Luxury Listing Specialist - Dominate High End Listings In Any Market

What does it take to become a top luxury agent? This is the question we seek to get answers from my guest, Jack Cotton. Jack is the author of the book "Selling Luxury Homes" and is an industry icon in luxury real estate. He started his business in 1974 in his college dorm. He has decades of experience in real estate and will be sharing some of the wisdom he has gathered over the years. Jack Cotton is among the few people I consider an icon in luxury real estate. In this episode, Jack shares his real estate journey. He tells us how he began his business in a college dorm in 1974, positioned himself as an expert to build a client base, and got into luxury real estate, among other exciting things about his journey. If you are an agent looking to take your game a notch higher, here is your chance to learn from Jack. Don’t forget to check out his books. “What is in the best interest of the client is the #1 rule to live by as a Realtor.”-Jack Cotton Three Things You'll Learn How to position yourself as an expert The best ways of managing client expectations Choosing an agent for a unique property Connect with Jack Cotton: Website: https://www.jackcotton.com/ Check Out Jack’s Books: https://www.jackcotton.com/book-store/

Are you ready to elevate your luxury real estate game to a whole new level? If so, you’ll want to hear about my luxury one-on-one coaching program! It’s an excellent opportunity for you to gain access to my insider knowledge about luxury real estate and grow your business using my proven strategies. Many of my past clients have been successful, and I’ll be sharing some of their wins since collaborating with me. To hear more about my coaching program, listen in and learn.

Discover the secrets to building thriving real estate teams and fostering communities in this insightful episode with Kevin Kauffman. As the co-founder of Group 46:10 Real Estate Network, Kevin has paved the way for expansion into multiple markets. He co-hosts the podcast "The Next Level Agents" with Fred, offering invaluable insights into their journey. Kevin and I discuss the essentials of community building and real estate team growth. He emphasizes the importance of staying laser-focused while expanding the team, highlighting that genuine curiosity and understanding others are key to success. Listen in and learn. "When you understand people, it's not hard to sell them something or build a relationship such that you can, you can benefit each other."- Kevin Kauffman Three Things You'll Learn from the Episode What does it take to build a community? How to grow real estate teams How to stay laser-focused while building a real estate team Connect with Kevin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kauffman-033b64119/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kevin-and-fred-show-next-level-agents/id1438457876

In the fast-paced realm of today's marketplace, establishing yourself as a leading authority requires more than just expertise – it demands a commitment to consistently delivering value. Discover the strategies to position yourself as an industry expert by always providing value, and learn how to captivate your audience and drive engagement with smart marketing. Unlock the secrets to sustained success. Listen to this short podcast to learn more about bringing value to your database.

Every agent’s dream is to sell a home once they list it for sale. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen. Some homes (especially luxury homes) take months or even years to sell. The question is, what can you do to get a home that has been on the market for a long time sold? These agents have had houses on the market for a while now, and I’ll give them a SWOT analysis of the properties. I’ll also share tips to help the agents sell the houses. Property #1 is listed for $4,000,000 just outside of Nashville in Franklin Tennessee. The listing agent landed this listing less than 6 months of being a licensed Realtor. Property #2 is listed for $2,995,000 and is just outside of Tampa in Lutz Florida. This stale listing has a high-profile seller. The tips I share in this episode are not just for the properties I’ll be reviewing but can be used by any agent for any home...even average-priced homes. Listen to hear more on fresh eyes analysis of the properties. “Thinking outside the box is a great way to sell a good property. But it’s also a great way to differentiate yourself to get that next opportunity.”   Three Things You'll Learn from This Episode Home staging is necessary: Gone are the days when home staging was optional. Today it is a necessity when selling a home. The importance of having third-party appraisals: It helps in giving a better image of how to price the home. The power of doing things differently from your competitors: Dare to stand out. Do things differently.

Are you ready to take your real estate career to new heights? Discover the untapped potential of purposeful case studies! From showcasing your problem-solving skills to providing detailed insights into successful transactions, case studies offer a unique way to differentiate yourself from the competition. Listen in to learn how agents like you have transformed their businesses by sharing real-life success stories. Tune in now and unlock the key to real estate success! Michael LaFido - Marketing Luxury Group (888) 930-8510 [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com

  Are you an agent looking to add doctors and physicians to your list of clients? This episode is for you. Dr. Faiz Shareef of My Express Clinic joins me on the show. We share an in-depth discussion on what doctors look for when investing in real estate, especially luxury.  Dr. Shareef is the CEO and the president of the NPN group. He has clinics in various states and plans to expand to 48 more states. According to him, some things doctors and physicians look for when investing in real estate include proximity to the clinic, work-life balance, and social integration. If you are an agent looking to increase your average sales price and work with doctors, here are some pointers to expand your business. Grab your notebook and pen. You’re going to want to take some notes. "Respect people. They come to you for help. Help them. Don’t be judgmental.”- Dr. Faiz Shareef   Three Things You’ll Learn From the Episode Proximity to a clinic/workplace is one of the most important things for doctors when deciding where to buy a home. As a Realtor, you need to be trustworthy. Your clients trust you with their valuable homes, and others trust you to get the best homes for them. If you want to succeed as an agent, you need to learn how to listen to your clients without being judgmental. Connect with Dr. Shah: Website: http://myexpressclinic.com/   

Have you ever heard of thermal imaging? If not, this is something you’re going to want to know about. This technique can help you see water damage that you wouldn’t have been able to see with the naked eye. The great thing about it is that you can use it to protect all of your clients, both buyers and sellers! To hear more about the benefits of thermal imaging, listen to this podcast.

