In this episode, Leigh’s guest, Gary Balanoff talks about the importance of managing the relationship between developers and agent—Gary will also share his crazy story about the time an indecisive couple asked him to see more than 80 homes, before making a decision that would cost him his commission and a little bit of his sanity.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes:

• 00:39 – Leigh welcomes Gary Balanoff
• 00:52 – Gary has been in real estate for 33 years
• • 01:10 – Gary worked as a broker for 18 years, and has lasted this long because he enjoys the process of working with buyers and sellers
• 04:06 – A pastor was moving to town and needed a place in one area but the availability wasn’t great
• • 04:20 – They looked at more than 40 homes but there was always something wrong with each place
• 04:38 – After looking at all the homes, the pastor eventually decided to call it quits—they decided to rent so Gary set them up with the rental manager. However, Gary kept looking
• • 05:02 – After 6 months, they resumed looking, and considered another 40 homes—more than 80 total now!—but again, told Gary there was just something missing in each home
  • 5:26 – Gary said those were the only ones that fit in their price range and they decided to rent for another year
• 06:11 – Two months later, Gary closed a deal with a young couple and was welcoming them to the community when he asked if they had met their neighbors—they said YES, and dropped the pastor’s name!
• • 06:48 – Three months before that, Gary had shown them that particular home
  • 07:04– Gary went to the model center and asked why he did not receive his commission
  • 07:28 – He was told that the couple signed the contract 40 days after they signed the 30-day registration period
  • 07:51 – As a new home builder, they need the cooperation of agents
  • 08:20 – Two months after that, the company declared bankruptcy and the builder went out of business
• 09:02 – Leigh says buyers and builders do not understand what value a realtor brings when they are buying – they serve as a 3^rd set of eyes and ask the questions others may not think to ask
• 10:01 – Gary had a chance to work again with the young couple   
• • 10:40 – They spotted a new development and told the agent they were working with Gary and the agent called him
  • 11:01 – Gary was present for the actual contract writing to make sure they got everything they were really looking for—he also helped them with the move-in process and Gary got an extra bonus on top of his regular commission
  • 12:01 – The builder was kind enough to recognize that Gary was working with them and put him on the contract
• 12:15 – The bottom line is to be proactive in your relationships with all people
• 12:37 – Leigh says the main task of an agent is to make sure the clients is protected, that they have quality construction and a good location
• 13:18 – Gary says to always do the right thing by your client—if you make sure you take good care of people you’ll do well
• 14:38 – Gary always asks his client how they want to be represented
• 15:19 – Gary thinks there is a decline in the overall ethical standards as people are leaning on the state standard of transaction brokerage and clients do not get the first-class service they deserve
• 16:01 – Mess with a client’s finances, and you’ll get sued (and lose)
• 16:36 – Gary says he knows a productive realtor who is easy to work with, Gary always asks if they have a flexibility in price and the guy says to give him an offer and he can make it work
• • 17:18 – They got a deal for $255k from the original $275k 
  • 18:18 – Gary says the guy was so willing to work with him, he thinks he might be a marketplace farmer, taking advantage of sellers
  • 18:32 – Leigh offers that the guy might have been given instructions by his client that time was more important than the price, but agrees there are agents who will short sell their clients to get the deal done
  • 19:04 – Gary says he is convinced the guy could have gotten a higher price if he was not so obsessed about getting the deal done
• 19:42 – Leigh says we never know what happens behind closed doors and all we can do is focus on our side
• 20:43 – Gary says people’s motivational status is a roller coaster
• • 21:02 – People will change their mind with deals often and he has learned that people who have the most to lose always lose the most
  • 22:08 – Those who are going into foreclosure will take the first offer that comes along and forgo any negotiation
  • 23:16 – In a negotiation, if you are in the weaker position, agents can only do so much
• 23:57 – Check out garybalanoff.com or call Gary at 407-366-9797
• 24:24 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate

3 Key Points

• As a new builder, you will grow your company by working well (ethically) with agents—fail to do it, and you will fail as a builder
• As an agent, you must be proactive in all your relationships.
• You never know what happens behind closed doors so don’t make assumptions about other agents.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

The last thing you you want to see during a closing is two people fighting. But the VERY last thing you want to see is two mothers fighting. But that’s what realtors Andrea Murphy and Morgan Bowling, were facing when they had to close on a home in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Want to learn how they averted disaster? Tune-in to this week’s episode of CSIRE to find out!

