Real Talk with Leigh Brown

Everybody keeps saying the same thing: young people can't afford to buy homes anymore. Justice Bigot isn't ignoring today's market, but he also isn't buying into the idea that homeownership is out of reach. At just 26 years old, he's helping clients navigate a challenging market by focusing on honesty, relationships, and practical advice instead of hype. If you've been wondering whether homeowners...

Selling a highly appreciated asset can trigger a devastating tax bill, but it doesn't always have to. In this episode, Chad Ettmueller and Monty Walker break down a little-known tax strategy called the Structured Installment Sale. This approach allows sellers of investment real estate, farmland, timberland, or even closely-held businesses to defer their capital gains taxes while securing a guarant...

Everybody wants consistent income but very few people are willing to do what it actually takes to get there. In this episode, I sit down with Dan Rochon to break down what creates predictable success in a business that feels anything but predictable. In a world where everyone is chasing shortcuts and quick wins… this conversation is a reality check on what actually works and why most people never...

Owning rental property sounds simple… until you see what landlords in California are actually dealing with. In this episode, I sit down with landlord-tenant attorney Niv Davidovich to break down the reality of managing property in one of the most heavily regulated states in the country - from eviction laws to tenant fraud to policies that can leave owners stuck with major risk. In a market where r...

Real estate is changing fast and most people don't fully understand what's happening behind the scenes. In this episode, I sit down with Amanda DiVito Parle to talk about the major shifts happening across the industry - from brokerage models to burnout to the growing fight over data and control. In a market where everything feels uncertain… This conversation will challenge how you think about the...

The most loving thing a leader can do is tell you the truth about what is expected, and then hold you to it. In this episode, we're closing out the Leadership Courage series with the structural answer to every culture problem. Standards. Clear, specific, observable, and enforced the same way for everyone. If you have been leading bravely but feel like your organization is still running on vibes in...

If you listened to the last episode and thought, "Yeah… I need to do that" then this episode is for you. At some point, every leader hits this moment: You recognize the issue, you see exactly what needs to happen. And yet… nothing changes. Not because you don't care, but because taking action requires something most people avoid - discomfort. In this episode, I'm digging into what happens after aw...

Do you know what the difference is between being liked vs. being respected? In this episode, I'm digging into one of the hardest truths in leadership - the gap between being liked and being respected. Because too many leaders are operating under the illusion that being "nice" is the same as being effective. So if you've been holding back feedback, delaying decisions, or hoping someone "figures it...

Reverse mortgages have one of the worst reputations in real estate - and most of it is based on outdated information, half-truths, or flat-out misunderstanding. In this episode, I chat with mortgage expert Laura Phillips to unpack what a reverse mortgage actually is, how it works today, and where it can be a powerful financial tool. In a market where property taxes are rising, insurance costs are...

Most families think they'll "figure it out later" when it comes to the farm. But later is exactly when things fall apart. In this episode, I sit down with Johnny Klemme to unpack the reality behind farm transitions where legacy, money, and family dynamics collide. We break down what actually happens when heirs have different plans for a farm and why waiting too long can turn a legacy asset into a...

There's a quiet shift happening in real estate that most consumers are not watching closely enough. While the headlines focus on lawsuits, commissions, and industry noise, the deeper issue is what happens when MLS data starts getting held back or fragmented. In this episode, Leigh breaks down why the MLS is not just a listing tool. It is part of the foundation that helps appraisers determine value...

Most people hear the word "auction" and assume one thing:   Something went wrong. That's not always true.   In this episode, I'm breaking down what an auction actually looks like in real estate today because y'all have been asking, and there's a LOT of confusion out there.   If you're dealing with a house, an estate, or just a whole lot of "stuff" and don't know where to start… this one's for you....

Christopher Watters didn't just have a slow start - he had a full-on crash. Bad investments, empty bank accounts, and a reality check that forced him to rebuild from scratch. Somewhere along the way, he figured out a system that works and we'll talk about what actually turned things around and how most agents could avoid making the same mistakes he made. If you're interested in hearing ways to fix...

