Raising the curtain: Josh Horner on doing real estate differently, creating connections with clients and marketing that goes viral.

Josh Horner knows how to choreograph success, one client at a time.

Adept at grabbing an audience’s attention and keeping it, Josh has rewritten the script as a dancer on Broadway, a choreographer at Disneyland and now he’s doing it with real estate.

As director of The Horner Agency, Josh has built an attraction brand and redefined what it means to engage, educate, entertain and exceed expectations in an industry where trust, time, and confidence are currency.

In today’s edition of the Elevate podcast, hosted by Kylie Dulhunty, Josh gives a master class in how to tap into the emotion behind a sale and use it to connect with clients and craft memorable experiences that generate word-of-mouth acclaim.

He also peels back the layers on how he creates his viral listing and sold videos, including how to capture and keep attention, how to navigate the fine line between clever and tacky and what to do when a vendor isn’t interested in a humorous video.

Kylie also quizzes Josh on his dance career, how he got into real estate, the unlikely crossover skills between the two professions, and the strategies that took Josh from struggling with real estate basics to the phone ringing off the hook.

And what about his garden gnome logo? With the flair that only he can muster, Josh reveals where the logo concept came from, what it symbolises and how his client gifts continue to market his brand long after the sold sticker goes up.

“Your two words are trust and confidence, with the entire community. If you can build trust and confidence with people, then they’ll listen to what you have to say. Otherwise you just sound like a bloody parrot repeating some scripts or dialogue from some real estate coach.”

Kylie and Josh also discuss

• On the world stage: A whistle stop tour of Josh’s dance career, including the Australian Ballet, Billy Elliot on Broadway, and choreographing parades for Disneyland.
• Unexpected turns: How an asthma diagnosis led Josh to dance and how a shot of tequila and a bold audition landed him on Dancing with the Stars.
• Leap of faith: Navigating loss and homesickness after the curtain fell on his showbiz career and how Josh found new horizons and purpose in real estate.
• From novice to notable: How Josh transformed from grappling with the real estate basics to a mindset change that propelled him into his new role with determination.
• The art of real estate: The striking similarities between dance and real estate that Josh leverages to thrive and the power of mastering fundamentals to build momentum.
• Emotion-driven excellence: Why emotional engagement is the cornerstone of Josh’s real estate strategy and how he crafts unforgettable client experiences.
• Strategic savvy: Josh’s arsenal of techniques for strategic selling, where integrity, intuitive client insights, and reading non-verbal cues create the ultimate agent-client synergy.
• Becoming a magnet: Discover how Josh intertwines his dance and real estate personas to build a magnetic social media presence and personal brand as an ‘attraction agent.’
• Viral listings: Behind the scenes of Josh’s listing videos, including his creative process, how he targets his audience, captures their attention instantly, and the pitfalls to avoid.
• Brand personification: The quirky tale of choosing a gnome as his logo, alongside Josh’s thoughtful client gifts strategy, which continues to market his brand well beyond the sale.
• Expanding horizons: Josh’s ambitious plans for team growth, the critical importance of assembling the right crew, and his guiding principle to always spark joy in others.

Detailed Episode Guide

Josh Horner, celebrated internationally as a dancer and now a trailblazer in the Australian property industry, understands this better than most. On the latest episode of the Elevate podcast, Josh shared his journey from the ballet stage to real estate, revealing the innovative strategies that set him apart in the industry.

A Journey in Dance
Josh Horner’s career began in professional dance. Born in Wyong, his passion for dance stemmed from a doctor’s recommendation to strengthen his lungs after childhood asthma. After rigorous training at the Australian Ballet School, he joined the Australian Ballet, later branching into musical theatre with roles in Dirty Dancing, Billy Elliot, and performances on Broadway. His adaptability and vibrant energy were evident even during his stint as a judge on Dancing with the Stars Australia.

Transitioning to Property
After years of global performances, Josh returned to Australia ready for a new challenge. Initially hesitant, he was encouraged by a friend’s suggestion to try real estate. Though the learning curve was steep – grappling with industry-specific terms like “vendor” and “exchange” – Josh applied the discipline from his performance career. Skills like reading body language and engaging naturally with clients have been pivotal to his success.

Revamping the Real Estate Experience
Josh’s signature energy and charisma remained as he entered the real estate arena. He channelled these traits into creating a buying and selling process that is both memorable and enjoyable. Known for producing video marketing content that blends entertainment with showcasing properties effectively, Josh transforms transactions into celebrations, building client trust and fostering emotional connections with buyers.

Creating a Personal Brand
Josh has cultivated a unique personal brand as the “House Guy,” making real estate transactions engaging and approachable. Through social media, he shares vibrant property videos and celebrates sales with joyful “soul dances,” resonating with clients and prospective buyers alike.

The Iconic Gnome
A playful garden gnome has become a hallmark of Josh’s brand. More than just a quirky symbol, it embodies his mission to bring joy and connection to his clients, creating a memorable touchpoint in their real estate journey.

Moving Forward
Looking ahead, Josh aims to grow his brand by building a team that shares his client-focused ethos. He remains committed to quality and authenticity, prioritising genuine connections over volume.

Summary:
Josh Horner’s story illustrates how embracing past experiences and individuality can lead to success in any industry. By blending his passion for dance with real estate, Josh is redefining client experiences, one joyful “soul dance” at a time.

FAQ doing real estate differently, creating connections with clients and marketing that goes viral with Josh Horner

1. Who is Josh Horner?
Josh Horner is an internationally renowned dancer turned real estate professional in Australia. Known for his dynamic energy and innovative approach, he has redefined the property buying and selling experience.

2. What is Josh’s background in dance?
Josh trained at the Australian Ballet School and performed with the Australian Ballet before transitioning to musical theatre. His career highlights include roles in Dirty Dancing, Billy Elliot, and performances on Broadway. He was also a judge on Dancing with the Stars Australia.

3. Why did Josh transition to real estate?
After years of performing globally, Josh sought a new challenge upon returning to Australia. Encouraged by a friend, he entered real estate, applying the discipline and interpersonal skills developed during his dance career.

4. How has Josh applied his dance experience to real estate?
Josh leverages skills like reading body language, engaging naturally with people, and performing under pressure. These qualities have helped him connect with clients and excel in creating memorable property experiences.

5. What is Josh’s unique approach to real estate?
Josh combines entertainment and professionalism by creating video marketing content that highlights properties in a lively and engaging way. He ensures the process of buying and selling homes is enjoyable and celebratory for his clients.

6. What is the significance of the “House Guy” brand?
The “House Guy” brand reflects Josh’s playful and approachable personality in real estate. It includes vibrant social media content and celebratory “soul dances” for successful sales, which resonate with both buyers and sellers.

7. Why does Josh use a garden gnome as part of his branding?
The garden gnome symbolises playfulness and joy, values that underpin Josh’s approach to real estate. It helps clients associate his services with positive and memorable experiences.

8. What advice does Josh offer to others?
Josh advises people not to take themselves too seriously, to embrace playfulness, and to engage with life joyfully. This mindset has been a cornerstone of his success.

9. What are Josh’s future plans in real estate?
Josh plans to expand his brand by building a team that shares his joyful, client-focused approach while maintaining authenticity and quality in all interactions.