Real Tea: Recent Episodes
Nicole Rideout Hartwick
Follow along as Nicole Rideout Hartwick, Chief Strategy Officer at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, spills the tea on everything real estate and snags deep-dive interviews with some of the most successful and insightful names in the industry.
Marketing and paid advertising are the traditional tools we reach for when promoting a new listing or sale. But the possibilities presented by public relations — for the right property with the right story — are often the differentiator.
This week, Becca Logue, our director of public relations, joins me on the pod to share how she helps our agents secure news coverage to generate interest in to sell the exceptional homes that we represent.
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Calling all SIR agents! Aimee Rideout is back to talk all things GNE!
If you're heading to Nashville this September for Sotheby's International Realty's Global Networking Event, you'll want to tune in & grab our GNE pre-plan guide.
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When a property is marketed through Sotheby's International Realty, it immediately begins a journey to local and global exposure. Loved chatting with Alex Malagodi, Director of Marketing at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, about targeting the biggest pool of qualified buyers and achieving results your clients couldn't have achieved without you. 🌐
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Given the changes happening in the industry, agents are placing more importance than ever on choosing the right brokerage, making it the perfect time to revisit this conversation withDaphna Fields, VP of Brokerage Development at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty.
As a realtor, you can’t control mortgage rates, inventory, or the paperwork. But what you can control is how you do business: how you listen, communicate, strategize, negotiate, and build meaningful client relationships. All the things clients value in an agent are the things agents value in a brokerage, and when your brokerage is in line with your values, you create peace of mind for your clients, strengthening loyalty and trust.
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It's no secret that relationships are the cornerstone of the real estate industry, and Mian LaVallee's network has been key to her success — we actually met for the first time at an industry event she hosted. She is truly a connector!
Tune in as we discuss her approach to business and relationships and how it’s opened doors.
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Writing is an invaluable skill in real estate. Capturing a busy reader’s attention today is more challenging than ever.
In today's episode of #RealTea, Lauren Holleran and I discuss the dos and don'ts for writing polished and effective copy!
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Back at it with another conversation on AI! 👩💻
So thrilled to have Richard Silver of Sotheby's International Realty Canada on the podcast. Richard leads Silver Burtnick and Associates, one of Toronto's top real estate teams, and has been in the industry for more than four decades. Listen as he shares how incorporating AI into his daily routine hasn't just introduced minor efficiencies—it's led to substantial time savings.
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AI is a new hot-button topic in real estate. There’s definitely a time and a place for it, but most people wonder where and when. Tune in to my conversation with Jeni if you’re wondering where to start.
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To say real estate runs in Mckinze Casey's blood is an understatement: Mckinze grew up in a family that owned a real estate brokerage and an architecture firm, and her more than 20-year career has spanned five diverse markets. Listen as she shares the steps she's taken to hone her craft and find a specialization. With a background in supply chain management, & being a mom to twins — Mckinze is your girl for all things efficiency. I am so excited to implement some of the hot tips she shared!
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George Slusser is one of a few real estate M&A experts in the U.S, and he's played an integral role in the mergers and acquisitions Gibson Sotheby's International Realty has done over the years. I love working with George and believe any broker owner should be using someone with his expertise to value their business each year. Watch as we discuss his 2023 book, Acquiring More Profit, the basics of a company valuation, and what brokerages can do to thrive even in the most uncertain times.
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On Friday, March 15, 2024, the National Association of REALTORS® announced a proposed agreement to settle nationwide seller claims related to broker commissions. Gibson Sotheby's International Realty has been preparing for these potential changes for 2-3 years, but unfortunately, there's been a lot of misinformation about our industry in the headlines.
Today, I'm addressing this misinformation and providing a basic understanding of what this proposal means.
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Despite the craziness of the rental market in 2023—constant talk of rent control, broker fees, limited inventory—our rentals department surpassed $4 million in gross revenue, exceeding the previous year. Van French, Director of Rentals at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, joins me on the podcast today to discuss best practices for your rental or investment property search and what you can do to give yourself an edge.