A lot of times, a fresh pair of eyes always pinpoint things that weren’t seen before. When it comes to real estate, it could be as easy as reorganizing the photos, doing some touch up with the staging, or adjusting the price to fit accordingly. I advise agents to do a SWOT analysis of the properties that they represent. They need to look at strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. In this episode, I share nuggets of wisdom with three listing agents with properties that have been in the market for some time. I look at the listings and suggest changes to make the properties look more appealing to potential buyers. Listen to this episode to learn more. "Your job is to get a buyer interested so they raise their hand and want to contact you or their agent to see the home." -Michael Three Things You'll Learn Photo arrangement: Many people have short concentration spans. It would be best to grab their attention by ensuring standout images come first. SWOT analysis: Before you list a property, take a moment and look at its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The essence of having a new pair of eyes looking at your listing: You never know what you may have missed. Also, you get to determine how best we can position a home effectively. 

How do you differentiate yourself when you’re meeting with clients? The unfortunate truth is that too many agents don’t prioritize this. However, if you’re going to succeed in this industry, you need to be able to set yourself apart. The way I recommend doing this is through exceptional customer service and gifting. To hear more about this, check out my latest podcast.

Hurray! We’re on episode 250! We’ve come a long way. The truth is, we wouldn’t have made it this far without your support. Thank you for taking the journey with us. What’s your favorite episode? Which episode made you feel supercharged, like you could conquer luxury real estate in a snap of a finger? Better yet, which episode energized you enough to go after more luxury real estate opportunities? In this episode, I share some of my favorite episodes. I’ve hosted many amazing guests who shared golden nuggets that we can all borrow to better our businesses. I also want to remind you of some other helpful tips that can help make a difference in our lives. I just returned from a vacation in Rome, and it opened me up to realizing people do things differently in different parts of the world. Listen in to hear more. “Twenty years from now, you will regret more of what you didn't do.” -Michael LaFido Three Things You’ll Learn from This Episode The essence of building relationships and diversifying Why you should never forget your past clients The importance of asking for reviews from your clients Additional Notes: Be on the lookout for our next book, Secrets of Top Luxury Agents, which will be out in September. If you have a recommendation you’d like me to have as a guest on the show; please share your suggestions. Do you have a topic that I should cover? Feel free to let me know. Feel free to leave us a five-star review if we've earned it, and if not, let us know what we can do to get it.

Discover the secrets to maximizing your conversion rates and perfecting your follow-up techniques in the dynamic world of real estate. Learn how to adapt your style to different personality types and establish meaningful connections with your clients. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your real estate success. Listen in and gain valuable insights.

Are you curious about the ongoing lawsuits between the Department of Justice and the National Association of Realtors? James Dwiggins joins me on the show to fill us in on the lawsuits. I got the opportunity to hear him speak at the T-3 Summit in Naples, FL, and I found him to be an amazing speaker and well-informed on these class action lawsuits. He's the CEO of Next Home Inc. and hosts the "Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered" podcast. According to James, all three cases are similar. The general premise is that they are alleging that there's a conspiracy in the industry to prop up commissions and that the industry has collaborated to do that by forcing sellers to pay the buyer's agent commission. He believes we can remove future lawsuits if everybody gets into the class. The three suits include: No select versus MLS property info network Burnett Spitzer versus National Association of REALTORS Moral versus the national association realtors James will share what the lawsuits entail and what a win or loss of the cases might look like. Listen in and learn. "Agents who articulate their value will thrive." - James Dwiggins Three Things You'll Learn from the Episode The three class action suits currently happening The impacts of losing or winning either of the cases What the suits mean to the real estate industry Connect with Michael LaFido: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

Are you under the impression that investing in maintenance will automatically increase the value of your home? Think again. In our latest episode, we debunk the maintenance myth and reveal the real impact on home pricing. Don't miss out on this eye-opening discussion. Listen in and gain valuable insights into selling your home successfully.

