The LA Realtor Podcast

This week, hosts Paul and Sara are joined by photographer Jonathan Paris, founder of Visual Open House. We discuss how the landscape of virtual showings has drastically changed in the past few years, the benefits of hiring a professional for your visual marketing, and the growing trend of agents getting in front of the camera. We also cover the importance of communication between photographer and...

This week, hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Stephanie Vitacco - consistently named one of top 100 agents in the country by Wall Street Journal,  Stephanie has over 7,000 sales under her belt. We discuss the kind of dedication it takes to succeed in the industry, what agents should focus on most in their first three years, and the struggles of managing buyer and seller expectations. We also chat a...

This week, Paul and Sara are joined by Darin and Shanese Wells of Professional Foundation Repair, a husband-and-wife team who specialize in foundation and drainage repair. We discuss the most common problems in both slab and raised foundations, some things homeowners can do preventatively, as well as what is required to diagnose and address foundation problems. We also cover what realtors should b...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined this week by estate sale expert, Kelly Charlshe, Grasons Estate Sale Services. We discuss what estate sale services cover and how they can benefit realtors, homeowners, and stagers alike, as well as how estate sales can lead to listings. We also cover the various reasons clients might be holding an estate or liquidation sale, how things get appraised and priced, and...

This week, hosts Paul and Sara are joined by moving expert, Lyndon B. Johnson (no, not *that* one). We discuss the benefits of hiring professionals for moving services, how every move is as unique as the people moving, and the various services offered by A-List Moving (there's something for every price point!). We also chat about the most difficult objects to move, how entry access can make or bre...

Hosts Paul and Sara welcome Will Tiao, expert in multi-family real estate and property management. We chat about the continuing rise of rental rates, the subsequent increased need for property management, and what realtors who want to get into the multi-family game should know. We also discuss rent control regulations and their potential impacts to the market, the ongoing confusion surrounding the...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined this week by John MacDonald, Farmers Insurance, to discuss the wild world of Homeowners Insurance. We go over what is covered in a standard policy, the complexities of water damage claims, and the rising difficulties of securing fire insurance. We also discuss the three things realtors need to consider when advising their clients about homeowners insurance.  And hey...

Hosts Paul and Sara sit down with Elliott Kimmel (Assessment Appeal Advisors) to discuss the complexities of property taxes. We learn how recently-passed Prop 19 affects homeowners and investors, what exactly constitutes an 'assessable event,' and why inheriting a property isn't always a gold mine. We also discuss the potential reasons for property tax appeals, why there's a growing number of appe...

This week, hosts Paul and Sara sit down for a chat with GLAR (Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors) President, Anthony Vulin. We discuss what GLAR does and the many different resources available through them, as well as addressing the importance of diversity in their representatives and how Anthony has worked to ensure the organization reflects the LA realtor scene at large. We also learn h...

This week, hosts Paul and Sara give us a little deeper insight into....themselves! We learn about Paul's history in real estate, development, and flipping homes, as well as how he started his own company, GreatBuildz, which helps connect homeowners with reliable contractors in the SoCal area. We also hear about Sara's background in escrow, what her position as an escrow rep entails, and the import...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined this week by real estate content creator and viral TikTok sensation, Aaron Grushow. We discuss the reach potential and pros and cons of various social media platforms, why consistency is key to gaining followers, and the importance of finding your authentic voice and niche. We also cover how to tap into monetizing your content, converting followers into clients, and...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined this week by realtor coach Ellis Posner. We cover how authentic interactions are more important than client conversions, narrowing things down to '7-14 day leads,' and the four important questions realtors should ask themselves every week. We also discuss the struggle of 'what to say' as a realtor, the importance of consistent video content, and why having great rela...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined this week by California Association of Realtors President, Otto Catrina. We discuss how the CAR is working to ensure the success of CA realtors, the many resources available to CAR members, and how real estate crosses the aisle in Sacramento politics. We also address the challenges the industry faces in the coming years, the growing concerns over inflation of everyth...

