In today’s influencer-driven landscape, even the most experienced agents are losing deals to newer agents who do one thing differently - posting great content online.

The market doesn’t just reward expertise - it rewards expertise, visibility and consistency, and that can be shown through the content we put out.

Social media content is a valuable asset in our businesses - especially in a down market. It is the marketing vehicle that validates us in the eyes of the consumer, fuels lead generation, reduces our marketing costs and makes us profitable.

In a tough market, it’s tempting to pull back on our marketing efforts, but that actually cuts off a valuable revenue stream. This is the perfect time to double down on marketing and pour into our social media and sphere of influence.

How do we create content that guarantees current and future business? How do we leverage hyper-local, hyper-branded content?

In this episode, I’m joined by the CEO and co-founder of Roomvu, Sam Mehrbod. He shares how their platform (and partnership with ConstantContact) helps agents turn content into a solid source of business.

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Entertaining, educational and enduring
  If we’re consistent about content creation, it can validate us and reduce our marketing costs. What kind of content should we post to achieve this?
  
  
• Hyperlocal and hyper-branded content
  Consistency and visibility are really important in today’s real estate market. How does Roomvu help busy agents accomplish this in less time?
  
  
• Never stop marketing
  The current real estate market has made many agents slow down or step to the sidelines. Why is this a huge mistake?
  
  
• How to turn social media into a revenue stream
  Why do real estate agents who invest in content outearn and outlast everyone else?

Guest Bio

Sam Mehrbod is an innovative entrepreneur in real estate technology. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Roomvu, he leads a platform that supports over 200,000 REALTORS® across the USA and Canada by delivering hyperlocal, personalized video content. As a TOP 1% REALTOR® in Greater Vancouver, Sam was recognized as a Medallion Club Member from 2018 to 2023 and ranked in the top 10% of REALTORS® in Greater Vancouver in 2018, 2019, and 2021. As a Forbes Council Member, Sam has shared his insights in prestigious outlets such as the Vancouver Sun, Business in Vancouver, the Daily Hive, Western Investor, CKNW Radio, and Forbes Magazine. To learn more, visit https://www.roomvu.com/.

About Your Host

​​Licensed Managing Broker, REALTORS®, avid volunteer, and Major Donor, Marki Lemons Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 250,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars.

Six-time REALTOR® Conference and Expo featured attendee, one of 100 speakers selected to speak the REALTOR® Conference & Expo five times, and an Inman closing Keynote Speaker. Marki’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, http://Homes.com , and REALTOR® Magazine.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

Homeownership is a dream many aspire to, but sadly don’t have access to due to affordability. Before they can even think of affording a mortgage…getting money for a down payment can be a real struggle.

What a lot of people don’t know is that there are down payment assistance programs that can help them get into a home.

80% of home buyers qualify for down payment help but only 15% actually use it. As agents, this provides a lucrative opportunity to provide a valuable solution.

Down payment help is the perfect marketing message to put in front of buyers right now. We can win more business by leveraging a valuable resource that will get more people into homes, save them lots of money and help them build equity faster.

And it will put more dollars in our own pockets too!

How do we leverage these programs to bring more value to buyers? How does this offering add to our marketing prowess?

In this episode, I’m joined by founder and CEO of Down Payment Resource, Rob Chrane. He shares how we can add down payment assistance to our toolkit.

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Closing the 65% home affordability gap
  There’s a huge gap between the down payment assistance that’s available and the people who actually use it. What can agents do to get these valuable resources to more people, and how will it put more money in your pocket?
  
  
• Erase the negativity
  A lot of people - agents and consumers alike have negative connotations of FHA programs. How does this negativity rob us of lucrative opportunities?
  
  
• Another way to add value to buyers
  Down payment assistance doesn’t just apply to buyers - it also applies to houses. How can real estate professionals use this to win more business?
  

Guest Bio

Rob Chrane is founder and CEO of Down Payment Resource and a leader in the homeownership affordability space. A 30-year veteran of the real estate and mortgage industries, Chrane launched the only comprehensive database of U.S. homebuyer assistance programs and developed tools that empower lenders, borrowers and real estate professionals to connect homebuyers with affordability programs. Chrane actively collaborates with housing organizations and coalitions such as the Urban Land Institute, National Fair Housing Alliance and the Mortgage Bankers Association’s CONVERGENCE initiative. He is a frequent speaker at national and local events on the topic of homeownership affordability. To learn more about how you can leverage this tool, visit https://downpaymentresource.com/.

About Your Host

​​Licensed Managing Broker, REALTORS®, avid volunteer, and Major Donor, Marki Lemons Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 250,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars.

Six-time REALTOR® Conference and Expo featured attendee, one of 100 speakers selected to speak the REALTOR® Conference & Expo five times, and an Inman closing Keynote Speaker. Marki’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, http://Homes.com , and REALTOR® Magazine.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

Since the NAR settlement agreement was announced, agents have sought strategies to deliver the most value to buyers. It's a way to secure more signed buyer agreements and compensation.