Are you looking for a creative option for your ultra-high-net-worth clients that are looking to diversify and enjoy their real estate portfolio? If so, this episode is for you. Spencer Rascoff and I engage in an in-depth conversation on fractional ownership and luxury real estate. Spencer is an entrepreneur and company leader who co-founded Zillow, Hotwire, dot.LA, Recon Food and Pacaso. He served as Zillow’s CEO for a decade. During Spencer’s time as CEO, Zillow employed over 4,500 employees, $3 billion in revenue, and $10 billion in market capitalization. Before Zillow, Spencer co-founded and was VP of Corporate Development of Hotwire, which was sold to Expedia for $685 million in 2003. In the fall of 2019, he co-created and co-taught the Harvard Business School’s course, managing tech ventures. Spencer hosts Office Hours, a podcast featuring candid conversations between prominent executives on leadership, diversity, inclusion, and startups. In this episode, Spencer shares how we can all own a slice of luxury real estate through fractional ownership. He shares the ins and outs of why fractional ownership is something we should all consider. Listen and learn. “With Pacaso, life is all about is trying to convince people to live in the moment, that life is short, and owning a second home is pretty terrific.”- Spencer Rascoff Three Things You’ll Learn from the Episode: How fractional ownership works in real estate. The benefits of fractional ownership. How Pacaso works. Connect with Spencer Rascoff: Website: http://spencerrascoff.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerrascoff/ Pacaso: https://www.pacaso.com/ Email Spencer: [email protected] Connect with Michael: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

There are over a million agents out there, so how can you make yourself stand out? The truth is that in today’s competitive market, you need to work hard to win listings. On a recent appointment, I was reminded of how important it is to differentiate yourself. There is one key way that I do this: gifting. To hear more about how I use this strategy and how it can help you set yourself apart, listen to this short podcast.

How often do you follow up with past clients or prospects? One of our biggest shortcomings is giving up before following up. I’ve got Greg Holthaus and Andrew Dorn joining me. We’ll talk about the secret power of following up. Greg Holthaus is a Tom Ferry coach and currently owns and operates two brokerages. He also owns a property management firm with commercial and multifamily portfolios with over 450 units in Illinois. Greg is an avid user of Follow-Up Boss and Ylopo. He expanded his career and joined the Tom Ferry coaching network, where he has excelled and is currently a top-rated team plus, a master coach, and a member of the Tom Ferry speaking bureau. Andrew Dorn is the Vice President and national speaker at Follow-Up Boss. He’s got over 25 years of experience in digital real estate and works directly with clients, users, and ambassadors. Before joining Follow-Up Boss, he was the vice president at Realtor.com. Andrew, Greg and I share some nuggets of wisdom to help make our follow-up process easier and more effective. Listen and learn. "Consistent follow-up sets apart the top producers from average agents in the real estate realm. The differentiating factor propels success and separates the exceptional and the ordinary." - Michael LaFido Things You’ll Learn from this Episode Dos and don’ts when following up. How to use AI in your follow-up. The difference between external versus internal accountability. How to make the best out of a CRM. Relevant Links: Follow Up Boss Connect with Greg Connect with Michael LaFido: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

One of the best ways to get business as a real estate agent is by engaging your database. However, this is often easier said than done. That’s why I send my database one helpful real estate tip every month. By providing value upfront, you position yourself as a market expert and bring long-term business. To learn more about how this strategy works, check out this podcast. Connect with me: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist

Are you in the business of selling large properties? Do you have a referral system in place? In this episode, Michael Maher joins me on the podcast. We'll have an in-depth conversation on "How To Break Into Luxury" through referrals. Michael Maher is an author, trainer, and one of the country's most sought-after speakers. Formerly known as North America's Most Referred Real Estate Professional, in just his third year of real estate, he did 187 transactions for $40.1 MM in sales and netted one million dollars. He received over 500 Referrals for 11 straight years. Michael believes in the power of consistency and setting standards. He urges us to set standards like we are the kings and queens of luxury. Would you like to have more referrals in your business and learn how to take your standards a notch higher? This episode is for you. Listen and learn. "The secret to success with events is in the series of events. Don’t have one event, don’t even have two; you need to have three events for all of your database." -Michael Maher Three Things You'll Learn How to ask for referrals. How to build a referral system in three pillars. The undisputed power of being consistent. Connect with Michael Mayer: Website Facebook Join GenGen Comunity Grab Michael’s book: The Seven Levels of Communication: Go from Relationships to Referrals Connect with me: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

Have you heard the narrative in the media that some states have an influx of people moving to them right now? This claim has a lot of truth, so how can you educate yourself and potentially benefit from feeder markets? You can use an online tool to check precisely the migration patterns of your state and the whole country. If you use it right, you can build feeder networks with other agents, leading to tons of new business. Check out this podcast to learn more about this tool and how to take advantage of it. Michael LaFido Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com

