The #REALTYHACK Podcast

Ricardo Bueno has quietly been one of the most influential figures in real estate events over the last decade. From his early days blogging about mortgage rates to building hyperlocal websites, to leading Follow Up Boss into becoming a brand powerhouse (culminating in a $500M acquisition by Zillow), Ricardo has been behind some of the most impactful real estate conferences in the country. In this episode, we dive into how he curated game-changing events like FUBCon, what it takes to create unforgettable conference experiences, and why attending the right events can radically shift your business. We also explore Ricardo's new chapter as he helps teams, brokerages, and tech companies create events that truly move the needle. If you're in real estate and want to grow your network, elevate your brand, and actually convert more clients—this episode is a must.

I've said it before—agents who ignore AI are going to get left behind. While in Cabo with our top producers, I sat down with my friend Tiffani Marroquin, an AI consultant who's been in the real estate game since 2007. She's now helping agents and brokerages become more efficient by using AI the right way—without getting overwhelmed by shiny objects or wasting money on tools they don't need. In this conversation, we dig into exactly how agents can use AI to save time, create better content, generate more leads, and streamline operations. Tiffany lays out how to build a custom GPT that actually sounds like you, how to train your virtual assistant, and how to identify which tasks you should automate—plus which still need a human touch. If you're serious about growing your business and protecting your time, this is the edge you've been looking for. Check out Tiffany's programs at seekaire.com. 

If you're stuck in the cycle of being “busy” but not productive, this video is your reset button. In this no-nonsense session, you'll learn how to cut through distractions, focus on income-producing activities, and finally take control of your time. Discover the mindset, structure, and systems top agents use to stay consistent, book more appointments, and grow their business—no fluff, just strategies that work. Whether you're closing 5 deals or 50, the difference comes down to what you do daily. Watch now and ask yourself: Are you doing what actually moves the needle—or just staying busy?

Kofi Nartey is more than just a luxury real estate agent—he's a former pro athlete, actor, and one of the most respected names in sports and entertainment real estate. In this episode, Kofi breaks down his journey from HOA president to executive director of REAL's luxury division, sharing how he built his niche working with high-profile clients in LA, Las Vegas, and beyond. It's not about flash. It's about specialization, consistency, and showing up with value. If you're building toward something bigger—especially in the luxury space—you'll want to hear how Kofi's done it.

After nearly a decade of running Spyglass Realty as an independent brokerage, I made a move I never thought I'd make and made the decision to join Real Broker. In this episode, I sit down with two close friends and powerhouse industry leaders, Amy Youngren and Joe Herrera, to talk about our journeys, what led us to Real, and what makes this model different from anything we've seen before. We get real about what led us here—personal challenges, professional burnout, brand identity, and the need for something more sustainable and collaborative. This isn't just about switching brokerages—it's about evolving with the industry while staying true to who you are. If you're a team leader, indie broker, or agent questioning what's next, this conversation is for you. If you're researching Real Broker reviews, curious about the Real Broker private label option, or just wondering whether joining Real Broker makes sense for your business—feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

The construction industry is changing fast — and this panel proves it. In this discussion, we dive into the future of homebuilding with two of the most innovative minds in the space: Graham Wakin, COO of ICON (creators of 3D-printed homes), and Don Fry, founder of Brody Builders (pioneers in modular and factory-built housing). Hosted in Austin, this panel explores how ICON's 3D-printed homes and Brody Builders' modular designs are revolutionizing construction. From AI and robotics to permitting, affordability, and climate resiliency, Graham and Don break down how these innovations are reshaping how—and how fast—we build homes. Whether you're a builder, agent, investor, or just curious about what's next, this panel explores how Austin-based innovators are shaping the future of housing.

What does it take to become a top-performing real estate entrepreneur? In this exclusive panel hosted by John McCarthy, Sales Director at Spyglass Realty, we hear the powerful stories of two real estate heavyweights—Tim Heyl, Founder & CEO of Homeward, and Gary Ashton, leader of the #1 RE/MAX team in the world. Tim shares his rise from cold-calling homes in Austin at 21 to building Homeward, a proptech company helping people buy and sell with confidence. Gary, a former drummer from England, reveals how he leveraged SEO, PPC, and big bets on Zillow and Realtor.com to dominate the Nashville market. Whether you're a solo agent, team leader, or aspiring founder, this conversation is full of lessons on grit, scaling smart, building strong partnerships, and staying focused through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Eric Simon, also known as The Broke Agent, went from struggling as a real estate agent to building one of the biggest media brands in the industry. In this episode, he shares how he grew his audience, the mistakes agents make on social media, and the strategies that helped him turn content into a business. We cover: •The origins of The Broke Agent •Social media strategies for real estate agents •Common mistakes agents make when posting online •How to build a real estate brand that stands out •The future of real estate media Whether you're an agent looking to grow your presence or just curious about the journey, this conversation is packed with insights.

