The REAL in Real Estate

Episode Summary Tune in to this episode of the Real in Real Estate Podcast as host Jean sits down with Chris Prefontaine to discuss the immense opportunities currently available in creative real estate investing. They dive deep into why today's market conditions make seller financing incredibly advantageous, the reality of transitioning from a W-2 job to full-time entrepreneurship, and Chris's signature "Three Paydays" strategy to move away from transactional flipping and build long-term wealth.

About the Guest Chris Prefontaine is a real estate coach, author of several books, and podcast host based in Newport, Rhode Island. With...

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Tune in to this episode of the Real in Real Estate Podcast as host Jean sits down with Kevin Yoder, a 25-year real estate sales veteran, team leader, and entrepreneur identity strategist. In this engaging conversation, Kevin explains why business strategies eventually stop working if your underlying identity doesn't scale with them. Moving past the "woo-woo" clichés of mindset coaching, Kevin breaks down how true, lasting success requires a fundamental upgrade to your self-image so that you can finally bridge the gap between who you are today and who your vision requires you to b...

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Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In Episode 86, the host interviews Brandon Cobb, an expert in land development and a key figure behind HBG Capital.

Brandon shares his journey as an "accidental" entrepreneur, transitioning from a comfortable corporate career in medical device sales to becoming a highly successful real estate developer. Listeners will get practical, behind-the-scenes insights into the lucrative world of land entitlement, discovering how to identify prime properties, collaborate with city planners, and successfully sell land to massive national home builders. If...

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Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In Episode 85, the host sits down with Eric Bernstein, president and co-founder of LendFriend Mortgage, to discuss the ins and outs of Veteran Administration (VA) loans.

This episode focuses on educating real estate professionals and veterans alike about the gross underutilization of VA loans, debunking outdated stigmas, and highlighting the unmatched benefits of this mortgage product. Whether you are a realtor trying to get your veteran clients' offers accepted or a veteran looking to maximize your hard-earned benefits...

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Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this episode, the host sits down with Mickey Le, a seasoned property tax expert and partner at Ad Valorem Tax Management with 30 years of experience.

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for homeowners—particularly in Harris County and across Texas—on how to successfully protest their property tax valuations. Mickey shares insider strategies on the appeals process, the importance of exemptions, and how to effectively leverage evidence to ensure you aren't overpaying on your property taxes.

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Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In Episode 83, host Jean sits down with Eric Bramlett, an Austin-based real estate expert, broker at Bramlett Partners, and Inman author.

They dive deep into the fascinating world of Agentic AI—what it is, how it functions as a "digital teammate," and how real estate professionals can leverage it to boost productivity, streamline operations, and save time. From automating support tickets to auditing websites, Eric shares his firsthand experience with AI and explains why the human touch in re...

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Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In Episode 82, the host sits down with Mickey Le of Ad Valorem Tax Management to discuss the highly anticipated spring property appraisal season.

Mickey shares his industry expertise on how homeowners and real estate professionals can successfully contest their county's assessed market values to significantly reduce their property tax burdens. If you are tired of overpaying on your property taxes and want to learn the insider secrets to fighting back, this episode is a must-listen!

In...

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Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In Episode 81, we sit down with Grant Harpold, distinguished attorney, legal counsel for the Houston Association of Realtors, and Partner at Buck Keenan LLP, to dive into crucial legal and practical updates every real estate agent, buyer, and seller needs to know.

We discuss the newly proposed FEMA flood maps for Harris County, the intricacies of flood insurance, and best practices for completing Seller's Disclosure Notices. Grant also breaks down the nuances of navigating showing agreements with unrepresented...

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...

Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this episode, we sit down with Gregory Gray, President of Graceful Moves, to discuss what it takes to provide Grade-A customer service in the moving industry.

From his humble beginnings starting a business from an apartment complex to launching a fleet of trucks, Gregory shares expert advice on how to navigate the stressful process of moving. Whether you are a realtor looking to support your clients or a homeowner preparing for a transition, this episode offers vital tips on avoiding scams...

Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this insightful episode, we are joined by Paul Silverman, a seasoned manager at Martha Turner Sotheby's who transitioned from home building to real estate in 2010.

Paul dives deep into the realities of building a sustainable career, debunking the "HGTV myth" that the job is easy or quick money. He and the host explore why treating real estate as a genuine small business and prioritizing long-term service over immediate commissions is the only true path to longevity in the industry. If you...

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...

Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this cutting-edge episode, we are joined by Sharon Yeary, a veteran Broker with over 24 years of experience and an instructor at Champions Real Estate School.

Sharon dispels the pervasive myth that AI is here to replace agents, describing it instead as the "world's smartest assistant" that allows realtors to focus on sales rather than administrative grunt work. Sharon shares her step-by-step journey of becoming a certified AI Realtor and reveals how she uses a trained AI assistant to automate her website...

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Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this powerful episode, host Jean Mitchell is joined by wealth advisors Kamela Scarbeck and Duane Wagener from the Fitzpatrick Group to bridge the gap between real estate and holistic financial planning.

In a world filled with misleading financial headlines, this episode cuts through the noise to deliver facts, strategies, and inspiration. The group dives deep into why "holistic" planning must involve both market investments and real estate, and why waiting for the "perfect" economic moment is often...

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 "...

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...

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...

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...

Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this powerful episode, we tackle the invisible forces holding your business back. If you've ever felt stuck, plateaued, or like you're working harder for the same results, this conversation will be a game-changer.

Host Jean is joined by the legendary Dr. Noah St. John, known worldwide as the "Zero Friction CEO Architect" and the coach behind more than $3 billion in client success. As the author of 25 best-selling books, Dr. Noah is famous for helping people make in 12 weeks what they previously...

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...

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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...

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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...

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...

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.<...

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.

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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...

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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...

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...

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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...

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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’...

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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...

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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...

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Welcome back to The Real in Real Estate Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the critical topic of community property versus separate property in Texas with guest Carey Worrell of Simple Law Texas. Carey is an expert in this area and is passionate about helping agents, buyers, and sellers understand these often-misunderstood legal concepts, especially when dealing with divorce, inheritance, or estate planning.

Carey Worrell dispels common myths and shares essential guidelines, including:

✔️ The fundamental definitions of community and separate property in Texas, and how the timing and method of a...

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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...

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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...

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...

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...

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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...

In this episode: Build Your Brand, Build Your Business! Jean sits down with real estate pro, educator, and author Kimberly Offord to unpack the essential, yet often misunderstood, world of personal branding for agents. Think of this episode as your roadmap to creating a magnetic brand that attracts clients and fuels your referral pipeline. Kimberly draws on her extensive experience, shifting from a referral-driven career to empowering agents, offering practical advice to help you define your unique value and stand out from the crowd.

What You'll Learn:

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In this episode, we sit down with Amy Salazar, a designer from California Closets in Houston. While known for closets, Amy explains how California Closets tackles organization challenges throughout the home, offering custom storage solutions designed to maximize functionality and enhance home value—starting with a free in-home consultation.

Amy shares essential insights on custom storage solutions, including:

✔️ The surprising range of spaces California Closets organizes, from offices and pantries to garages and media centers.

✔️ Their detailed design process, featuring free in-home consultations, 3D renderings, and complete customization down to the eig...