Designing and Building Mid-Illinois with Big Dog Construction

Designing and Building Mid-Illinois: Introducing our New Realty Segment with 1st Choice Realty Pros

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Summary

In this episode of Designing and Building Mid-Illinois, hosts Chris and Kaitlin welcome Lisa Miller and Lydia Emmons from 1stChoice Realty Pros. They discuss their journeys into real estate, the unique aspects of their agency, and the importance of building strong client relationships. The conversation also touches on memorable sales experiences, navigating challenges in the real estate market, and staying ahead of industry trends. Lisa and Lydia share insights on entrepreneurship and offer advice for new agents. They emphasize the importance of being responsive and proactive in the real estate process, sharing personal anecdotes that highlight the dedication required in the industry. The discussion also covers the significance of pre-approval for buyers, the evolving market landscape, and the vision for the future of their real estate business. The guests share timeless advice for both buyers and sellers, focusing on preparation and confidence in the real estate journey.

Takeaways

  • Building personal relationships with clients is key to understanding their needs.
  • Lisa emphasizes the importance of being prepared and knowledgeable about properties.
  • Navigating the real estate market requires adaptability and a focus on customer service.
  • Staying ahead of trends involves being personable and engaging with clients.
  • Entrepreneurship in real estate comes with challenges, including market fluctuations.
  • Advice for new agents includes staying calm and focused during stressful situations. Real estate is a significant emotional investment for clients.
  • Being responsive and proactive is crucial in real estate.
  • Pre-approval is essential for first-time home buyers.
  • The market has changed; preparation is key for sellers.

www.bigdogcc.com

Produced by Big Dog Media group with Big Dog Business Coaching

SPEAKER_08

Welcome to Design and Building Mid-Ellinois, one home at a time with Big Dog Construction.

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The podcast you didn't know you needed.

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It's Chris Hartzuck and Caitlin Morgini. Join us as we explore the stories, expertise, and project shaping the future right here in Mid-Ellinois.

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Whether you're planning to build, curious about the latest trends, or just love innovative ideas, we've got insights and inspiration coming your way.

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And some laughs too.

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Let's go.

unknown

Big dog!

SPEAKER_05

Hey there. I'm Lisa Miller, managing broker and owner of First Choice Realty Pros. We don't just help you find a house, we help you discover home. My team and I are passionate about taking care of your needs, making the process smooth, and ensuring you get the personalized attention you deserve. Ready for the next step? Call us at 217-825-3999. With First Choice Realty Pros, you've got a team that's got your back.

SPEAKER_08

Hey, welcome back to Designing Building Mid-Illinois One Home at a Time, the podcast where we talk practical reminding tips, construction insights, and do-it-yourself projects that make your homework better for you. I'm your host, Chris with Caitlin Borgeny Trader. And today's episode is a treat. We're introducing Lisa Miller, owner of First Choice Realty Pros. Got the code of pros in there because you are professionals, and you guys will know by the end of our podcast that we are dealing with pros today, right? And we got some exciting news. She's now our 10x partner for the realtor segment of Designing Building Middle Illinois, selling and buying houses one house at a time, right?

SPEAKER_07

Oh let's go.

SPEAKER_08

Let's get to know her and her team. So today, with her, with Lisa, we also have Lydia. Lydia, you are Lydia Emmons. Lydia Emmons, correct? All right. Hey, if this is your first time tuning in, welcome. If you've been with us from the beginning, hey, thanks for continuing this journey with us as we help mid-Elinois homeowners design smarter, build better, and make confident decisions about their homes, including buying and selling them after today. Plus, give our followers some entertaining conversations to listen to about bras, lipstick, whatever it is, right? And as we continue to expand our mid-Illanois home with our podcast and beyond the mid-Illinois. So, gonna pay some bills real quick. Gonna talk about one of our other 10x partner shout out, elite roofing professionals. Blake, his team, just chatted with their team this morning. Actually, talked with Blake today. They're on it. The weather's nice, they're popping. And so because spring has sprung, they are out there. And when it comes to protecting your home or fixing your home after a storm, trust the experts at Elite Roofing Professionals serving Mid-Illinois with top-tier roofing, guttering, and siding services. Ensure your home stays safe and sound. You know what? From the durable roofing and to efficient siding, gutters, guards, skilled, right? They're gonna take care of you from the top down. So make sure you choose them, give them a call for your free estimate, and get a hold of them at eliteroofingprofessionals.com. So let's get right into this. Because our listeners and followers, they want to know more about first choice reality pros and Lisa Miller and Lydia Emmons, right?

SPEAKER_04

And I'm telling you what, listeners, followers, you are he was Chris was right when you said you they're in for a real treat. I didn't even expect this 10X mindset to shine through so much until yesterday. And I was like, Oh my gosh, we did the right thing here.

SPEAKER_08

Oh, very much. Oh, yes.

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A hundred out of ten.

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Yes, and see that.

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And they're just so darn cute. They are my cute as little buds.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

But yes, they are. Hey, let's get in this and we can break this up into kind of sub segments, right? Okay. Kind of let you know how we're doing this. And we just want to know, let's start out. Can you share a bit about yourself and what inspired you to dive into real estate?

SPEAKER_05

I love helping people. I've been in sales probably any job that I've ever had. I've been pushed into sales because they say I'm relational.

SPEAKER_08

I think does that mean like to talk a lot? Yes.

SPEAKER_05

Is that what that means?

