Realtor Conversations

Mary Sue Curley and Kayla Beitz

Mary Sue Curley and Kayla Beitz of Land Title join us on this episode. With a goal to help you make your real estate endeavours simpler, this company is known for providing a great customer experience. They operate nine branches in the Twin Cities metro area. Land Title has been operating as a business for 37 years strong and remains the only employee-owned title company in the area.

 

In this episode:

• What a Land Title generally is and the role it plays in real estate.
• Why a title provides a necessary product as the “underbelly” of the real estate market.
• All the services Land Title can offer to agents and home buyers.
• Who the company can provide service to at closing.
• How Land Title removes the confusion by dealing with the intricacies for you.
• Why you need title insurance for buyers.
• How titles work. Backwards homeowners insurance.
• How title insurance can protect your home from various title defects, including clerical errors, forgery, and liens on the property.
• The importance of having experts to protect your title in unforeseen circumstances.
• Personal accounts of cases where title issues have come up unexpectedly.
• What a title exam is and why you need one.
• Crucial changes in the necessary paperwork required for home buyers.
• True stories from employees on how their service goes beyond expected.
• The lengths Land Title employees will go to support their client.
• Where you can conveniently find Land Title offices.
• The real reason they are dedicated to helping your closing run smoothly.

 

Contact Mary Sue:

Phone: 651-470-5767

Email: mcurley@landtitleinc.com

 

Contact Kayla:

Phone: 651-558-9147

Email: kbeitz@landtitleinc.com

Ryan Heiserman

Ryan Heiserman of KW Premier and Heiserman Homes joins us on the show this time. Originally from California, he now resides in Woodbury, Minnesota. We’ll hear about why he ended up getting his real estate license in 2020 and how he has found success in such a short amount of time.

 

In this episode:

• The biggest shock that Ryan experienced when moving to Minnesota.
• Ryan’s previous event company and why its closure led him to real estate.
• What attracted Ryan to join Keller Williams.
• The recent fluctuation of rates, heavily influenced by bank failures.
• Ryan’s hobby of playing guitar in his down time.
• Why Ryan thinks the news is being overly negative with how the housing market is doing right now.
• Comparing today’s market to that of a year ago.
• Why the approach towards putting an offer in must be customized for each listing.
• Using inspection guarantees to get deals done and stay protected.
• How escalation clause offers can be useful.
• Advice that Ryan gives when customers are determining how high their offer should be.
• Being careful about making sales that will cost you a future sale.
• Why providing a sense of security can help your offers get accepted, even if they’re not the highest.

 

Contact Ryan:

Phone: 651-342-9460

Email:  ryan@heisermanhomes.com

Lakes Sotheby’s International Realty

On this episode of Realtor Conversations we’re recording on location with multiple members of the Lakes Sotheby's International Realty team. We’ll hear all about what they offer and what sets them apart from other teams in the industry. The team also shares their insights about current interest rates, what long-term forecasting on rates is indicating, and whether it’s a good time to make a move in the market or not.

 

In this episode:

• An introduction to the new members on the Lakes Sotheby's International Realty team.
• Misconceptions about their business and what it’s really all about.
• What differentiates Lakes Sotheby's International Realty from the competition.
• What led one specific team member to choose this team.
• The type of experience they aim to provide for their clients.
• The importance of relationship building with clients no matter their needs or budget.
• Why brand matters when an agent is choosing their team.
• Where interest rates were and what’s happening with them right now.
• What’s not happening in the market that you probably thought was.
• What to consider about home rates and the economy before making a move.
• What the long-term forecast for rates is indicating.
• Why people are moving towards warming up to making moves right now.
• The role social media marketing plays in supporting their business.
• The type of content they focus on making for their social media presence.
• What they would like to cover on a follow-up episode for the podcast.

 

 

Contact the team:

Richard McDonaugh at richard.mcdonaugh@lakesmn.com | 612-819-3518

Keely Ranweiler at keely.ranweiler@lakesmn.com | 612-417-6730

Emmett Collins at emmett.collins@lakesmn.com | 651-815-8940

Roddy Macdonald at roderick.macdonald@sothebysrealty.com | 651-491-0499

Tamara Bauer at tamara.bauer@lakesmn.com | 651-253-5559

Keely Finnegan at keely.finnegan@sothebysrealty.com | 715-870-5556

Elizabeth Exon at elizabeth.exon@sothebysrealty.com | 651-419-6300

Eric Cummings

We’ve got the magnificent Eric Cummings joining us in this week’s episode. A partner of Brad and Stig’s, Eric operates in the Twin Cities with RE/MAX Results. We’ll hear about why Eric is telling clients that right now is a great time to buy and how he calms their irrational fears about the housing market.

