Rethink Real Estate

Ben Brady breaks down the major takeaways from May—and one theme stood out above all: acceptance. But not the kind that comes with signed offers. We're talking seller mindset, agent responsibility, and market-wide reality checks.Ben walks through what he's seeing across the U.S.—from Florida and Tennessee to Colorado, Arizona, and Texas. With more high-end listings sitting stagnant and sellers facing increasing evidence that the market has shifted, conversations are finally changing. The idea of “just waiting it out” is losing its power, and more agents are learning how to guide their clients toward realistic outcomes using clear market feedback and our auction process.This episode digs into the real psychology behind price reductions, seller denial, and agent hesitation—and why the best-performing agents right now are the ones willing to tell the hard truths. Whether you're managing seller expectations, navigating sluggish inventory, or qualifying listing opportunities, this is your reminder: clarity is leverage.🎯 Key Topics & Timestamps:[00:00] – Why May was the Month of Acceptance (and not just offers)[01:40] – National trends: where inventory is growing and deals are closing[03:18] – Why more sellers are accepting market reality—and what that means for agents[05:09] – Understanding different auction types and how to apply them strategically[07:29] – Red flag vs. green flag sellers: how to know where your time’s worth investing🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit:www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎯 Subscribe for more tactical sales and listing strategies. Drop your questions in the comments — we read every single one.

In this eye-opening episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady is joined by veteran coach, strategist, and former Buffini top 10 coach, Tanya Bugbee. With more than 30 real estate agents under her wing—and a client roster that includes Disney execs and roofing CEOs—Tanya brings a fresh, no-fluff approach to business coaching. From dealing with the mental warfare realtors face, to why most agents say they want growth but aren’t willing to own their actions, Tanya cuts straight to the core of what holds agents back.The episode dives deep into why traditional coaching models are becoming outdated, how personalization beats plug-and-play systems, and why most agents don’t need more scripts—they need more truth. Tanya shares stories from her own real estate journey, her time as a top-producing agent in multiple states, and how she diagnoses what’s really stopping her clients from growing. Whether you're closing 20 deals a year or stuck in analysis paralysis, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and permission to get real with your goals.Ben and Tanya also break down how to quiet the noise in today’s market, when to hire a coach (and when not to), and why your week might be worth firing yourself over. Plus, an unexpected analogy featuring a barking dog and the truth about accountability that every agent needs to hear.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Welcome & Why There’s a Dog Barking in the Background[00:01:00] – Tanya’s Coaching Approach & Real Estate Background[00:04:50] – What Sellers Teach Us About the Agent Experience[00:06:00] – Are Big Coaching Programs Still Relevant?[00:08:15] – Fear-Based Coaching, FOMO, and the Truth About Strategy[00:10:30] – What 33 Coaching Clients Are Saying About the Market[00:12:10] – How Tanya Diagnoses a Realtor’s Real Problem[00:16:20] – Would You Hire or Fire Yourself Based on Last Week?[00:18:45] – Getting Honest About Your Work Ethic (and Why Most Agents Aren’t)[00:21:00] – Is It Time to Hire a Coach? Here’s How You Know[00:23:00] – The Future of Brokerages and Where Coaching Still Wins🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Tanya Bugbee Coaching & Consulting:https://www.tanyabugbee.com/https://www.youtube.com/@UCLAZuJWexe5YxRwWYefJYyw https://www.facebook.com/tanya.bugbee.94https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-bugbee-coach/https://www.instagram.com/bugbeetatiana_?igsh=MTIKNTNkOGhwZ2ZnNQ%3D%3D🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎧 Subscribe, rate, and review if this episode made you rethink something in your business. Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway—and don’t forget to share this with an agent who really needs to hear