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Let's talk about off-market transactions.
Colleen Barry and I are seeing a higher-than-normal number of off-market or "pocket" listings—properties that aren't publicly listed on the open market. While there are occasions where sharing a listing with a limited audience is in the seller's best interest, these types of listings can dramatically reduce the number of potential buyers and, more importantly, risk getting the highest sale price and best terms. The takeaway? Off-market listings have their shortcomings, and the ideal real estate transaction exposes a property to all realtors and buyers in an effort to obtain the most attractive offer.
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While referrals can come from clients, some of the best opportunities come from fellow agents in your network. Listen Aimee Rideout, Vice President of Relocation & Referrals at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty and I dive into how you can take your business to the next level through strategic alliances with other real estate professionals.
ICYMI: Through our Sotheby's International Realty network, our firm generated $486 million in referral sales volume and served more than 1,200 clients in 231 cities, 34 states, and 20 countries in 2023—a testament to the local and global connections that Aimee and her department facilitate.
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I'm back with Dat Le, a certified public accountant and partner at Motta Financial in Las Vegas. In part one, we looked at what real estate agents and entrepreneurs should be asking their CPA and watching for on their tax returns. Here, we shift focus to investors, high-income earners, and the strategies they need to know to maximize their refunds. Tune in TODAY on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify podcasts.
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In this episode, I’m talking to Dat Le, a certified public accountant and partner at Motta Financial in Las Vegas. Watch part one of our conversation in which we examine what realtors and entrepreneurs should be asking their CPA and what they should watch for on their tax returns.🧾💸📅
In part 2 next week, we’ll discuss what investors and high-income earners need to know. And as a special treat for agents at Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty, Dat and I will soon host a training course which will be a 'deep dive' into real estate taxes — with opportunities for live questions. This will be a great opportunity to hear from an expert CPA so you can grow and scale your business and get all of the tax deductions you're entitled to. Who's interested? 🙋🏼♀️
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The Cape Cod real estate market is distinct from a primary residence market. But New England real estate agents agree that the markets today are similar in one way: Inventory is historically low.
Join me and Paul McCormick, a Cape Cod native and Chatham-based real estate advisor with Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, as we tackle Cape and Islands sales trends, how the markets fluctuate seasonally, what makes Cape Cod the ideal investment property location, and why we expect listings to increase this spring.
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As the real estate market turns, you may find yourself having to put a little more money and thought into your marketing. The good news is, many marketing tactics are simple to execute—and either free or very close to it!
Join me and Jeni Pardo de Zela, Vice President of Marketing at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, as we reveal some low- or no-cost but effective marketing strategies for 2024. We also discuss the marketing support available to the agents at our brokerage and how their expertise allows our agents to do what they do best: serve their clients. 🔑📈
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Let's talk about buyer's agents, the NAR lawsuit, and more. In today’s industry, a buyer agency agreement is essential to ensure the agent and the brokerage get paid, and the only way a buyer is going to sign an agreement is if they understand the nature of this professional relationship and the services the agent provides.
Most industry professionals—especially buyer's agents—need tips on how to explain their services to clients. As a lot of the work happens seamlessly behind the scenes.
In part 2 of my conversation with Colleen Barry, listen as we provide a road map for these conversations.
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We're back! 🎙️🔑
So thrilled to have my dear friend and CEO of Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Colleen Barry, on my first episode of Real Tea in 2024.
The market faced many challenges in 2023. Buyers and sellers waded through an environment of high interest rates, low housing stock, inflated prices and strong competition. So, what will this year hold for buying, selling and renting in Massachusetts? Join us for a discussion on what you need to know in order to make a smart real estate decision at any moment.
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I was fired up to continue my conversation with international powerhouse Nikki Field—senior global real estate advisor and associate broker at Sotheby's International Realty® in East Side Manhattan.
