Next Level Agents: The Kevin & Fred Show - Interviews with the best and brightest minds in the real estate industry

The brutal truth about today's real estate market isn't what most agents think. While everyone complains about how "hard" things are, a select group of agents are absolutely crushing it. Same market, same challenges, completely different results. In this raw conversation, Kevin Kauffman (the original Next Level Agents host) drops uncomfortable truths about why most agents are still struggling and exactly what the winners are doing differently. This isn't feel-good motivation—it's real talk about what building a business actually requires. Key Topics Covered: • Why focusing on interest rates and inventory is just "noise" and the one metric that actually matters for your success • The lazy habits agents developed in 2020-2021 that are killing their businesses today • How to stop "going through the motions" and start working with mathematical purpose • Why every lead generation method works (but only if you actually work it until it's boring) • The environment factor that separates stuck agents from those building empires • How to position yourself to ride the wave when market conditions improve Bottom Line: Your success isn't about perfect market conditions, secret strategies, or waiting for easier times. It's about clarity, consistency, and making peace with the fact that building a business requires doing boring things every single day until they produce extraordinary results. Ready to stop making excuses and start making moves? The agents winning right now didn't wait for permission or perfect timing—they just started working and haven't stopped. Take Action: If you're ready to be surrounded by agents who refuse to settle for mediocrity and are committed to reaching their next level, learn more about our community at nextlevelagents.com/exp. Resources Mentioned: • Next Level Agents community: nextlevelagents.com/exp • Upcoming virtual and in-person masterminds: nextlevelagents.com/events ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

Real estate isn't a transaction business. It's a relationship business disguised as transactions. And if you're still chasing deals instead of building authentic connections, you're working way harder than you need to. Will Carter proves this better than anyone. After 30 years in the business, he's cracked the code on building sustainable success through genuine relationships, creative problem-solving, and showing up as himself (not as a salesperson). His approach challenges everything you think you know about "networking" and sphere of influence. In this episode, you'll discover why Will's $120,000 in commissions from a dog training hobby wasn't an accident—it was the inevitable result of prioritizing relationships over transactions. Plus, his game-changing approach to commission negotiations will completely shift how you position yourself with clients. Key Themes and Takeaways: • Why calling your sphere about their life (not real estate) builds more business than any sales script • How "networking on accident" through genuine interests creates lasting client relationships • The mindset shift that lets you be bad at something consistently until you master it • Creative problem-solving strategies that turn you from vendor to trusted advisor • The commission conversation that positions you as strategic partner, not discount service • Why investing in coaching and mentorship accelerates success faster than figuring it out alone • How to differentiate yourself through authentic connection in a commoditized industry Your sphere doesn't need another market update—they need someone who genuinely cares about their world beyond your business needs. Will's approach isn't just about building a real estate business; it's about building a life and career that feels authentic and sustainable. Ready to stop chasing transactions and start building relationships that last? This conversation will challenge everything you think you know about what it takes to succeed in our industry. Listen now and discover how authentic connection beats every sales tactic. Ready to take your business to the next level? Join the Next Level Agents community at nextlevelagents.com/exp/ and connect with agents who understand that success starts with relationships, not transactions. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

What if everything you've been taught about "working hard" in real estate is actually keeping you trapped? In this unfiltered bestie episode, Kevin Kauffman, Nolan Rucker, and Chris Bowers dive deep into the uncomfortable truths about building a real estate business that works without you. This isn't your typical "hustle harder" conversation. Instead, it's a raw exploration of why being busy has become the enemy of being profitable, and how choosing the right kind of hard can set you free instead of keeping you trapped. Key Themes Explored: • The 80/20 revelation that changes how you see your entire business • Why successful agents choose neutrality over emotional roller coasters • The compound effect of smart decisions vs. daily time drains • How to build systems that generate revenue without constant intervention • The mountain climbing philosophy: supporting others without converting them to your method • Strategic counterbalance vs. perfect balance in business and life • Why most agents avoid leverage and how to overcome the mental barriers Major Insights: Chris shares his journey of realizing that 20% of activities drive 80% of results, leading to his "less is more" philosophy. Kevin discusses his conscious decision to prioritize time over maximum income. Nolan reveals how he maintains 10+ pending deals while staying emotionally neutral and taking vacations. The conversation challenges conventional real estate wisdom and offers a refreshing perspective on building sustainable success without sacrificing your life in the process. Ready to design your next-level business strategy? These three agents prove that working smarter, not just harder, is the path to both financial success and personal freedom. It's time to choose your hard differently. Learn more about building your leverage-based real estate business at nextlevelagents.com/exp ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

