Real Voices Podcast

Some people predict that the advance of technology spells the end of the real estate agent. In today's encore episode, Todd Sumney thinks these people couldn’t be more wrong.

Todd sees technology as the real estate agent's greatest ally, connecting buyers, sellers and lenders in more efficient ways than ever before. He sees that realty has “gone more virtual and become more efficient,” especially in the past two years.

He also sees agents as more valuable than ever in an age of conflicting information about properties. “I see examples everyday of top REALTORS® helping their customers navigate the real estate process, and customers needing that.”

But for Todd, despite the advances in tech, the best tool of the trade is still connection. “There are plenty of agents who would be willing to help other agents. Just ask.”

To hear more from Todd, his best advice for agents in a rut, and what excites him most about the second-half of 2022 into 2023, tune in to this episode of Real Voices!

Today we speak with Todd Pias, REALTOR®.

Todd has been in the industry since 2004, both on the residential and commercial side. He found that he much preferred the residential aspect of real estate as commercial was all about the numbers. “I found no emotional connection there.”

With his experience in retail management, Todd says he developed a lot of good skill sets that led him to what he does now as a REALTOR®: Taking care of the customer, hoping to make the experience unparalleled for them, and helping them make memories.

“A lot of that is not the real world,” Todd says, in response to his view on the misconceptions of what people think of real estate agents because of portrayals on industry reality shows. “What we do is relentless, it’s hard work — every day is different. You put on a different hat every day and just take it as it comes.”

Listen to Todd speak on developing relationships organically, managing expectations, and working with his wife in their business. Tune in to Real Voices on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts!

In this encore episode we speak with Monica Moreno, REALTOR®.

“I love working with clients; I think that’s my passion in life, helping others,” says Monica Moreno, an agent for nearly 15 years. “I think for me, it is the best career I could choose.”

“It’s all about listening, learning, points of view...I wanted to be a psychologist! We, as REALTORS®...we’re kinda psychologists, you know! It’s about the service and care you give. Follow-up, staying in touch is also key.”

On facing challenges in the industry and the competitive market, Monica offers this: “When you see the happiness of your clients, when you really accomplish the homeownership and the hard work you achieved for them, I think it’s worth it.”

Listen to Monica speak on her upbringing, working with her husband at their business, staying positive, and persevering in challenging times and markets. Tune in to Real Voices on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts!

Today, we speak with licensed REALTOR®, Armida Ruiz.

In this encore episode, our guest delves into her upbringing in the West Valley, and the 20 years she spent devoted to the law industry - which helps her real estate career tremendously. She explains that learning the language, paperwork process, and how to negotiate was crucial to her current success.

From there, Ruiz talks about the nuances of her career path and how she became interested in the real estate industry. A positive experience with her real estate agent and the process of selling her house became the catalyst to get a license and branch out into the community. Ruiz describes her love for connecting with others, and how real estate helps foster client relationships.

“I don’t like to forget about people. You get to know people, their family, what they’re into, and a lot of times there is common ground,” Ruiz explained.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts, and learn more about her incredible journey!

In this encore episode, we hear from REALTOR® Jackie Mahaney.

Mahaney has been in Arizona for 22 years, after relocating from the midwest! She began her real estate career 18 years ago, then in 2020, decided to work in the industry on a full-time basis with a local partner. “I got to a point in life where I wanted to be extremely entrepreneurial and run my own business,” she said.

Mahaney explains how a background in communication and marketing propels her forward and helps draw many necessary connections. She also credits a work-savvy family background and lessons learned from observation, for her skills in networking and closing sales.

"I grew up in a family that worked really hard — my parents taught me about work ethic, savings and investing. I’ve been a go-getter from a young age.” Additionally, she examines the importance of community, culture and the values that are instilled in childhood. Mahoney covers all of her motivations throughout the years that have led her to where she is today.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about this REALTOR®'s incredible journey!

In this encore episode, we speak with Justin Roberts, REALTOR®.

