The Real Build

In this episode of The Real Build, I featured Zach Burick, the owner of Duggins Welding in Salem, North Carolina.  Zach and his team specialize in installing structural steel for multi-story buildings, manufacturing centers, schools, churches, and commercial/office projects.  Zach and I talked about his process, leading a team at a young age, and the importance of structural steel in a p...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with David Friedman, who is the Co-Founder and CEO of Knox Financial, a financial services company specializing in helping people turn the homes they're moving out of into market-beating investment properties. Through a Frictionless Ownership Platform, David does from finding renters to property maintenance and managing finances. With over a decade of...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Dillon Mitchell, who is the owner of Kowabunga Studios.  Dillon is an electrical and technology designer for commercial construction.  Dillon is there to help you get through projects faster and not be so stressed to get projects done. Helping you and your team live a better life. Handing design documents to them means they do the heavy...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Michael Leonetti, owner of Mastercraft Exteriors in Williamstown, NJ.  Michael specializes in Roofing and Siding construction.  Michael and I discussed his process from start to finish and what you need to look for when doing your next siding project.  We discussed the importance of using quality siding like Hardi Board and how it m...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Michael McGovern, the owner of Columbus Construction Company and Columbus Roofing.  Michael is on a mission to get everything he can out of every customer he works with. Meaning he wants to offer multiple services so that he can give the most value he possibly can to every customer. Michael believes he will get more jobs by being more service...

In this episode of The Real Build, I wanted to talk about my recent trip to Pittsburgh for the Top Contractor School Summer Retreat and what great information I took from it. TCS is a construction group that Ive been a part of for about seven months now. The group is full of high-performing contractors trying to improve all aspects of their lives, most notably our business.   I took so much f...

We all go through challenging situations that can make or break us. They can cause anger, and we have to step back sometimes and ask ourselves if it is worth it. In this episode of The Real Build, I wanted to address some situations that personally happened to me in business recently. In these situations, Ive had to turn the other cheek. Ive had to take the high road and not let the issues get the...

In this episode of The Real Build, I featured Liza Blas of Very Happy Stories. Liza is the host of the Very Happy Stories podcast, and she also inspires, validates & empowers caregivers of children with challenging conditions. I wanted to have Liza discuss a crucial topic that not many people discuss. That topic is mold and how we should check for it and ensure our families and ourselves are f...

In this episode of The Real Build, I wanted to discuss how ive leveled up my real estate and construction businesses using a specific strategy. This strategy 10x my business and took me from selling 500K properties to million dollar plus properties. It took our building business from building 650k homes to 2 million dollar plus homes. So what is this magic strategy? Warning, it's no overnight succ...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Andrew Houston, owner of Profit For Contractors. Andrew and I discussed all stages of a transaction and how we can better serve our clients as contractors to better our business and get more customers. This is a very jam-packed episode full of powerful tactical information for contractors and how they can take more control over their business. And...

In this episode of The Real Build, I featured Matt Vetter, president of Schafer Construction in Brighton, Michigan. Matt and I discussed many topics in the construction business. But most importantly, we talked about the client experience and how we both strive to learn how to deliver the best experience possible. We are constantly figuring out ways to improve customer experience through communica...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Barry Van Patten II of Van Patten Luxury Group out of Scottsdale, Arizona. Barry and I have become friends through an entrepreneur group we have been a part of called the Arete Syndicate. We relate in many different ways, and both have a passion for helping people through real estate. Barry and I discussed many big topics in the real estate world,...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Keith Callaway, founder of K&L Industries out of Portland, Oregon.  Keith and I had a great conversation about how his walk with faith has affected his everyday life in so many positive ways. We talked about communication and how it is the most essential element of every business. We also spoke about K&L and their impact on their empl...

In this episode of The Real Build,  I wanted to talk about the trends I see in the homes we build. People ask what other customers are doing, so I decided to list them from exterior to interior. Here is a list of what we are doing: Exteriors - clean, smooth stucco, wood brackets, no brackets, modern making moves Roofs - still tile and metal Paint colors - light colors - whites Garage doors- m...

In this episode of The Real Build, I wanted to talk about the 75hard challenge and how it helped me in so many ways over the last couple of years as a broker and a builder.  So what is 75hard? 2 - 45 min workouts, one outside and one inside 1 gallon of water Read ten pages a day Must stick to a diet  Daily progress picture   No alcohol What I gained from it  Consistency – 6 thi...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Austin Linney, a real estate investor and mindset coach out of Houston, Texas. Austin and I talked about investing in real estate in today's crazy market and some of his strategies to capitalize on rising interest rates, high prices, high building costs, and low inventory. Austin Linney is a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor, business and...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat Down with Anthony and Nick Abbruzzese of Abbruzzese floors. The Abbruzzese brothers and I talked about being in a family business and how we, as the second generation, are eliminating the stigma of 2nd generation business owners not caring and failing the family business. We talked about how we were blessed with an opportunity to make it even better. Abbruz...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Ryan Austin, Owner of Birmingham Sealcoat.  Ryan and I talked about how Employees build your company. It's not just you. Your employees and your culture are what will make or break your company. You need to give up control and make people within your organization a part of your company. We also talked about the importance of customer service....

In this episode of The Real Build, I wanted to discuss the closing process and how we go about the final touches in the homes we build. This has been heavy on my mind because we currently have two houses we are closing on. It is a lot of leg work to get everything finalized. Painters, Trim Carpenters, Cabinets, appliances, tile, countertops, electricians, low voltage, and more! People are running...

In this episode of The Real Build, I talk about the state of the home building industry and where I think it will go. I talked about how we continue to face material increases, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages. As these things may not completely disappear in 2022, there is optimism that things may ease. We continue to face a lack of labor force nationally in construction. It has been...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Josh Sanders, owner of Sanders and Sons Handyman LLC, Johnson City, Tennessee. Josh and I talked about everything you need to look for before hiring your next handyman service. Having a good handyman service is essential. We don't always have the time to take care of the small jobs around our home. This is where Josh and Sanders, and Sons can help...

In this episode of The Real Build, we talk about taxes and how you can save money when buying, building, selling, or renting a home. I had tax expert Lisa Bloomfield of Wasatch CPA Services in Spanish Fork, Utah, talk about what you need to start doing to save money in real estate and construction. Lisa has over 20 years of experience in accounting and tax. Over the past three years, she and her p...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Royal Mortier, owner of PLIRIS. Royal and I talked about the importance of engineering in the build process. We also discussed the architectural process and how Royal is changing how architecture is done and making it more efficient. He also has made it way more cost-effective for clients. Royal Mortier is a Structural Engineer, Developer, and the...

I've said this before real estate and building go hand in hand. As a broker and a builder, I've been blessed with the ability to help people more than just get the property and build them a home. Doing both real estate and construction has really helped me see what people want in these industries from dealing with both sides. We get a lot of referrals from realtors. But I wouldn’t get those referr...

In this episode of The Real Build, I sat down with Arnie Didier, the COO And Principal / Founder of Forest Business Network. With lumber costs fluctuating, I thought Arnie would be the perfect person to discuss what we should expect with the lumber market and the future of building homes. The Forest Business Network is focused on the Forest Products Industry and Mass timber construction industry....