.
In this special episode, your host takes the mic to share a curated collection of wild, weird, and laugh-out-loud stories from agents in the trenches. It’s a hilarious reminder that this business is anything but boring.
In this episode, you will he...
Let's Get Real About How to Afford a Home in 2025 with LeTisha Grant
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest challenges for aspiring homeowners: affordability. If you've ever felt that owning a home was out of reach, this conversation will give you a clear roadmap to making your dream a reality.
We're joined by LeTisha Grant, a Texas affordable housing specialist who is an expert at helping people get into homes they never thought they could own. She shares the secrets to navigating down payment assistance programs and unlocking the door to homeownership.<...
Let's Get Real About Reigniting Your Business for the Year Ahead with Jeremy Fain
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your essential resource for achieving success in the real estate industry. In this episode, we're giving you an exclusive inside look at H Engage, the annual big production event that agents treat as a "big pep rally" to energize their business for the year ahead.
Our guide for this deep dive is Jeremy Fain of Greenwood King Properties, the leader and head chair of H Engage. He pulls back the curtain on what makes this a can't-miss day of learning, networking, and motivation for Houston real estate professionals.
<...Let's Get Real About Why 7% Interest Isn't as Bad as You Think with Chris Kelso (Encore Presentation)
Episode Summary:
Welcome back to "The Real in Real Estate"! In this popular archived episode, we revisit a crucial discussion with lender extraordinaire Chris Kelso, focusing on the ever-changing landscape of interest rates. If you're trying to understand how we arrived at today's rates and what they mean for your home-buying power, this episode is your definitive guide.
With 23 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Chris Kelso provides invaluable insights, breaking down complex market dynamics—from government policy to inflation—into clear, understandable concepts.
In this episode, you will learn:
✔️ The Real...
Let’s Get REAL About Serving Clients with Brian Spack
🎙️ Episode Summary:
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast — your go-to show for real estate success, offering expert advice, insider tips, and real talk for agents, buyers, and sellers. In this episode, host Jean sits down with Brian Spack, widely known as the guru of customer service, for a powerful and personal conversation about what it truly means to serve clients in real estate.
With decades of experience and a reputation built on integrity, follow-through, and heart, Brian shares why real estate isn’t just about homes — it’s about people. If you’ve ever questioned...
Let's Get Real About Standing Out from 1.5 Million Other Agents with Luke Acree
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success! In this episode, host Jean is joined by Luke Acree, President of ReminderMedia, for a masterclass on relationship marketing. If you've ever wondered why satisfied clients don't always return or how to stand out in a crowded market, this conversation is for you. Luke provides the proven strategies you need to build unbreakable client loyalty and grow your business.
Luke Acree is a lead generation specialist and referral expert who has helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs by teaching them to build businesses based on...
Let's Get Real About Protesting Your Property Value with Roland Atlinger (Encore Presentation)
Episode Summary:
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your essential guide to navigating the dynamic world of real estate! In this insightful episode, we're joined by Roland Atlinger from the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD), who shares expert advice and insider tips to empower every homeowner, buyer, and seller. The goal is simple: to get the facts out to the public about how property appraisals and taxes really work.
Roland Atlinger, with an incredible 40 years in real estate and 36 years at HCAD, provides a masterclass on the largest appraisal district in Texas. Learn...
Let's Get Real About New Paths to Homeownership with Brian Severin
Episode Summary:
Welcome back to The Real in Real Estate Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into an incredible new homeownership opportunity with guest Brian Severin of Trio Mortgage. Brian is an expert loan officer here to break down a brand-new loan program designed to make buying a home more accessible than ever.
Brian Severin dispels the myth that you need a large down payment and shares essential guidelines, including:
✔️ How to qualify for a home loan with a minimal down payment, covered in part by a special grant.
✔️ The program’...
Let's Get Real About The Power of Home Organization with Jennifer Williams
Episode Summary:
Join Jean on "The Real in Real Estate" as she welcomes Jennifer Williams, founder of Saint Louis Closet Co. and a leader in custom home organization for over 34 years. In this insightful episode, Jennifer shares her expert expertise on how smart storage and organizational systems can transform your entire home, reduce daily stress, and add significant value to your property.