Warm marketing involves prospecting to people that know and trust you. When talking about high-end buyers and sellers, you'll get a much higher conversion rate if they know you, like you, and trust you. On the other hand, cold marketing is reaching out to potential prospects who don't know you. Most people find cold marketing extremely difficult, but today we have some tips to make it easier. In this episode, Melony Trementozzi and Tyler Fenn of Red X are on the show. Melony is a Mrs. Texas International, and she attended my Luxury Designation in Denver in January 2022. Tyler is the VP of Sales at Red X. He's been helping real estate agents leverage their data through the proper communication channels. Melony, Tyler, and I have an in-depth conversation on how to make cold calling easier. The Red X team shares how they are helping make the process less cumbersome. Listen in and learn. Don’t forget to check out my site for some fantastic announcements! Go to secretsoftopluxuryagents.com for more information. Enjoy $150 off Red X click HERE “Data is what drives your business. It’s what drives your social media. It’s what drives your prospecting. It’s what drives your follow-up.”-Tyler Fenn Three Things You’ll Learn from This Episode As a real estate agent, you must learn to stand out from the crowd. Clients have different personalities; as an agent, you must know how to camouflage through them. Data never lies. Learn how to use data to grow your business. Connect with Michael LaFido: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

If you're struggling to sell a home in a slowing real estate market, it's time to create urgency. How can you do that effectively? One strategy is to delay and/or stack showings, creating a sense of anticipation and exclusivity. You can also stack urgency with an open house, just like we did with one of our recent sales. If you'd like to learn more about how to create urgency and sell your home faster, check out this podcast. Michael LaFido Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 | [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com

The use of ChatGPT is spreading like wildfire. It easy to understand how its users grew to millions in five days while it had taken other sites years. It’s incredible how this AI tool can perform many different functions and how dynamic it is. Today, Shashank Shekhar joins me to discuss how ChatGPT is a robust tool that is about to take real estate to the next level - if well utilized. Shashank is the InstaMortgage (formerly Arcus Lending) CEO. He’s a top 15 loan officer and has been named the #4 broker in the country. In addition, he’s an Amazon.com best-selling author. In this episode, Shashank shares ChatGTP's best practices and how realtors can take advantage of it. Grab your notebook and pen. You’ll want to take notes. “The limitation of chat GPT is limited just by your imagination. That’s how smart it is.”- Shashank Shekhar Three Things You'll Learn from this Episode What is Artificial Intelligence, and how does it work? How to use ChatGTP. How realtors can use ChatGTP for their businesses. Connect with Shashank Shekhar: Website: https://shashankshekhar.com/ Sign up for his free digital book, "ChatGPT for Realtors," here: https://instamortgage.myclickfunnels.com/chat-gpt-download-for-realtors Connect with Michael LaFido: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

Are you in over your head or intimidated to go on that big listing appointment? Our CLOSER Program is designed to provide you with the support you need to succeed. Whether you're a new agent with limited experience or a seasoned pro looking to improve your skills, our customized solutions can help you close the deal, so don't let a lack of experience or resources hold you back from achieving your goals. To learn more about how our CLOSER Program can benefit you, have a listen. Connect with me: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

Listen to Michael as he does an analysis and “fresh-eyes” audit of a “stale” $3.75m mansion in this episode. We’ll look at a 19,000 sq foot estate on over 24 acres. This home has been on the market for a while now with two different agents, and the price has been dropping. We’ll look at every room, and I’ll share with the current listing agent Josh McGrath the renovations and changes that should be done to the house to make it more appealing to buyers. Josh also gets some actionable tips to help him with marketing the property. Feel free to borrow a golden nugget or two from this episode. Listen in and learn and apply to the properties that you represent. Check out the listing here: 230 Quarry Rdg E, Charleston, WV 25304 “Every home has a story, whether it be the architect, the builder, the previous owner, always tell the story to be a good storyteller in real estate.” - Michael LaFido Three Things You’ll Learn from this Episode In real estate, less is more. Don’t show up too much. Leave some room for creativity. If you have a property that needs some work, the best thing to do is work on it. If the seller is unwilling to, then at least have some digital renovations done. Always tell a story. You cannot thrive in real estate if you are not a good storyteller. Connect with me: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

Do you want to become a leading authority figure in your local market? Are you wanting to become more successful as a luxury agent? If your answer to either question is yes, I have the solution for you. I am creating a book called “Secrets of Top Luxury Agents,” and you can contribute, which will help you build your credibility as a leader. To hear more about all of this visit SecretsOfTopLuxuryAgents.com, and listen to my latest podcast. Michael LaFido Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 | [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com

Have you always wanted to work with high-income earners like athletes and celebrities? This episode is for you! Rod Watson joins me on the show for an in-depth conversation about how he works with celebrities and athletes. Rod has built a reputation as a reliable Realtor in Southern California. He specializes in selling high-end homes. People appreciate Rod’s commitment to making his clients’ lives easier. He gets repeat business and referrals from his clients. In this episode, Rod shares some tips and advice for working with celebrities, athletes, and luxury as a whole. If this is an area you’ve always been eyeing, grab your notebook and pen. Listen and learn. “Never not put your best foot forward in any situation when working in this space. Always make sure that you are going above and beyond for these clients.” -Rod Watson Things You’ll Learn from the Episode When working with Athletes and celebrities, you must be honest and transparent. Being discreet is the rule of the game. Maintaining your client’s privacy goes a long way. Always vet the people who come your way. Don’t let celebrity status blind you. The do’s and don’ts when it comes to working with high-income individuals. Connect with Rod Watson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-watson-9a047932/ Website: https://www.lavipagent.com/ Connect with Michael LaFido: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