The real estate industry is shifting fast in the wake of the NAR settlement, and if you're not adapting, you're falling behind. In this panel from the Realty Hack Summit, we sat down with top-producing agents Grace Folias (Modern Approach Realtors, NY & FL) and Wade Giles (The Giles Group, Austin) to break down exactly how these changes are playing out in different markets. This industry shift presents both challenges and opportunities. Agents who take a proactive approach, refine their value propositions, and confidently communicate their worth will come out ahead. If you're a real estate professional looking to thrive in this new landscape, this conversation is a must-watch. Let's talk—how are you handling these changes in your market?

What if you could generate all your real estate leads from Instagram? Grace Folias does exactly that. I sat down how with her, and she broke down exactly how she is able to generates 100% of her real estate leads from Instagram— no PPC ads, no cold calls, just organic social media strategies. If you're a real estate agent struggling with traditional lead generation methods, this episode will change the way you think about social media. Grace Folias has built a thriving real estate business exclusively through Instagram, and she's sharing all the details.

The Austin housing market is shifting—are you ready? At the Realty Hack Summit, Realtor.com's expert economist broke down the biggest trends shaping Austin real estate, from inventory levels to sales growth and 2025 predictions. Key topics covered:  • Sales are bouncing back—but how much? • Inventory is up: What does that mean for buyers and sellers? • Why first-time buyers are holding off (and when they'll jump in) • The hottest county for price growth over the past five years If you're an agent, investor, or just interested in Austin real estate, this is essential insight.

Struggling to convert leads into appointments and contracts? In this episode of the Realty Hack Podcast, we explore how AI-powered tools like Ylopo and Maverick are transforming real estate sales. Learn how identifying specific areas for improvement—rather than labeling someone as a "closer" or not—can dramatically boost conversion rates. We also discuss how AI-driven coaching can refine your approach, the power of intentional language when setting appointments, and why data-backed insights are key to closing more deals.

The Austin short-term rental market is shifting, and if you own or invest in STRs, this episode is a must-listen!

Are you unknowingly setting yourself up for a lawsuit? Buyer's agents are using aggressive new tactics, and you NEED to know how to protect yourself.

In this episode, I sat down with Kent Redding to dive into the latest shifts in the real estate industry in late 2024. From navigating market changes to Kent's transition from retail entrepreneur to building a successful real estate team, this conversation is packed with expert insights. If you're a real estate agent looking for advice on how to stay ahead in today's dynamic market, this episode is a must-watch!

In this episode, we sit down with the team from Blended Sense, a leading video content company, to discuss why video has become a non-negotiable tool for realtors in 2024. As the real estate market evolves, standing out with high-quality video content is crucial for securing listings and selling properties. Blended Sense's Ransome Tucker (COO) and Albert Baez (CEO) share their insights on how real estate agents can leverage video to enhance their brand, connect with clients, and stay ahead in a competitive market. Whether you're a seasoned agent or just starting out, this conversation will provide actionable strategies to integrate video into your marketing plan and take your listings to the next level. Plus, learn how Blended Sense makes it easy to create professional content that captures attention and drives results.

In this episode, I sit down with Long Doan, the founder, owner, and broker of Realty Group. Long shares his incredible journey from Vietnam to America, overcoming unimaginable challenges to build a successful real estate business with over 700 agents. We dive into his early life in Vietnam, the harrowing escape as a boat person, and his rise in the real estate industry. Long's story is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the power of a positive mindset. Don't miss this inspiring American success story!