SPEAKER_08

I just want to make sure I understand. See, I told you we would dive into some deeper things to make sure our listeners understand what you mean by that.

SPEAKER_05

Yes, I am a talker. I like to make people feel comfortable and I love giving information. Years ago, I worked at Rogers True Value.

SPEAKER_06

Okay.

SPEAKER_05

Years ago, and I was a sponge there for Marty and she sold sponges too. Yeah, I did sell sponges. Listen to you. But the deal was I didn't know anything about anything, how to fix anything. Now, because of working at a hardware store, I think every woman needs to work at a hardware store. I would love to because when the toilet goes bad, my husband comes to me. When the water heater goes out, he says, You make me a list of what I need. Love it. Love it. Those type of things. And I sold washers, dryers, lawnmowers. And I was in top sales then. I just thought, I'm going to sell even bigger things.

SPEAKER_08

Awesome. And talked about it.

SPEAKER_05

And my husband said, if you're going to do it, you need to do it now. It's 19 years ago. Excellent. I decided to make the plunge and do it.

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Into real estate.

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Into real estate.

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Awesome.

SPEAKER_04

I love how it came from the hardware store. I really do. Because you never know what is going to spring you into that change of direction in life. Or where you were wanting to go. And I do agree with that. Because I need to learn some things, you know? So I don't rely on everyone. My Chris to do it all.

SPEAKER_08

It's my Chris and this Chris and yeah.

SPEAKER_04

All sorts of Chris.

SPEAKER_08

We have BC before Chris, and we got we have to understand what happens. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

After Chris, before Chris. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Two episodes ago, we were building pine boxes for Chris. You have to send him in a coffin. Yeah, he gets picked on all the time. He's not even here to defend himself. But that's all right. All good. How did you, what's your backstory of getting into real estate?

SPEAKER_03

I was waitressing. Do you remember this? At 33, and Randy were eating. I was waiting on you guys, and I had asked you about it, and she was not interested. I could tell. You were at first. I'm eating my meal on your ground. I'm very worried. Yeah. And then a couple years later, you sold Dinby House and you sold we bought Hoenn. And that was whenever she made the comment. And I had told her that I was interested. And that was really whenever I decided that I was like, this is the route I want to go.

SPEAKER_08

So just for our listeners, 33 is not her age. 33 was a restaurant.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, a restaurant called.

SPEAKER_08

Oh, yeah. She's far younger. Just making sure.

SPEAKER_07

Very far younger. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_07

I get it. Just a little older.

SPEAKER_08

So here's the thing. Yeah. Two. Yeah. Yeah. That's it. If it was good. So that's one thing that Lydia, this just shows our followers and listeners that Lydia too has that 10X mindset because of her age, and we won't say it, that she was had the tenacity to ask someone that she knew in that industry, what do you do? How do you do in it? When she was trying to have her dinner being served to her by her. That's ballsy. I'm just going to say it. It's ballsy. Wait a minute.

SPEAKER_04

But in a good he's saying it in a good way. Because you got to put yourself out there.

SPEAKER_08

And you go get what you're that's what Grant Cardone tells us. You just care. Yeah. Jesus. Just go. Through it.

SPEAKER_07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

And then I'm very faith-driven. So God has a plan for everyone. I think everyone has their paths will cross. When they're supposed to. They may cross, but they may just for a brief moment at 33, right? And then they come align again with each other as homes are sold and home they sold your family and so forth. And then they run parallel with each other.

SPEAKER_05

And I have a question for her.

SPEAKER_08

Oh, perhaps. Oh, I love the game.

SPEAKER_05

Look at our faces. I love it. Can I ask her? Yes, yes, please.

SPEAKER_08

I love it.

SPEAKER_03

Why did you ask me? Originally I had I want to know. Talk to Gretchen and about I had just heard that they were hiring blah, blah, blah. And then I'd always heard great things about you. And your face was always on houses for one. That was another big thing. And I knew you were by yourself. I did not want to work for a big company. I wanted to work for someone that one would train me. Two, if I had any questions, she's gonna answer the phone because that's one big thing that I'm gonna have questions. I'm still learning. And I just wanted someone that I was with side by side. And that was you. I love it. So cool.

SPEAKER_08

Did she answer it?

SPEAKER_03

Yes, she did.

SPEAKER_08

And what's interesting, you have a face for houses, I have a face for radio.

SPEAKER_04

No, you don't.

unknown

Okay.

SPEAKER_04

I also think about Lisa's face. She's very nice.

SPEAKER_03

And you could tell that she's like nice. When buying Owen from her, I just remember that pro like, even though you were technically you were a dual agent, but a dual agent. Versus a double agent. Yeah. And I don't know, you just made the experience great. And then that was whenever you made the comment. I remember we were on the front porch and you were like, any, whenever you're ready, let me know. And then I started. The whole face. So when was this? Oh, this is that was in August, or we bought it September 2nd of 23. Oh, 23, okay. No, 24. 24. 24, but she talked to me. 23 we bought the house. That was whenever we talked. I did not get my license until 24. Got it.

SPEAKER_08

And then you've been a year in it or more with the city. I've been in for almost two years. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

And talked to me a year prior to that. Yes, yes.

SPEAKER_08

When she's trying to serve your food.

SPEAKER_05

Yes.

SPEAKER_08

How rude. No, I'm just gonna know. Yeah. Here's your salad.

SPEAKER_04

The second time I talked to you after we filmed the Taste of Carnival video, I didn't have any money. He had to buy me a drink.