What if the secret to dominating your market wasn't another tech platform or lead generation system, but something as simple as a handwritten card with a $10 Starbucks gift card? Katie Gillespie from Fernley, Nevada proves that authentic relationship-building still crushes every digital marketing strategy out there. Katie doesn't just talk about gratitude – she weaponizes it. With 75 units sold and $28 million in production last year, she's the #2 agent in Nevada and top 66 at eXp. Her secret? A systematic approach to appreciation that most agents would call "impossible" to scale. But Katie found a way to send up to 400 handwritten cards monthly while building a side business around the very machines that help her do it. This isn't your typical "send holiday cards" strategy. Katie's approach challenges everything you think you know about client retention, referral generation, and building lasting relationships in a digital world. She's created a system so powerful that other agents pay her to use it, and so authentic that clients refer to her as "the agent who actually cares." Key themes and insights: • Why consistent gratitude beats sporadic grand gestures every time • How a $5,000 investment in handwriting machines became a profitable side business • The psychology behind why people don't care about frequency – they care about intention • How to scale personal touches without losing authenticity • Why small-town agents have massive advantages that big-city agents are missing • The compound effect of helping others in your community (from basketball teams to single moms) Ready to revolutionize your approach to client relationships? Katie's story proves that in an industry obsessed with the next shiny marketing tool, the agents who win are the ones who remember that real estate is still a relationship business. Her system isn't just about cards – it's about creating a culture of appreciation that turns every client into a raving fan and every community connection into a referral source. Want to join a community of agents who think differently? Learn more about Next Level Agents at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/ ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

While most real estate agents are cutting marketing budgets and playing it safe, Becky Kennard's Desert Luxe team is doing the exact opposite—and their results are staggering. In just two years, they've transformed from a 90% buyer-heavy business to a perfectly balanced, $100+ million producing empire that's literally doubling in size. Their secret? Strategic investment when others are paralyzed by fear. From spending $1,500 monthly on listing advertising to delivering luxury service regardless of price point, Becky reveals how premium service delivery and bold marketing strategies are capturing massive market share while competitors retreat. When market averages show 70-96 days on market, her listings generate 9-12 offers on day one. When others put up yard signs and hope for the best, her team creates 700 times more visibility than comparable properties. This conversation challenges everything you've been told about navigating tough markets. Key Topics Covered: • The strategic investment mindset that separates winners from survivors during market shifts • How $1,500 monthly advertising spend generates 700x more visibility than traditional marketing • The "Three Ps of Selling Success": Price, Presentation, and Promotion strategies that drive results • Authority positioning techniques that win listings and realistic pricing conversations • Premium service delivery models that justify higher commissions at every price point • Why cutting marketing budgets is the biggest mistake agents make during challenging times • Data-driven approaches to helping buyers overcome analysis paralysis and make decisions • Building luxury brand positioning that attracts both buyers and sellers consistently If you're tired of hoping market conditions improve and ready to start creating results regardless of external factors, this episode provides the strategic roadmap. The agents making bold investments today are building businesses that will dominate for years. The fundamental question: While others are cutting back and waiting it out, will you have the courage to invest strategically and capture market share? Connect with Becky Kennard: https://www.instagram.com/becky_kennard https://desertluxeteam.com/ Ready to build a business that thrives in any market? Discover strategic approaches to real estate success at nextlevelagents.com/exp ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