Nikki heads Sotheby's International Realty's perennially top team of nearly 20 associates across the tri-state area and feeder networks around the globe. Watch as she reveals her team’s strategy to working with international clients, cross-marketing their listings, and the top concerns of the high-end buyer and seller!
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You're probably familiar with today's guest!
Nikki Field, a senior global real estate advisor and associate broker at Sotheby's International Realty's East Side Manhattan Brokerage, has been with the firm since 1998. Nikki pioneered the team sales model in Manhattan with her eponymous “Field Team,” which has transacted more than $4 billion in sales and annually ranks as the top team at Sotheby's International Realty®.
In PART ONE of my conversation with Nikki, we discuss how to build the right team, working alongside her daughter, and the importance of having a succession plan in place.
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When you have a team structured in the right way, with the right people, it can be incredibly powerful for your business. But there's much to consider if you are thinking about building a real estate team—staffing, compensation and much more—and it's imperative that team members understand and appreciate their roles and responsibilities. So which legal issues do agent teams raise and how can you manage the risks? What provisions should you consider including in your real estate team agreement? How can you avoid ambiguity that leads to litigation?
In PART TWO of my conversation with Craig Levey, an Employment Law Attorney and Partner with the law firm of Bennett & Belfort P.C., we unpack the steps you must take to get (and keep) your team up and running.
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Most real estate companies are constantly recruiting. However, there are big differences among companies in structure, operation, and philosophy, and your goal is to find a brokerage that is ultimately the right fit for you. Research, weighing pros and cons, and planning ahead are essential in getting your real estate career with a new brokerage off to a fast and productive start. So what details does an agent contract typically include? What questions should agents ask before joining a new brokerage?
I'm excited to be joined by my friend Craig Levey, an Employment Law Attorney and Partner with the law firm of Bennett & Belfort P.C., to explain what you should look for when deciding which logo will be printed on your new business card.
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Real estate scams are at an all-time high, and both realtors and clients are potential targets. But what are the most common scams, and how can we identify and avoid them so that our clients can feel empowered when they buy or sell their home? I'm thrilled to be joined by Richard Sullivan, Gibson Sotheby's International Realty's in-house general counsel, to explain what to watch for and how to protect yourself. ❗⚠️
Stay tuned for more short conversations with Richard about specific scams we're helping our associates avoid!
In April, we opened doors in Newburyport by joining forces with Fruh Realty. The move brought the Sotheby's International Realty® brand to Newburyport for the first time. In this episode, I'm joined by Kevin Fruh to discuss his perspective on Newburyport's evolving luxury marketplace, how it was impacted by the pandemic, and what he loves most about living and working on the North Shore of Massachusetts.
Did you know that only 1 in 5 Community Preservation Act projects is dedicated to affordable housing, and less than 1 in 20 involve the creation of new homes? To better understand the real-world impact of the CPA, the Greater Boston Real Estate Board partnered with the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University to assess the program. I'm honored to be joined by Patricia Baumer, Director of Government Affairs at the GBREB, and Evan Horowitz, Executive Director at the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tisch College, Tufts University, to discuss how the CPA—with the right tweaks—could become a critical tool in expanding local housing options for families.
Read an in-depth summary of the report at mahousingsolutions.com.
Join me and my good friend, Shant Banosian of Guaranteed Rate, as we explore the dynamic world of lending, discuss interest rates, and President Biden’s mortgage redistribution plan, and share insights into the future of the housing market!
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Many people might not know that I worked in real estate public policy years ago — one of the reasons I was so excited to welcome Patricia Baumer, Director of Government Affairs at the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, to the pod. Watch as Trish and I talk money in politics, the importance of Realtor® participation in local issues and advocacy activities, and what's happening on the Hill right now. I can't wait to have Trish back to discuss the details of a new housing study coming this May!
Listen as Christa Cardwell and I break down how proper staging can reveal a home’s maximum value in a way typical marketing strategies aren’t able to fully tap into. Don't make the buyer use their imagination!