SPEAKER_08

Lisa, rolling into this, what's the story behind first choice reality pros? What where'd it come about? How did it come about?

SPEAKER_05

I worked for seven years with another company.

SPEAKER_08

Okay.

SPEAKER_05

And then when I left that company, I went to work for someone out of town, out of Carlinville area, but still was in, I could still serve my area. And he had said that he wanted to retire. And he said, Well, when I get ready, I'm gonna talk to you more. Went in for the interview. He hired me right away. And I started working. And I worked for him for probably another seven years. And then he passed away. And his he had told his wife that he wanted me to have the company. And so she called me and said, Hey, let's get the paperwork done. He wanted you to have it. I don't want anything. You can do it. It was just first choice realty at the time. He didn't have an LOC. So I changed that, got it first choice realty pros because I had already made a brand and wanted to keep that brand.

SPEAKER_08

And it's behind you on the screen, the house of the keys with little. Is that a willow wheat? Is it lilac? Is that a lilac? Lilac room.

SPEAKER_05

It's I would say a mixture of bulk. It's a sprig of something.

SPEAKER_08

It's a sprig, folks. It's a sprig. Yeah, but very nice.

SPEAKER_05

Yes. So you've got your house and you've got your keys, and then you've got some it's your landscape. Yeah, it is.

SPEAKER_08

So those that aren't watching and listening, she's pointing out we have the logo behind her, and she's pointing out the items on the branding. Yeah, it's very nice.

SPEAKER_04

It is. I love it too. I like the how the first is up like that. Yes, yeah.

SPEAKER_05

So first choice, why not?

SPEAKER_08

Exactly. It's I love it because so with so many agencies, right? There's so many agencies. What makes first choice Realty Pros unique?

SPEAKER_05

I think putting something in their hands, giving them information immediately, not just showing up, opening a door, opening, letting them in, and not knowing a thing about the property. I think you have to show up and you have to know some information about that property.

SPEAKER_08

So do you do your homework?

SPEAKER_05

I do my homework. We show up, we have a uh packet that we give every buyer that has the information about the house. We've already contacted the agent on the other end if it's not and we ask them all the questions that we know a buyer is gonna want to know. So we try to minimize any worry that they may have.

SPEAKER_08

Sure. And with my background as top sales selling sponges at Roddy's through guys.

SPEAKER_05

I can look at the house and find things that I think the inspector's gonna find and let them know. Just it just gives them an ease and gives them a trust in me. A client met me one time and I said, What made you call me? And he said, I was looking on uh the web and I was looking at all these agents and I found your face. He said, and you just looked really nice.

SPEAKER_07

I love it. I love it.

SPEAKER_05

I'm glad that he told you that. He did, and I said, Are you serious? And he said, You look like the nicest, friendliest person, and I can trust you.

SPEAKER_08

What does Randy think about?

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, he goes with me a lot. I think yeah, yeah, yeah. Yes, he goes with me a lot, but it is true, yeah. And it was a young couple, and so lately the realtor mom. That's right. That's right.

SPEAKER_08

So I'm gonna flip this now to Lydia. What makes you unique and someone to want to call on you at first choice reality pros?

SPEAKER_03

I agree with you, always having something to give them. But I think getting personal, that's what I like to do with my clients. I like to know more than just what they're looking in for the house. Sure. Like how many bed, how many bath things like that. I want to know like how many kids do you have? What kids are gonna share, what room? Whenever they walk into the house, that's the first thing they're picturing is where are my kids gonna sleep? What where's exactly the dog room, bathroom? I just feel like knowing more about the family and what you're looking for helps find their home. They're gonna live there. They're gonna that's gonna be their home. That's gonna be the home they're gonna bring a baby home to, or they're gonna retire there and live there until they pass anything. I don't, that's just a big thing to me is knowing my clients more than just what type of house are you looking for.

SPEAKER_04

And I think you're very empathetic in that, Lydia, because you are right in the middle of it, babe, with the kids. Yeah. And you have three kids, right? Yeah. Yeah. You just had a baby in August. Okay. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

While working from the hospital business.

SPEAKER_04

Yes, she's working from the we heard that. You don't you have to tell this story. What I'm saying is you know families are looking for and what they're wanting, where's their family?

SPEAKER_08

So I think that gives you help, you know, definitely makes you unique.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

And buying a house during the time.

SPEAKER_03

Right. Yeah. We moved. I had my history in October and we moved a week later.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

She doesn't do anything easy.

SPEAKER_05

It has to be a little bit more than that. No, she and then she's chill about it. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah. That's no big deal about this.

SPEAKER_05

And she really is like that. Yeah, she's so laid back. And I would be going, and she You can't panic. Some things you can't control.

SPEAKER_08

That okay, so for our listeners, that is because there are so many, especially. So again, we're not going to tell your age, but she wants people to know.

SPEAKER_04

I'd be bragging.

SPEAKER_08

24, almost 25.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, good job.

SPEAKER_08

Awesome.

SPEAKER_04

Oh my.

SPEAKER_08

I have one of those sponges from True Value.

SPEAKER_06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Because Caitlin said I'm like a sponge. She said that before. But people of your age, that a lot of them, they start freaking out over stuff and they and of stuff they can't control. Literally, they can't control, but they let it affect their daily lives. It's like, why? I've had that conversation with my one of my children. We won't say his name. Yeah, I've had it with Caleb before and they'll put themselves in full-blown panic attacks.

SPEAKER_04

Exactly.

SPEAKER_08

Again, that's so nice to see that you have that in you because did you where do you feel you got that from? Are your parents that way?