Welcome to another episode of the Spyglass Realty Podcast! Join us as we sit down with PJ Guarano, President of OnePoint Alliance, to explore how their comprehensive services can elevate your real estate listings. Known as "The Complete Solution," OnePoint Alliance collaborates with top real estate professionals to offer everything from design and staging to full-scale renovations. In this insightful episode, learn how you can increase the value and appeal of your properties through strategic improvements and expert craftsmanship. Whether it's enhancing interior aesthetics or tackling major repairs, OnePoint's team ensures each project maximizes property potential—making it a standout in the market. Don't miss out on expert advice that could transform your listings and attract more buyers. Tune in now and discover how to leverage OnePoint Alliance's services to your advantage!

Dive into the captivating world of sales, entrepreneurship, and real estate with our latest podcast episode featuring the incomparable Lisa Copeland!

What are the repercussions of the NAR Lawsuit settlement and what is going to happen to buyer agency? I sat down with David Schneider of Revel Property Group at EXP in this interview. David has been a leader in the Austin real estate scene for 20 years, and he has given great input on the pros and cons of this settlement.

The #RealtyHack Summit 2024 featured Brittany Hodak, an incredible thought leader, who joined us as keynote speaker. In 2024, leveraging personal narratives to enhance client relations is essential in differentiating yourself in a crowded market. This presentation is a must-watch for agents eager to elevate their approach and forge genuine connections. Brittany's insights are a roadmap to success in today's dynamic real estate landscape.

Real estate is among the safest investments you can get into. However, the financial barrier to entry can be costly. I interviewed Ryan Tanel on my podcast recently, and he broke down how real estate syndication works.

In this segment of the #realtyhack summit we held in January, experts weigh in how the NAR anti-trust lawsuit could impact the real estate industry.

If you've been in Austin real estate for a while, you probably know Todd Burgener. Todd has been a staple in the Austin real estate scene for years and his business has had tremendous growth over the past few years, even in this latest downturn. Get these videos BEFORE their public when you join our Weekly Newsletter.

How will you excel in your client interactions and secure more deals in 2024? A good place to start is knowing exactly how you will address and navigate through common objections from your clients. We had industry leaders tackle unique objections on our panel at the #RealtyHack Summit and in turn they dished out some excellent tips to turn hesitations into successful transactions.

Can real estate agents be paid commissions to their LLC by their broker? Is this legal? And if it is, should they do it? We dig in on all of this in this interview.

Our keynote speaker speaker at #RealtyHack Summit was Jimmy Mackin, CEO of Curaytor and best-selling author. He freaking keynotes at Tom Ferry's events and we had him on our stage recently. The feedback from the audience was REALLY good. So check out the video below for some of these amazing tips. Our agents have been working these systems and seeing great results.

Code Next was set to be the change in Austin's zoning that would bring Austin on pace to keep up with the influx of people that are moving here each year. But it was killed. In this video we explore why it died and what's on the horizon that will change that and replace Code Next.

What would it be like to see 8 or 9 story buildings on the side of S Lamar or S Congress? What is proposed for the changes in Austin's zoning for 2024? We cover all of these questions in great detail in this episdoe of #RealtyHack 

I recently interviewed Ashely Brinkman with Realty Austin. I've known Ashley for over 10 years and have witnessed her journey from a new agent to a top-producing agent, and finally to a team leader.

AI is one of the most used terms in any industry this year. It's developing fast. If you're a real estate agent you're going to fall into one of two buckets - those that are going to be much more efficient or those that are going to be left behind. At the FUBCON conference, I spoke with Barry Jenkins and Howard Tager. Barry runs a top-producing team in Virginia Beach. He's written an Amazon best-selling book about real estate and he's the resident realtor expert at Ylopo. Howard is the founder and CEO of Ylopo. He started Tiger Leads, which was the first all-in-one tech platform for real estate, and was sold to realtor dot com.

Cord Shilfet is arguably the most well-known real estate agent in Austin. From his 15-year-plus stint as Austin's number one top producing agent, to when we petitioned the board to put 6 prominent agents on the board of directors, to Fools Roll, and then finally as President of ABoR. Cord has kept things interesting, to say the least. In this interview, we cover all of those subjects.

A couple of weeks ago I sat down with ABOR director (and Spyglass Realty associate broker) John Crowe. We went over several topics. What's happening with the local board, the status of NAR, and the industry in general. From the progress of the Austin Board of Realtors, to what John's thoughts are on the National Association of Realtors.