In this unique episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady is joined by Cameron Hastings, Principal of Landtheory, to dive into a niche yet high-potential sector of commercial real estate—Unanchored Strip Centers. From the outside, they may look like ordinary smoke shop-laden retail strips, but Cameron unpacks why these assets are quickly becoming a favorite among forward-thinking investors.Cameron shares his path from high-rise architecture in New York to acquiring undervalued retail centers in Southern California and Dallas-Fort Worth. He breaks down why unanchored centers—those without big box tenants like Target or Costco—offer stronger leasing flexibility, faster turnover, and often higher cap rates than their anchored counterparts. Plus, Ben and Cameron discuss the future of retail, the role of e-commerce resistance, and how work-from-home trends are driving local strip mall traffic like never before.Whether you're a residential agent looking to level up your investment game or an investor exploring diversification, this episode is packed with insights into overlooked retail real estate strategies.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] - Introducing Cameron Hastings & the Strip Center Strategy[00:01:56] - What Is an Unanchored Strip Center, Really?[00:05:36] - Why Institutional Investors Are Just Catching On[00:07:46] - Debunking the Volatility Myth of Unanchored Retail[00:11:01] - Buying Below Replacement Cost: What Cameron Looks For[00:12:19] - The Benjamin Button of Commercial Real Estate[00:14:25] - E-Commerce Resistance and Pandemic-Proof Retail[00:16:10] - Will the "Unsexy Business" Crisis Hurt the Model?[00:18:19] - A Real Acquisition Example: Cathedral City Case Study[00:23:25] - Landtheory's Vision: Building a Sellable Portfolio🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Cameron Hastings and Landtheory:https://www.landtheory.co/https://www.linkedin.com/company/landtheory/https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-hastings-landtheory/🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions📩 Subscribe for more real estate insights, and don’t forget to drop a comment with your take on strip centers. Is this the future of retail investment?

This discussion delves into the art of effective follow-up after property showings. Discover why asking better questions is crucial for uncovering genuine buyer feedback. Learn how to navigate vague responses like "it's priced right" to gain valuable insights. The episode emphasizes the importance of education for sellers regarding realistic pricing expectations. Plus, explore how open houses can offer unexpected value and enhance your negotiation strategies with real buyers.

In this firecracker episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady is joined by the one and only Kyle Seyboth, Broker Associate of The Seyboth Team at Century 21, and a true force of nature in the real estate industry. With more than 500+ deals closed annually, all personally handled, Kyle shares how he built a high-efficiency real estate business without adding a single agent to his team. Instead, he operates with a support system that powers his solo agent model—no fluff, no fluff, just a focused, scalable system.Kyle doesn’t hold back, diving into what it really takes to build a business at scale: bulletproof time management, aggressive lead generation, and a chip on his shoulder the size of Rhode Island. From part-time agent with a 9-to-5 job to being named the #1 Realtor in the U.S. by Real Trends, Kyle breaks down the structure behind his success, how he leverages his support staff, and why your business might not actually be as sellable as you think.The conversation covers team structure vs. solo scale, why he answers every lead regardless of price point, and how his passion was reignited by critics and competition. Kyle also shares how he’s preparing for the future—expanding beyond sales into development, lending, and national coaching. This episode is a must-listen for any agent looking to cut the excuses and crank the volume.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Introduction to Kyle Seyboth: 500+ Deals a Year[00:01:37] – How Kyle Balances Time and Transaction Volume[00:02:54] – Building His Business from Part-Time Hustle to Top Producer[00:04:21] – Where the Leads Come From (It’s Not Just One Source)[00:05:48] – Why Kyle Has No Sales Team (and Never Will)[00:08:45] – The “White Glove” Approach to Every Client, Every Price Point[00:10:09] – Why His Sales Business Isn’t Sellable (And That’s Okay)[00:11:10] – The Real End Game: Building Businesses that Run Without Him[00:14:01] – Market Commentary: Why His Region Hasn’t Slowed[00:15:25] – Kyle’s Take on Where the Brokerage Model is Heading[00:17:09] – The Only Real Lead Gen Metric That Matters[00:20:02] – The Cold Call Comeback and High-Equity Lists[00:21:55] – The Return of the Chip: What’s Fueling Kyle Now🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Kyle Seyboth and The Seyboth Team:https://www.seybothteamhomes.com/https://www.facebook.com/theseybothteam/https://x.com/theseybothteamhttps://www.instagram.com/theseybothteam/🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣ ⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣ ⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣ ⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🚨 Don’t forget to like, follow, or subscribe on your preferred platform. Drop a comment or question below—we’d love to hear how YOU are scaling your real estate business.

