Raising Real Estate Standards

Brian & Mark Mann

A Podcast dedicated to providing information and tips on how real estate agents can step up their game, raise their standards practices and become the best real estate agent they can be in their market.

  1. DEC 8

    Quick Wins: Nurturing Advocates

    Send Us A Message Your sphere of influence contains a small group of people who actively sell for you - your advocates. Most agents fail to identify who these people are and, more importantly, fail to pour back into them with the same energy they receive. This episode breaks down how to identify your top 20-25 advocates and implement a personal, non-programmable approach to keeping them engaged and appreciated. Featured Quote: "I have seen it a number of times where $200,000 - $500,000 incomes are built upon 15, 20 advocates in the community. It doesn't take many to build a massive business in this business, in the real estate business, on a few advocates that are out in the community." What You Will Learn How to identify the advocates already in your sphere of influenceWhy your top 20-25 relationships deserve the most intentional focusThe difference between personal service and programmable outreachWhy serving advocates rarely involves real estate conversationsThe minimum monthly cadence required to stay top of mindHow to celebrate referrals without it ever feeling redundantWhy 80% of business comes from your sphere even when you're not intentional about itListen to the Podcast on these Platforms Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-real-estate-standards/id1574549987 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZKLmFIFvx1UjSwL4jOTVz Social Media and Contact Information Website: https://www.raisingrealestatestandards.com Link Tree:  https://linktr.ee/raisingrealestatestandards

    11 min
  2. NOV 4

    Quick Wins: Maximizing Your Sphere

    Send Us A Message In this Quick Wins Series episode, Brian and Mark deliver a quick-hit strategy on maximizing your sphere of influence. Most agents recognize their sphere provides 80% of their business, yet they fail to intentionally nurture these relationships. Client events offer the most underutilized lead generation strategy in real estate, creating multiple touchpoints around a single gathering while deepening relationships that drive long-term business growth. The fourth quarter presents a natural opportunity to overcome the intimidation of hosting events and start making meaningful deposits into your sphere. Featured Quote: "What's really cool is if you sit back and watch, and I've done this on a number of occasions, is when the agent, the principal who put all this stuff together, is off to the side talking to someone, and then you watch this group of people come together, and they start interacting. And they start pouring into one another. It's just this snowball effect of just good things that happen, all because you decided to take a step outside of your comfort zone, step outside of your box, and put together a group of people that have like interests, like minded events." What You Will Learn Multiply Your Touchpoints - How one client event creates 5-6 communication opportunities with your sphere through invitations, reminders, the event itself, and follow-upsPartnership Strategy - Why collaborating with mortgage lenders, inspectors, and other service providers reduces costs while expanding value for attendeesRealistic Expectations - Understanding that 25-30% attendance is normal, allowing you to focus on quality connections rather than overwhelming turnoutDeposits vs. Withdrawals - How client events shift your relationship from constantly asking for referrals to genuinely investing in your sphere's experienceFourth Quarter Timing - Why the holiday season provides the perfect natural opportunity to host your first event without excusesThe Compounding Effect - How each subsequent event builds on the last, creating expected traditions that strengthen over timeProfessional Positioning - Why hosting client gatherings separates professionals from part-timers and establishes long-term business sustainabilityListen to the Podcast on these Platforms Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-real-estate-standards/id1574549987 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZKLmFIFvx1UjSwL4jOTVz Social Media and Contact Information Website: https://www.raisingrealestatestandards.com Link Tree:  https://linktr.ee/raisingrealestatestandards

    12 min
  3. OCT 15

    AI First Steps w/ Scott Rippey

    Send Us A Message Most real estate agents know AI exists but feel paralyzed by where to start. The technology isn't meant to replace your expertise - it amplifies it. When you understand how to prompt effectively and which tools solve real problems, AI transforms from an intimidating concept into a practical assistant that makes you faster, more efficient, and more effective in your business. Featured Quote: "It doesn't replace your expertise. It basically amplifies it. The more detail you give it, the better quality of input you give it, the better quality of output you get out of it. It's gonna help you work faster and more efficiently and increase your quality of output as long as you're giving it good information." What You Will Learn Understand the four major AI platforms and how every other AI tool uses them as the "engine under the hood" - helping you cut through the overwhelming number of optionsMaster prompting techniques that get you 80-90% of the way to your desired output by adding structure, defining roles, and asking AI to clarify one question at a timeEvaluate free versus paid plans to determine which investment level matches your usage needs without overspending on features you won't useNavigate context window limitations and use memory features between chats so you can continue complex work without losing progress or having to constantly summarizeApply AI to real estate workflows including listing descriptions, market research, translation services, appointment scheduling, and role-play practice through advanced voice modeImplement practical tools beyond ChatGPT like Granola for meeting transcription, WisprFlow for voice-to-text, and Perplexity for market research with proper source citationsProtect sensitive information while using AI by understanding privacy considerations and maintaining appropriate boundaries with client and financial data Main AI Platforms (LLMs) ChatGPT by OpenAI: https://chat.openai.comClaude by Anthropic: https://claude.aiGemini by Google: https://gemini.google.comGrok by X: https://x.aiAI-Powered Tools for Real Estate Canva (AI graphics & design): https://www.canva.comGranola (meeting transcription & notes): https://www.granola.soWisprFlow (voice-to-text): https://www.wisprflow.aiGrammarly (writing assistant): https://www.grammarly.comPerplexity (AI search engine): https://www.perplexity.aiSpecial Offer Mentioned Perplexity Pro Free for One Year with PayPal account: https://www.perplexity.ai/join/p/paypal-subscriptionListen to the Podcast on these Platforms Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-real-estate-standards/id1574549987 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZKLmFIFvx1UjSwL4jOTVz Social Media and Contact Information Website: https://www.raisingrealestatestandards.com Link Tree:  https://linktr.ee/raisingrealestatestandards