I'm excited to share that we have been named the top luxury real estate coach in America by Agent Magazine! Our comprehensive coaching program, Luxe, is designed to help you take your business to the next level and attract high-end buyers in your market. If you're looking to increase your average sale price and work smarter, not harder, then our coaching program can help you achieve your goals. Take a listen to this short podcast. Let's Connect! YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist (888) 930-8510 | [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

ChatGPT is the new buzzword on the internet streets. Imagine going to a search engine and typing in a question and not having to decipher through different websites. The search engine gives you the answer to your question. It’s like a robot with a giant brain. That’s how ChatGPT works. With ChatGPT, all you have to do is type your question, and the robot browses through the available web pages and gives you well-compiled answers. The beauty of this software is that it can personalize the data, filter it by your desired results and help you make decisions. Blake Cory joins me in this episode to expound more on ChatGPT. He shares what it is, and how we can all use it to take our businesses to the next level. Listen and learn. “Everything we’re about to go over, you’ve got two choices, you get in front of it, and you grow your business exponentially, you supercharge your business, or there’s a high likelihood you’re going to die.” -Blake Cory Three Things You’ll Learn from the Episode What is ChatGPT? How ChatGPT is going to separate the successful and unsuccessful real estate agents. How can we use AI forecasting tools to predict future profitability in your real estate business? Guest Bio: The Blake Cory Home Selling Team is one of Southern California's Top Ranked Real Estate Teams for helping people buy or sell the place they call home. Blake's Team is committed to enriching the lives of our community and team members alike by building relationships and providing education and industry-shattering service. Connect with Blake Cory: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakecoryre/ Website: https://www.blakecorycoaching.com/

How much follow up is too much follow up? Follow up is critical for any business. People think you’re not hungry enough if you don’t follow up. On the other hand, people think you’re desperate or nagging if you follow up too much. Where do we draw the line between following up and not following up? Elisa Stephano joins me on the podcast. Elisa picks my brain on what constitutes too much follow up. After a seller became unresponsive, Elisa and her business partner didn’t answer calls or reply to emails. I share some golden nuggets with Elisa. Listen in to learn more. “A huge part of being a real estate agent is the ability to communicate effectively and retain control with your clients and help them with making big decisions.”- Elisa Stephano Three Things You’ll Learn from this Episode: Follow up is essential if you want to grow your business. If you don’t follow up, people will think you don’t want the business. When working with people, knowing and understanding their DISC profile is vital. It’ll help you understand how best to work with them. When you feel like you are following up too much, find creative ways of showering your client with value. Connect with Elisa Stephano: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliiisastephano/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisa-stephano-303588141/ Connect with Michael LaFido: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

The term “matchmaker” isn’t just for the Valentine’s Day holiday - it can also grow your real estate business! I have a matchmaker program on my website, and I genuinely recommend that other agents have one as well. It can help you get more listings in a market with low inventory, and it can help your buyers who are struggling to find the right home. To hear more about a real estate matchmaker program, listen to this podcast. Michael LaFido (888) 930-8510 | [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com

Have you ever hit rock bottom? Or feel like everything is working against you? All you want to do is throw in the towel. Listen to this episode. Wally Bressler is with me and shares some great tips to help you resurface. Growing up, Wally did not have a fantastic childhood. This affected his adult life and contributed to his rock bottom experience. Today, Wally shares his journey to rock bottom with me and how he resurfaced. He also shares some practical tips that we can borrow to help us avoid hitting rock bottom and for those that are at their lowest to surface again. Listen and learn. "It doesn't matter how you got here, it's not your fault, but it's your responsibility to take care of it." - Wally Bressler Three Things You'll Learn from this Episode Your upbringing contributes a lot to the adult you become: Parents should strive to raise their children to become great adults, not great children. Rock bottom is not the end. It could be the beginning of a significant turning point in your life. You need to know what your true “why” is to be focused enough. Guest Bio: Wally is an author, coach, speaker, and phone sales expert helping entrepreneurs build top businesses. Connect with Wally Bressler: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wally-bressler-8a4682a4/ Website: https://www.phonesalessecrets.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhoneSalesSecrets/ Connect with Michael Lafido: (888) 930-8510 www.LuxuryFridays.com TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup

You probably have business cards and allow your friends and family members to give them out, and that’s great, but did you know that there’s a much more powerful way to get referrals and make those introductions more helpful to you? There’s a great way to train your loved ones to help you better, and it will make things easier for everyone. Plus, it will greatly strengthen your business. To hear about this, listen to this podcast. Michael LaFido Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com