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes: 

• 00:38 – Leigh introduces Andrea and Morgan
  • 01:08 – Andrea and Morgan are from Louisville, Kentucky
  • 01:13 – Andrea has been in the business for a little over 4 years
  • 01:15 – Andrea is Morgan’s managing broker
  • 01:18 – Morgan has been in the business for a little over 2 years
• 01:34 – Andrea and Morgan have survived the crucial years of real estate
• 02:49 – Andrea and Morgan share their story
  • 03:05 – Morgan listed a property
  • 03:14 – The person on the deed was unmarried, in jail, and only had a power of attorney through his mother
  • 03:35 – The mother completed the title work page, but marked that the seller as “married”
    • 03:42 – Morgan didn’t know that the seller was married
  • 04:25 – Apparently, the husband was not only estranged but also in jail
  • 05:50 – Andrea went to jail to talk to the sellers in person
    • 06:07 – With two sellers on the deed, there need to be two powers of attorney
  • 07:38 – Unfortunately, the seller already had a visitor so Andrea wasn’t able to see him
  • 07:40 – Andrea had to go back to jail on a Saturday at 7AM
    • 08:20 – Andrea was able to talk to the seller, and ask him to sign a power of attorney
    • 09:07 – The seller said he would sign if Andrea will talk to his mother
  • 09:20 – She talked to the mother and said that they wanted her son’s things from the house
  • 09:42 – Morgan called the wife’s mother (the other power of attorney) to inquire about the husband’s belongings
    • 09:45 – Unfortunately, she had thrown out the belonging
  • 10:45 – Eventually the husband made his mother power of attorney
  • 11:00 – Morgan now has 2 power of attorneys that needs to be forwarded to the title company
  • 11:15 – Morgan called the mothers and informed them the schedule of the closing
    • 11:25 – Both mothers told Morgan that they shouldn’t be in one place together or hell will break lose
    • 12:00 – Morgan arranged have the mothers will come at different times to the closing
  • 13:10 – Fortunately, the transaction closed and everyone got paid
• 13:38 – The buyer’s agent was very cooperative even though the buyers themselves were upset with the delays
  • 15:10 – Professionalism at all times pays dividends
• 15:20 – The value of commitment and tenacity
• 16:09 – Morgan reaches out to Andrea when she needs help
  • 16:25 – Why they make an amazing team
• 18:36 – Reach Morgan through her mobile at 502 315 9975 and email
• 18:58 – Get in touch with Andrea at 812 589 9312 and email
• 19:55 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate

3 Key Points

1. Even when you’re stuck between two highly hostile clients, it’s your obligation as a professional to keep the peace and remain dignified.
2. Going the extra mile to get a deal DONE is always worth it.
3. Take every experience as a learning opportunity, and be thankful there were people willing to help you through it.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Sometimes, being a realtor means sticking it out for clients in the most dire situations. For Peter Murray, sticking it out meant showing 3 houses even though he had a puddle of blood pooling in his shoe. In this episode, Leigh welcomes Peter Murray, an agent for Re/Max Results who has been in real estate for almost for years. Peter decided to be brave and persevere through three unconventional house showings, even if it cost him a foot injury in a house that was still very much under construction.

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience. 