With all the economic uncertainty, anyone with a megaphone has realized that bad news sells. When someone is thinking about buying or selling, they naturally scour the internet for information, easily leading to confusion and perhaps even causing them to cancel their plans altogether.I was so excited to sit down with my good friend Matthew Ferrara, and if you take anything away from our conversation, I hope it's this: real estate tends to be very local in nature. Yes, there can be larger outside influences on our local market, such as the up and down interest rates. But for the most part, it comes down to being able to properly analyze your unique local market.
When the pandemic first brought life to a standstill, the last thing anyone expected was a real estate boom, especially along the coast. People realized they could be heading to the beach after their last Zoom meeting of the day, and it all added up to a scorching market on the South Coast of Massachusetts: one that has yet to let up. With workers no longer expected in person, at least not daily, the South Coast—just 60 miles south of Boston and a stone's throw from the Cape, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and even Providence—continues to see serious gains. I was thrilled to shoot this episode from our NEW South Dartmouth office with our own Team MCM. Maggie Tomkiewicz, Chris Hiller and Margo Choquette have been pillars in the Dartmouth community for more than 35 combined years and it was a blast discussing what they think is next for this very special market! Learn more about the South Coast at www.gibsonsothebysrealty.com/explore/south-coast.
If you need a community to walk with you while growing a real estate business and raising a family, you're in the right place! It's Women's History Month, and I can't think of a better person to have on the podcast than Mayi de la Vega. Mayi is someone whom I've had the honor of knowing for more than ten years. The first Cuban-American woman to own a Sotheby's International Realty® franchise, Mayi is real estate powerhouse, having founded ONE Sotheby's International Realty back in 2008 during the country’s worst economic recession. Today, Mayi leads South Florida's leading luxury brokerage, but that didn't happen without some serious balancing between her career and raising two children. Listen as Mayi reveals some lessons she's learned about making time for her family and herself while building a successful company.
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As real estate advisors, we serve, not sell. But, nobody has ever become a top real estate agent without setting a few boundaries, and figuring out where that line is doesn’t always come so easily. Failing to hold to them can leave you exhausted, frustrated, and on the verge of giving up the industry altogether. So how do you communicate your work obligations to your family? How should you structure your week so you can honor your personal commitments? Is real estate actually a strong career option for parents? Watch as Tom Matthews of The Tom & Joanne Team and I discuss what's made it possible for him to balance parenting and real estate and actually accomplish more each week, and don't forget to check out a few of his favorite resources:
💡 Simon Sinek's Start With Why
💡 Chet Holmes' The Ultimate Sales Machine
💡 Seth Godin's The Dip
I am really nervous to discuss this topic!
As real estate professionals, we feel moved to touch on the discussion of rent control in Boston. I think open and honest conversation is what we need here to solve the affordable housing crisis. We feel strongly about finding a solution but, as most economists will say, do not believe that rent control is the answer. In fact, if supply is really the underlying issue, rent control could make it even worse. So what actions can we potentially take to actually make housing more affordable? I hope you will watch as I'm joined by Colleen Barry, CEO of Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, to discuss a few other potential solutions to this affordability crisis.
Listen to the Freakonomics Radio Episode: Why Rent Control Doesn't Work.
You want the best future possible, so you need a clear picture of how you can tap into the knowledge and support of the best in the business.
Gibson Sotheby's International Realty has the highest agent productivity of the top five firms in Massachusetts, and that is one of our proudest achievements. In March 2022, we brought on Daphna Fields as our Vice President of Brokerage Development. Daphna previously served as Regional Vice President at Coldwell Banker, responsible for the oversight and productivity of the company’s sales offices in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, but she began her career as an agent. Today, Daphna helps us to identify ways that we can elevate our agents' careers, from increased confidence to negotiation to salesmanship, improving both their productivity and their enjoyment of their businesses. She is a culture-first leader and a champion of our brand with an obvious passion for the real estate business, and we are thrilled to have her on board.
