Killin' It In Real Estate

Have you ever heard someone tell you, "Life is short" or "Life is what you make of it"? I bet you have. But here's the real question: do we truly internalize those words and apply them to our daily lives? Let's be honest, more often than not, the answer is a resounding "No. But today, I invite you to embark on a remarkable journey with me. Get ready for a captivating interview with Ahmed Islam, a local Realtor® who has faced numerous struggles in life. Yet, time and time again, Ahmed has chosen to embrace those challenges, transforming them into stepping stones towards a better and stronger professional and personal life. Ahmed's story is one that will leave you inspired and motivated. His unwavering determination to learn from his experiences and use them as fuel for growth is nothing short of remarkable. Through this interview, we'll delve into the depths of Ahmed's journey, exploring how his unique story has shaped his real estate career. Want to chat more about your story and how it has impacted your real estate life? Email me today at killinitinrealestate@bucksrealtor.com. I'd love to share your story and learn about how you're using your challenges to create professional and personal strength.

Caryn, Chichi, and Christy chat about commercial real estate (and Canva!) I'm sensing a "C" trend here! Have you ever wondered what it's like to dabble in commercial real estate? Or are you well-versed in commercial transactions? Either way, grab yourself a chair, pour yourself a cup of your favorite cocktail (Frose, if you're Caryn, and Pinot Grigio, if you're Chichi), and chill while you listen to us chat about all things commercial real estate. Cheers, my friends! This episode is brought to you by the letter, "C!"

Join us for an exciting podcast episode as we dive into the summer vibes with a fascinating guest. This episode features a dynamic real estate mogul who is also a mastermind behind delightful drink creations. While the mogul title may be up for discussion, one thing is certain – our guest is a true drink creator! Get ready to join me and Joe Berendsohn, a local Realtor®, as we engage in a captivating conversation about Joe's successful career in real estate, his boundless creativity, and his exciting new partnership with Mermaid Spirits, a local distillery nestled in Huntingdon Valley, PA. Whether you're a young adult embarking on your journey or a seasoned veteran of life, Joe's story and entrepreneurial spirit will undoubtedly inspire you. So, sit back, tune in, and quench your thirst with a refreshing sip of Cooler Tea, available at Mermaid Spirits. And for those seeking an elevated experience, don't miss out on Joe's personal favorite cocktail, the Hemingway Daiquiri.

What would you do if you had the opportunity to interview a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter? Well, if you're like me, you'd get yourself cozy in your dining room, fire up Zoom, dial up your guest, hit record, and get comfy. And also freak out a little. Because we've never interviewed a guest quite like Bill Dedman! Bill Dedman was a lead investigator on the Long Island Divided investigation, which uncovered some very disturbing and eye-opening practices that were taking place in the real estate industry in Long Island, NY. In turn, this investigation, and its findings, have changed the way Realtors® are trained and educated, for the better. Please sit back, tune in, and take a listen. Please be sure to register for Bill's upcoming webinar on Long Island Divided, scheduled to take place on April 20th. To learn even more about the investigation, watch the documentary.

Did you look in your closet this morning and wonder what hat you'd be wearing for the day? As Realtors®, agents, and affiliates of the business, we all know this life requires many different hats, and sometimes it requires us to wear several hats on the same day! Well, meet Marshal Granor, attorney, licensed real estate Broker in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, licensed title insurance agent, an instructor at BCREI, President of Community Management Services Group, and the list goes on and on. Marshal understands the meaning of wearing many different hats, so what a treat it was to talk to him to learn more about why he does what he does on an everyday basis. Grab your favorite hat, along with a glass of Karl Erbes Riesling (or a cup of Adagio coconut tea ) and tune in. There's a lot to learn from this man of many hats! Please check out Marshal's favorite nonprofit, the Hebrew Free Loan Society. And don't forget to register for one of Marshal's classes at Bucks County Real Estate Institute. Check out the full list of upcoming classes.

Hey there, real estate enthusiasts! Get ready for a special episode of Killin' It in Real Estate that you won't want to miss. We've got some amazing guests on the show today - a group of talented high school seniors from Archbishop Wood Catholic High School who are taking a one-of-a-kind class called "Fundamentals of Real Estate," taught by none other than Realtor® John Iannarelli. But that's not all - John took his students on a field trip to the Bucks County Association of Realtors® and I had the privilege of chatting with them about podcasting. In this episode, you'll hear directly from these bright and motivated students as they share their reasons for taking the class and their exciting plans for the future. So grab a cup of coffee, get cozy, and tune in to this inspiring episode of Killin' It in Real Estate.

