Realtor Conversations

Wendy Gimpel

In today’s episode, we’re joined by guest Wendy Gimpel with Keller Williams Realty. She will tell us about the importance of hiring experienced agents that actually know what they’re doing, why the highest offer doesn’t always close the deal, and interest rates and their impact on buyers.

 

On this episode:

• About Wendy’s background in real estate.
• How Wendy turned her vacation into a sale.
• What is the secret to selling in the current market?
• The competitive nature of listings at the moment.
• Why it isn’t always the highest price offer that wins and the other factors that come into play.
• Understanding that you need to stand behind your offer.
• The reasons you need to hire an experienced real estate agent to help you through the process.
• How Wendy helped navigate a difficult situation last minute to close a deal on time.
• Wendy’s predictions for the next 6 months, including interest rates.
• Will mortgage rates go up if prime rates increase? How does that affect buying power?
• Wendy’s experience buying her first house.
• How the mortgage rates have differed from the 90s to now.
• Will people try to assume lower mortgage rates?
• Why inventory correction needs to happen.
• About the silent generation and their impact on the market.
• How the economic crash in 2008 has lingering effects in the market today.
• Can the government intervene?
• Why Wendy is in it for the long haul.
• Wendy’s dedication to long-term client relationships.
• Why you need to answer your phone to be successful.

 

Contact Wendy:

Email: wendy@wendygimpel.com

Phone number: 651-214-7796

Bob Snyder

In our first episode of 2022, we’re joined by Bob Snyder. He is a local real estate expert with EXP Realty who has been licensed since 20 years ago in 2002. Bob is here to discuss being a giant in the real estate industry, the benefits of having a team for him and for his clients, and why they niched down into higher-end markets.

 

On this episode:

• About Bob’s trips to Vermillion.
• Does Bob ever sell any real estate at Lake Vermillion?
• About Bob’s other business, Vermillion Dock and Lift Services.
• What does this second business offer?
• The exponential growth that EXP Realty has had.
• Why and when Bob and his business partner Jennifer moved to EXP Realty.
• Where is Bob’s office?
• How many people are on Bob and Jennifer’s team?
• The main benefit of working with their team over working with a single realtor.
• About Bob and Jennifer’s top production rates in the area.
• How they were able to have such a good year.
• What kind of property do they specialize in?
• The lots and custom builds that Bob and his team currently have remaining.
• How to weigh building new and buying pre-owned.
• About competitive new construction interest rates and how they are impacting sales.
• Why sometimes buying a house is a compromise.
• What is so great about the local market these days?
• What percentage of the Snyder team’s business is based in Wisconsin?
• Who is Bob outside of work?
• How to get a hold of the Snyder Team.

 

Contact Bob:

Cell number: 651-402-1537

Email: bob@thesnyderteam.com

Vermilion Dock and Lift Services: https://vermiliondockandliftservices.com/

Diane Donley

This time we are welcoming Diane Donley from Realty Group based in the Twin Cities. She has been doing real estate in the St. Croix valley for 22 years and has recently purchased a property in the area. A strong market, Diane tells us about the unique deals that happen there and some mistakes she has been seeing recently.

 

On this episode:

• How Brad and Stig recently helped out Diane.
• Diane’s plan to Airbnb a cabin on a property she recently bought.
• Looking at lake and farm properties for people, and the strength of that market.
• What it was like for Diane to join the Army right out of high school.
• What’s harder, being in the military or being in real estate?
• Working as a therapist for 15 years before becoming a realtor.
• How the therapy that Diane performed was unique.
• Similarities between Otter Tail Lake and Stillwater.
• The feeling of honor that Diane gets when she works with other veterans.
• Are multiple offers still being seen in the Otter Tail Lake area?
• Another lake in the area and why it’s great for duck hunting.
• Advice for people who sell their house but then can’t find one to buy.
• Issues that Diane sees with purchase agreements, especially from newer realtors.
• Why all financing is not created equally.
• Something that Diane lets every one of her clients know.
• Guiding your clients to make a purchase that is comfortable for them.

 

Diane Donley of Realty Group

Email: dianedonleyproperties@gmail.com

cell # 612-723-9086 

Meghan Kell

On today’s episode we’re joined by guest Meghan Kell, an architect based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Meghan and her company help people build their dreams, so she’ll be explaining how in this episode, along with what architects can do to add value to your property.