SPEAKER_03

Are you just have you always been that way? I think just growing up, things from the past and just growing up quickly.

SPEAKER_08

Did you be that way in high school? Or did you freak out about stuff in high school?

SPEAKER_03

Both. Okay.

SPEAKER_08

But you realize one way or the other, this way isn't it's not worth it. Getting all sick about and upset about. Why don't we just we'll control what we call it?

SPEAKER_03

I'm very much you can control some things, but you can't others, and just why worry about it? We're not here forever. So I don't, that's just my mindset. She is good.

SPEAKER_08

Don't cry.

SPEAKER_05

She is.

SPEAKER_04

No cry, Galen. I will start.

SPEAKER_08

I will start because you really on this podcast. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

You really are special. She is. She is. And you probably should share your story at some point on along here. Not right now. We don't want to drama dying too much today.

SPEAKER_08

No, hey, here's the thing. There are 10 X partners on the segment. So we've got them. They're here, right? We're collaborating together. We're gonna get who they are out there. We're gonna get their wisdom. We're gonna suck the wisdom out of them and put it out on the airway.

SPEAKER_04

It's all about sponges today. It's sponges. I felt the moving in.

SPEAKER_08

That's because my big mouth. My big mouth. Hey, it's safe to say that, Lisa, you have sold hundreds of homes.

SPEAKER_06

Yes.

SPEAKER_08

Hundreds of homes.

SPEAKER_06

Yes.

SPEAKER_08

Tell us one of your most rewarding experiences of a sale you've done. Wow. Be prepared. You're gonna get the same question.

SPEAKER_05

I know I'm immediately why couldn't you have asked her first? I mean, I can go she knows first. Hey, you do and let me think about this.

SPEAKER_03

Lydia, I've sold hundreds of homes. Right, exactly. You gotta go through those files. Obviously, I'm fresh. I'm new, I've been doing it for almost two years now. My house I first put on the market.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

And that I don't want to go in everything. But no names. Yes. My very first house, I was on the seller's side, and uh it was whenever I was going through having my baby and everything else health-wise, but they stuck with me. They knew that in a couple of weeks I was gonna be having a baby. They still wanted me to put their house on the market.

SPEAKER_06

Perfect.

SPEAKER_03

They saw your sign somewhere online and they reached out to her first. She asked me if I wanted it, and as soon as I went there, they loved me. And it's just they're very family-oriented people, and they still reach out to me to this day. Just last week I heard from them.

SPEAKER_05

And not to you couldn't show them. I showed them and what a broker wants to hear about their agent. We love Lydia, she is awesome. She comes prepared, she knows her stuff, and I am like, Well, it's a compliment to you. Right. Yes, I'm not sure.

SPEAKER_08

Right.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. I'm like, I'm so proud of her. But I just I remember perfectly because I came to you, well, I don't know if it was a night before or two nights before to go over everything because I hadn't put a house on the market yet. And I was nervous, obviously, and I wanted to make sure I had everything. She was gonna go with me, and I was like, no, I got it. I want to go by myself because I just needed to do it myself.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, I'm here if you need.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, take the string and wheels off. Let's go. Yeah, yeah. Got this, mom.

SPEAKER_03

But then I we found their house too, where they moved to, and they stuck with me for that. And that was after I had she sold, yeah, says a lot. Sold them a house.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, and so just for the listeners, because I just say, I got this mom. They're not mom and daughter. Just let everyone know they're not mother and daughter. She's a realtor mom. Lisa's a realtor mom to anyone that wants to get a home sold through her or purchased by her or through her. Yeah, all that stuff. We'll get into the meeting.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, yes, yes.

SPEAKER_08

All right, so now guess what? You're in the hot seat, Lisa.

SPEAKER_05

I know.

SPEAKER_08

Lydia, that was a great story. That's awesome to have your first one and memorable, and you had personal things going on. And so it is ingrained as your one of your rewarding moments. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_05

So as I look, I'm going back trying to think. I'm gonna just go to one that's just been going on. I started working with them probably about a year ago. They contacted me. I had sold to their sister a couple of houses, and so they contacted me through them, and they weren't quite ready.

SPEAKER_07

Gotcha.

SPEAKER_05

They weren't quite ready. So I said, let's get you ready. So when the time comes, sure, you'll be able to do this. Got them with a lender, started the whole process, and they would send me houses and I'd say, This is really good. We're not gonna go look at anything because they were in Oklahoma. Oh yeah. Okay, they were coming this way. And because they're gonna be off the market by the time you are ready to move. So we've worked for over a year, and we are getting ready to close next month. So we've got them here moving a family of five children and everything coming from Oklahoma to Illinois of that process.

SPEAKER_08

That really shows your commitment to your client that you're there with them throughout the whole thing or a year or more, or even miles and miles apart.

SPEAKER_04

Do you know how hard that is? Yeah, because you we all know things online aren't always as what they seem when they're posted.

SPEAKER_08

What? Oh I'm a French model.

SPEAKER_04

I'm an Italian one.

SPEAKER_08

That's right.

SPEAKER_04

But there's been so many houses that I will see post online very nice. And you go and you're like, what in the tarnation? So these people were probably looking. Yeah. Thank God they had you to know, hey, just let you know this is what this really is, or whatever, because it's not like they could fly up here.