In this eye-opening episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady is joined by Harcourts Hunter Mason’s Tony Self — affectionately known as “Tech Tony” — to explore how AI, specifically ChatGPT folders, can become your personal real estate coach. After using AI to analyze his health metrics, Tony realized the same logic could be applied to business planning and coaching in real estate.Ben and Tony dig into how real estate professionals can treat AI not just as a tool but as an employee — uploading sales history, goals, and market data to receive tailored coaching and accountability. This episode challenges the lazy approach many agents take toward tech and coaching, and offers a blueprint for using AI to replace traditional (and expensive) business mentors.You’ll also hear how Tony’s five-day fast led to some unexpected insights, the dangerous mindset of agents who “tried AI once,” and why most industry coaching might already be outdated. Whether you're curious about building an AI folder for your real estate business or just want to hear two pros debate the right way to scale a real estate career, this one’s for you.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] - AI as a Coach? Tony’s Realization[00:01:05] - Fasting, Bread, and Biohacking with ChatGPT[00:03:18] - Attitudes Toward AI in the Real Estate Industry[00:04:05] - Why Most Agents Are Using AI Wrong[00:06:04] - Treating AI as an Employee, Not a Tool[00:08:10] - Standard Operating Procedures & Scaling[00:09:44] - Turning ChatGPT into a Health Consultant[00:12:17] - Smells Like Fat: Eccentric but Effective Use Cases[00:13:15] - Creating a Personalized Real Estate Coaching Folder[00:16:06] - The Flaws of Traditional Coaching Models[00:17:03] - Building an Emotion-Free, Stats-Driven Accountability Partner🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Tony Self and Harcourts Hunter Mason Realty:https://selfregroup.com/https://www.facebook.com/selfregrouphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyself/https://huntermason.harcourtsna.com/https://tonyself.harcourtsna.com/🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣ ⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣ ⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣ ⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctionsSubscribe for more strategies, and don’t forget to like or follow wherever you listen. Let us know in the comments — would you trust an AI to be your real estate coach?

In this tactical episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady reunites with Harcourts Auctions' Director of Marketing, Chris Cochran, to break down a surprisingly effective shift in outreach strategy—leading with a text message before sending an email. Learn why this simple reversal is getting agents up to 20% more engagement and how to apply it directly in your real estate marketing.Chris shares recent campaign data where text-first messaging sparked conversations that emails alone couldn’t. They also explore how this strategy applies beyond auction marketing, from farming your neighborhood to promoting newly sold listings. Whether you're building a pipeline or just trying to cut through the noise, this episode delivers actionable insights on how to make your outreach feel more human—and get actual responses.You’ll also learn the tools that make this scalable, how to avoid spam traps, and how to structure messages that prompt replies (instead of being ignored). If your listings aren't turning into conversations, this episode is your fix.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] - Intro: Why This Follow-Up Method Matters[00:01:14] - The Rise of Text-First Prospecting[00:03:26] - What to Say in Your Initial Text Message[00:04:44] - Real Campaign Results: 15–20% Reply Rate[00:06:43] - Turning Listings into Value Conversations[00:07:36] - Why You Shouldn’t Use Just Your Phone[00:08:41] - Preventing Spam Flags & Getting Delivered[00:10:03] - Building Trust When Using a New Number[00:11:35] - Reverse Prospecting: The Right Order[00:13:16] - Final Takeaway: Text Is Where Attention Lives🔗 Related Resources Below:📱 SalesMessage (texting software we use): https://www.salesmessage.com🌐 Learn more about Harcourts Auctions: https://www.harcourtsauctions.com📩 Want our example text/email templates? DM us @harcourtsauctions🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionshttps://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎧 Enjoyed this episode?✅ Like the video✅ Leave a comment✅ Subscribe for weekly strategies on auctions, listings, and growing your real estate business.

