The Real Deal with Empire

Behind every successful business is a story of hard work, sacrifice, and a commitment to doing things differently. On this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , host Ali Fawaz sits down with Ali Berro, founder of AquaPro , to talk about his journey building one of Metro Detroit’s recognizable exterior cleaning brands. From getting started in the industry to growing a company built on trust, quali...

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , host Ali Fawaz sits down with Mayor Brian Turnbull — lifelong Northville resident, historian, and city leader — to talk about how one of Michigan’s most charming towns is bridging its storied past with a bold vision for the future. From the revitalization of Ford Field and the new riverwalk and river daylighting project , to the 7 Mile and Sheldon rou...

In an industry where agents are constantly moving from one brokerage to the next, stability has become rare. The average real estate brokerage sees around 15% of its agents leave every year. At Empire Realty Group, that number is just 3%. In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , we sit down with the person who represents that stability better than anyone — Ahmad Hojeij , the very first agent...

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, Ali sits down with AOM Property Inspection Solutions owner and retired engineer John Micheli to break down one of the most important — and misunderstood — parts of the home buying process: the home inspection. They discuss what a home inspection really covers, common misconceptions buyers have, when a specialist may be needed, and why waiving an inspec...

Mayor Lori Stone joins The Real Deal with Empire to talk about what’s really happening in Warren, Michigan — from revitalizing neighborhoods and attracting new businesses to building a city where families want to live and grow. As Warren’s first female mayor, Lori Stone is breaking barriers and driving serious change — and this episode covers it all: economic development, community pride, leadersh...

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , Ali Fawaz sits down with Jeff Berry of Milestone Mortgage , a trusted lending partner of Empire Realty Group, to break down what’s really happening in today’s mortgage market — and how smart financing can make homeownership more achievable than ever. From zero-down and first-time buyer programs to myth-busting common misconceptions (like whether you r...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with the Mayor of Farmington Hills to talk about the city’s growth, community development, and the people shaping its bright future. From local real estate trends to new civic projects, this conversation dives into what makes Farmington Hills one of Southeast Michigan’s most desirable places to live and work.#FarmingtonHills #MichiganRealEstate #TheRealDealWi...

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , we sit down with Amin—an accomplished real estate agent and GM engineer—to unpack what it really takes to succeed as a new agent in today’s market. From the lack of brokerage support to the critical need for digital tools and mentorship, Amin shares honest insights, personal stories, and practical advice for navigating the challenges of the industry....

What’s really driving growth in Farmington Hills — and how do you plan for the future while staying rooted in what makes a city feel like home? In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, host Ali Fawaz sits down with Cristia Brockway, Economic Development Director for the City of Farmington Hills, to talk about what’s working, what’s next, and how the city is thinking long-term. From big busine...

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , we sit down with Walt Gajewski, the passionate Market Manager behind the Farmington Farmers & Artisans Market — one of Southeast Michigan’s most cherished community gathering spaces. Walt shares the inspiring story of how the market evolved from a humble idea into a vibrant cultural hub that supports local businesses, brings people together, and b...

What does it really mean to build a city where people feel seen, valued, and supported? In this powerful episode, Ali Fawaz sits down with Paschal Eze , Chief Diversity Officer for the City of Westland, MI—an author, community builder, and relentless advocate for connection, belonging, and purpose. With 18 books under his belt and decades spent mentoring others, Paschal shares the values that driv...

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , we sit down with Real Estate Attorney Ali Dagher for a wide-ranging, high-energy conversation that pulls no punches. We cover the shifting tides of the housing market, the evolving meaning of home ownership, the rise of AI in real estate, and how hedge funds are reshaping the landscape behind the scenes. It’s all connected—and we break it down in a wa...

This week on The Real Deal with Empire , we're joined again by Cindy Immonen , VP State Agency Representative at Fidelity , for a no-nonsense breakdown of FinCEN’s latest regulatory push in real estate. FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) is proposing a sweeping new rule that would require real estate professionals to report up to 111 data points for each non-financed, cash real esta...