Employer Assisted Housing is one great option. An "employer-assisted housing program" (EAH) is a benefit offered by some companies where they provide financial assistance to employees towards a down payment on a home, usually in the form of a forgivable loan,

This solution creates the ultimate win for companies and workers alike. Companies are always looking for ways to attract and retain talent, and housing assistance is precious. If an agent puts this program in front of companies, they demonstrate value and create a new business pipeline. That's how you stay unbothered by the NAR settlement!

What is employee-assisted housing, and how does it benefit companies, employees, and even entire communities? How do we pitch it to companies?

There’s a lot of money that can help buyers in today’s real estate transaction and it doesn’t have to come from sellers. -Marki Lemons Ryhal

Three Things You'll Learn in This Episode

• The key to thriving through the settlement
  Securing a signed buyer representation agreement with an offer of compensation is the key to being compensated when you provide value. How can leveraging employer-assisted housing lead to more income?
  
  
• A solution everyone wants
  An Employer Assisted Housing program greatly benefits both companies and their workers. Why is it the ultimate win-win for everyone?
  
  
• Two things you need to ask buyers
  Buyers will compensate agents who can reduce costs and provide a financial solution. How do we make them aware of this solution?

Guest Bio

Eboni Killian is the Managing Broker at Sovereign Realty & Management, an Affordable Housing Strategist and Employer Assisted Housing Liaison. She is proud to work for a company that understands that buying, selling and investing in residential real estate is more than a simple transaction. Their team is dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized service for each of our clients. Eboni also helps clients who are interested in creating wealth through residential real estate. To find out more about Employer Assisted Housing send a text to or call 678.860.9408 or connect to Eboni on LinkedIn.

About Your Host

​​Licensed Managing Broker, REALTORS®, avid volunteer, and Major Donor, Marki Lemons Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 250,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars.

Six-time REALTOR® Conference and Expo featured attendee, one of 100 speakers selected to speak the REALTOR® Conference & Expo five times, and an Inman closing Keynote Speaker. Marki’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, http://Homes.com , and REALTOR® Magazine.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

A lot of people are locked out of homeownership because the actual listings aren’t accessible to everyone. For disabled, impaired, neurodivergent and non-English speaking buyers, not having an audio option creates a massive barrier right from the home search stage.

What if the listing could be presented in a language and format they can easily consume?

The most valuable real estate agents understand the importance of being of service to EVERYONE.

In order to do this and expand our opportunities across any barrier or language, we have to make sure the information on the listing is packaged for a diverse array of people.

That’s where DirectOffer comes in. This tool leverages AI to bring accessibility to real estate information. Started by a mother with a neurodivergent child, this tool is something all agents should be using right now.

How does Direct Offer work? How does it knock down a huge barrier to homeownership? In this episode, entrepreneur in real estate technology and founder of DirectOffer, Kathleen Lappe shares her story, and how this tool makes real estate more accessible.

We often feel like AI technology will take away from the agent. As long as the agent learns to communicate in the way the consumer wants to be communicated with, it won’t. -Kathleen Lappe

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Do the right thing, outearn other agents
  Serving impaired clients and underserved people isn’t just the right thing to do, how does it make a real estate professional more valuable?
  
  
• How to leverage Direct Offer
  Breaking down the barriers to homeownership should start at the home search stage. How is Direct Offer making it easier for disabled and neurodivergent buyers?
  
  
• A path to home ownership for all
  If we’re only packaging our listings and real estate marketing materials for abled people, we’re cutting ourselves off from millions of potential clients. How do we make sure the information we’re putting out is accessible to everyone?

Guest Bio

Kathleen Lappe is an innovative entrepreneur in real estate technology known for her visionary leadership and commitment to accessibility. She founded DirectOffer, Inc., a pioneering software company that has secured multiple patents for real estate technology, specializing in multilingual solutions and ADA-compliant listings. Kathleen's entrepreneurial journey boasts four successful startups, three still thriving today. Her expertise led to the creation of DOAT (DO AudioTours), a global patent revolutionizing property listing by offering automated, ADA-compliant, multilingual audio-visual experiences. DOAT also streamlines communication through lead routing and direct agent contact integration. Kathleen Lappe's drive for innovation, inclusivity, and transformative technology has left an indelible mark on the real estate industry. To work with Direct Offer, visit https://directoffer.com/.

About Your Host

​​Licensed Managing Broker, REALTORS®, avid volunteer, and Major Donor, Marki Lemons Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 250,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars.

Six-time REALTOR® Conference and Expo featured attendee, one of 100 speakers selected to speak the REALTOR® Conference & Expo five times, and an Inman closing Keynote Speaker. Marki’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, http://Homes.com , and REALTOR® Magazine.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

Since the NAR settlement came into effect, every real estate professional is at day one, ground zero. Even if you’ve been in the industry for decades, gone through hundreds of disruptions, or sold a billion dollars of real estate.

We’re grappling with a whole new way of doing business and many people are having a hard time.

