Real Estate School with Tony Acosta

Are Zillow agents actually bad… or just misunderstood? In this episode, Tony Acosta sits down with Mike Harlan to break down what’s really happening inside the Zillow ecosystem. From lead quality to conversion rates, agent skill gaps to systemic incentives—nothing is off limits. They tackle the real question: is the problem the agents, or the system they’re operating in? If you’ve ever: Wondered w...

What does it actually mean to represent a client — not just open doors and fill in blanks on PDFs? In this episode, Tony sits down with Travis Maddox from Edge Homes to break down the real skill gap in real estate: agents who don't know their contracts, can't explain deadlines, and have never heard of a Resolution of Due Diligence Addendum. They cover how to close the experience gap throug...

Is the Zillow Premier Agent program a legitimate growth engine or just an expensive "tax" on your commissions? In this episode of How To Be A Realtor , we pull back the curtain on the most debated lead source in real estate. We’re breaking down the math, the conversion realities, and the "hidden" shifts in the 2026 market that every agent needs to know before signing a contract...

Investors can be incredible repeat clients… or they can chew you up, waste your time, and leave you with nothing. In this episode, I’ll break down: The 3 types of investors you’ll meet (and how to tell them apart fast). Why most realtors lose money working with “fake” investors. Scripts to qualify investors without sounding pushy. How to structure deals, commissions, and expectations so you don’t...

Most Utah agents have never closed a seller finance deal—and it's costing them (and their clients) big. In this special Seller Finance Masterclass , Tony Acosta breaks down everything you should’ve learned in real estate school but didn’t . You’ll learn: What seller finance actually is—and why it’s not just for desperate sellers The 3 biggest mistakes agents make when attempting these deals Ho...

In this episode of How to Be a Realtor , Tony Acosta exposes the uncomfortable truth behind the real estate coaching industry. Why do so many coaches overstep into life coaching, therapy, and fitness advice—and completely miss the mark on teaching actual real estate skills? Tony breaks down: The toxic myth that your personal life must be perfect before you can succeed in real estate Why most coach...

Dive deep into why traditional real estate coaching fails and uncover a revolutionary approach to agent development. Tony Acosta exposes the industry's biggest myth: that fixing your weaknesses leads to success. Learn how doubling down on your natural skills and creating minimal supporting systems can dramatically boost your real estate performance.

This podcast discusses the two most effective business models for real estate agents aiming for success in 2025. Acosta, drawing on over a decade of industry experience, argues that many agents fail because they treat their work as a job rather than a business, neglecting crucial aspects like expenses and reinvestment. He asserts that the only viable paths forward are the  Do-It-Yourself (DIY)  mo...

In this episode, we break down the recent audio excerpt that dives into Utah’s housing market trends. After years of relentless price growth, the tide is shifting. The speaker analyzes quarterly data to reveal a disconnect we haven’t seen in five years: more homes hitting the market, but fewer actually selling. This isn’t a doomsday scenario, but it’s a clear sign that we’re moving from a red-hot...

In this episode, Tom and Sophie take a deep dive into my speech on why communication is the most critical skill for real estate agents. As a former top-producing agent and now director of agent development, I argue that most agents are stuck in lead gen and marketing drills without ever learning how to communicate effectively—which ultimately kills their business. Tom and Sophie dissect my points...

Tonys participation in the Agent Insider Event held by The Perry Group in Pleasant Grove Utah.

If you’re new here, my name is Tony Acosta. I’m a real estate broker with over 13 years of experience, and I help lead the #1 team at Real Broker in the nation. I’m passionate about teaching, coaching, and helping real estate agents achieve extraordinary success in their careers. Beyond real estate, I’ve built multiple ventures, from organizing TEDx events to running my own media projects and coac...

In this special AI-powered deep dive , we take a closer look at how role-playing and scripting can transform your real estate career. Using cutting-edge AI analysis, we break down the key insights from my original episode, offering enhanced takeaways, practical strategies, and expert-level refinements to help you master client conversations like never before 🔹 Why role-playing is a must for realt...

Rehearsing scripts is one thing, but practicing them the right way through role-playing is what separates top-producing realtors from the rest. In this episode, we break down how to role-play real estate scripts effectively —so you sound natural, gain confidence, and handle any client objection with ease. You'll learn: ✅ The biggest mistakes realtors make when role-playing (and how to avoid them)...

I am a nerd for customer service and hospitality. Whenever I go on a trip or a restaurant I am very aware of what makes good service. On this episode I talk about my recent experience on a Disney Cruise and what we can take from the cruising industry into our own businesses to elevate our product and customer service. Follow me on IG https://www.instagram.com/tonyacosta.co

If you’re new here, my name is Tony Acosta. I’m a real estate broker with over 13 years of experience, and I help lead the #1 team at Real Broker in the nation. I’m passionate about teaching, coaching, and helping real estate agents achieve extraordinary success in their careers. Beyond real estate, I’ve built multiple ventures, from organizing TEDx events to running my own media projects and coac...

When I learned to be versatile in my approach my business grew. When I learned to talk to people the way they want to be talked to my rapport grew. When I learned to tailor processes to specific client types I sold more homes. Follow Tony on IG https://www.instagram.com/tonyacosta.co/

In this episode of How to Be a Realtor , Tony Acosta breaks down the exact steps to building a $150,000-per-year real estate business. This solo deep dive is packed with actionable strategies for agents at any stage of their career. Tony covers everything from setting clear income goals and creating efficient lead generation systems to mastering time management and building a strong network. You'l...

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect, plan, and set goals that will drive your real estate business to new heights. In this episode of How to Be a Realtor, we dive into actionable strategies for end-of-year goal setting. Learn how to reflect on your past performance, create SMART goals, break them into actionable steps, and stay accountable throughout the year. Whether yo...

In this episode, Tony Acosta breaks down the game-changing 10-10-40-40 concept that most realtors overlook when it comes to lead generation. While many agents focus on the 20% of clients who either want to work with them right away or never will, the true opportunity lies in the other 80%. Discover how 40% of leads are waiting for more time, and the other 40% just need the right information to say...

Juan Carlos Barreneche studied the works of the most successful real estate agents in the country and  was able to build a team that allowed him to scale out of production at just 26 years old. Since then he has consistently been making $500k+ a year from his real estate business working virtually from his home. JC’s achievements include being the youngest agent ever to grow his organization at a...

On this episode I talk about the proposed NAR settlement. I think most in the industry are getting this completely wrong! I talk about why I believe that and what my experience over the last 12 years has taught me. Check out our show sponsor STOMP www.standoutmediapros.com

Check out our show sponsor and sign up for FREE! www.standoutmediapros.com Follow Tony on IG @ www.instagram.com/tonyacosta.us Dive into the essentials of real estate lead generation with "Back to Basics: Mastering Lead Gen in Real Estate." In this episode, we strip down the complexities of modern marketing to focus on the timeless tactics that build successful careers. Hear from seasoned realtors...

In this essential episode of the "How to Be a Realtor" podcast, we dive deep into the art and science of showing properties listed by other agents. Tailored for realtors who are committed to providing their buyer clients with an unparalleled property showing experience, this episode is packed with strategies, insights, and real-world advice to enhance your effectiveness as a buyer's agent. What Yo...

Dive into the tactical planning necessary for real estate success in 2024 with this episode of How To Be A Realtor. We focus on analyzing 2023's lessons, setting strategic goals for the new year, and discussing actionable growth strategies. Highlights include creating SMART goals, optimizing digital marketing, boosting productivity, and preparing for market shifts. This episode is packed with prac...