SPEAKER_05

And we every time we have people that call from out of state and they'll say, We want you to go. And I think FaceTime's yeah. Oh, you have? Okay. I love it. Yeah. And then, but I want them to come here before they put their name on paper. Yeah, because my preference and their preference could be totally different. And FaceTime doesn't always look the same.

SPEAKER_08

Have you ever turned away clients? I have because it just didn't feel right, or like you weren't going to meet their expectations, or they were buying for the wrong reason, or they were in it for the wrong reason. Just like here, if any reason. There's investors. I know there's people. I literally was called by someone from our construction company or to our construction company. They were in Arizona looking to just buy an investment property in the area because this area had less expensive homes.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

And is would you turn someone away like that?

SPEAKER_05

I would if it's not going to be profitable for them. If the resale value, because you it's where is it?

SPEAKER_08

Let's say they just need to dump money. It's December. They need to dump money before Uncle Sam gets it.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

I need a piece of property to dump 100K into, Lisa.

SPEAKER_05

That would be a step-by-step process. Yeah. I would have to do that.

SPEAKER_06

If there's unclear, no, you expect.

SPEAKER_05

Exploded my mind just a minute ago when you asked that. Because I've had clients, first-time homebuyers, that get into it, they don't really know what they're doing, and they're afraid. And then they start telling me their story. We need to hear that. We need to be good listeners. We can't just push properties on them. I've had people say it was a total crackhouse. And the last agent I worked with, they were pushing it on me. They say, Why don't you want to buy it? I would die. Yeah. And I was like, oh no, I'm not going to be pushy. I don't like pushy salespeople. And I'm not going to be pushy. And so I will walk them through the process. And if they are not ready, then I say, then let's not do this. If it doesn't feel good, if you don't get that aha moment, that feeling in your gut that this is the home that you want to invest in, this is not the home. There's more out there. Let's continue.

SPEAKER_07

I love it.

SPEAKER_04

Not just gonna I'm I'm observing Lisa here. And I feel like because you love so much what you do, and all you're telling your clients is simple facts. Because of your personality, that's what makes you so good at selling it. Because you're selling the facts. You're selling. I'm serious. I like this. And you just say it with such Yes. Wait, is that from the old movie?

SPEAKER_08

Oh, it's from a movie.

SPEAKER_04

Well, tell me what it is.

SPEAKER_03

I might know. No.

SPEAKER_08

It's a detective movie. Just the facts, man. Just the facts.

SPEAKER_03

I have no idea.

SPEAKER_08

So it's a squirrel moment. All right. I'm calling a Caitlyn. I'm calling a Caitlin out there. Okay, yeah, he is. So literally, it's a detective out there, and you've got someone that's randomly, oh my God, there's just the facts, ma'am. Just the facts. You don't need all this other fluff crap. I don't care that pink shoes on run down the street. Just the facts, ma'am. Just facts.

SPEAKER_04

Anyway, so that Lisa gives the facts with a little fluff. And you know not lies, but I'm talking about enthusiasm. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_08

And you know what? Remember this. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the process, Lisa and her team at First Choice Realty Pros are ready to guide you step by step. Just give them a call at 217-825-3999 or visit firstchoice realitypros.com. That's fun, the number one stchoice realitypros.com. Oh, good job. Serving you with honesty and integrity. So make sure they will help you through this process step by step.

unknown

Right?

SPEAKER_08

Yes. Yes. Awesome. So with that, how do you stay ahead of trends in real estate? Loaded question, isn't it? It is a loaded question. We got time.

SPEAKER_05

We've got time.

SPEAKER_08

As he sits back in his chair, I'm gonna get relaxed here.

SPEAKER_05

He's gonna put his feet up next.

SPEAKER_08

No, I won't go that far. I haven't done that yet.

SPEAKER_05

Could you ask me a harder question?

SPEAKER_08

I have more. I have this one.

SPEAKER_05

No, let's okay, let's try this. I think we have to continually be open to new things. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Let me rephrase this real quick for you.

SPEAKER_05

Oh dear. Okay.

SPEAKER_08

And this might help all of us understand it better, including our listeners. Are there trends in real estate to stay ahead of?

SPEAKER_04

Yes.

SPEAKER_08

Okay.

SPEAKER_04

Yes.

SPEAKER_08

Okay, good.

SPEAKER_04

That was a good question. So then because I was wondering like, what is a trend in real estate?

SPEAKER_08

So then that will help that. How do you at first choice reality pros stay ahead of what those trends would be coming out? Lydia knows the answer. I think that's a good idea.

SPEAKER_05

Lydia, I'm gonna hear what you have to say. Oh my, Lydia, teach the old one. For okay, for the younger generation. You guys are the cutest for the younger generation. What would be a trend? There you go. See, trends is a new trend for the older generation. What is a trend? What's going on with all these young bottles?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, when you what's going on? Yeah. When you say trend in real estate, are you meaning like the way we market, the way we advertise, or are you meaning there's so much? I there's so many different things.

SPEAKER_08

I would tend to think, and the way I'm posing this question is how do you stay ahead of the trends of selling? How do you stay? What is fresh? How do you again separate yourself from, yep, here's a list, we're gonna take you through five houses today. Here's the keys, let's go in and go look. Or how do you stay ahead of the trend? Now you know where you're heading with the same thing.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, so old ways, customer service has to be customer service. That trend will never change. Right, right.

SPEAKER_08

How you do customer service can change.