In this episode:

• How Eric’s layoff from his sales and marketing job during the pandemic led him to real estate quicker than anticipated.
• A deal that Eric worked on, financed by Brad and Stig, which had a quick turnaround.
• Eric’s outgoing personality.
• Where the roller coaster of the past year has brought us to today.
• Why Eric tells his clients that right now is the time to buy.
• The reasons why Eric often visits California but stays in touch with his team.
• Eric’s love of music, and who put off the best concert he’s seen recently.
• Something that many buyers currently have a misconception about.
• Educating clients on why the housing market crashed in 2008.
• Buying power gained over the past few months due to interest rates.
• Phone calls coming in recently about wanting to move in the spring.
• Why it’s useful to get pre-approved early in the buying process.
• Eric’s dedication to his clients and his negotiating skills.
• Why Eric never submits an offer without talking to the other agent.

 

Contact Eric:

Phone: 952-484-5423

Email:  eric.cummings@kerbyandcristina.com 

Jessica Siverson

We’re welcoming Jessica Siverson of Engel and Volkers Realty to the penthouse today. She’s going to to discuss why she chose Engel and Volkers, how she came to work in real estate, and why she loves giving back to clients.

 

In this episode:

• All about Engel and Volkers, and Jessica’s history of working with the company.
• The German roots of the company.
• How the company came to the Minnesota market.
• Why Jessica chose to move to Engel and Volkers.
• The team atmosphere and collaborative culture at Engel and Volkers.
• Why it’s important to have a “we’re not for everyone, and everyone isn’t for us” mentality when it comes to who you work with or for.
• Why helping each other helps the whole industry.
• The importance of professional perception.
• How the team share input and advice.
• Jessica’s previous life as a swimmer and swim coach.
• Getting back into the swing of things after the pandemic.
• Helping buyers to win in the current market.
• How January is already showing that the year could be busy.
• About the incredible rate drops in the last 6 months.
• How Jessica’s realtor dad got her into the industry, and what it was like to work with him.
• Why Jessica never pays for leads.
• How much of her business is repeat clients?
• About Jessica’s role in the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.
• Why it’s important to vote for these leadership roles.
• Engel and Volkers’ motto “Luxury service at every price point.”
• About the client appreciation events Jessica and the company hold.

 

Contact Jessica:

Phone: 651-270-2780

Email: jessica.siverson@evrealestate.com

Jeff Meyers

Jeff Meyers of RE/MAX Professionals is alongside us in the penthouse for today’s episode. Jeff is here to talk with us about haunted mansions, what it’s like to juggle two businesses, and the current challenges the market continues to deliver.

 

In this episode:

• About Jeff’s mansion-based office. Is it really haunted?
• The lengthy renovation process that the mansion underwent.
• Jeff’s other business of residential and commercial painting.
• How common is it for his realtor clients to need his painting services?
• What happens if his business isn’t available to help a client?
• Jeff’s competitive painting prices.
• How the market for paint has drastically changed since the economic downturn.
• The impact of inflation on the housing market.
• What is Jeff seeing in the housing market right now?
• Why Jeff thinks we will still see appreciation in certain markets.
• Comparing the 2008 recession to the current market situation.
• About the low inventory and how it will continue to drive the market.
• Advice to buy where you want to live and invest where it makes sense.
• The first home that Jeff bought.
• What is the biggest fear for buyers?
• Moving is challenging, so how does that influence home buyers and where they buy?
• Jeff’s family and what his daily routine is like now that he has two young kids.
• The family’s’ military background.
• Jeff’s work with VA buyers and sellers.
• Experiences that Jeff has had with spec homes and investments.
• About RE/MAX Professionals and the services they provide.
• What are the biggest challenges in the market that Jeff is seeing?
• The importance of being transparent with clients.
• Predictions for the new year market.

 

Email: jeff@professionals.net

Cell: 651-428-9314

Justin Fox

On the podcast today Justin Fox from RE/MAX Professionals is here to talk about all things real estate. Justin tells us about his journey from banking to real estate as well as the strong family ties that he holds within the business.

 

In this episode:

• The lumber history of the area.
• About the mansion headquarters of Justin and his team.
• What it was like working in the banking industry before making the switch to real estate.
• How Justin ended up working in real estate.
• The events that led to Justin owning a brokerage at such a young age.
• How his start in banking has helped his current career.
• The influence of the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad on Justin, including his career shift.
• Justin’s lifelong interest in business.
• The process of franchising with RE/MAX.
• Overcoming the struggles of the 2008 market crash while still new to the industry.
• Understanding the pain points of the business, along with understanding his own.
• The ups and downs of a 24/7 business.
• How brokerages support realtors to do what they do.
• The benefits of having a team without having to support a team.
• How Justin utilizes technology to improve business and support.
• Justin’s family life, and what it’s like to build a business with your family.
• Why you should work with Justin and Sonya’s team.
• Learning to do better every day.
• About the software that Justin’s team utilizes.
• Supporting agents above and beyond.
• The benefits of an experienced team.
• Navigating the rocky patches with the right agent.
• Handling difficult transactions with grace and without panic.