 

On this episode:

• Why Meghan fits in on the Realtor Conversations podcast.
• How Meghan helps realtors and their clients to see the potential of a home.
• Seeing past the aesthetic issues of a home.
• About what Meghan does within domestic architecture.
• Why Meghan is honoring her father with her company name.
• How Meghan found her passion for architecture while studying liberal arts.
• What happened after Meghan graduated.
• Meghan’s journey to starting her own firm in 2010.
• Who is Meghan’s ideal client?
• Why would you benefit from what an architect can provide?
• What architects actually do (hint: it’s not just drawing blueprints).
• Moving the puzzle pieces of a house to solve a problem.
• How architects can save you money.
• What are the hallmarks of Meghan’s design?
• Understanding the importance of spaces.
• What is trending right know in architecture?
• How having an open mind to possibilities can help when working with the architect.
• Should you hire a builder or an architect first?
• What you can achieve with simple cosmetic work.
• Creating a harmonious home from outside in.
• The importance of lighting, along with natural versus electrical.
• What is involved when you first start working with Meghan.
• How Meghan finds inspiration and solutions.
• Meghan’s goal when working with her clients.

 

Contact Meghan:

Phone: 612-812-5687

Website: www.kellarchitects.com

Email: info@kellarchitects.com

Sara Letourneau

In this episode we’ve got Sara Letourneau, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, as our guest. Sara is here to discuss how she first got into real estate, her other business River Town Tours, as well as her experience of selling 7 figure homes.

 

On this episode:

• The restructuring at Sara’s old job and why this pushed her to get her real estate license.
• What you should know about today’s market as a new buyer.
• The importance of knowing your numbers.
• The difference between what you can afford and what you are comfortable with.
• Why ‘no regrets’ is Sara’s mantra for her clients.
• Why you need a good realtor working on your behalf.
• Today’s rates as they stand.
• How and why Sara bought her first house on an A.R.M.
• Why she bought her house at 23-years-old.
• Taking the opportunity to build wealth as a young person.
• The process of selling a 7-figure home for the first time.
• Understanding the process to sell could take time.
• Sara’s other business, River Town Tours, and what the current situation is.
• Has Sara ever sold a haunted house?
• Local haunted places.
• Common seller concerns in the current real estate market.
• Understanding the importance of presenting your house well.
• Being realistic with your selling expectations.
• Knowing the strategy of real estate buying and selling.
• Common public misconceptions about realtors.
• The most important things to consider when working with a realtor.
• Building relationships and trust.
• Why you should stay in the market through the holidays.

 

Contact Sara:

Website: https://www.saraletourneau.com

Email: Realty@saraletourneau.com

Phone number: 651-964-8274

CJ Randazzo

In this episode we welcome CJ Randazzo, a realtor with EXP Realty, a virtual real estate company. CJ is a favorite real estate agent of the show because he’s never afraid to pick up the phone, and he always keeps his cool in high-stress situations. He’s been a realtor for six years now, and in that time he’s learned a lot. During the episode he shares how he got into the industry, the lens by which he views real estate, and how he’s using his knowledge to give a hand up to friends and clients.

 

On this episode:

• How long CJ has been with EXP Realty.
• Why CJ got into the real estate industry and how he ended up here.
• What he always thought about real estate while growing up.
• Why CJ believes in buying properties with rent potential.
• What sets CJ apart from other realtors.
• How CJ is using his skills and expertise to help his friends and family.
• Why it’s important to look at real estate as an investment.
• Why CJ says every realtor should act like it’s their own buy.
• The benefits of buying a property that needs a bit of work.
• The importance of facilitating trust with clients.
• A little bit about CJ’s additional business.
• Why he’s a big believer in having multiple income streams.
• All of the hats CJ can wear day-to-day as a realtor.
• How to get in contact with CJ.

 

Contact CJ:

Phone: 651-472-3892

Email: cjrandazzo@gmail.com

Facebook: CJ Randazzo Real Estate

Rick Brama and Cheri Welle

In this episode we’re joined by guests Rick Brama and Cheri Welle of the Brama Real Estate Group at Keller Williams. They’re going to tell us about the paths they took to get into real estate, and why two heads are better than one in this business.

 

On this episode:

• How Rick got into the real estate business.
• Making the pivot from studying marriage and family counselling to real estate.
• How Rick’s area of study is actually an advantage for what he does.
• Rick’s background as a general contractor and how it informs his real estate business.
• Why you still need a realtor if you are buying a new build.
• About Cheri’s real estate journey.
• How Cheri and Rick met and ended up working together.
• Why Cheri’s daughter, Jordyn, came on board with the business.
• What Jordyn does as a new agent.
• The process of creating a family business.
• Why would you have a partner in the real estate business?
• The differences in Rick and Cheri’s personalities and how they work together.
• What Rick and Cheri say to those worried that there is no property to buy when they are looking to sell.
• Taking advantage of current market trends as a seller.
• Providing options, such as renting, as an in between option.
• Selling and buying properties that aren’t on the market.
• Why you shouldn’t try to sell without a realtor.
• Why deals are falling apart in this market.
• How the lenders you use can affect your deal.
• Why every buyer gets nervous after purchasing.

