The LA Realtor Podcast

This week Paul and Jon are joined by Kyle Tourje of Alpha Structural. Alpha is a family business and they have been working to help repair and modify existing structures for three generations. We discuss what realtors should be looking for to determine potential structural problems, the importance of understanding a property's location and what it's built on, and how most problems are actually fix...

This week hosts Paul and Jon are joined by the owner of Golden State Mold Inspections, Bret Pfeifer. We discuss different types of mold, how this problem can start, how serious it really is, and what can be done about it. We also cover what happens during mold remediation, how mold inspectors determine if a home is mold-free, the health risks involved, and what preventative actions homeowners can...

This week hosts Paul and Jon are joined by CEO and Founder of Hitch, William Schoeffler. William tells us all about this innovative new real estate tech product that allows homeowners digital access to a home equity line of credit, streamlining the process and shortening the timeline for loans substantially. We also discuss how Hitch can help homeowners take advantage of their home equity to cheap...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Michael Carpentier, CEO and Co-Founder of Vesta Equity, a new real-estate platform that allows property owners to tap into the equity on their homes without loans or debt. Michael walks us through this innovative investment design and shares how Vesta is able to connect homeowners who have clean titles with potential property investors from around the gl...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Julie Faupel, Founder and CEO of REALM. Julie gives us the run-down of this new and revolutionary real estate technology platform that caters to top-tier realtors around the world. We discuss the benefits and qualifications of REALM membership (which is invitation only), how the platform brings together the vast spheres of influence of its agents to crea...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by marketing expert, Matt Muscat of Treadstone Funding. We discuss how realtors can utilize events such as happy hours and hot dog eating contests to distinguish themselves in the market, and how the power of an event reaches far beyond the people who attend. We also cover some non-traditional marketing strategies like tailoring your outreach to your client...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by veteran realtor and community outreach activist, Jenny Birchfield-Eick. We discuss Jenny's work with the Encino Neighborhood Council's Outreach Committee, the power of community in our lives, and why realtors should care about getting involved at a local level. We also chatted about the pervasive unhoused issue in LA and how organizations like the Greate...

This week Paul and Sara are joined by the CEO of Invisawear, Rajia Abdelaziz. We discuss how Invisawear blends lifesaving technology with stylish and modern accessories to take personal safety to a new level. Rajia shares with us how and why she started the company, the variety of products equipped with Invisawear double-click alert technology, and the 3 different modes of alerts available. With '...

This week, hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Jess Lenouvel, Founder of The Listings Lab. We discuss the different development programs The Listing Lab offers, the importance of developing a brand, and the difference between and hustle or hobby and a thriving business. We also chat about making both buyers and sellers feel understood, the psychology behind converting strangers into clients, and why...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Deborah Razo of WREN (Women's Real Estate Network). We discuss how WREN has worked to establish a network of women in real estate to foster support, education, growth, and community. We chat about the various programs available through WREN, how to become a member (or just attend an event!), the importance of women standing together in a male-dominated s...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Robert Reardon, General Manager of Offrs.com, a real estate technology company utilizing data to generate predictive leads. Robert shares what makes Offrs.com unique from other online real estate platforms, how the data-driven system works, and how it can help agents not just identify prospective leads up to a year in advance, but also market to them directly. We...

This week, Paul is joined by LARP Producer Jon Grishpul to discuss AI powered tools that can benefit realtors. We discuss how AI can assist with virtual staging, photo enhancement, 3D tours, and even help in writing listings and generating social media content. This episode is a must-listen for any agents hoping to utilize this emerging technology to grow their business.    https://www.virtualstag...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Jeremy Roll, of Roll Investment Group. Jeremy is a 'full-time' passive investor, and shares his wisdom regarding passive vs active investments, accredited and non-accredited investors, and how to start down this unique financial path. We also chat about common passive investment property types, the taxes often associated with these ventures, and why the...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined this week by David Balderston of RenoFi, a company dedicated to helping homeowners secure financing for their home renovations. We discuss how RenoFi evaluates and leverages the future value of the home to maximize available financing, they types of loan products available through RenoFi, and how they work with lenders in a brokerage capacity to connect clients with...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Kristi Cirtwill of HoarderHomes.com. We discuss the challenges of buying, cleaning out, and selling a hoarder home, how to approach this delicate situation with compassion and empathy, and the scenarios most commonly encountered in this niche industry. We also cover how realtors can work with experts like Kristi to help their clients reach the best outco...

This week, Paul is joined by LARP Producer and GreatBuildz Co-Founder, Jon Grishpul, to discuss the ins and outs of Senate Bill 9, the California HOME Act. We cover the basics of SB9, the differences between urban lot split and two-unit development, and the rules and regulations surrounding each. We also chat about who SB9 most benefits, the types of properties that might be most applicable, and w...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by the founders of Hey, Hi, Hello! Ryan McKinney-Bruskin and Lauren Jack. We discuss the many different types of curated gifts they offer, the importance of creating memorable and personal closing gifts for clients, and how branding can be used to enhance rather than overshadow a gift package. We also cover the rising popularity of automated gifts, how send...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined this week by Bryant Brislin, land broker at the Hoffman Company. We discuss the differences between brokering land deals and residential properties, the potential soft costs involved, and what exactly constitutes available 'land.' We also cover infills vs. green fields, how to find and go after potential land deals, and the importance of redevelopment in the changing...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Marnie Blanco, Head of Industry Relations at Pacaso. We discuss this up-and-coming platform that allows buyers to share ownership of luxury second homes and how it can benefit agents. We cover how Pacaso partners with agents and the compensation involved, what shared ownership means for clients seeking vacation properties, and the logistics involved with...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Chris Griffin, President of LaRocca Inspections. We discuss how agents can best manage client expectations when it comes to inspections, why arranging a pre-listing inspection can help empower sellers in the process, and the negative effects of deferred home maintenance. We also cover the difference between upgrades and replacements, when to call in a sp...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by realtor, flipper, and investor extraordinaire, Brandon Haft. We discuss the challenges and benefits of flipping homes and managing properties in Southern California, what gives agents a slight edge in the flipping industry, and why exploring these avenues requires a great deal of time, knowledge, and passion. We also cover the importance of being able to...

This week hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Anita Rosenberg, Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology expert. We discuss why Feng Shui is not a trend even if it's trendy, what being in a Water/Rabbit Year can mean for agents, and how exploring out-of-the-box revenue streams (fire sales, commercial real estate, etc.) may be the path to success in 2023. We also cover some positive-home-energy basics, how cre...

This week, hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Shelly Cofini, CSO of Bid My Listing. We discuss how this seller-driven platform works, how agents can participate and bid on local listings, and the benefits involved for homeowners and realtors alike. We also chat about realtor/seller matchmaking, how the platform can help level the playing field for new agents, and how Bid My Listing works to ensure...

This week, hosts Paul and Sara are joined by renowned home-staging expert, Meridith Baer. We discuss the psychology of home-staging, what design elements have endured through the years, and how something as simple as a fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference. We also discuss what realtors should know when working with a stager, the challenges of staging ultra high-end homes, and the que...

This week, Paul is joined by LA Realtor Podcast producer and GreatBuildz co-founder, Jon Grishpul, to discuss the recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank. We go over the basics of what went down and why, how the events of the 2008 recession may have kicked off the issues we are seeing in the economy today, and why the recent and sudden interest rate increases may be ultimately to blame. We also cove...