Time Stamped Show Notes: 

• 00:21 – Introduction for today’s episode
• 00:38 – Leigh introduces Peter
• 00:41 – Peter is with Re/Max Results in Frederick, Maryland
• 00:47 – Peter has been a licensed realtor for almost 4 years now
• 00:57 – 85% of new licensees give up after just 2 years, making Peter a survivor
• 01:50 – Peter shares his story
  • 01:53 – Peter was showing houses to a buyer in a limited market
  • 01:58 – Maryland is a busy market
  • 02:02 – Houses go quickly and stay on the market for an average of 22 days
  • 02:16 – In Peter’s particular market, sellers were buying 3-BR houses and converting them to 5-BR houses to accommodate bigger families
  • 02:30 – Peter always tries to accommodate his clients
  • 02:41 – Peter’s buyer was currently out-of-state
  • 02:48 – The best way to show his client the houses was through a Facetime call
  • 02:53 – Leigh tried Facetiming her client as well
  • 03:12 – Just describing the house was never enough
  • 02:27 – One house was still under construction, one was almost 5 years and another one was a fancy, newly-constructed house
  • 03:52 – Before starting his Facetime call, Peter set the expectations for his client regarding the house that was still under construction
  • 04:29 – Peter went to the showing in his suit even though there was mud everywhere
  • 04:50 – The buyer wanted to see the back of the house from the deck
  • 05:50 – Peter was trying to avoid the mud pits in the back of the house by being careful with where he was stepping
  • 06:37 – Peter got a bit over confident and he ended up stepping on a nail that was attached to a board
  • 07:31 – The nail went through Peter’s shoe, right through to his foot
  • 07:52 – Peter had to pause the Facetime chat with the buyer and listing agent
  • 08:27 – Peter pulled the board out of his foot because the nail was still attached to it
  • 08:38 – It didn’t hurt much and Peter thought the he was okay, he told his buyer not to worry
  • 09:16 – When Peter looked down, there was a puddle of blood
  • 10:09 – Peter still ended up finishing the 3 showings with an injured foot
  • 10:52 – Peter has been carrying around a first aid kit, but it’s still unused, even after his foot accident
  • 11:06 – Peter checked his foot and the listing agent wanted to see it too
  • 11:35 – There was actually a hole in Peter’s sock
  • 12:17 – Peter shares a story of a pitcher who has a similar story to him
• 12:46 – Leigh wants clients to understand something from Peter’s story
  • 13:01 – As a realtor, if you don’t get your people under contract, they might miss the house
  • 13:15 – Going to an urgent care facility for a couple of minutes may cause your clients to miss out
  • 13:26 – Professionals need to learn how to be like a soldier
• 13:46 – Peter has shown great commitment as a realtor
• 14:42 – The relationship between realtors and agents can definitely change in every transaction
• 15:23 – Reach out to Peter through his Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
  • 15:40 - Peter’s website is com
• 16:25 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate

3 Key Points

1. Stay committed to your profession and do your best for your client.
2. There are times where you need to soldier-up as a realtor.
3. Focus in on your task, especially if it is the difference between a sale or not.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

Chase after your seller’s dog who is running down the street or show the home to potential buyers? No one really thinks they’d have to ever make this choice with the exception of today’s guest, Chris Donaldson. Leigh welcomes Chris Donaldson, the man behind Donaldson Educational Services. Tune in to find the choice Chris made and how it all paid off in the end. 

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes: 

• 00:21 – Introduction for today’s episode
• 00:33 – Leigh introduces Chris
• 01:06 – Chris went to LSU and studied for 5 years
• 01:45 – Real estate helped Chris pay for his 5th year in college
• 02:31 – Chris has YouTube videos that are helpful and relatable to realtors
• 03:36 – Chris has a lot of crazy experiences
• 03:50 – There was one specific story that happened to Chris when he was still a young realtor
  • 04:08 – Chris was in his early 20s when he scored a listing that was out of FHA loan range
  • 04:53 – Chris had a pair of potential buyers
  • 05:06 – Chris showed up to a meeting with the buyers at the house, all dressed up
  • 05:23 – When Chris opened the door, the family dog ran between his legs, out the door, and down the street
  • 05:55 – Chris decided to go after the dog
  • 06:05 – It was summer and Chris was in a suit, running after the dog
  • 06:15 – Chris was calling the dog until he found it trying to get into another dog’s yard
  • 06:36 – Chris then dragged the dog back to the house and ended up missing his appointment
  • 07:04 – Chris went to a bar and was thinking about the buyers he lost
  • 07:22 – The seller called Chris asking him about the showing
  • 08:00 – The seller asked whose dog was in the house and why is it here
  • 08:11 – The dog tore the house up and Chris was fired
  • 09:06 – The seller called Chris again apologizing
  • 09:30 – The dog was actually the seller’s son’s dog and Chris got the job again
  • 10:31 – The house had rescued dogs before
  • 11:14 – It’s the things that realtors do behind the actual work that earns them their stripes
• 11:37 – Realtors try to solve problems without even knowing the real deal
• 12:05 – You cannot control everything in real estate
• 12:58 – If you’re doing the business the right way, it will work out at some point
• 14:55 – Find everything about real estate at com
• 15:17 – Chris is on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter too
• 16:06 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate

3 Key Points

1. Do the right thing—it WILL work out in the end.
2. Great realtors go out of their way to do the work behind the actual work.
3. There are many events in real estate that are unpredictable and uncontrollable—prepare the best you can and just go with it.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music

When you hire out a truck, you don’t expect it to be used for illegal purposes—especially when it’s hired out to your local church. Unfortunately, today’s guest, Greg Gorman, has had to clean up a wide range of messes made by his clients. In this episode, Leigh welcomes Greg Gorman of Team Paradise in Naples, Florida to share some crazy moving truck experiences. 

Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting The Leigh Brown Experience.

Time Stamped Show Notes: 

• 00:40 – Leigh introduces Greg
• 02:16 – In early 2000s, Greg decided to try their first moving truck
• 02:25 – Leigh also has her own moving truck
• 02:48 – On the first week of having the truck, they started advertising
  • 02:56 – One of the clients who sold her house wanted to rent the truck
  • 03:12 – After all the paperwork was done, the woman left with the truck
  • 03:15 – 15 minutes later, the woman called asking for help
  • 03:24 – The woman was less than 3 miles away from Greg’s office
  • 03:31 – When Greg saw the client, the truck was sitting up on 2 wheels
  • 03:50 – The client was in tears and felt horrible
  • 04:03 – The client still gave Greg 3 referrals
  • 04:44 – Greg parks their truck when it’s not in use; someone slashed its tires
  • 05:07 – They were really shocked seeing the slashed tires
  • 06:00 – Greg believes that having the truck was good advertising
  • 06:17 – Leigh and Greg use On The Move
  • 06:50 – Some would return the truck filthy and filled with some unpacked boxes
  • 07:13 – Greg would sometimes call the clients to follow up for the invoice or to get the truck
• 08:01 – Greg shares another story that caught him off guard
  • 08:04 – David and Greg were at a party one Christmas Eve when Greg received a call
  • 08:14 – The call was from a car insurance agency asking Greg to pick up his moving truck from their impound lot
  • 08:34 – Greg’s truck isn’t just for moving but can be used for other purposes
  • 08:48 – One of their sister churches used their truck for their projects; one of their employees used the truck for their cocaine deals
  • 09:11 – They also stole some bicycles and put them in the back of the truck
  • 09:25 – The church called Greg to apologize as they were disappointed as well
  • 09:32 – When Greg got to the impound, there was a $500 tow fee
  • 10:00 – Greg found the owners of the bike and offered their services
• 10:44 – We have to be careful with the company we keep
• 11:27 – As a realtor, you always have to be stretching
• 12:08 – There are truckers in Naples
• 12:49 – Before taking on this truck, Greg had a client from Kentucky
  • 12:53 – Greg sold his condo for $1.4M
  • 13:07 – Greg also sold him a $4.2M elevated estate
  • 13:14 – This client moved his stuff using his convertible alone without any help
• 13:56 – Having a professional realtor is important especially when you are moving
• 14:26 – Find Greg and his team through com
• 15:44 – Tweet Leigh Brown for your very own crazy story in real estate

3 Key Points

1. Using a professional realtor while moving is important—you need their support for this stressful process.
2. A moving truck business has its pros and cons—see if it’s right for you.
3. As a realtor, take your crazy experiences with a grain of salt.

Credits

• Audio Production by Chris Mottram
• Show Notes provided by Mallard Creatives
• Cover Design by Two Minds Design
• Original Music by Rimsky Music