Seeking the Best - The Real Estate Agent Podcast

ThinkLiveBe Productions

Seeking the Best - The Real Estate Agent Podcast is for new, growing, and rebuilding agents who want clarity, structure, and real-world coaching. Hosted by Kathryn Stelljes, a top-producing agent and productivity coach with 19+ years of experience, the show covers mindset, lead generation, time management, productivity, and building a sustainable real estate career.

  1. 1d ago

    Why Calling Your Sphere Feels So Personal

    Most real estate agents know they should be working their sphere. So why do so many agents avoid it? In this episode of Seeking the Best, Kathryn Stelljes and Patrick Fatica open the new lead-generation season with the lead source most agents already have in front of them: their sphere of influence. But this is not just a conversation about scripts, databases, or how many calls you should make. It is about the part that makes sphere lead generation feel so uncomfortable: calling people who already know you. Kathryn breaks down the difference between a database and a true sphere, why so many agents underbuild it, and why rejection from people you know can feel more personal than rejection from strangers. She also talks about the mistake agents make when they confuse silence with rejection. Someone not answering your call, text, or email does not always mean they are annoyed with you. Sometimes they are just busy, distracted, or not in a real estate moment right now. This episode also covers why your sphere has to be built, tracked, and touched consistently over time if you want to stay top of mind. In this episode: Why sphere should be one of your strongest lead sourcesThe difference between your database and your actual sphereWhy agents avoid calling people they already knowWhy silence is not always rejectionHow agents accidentally disappear from their sphereWhy “they already know I’m in real estate” is not enoughThe long-game math behind sphere lead generationWhat a 40-plus-touch plan can includeThis week’s Your Best Move Episode extras, links, and the Candy Bag:https://www.OnSeekingTheBest.com Have a question for the show?Send it here:https://www.speakpipe.com/seekingthebest Watch on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SeekingTheBestPod This episode is for newer agents, rebuilding agents, or any agent who is quietly avoiding bigger opportunities because they do not feel ready yet. Seeking the Best is a podcast for growth-minded real estate agents who want clarity, focus, and a better way forward. Hosted by Kathryn Stelljes and Patrick Fatica, the show blends real-world business lessons, honest conversations, and practical moves agents can use to build a business that actually works in real life. Listen, watch, and find episode extras at OnSeekingTheBest.com Have a question for the show? Send it here: speakpipe.com/seekingthebest

    1h 12m

  2. Jun 24

    The 5 Lessons I Learned the Hard Way as a Real Estate Agent

    In this season finale, Kathryn looks back on this season at the biggest lessons she learned the hard way in real estate — the ones that shaped her confidence, communication, systems, leadership, and boundaries. From spending money on Zillow leads without the follow-up plan to match, to disqualifying herself from opportunities before anyone else had the chance, to learning why important conversations cannot live in email or text, this episode is a practical and honest recap for agents who are trying to build a business that actually works in real life. Kathryn and Patrick also talk about why “available 24/7” is not a value proposition, how agents accidentally create resentment by failing to set expectations, and why confidence does not show up before action. It shows up after the reps. If you are a real estate agent who feels scattered, reactive, inconsistent, or burned out, this episode will help you look at the patterns underneath the business and choose one better way forward. This episode is for newer agents, rebuilding agents, or any agent who is quietly avoiding bigger opportunities because they do not feel ready yet. Seeking the Best is a podcast for growth-minded real estate agents who want clarity, focus, and a better way forward. Hosted by Kathryn Stelljes and Patrick Fatica, the show blends real-world business lessons, honest conversations, and practical moves agents can use to build a business that actually works in real life. Listen, watch, and find episode extras at⁠ onseekingthebest.com⁠Have a question for the show? Send it here:⁠ speakpipe.com/seekingthebest⁠

    1h 9m

  3. Jun 17

    Stop Disqualifying Yourself Before the Client Does

    Most agents do not only struggle with lead generation because they do not know what to do. Sometimes they struggle because they have already decided who will not hire them. In this episode of Seeking the Best, Kathryn shares a few early-career lessons she learned the hard way: skipping million-dollar FSBOs because she did not think she belonged in those rooms, parking away from listing appointments because she was embarrassed by her car, and assuming she needed more experience, more proof, or a different image before sellers would trust her. Kathryn and Patrick talk about the quiet ways real estate agents disqualify themselves before the client ever gets the chance to decide. They also dig into what sellers actually need from you: professionalism, preparation, clear communication, good questions, and a plan. This episode is for the agent who has ever looked at a lead, a price point, a neighborhood, or a listing appointment and thought, “They probably won’t choose me.” Maybe they will. But you have to let them decide. This episode is for newer agents, rebuilding agents, or any agent who is quietly avoiding bigger opportunities because they do not feel ready yet. Seeking the Best is a podcast for growth-minded real estate agents who want clarity, focus, and a better way forward. Hosted by Kathryn Stelljes and Patrick Fatica, the show blends real-world business lessons, honest conversations, and practical moves agents can use to build a business that actually works in real life. Listen, watch, and find episode extras at onseekingthebest.com Have a question for the show? Send it here: speakpipe.com/seekingthebest