Most real estate agents think they're building businesses, but they're actually creating very expensive jobs that own them instead of serving them. In this game-changing conversation, business coach Erica Thau reveals the strategic shifts that separate agents who build wealth from those who just stay busy. After 22 years in the industry and building a number one brokerage during the 2006 crash, Erica shares the exact systems and mindset changes that help agents work strategically instead of just working hard. From understanding your true financial numbers to positioning yourself in moving markets, this episode challenges everything you think you know about real estate success. Key Topics Covered: • Why 95% of agents are unknowingly sabotaging their success by building jobs instead of businesses • The "addiction cycle" that keeps top producers trapped in seven-day work weeks • How one agent discovered she could cut her workload by 60% and increase profitability • Strategic market positioning: getting in the middle of markets that are actually moving • The database systems that separate professionals from amateurs • Why motivation is unreliable but systems create consistent success • Building businesses that create wealth, freedom, and impact beyond individual transactions If you're ready to stop being owned by your business and start building something that serves your life goals, this conversation provides the strategic roadmap you need. The difference between working hard and working strategically could transform everything about how you approach your career. Ready to make the shift from transaction chaser to strategic business builder? The principles are proven, the systems are available, and the only question is whether you're prepared to do the work required to build something that lasts. Connect with Erica Thau: https://linktr.ee/ericathau Ready to take your business to the next level? Discover how eXp Realty's innovative model supports strategic business building at nextlevelagents.com/exp ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

When was the last time you went to a real estate agent's retirement party? If you're drawing a blank, you're not alone—most agents never actually retire. They're still taking listings on the way to their funeral. Financial coach Matt Plumer went from $500,000 in debt to complete financial freedom, and his journey reveals why 99% of real estate agents are trapped in a cycle that will never lead to true wealth. His story will challenge everything you think you know about building wealth as an agent. Key Themes and Takeaways: • The "Phone in the Ocean" Moment - Designing your financial exit strategy instead of being trapped in the next-deal cycle forever • Why Your Money Goes Backwards - How agent income patterns destroy long-term wealth and the framework to "add age to your money" • The Power of Radical Sacrifice - How driving one car for eight years led to complete financial transformation • Death by a Thousand Cuts - Why small expenses kill your financial future and how to eliminate them systematically • Consistency Over Intensity - Small decisions that compound over time equal dramatic results • Lifestyle Design Through Financial Freedom - How getting small financially allows you to ask bigger questions about where and how you want to live Matt's approach isn't about following someone else's financial guru philosophy—it's about designing your own plan, getting intentional with your money, and building a life of true freedom instead of just a bigger business. If you're ready to break free from the financial hamster wheel and design an actual exit strategy, this episode will show you exactly how to start. Ready to design your financial future and connect with agents who are building wealth, not just businesses? Learn more about our Next Level Agents community and discover the coaching, mentorship, and systems that successful agents use to create lasting freedom at nextlevelagents.com/exp. Free EBook - Stress Free Wealth - https://www.mattplumer.com/ebook Free Masterclass - Stress Free Wealth -https://www.mattplumer.com/masterclass ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

