Realtor Conversations

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

Jennifer and Rick Scherek

Today we’re welcoming to the penthouse Jennifer and Rick Scherek, a husband and wife realtor team with Edina Realty. Rick and Jen are here to talk about the bizarre market we find ourselves in, family life, and making the deal perfect for clients.

 

In this episode:

• Why Jennifer thinks “bizarre” is the perfect term to describe this market.
• Rick pinpoints the exact moment the market swung.
• Why the market has gone more in favor of buyers.
• The impact of the rate rises on the market.
• How the market is creating opportunities for both sellers and buyers.
• What it was like for buyer pools pre-rate hike.
• Why buyers can take their time purchasing in today’s market.
• Why Jen is happy about the market swing.
• About the premium on sales and the normalization of the market.
• Understanding the main points of today’s market and how it offers opportunities.
• The mourning period for sellers and coming out of it.
• Discussing the difference between the 2008 crash and now, including loans.
• Irresponsible lending and its consequences.
• The obvious downside and upsides of the COVID pandemic.
• Why it isn’t a bad time to buy or sell, it’s just a different time.
• About Jens’ switch from flight attendant to real estate.
• How Rick joined Jen in realty.
• Getting away from the grind of the corporate world.
• How Rick and Jen stay neutral in their business.
• The benefits of growing up in the area.
• About Rick and Jen’s family life.

 

Contact Jen and Rick:

Email: JenniferandRickScherek@edinarealty.com

Phone: 651-558-6139

Wade Hanson

Our guest in the penthouse today is Wade Hanson from RE/MAX Results in Woodbury. He is also considered to be a local celebrity. Wade is here this time to discuss the ongoing market fluctuations, economic fears, and what makes a successful and professional realtor.

 

In this episode:

• What is Wade seeing in the market at the moment? Is the sky falling, as some would have us believe?
• How rates are dissuading people from buying.
• The rise of economic fear.
• Price points versus rates = opportunity.
• How Americans are monthly-payment oriented.
• Why sellers are concerned about what the market holds.
• Understanding the value that is available as a buyer right now.
• Willing to be patient as an agent.
• Why deal chasing isn’t the way forward.
• Becoming a resource for your clients.
• Wade’s story of leaving college and going straight into real estate.
• The early years Wade experienced in the industry with his parents’ small construction company.
• Why real estate has been Wade’s only career.
• Wade’s appearance on The Apprentice and what he learned from his time on the show.
• What was the process like getting on to the show?
• The importance of hard work.
• What is Donald Trump like when the cameras are off?
• Why Wade is successful and what his client base looks like.
• Wade’s listing percentage versus buyers.
• The new crop of property companies that do the bare minimum and why they may not survive the new economy.
• How Wade is dealing with the economic changes.
• Understanding the value of a true professional.
• About Wade’s family life and other life experiences.

 

Contact Wade:

www.wadehanson.com

Grant Farnum

Joining us in the penthouse today is Grant Farnum from Pederson Realty. Grant is here to discuss his journey into real estate, his past life as a podcaster, and why you need to educate your clients every step of the way. He also lets us know what he’s seeing in the market due to the recent interest rate hikes.

 

In this episode:

• About Grant’s old podcast.
• Grant’s 9 years of sobriety.
• How long it took for Grant to go full-time as an agent.
• About Grant’s dedication and work ethic.
• What trends has Grant been seeing in the market?
• The reasons why buyers are regaining some control over what they want.
• How prices are becoming more negotiable and buyers can become pickier.
• Is it better to get back into the market for buyers now?
• The importance of providing education to both sellers and buyers.
• When to tell clients about re-financing and why it is advantageous in certain situations.
• What is the average length of a loan?
• Why use Grant and Pederson Realty?
• Obtaining a license to operate in Wisconsin.
• All about Grant’s tattoos and why he compares them to mortgages.
• What tattoos would the Bell Mortgage crew get?
• How Grant’s journey through recovery has applied to his realtor career.
• What’s involved in working on yourself.
• Why you shouldn’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know.
• Learning from the experiences of others and passing on knowledge.
• About the Pederson Pumpkin Patch coming up on October 28^th.

 

Contact Grant:

www.pedersonrealty.com

grant@pedersonrealty.com

612-619-2666

Dan Peinovich

In the penthouse today is Dan Peinovich, Head of Construction Lending with Bell Bank. Dan is going to share his knowledge on why construction loans are necessary, why Bell does it best compared to all others, and the differences between construction loans and financing versus purchasing a pre-existing home.

 

In this episode:

• What Dan does at Bell Bank.
• How Dan’s role sets Bell Bank apart from other construction lenders.
• What makes the Bell Bank construction lending department so effective for builders?
• About some of the programs that the department offers.
• Working to make Bell Bank the preeminent construction lender nationwide.
• How Bell works to keep learning to stay ahead of the game.
• Understanding why construction lending is necessary and how it’s different from a typical mortgage.
• How Bell Bank Construction Lending saves clients’ money.
• Learning to effectively combine end loan and construction loan services.
• Why it’s important to have a dedicated construction lending team.
• About Dan’s 30-year experience in lending.
• Bell’s status as the bank with the most construction lending in the state.
• Explaining the finer points and sticking points of construction lending.
• Why Bell strives to offer a menu of options for lending.
• Mastering the technical proficiency to offer consumers options.
• Is a construction loan more difficult to qualify for than a standard house loan?
• Differences between construction transactions and pre-existing home transactions.
• The problems with getting construction loans from an inexperienced broker.
• Can you lock in and protect rates long-term with Bell?
• How Bell allows you to take advantage of fluctuating rates.