In this episode, Collin Kelley shares how he gives his clients the best experience, how he creates urgency on properties, and what differentiates him from the crowd when it comes to marketing. He'll also share some of his success stories. All buyers want to have the ultimate buyer experience. They want to feel special and valued. The big question is, how can you offer them such an experience as a Realtor? Grab your notebook and pen. Collin is about to spill the beans. Don’t forget to look out for my math for earning $500,000 annually. Listen and learn. “When buyers see each other coming and going, that creates urgency, which is a good thing, and it benefits the seller.”- Collin Kelley Things You’ll Learn from the Episode: • Buyers and sellers always want to feel special and valued. • When it comes to marketing, you must choose the least chosen paths. It will make you stand out. • Always be authentic and transparent with people. • How to earn $500,000 annually. Guest Bio: Collin has a B.S. in Accounting and Information Systems and a Masters's Degree in Professional Accountancy from Central Washington University. Before getting into real estate, he spent 3 years in the world of public accounting and consulting, which has given him a rich perspective on financial strategy. Connect with Collin Kelley: Email: [email protected] Phone: 208-597-3700 Connect with Michael LaFido: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

Check your calendar - it’s already 2023! The new year brings new opportunities, but without proper planning, it will be difficult to meet them. If you want 2023 to be your luxury real estate business’s best year ever, you need a plan. That’s why today I’m explaining a business concept that has helped me immensely over the past few years: Tony Robbins’ success cycle. Check out my podcast to learn the four parts of the success cycle and how they work. Let's Connect! Michael LaFido Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 [email protected] YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist

Success leaves clues. That’s not only the title of Tony Robbins’ excellent book, but also great advice. Look for those clues. For real estate agents, one great place to look is older agents, specifically those who survived and thrived after the last downturn. Those are the people you want to learn from and surround yourself with. To hear more about interviewing other agents, listen to this podcast. Michael LaFido Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com

How safe are you? How sure are you that the person talking to you via phone, email, or SMS is who they say they are? If you're an agent and get assigned a call, you get an internet lead or a text, and you're curious if it's a real person, a bot, or a fraudster - please do your due diligence. In this episode, Josh Tilleson joins me on the show to explain how to use forewarn.com to our advantage. I've been using the site for a while and have testimony that it works. According to Josh, Forewarn has information on about 98% of Americans. Josh teaches us how Forewarn works, along with the red flags and yellow cards to look out for. Plus, we get to hear some inspiring testimonies of people who have worked with Forewarn. "From a physical safety standpoint, as well as from a fraud standpoint, there's no more vulnerable than real estate." -Josh Tilleson Three Things You'll Learn • You're better safe than sorry. We've seen people lose their money due to a lack of due diligence. Master the art of doing your homework before committing to a deal. • Real estate is vulnerable, and you must be keen enough not to fall victim. • As an agent, knowing your prospects for more thoughtful and safer engagements are essential. Guest Bio: Josh Tilleson has been the Vice President of Sales at Forewarn since 2017. Connect with Josh: Website:forewarn.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-tilleson-42789a/ Connect with Michael: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

Have you noticed that some of your clients are a little put off about buying or selling right now? They’ve probably heard about our market shift from the national media and assume it’s a rotten time to make a move. To ease their fears and get them back on track, you need to position yourself as the local expert they can trust. That’s why I’m sharing three critical statistics that will contextualize your market. To learn what they are, have a listen. Michael LaFido Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com

We’re often told never to judge a book by its cover, but nobody warns us about judging people by their names. Seyoue Sims joins us to share his experience with some clients (husband and wife) with questionable names that made other agents in his office think the buyers were "fake". Eventually, the title office asked Seyoue to call and confirm the buyer's validity. The names in question were - Rich and Greedy Millions. Wouldn't you question that too? The lesson here is "trust, but verify" when talking to a prospect and not sure they are "qualified." Good things happen when you treat your customers right. They will come back and refer you to others. Rich and Greedy have given Seyoue more deals and have sent referrals. What would it have been like for him if he had judged the couple by their name? “We shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. We’ve learned that from an early age, but human beings still do." -Michael LaFido Three Things You'll Learn: Never judge people by their names. Often, we’re too quick to judge people without knowing who they truly are, and we miss the essence of meeting them. Dream big. You’re the only one who can limit yourself. When you take care of your clients, they will always come back for more business and send referrals to you. Guest Bio: Seyoue Sims is a real estate agent in Arizona in the Valley of the Sun, including Scottsdale, Glendale, Goodyear, and Peoria. Connect with Seyoue: www.Seyoue.com Let's connect! YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Or need a fresh eyes analysis on a home? Join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

It’s official: Higher interest rates are here to stay, at least for the time being. If your buyers are getting nervous from all the recent rate increases, what should you do? The truth is that they’ve already heard all the bad news from the regular media; that’s why you need to position yourself as a positive real estate source they can trust. To learn 15 benefits that you can tell your clients about in today’s market, take a listen.