“I thought real estate was easy! I didn’t really know how much went into each transaction!”

With his background in marketing, Justin Roberts has been licensed for three years yet was not originally servicing buyers and sellers. As an entrepreneur, he provided lead generation to the real estate industry. After one year, he went full time as a REALTOR®, hitting the ground running as a tech savvy agent. He soon realized he had been looking from the outside in, thinking the job would be much different.

“I didn’t know how many people were hitting each buyer and seller,” Justin says. He quickly learned that rapport and immediate and consistent communication are key. “I feel like you learn something from everything you go through.”

Tune in to hear Justin talk about his journey, his influences, and his view on how each of us can make things happen. Listen to Real Voices on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts today!

In this encore episode, Myrtle Hall discusses the different hats she must wear as a solo agent, the many varied duties that are required day-to-day. “Of the most entailed and important duties is to be your own marketer, and making sure that time is managed wisely — trying to generate business, find new business opportunities,” she said.

“Everybody thinks this is easy...that we do absolutely nothing throughout the day. There’s a lot we do when it comes to marketing, to what I call ‘hustling’, and how you have to be the best decision-maker, consultant, for the person, whether they’re buyer or seller.”

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about her incredible journey!

Today, we talk to licensed REALTOR® Karen Chairez.

As a teenaged homeowner, Chairez went through the realty process with much to learn along the way. After a few years, she hit a financial setback that resulted in her losing her home. From then on, she found herself drawn to helping other first-time buyers learn the ropes.

“Whenever I can help young couples or first-time buyers go through the home purchasing processes, and be able to share my story and educate them, it really excites me. I love going through that process with them!” said Chairez.

In this episode, Chairez details her background in Human Resources Management with Amazon, and what inspired her to shift career paths to explore the real estate industry. She also touches on the importance of asking for help, and communicating with clients – and how that impacts the buying and selling experience. Chairez also advises on how realtors can streamline their work processes for maximum efficiency and success.

“You definitely need to have systems in place. You have to time block because as a REALTOR®, you wear multiple hats!” she stated.

Listen across a multitude of streaming services including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, and learn more about her incredible journey!

In this episode of Real Voices Podcast, we talk with Jared Slater, REALTOR®

Prior to getting into real estate and getting his license, Jared Slater was a boat captain, and the owner/operator of a scuba diving charter company. “{Being a boat captain} is similar to becoming a real estate agent,” Jared says. “There’s a certification process that you have to go through, the schooling is intense. But once you get out of the schooling, the real life application means nothing…just like the real estate industry. The stuff they teach you is nothing like the real world!”

Finding his footing after a time and having to learn most things on his own, Jared discovered his niche to be in the education of first time homebuyers. “Part of the education process is running different advertisements to attract those buyers, but really offering service. There’s no catch, there’s no gimmick in it…it’s literally ‘lead by service.’”

Listen to Jared’s journey from the sea to the land, from singer to seller in this week’s coast-to-coast talk of our Real Voices Podcast — find it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube today!

In this episode of Real Voices Podcast, we talk with Dalton Osmanski, REALTOR®.

Dalton Osmanski, a full-time real estate agent and investor for four years, lived at home for quite some time to attain his goals to start investing in real estate. “I think I had a vision that was bigger than any comment that could ever be made {about living with my parents}; I knew I was going to be a homeowner sooner than later.”

“When I first got started in real estate...I had this thought in my mind that I needed to be spending money to make money,” Dalton says about leads, organic and paid. “Now I just focus on reaching out to people on Facebook, contributing to my community...marketing properties I have for clients.”

“There are so many duties {when starting out as an agent}...you’re just changing hats...and finding systems and ways to make it more efficient. I’ve definitely used a lot of technology to make my life a little bit easier.”

As an investor, Dalton offers many tips and tricks to being able to “offset that big liability in your life” so you can get closer to your own financial goals and freedom.

Listen to Dalton’s journey on our Real Voices Podcast! Find it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube now!