 

Contact Rick and Cheri:

Rick: email: rickbrama@kw.com phone 952-233-0125

Cheri: email: cheriwelle@kw.com  phone 763-742-3401

Sara Yocum, Jodi Klepac, and Amy Gutknecht

This time we’re joined by guests Sara, Jodi, and Amy, a team of sisters that work together as part of Yocum Real Estate Group with Edina Realty. Twins Sara and Jodi are the real estate agents, while Amy serves as marketing communications director. They join us today to discuss how they all ended up in real estate, their market predictions for the remainder of the year, and how seller equity is driving the market.

 

On this episode:

• What trends are they seeing in real estate right now?
• Explaining buying power and how it affects the market.
• About the staging process Sara, Jodi, and Amy offer.
• What they learn about the properties through staging.
• How Amy Gutknecht’s marketing expertise puts them ahead of the curve.
• The benefits of having a 3-person team for buyers and sellers.
• The importance of refining your listings.
• Sara’s background as an attorney and how it benefits the team.
• Jodi’s beginnings in real estate and how Sara joined her.
• Amy’s background in journalism and how she transitioned to marketing.
• Common questions that often come from fearful sellers.
• Why sellers are in the driver’s seat in this market.
• How inventory shortage is affecting the market.
• The importance of getting pre-approved non-contingent.
• How to get around owning 2 homes in the selling process.
• How seller’s equity is strengthening the market.
• Is there a cost attached to hiring Jodi and Sara?
• Why you are missing out on exposure selling without an agent.
• What the holiday period looks like for sellers and buyers.

 

Contact Yocum Real Estate Group:

Sara Yocum 651-334-4740 yocumrealestategroup@edinarealty.com

Jodi Klepac 651-226-2672 yocumrealestategroup@edinarealty.com

Jared Gruett

We’ve got Jared Gruett with us today, a local real estate expert with an office in Florida. Jared is going to talk with us about making the full-time move to Florida, transacting cross-country businesses work in synergy, and what it looks like for clients in Minnesota or Florida looking to work for with him.

 

On this episode:

• Is Jared considered a snowbird?
• Making the permanent move to Florida.
• About Jared, his background, his wife Sarah, and four children.
• How Jared’s wife shares the entrepreneurial spirit that he has.
• About Sarah’s hair salons in Wisconsin and Florida.
• Jared’s love of hockey.
• How Jared made the move from selling t-shirts to real estate.
• Jared’s several other business endeavors.
• What Jared has learned from owning multiple types of businesses.
• How being a business owner provides skills for being in real estate.
• About John R Wood brokerage in Naples.
• Why Jared was drawn to become a part of John R Wood.
• What makes Jared want to work with someone?
• What it looks like for a client looking to sell in Wisconsin and buy in Florida.
• How the pandemic has taught us that we can achieve more remotely than previously thought.
• Advocating for clients that have a property sitting for an extended period of time.
• The advantages of having an agent that is a transplant when looking to move.
• The best way to get a hold of Jared.
• About Jared’s war wounds from hockey – especially those inflicted by Brad.

 

Contact Jared:

Livinthedreamswflorida.com

Livinthedreamswflorida@gmail.com

FL number 239-776-5888

MN number 651-600-6731

Michael Stanton

Today we’re welcoming Michael Stanton from Keller Williams Realty Integrity Lakes. Before getting into real estate, Michael was one of the top reps around for medical device sales. He’ll explain how the experience he gained on that journey has helped him as a realtor, and also shares his views on the changes he has seen in the real estate market in thus far in 2021.

 

On this episode:

• How Michael’s experience in the medical device world translated to real estate.
• An important lesson that was learned early in that career.
• A basic principle about honesty that Michael took with him into real estate.
• A townhouse deal that Brad and Stig were involved with alongside Michael.
• How the housing market has changed in the past few months.
• Michael’s definition of market value and why it’s okay to pay.
• Market value versus appraised value, and the uses for both.
• Why Michael decided to get Graduate Realtor Institute designation.
• What is involved in getting a Certified Residential Specialist designation.
• Always trying to better yourself to help your clients.
• Doing the right thing.
• Differences in transactions in Minnesota versus Wisconsin.
• The musical skills of Michael’s daughter Nicole.
• A gratitude party that Michael is planning to throw for people who have helped his career.
• Why Michael enjoys the flexibility of communicating through text.

 

Contact Michael Stanton with ‘Keller Williams Realty Integrity Lakes’:

michaelstanton@kw.com

(651) 206-9748