SPEAKER_03

Oh, yes, yes. After what you told us the other day. See, what did I tell you? And I'm gonna jump to the marketing side of that because I think marketing, we've always talked about marketing is a big thing. Posting, letting people, but I think how you said giving different ideas, different tips on our Facebook page of just everyday life, everything, what you can do to make your bathroom better, instead of just here's the market, here's how many houses are on the market, like you just said, and call me, let's go see. Because it's personable. Exactly. Yeah. I have been seeing a new like market trend going on is Market Day Monday of posting all of the stats from McCooping County on real estate and this things like that. I think that is a big trend going on. Sure. But yeah, that's a way it's changed, is not just posting. Here's my phone number, call me if you want to buy a house. You actually have to get personal, like you said, with them.

SPEAKER_04

And they're doing reels, they're doing this and this the funniest things I've ever seen.

SPEAKER_08

You guys are stepping up higher now with the realtor segment, monopolizing, using your word monopolizing, saying this is our segment. Yeah, it's first choice or no choice.

SPEAKER_05

That's right.

SPEAKER_08

And so this is staying ahead of that trend, right?

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Feel free to use that in your advertising fund.

SPEAKER_05

Okay, he's not patenting it.

SPEAKER_08

I'm not trademarking it. We're fine.

SPEAKER_05

Let first choice be your first choice. So, you know, and and that's something first choice.

SPEAKER_03

When I first thought of it, can I say why? You whenever I remember this perfectly, why she told me first choice. You know why? Because whenever you're going alphabetical order, the numbers pop up first. First, that's your first choice right there.

SPEAKER_08

It's the same. I love it.

SPEAKER_03

She told me that. I was like, that is that is smart. I know.

SPEAKER_08

Same thing in construction and other business owners. They'll choose like when yellow pages, phone book, yeah, you'd be the first in the listing, right? Because you're the number one, or you'd be triple A. I mean, that because A's come first, and then AA comes before it A B. And so that literally, that's how a lot of names, if you look at a lot of the bigger companies and companies that have been around forever, because you want to be the first in the phone book in that category or the yellow pages when they look for that particular particular business type.

SPEAKER_04

That's interesting. I never would have thought to think to name my business based on that. That's so smart. Wouldn't you tell me that? I love it.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, yeah. But the duality of that is you should be the first choice because you are the reality pros. And that's and I feel that. And I think our listeners are gonna feel that too when they hear this podcast.

SPEAKER_05

I had somebody get upset with me because they put F-I-R-S-T for an advertisement, and I called them and told them, and they were like, What does it matter? Matters a lot. That's really name. Yeah, like it's still first, so it's okay. No, it's not. Number one, it's an LLC, it is a logo, it is that's not your branding. And so first would have come before the S. Yes.

SPEAKER_04

So I'm gonna be. I don't blame you. I would have wanted and you have a certain I would have been the same way, at least. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Moving on to the next question. Being an entrepreneur, what is one of the biggest challenges you face being an entrepreneur?

SPEAKER_05

Oh, just the not knowing of what's going to happen next year. Yeah. I worry and I got in this in 2007, and then the bottom dropped out in 2008. If I did have to be a little bit more.

SPEAKER_07

The market was flooded.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah. And my dad goes, Hey, you got into this at the wrong time. And I was like, Thanks, Dad. Such a dad thing. God is good, and he has always been my driving force behind me, before me, all around me. Throughout that whole time, I still, the person that I worked for, the company that I worked for before, they had you got to sell this much. I still did. Yeah, quotas. And so I still did it during that slump. And I thought, wow. Okay. And then when I left that company and started with the new company, I had to really start over again. And I was okay. I did it, paying for my own advertising and doing all the things and getting my face out there. People would say, I see your face everywhere. Good. Yeah. I want you to see it. And it's a nice one. That's right. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Looks good on houses.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, yeah. And it's friendly. It's not like apparently it is. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

No, it is friendly. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

And she has a friendly face. She's gorgeous. She is. And so we only hire friendly very welcoming. That's the thing. Yeah. Yes.

SPEAKER_08

And that's a thing that we learned from Grant Cardone. And again, we've we told we'll slip some 10X stuff in there all the time. But Grant heavily, he went hard through the 2008 crash where banks were calling on him, say, hey, you got a million dollar note. We're calling it in.

SPEAKER_04

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_08

And him scrambling, oh. And he'll teach us, and you didn't do it, is that during a time of economic contraction, that's when you expand because it's not taking advantage of people, it's to take advantage of your situation. And that doesn't mean go spend frivolously. That means that's your time to put a plan in place and expand. And you obviously did that with your personal career because in real estate, you're you're living commission to commission.

SPEAKER_05

Oh, yeah. You're not getting a paycheck from an agent. And if somebody goes and buys a for sale by owner, we just spend a hundred house time with you.

SPEAKER_08

Gas, fuel, marketing, everything. Yeah, everything. Time is money. Yeah, right.

SPEAKER_05

We only make money when we sell. And that's okay because we signed up for that. Correct. So we don't want to slap somebody and say, oh, you owe me something. No, we're going to show you you want to stick with us. Right. Because we're going to work together, client, agent, as a team.

SPEAKER_08

And I when I asked that question about being an entrepreneur, really the term now is you were a solopreneur. You were there was no other agents at that time. Right. But now you're an entrepreneur. You have Lydia. So you are expanding on that. And that's awesome. So what's one piece of advice you wish you would have known starting out that you would have done differently? Is there something she would have done differently if you that you know now?