Most real estate agents say they want growth, but they're actually committed to emotions that keep them stuck. In this raw conversation, Kevin Kauffman sits down with top-performing coach Dustin Runyon to explore the uncomfortable truths about what it really takes to break through to your next level. This isn't another strategy session about lead generation or marketing tactics. It's about the internal work that separates agents who plateau from those who build empires. If you've been saying you want to scale but keep finding yourself back in the same patterns, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about growth. Key Topics Covered: Why most agents are addicted to emotional comfort zones that limit their potential The difference between confidence built on affirmations vs. confidence forged through endurance How avoidance creates a compound effect that sabotages long-term success Why your team uses what you do to justify what they don't do The critical distinction between deep work and tactical work in business growth How to turn your biggest mistakes into leadership gold Why the strongest professional relationships are built on shared struggle, not shared success Bottom Line: Your next level isn't waiting for you to learn more strategies. It's waiting for you to become comfortable being uncomfortable and to address the internal blocks that show up as external limitations in your business. If you're ready to stop avoiding the work that actually matters and start doing the hard things that create real transformation, this conversation will give you the roadmap. But fair warning: it might make you squirm a little, which probably means you need to hear it. Ready to break free from the patterns keeping you stuck? Your breakthrough is on the other side of what you're avoiding. Connect with Dustin Runyon: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustin.runyon.2025 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dustinjrunyon/ Website: https://www.dustinrunyon.com/ Ready to take your real estate business to the next level? Visit nextlevelagents.com/exp to learn more about joining a community of agents committed to breaking barriers and building empires. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

While most agents chase the latest marketing trends, legendary Phoenix agent Carlie Back built an empire the old-fashioned way: showing up every single weekend for nine years straight. Her relentless commitment to open houses didn't just generate leads—it created the kind of market dominance that most agents only dream about. In this episode, my business partner Erik Kelly sits down with Carlie to unpack the strategies that have kept her thriving for over three decades. This isn't your typical "tips and tricks" conversation. It's a masterclass in consistency, client communication, and the courage to do what works even when it feels boring. Key themes covered: Why open houses remain the ultimate lead generation strategy in today's market The art of turning motivated sellers into closed deals through strategic communication How to physically tour competing properties with your sellers (game-changer alert) The psychology of showing up when everyone else is making excuses Why being present in your community beats any digital marketing strategy If you're tired of chasing shiny objects and ready to build something sustainable, this episode will remind you that the fundamentals still win. Carlie proves that in a world obsessed with innovation, sometimes the most revolutionary thing you can do is master the basics and execute them flawlessly. Ready to stop making excuses and start building real market presence? Listen now and discover why the agents who dominate tomorrow are the ones who show up today. Learn more about joining a community of next-level agents at https://nextlevelagents.com/exp/ ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla

Most real estate agents are trapped in the same tired lead generation cycle—fighting over expired listings, cold calling FSBOs, and begging their sphere for referrals. But what if there was a proven system that puts you directly in front of motivated buyers AND sellers, gives you insider access to their financial details, and builds relationships with proven investors? In this episode, Katie DeWitt sits down with Jason Elvin, who cracked this code in his first year by going where other agents won't: directly to landlords who are literally raising their hands for help. His simple but brilliant approach generated 7-8 transactions in year one and continues to build compound relationships with property investors. Key Takeaways: • Why rental listings on Facebook Marketplace are the most overlooked lead source in real estate • How to position yourself as the solution to landlords' biggest headache (tenant screening) • The exact script and process for converting rental prospects into homebuyers • Why higher-priced rentals attract better conversion prospects than budget properties • How to build relationships with proven investors that lead to referrals and joint ventures • The "main domino" strategy that multiplies your efforts across multiple revenue streams What You'll Learn: • Jason's step-by-step system for finding and approaching landlords on social media • How to get prospects' credit scores, income verification, and housing timeline in the first conversation • Why focusing on a 50% finder's fee creates win-win relationships with property owners • The difference between interruption-based marketing and positioning yourself where solutions are needed • How to adapt this strategy for higher interest rate environments and premium markets This isn't about tricking people into buying instead of renting. It's about presenting options to qualified individuals while solving real problems for property owners. The result? A sustainable lead generation system that compounds over time instead of requiring constant prospecting. Ready to stop fighting over the same recycled leads and start building relationships with proven real estate investors? This episode shows you exactly how to get started. Ready to Take Your Real Estate Business to the Next Level? Join our community of ambitious agents who are implementing strategies that actually move the needle. Visit nextlevelagents.com/exp to learn about our exclusive coaching programs, mastermind events, and proven systems for building a next-level real estate business. ​​Please leave us a review at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ratethispodcast.com/nla