    59 min

  4. Jun 10

    When Going Above and Beyond Goes Too Far

    What does it really mean to go above and beyond for a real estate client? In this episode of Seeking the Best, Kathryn shares the story of one of her earliest listings, when she agreed to water a seller’s plants at a vacant property and slowly realized she had crossed a line she did not even know existed yet. That story opens up a much bigger conversation about the things real estate agents often do in the name of service: managing repairs, checking on vacant homes, meeting vendors, changing filters, bringing in packages, cleaning houses, choosing paint colors, handling emergencies, and becoming the default point person for every problem a client does not want to solve. Kathryn and Patrick talk through the difference between true client service and taking on work that belongs to someone else. They also discuss how agents can set better expectations, protect their time, reduce liability, and still provide excellent guidance without becoming a house manager, project manager, cleaner, painter, or errand runner. This episode is part of the Lessons Learned the Hard Way series for real estate agents who want to build a better business without losing themselves in the process. What does going above and beyond mean for real estate agents?It means serving clients at a high level within the actual scope of the real estate agent’s role, including pricing, strategy, marketing, negotiation, communication, and transaction guidance. What should real estate agents stop doing for clients?Agents should be cautious about taking on tasks like watering plants, managing repairs, cleaning houses, meeting every vendor, handling mail, checking vacant homes, or becoming responsible for property maintenance. How can agents set better boundaries with sellers?Set expectations early. If the seller will not be local, ask who their local point person will be. If they do not have one, recommend house managers, vendors, neighbors, or other appropriate resources. Can agents still be helpful without doing everything themselves?Yes. Great service often means guiding clients toward the right solution, not personally taking over the task. Why is this important for real estate agents?Because doing work outside your role can create liability, confusion, resentment, and a lower perceived value of your actual expertise. This podcast is for growth-minded real estate agents who want to build a stronger business, improve their systems, protect their time, and learn from honest conversations about what really happens in the field. Seeking the Best is a weekly podcast for real estate agents hosted by Kathryn Stelljes and Patrick Fatica. The show explores the personal, practical, and professional lessons that help agents grow with more clarity, focus, and confidence. Website: https://www.onseekingthebest.com Have a question for the show, a lesson learned the hard way, or something you want us to talk about? Leave us a message here: https://www.speakpipe.com/seekingthebest

    1h 8m

  5. Jun 3

    The Difference Between Leverage and Giving Away Your Business

    In real estate, there is a big difference between building leverage and accidentally giving away the business you worked so hard to build. In this episode of Seeking the Best, Kathryn shares a lesson she learned the hard way while trying to grow her real estate business and hire her first buyer’s agent. What seemed like the right move at the time eventually revealed a much bigger business lesson about database relationships, referrals, profit, team standards, and knowing the value you bring as a real estate agent. If you have ever felt burned out by buyers, tempted to hand things off too quickly, or unsure how to grow without losing control of the client experience, this conversation will give you a lot to think about. Kathryn and Patrick talk honestly about the difference between true leverage and short-term relief, why your sphere and past clients are not just “leads,” and how real estate agents can protect the relationships that actually make up the business. FAQ What is the difference between leverage and giving away your business in real estate? Leverage helps a real estate agent protect time, serve clients better, and grow with standards. Giving away your business happens when an agent hands off relationships, referrals, or database clients before someone has earned the right to represent them. Why is a real estate database so valuable? A real estate database is valuable because it holds past clients, sphere relationships, referral sources, and future business opportunities built through trust, service, and consistent follow-up. Should real estate agents hire buyer agents? Hiring buyer agents can be a smart growth move, but the role, standards, training, compensation, and client handoff process need to be clear before relationships are transferred. What should real estate agents consider before building a team? Before building a team, agents should understand their profit model, cost of sale, client experience standards, training process, accountability expectations, and the value their business provides beyond leads. Who should listen to this episode? This episode is for real estate agents thinking about hiring, joining a team, growing a business, protecting their database, or creating leverage without damaging client relationships. Seeking the Best is for real estate agents who want to grow personally and professionally. It is especially helpful for newer agents trying to find structure, experienced agents who feel stuck or burned out, and business-minded agents who want clearer priorities, better systems, and a more honest way to build a real estate career. Seeking the Best is a real estate podcast hosted by Kathryn Stelljes, a Central Florida real estate agent and productivity coach, with Patrick Fatica as co-host and producer. The show blends practical real estate coaching, honest business lessons, and conversations about the internal struggles that come with building a real estate career. Listen, learn more, and find episode extras at https://www.onseekingthebest.com. Have a question about real estate, business, lead generation, clients, mindset, or something you want Kathryn and Patrick to talk about on the show? Send us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/seekingthebest