We all say we want affordable housing, but what if the real problem isn't what we think it is? I sat down with mortgage expert Phil Ganz, and let me tell you - he did not hold back. We dig into what's actually driving affordability, what builders are doing behind the scenes, and why some of the "solutions" people push might be making things worse. And just when you think you've got a handle on it,...

This week, it's a solo episode, and I'm coming in hot. I just got back from the REALTORS® Land Institute National Land Conference, NLC26, and one issue lit me up: the European Union Deforestation Regulation, or EUDR. It may be a European rule, but American landowners could still feel it through timber contracts, supply chain requirements, and restrictions buried in private agreements. If you own l...

Everybody says we need more housing, but very few people understand how housing actually gets built or why it is so hard to get new neighborhoods approved in the first place. I sat down with Brandon Cobb to talk through what really happens before the first house ever goes up. We also unpack the real gap in the market, especially for entry-level housing, and why the very things people push back on,...

What do you do when a seller tells you, "If you disclose the house is unstable, I'll sue you"? In this episode, LA real estate veteran David Kramer breaks down the high-stakes world of luxury real estate where the houses are massive, but the legal risks are even bigger. Plus, David shares a specific strategy he used to win a $50M listing before the sellers could ask him a single question. This is...

If you're feeling exhausted by the constant waves of change in our industry, you aren't alone. But here is the hard truth: Exhaustion is not an excuse for paralysis.   In this episode, I chat with Keith Robinson, Co-CEO of NextHome, to talk about why so many agents are "freezing" right now and why that's the most dangerous thing you can do for your business.   Key takeaways to listen for Why the n...

What if the biggest threat to your real estate business isn't the settlement… or the portals… or the headlines? What if it's the inventory you can't see? In this episode, I sat down with James Dwiggins, Co-CEO of NextHome, to talk about private listings, brokerage consolidation, and what happens when transparency starts to fracture. If you care about consumer trust, your comps, and whether you'll...

AI can write your emails and even generate art that looks real. It's fast, efficient, and impressive. But Leigh asks a harder question: what happens when convenience starts replacing presence In this episode, she wrestles with authenticity and why showing up imperfect still builds credibility. If you want to build a reputation that lasts in an automated world, this is an episode you won't want to...

The real estate industry is at a tipping point, and REALTORS® are asking hard questions about representation, relevance, and trust. In this crossover episode from Under All Is The Land (co-hosted with Rob Hahn), we unpack NAR's new strategic plan and what it signals about the future of organized real estate. This isn't a rant. It's a leadership conversation. Because when members feel unheard, stra...

Housing has quietly become one of the most urgent issues shaping the 2026 conversation, and not for the reasons most headlines suggest. In this episode, Leigh Brown cuts through the noise to explain why affordability and availability are colliding, and what a natural disaster in Western North Carolina exposed about the gaps in housing policy. Listen in for a grounded, human view of a problem that...

Title insurance might seem like a formality, but what if it's the weakest link in your next transaction? In this episode, we'll chat with Andrew "Dru" Wischhover about rising fraud threats, surprising coverage gaps, and why agents need to understand what's actually being protected at the closing table. Hit play to rethink everything you thought you knew about closing a deal!   Key takeaways to lis...

Snowstorms, vacant land, HGTV, and city council meetings don't usually belong in the same conversation, unless you're selling real estate in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Listen in as we chat with Benjamin Argall about what it really looks like to run a brokerage and build economic momentum in one of the most challenging real estate environments in the country.   Key takeaways to listen for What doe...

The housing market in Minnesota is changing fast with hidden forces shaping it. So in this episode, Todd Urbanski unpacks the real-world impact of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) thinking, municipal fees, and shifting neighborhood dynamics in Minnesota. Tune in for an honest conversation that brings light to today's most pressing housing challenges.   Key takeaways to listen for What's driving the curr...