Are you ready for artificial intelligence to take over the world?!? Yeah, me neither. Okay, maybe AI isn't going to take over the world just yet, but sometimes it feels like we're edging that way a bit more every day, especially with the creation of tools like ChatGPT. While some people love the idea, I'm a bit more unsure about it. So, what's a podcast host to do, other than try to learn about the scary thing in hopes that it becomes less scary? Thankfully, our guest on this episode, Alex Shnayder, not only educated me on ChatGPT, he also helped allay some of my fears. If you're interested in learning more about ChatGPT, sign up for Alex's upcoming webinar on March 22. Oh, and if you're wondering, ChatGPT will take a margarita, thank you very much. As always, thanks for tuning in!

Can you imagine moving halfway around the world with your family? Then having to learn all new customs, a new language, and figure out how to create a life for yourself? I know I can't! Listen in as I sit down with Rose Yuan, a local Realtor® (and much more!) as she talks about how her move to the United States of America more than 40 years ago shaped the life she lives now. You can learn more about the DEI Committee that she co-chairs at BCAR. BCAR members are welcome to join. The upcoming virtual Fair Housing event called “Lessons Learned from the Long Island Divided” with lead investigator Bill Dedman on April 20th is open for all to attend. Details and registration can be found here. I'll be signing up and hope you will, too! Details can be found here if you're interested in attending AREAA's installation event virtually on March 11. And don't forget, if you have an idea, or would like to be on the podcast, email me at KillinItInRealEstate@bucksrealtor.com!

We all know that talking about environmental issues might not be our favorite thing, but we also all know that environmental issues come up in real estate transactions. Since we can't ignore these issues, why not at least be educated on how to remedy some of the situations? Join David Sulock, of Curren Environmental, as we touch on several of the words that make our skin crawl... lead, mold, asbestos, and oil tanks. Want to make this conversation more palatable? Grab a glass of Pinot Noir, David's favorite wine, sit back, and take a listen. Cheers!

Are you thinking of selling your home? Are you a Realtor® who just took a listing? Are you wondering how you're going to make a space look welcoming, inviting, and connect with buyers? Well, sit down and take a listen to Nancy Vander Zwan, owner of Staging Craft, as we talk about how to stage that space perfectly! And while you're listening, please be sure to enjoy The Home Stager, Nancy's favorite, personally coined cocktail - Tito's on the rocks, with a kiss of lime and some Rose's lime juice. (Enjoy it responsibly, of course!) If you're looking for a place where you can volunteer and help people at a critical point in their lives, please check out the Network of Victim's Assistance (NOVA), located in Jamison, PA.

Have you heard the term, "social media?" I sure hope so! But, if you're anything like me, that's about all you know about social media. Thanks to our guest, Amy Berridge, owner of BuxMont Social Media and Marketing, once you listen to our podcast, you'll no longer be in the dark! Tune in to hear Amy chat about trends for 2023, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and yes.... even MySpace. Check out her beautiful website to learn more about how Amy can help serve all your social media needs. You might even see a familiar face on her front page! While you're at it, check out Amy’s local passion and head on over to Kin Wellness, to learn about how they're giving meaningful support to community members who are battling cancer. Want to grab Amy's favorite drink? Check out Second Sin Brewing in Bristol and grab an ale called “I Can Eat a Peach for Hours”. Hope to see you there!

We've made it to the end of season one, friends! Unbelievable, right? What's a host to do at the end of season one, other than to interview herself? Okay, maybe it's not an official interview... the question-and-answer format didn't work so well with myself! Join me as we close out season one to reflect on how we got here and a little bit of where we're going. While we're talking about me... grab my favorite drink (tequila and club with lime) and take a listen. Cheers to the end of season one and the beginning of season two! Please remember, it's not selfish to take care of yourself.

We've all heard the saying, "Life ain't easy," but what do you do when you're living that quote? Well, if you're Jack Gross, then you pick yourself up, brush yourself off, live the true definition of resiliency, and build yourself an incredibly successful real estate business. In building that career, Jack has also learned the power and importance of giving back and supporting local children's charities through his Cassidon Foundation, a nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) foundation based in Bethlehem, PA. Let's all raise a Manhattan (made with Macallan, of course!) to Jack's resiliency and success! Want to make a Manhattan at home? Check out this recipe Remember to enjoy it responsibly.