Jennifer Williams shares essential insights on the power of organization, including:
✔️ The dual benefits of decluttering, which not only helps sell your home faster but also reduces the stress and anxiety caus...
Let's Get Real About Your Roadmap to Real Estate Success with Jean
Episode Summary:
Welcome back to The Real in Real Estate Podcast! In this special episode, host Jean takes center stage to introduce her two essential books for real estate professionals. She shares the story behind "Top Producers Steps to Success in Real Estate," which features insights from over 20 top producers, and unveils her brand new "Steps to Success in Real Estate Workbook," designed to help you actively apply those winning strategies and plan your year.
Jean shares some of the crucial strategies from her books, including:
✔️ Prioritizing Your Clients: Learn why always acting in t...
Community Property vs. Separate Property in Texas: What Every Buyer, Seller, and Agent Needs to Know
In Texas, the difference between community property and separate property can have major consequences for buyers, sellers, divorcing spouses, and heirs -- and most people don't understand the rules until it's too late. Host Jean Mitchell of Trilogy Real Estate sits down with Carey Worrell of Simple Law Texas to break down how Texas property law actually works and what every agent and homeowner needs to know.
What you'll learn:
✔️ The key difference between community and separate property in Texas -- and why the timing and method of acquiring property are the...
Let's Get Real About Smart Social Media with AI with Katie Lance
Episode Summary:
Welcome to the Real in Real Estate Podcast! In this episode, host Jean interviews Katie Lance, a renowned social media and AI guru and the author of "Get Social Smart." Katie shares her secret sauce for empowering real estate professionals to get incredible results using social media and AI without sacrificing loads of time. The conversation focuses on making tools like ChatGPT, Canva AI, and Descript accessible, practical, and a significant time-saver for any agent.
Katie Lance shares essential insights on smart social media and AI, including:
✔️ How to easily get star...
Let's Get Real About Unlocking Your AI Superpower with Marki Lemons Ryhal
Episode Summary:
Welcome back to The Real in Real Estate Podcast! In this insightful episode, we talk to the amazing Marki Lemons Ryhal, a true real estate, marketing, and artificial intelligence powerhouse. As a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), 6X International Best-Selling Author, and host of two influential podcasts, Marki is a globally recognized voice in the industry. She has been selected to present at the REALTOR® Conference & Expo an extraordinary twelve times and is a 2025 Chicago Association of Realtors Hall of Fame inductee. Marki dives deep into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its transformative impact o...
Let's Get Real About Protecting Your Real Estate Business with John Bramblett
This episode of The Real in Real Estate welcomes John Bramblett from Stewart Insurance, an expert specializing in business insurance tailored for real estate brokers, independent title agents, and attorneys. John dives into the critical need for robust insurance coverage whether you're just starting out, running an established business, or serving on a board of directors, explaining how it safeguards your operations and assets.
John Bramblett shares essential insights on business insurance for real estate professionals, including:
✔️ Key insurance types decoded: Understand the crucial differences and coverages of Errors & Omissions (E&O or professional liability), Gene...
Let's Get Real About Building a Top Real Estate Team with Erica Wolfe
Welcome back to Real in Real Estate! In this episode, we sit down with Erica Wolfe, leader of the Wolfe Team in Jupiter, Florida, and famously known as the "Wolfe of Real Estate." With 17 years in the business, specializing in farming and digital marketing, Erica shares her journey from starting in the challenging 2008 market to leading a successful team of eight. She champions education and collaboration to elevate the entire real estate industry.
Erica shares essential insights on building a thriving real estate career, including:
✔️ Strategic team scaling: Learn Erica’s blueprint for growing from a solo...
Let's Get Real About CRM Strategy for Agents with Jacob Dow
Episode Summary:
Welcome back to The Real in Real Estate! In this episode, host Jean sits down with Jacob Dow from Marathon Creative to explore the critical role of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems in the real estate industry. While many CRMs exist, Jacob explains why Marathon Creative developed its own custom solution after seeing agents struggle with standard systems, focusing on tailoring the CRM to each client's unique workflow and pain points.
Jacob shares essential insights on custom CRM solutions, including:
✔️ Why a CRM is the "lifeblood" for managing clients and prospects, ensu...
