Real Estate UNBOXED

Take a Vacation!

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 01:02:54 GMT

A vacation -- or time off in general -- is good for the head, but only if we do it with the intention to relax and separate from our work. It's harder then you think, right? The idea of not taking our cell phones or laptops with the innocent intention of "just checking in," is not what we do! We check work again and again and we lose sight of what we're supposed to be doing: disconnecting.

This podcast is one of our favorite because it hits at the very center of what makes us most crazy. And what is that? Ourselves!

Smile! You're On Camera

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:17:21 GMT

Like it or not, assume that you're every move is being recorded when you're in public places. That alone should be frightening enough, but we take it to a next level and talk about video and audio surveillance during open houses. If they don't already have them, sellers are adding high tech equipment to their homes as a protection against theft. And they're adding them to every room in the home -- including bathrooms!

This sort of practice, while understandable, is fundamentally changing the home viewing experience, as what a buyer does -- and says -- during the walk though can -- and will -- be used against them!

The podcast is eye opening and very thought provoking.

Stay In your Own Lane

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 15:41:25 GMT

Many a Real Estate transaction has been derailed -- or even completely destroyed -- by a participant in the value chain, (agent, lender, escrow, title, etc.), talking about a subject they have no business talking about. Like when an agent discusses elements of a loan program or a rate, or when a lender discusses elements of a sales contract, or even worse, commissions! Another example? It can legally nasty if anybody attempts to suggest how a buyer should hold title. This stuff happens all of the time, and it needs to stop.

The answer, stay in your own lane, and let the expert at the specific service address the issue.

Have You Ever Been "Punk'd"?

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 00:11:51 GMT

Punked: Humiliated completely, as in disrespected.

Has this ever happened to you in a Real Estate transaction? Has anybody in the value chain used this "punking" tactic, intentionally, or even accidentally with you? In our surveys we found that this happens more than you might think.

In this podcast we unbox this odd experience and discuss what we can do to minimize it.

The Thing About Accents

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 17:30:02 GMT

Verbal communication is essential during a real estate transaction. And if you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where you can’t fully understand someone, what do you do and how do you handle it?

One missed piece of communication can make the difference between a smooth transaction and one that literally falls apart. Even when the value chain speaks the same language, there can be communication problems. How do we deal with language barriers, or even something as simple as accents?

In this podcast we address how subtle language nuances such as accents can affect the transaction. As professionals, it's our responsibility to always be part of the solution. We certainly don’t want to lose business simply because we were not understood.

Take a moment to ask yourself or others if you have an accent? (We all have an accent; We simply don't realize them.) Can you lose business if you don’t take initiative to make sure everyone understands you?

And please remember, be kind and helpful as it can be frustrating to anyone – accent or not. It’s as frustrating to them not being understood as it is to you

Mean People Suck

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 00:43:54 GMT

Yes, we all have that mean streak in us. But, as a professional in the real estate business, we should be trained to not expose it, but some still do. In this podcast we Unbox the the dialog and the behavior that we've all experienced, why it happens, and what can we do to eliminate it. This is sort of a fun podcast. We hope you'll listen and give us some of your feedback -- but don't be mean.

Give Before Taking. Nobody wants to be sold.

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 17:36:48 GMT

The best business partnerships are based on authentic, intentional and measurable contributions to the larger business system - whatever that looks like. In the real estate community, it can be a client referral, or the sharing of assets to generate real business, or it can be your quality time and attention to a project. In all of these there is a value that you bring to the table. Before you come to the business partnership table, make sure you know the value of your contribution and your intention to deliver it.

We Want To Talk To The Person In Charge.

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 00:49:33 GMT

It's so pervasive in the real estate industry that we thought we'd discuss it again, (and differently), this time around. We unboxed it the first time around as "The Silent Treatment. We add some more depth to it.

Not communicating should be THE most UNnatural component of our business, yet it happens far too often. It creates a weak leak in the value chain and disrupts a nicely functioning transaction. In this podcast we unbox the pain of not communicating.

We call it the "Sliding Wig Syndrome." Do you want to know what that means? Well, take a listen.

"Why Are You Making Me Cross-Qual?!"

Mon, 23 May 2022 23:16:10 GMT

You might not think it's a "thing," but it definitely can be. The CROSS-QUALIFICATION is when a buyer's preapproval by one lender is reviewed for legitimacy by another lender. This is because the majority of preapprovals from lenders for their buyers are NOT legitimate! (In this case, it's just a piece of paper claiming approvability, but there's no - or little -- data to legitimize it.) An unapproved buyer can create all sorts of problems for sellers, so their Listing Agents often (not often enough!) create requirements in the MLS to require buyer cross qualification processes.

Listen to this podcast and let us know what you think.

It's Not Always Escrow's Fault.

Tue, 17 May 2022 00:07:40 GMT

More often than any other part of the value chain, escrow seems to be the proverbial "Scapegoat;" It's easy to blame them or toss them under the bus. But that's unfair. And it's unprofessional and it's just not a nice thing to do. In this podcast we Unbox this topic with the help of Marjie Baladad, Escrow Manager of Elite Escrow in Corona. This is a good one.

Recorded LIVE -- Double Ending, (and double dipping!)

Thu, 12 May 2022 19:11:41 GMT

In this live episode, we unboxed some of the more touchy subjects of double ending a real estate transaction. We also discussed the activity of representing the buyer AND doing the loan. It's not illegal as long as it's all disclosed. Still, the question is whether we're providing our clients with the highest and best quality service. Listen and hear for yourself.

Transaction Double Ending -- The Good, Bad and the Ugly

Tue, 03 May 2022 22:28:53 GMT

There are right and wrong ways to do something. And just because we can, the question is should we? M.J. Porchas and John Lillywhite seek to address the multiple perspectives to DOUBLE ENDING a real estate transaction. Listen, enjoy, and PLEASE provide your comments on our Facebook page, Real Estate UNBOXED.

What is Unboxed, and Why?

Tue, 03 May 2022 22:07:53 GMT

What is Unboxed all about? M.J. and John discuss how it came to be and why they think they're onto something big. MJ and John are NOT afraid to talk about the tough stuff in the Real Estate Profession and find ways to do it in a civil, respectful HYGGE-type manner.

Follow Up Podcast -- The Know It All

Sat, 23 Apr 2022 15:35:19 GMT

This podcast follows straight from the Facebook Live event where we UNBOXED the topic, "The Know It All." Feel free to head to to our Facebook page to see and hear the beginning portion of this topic.