SPEAKER_05

After 19 years, don't freak out. Where's I think she's ahead of the game. Yes. Because I have watched her in situations that a new agent would freak out, but she was pretty calm about it. Yeah. She would talk to me. We would talk through the process. Because when I first started, I remember there was times there's crying, there's throwing yourself on the floor. There's no crying in real estate. I threw myself on the floor. But no, I know what you mean. There's times because this is big. This is big money for somebody. I'm either holding their investment, either side, buyer, seller. It's the biggest decision there they will make. Right. The most expensive. And I take that so personal. Because now I tell my family, they'll say, Oh, don't do that today. Do that later. Oh no. They've invested in me and I've invested in them.

SPEAKER_04

Oh, I'm so glad someone else is like that. Because they're like, wait, and I'm like, I don't care what time it is. I got to get this done right now.

SPEAKER_05

Oh, yeah. Yeah. I'm working at 2 a.m. with the laptop on my lap. I'm not weird.

SPEAKER_04

I'm sending it.

SPEAKER_08

Not when it comes to those things. It's okay. Your quirkiness, porkiness comes out.

SPEAKER_04

But don't you feel like some of like it's time sensitive? Yes. So real estate based. Yes. Except that you're Oklahoma people. That mattered. They were on it. Yeah. Because of the banks and the loans and the title, all that stuff, and people wanting to close a certain clearly.

SPEAKER_08

It comes to speed delete.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

You speed delete, or you'll lose a deal. You have to take care of it. Just like you just took care of my son and his wife. Yeah. It was those things where the seller, selling agent wasn't like, no, it's going to happen. And you made sure.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

It's going to happen.

SPEAKER_05

It's going to happen.

SPEAKER_08

But it's two-way street with your client. They have to be responsive as well.

SPEAKER_05

They have to read what you get.

SPEAKER_08

And you reassure them, yes, if you do, this is going to move the needle forward.

SPEAKER_05

And this is how comfortable we try to make people. I had a lady call me. She said she was referred to me by a friend. And I went, met with them. She said, Don't worry about anything. You've got the deal. We already know you before we know you. Somebody talking. So I love that. Sure. Yeah. So word of mouth. She says, we want to put our house on the market. But while we do this, we're going to Hawaii. And I said, That gives me a panic attack.

SPEAKER_06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

All right. So you're going to go on vacation. Your house is lovely. It's probably going to sell pretty quick. I'm going to be bothering you while you're on vacation. Yeah. I'm going to be singing you contracts. I'm going to be calling you, telling you we've got a deal or not a deal. So anyway, she said, No, that's fine because you could show it anytime and I don't have to be bothered. So she's sitting on the beach. She's buying a house. This is funny because this is two Oklahoma stories. They're two different people. She's moving to Oklahoma, okay? From here. From here, from Lichfield. Oh, okay. Okay.

SPEAKER_08

And Mid-Illinois.

SPEAKER_05

Mid-Ilano, yeah. Then she's buying a house on the beach. And I called her and tell her we have two offers. Let's talk about it. She says, Let's talk about it now. I'm just laying on the beach. So she bought a house. We sold a house while she's in Honolulu. She comes back. Then she called while she's on the beach. She calls and says, Hey, do you have any moving companies that you recommend? I said, I do. And so it's a good thing. For so much. She took one of those that I sent.

SPEAKER_08

She recommended.

SPEAKER_05

We got them moved.

SPEAKER_08

Before they came back from vacation.

SPEAKER_04

No, they had to go home in back. Dang.

unknown

They had to go home and back.

SPEAKER_04

But so boy, she was lucky to have you. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

You could have if that happened, you would have.

SPEAKER_05

They sent me the nice. She would have been cracking forum. I have done that. I have mowed grass. I have picked up junk. I have done anything and everything. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

Oh.

SPEAKER_07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

She goes above and that's true. 10X mindset above and beyond. Yeah.

SPEAKER_07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

You have to be what they need to have the peace of mind to put this big investment in your hand. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

I'm going to ask Lydia the question, which is going to be odd because you're just now getting close to two years into it. But is there something, advice that you know now that you would have given yourself when you first started this venture? Even if it's don't ask her while she's I'm serving her salad.

SPEAKER_03

It'll stick with me forever. It will be now because I know it. I'm so glad she did. This is just basic, but always bring my laptop with me. That's the advice I'd give myself because there's been a few times where I'll be, no, just wait. I've still got it done, but I'm doing it on my phone. I'm on dot loop on my phone. Typical contract and everything. That's the only not like anything deep.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah. No, but like that.

SPEAKER_03

It's good to know because it is good to know because I've forgotten my laptop at the times I made it. Very basic. On your phone, it takes longer.

SPEAKER_05

And something else is always have packets. Back to the laptop. Go back to your story. Because we got we went from one thing to the other.

SPEAKER_06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

Having a baby. I did bring that.

SPEAKER_03

I packed all my real estate stuff to the hospital.

SPEAKER_08

When you were having a baby.

SPEAKER_03

Connor's my husband, and he was like, Why are we bringing all this stuff? Because I've got a client that I've got to bring it. And then what was it? Everyone started calling me then. All my clients, I'd have four different clients that I was working with. It was like booths. I went in on a Thursday night and I had her that Friday at 6 p.m. 24 hours. I was in labor. Your client wanted to write a contract.

SPEAKER_05

I said, Do you want me to I can take care of this, Lydia? Go have your baby. Well, oh no, here's what I got on the phone. Lay in the bed.

SPEAKER_04

I had that, but no, I couldn't move. And she, what did you say? What you said to her.

