Real Talk with Leigh Brown

Natural disasters happen when you least expect it and having insurance can alleviate an enormous amount of stress when it comes to recovering what you've lost. Katy's client never thought he would ever need insurance and was concerned that he'd have to accept a lowball offer on his flood-stricken house. In this episode, Leigh welcomes Katy Caldwell who has been in real estate for almost 11 years....

Greeted by a man in his boxers, a woman in bed, and the smell of marijuana in the air is not a great way to make an impression at a house viewing. It's actually a great reason for prospective clients to pass on a house. Aurora Guiragossian discusses two unsettling real estate stories that express just how little control realtors can have on their day-to-day job. In this episode, Leigh welcomes Aur...

Taking the leap from a part-time to full-time realtor isn't an easy decision. However, for Patti, a decision had to be made and she hasn't looked back since. In this episode, Leigh welcomes Patti Sherwood , a realtor from Charlestown, West Virginia who just started in the industry 4 years ago. Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone. Never miss a beat from L...

In this episode, Leigh interviews Tracey Hicks , a realtor and co-owner of All Things Real Estate Store . Realtors are indeed entrepreneurs, but Tracey's story and career shows you that there are a lot more opportunities out there than just listing and selling homes in real estate. Tune in to see how Tracey turned drab real estate signage into a business opportunity.  Please subscribe to this podc...

In this episode, Leigh interviews Nicole Solari , a realtor from Napa Valley, California who has made a remarkable record selling 191 real estate units in just 1 year. Listen as Nicole shares two nerve-wracking experiences with the same house—she discovers the house's dark past and not-so-bright future, as she had to shoo away a hooker and her client out of the house during a showing. Please subsc...

In this episode, Leigh interviews Joe Battisto , an NYS licensed property inspector from Syracuse who works for Haven Environmental . Joe founded Haven Environmental in 2015, and they're trying to raise the bar for home inspection. Listen to Joe's advice as an expert in the field and hear how he rescued a couple from buying a problematic house that was a far cry from what was shown in photos. Plea...

In this episode, Leigh interviews Kristina Rhodes , a realtor from Indiana who works for FC Tucker Emge . Kristina has been in real estate for 17 years and, at the same time, has volunteered for Make a Wish. Listen to find out how realtors are making the effort to help their communities while hustling in the world of real estate. Kristina also shares how being a volunteer to Make a Wish has impact...

Whenever a scheduled closing does not work out, make sure you understand why. What spooked the buyer? What made them delay or change their mind? In Tricia's case, perhaps it was the basement flooded with oil or the potential run-in with a murderer... In this episode, Leigh interviews Tricia Beam , a realtor from Jersey Shore who works for Coldwell Banker Homes and has 20 years of experience in the...

In this episode, Leigh welcomes Pam Gebhardt to the show. Pam is a realtor in the Atlanta area and has been in the real estate industry for more than 26 years. Her crazy story describes a kind deed that went terribly wrong and is, indeed, a tragedy! Listen to hear why Pam no longer gives housewarming parties as a congratulatory gift to  her clients.   Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or...

Start them young! This is what Michelle did for her daughter, Amanda, who started joining client meetings and showings every time she was grounded. This relationship eventually grew to a mother-daughter partnership in real estate. In this episode, Leigh welcomes Michelle and Amanda Gordon who are family, best friends, and business partners. Michelle and Amanda are both from The Gordon Group in Gra...

Real estate was in Mark Allen's blood, but he found himself wanting to take a different path than his parents. In the end, his roots won him over and he found great success in real estate. Listen as he shares a crazy story about hosting an open house in the wrong neighborhood—but manages to make that sale anyway. In this episode, Leigh interviews Mark Allen , Vice President for Industry Relations...

Agents go out of their way to prepare snacks for clients, but what do you do with the clients who pack down their purses with the snacks? Or better yet, rob the whole house that you're showing? In this episode, Leigh welcomes Scott Lincicome who is from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Scott shares his experience dealing with some downright thieves.  Please subscr...

The smell of cookies baking in the oven, the decor arranged just right, clearing the clutter...all strategies to draw people in. However, a very chic cake left for you to sample? Now, that's just showing off. However, for Ruth, this particular cake was no ordinary cake. In this episode, Leigh welcomes Ruth Hauser who has been in real estate for almost 15 years. She is an agent for Coldwell Banker...