This week, Paul is joined by GreatBuildz team member and ADU expert, Stephanie Lovell. We learn what exactly constitutes an Accessory Dwelling Unit, who is building them and why, and the benefits they may have for investors. We also discuss garage conversions vs. new build ADUs, the potential costs and timelines involved, how to find a good ADU contractor, and why acting as owner/builder might jus...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Jennifer Gilbert, owner of marketing strategy company, Remio Group. We learn why outsourcing your marketing allows you to focus on being an expert in real estate, why bus benches and shopping carts may be passe but billboards might be making a comeback, and that direct mail doesn't have to be seen as 'junk.' We also discuss the importance of using your face in you...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined by attorney Jack LaPedis to discuss the inside workings of real estate disputes. We learn the importance of resolving lawsuits in the dispute stage rather than going to trial, why the best settlements are the ones where no one is happy, and who is really on the hook when it's time for a payout. We also cover the types of questions realtors should ask when doing discl...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined by the COO of Pango Group, Joe Curtis, for a discussion on today's market trends, escrow best practices, and more. We learn what escrow is exactly and how it protects the interests of both buyers and sellers, and how to best avoid wire transfer fraud in the digital age. We also talk about how today's landscape differs greatly from 2008's 'bubble burst,' how being abl...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Dee Soffer to discuss the ups and downs of property management and leasing. We learn about the many hats property managers have to wear, why renters tend to treat single family properties as their 'own,' the difference between being a property manager and a leasing agent, and how something as simple as a lemon tree can cause so much conflict.    Dee Soffer dee@opt...

Hosts Paul and Sara welcome attorney Richard Marker to discuss the upcoming end of the Covid eviction moratorium in Los Angeles. We learn how the moratorium affected both tenants and landlords, what to expect now that it's ending, why there may be an influx of investor-owned properties for sale, and - most importantly - what happens to all that debt? Richard Marker rmarker@flash.net https://www.gr...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined by Gary Magnone of the cutting-edge digital media marketing company, Contrast House. We discuss the changing landscape of digital marketing, how editorial-style photography can elevate your listing, why your 'listing launch' is so important, the social platforms you should be focusing on (hint - it's all of them!), and why agents should probably avoid the dreaded 'ba...

Hosts Paul and Sara welcome guest Marisa Azra, Account Executive at Chicago Title, to discuss one of the most important steps of the real estate process. We learn why your title rep should be your first call after landing a listing, what exactly a 'PTR' is, some surprising secrets about shared property, and how local television was the original real estate reel.    Marisa Azra, Chicago Title maris...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined by real estate industry veteran Steve Heravi, Managing Director at Compass Real Estate. We cover how agents can benefit from a branch manager, what 'deal doctoring' is, the best ways to stay connected and present in your clients' lives, a potential mass exodus from the real estate industry, and why you just might have to bite the bullet and get on TikTok.    Steve He...

Hosts Paul and Sara chat this week with Brian Minkow, Divisional VP of Homebridge Mortgage, one of the top mortgage originators in the country. We discuss the current market climate and future forecasts, the difference between Fed interest rates and mortgage rates, the rising popularity of bank statement loans, and why sometimes telling your clients to 'shut up' is an option.   Brian Minkow, Homeb...

Hosts Paul and Sara are joined by one of LA's amazing home stagers, Kelley Mehlman of K Grace Interiors, to discuss the art of staging and how it can benefit both realtors and homeowners. We'll learn the do's and don'ts of hiring a professional stager, how and when to involve them in the process, and - most importantly! - where do they keep all that furniture? Kelly Mehlman, K Grace Interiors: htt...

Hosts Paul and Sara sit down with Heidi Marshall of First American to discuss all things Home Warranty. We chat about what a Home Warranty is, who usually pays for it, how it benefits homeowners, the most common claims, and learn the best time to get your roof checked (hint - it's not when it's raining!). Heidi  Marshall, First American hmarshall@firstam.com https://www.firstam.com/   Paul Dashevs...