    25 min
  4. SEP 19

    Advocacy Matters w/ Jon Hardister

    Send Us A Message The Triad faces a critical housing shortage of 30,000 units by 2030, but infrastructure limitations and regulatory inconsistencies threaten to derail growth. Jon Hardister reveals how strategic advocacy and regional cooperation can transform these obstacles into opportunities for sustainable development. Featured Quote: "Building touches everybody. Everyone needs and wants a place to live, a place to go shopping, a place to go to work...There's so many jobs tied into it...and it's important socially just for quality of life to make sure that we have a building industry that's successful." What You Will Learn Why the Triad needs 30,000 new housing units by 2030 and what's standing in the wayHow inconsistent municipal regulations create hidden costs for local buildersThe $3 billion infrastructure challenge that could make or break regional growthWhy water and sewer capacity matters more than zoning for future developmentPractical steps real estate professionals can take to influence policy decisionsHow North Carolina transformed from post-recession struggles to #1 state for businessThe bipartisan momentum behind solving the housing crisisJon's Contact Information: Email: jhardister@trebic.org Website: https://trebic.org/ The opinions on this podcast are Mark and Brian’s and not in any way a reflection of RE/MAX or anyone else in the industry. Listen to the Podcast on these Platforms Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-real-estate-standards/id1574549987 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZKLmFIFvx1UjSwL4jOTVz Social Media and Contact Information Website: https://www.raisingrealestatestandards.com Link Tree:  https://linktr.ee/raisingrealestatestandards

    28 min
  5. AUG 13

    Quick Wins: The Lost Art

    Send Us A Message This episode tackles a powerful truth: 99% of real estate agents know they should write personal handwritten notes, but only 1% actually do it consistently. Brian and Mark explore how this simple, almost trivial habit creates profound connections in our digital age, where genuine personal touch has become increasingly rare. Featured Quote: "I'll tell you this. And as you age and you get older, just as you progress in different age groups, not necessarily getting older, it means something different... And let's just be honest, in today's world, the cost of sending a personal note is not insignificant. It takes, first of all, when I receive it, I know, A, they took the time and they were sitting down and they were writing something down. They took the time and they were thinking about me for a period of time. But then they took their resources and paid close to a dollar to send me this letter." What You Will Learn: Why Brian Buffini built a multi-million dollar empire on personal handwritten notesThe psychology behind why personal notes create deeper connections than digital communicationHow to implement a consistent note-writing system without it feeling forced or superficialWhy the $1 cost and time investment of a note actually increases its perceived valuePractical strategies for keeping stationery accessible to write notes in the momentThe difference between obligatory thank-you notes and truly personal connectionsHow to balance structure with authenticity in your note-writing practiceThe opinions on this podcast are Mark and Brian’s and not in any way a reflection of RE/MAX or anyone else in the industry. Listen to the Podcast on these Platforms Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-real-estate-standards/id1574549987 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZKLmFIFvx1UjSwL4jOTVz Social Media and Contact Information Website: https://www.raisingrealestatestandards.com Link Tree:  https://linktr.ee/raisingrealestatestandards

    16 min
  6. JUL 28

    Expectation Management w/ Carley Mann

    Send Us A Message The real estate market has shifted from the chaos of 2021 to a more balanced environment, but many agents are struggling because they haven't adapted their approach to match current conditions. Success now requires strategic pricing, proper property preparation, and most importantly - setting clear expectations with clients to prevent deals from falling apart. This episode features real estate agent Carley Mann sharing how she's thriving by focusing on fundamentals rather than chasing trends. Featured Quote: "If you've had 12 to 15 showings with no offers, something's wrong. Usually at that point, you should be able to get an offer within those amount of showings, especially now when people are really being a little bit more particular about which houses they go see." What You Will Learn: Master expectation management to prevent deals from collapsing during negotiations and inspectionsPrice strategically by analyzing comprehensive market data beyond just neighborhood comparablesPrepare properties effectively to command premium pricing and faster sales in a selective marketBuild sustainable lead generation through database nurturing and referral relationships rather than social media dependencyNavigate inspection negotiations by educating clients upfront about realistic repair expectationsAdapt to buyer behavior changes and position listings to attract today's more selective purchasersLeverage relationship-based growth to build a recession-resistant business modelCarley Mann's Contact Information: Phone: 336.337.5672 Email: carley@carleymann.com Website: https://carleymann.remax.com/ The opinions on this podcast are Mark and Brian’s and not in any way a reflection of RE/MAX or anyone else in the industry. Social Media and Contact Information Website: https://www.raisingrealestatestandards.com Link Tree:  https://linktr.ee/raisingrealestatestanda

    22 min
5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

A Podcast dedicated to providing information and tips on how real estate agents can step up their game, raise their standards practices and become the best real estate agent they can be in their market.