    1h 6m

  6. May 27

    The Power of "No" in Real Estate

    In this episode of Seeking the Best, Kathryn shares two real estate lessons she learned the hard way: one involving a buyer who suddenly wanted her to pay a referral fee to someone who had not been involved, and another involving buyers who left to work with another agent after Kathryn had already helped them find the house. The real lesson was not just about referral fees, procuring cause, or buyer broker agreements. It was about learning how to say no, protect your time, and make business decisions instead of emotional ones. Kathryn and Patrick talk through why real estate agents need clear buyer consultation processes, why commitment matters, and why the people who respect your no are usually the people you actually want to work with. They also talk about the danger of using buyer agreements as a shortcut instead of building a real professional relationship. This episode is for real estate agents who are tired of getting run around, giving too much away, or saying yes because they are afraid of losing the deal. Why should real estate agents learn to say no? Real estate agents need to learn to say no so they can protect their time, compensation, energy, and client service standards instead of saying yes out of fear or scarcity. What is the purpose of a buyer consultation? A buyer consultation helps the agent and buyer understand expectations, compensation, commitment, communication, and whether the working relationship makes sense. Should agents use buyer broker agreements with buyers? Agents should follow their state and brokerage requirements, but the episode emphasizes that buyer broker agreements should be explained clearly after a real consultation, not used as a surprise document or trap. How can agents stop getting run around by buyers? Agents can stop getting run around by having a clear process, requiring commitment before extensive work, asking better questions, and being willing to walk away from buyers who do not respect the process. When should a real estate agent say no? An agent should say no when the request does not make business sense, when the client refuses the process, or when the agent is making a decision out of guilt, pressure, or fear instead of strategy. Kathryn shares the buyer experiences that taught her to stop saying yes to everyone and start protecting her time, compensation, and business. This episode is about buyer consultations, boundaries, buyer broker agreements, and the power of saying no like a business owner. What is this episode about? This episode is about how real estate agents can protect their time and business by learning to say no, especially when working with buyers. Who is this episode for? This episode is for real estate agents who feel run around by buyers, unsure how to use buyer consultations, or afraid to lose business by setting boundaries. What is the main lesson? The main lesson is that saying no is not rude. It is a professional business decision when something does not fit your process or standards.

    1h 9m

  7. May 20

    What I Wish I Knew Before Building a Real Estate Team

    Building a real estate team sounds exciting — until you realize hiring people creates an entirely new job you were never trained for. In this episode of Seeking the Best, Kathryn shares the leadership patterns and hiring mistakes she kept repeating for years while trying to grow her business. From hiring part-time help that didn’t work, to keeping the wrong people too long, to believing she could “fix” employees who weren’t the right fit, this episode dives into the emotional and operational side of leverage that most agents never talk about. Kathryn and Patrick unpack the pressure of running a business that never fully turns off, the reality of leadership in real estate, and the hidden cost of delaying difficult decisions. The conversation explores why hiring isn’t just about growing production — it’s about protecting your time, staying in your strengths, and building a business that’s sustainable long term. If you’ve ever struggled with hiring, training, delegation, leadership, or letting someone go, this episode will probably feel very familiar. Seeking the Best is the podcast for growth-minded real estate agents seeking clarity, focus, and a better way forward.

    1h 9m

  8. May 13

    The Real Estate Lesson That Changed My Boundaries Forever

    In this episode of Seeking the Best, Kathryn shares a story from earlier in her real estate career that completely changed how she thinks about boundaries, expectations, and protecting her personal life. What started as a client request slowly turned into a much bigger realization about client behavior, accessibility, and the dangerous habit many agents fall into without even realizing it. Using that experience as the starting point, Kathryn and Patrick unpack: Why agents accidentally train clients to expect constant accessThe difference between great service and unhealthy availabilityHow expectations are set long before the difficult moment happensWhy protecting your time is about more than productivityAnd the simple mindset shifts that help prevent burnout in real estate🎯 This episode is a reminder that boundaries aren’t about caring less about clients. They’re about building a business that doesn’t consume your entire life. If you’re a real estate agent who wants more clarity, better systems, and a business that actually supports your life—not consumes it—make sure you’re subscribed to Seeking the Best. New episodes every week.

    1h 7m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Seeking the Best - The Real Estate Agent Podcast is for new, growing, and rebuilding agents who want clarity, structure, and real-world coaching. Hosted by Kathryn Stelljes, a top-producing agent and productivity coach with 19+ years of experience, the show covers mindset, lead generation, time management, productivity, and building a sustainable real estate career.

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