How did Tammy go from selling two homes priced at $1.7m or more in her first five years in the business... to selling six homes at that price in the past nine months? Today, Tammy Manning joins me on the show. She's an agent based in Kingsland, Texas. One of the things that stands out about Tammy is her ability to be intentional. She shares with us the daily routine that keeps her accountable and focused. Being accountable and intentional has helped Tammy take her business a notch higher from where she was in 2020. Tammy attributes her success to her mindset training from my LUXE Designation course. I'm excited for you to hear about her journey! "A goal is movable. A commitment is not measurable." -Tammy Manning Three Things You'll Learn • Being intentional helps us achieve things that we once thought were unachievable. • If you want to check all your commitments for the day off your list, you need to practice time-blocking. • Mindset matters more than we think. With the right mindset, you can achieve anything. Guest Bio: Tammy Manning is a top-producing agent in Kingsland, Texas, born and raised! She broker-owns with 20+ agent teams, teams, ICON agents, individual agents, and brand new agents. Her team is worldwide. They have agents in almost all the states in the US, Canada, Mexico, and France. Connect with Tammy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammylists/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tammymanning.lbj.realtor/ Connect with Michael: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

When you’re listing a client’s home, it’s sometimes difficult to show buyers what living in a property will be like. This is especially true if your listing needs a little work done. Fortunately, I have a technique I’ve been using for years to help buyers understand a property’s true potential. It all starts with putting in a little TLC. Listen to learn more. Michael LaFido Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com

Would you like to transition to luxury listings and buyers but need help figuring out where to start? This episode is for you. Amit Bhuta joins me on the show to share how he took his business a notch higher to now doing 80% luxury.According to Amit, confidence is essential to have before making the transition. Also, you have to visit the luxury houses before taking clients for viewing so that you'll be relaxed when you view the property for the first time with the clients. Listen to learn more. "If you're nice to people and genuinely compliment them, you're going to create friendships, and it helps a lot." -Amit Bhuta Three Things You'll Learn from the Episode Confidence is an essential tool when it comes to transitioning. If you're confident, buyers will trust you. If you're targeting a particular market, look for the agents who sell in that area, and befriend them genuinely, as they may have a listing of what's coming up. People are moving because they want to, not just because they have to. Your job is to find the why and a perfect way of centering your pitch around that. Guest Bio: Amit was born in India but has lived in South Florida for over 40 years. He came from a background in sales management that led him to transition into real estate 16 years ago. His professional reputation has awarded him a large referral and resource network that stretches around the globe. Connect with Amit: Website: https://www.compass.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitbhuta/ Connect with Michael: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

In any market, you're the most crucial messenger to your database, and if not you, then who else is? Are we going through a recession? That's probably one of the questions you've been asking yourself. People are confused and have no idea what to do. Some think being in real estate is the riskiest thing, and they opt out. If you're one of them - don't throw in the towel yet; listen to this episode. Matthew Ferrara joins me on the show to discuss and share nuggets of wisdom on how to survive during difficult times. Matthew has dedicated himself to helping people grow their careers and potential. According to Matthew, our job in real estate is turning uncertainty into calculated risk. He further argues that the presumed recession will bring opportunities to us, and all we need to do is to open ourselves up to find and seize them. “People are moving not because of what they get, but of who they are becoming.” -Matthew Ferrara Three Things You’ll learn from this Episode: • Every cloud has a silver lining. You have to look deeper. The industry needs us to offer our expertise, even if things look complicated. Chances are we'll make the same money we made when things were looking up, if not more. • You have to keep working on yourself. It's the best project you can embark on. You'll thank yourself later. • Learn to keep in touch with your clients, whether they are prospects, former or current clients. It'll help you clean up your database and know when an opportunity arises. Guest Bio: Matthew Ferrara is a philosopher, writer, photographer, keynote speaker, and cancer survivor. He travels the world helping others explore ideas and reach their goals. Connect with Matthew Ferrara: Website: https://www.matthewferrara.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilosopherFerrara Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthew_ferrara1/ Connect with Michael: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

You need to keep the five senses in mind when you get a listing. Seeing dirt or a bad smell are very upfront, but subtle things, like traffic in the background, matter too. When preparing for a showing, ensure you have gone through the five senses with your seller and made the home presentable. Listen to some easy tips on covering buyers’ senses. Michael LaFido Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com