Automating technology for real estate agents and teams is essential for productivity. Saving seconds turns into saving minutes which eventually saves hours. Chris Boudreaux is the CEO of Jistix, which has a software solution where agents can order signs and photos straight from FollowupBoss. Here's how he does it.

What are the best private and public schools in Austin? When do you start preparing your kids for college? How do you know if you should put your kid in a public or private school? These are the questions we asked our guest, Kathy Bloch-Swarts, an independent school advisor, on our latest podcast.  

Amber Thomas is the owner and CEO of Platinum Top 50 Realtors, an organization that celebrates the achievements of real estate agents in Austin and San Antonio. In this interview, we go over how she got started in this industry and what agents need to know to be a top-producing agent.

This video is a brief history of the zoning in Austin and a prequel to a longer video that will feature interviews with zoning experts, developers, and people who are in the know on why our city council has constantly failed to act on changes to an outdated code that would allow for more density and affordable housing for our ever-growing city. This is all a prelude to Code Next.

Our sales director, John McCarthy, breaks down how to write a winning offer in 2023.

Our all-star panel of luxury real estate agents at the last RealtyHack Summit tell how to break into luxury real estate, how it's different from selling residential real estate and the differences on how to talk to and market to luxury home buyers and seller.

How do you build an amazing, top-producing real estate team? That's exactly what Todd Bailey with the Baily Robb Group went into in this last interview we did with him. He explores how he got into the Austin real estate scene and what he did to rise to become one of the most successful team leaders in Austin.

With the recent announcement of Meta/Facebook layoffs as well as the bailout of failed Silicon Valley Bank (SVB Bank), many may be wondering how these incidents are impacting the job market in the Austin technology industry. We interviewed Kevin Nothnagel about this to get his take on what's happening in the tech world.

I sat down with Austin Stowell to talk about Austin's antiquated zoning rules for land use and development.  He had a years long debacle with the city over a development that in many cities would have been easy. We get into depth on what he went through, and what the city can do to make it's zoning laws more effective in the future. 

Want to know how you can sell 50 homes a year? In part 3 of Anthony Lamachhia's keynote speech from our RealtyHack summit in January, Anthony breaks down what you need to know to accomplish this. From mindset, goal setting, and the steps you need to take every single week to accomplish this.

How do you talk to home sellers in 2023? That's the question that real estate agents have been asking in our brokerage. We brought in Anthony Lamacchia to discuss how to creatively help seller realize their goals.

The way you talk to home buyers in this market is completely different than you would in the past 4 years. Anthony Lamacchia gave the keynote speech for our RealtyHack Summit a few weeks ago. He KILLED it. This is part 1 of 3.

Actually, the story from one of these top-producing panelists is even worse than that. I don't want to spoil anything but here's the video of top producing agents Dena Davis, Adam Walker, John Crowe, and Adam Walker on how to be a top producer in real estate. They went over how they got to be where they are and what they're doing differently to adapt to this market.

At our RealtyHack Summit we had the week before last we interviewed Kent Redding, Kinan Beck, Christina Mungo, and Liz Riley. They share strategies for onboarding new agents and maintaining a productive work environment. They also discuss how the use of technology has helped them become successful real estate teams in the area.

In my second interview with ABoR CEO, Emily Chenevert, we covered the looming questions that are present in our minds now. Will we see a decline in the number of real estate agents in Austin? How is "Proptech" helping agents with automation? What's happening in the Austin Real Estate Market.

What is Instagram going to be like for real estate agents in 2023? We interviewed Chelsea Bucklew, who runs a social media class for realtors. We also had her present to our team of agents at our last company meeting. She tells all the Instagram tips and social media techniques so that agents can define their social media niche and add value to their channels

Mitch Robinson has worked for some of the most brilliant CEOs at Proptech innovators companies and innovators and disrupters such as Expedia, Zillow, EXP, T360, and now Real Estate News. He's seen the journey of these companies. He breaks down how real estate agents can stay relevant in a changing technology atmosphere and what all of these visionary innovators had in common.

Part 2 in my interview with my good friend, Max Leaman. I've known Max for about 7 years now and he's become one of my best friends. In this interview, we talk about his journey from being the number one volume producer of loans in Austin to starting his own mortgage bank. This is not an easy thing to accomplish. We talk about what real estate agents need in a mortgage partner and what it means to build your company from the ground up.