This week on Moving Fort Wayne, Brad Noll sits down with Richy Mon, the newest member of Noll Team Real Estate, to answer a question every buyer and seller eventually faces: how do you choose the right realtor? A Fort Wayne native, Richie spent five years in Nashville building a career as a professional dancer while working in real estate, sharing stages with artists like Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, and Shania Twain, and touring with DJ John Summit. With a growing family and a second child on the way, he made the decision to move back to Northeast Indiana, and his first call was Brad. The conversation moves from Richie's journey home to the practical questions that matter most when hiring an agent. Brad and Richie compare the wildly competitive Nashville market, where starter homes run $450,000 to $500,000, with Fort Wayne's far more affordable landscape, where the average sales price sits at $295,000. They unpack why so many people moved last year to be closer to family, and why values, character, and competence should guide your choice of both a realtor and the team behind them. Along the way, Brad shares the story behind the Noll Team name, rooted in his own experience of individual success without team success, and lays out the four jobs he believes a realtor should focus on: building relationships, listing homes, showing homes, and negotiating deals. Richie reflects on the peace of mind that comes from a full support team, the difference between a salesperson and an advisor, and the one question that reveals more than any other: what percentage of your business comes from referrals and past clients? Key Takeaways ● The number one reason people moved in 2025 was to get closer to family, and that trend is expected to continue ● Fort Wayne remains one of the most affordable markets in the country, with an average sales price of $295,000 and a median of $265,000, compared to Nashville starter homes at $450,000 to $500,000 ● Choosing a brokerage comes down to shared values; on the Noll Team, the number one core value is "serve others," with no exceptions or asterisks ● A realtor has four core jobs: build relationships, list homes, show homes, and negotiate deals, and a strong support team frees the agent to focus on them ● Hire for character and competence; the best introductions come through a referral or recommendation, not by calling the agent listed on a home you like ● Ask any agent what percentage of their business comes from repeat and referral clients; the national average is about 65%, and the remainder reflects time spent prospecting instead of serving you ● A good realtor knows the market and gets you to closing; a great realtor acts as an advisor, asks questions, shares pros and cons, and tells you the truth even when it means slowing down Guest ● Name: Richy Mon ● Title: Real Estate Agent ● Company: Noll Team Real Estate ● Bio: Fort Wayne native and newest member of Noll Team Real Estate, Richy Mon spent five years in Nashville building a career as a professional dancer while also working in real estate. He has performed with artists including Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, and toured with DJ John Summit before moving back to Northeast Indiana with his family. Connect ● Podcast: Moving Fort Wayne ● Host: Brad Noll, The Noll Team: https://www.thenollteam.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradnoll24/ ● Guest: Richy Mon, Noll Team Real Estate: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richy-mon-b360b015b/ ● Also check out Brad's other podcast, Student of the Game, for small business strategy and leadership: https://www.youtube.com/@StudentoftheGamePodcastw-bb6wp #MovingFortWayne #FortWayneRealEstate #HomeBuying #RealEstateTips #TheNollTeam #HomeMaintenanceTips #SpringHomeCare #MidwestHomes #HomeInspection #HomeOwnership Since 2003, Noll Team Real Estate has been helping people in the Fort Wayne area find the freedom to live the lifestyle they want. Despite changing markets and business tactics, we have remained true to this better and improved business model by focusing on building relationships and serving others in everything we do. Whatever stage of life you are in, our goal is to provide you with the wisdom and tools necessary when buying or selling a home. We put you first to ensure an enjoyable and profitable experience. Mentioned in this episode: Mortgage you Home with Ruoff Mortgage Ruoff Mortgage