Even if you’re an agent in a state that already had mandated buyer-broker agreements, no one in the world of residential real estate is at an advantage right now.

But we can gain the advantage by making a few small mindset shifts. We have to realize why we have an issue with buyer-broker agreements. We don’t know how to ask for what we’re worth, so we’d rather avoid the subject altogether.

In this new landscape, not articulating our value is laziness, high-level stupidity and bad service. It’s also a risk to our real estate licenses.

How do we navigate the settlement so it benefits everyone? In this episode, I share the traps many buyer’s agents are walking into and how to set yourself up for success.

We’re all at day one ground zero. No one in residential real estate has an advantage right now. -Marki Lemons Ryhal

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Think like a commercial real estate agent
  In commercial real estate, an agent won’t start the work until certain agreements and documents are in place. How do we bring this energy to the residential side?
  
  
• Don’t fall into laziness and high level stupidity
  A listing agent wouldn’t let their seller walk away from getting all the terms they want. How do we give the same undivided loyalty to our clients as buyer agents?
  
  
• The value articulation problem
  Many real estate agents are having a hard time with the idea of signing a buyer-broker agreement. Is the real issue not being able to ask for what we’re worth?

About Your Host

​​Licensed Managing Broker, REALTORS®, avid volunteer, and Major Donor, Marki Lemons Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 250,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars.

Six-time REALTOR® Conference and Expo featured attendee, one of 100 speakers selected to speak the REALTOR® Conference & Expo five times, and an Inman closing Keynote Speaker. Marki’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, http://Homes.com , and REALTOR® Magazine.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

When you work with a buyer, you owe them confidentiality. It’s a fundamental responsibility as their agent. Yet, some agents are asking to see confidential documents, pushing you into a tricky situation.

Have you ever been asked for a buyer representation agreement by a listing agent?

The moment you comply with one agent's request, you’re setting a precedent. To avoid the appearance of discrimination, you may feel compelled to provide this confidential document to every agent, creating a breach in the trust and confidentiality that your client expects.

The solution lies in never compromising confidentiality. By strictly adhering to the executed buyer representation agreement, you protect your buyer’s interests and avoid the slippery slope of breaching confidentiality.

In this episode, I talk about handling clients with confidentiality, the repercussions of violating confidentiality and why it's important to know the rules and regulations of your license.

If you work with a buyer, you owe them confidentiality. -Marki Lemons Ryhal

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Treating buyers and buyers agents better
  Buyers and their agents play a crucial role in funding real estate transactions and should be treated with equal respect and importance. How can treating buyers and their agents with more respect improve the overall success of a real estate transaction?
  
  
• Cooperation does not equal compensation
  In real estate, cooperating with other agents or parties doesn't guarantee financial compensation unless specific terms are agreed upon. What can we do to ensure we don't end up being an uncompensated agent?
  
  
• Regulation responsibility
  It's the responsibility of real estate professionals to stay informed about regulatory changes, as the state won't provide direct notifications. How do you ensure you're staying updated on evolving real estate regulations in your area?

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

Whether agents like it or not, the NAR settlement is in place, and no compensation will be offered via the MLS. As a buyer agent, you need written compensation confirmation before your client enters into an executed sales contract.

With the new guidelines, agents wonder how to structure their compensation. The traditional route of looking in the MLS and accepting what is presented as cooperating compensation is now off the table, which means many agents are feeling pressure on how they will be compensated when providing service to a buyer.

How will this affect income and the ability to attract clients? What other challenges come with the guidelines

Here's where the buyer representation agreement comes into play. While you cannot negotiate compensation through the sales contract, your buyers can strike the lack of compensation to offset their contractual obligations. This simple yet effective strategy allows you to regain control over compensation discussions and ensures that both parties are on the same page.

In this episode, I talk about what this relatively new change means for the real estate industry and what you can do if you have a signed buyer representation agreement with an offer of compensation.

If you cannot demonstrate your value then you’re going to have a problem. -Marki Lemons Ryhal

Things You’ll Learn In This Episode

• Better compliance in real estate
  As of August 17, 2024, MLSs will no longer display broker compensation offers. How does this change promote greater compliance and accountability in real estate transactions?
  
  
• Stay out of hot water
  Under the new settlement practice changes, offering or communicating broker compensation through the MLS is prohibited. Why is it essential to remain compliant and avoid workarounds that could lead to legal trouble?
  
  
• Putting clients first
  Prioritizing clients' needs and wants over personal interests builds trust and loyalty, as clients feel valued and understood. How does consistently putting clients first strengthen long-term relationships in the real estate industry?

About Your Host

​​Licensed Managing Broker, REALTORS®, avid volunteer, and Major Donor, Marki Lemons Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate. With over 25 years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 250,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars.

Six-time REALTOR® Conference and Expo featured attendee, one of 100 speakers selected to speak the REALTOR® Conference & Expo five times, and an Inman closing Keynote Speaker. Marki’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, Washington Post, http://Homes.com , and REALTOR® Magazine.

Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!