Are you doing what it takes to achieve the levels of greatness that you deserve? In working with agents for almost two decades now, Daphna Fields, Vice President of Brokerage Development at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, has found these ten habits to be the difference between an average performer and a top producer in real estate. After all, no matter your industry, your business is built on the characteristics and activities you cultivate daily. Take on the day with this curated collection of game-changing, value-added habits.
In today's market, a company’s cash flow determines if it is in control of its own destiny. Gibson Sotheby's International Realty is no stranger to growth (we just announced the upcoming opening of our office in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts) and when the opportunity for mergers or acquisitions (M&A) arises and makes sense for our associates, we're ready. But it’s not as simple as buying up brokerages that are for sale. It’s critical to find the right partner and have a bulletproof transition and integration strategy. How do you recognize the strengths of a potential new acquisition? How can you determine if your cultures and business models pair well? Once the deal is done, how can you ensure that all the pieces fit together for long-term success? In PART TWO of my conversation with Larry Rideout, Chairman and Co-Owner of Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, we unpack what leads to a successful M&A in order to help agents succeed and brokerage owners bolster their business in this age of strategic consolidation.
Staying on-trend is essential in real estate, and one of the biggest trends right now is short-form videos popularized by platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. With these platforms often being targeted toward younger audiences, agents in high-end markets might be wondering if it’s worth investing and engaging with them. The answer is an emphatic yes—and to explain, I'm joined by Becca Logue, Director of Communications & Digital Strategy at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, to discuss how to leverage short-form video with ease to expand your audience and build your business.
Today, it’s not only feasible for real estate agents to have connections from all over the world, but necessary. So what are the best ways to start making connections beyond your market? How can introverted agents nurture the skills they need in order to connect and support both their local and global clientele? Aimee Rideout, my sister and Vice President of Relocation & Referrals at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, knows that staying connected with other real estate advisors is vital to delivering the service that clients in today's market need. Tune in as she describes a few of the key benefits of being part of a referral network, explains how to get the most out of in-person networking events, and breaks down a few simple tips for agents hoping to build genuine professional connections.
Now more than ever, no matter your profession, it is critical to focus on a niche. I had the pleasure of speaking with two of Gibson Sotheby's International Realty's top producing advisors, Emily Flax and Nancy Roth. Both Emily and Nancy have had tremendous success in their very niche markets of Provincetown and Charlestown in Massachusetts, respectively. They have effectively leaned into and become true experts in their communities, a powerful advantage in today's ever-changing market. Tune in to hear their advice on identifying a niche in your business, an important way to differentiate yourself in the day and age of digital disruption. When the world gets noisy, people flock to the true professionals, and it is rare to find two individuals with so many connections to an individual community.
How do we know the housing market is normalizing? What does current inventory look like? What resources are available to agents to help them succeed? What should buyers and sellers do to adapt?
With a market correction comes very unique challenges and opportunities. Joining us on the show today is Colleen Barry, Chief Executive Officer at Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, to take a deep dive into what the latest data means for agents and their clients. Tune in to discover the current real estate environment in Massachusetts!
Major shifts in the real estate market are inevitable, but not always easy to adapt to. Having seen numerous market shifts over his tenure, Larry Rideout, Chairman & Co-Owner of Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, understands how to overcome market volatility and why it's paramount to focus on his values: the satisfaction and productivity of the firm's agents. Listen as Larry shares how his career path took him from a U. S. Gypsum facility in Charlestown to the helm of the largest independently-owned brokerage in Massachusetts, and stay tuned for PART 2, where Larry will divulge what agents should keep in mind in order to adapt to and thrive in this changing market.
If you haven’t been in real estate for a market that doesn’t have your sellers wading through 20 offers and buyers so desperate for a home that they are waiving contingencies, then you’re in for a surprise as the market moves to a more normal one. It’s time to go back to basics, or start with the basics, so you can thrive today. So what back-to-basic strategies should agents use in their marketing plans? Listen as Jeni Pardo de Zela, Vice President of Marketing at Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty, shares a few tips to help set you apart from the competition.