What does it take to thrive in real estate for over three decades? Robin DiBuono pulls back the curtain on her remarkable 33-year journey that began when she was just 21 years old and still finishing college.

From humble beginnings helping her future husband with paperwork to building a successful family business, Robin shares the principles that have guided her through recessions, market booms, and technological revolutions. Her refreshingly practical approach centers on three core tenets: showing up consistently ("every day is game day"), being thoroughly prepared, and demonstrating resilience through market fluctuations.

Robin's pricing philosophy stands out as particularly valuable in today's evolving market. She explains why "pricing overcomes all objections" and reveals her strategy of calling agents with pending sales to uncover transaction details most agents miss. This commitment to deeper market intelligence has given her listings a competitive edge for decades.

Perhaps most surprising is Robin's dedication to geographic farming—maintaining three neighborhood territories, one since 1991—in an era when many agents chase quick digital wins. Her story of a client who kept her postcard for nine years before listing demonstrates the compounding returns of consistency and patience.

The conversation also explores family dynamics in real estate, with two of Robin's children now working in the business. Her daughter Kristen handles their social media ("for job security," Robin laughs), highlighting the value of leveraging team strengths rather than trying to master everything yourself.

Whether you're new to real estate or a seasoned professional, Robin's insights offer a blueprint for sustainable success that balances timeless fundamentals with adaptability to change. Want to build a business that thrives through any market? Start by treating every interaction like game day.

When sportscaster Jay Colley steps up to the microphone for William & Mary games, he arrives early and meticulously prepared – the same principles that have kept him in the top 3% of realtors across the country in production. His journey from broadcasting booths to the real estate arena reveals powerful success strategies that work in any market.

Success leaves clues, and Colley's four-decade career provides a masterclass in fundamentals. "Be on time, be mentally and physically prepared and you'll be ahead of 90% of your competition," he explains. This disciplined approach built his broadcasting reputation across Nashville, Charlotte, and Rochester before he found his permanent home with William & Mary's Tribe and the real estate industry.

The transformation from solo agent to team leader didn't happen overnight. Starting informally by mentoring new agents, Colley built a proper team structure after his son-in-law joined the business in 2017. Today, his team provides the responsive service modern clients demand – something impossible to deliver consistently as a solo agent in fast-moving markets.

Perhaps most compelling is Colley's "bird dog" strategy – nurturing 10 key relationships that consistently generate referrals. His reward system? Delivering fresh-baked brownies to their workplaces, creating additional exposure when curious coworkers inquire about the treats. "They've done their job by giving you a name and number," Colley explains, emphasizing that he recognizes referrals regardless of whether they close.

His approach to pricing reveals equal wisdom. Using a two-step listing process that incorporates both preliminary research and in-depth property analysis, Colley provides sellers with realistic price ranges. By asking about timeline preferences on a scale of 1-10, he aligns pricing strategy with seller motivation. "The best agent can't sell an overpriced home, and the worst agent can sell an underpriced home," he reminds us.

Ready to elevate your real estate business? Implement three strategies from this episode, set attainable quarterly goals that build toward stretch annual targets, and remember: when challenges arise, look in the mirror first. As Colley's mother taught him, "Take care of the little things, and big things take care of themselves."

Courtenay's journey from hospitality management to real estate leadership reveals how seemingly unrelated skills become powerful assets in this relationship-driven business. The ability to navigate diverse personalities with "poise, class, and a sense of humor" translated perfectly from resort management to real estate transactions. For those considering a career change, this perspective on transferable skills could be career-changing.

Perhaps most striking is Courtenay's "butterfly effect" philosophy about transactions. She shares how military families she helped with PCS moves in her earliest days still reach out nearly two decades later - not just for themselves but for their children, nieces, and nephews. This multigenerational approach to client relationships demonstrates how one successful transaction can multiply into dozens over a career span when agents focus on genuine connections rather than quick commissions.

As market conditions evolve, Courtenay emphasizes her "Three M's" approach: Mindset, Mentorship, and Mastery. She's embracing technology while maintaining authenticity, hosting workshops that teach agents to leverage AI for database management while preserving the human touch that defines great service. "I'm using AI to buy my agents back time," she explains, showing how technology should enhance rather than replace relationship-building.

Whether you're new to real estate or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers a masterclass in creating a resilient business that thrives through market cycles. By focusing on personal branding, genuine connections, and strategic use of technology, you can build a reputation that generates opportunities for decades to come. Ready to transform your approach to this business? This episode is your roadmap.

The real estate market is finding balance with inventory up 27% across regions and over one million listings nationally for the first time since 2019. Despite more inventory, we're still in a soft seller's market with approximately three months supply, though competition among sellers is increasing as listings outpace sales growth.

• Inventory up 27% with over one million listings nationally for the first time since 2019
• Months supply of inventory at approximately 3 months in most regions, 5-6 months in mountain areas
• Days on market stabilized around 50 days, returning to more normal pace
• Pricing is critical - properties priced right still sell quickly, but overpriced listings face multiple reductions
• Sales pace up about 9% across regions during Q2
• Median price appreciation averaging around 2% with average price appreciation around 4%
• First-time homebuyers now averaging 36 years old and representing only 24% of transactions
• Intergenerational wealth transfers provide opportunities for parents/grandparents to help with down payments
• New construction and resale markets moving in same direction with builders offering significant concessions
• Interest rate buy-downs are effective negotiation strategies for both new construction and resale properties

Price strategically, understand your hyper-local market conditions, and don't fall victim to misleading headlines. For parents and grandparents, consider helping the next generation with their homeownership journey now, rather than waiting to pass wealth later.