Education is the key to success, but unfortunately, we see people not interested in educating themselves on the latest trends and what's working and not working. The fact is, things are constantly evolving, and we must keep learning to stay relevant. In this episode, Teresa Kinney and Letty Oliver join me on the show to share how Miami Realtors take real estate education a notch higher. Teresa Kinney is the CEO of the Miami Realtors Association. Letty Oliver is the Chief of Innovative Education. The Miami Realtors Association is the largest in the United States and second to the Toronto Board. It has 55,000 primary and 60,000 total members. Teresa and Letty will give us details of what they're doing to bring more education into real estate. They'll also share local and global courses' dates and venues. The most fantastic thing about their courses is they don't cost an arm and a leg. They're affordable. To top it up, they have memberships like Young Professionals Network (YPN) that allow members to enjoy free classes, get exposure on Miami YPN socials, and offer a referral network. Listen to this episode to learn more. Miami Realtor’s Website:https://www.miamirealtors.com/ Miami Realtor’s Calendar: https://www.miamirealtors.com/events/month/ “Luxury is a global business. Having those connections are important.” -Michael LaFido Three Things You’ll Learn from this Episode: • Education is key if you want to succeed and remain relevant in the real estate space. • Having a membership and getting involved in your local association is essential. It opens you up to networking opportunities and access to courses necessary for your career. • You can never be too connected. Get involved in various networking groups and sub-groups such as YPN, WCR, AREAA, NAREB, NAHREP, and The Alliance. Guest Bio: Miami Association of Realtors is the largest local Realtor association in the United States, with over 60,000 members. They offer over 4000 programs to its members where they can learn all about technology, and the latest trends in the marketplace, designations, and certifications. Teresa – [email protected] Letty – [email protected] Connect with Michael: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visitwww.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

As a listing agent, should you encourage your current sellers to keep their homes on the market during the “off-season months” of the year? School has started, and the winter months and holidays are approaching. Potential sellers might ask you whether they should put their homes up for sale now or wait till 2023 to sell. Listen in to hear a few things you can tell them to keep their home on the market, or get them to consider selling now. Let's connect! Michael LaFido, Marketing Luxury Group (888) 930-8510 | [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com Be sure to visit JoinLuxeGroup.com to find out when the next Luxury Livestream will be. YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist

Do you run a real estate brokerage or a large team? When did you last have a training session for them at a fun, yet exclusive venue? We’re in a shifting economy, and we've seen many brokers cut back on their agents, but Combs Premier Realty Group has taken a different route. They believe your company's average sale price increases when you motivate and reward your agents or team. Their goal was to have their team trained for luxury buyers and more luxury listings. They invited me to train their top agents at a 17,000 sq foot mansion they rented; looking back, the investment was worth it. In this episode, Tamara and Emmitt Combs join me to discuss the importance of empowering your team through training. My guests confirm that their team has become bolder and more robust since the training at the mansion. Their team is always ready to show up, leverage its database, and always prepared to market. Listen to this episode to hear more. "If you want to get into luxury, then you really need to monitor your daily conversations and who you engage with. "- Emmitt Combs Three Things You'll Learn Education is critical. When you're armed with the right information, you'll always be bold enough to serve your clients without feeling like an imposter. When you invest in your office or team, the business becomes the most significant beneficiary in the long run. You cannot build a strong team or office without empowering them. Your team needs your support. Guest Bio: Combs Premier Realty Group is the largest African-American-owned real estate brokerage in Central Florida, with expanding offices in Miami and Atlanta. Connect with Tamara & Emmitt Combs: Website: https://combspremier.com/ Connect with Michael: YouTube: @MarketingLuxuryGroup TikTok: @LuxurySpecialist Instagram: @LuxuryListingSpecialist Have a real estate question? Be sure to join me live on Luxury Fridays! Visit www.LuxuryFridays.com for more information. Hope to see you there!

We all know how easy it is to flip a laptop open and instantly find out who owns a particular property. It doesn’t have to be like that. There are various ways of ensuring that your name doesn’t appear anywhere in the searches. David Lanciotti shares the different ways for property owners to remain anonymous and mistakes to avoid when you don’t want people to know you own a particular property. According to David and other advisors, land trusts are the way to add an extra layer of protection. When you close on a property and hold title through a land trust, you are safeguarded from being all over the internet. If you’d like to learn more, listen to this episode. “High net worth clients can do all sorts of things. But the first layer of protection is staying off the radar, keeping your assets private, nobody knowing what you own.” -David Lanciotti Three Things You’ll Learn from this Episode Land trusts are a perfect way of remaining anonymous regarding your properties. When you purchase property under a land trust, it shields you from being overcharged by following the history of who you are and what you own. The worst mistake you can make when you purchase your property through a land trust is having tax bills sent over directly to the home address. Guest Bio: David joined the Chicago Title Land Trust Company in 2001 and served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. He is the author of the Land Trust Administration in Illinois (IICLE 2009) and Modern Land Trust Practice (IICLE 2015). In addition, he is a board-certified Continuing Legal Education Instructor and a frequent speaker at legal and banking seminars on land trust issues. Connect with David Lanciotti: Website: https://ctlandtrust.com/ Connect with Michael LaFido: Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 | [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxurylistingspecialist/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Marketingluxurygroup TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luxuryspecialist

Do you have “Before and After” pictures? I am sure you have shown homes that didn’t appeal to your buyers. What can you do to ensure a larger percentage of buyers choose your listings over the competition? As an agent, you should be continually building your portfolio of “Before and After” pictures so you can show prospective clients how you have turned homes around and helped the sellers get more profit from their sales. Listen in to hear more about how to do this well. Connect with Michael LaFido Marketing Luxury Group I Luxury Listing Specialist (888) 930-8510 | [email protected] LuxuryListingSpecialist.com JoinLuxeGroup.com