 

Contact Justin:

Phone: 651-439-2222

Email: justinf@professionals.net

Laura Whitney and Emily Cox

On this episode we’re joined by Laura Whitney and Emily Cox from Crush Real Estate Group. First of all, Laura and Emily share the origins of Crush and how it came to be. They also discuss what makes Crush Real Estate Group unique and what they value most when working with clients.

 

In this episode:

• Where the name and brand of Crush Real Estate came from.
• The other founding members of Crush.
• How Crush Real Estate Group organically came to be.
• The combined years of industry experience at Crush.
• What realtors are famous for doing in their work.
• What makes Crush stand out as a boutique real estate group.
• The focus of the Crush agents when they’re working with clients.
• The importance of building relationships and why it matters so much.
• What to remember about the current state of rates.
• How Crush agents keep their boots on the ground.
• Why the Crush agents avoid calling themselves lending experts (and who is).
• A common misconception real estate sellers hold.
• Why you can sell your home anytime and what to consider first.
• Where inventory stands in the market right now.
• How real estate is actually a very personal business.
• The unique approach of Crush real estate agents.
• What to expect the next time they return on the podcast.

 

Contact Laura and Emily

Laura’s phone: 612-387-3052

Laura’s email: laura@crushrealestatemn.com 

Emily’s phone: 651-755-5789

Emily’s email: emily@crushrealestatemn.com 

Justin and Courtney Skidmore

Justin and Courtney Skidmore are joining us in this episode. They’re going to open up about trends in the market, both new and long-standing. Justin also discusses how his skills from previous roles have translated to greater success in his real estate career. We also hear why right now is the best time to buy or sell your home.

 

In this episode:

• The interesting situations Justin has managed to sell in.
• Why Justin and Courtney chose to join a new brokerage, THE MINNESŌTAN.
• What makes MINNESŌTAN unique.
• What Courtney and Justin have noticed regarding trends in the market recently.
• How the current interest rate compares with historical interest rates.
• What Courtney and Justin did before they got into real estate.
• How Justin’s previous role in retail influences the way he does business now.
• The one thing you can do with a client to nearly assure a sale.
• One of the best skills a real estate professional can possess.
• An example of where markets can vary even in close proximity.
• The special event Justin and Courtney held for Halloween.
• The biggest reason real estate slows down in the winter in Minnesota.
• What to expect as a buyer or a seller in today’s market.
• How a shift in perspective can help you make decisions as a buyer or seller.
• Why you shouldn’t put off making moves in the market now.

 

Contact Justin and Courtney

Justin’s Phone: 712-266-6497  

Justin’s Email: justin@minnesotan.com 

Courtney’s Phone: 715-220-2218

Courtney’s Email: courtney@minnesotan.com

Jennifer Giovinazzo

Today we’re joined by Jennifer Giovinazzo from Pinnacle Realty. Jennifer shares the details of her career evolution and how she ended up working in real estate. Later, we hear about the opportunities available in the market right now and what makes Pinnacle Realty a great choice for those looking to buy or sell a home.

 

In this episode:

• When Jennifer started her real estate career and what she did previously.
• Jennifer’s claim to fame.
• When she joined Pinnacle Realty and the evolution of her roles since then.
• The two full-time roles Jennifer manages to hold at once.
• eXp’s mantra and how they are embracing the future.
• The expected failure rate within this industry.
• The wrong reasons for getting into the real estate industry.
• The main goal of the agents at Pinnacle Realty.
• How markets differ across different cities and countries.
• How a failed pitch helped Jennifer form a stronger vision and purpose.
• The program Pinnacle created to give back that stemmed from the pandemic.
• Why the Pinnacle team is strongly motivated to help their clients feel secure.
• How they are planning to help home sellers along with home buyers.
• What happens when you start focusing on giving.
• A company that displays quality and craftsmanship and Jennifer’s connection to it.
• Jennifer’s advice about the current market.
• What the agents at Pinnacle Realty are focusing on in today’s market.
• The industry professionals that can survive industry hardships.
• What true success looks like in real estate according to Jennifer.

 

Contact Jennifer:

Email: jennifer.giovinazzo@thepinnacleteamus.com

Phone: 651-249-4789