Have you ever wanted to sit down with someone who knows a lot about everything? Then tune in to my chat with Jamie Ridge, a guy who knows so much that we needed him to be our first repeat guest! Take a journey with us as we talk about sewer lateral inspections, the National Flood Insurance Program, Act 133, and Jalapeño Margaritas. That's right, we cover IT ALL! And I'll bet that at the end of the podcast, you'll be craving a jalapeño margarita, just like the one that Jamie's wife makes. So grab yourself a bottle of Casamigos tequila (my personal favorite!) and then email me at killinitinrealestate@bucksrealtor.com for the recipe. And while you're sipping away, take a look at the SRA website to learn about all the topics we touched on today.

Who said title insurance needs to be boring? Not me! And definitely not Rachel Kurtz, owner of RK Abstract, and local title insurance guru. Join Rachel and me as we talk all things title, from what sellers need to know, to why title insurance is an important purchase, and how buyers can find the right title insurance company to suit their needs. What makes talking title even better? Sipping a glass of merlot, of course! Rachel and I were toasting with a bottle of Alki. Or, if you want to sip on her favorite cocktail, hilariously named, "Big Sexy," then get yourself 3 parts vodka to 1 park limoncello, pour it in a chilled glass, and enjoy! While you're sipping, check out your local county website to find out how you can protect yourself against deed fraud. Simply go to your county's Recorder of Deeds website for more information. To learn more about the Bucks County Association of REALTORS and all they have to offer, check out www.bucksrealtor.com. Cheers friends!

Education Palooza is happening on October 20th and real estate tech guru Craig Grant will be there! Let’s talk about the importance of Oscar-worthy videos and why Google rocks! Want to hear more from Craig? Register for Education Palooza and come chat with him. He might even have his favorite drink on hand Crown Royal.

Insurance policy reading? Meh. Who needs it? Well, apparently, I do! Tune in to hear Tim Swartz, an insurance guru with over 31+ years of experience, explain to me, a non-insurance guru with no years of insurance experience, why I need to actually sit down and read my homeowner’s insurance policy. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to grab a glass of Tim's favorite drink, a Sam Adams Winter Lager, and cozy up with my policy to learn more about what's covered and not covered in my home. If you need to know more about your policy, feel free to reach out to Tim here. And just in case you need something to wash down all that information with, grab a Sam Adams Winter Lager.

Have you been out there pounding the pavement, working hard to help your buyers get the house of your dreams, but feeling like you're missing something? Then it's time to take the Accredited Buyer's Representative® (ABR®) designation course with Matt Mittman! He'll teach you how to make your mark in your career and with your buyers. Join us on today's episode to learn about his upcoming class and how you can be a part of it. When you're ready, sign up here ---> And, as always, don't forget to raise a glass of Maker's Mark to Matt!

Reels? Kickball? Ballers? How do they go hand in hand with real estate? Tune in and find out! Join Christy as she sits down for a friendly and super fun tale of two local Realtors®, Anthony Paul Pinto and Brandi Shaw. Learn about how they have shaped their businesses in their own unique ways to work best for themselves and those around them. Be prepared to laugh along with us, and maybe AT us! Want to have even more fun? Head on over to Hops/Scotch, a local cocktail bar in Downtown Doylestown, that serves up one of Anthony and Brandi's favorite drinks, the Smoked Old Fashioned. Full disclosure, it's one of my favorites, too! And please remember, if you're going to enjoy some drinks at Hops/Scotch, please do so responsibly. Call an Uber or call a friend and enjoy!

Have you ever thought about taking classes to become a Broker? Me too. Seems a little daunting, doesn't it? Well, sit down with Heather Walton, Stephanie Garomon, and I as we discuss a broker class that focuses on real estate law. Will it magically make us attorneys? No. But will it provide a road map for potential issues that Realtors® see daily? Yes. And if you’re thinking about taking this course at Bucks County Real Estate Institute, you'll be not only instructed but also entertained by esteemed Realtor® and Attorney (and past podcast guest!) Alex Shnayder. Learn more and sign up today! When you've finished the class (or just finished *thinking* about taking your career as a Realtor® to the next level), sit down and enjoy a glass of sweet Riesling in honor of Heather, or chill with a glass of Cabernet, Stephanie's favorite.