Rachel didn't think she'd be dealing with anymore crises after switching professions. That's the beauty of real estate, you never know what you're going to walk into next.  In this episode, Leigh welcomes Rachel Hammer , a board director of the Ottawa Real Estate Board , who has been in real estate for over 11 years. She was a former crisis counselor for the government before she became a realtor....

Yet another unfortunate pet event—apparently someone forgot to tie up the dogs and the results were fatal. In this episode, Leigh shares the mic with Diane Vinson Kolberg , a real estate broker from Bozeman, Montana. Diane has been in the real estate industry for over 17 years and delves into her unfortunate story as well as the reasons why it is important to set your schedule as a realtor.  Pleas...

Koki has not 1, but 5 crazy stories to share—and, to our dismay, we don't even get his most crazy one! In this episode, Leigh interviews Koki Adasi, an associate broker and team leader for Long and Foster Real Estate in Washington DC. With 10 years in the industry, Koki is no stranger to the debauchery that can be found behind closed doors. Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podc...

Steve Westmark knew he had to keep his cool when he found his seller asleep and the house a mess minutes after the open house was scheduled to begin. Little did he know, he'd be dealing with paramedics and questioned by the police in this unfortunate, real estate story. In this episode, Leigh interviews Steve Westmark, from Minneapolis, Minnesota—a realtor who stayed calm in a terrible situation....

Have you ever considered using Craigslist for your next home purchase? Perhaps it's just reserved for that broken toaster or teal ottoman you've had your eye on. Susanne Casey not only helped one client purchase a house on Craigslist, but THREE clients for the SAME house, over a span of 2 years—poor woman. In this episode, Leigh interviews Susanne Casey from Columbus, Ohio, who takes us into her C...

Melissa Kennedy did her due diligence and advised her client to evaluate over and over again, her decision to buy a trainwreck of a house. Did the client comply? Of course not! Otherwise, we wouldn't have this story. In this episode, Leigh interviews Melissa Kennedy from Pittsburgh. Tune is as Melissa shares just how stubborn a client can be and the repercussions Melissa endured just for doing her...

In this episode, Leigh interviews Sean Moore, a former police officer who shifted his career into full time real estate. Even though crazy stuff happens in real estate all the time, this police officer's buyer's experience is one of the most unbelievable ones you'll ever hear—mind your ears, there's porn in this one! Please subscribe to this podcast in iTunes or in the Podcasts App on your phone....

In this episode, Leigh welcomes Veronica Figueroa , a realtor based in Orlando, Florida to the Crazy $hit stage! Veronica will talk about her crazy encounters with squatters, agents gone rogue, and agents who flat-out can't control their temper when they sale goes south. She will also share her most important insights and advice for dealing with foreclosures, short-sales, and possible recessions. ...

In this episode, Leigh interviews Dawn Roy , an experienced broker based in Virginia. Realtors sometimes compete with one another especially if a buyer is very much ready to purchase a house! At the end of the day, it just comes down to who gives better value to the client. Listen as Dawn shares her crazy experience in an almost-lost client scenario because of a sneaky listing agent. Please subscr...

In this episode, Leigh interviews Drew Fristoe from Fredericksburg, Virginia. You can see the most unexpected things when you walk into a client's home. What do you do when what you see is a cause for concern when it comes to listing a property? Listen as Drew shares his hilarious story on the Crazy Shit in Real Estate Podcast and how he stumbled upon a very awkward scenario.   Please subscribe to...

In this episode, Leigh interviews Jennifer Langston from Kansas City, Missouri. Jennifer shares her disheartening experience with an "incarcerated listing" and the events that unfolded that caused her to lose the listing.  Listen as Jennifer discusses how this entire process changed Jennifer and her business practices to better prepare for "the worst scenario".    Please subscribe to this podcast...

In this episode, Leigh interviews Brady Sanford from Rockhill, South Carolina. Brady shares how he manages to be both in the appraisal and brokerage world and how choosing his line of work catered to his strengths. Also, Brady shares a key strategy that sellers and listing agents can use to get the most value out of their property when it comes to an appraisal.    Please subscribe to this podcast...