In this solo, practical episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady drills into one of the most impactful habits for listing agents right now: structured weekly meetings and reporting. As properties sit longer on the market, many agents are left asking, “What else can I do?” Ben lays out exactly what you should be doing — and how — to increase transparency, manage seller expectations, and move your listings toward sold.Ben shares the full framework for setting up weekly Zoom or in-person meetings that are guided by tangible reports, not gut feelings. From the data you should be collecting and how to present it, to what feedback actually matters (hint: it's price), you’ll walk away with a replicable structure for staying in control of the seller relationship and shifting the conversation away from emotion and back to market facts.If you’ve ever been ghosted by your own listing or avoided the tough pricing conversations, this episode gives you the script, tools, and confidence to take back control. Plus, Ben teases what’s coming in part two — the key follow-up questions agents aren’t asking.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] - Why This Topic Matters Right Now[00:01:09] - The Power of Scheduled Weekly Seller Meetings[00:02:44] - What Sellers Want (But Aren’t Getting)[00:04:09] - The Weekly Report: Structure, Tools & Examples[00:06:27] - Why Zoom Might Be Your Secret Weapon[00:08:19] - Data Hoarding: The Right Way to Track Inquiry[00:12:27] - Grouping Feedback, Not Just Comments[00:14:13] - What Price Feedback Actually Looks Like[00:18:17] - Visualizing Buyer Perception vs. Seller Expectation[00:20:49] - When (and How) to Push Back on Unreasonable Sellers🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit:www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎧 Subscribe and follow the show on your favorite platform. Drop a comment with your thoughts — we’d love to hear how you follow up with your leads!🎧 Enjoyed this episode?✅ Like the video✅ Leave a comment✅ Subscribe for weekly strategies on auctions, listings, and growing your real estate business.

In this inspiring episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady sits down with Long Doan — a Vietnamese refugee turned powerhouse broker-owner of Realty Group, now 650+ agents strong across 12 offices. From surviving a refugee camp at 13 to building one of the most respected independents in the Midwest, Long’s story is one of grit, strategy, and relentless purpose.Ben and Long dig into the real growth engines behind Realty Group: how a "people-first" model scaled nationally, the reality of brokerage profitability in a changing market, and how the company just took a major leap by joining LPT Realty. They cover agent recruiting, commission models, vertical revenue streams, and what it takes to retain top-producing agents in today’s environment.If you’re a broker, team leader, or solo agent trying to future-proof your real estate business, Long’s transparent breakdown of structure, mindset, and mission will light a fire under your plans.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] - From Refugee Camp to Real Estate: Long’s Origin Story[00:08:29] - Building Realty Group: People First, Profit Follows[00:17:11] - Recruiting the Right Agents (and Keeping Them)[00:25:03] - Broker Profitability & Vertical Revenue Explained[00:29:50] - Joining LPT Realty and Expanding Nationwide🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Long Doan and Realty Group - LPT:https://realtygroupmn.com/homehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCMeFrGflHGtZZo6NFDcuDQhttps://www.facebook.com/LongDoan2https://www.instagram.com/long_h_doan/https://www.linkedin.com/in/long-doan-4baa3725/🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎧 Like the episode?✅ Drop a comment with your favorite takeaway✅ Hit like and subscribe✅ Share it with a fellow agent trying to scale their listingsLet’s help more agents rethink real estate, one strategy at a time.

Ben Brady breaks down the latest auction results and market shifts across the U.S. Discover how Harcourts Auctions navigated an evolving landscape in April, with standout wins like a $16M pre-auction sale in Rancho Mirage and a $6.7M record-breaking result in Fort Lauderdale — both in some of the toughest markets right now.Ben covers key insights into inventory trends, buyer behavior under $2M versus luxury price points, and why auction is proving to be a critical strategy for real estate agents battling high days on market. Learn why traditional price reductions often aren’t enough — and how the auction process is giving sellers and agents the clarity they need to move forward.If you want a front-row view of what’s happening nationally across Florida, California, Colorado, and beyond, plus how to use auctions as a strategic listing tool, this is your recap.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] - Harcourts Auctions April Summary: Listings, Wins, and Challenges[00:01:37] - Key Price Points Moving (and Stalling) in Today's Market[00:02:18] - $6.7M Fort Lauderdale Case Study: From 274 Days to Sold[00:03:39] - $16M Rancho Mirage Sale: Finding the Right Buyer Through Auction[00:06:06] - Why Waiting Isn’t a Strategy: Using Auction to Drive Answers🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit:www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎧 Subscribe and follow the show on your favorite platform. Drop a comment with your thoughts — we’d love to hear how you follow up with your leads!🎧 Enjoyed this episode?✅ Like the video✅ Leave a comment✅ Subscribe for weekly strategies on auctions, listings, and growing your real estate business.