What truly drives success in real estate? It's not just market knowledge or sales techniques—it's finding your joy and purpose that creates the foundation for everything else.

Carissa Tucker, branch leader at Allen Tate Realtors, takes us on her remarkable journey from social media marketer to leadership, revealing the moment she discovered her true calling. "When I saw an agent running down the hallway after hitting her goal, I realized that's where my joy came from—changing her life, her family's lives, and all the people she helped," Carissa shares with genuine emotion.

The power of mentorship shines through as Carissa credits her mentor Becky Hanley for wisdom that transcended business advice. One guiding principle—"Keep it simple, stupid" (KISS)—has become her north star in approaching everything from negotiations to hiring decisions. This simplicity proves especially valuable in navigating today's noisy real estate landscape.

Beyond professional strategies, Carissa reveals how her family serves as her fundamental "why"—the reason she puts "two feet on the ground every day." This clarity of purpose creates a ripple effect, making professional goals and methods more apparent. When family comes first, everything else improves.

The conversation explores a brilliant blend of high-tech and high-touch approaches to real estate success. While embracing social media and AI tools, Carissa advocates for maintaining authentic connections through personalized communication. Her innovative strategy of writing handwritten notes based on social media insights perfectly bridges digital efficiency with genuine relationship building.

Whether you're a seasoned agent or new to the industry, this episode delivers actionable wisdom on finding your joy, leveraging mentorship, clarifying your purpose, and creating meaningful connections that stand the test of time. Tune in to discover how these foundational elements can help you build a resilient career regardless of market conditions.

What separates thriving real estate agents from those who struggle? Dawn Allred, an accomplished branch leader, reveals it's not about secret formulas or high-dollar investments—it's about consistency, relationships, and practical strategies that work in any market.

The conversation begins with Dawn outlining five foundational strategies for new agents who are building from the ground up. She emphasizes the critical importance of cultivating your sphere of influence by creating a comprehensive database of 100-200 connections and communicating your real estate services clearly. "Your first few deals as a brand new agent will most likely come from people you already know or people that they know," Dawn explains, highlighting the need for regular, meaningful contact through multiple channels.

Dawn introduces a revolutionary contact management approach called the "52/26 strategy" that ensures no relationship falls through the cracks. By systematically calling contacts organized by alphabet (two letters each week), agents connect with everyone in their database twice yearly. This methodical yet personal approach exemplifies her philosophy that success stems from genuine relationship building rather than transaction chasing.

For both new and experienced agents, Dawn stresses the necessity of establishing a personal brand that complements your brokerage's identity. From professional photography to consistent visual elements across all platforms, this branding creates recognition and connection. "People connect with people," she reminds listeners, encouraging agents to share authentic details about themselves that potential clients might relate to.

The conversation tackles the evolution of social media from optional marketing to essential business tool. Dawn provides practical guidance for agents who feel uncomfortable on camera, suggesting gradual steps toward creating video content that establishes market expertise. She emphasizes that authenticity resonates more than perfection, noting that unplanned, casual videos often generate the most engagement.

As the discussion shifts to experienced agents, Dawn outlines strategies for scaling businesses through deliberate investment, delegation, and systematization. She offers a straightforward monthly action plan including social media posts, newsletters, handwritten notes, and regular video content that creates predictable growth. This consistent, relationship-focused approach, she insists, will inevitably lead to business growth regardless of market conditions.

Ready to transform your real estate business? Listen now to discover how small, consistent actions can create remarkable results, and why Dawn believes that "if you're trying to help people, the dollar will typically come because you're doing it for the right reason."

What does it take to build a thriving real estate business in just a few years? Justin Acosta, a 22-year Coast Guard veteran turned successful agent, reveals the authentic approach that catapulted his career in the Virginia Beach market.

At the heart of Justin's philosophy is a refreshing commitment to "service before sales." Unlike conventional sales training that might emphasize closing techniques, Justin believes deeply that authentic service naturally leads to business success. "If you treat the people around you, your clients, with the service they deserve, and you're authentic with it, the sale will follow," he explains with conviction born from experience.

Ready to transform your real estate practice with authentic service and military-grade discipline? Listen now to gain insights from an agent who has mastered the art of building a business that aligns with his values while delivering remarkable results.

Spring has arrived, and with it comes a refreshed real estate landscape across the Carolinas. In this latest market update, we dive deep into what buyers and sellers need to know as we navigate the changing dynamics of 2025's housing market.

The headlines might suggest doom and gloom, but the reality on the ground tells a different story. Inventory has surged 20-40% across our markets, bringing much-needed balance without triggering a crash. This shift marks a return to healthier conditions where both buyers and sellers have meaningful opportunities.

Whether you're buying your first home, considering an investment property, or thinking about where you'll eventually retire, today's market offers strategic opportunities for those who approach it with the right information and guidance.