Derek Carlson 
Most people talk about scaling a business from the outside looking in. They read about companies that grew quickly and try to guess how it happened. But when you’ve actually built and led a large organization, the lessons hit very different. Throughout my career, I’ve helped several real estate brokerages grow to well over 1,300 … Read more
The real estate industry is brutal. I’ve spent years watching agents come and go in this business, and I believe there’s exponentially more churn than almost any other industry. Some had every certification you could imagine while others barely finished their required training, but I’ve found that the agents who stick around and thrive aren’t … Read more
Brokers and agents alike are always asking me what separates the top producers, in our office of over 1,100 agents, from everyone else. They often expect me to say talent, or charisma, or maybe just luck, and the reality is that it’s none of those things. I’ve worked with thousands of agents over the years, … Read more
Something I’ve noticed as a broker training and mentoring thousands of agents over my career is that the ones who try to work every type of client usually end up with an average business at best. On the other hand, those who pick a laser focused niche and get really good at serving them tend … Read more
There’s a reason portable mortgages are suddenly a topic of conversation everywhere lately. The housing market is a mess because rates are up, qualifying for a mortgage is tougher than ever, and for every single house that has skyrocketed in value, hundreds of buyers are priced out of the market. On the surface, portable mortgages … Read more
Video is one of the most useful marketing tools available to real estate agents today. But most agents either ignore it or use it in ways that don’t help their business very much. That’s a missed opportunity. When executed properly, video can help people get to know you long before they ever call you. It … Read more
Over the years, I’ve hired well over 3,000 agents. I’ve watched some build strong, profitable careers. I’ve also seen many burn out and leave the business. In my experience, one of the biggest differences between those two groups is how well they qualify their prospects. Early in your career, it’s easy to get excited when … Read more