Watkins Roundtable

If you don’t know how to price a home correctly, you’re going to lose listings… or worse, take one that never sells. In this episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James break down how to actually run comps (CMA’s) the right way and what agents are getting wrong when it comes to pricing homes. They cover: how to properly run a CMA (and why Zillow isn’t enough) what to look for in tax re...

Real estate looks easy online… but what’s it actually like when you’re in it? In this episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James sit down with Sam, one of their younger agents, to talk about what real estate really looks like starting out and how it compares to what you see on Instagram. They break down: what new agents think real estate will be vs reality why “driving around and open...

If you feel like you’re showing houses all day and getting nowhere, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James break down how to properly qualify buyers so you stop spinning your wheels with people who are “just looking” and start working with serious clients. They cover: how to qualify buyers beyond just pre-approval why understanding a client’s “why”...

In this episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James break down real questions Georgia Realtors are dealing with right now, especially from younger buyers using AI tools like ChatGPT during the home search process. They talk through how agents can confidently handle buyer questions about: using AI to decide what to offer on a house trusting ChatGPT over a local real estate agent how muc...

In this episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James talk about one of the most overlooked skills in real estate: networking . If you are a Realtor in Georgia , Metro Atlanta , or anywhere in the business world, this one is for you. They break down how to network without feeling fake, awkward, or overly salesy, and how to turn everyday conversations into real business opportunities. The...

Thinking about renting out your home in Metro Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia? In this episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James sit down with Christy Barnard from Watkins Real Estate Associates (WREA) and the Shannon Sells Team to break down what a real property management company actually does and what Georgia landlords need to know before handing over the keys. We cover: What prope...

Coaching in real estate… is it worth it? In this episode, Shannon and James break down the real impact coaching has on a real estate career, from business coaching and life coaching to fitness coaching and mindset development. They share firsthand experiences, lessons learned, and what Georgia REALTORS® should actually look for when choosing a coach. If you’re a real estate agent working in Metro...

What’s really happening in the Georgia real estate market? Shannon and James unpack falling mortgage rates, listing strategy, buyer behavior, and why so many Atlanta agents are feeling the pressure. From Metro Atlanta to Stockbridge, McDonough, Marietta, Woodstock, Henry County, and beyond, this episode dives into pricing challenges, picky buyers, stubborn sellers, interest rate shifts, and the re...

Welcome to The Real Estate Playbook , where Georgia agents come to level up. Hosted by top-producing brokers from the Metro Atlanta market, this podcast dives deep into what it really takes to thrive in real estate—from Henry County to Cherokee, Cobb to Clayton, and everywhere in between. Whether you're closing your first deal, running a team, or eyeing expansion, we’re covering the daily grin...

In this week’s episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James are joined by loan expert Noah Hebert from LoneSky Mortgage to break down what every Georgia real estate investor needs to know about flipping, renting, and creative financing in today’s market. Whether you’re buying a home to renovate and resell or looking to build long-term passive income, this episode dives into: How to eval...

This week on The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James take you on a neighborhood spotlight tour of one of Atlanta’s quirkiest and most iconic areas — Little Five Points . If you're into colorful street art, vintage shops, eclectic restaurants like The Vortex , and a strong community vibe, this might be your spot. But is it a good place to live? And what does it actually cost to rent or buy...

In this episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James dive into some of the biggest questions on everyone's minds as we start 2026: What’s happening with the Federal Reserve and how does it really impact mortgage rates ? Why aren't prices dropping even though rates are falling? Is affordable housing in Georgia even realistic anymore? And what happens when hedge funds buy up entir...

Are you thinking about buying a home in Georgia ? Whether you’re moving here from out of state, relocating within the state, or transitioning from apartment living to homeownership, this episode of The Real Estate Playbook covers all the quirky, important, and easy‑to‑overlook details that make Georgia real estate different from what you might expect. In this episode, Shannon and James discuss rea...

In this week’s episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James sit down with Georgia real estate attorney Blake Edge to break down the 3 Ds that cause the most chaos in real estate deals: Death, Divorce, and Dummies (aka no estate planning). Whether you're: Going through a divorce Selling an inherited home Or still don’t have a will in Georgia …this episode has crucial legal tips you n...

In this candid and powerful episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon tells her full story — from growing up in Section 8 housing and working 9 jobs in a year, to building a powerhouse team and launching one of Metro Atlanta’s fastest-growing independent brokerages: Watkins Real Estate Associates . If you’re new to real estate, feeling stuck, or dreaming about starting your own team or brokera...

In this deep-dive episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James break down everything you should know about living in Atlanta and moving to Georgia . From major employers and iconic neighborhoods to traffic patterns, real estate trends, food, schools, and beyond, this is your go-to guide if you're even thinking about making Georgia home. We cover: ✈️ Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Intern...

In this episode of The Real Estate Playbook , Shannon and James dive into the billion-dollar legal battle between CoStar (Homes.com) and Zillow. What started as a copyright lawsuit over listing photos is turning into a much bigger conversation about how leads are captured, who controls them, and what buyers and sellers don’t realize about where their info goes. We break down: 📸 The lawsuit detail...

What really goes on behind the scenes at a real estate brokerage? In this episode, Shannon and James break down some of the biggest misconceptions agents have when it comes to splits, teams, and broker compensation, especially after a viral video stirred the pot online. They get into: The 3 common brokerage models (flat fee, cap model, and traditional franchise) What agents are really paying for (...

In this episode of The Real Estate Playbook (REP) , Shannon and James tackle one of the most common concerns in today's market — high interest rates. But are they really as big of a deal as people think? They break down: The historical context of interest rates from 1994 to 2023 What a $100,000 difference in buy power looks like at 6.8% vs. 2.9% Why "marry the house, date the rate" i...

Shannon and James dive into one of the most sensitive real estate topics, selling a home during a divorce. From what to do before you file, to how the courts and attorneys get involved, to tips on protecting your credit and your peace of mind, this episode is packed with practical advice and real stories from the field. Whether it's avoiding title issues, understanding who picks the agent, or...

In this episode of The Real Estate Playbook (REP) , Shannon and James return for a candid and insightful conversation that’s all about money—how you handle it, grow it, and protect it. James opens up about his financial journey from growing up in a blue-collar household to building a strong, secure future through consistent habits, wise investing, and good old-fashioned discipline. We dive into: H...

Welcome to the very first episode of The Real Estate Playbook with Shannon and James — a fresh and unfiltered look at real estate, investing, and life as we live it. In this debut episode, we’re diving into the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious sides of flipping homes, investing smart, and staying creative in a shifting market. Shannon and James reflect on their first-ever loss on a flip...