In the Season 2 premiere of The Real Deal with Empire , we sit down with James Mallette , the former principal of Robichaud High School, whose bold career pivot into real estate is nothing short of inspiring. James shares his powerful journey from leading in education to leading in real estate — now thriving as a licensed agent, investor, and contractor. But he didn’t stop there. Today, James is p...

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, Ali Fawaz sits down with Ramy from Olympian Mortgage to dive deep into the world of real estate financing for investors, self-employed borrowers, and high-performance professionals. Ramy shares what he's learned from working with top real estate investors, how Olympian Mortgage is growing in a competitive market, and why mindset and leadership are...

In this episode of Welcome to The Real Deal with Empire, we dive into the rapidly growing world of professional coaching—and take a critical look at what separates real expertise from empty titles. Our guest, John Gottchalk, brings decades of executive leadership experience and now works as a coach and consultant guiding professionals across industries. As the coaching space becomes increasingly c...

Ever thought about flipping houses but don’t know where to start? In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire, host Ali Fawaz sits down with real estate investor and construction expert Frank Mastroianni to break down the fix-and-flip game. With deep roots in the construction industry—his family runs the well-known Italy America Construction—Frank shares insider tips on how to spot the right prop...

In this episode, we sit down with property tax expert Sam Miller to uncover a shocking truth—many homeowners are paying more in property taxes than they should! Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and education to the table, breaking down how property taxes are calculated, common mistakes that lead to overpayments, and what homebuyers (and their real estate agents) need to know to avoid costly surpri...

Is now the right time to buy, or should you wait? In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , host Ali Fawaz sits down with Jeff Berry from Milestone Mortgage to discuss creative solutions for buying a home in today’s challenging market. Interest rates may be high, but Jeff is here to reveal smart strategies that could help buyers and investors make bold, informed decisions. 🔑 In This Episode,...

👮‍♂️🏡 What happens when a police officer becomes a real estate agent? In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , host Ali Fawaz sits down with Khalil Hojeij , a Dearborn Heights police officer and Empire Realty Group agent , to discuss his unique dual career path. 🚔 Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ How Khalil balances protecting the community and helping families find their dream homes ✅ His e...

Title insurance might not be the first thing on your mind when buying a home, but it’s one of the most important protections you can have. In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , host Ali Fawaz sits down with Cindy Immonen, VP & Senior Agency Representative at Fidelity National Financial, to break down everything you need to know about title insurance—what it is, why it matters, and how...

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , host Ali Fawaz sits down with Gus, a Miami real estate pro now making waves in Metro Detroit. Gus is on a mission to serve Hispanic homebuyers, breaking down language barriers and building trust in an underserved market. 🔥 What You’ll Learn: ✅ The challenges Hispanic buyers face in real estate ✅ Why bilingual agents make a huge difference ✅ The fu...

In this episode of The Real Deal with Empire , we’re sitting down with Mustafa Zubaidi, the driving force behind the launch of the Empire Institute of Real Estate . We’re talking about what this new institute means for aspiring agents, how it’s shaking up the industry, and why real estate education needs a serious glow-up. But don’t worry—we’re keeping it fun. We’ll hit Mustafa with some unexpecte...

Ever wondered what it takes to build a dream home—especially when those dreams include a walk-in cooler for fur coats? In this episode, we sit down with Nidal Arzouni, a seasoned builder and designer (and partner in Empire Realty Group’s Garden City location), to dive into the wild world of custom home requests. From over-the-top features to the challenge of setting realistic expectations, Nidal s...

In this first episode of the Empire Realty Group podcast, we sit down with founder Ahmad Fawaz to dive into the story of how Empire Realty got its start. From the early struggles of navigating a competitive industry to the unique strategy that set Empire apart, Ahmad shares valuable insights on what it takes to build a successful real estate business. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on growt...