SPEAKER_05

Please have your baby. Let me do this. Just have your baby. And she says, No, this is her. No, it's fine. It's fine. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Damn it, Connor.

SPEAKER_05

She's like, Lydia, are you in the hospital having your baby? That was it. Yeah. I did. Because I'm like, yeah, no big deal. When she's calling me, I love it. Did you just say you were going to have your baby today? Yeah. She's yeah, I am. I'm in the hospital. I'm in the bed.

SPEAKER_03

And the nurse keeps telling me to stop. Yeah. And then after I'd roan 24 hours later, I'm still the epidermal takes forever to wear off on me for whatever reason. And still laying there. And I'm on the phone. Connor brings my laptop over. The postpartum nurse is walking in. She's like, What are you doing?

SPEAKER_08

I'm making the money. I'm making the money. That's what I'm doing. I'm making it rain.

SPEAKER_04

The baby sleeps a lot during that time. It's fine.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

And you can type and swaddle it right here.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

Recipe right there.

SPEAKER_05

Love it. She did the whole thing. She did the contract for them, sent it out to them.

SPEAKER_08

Well, folks, you were really getting to know Lisa and Lydia a lot. And that's the whole purpose of this podcast, right? And as our 10x partners in here for the real estate segment. This is awesome. So how do you support first-time home buyers? What's how do you walk them through that process?

SPEAKER_03

How do we walk them through that process?

SPEAKER_08

Ooh, it's a test, Lydia.

SPEAKER_03

Oh. The first step is usually they're not pre-qualified or pre-approved yet. Right. So that's the very first step that I walk through is I don't want to take someone into a house. It's happened, but I don't want to take a client into a house. Them get very excited and it be way more than what they can afford. So I always recommend getting pre-approved because that's different than what it was like 19 years ago. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Or 20 years ago or 30 years ago when I was buying my first home. It's like you don't pre-approval. What's that?

SPEAKER_05

We didn't even know anything about that.

SPEAKER_08

Right.

SPEAKER_05

So now sellers didn't have any kind of guarantee of anything. It was like, I'm going out by your word.

SPEAKER_07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

Which I wish we were still in that today, handshake and your word. We're not. No. We need to have paper. You show that pre-approval to a seller.

SPEAKER_08

They're happy now. Yeah, they're happy.

SPEAKER_03

I just always recommend getting pre-approved because you want to know what you can afford. That way we're not looking in the wrong market.

SPEAKER_05

We talk about this all the time. If you go in, like she said, if you go in a house and say it's a hundred thousand, but you're only approved for 80,000. Now you're mad at your husband. Yes. You're mad at me. The agent, yeah. Yeah, you're mad at everybody because you can't have that kitchen now. So if you're pre-approved and we're looking in that price range for you, now you're happy.

SPEAKER_03

Or at least working towards the pre-approval is what I like to get at. Like I just had this last week where they weren't pre-approved. We went, looked at houses. I walk them through. We have a great loan officer we use that I always recommend whenever, because that's the first thing they first-time homebuyers always ask. How do I get pre-approved? I would that was gonna be a good thing. And then I give them the list of local banks, ones that I've I only give a list of ones I've worked with, though, that I've done closings or that I've personally done stuff with. And then I give them that list. That way they can call them, or if whoever they bank through, they can call there to see if they can get pre-approved with them. And then we start working on that. Usually the house I just showed yesterday, they were on the phone with the loan company as I was with them. And he was like, This is my loan officer, or not, yeah, to me. He said, This is the loan officer we're on the phone with. Then he said to them, This is Lydia. She's been showing us houses. And I talked with their loan officer and walked through the houses we were looking at. And just makes them feel more comfortable too. Because when you get on the phone with a loan company that you haven't seen before, but you're just on the phone, I feel like they're just and telling you everything they need.

SPEAKER_04

They just want someone that's very confusing.

SPEAKER_03

Yes.

SPEAKER_04

It is the whole pre-approval type thing is very confusing and hard. My question now, it shouldn't be. Yeah. But I'm glad that you have certain loan officers that you can recommend. Yeah. Because I think that's very important.

SPEAKER_03

Someone to explain everything to them because they haven't been through this process before.

SPEAKER_04

Have you noticed now that like the loans people are having more trouble getting pre-approved? I feel like I hear people complain.

SPEAKER_03

And I don't think Chris and I haven't crazy amounts, but some people think that they can.

SPEAKER_05

Yes. Then we'll be like, oh yeah, it's no problem. It's no problem. But they haven't realized that they've made a big mistake, which is paying something late. Yeah. That's a big mistake. You have been late. And I don't care if you had a$10 discover bill and you paid that$10 three days late. It is a flag. Now the bank sees that and they see that as well, you're untrustworthy. You're not going to take that seriously. You're not going to pay for it. Wow, that's so sad. And it's so sad.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah, because it could be an honest mistake. Someone could be perfect painting on the time ahead of time for all their life, and then they have that happen, boom.

SPEAKER_05

And now they're like, And I have had people that said, I did that. It this just happened. And I say, call them, get it off your record, let them know that this was the first time and give you a buy. Thank goodness you tell them that. Yeah. Yeah. It's just upsetting. I had a client one time, her stepfather or something, took her identity. Roger, if he divorced, okay. Took the identity. And she was like 11. Okay, but he took her identity. He bought things and then didn't pay. So she gets married and they go to buy a house. Guess what? They cannot get pre-approved.

SPEAKER_08

No.

SPEAKER_05

So I found a way to get that off of their record. I found a company to go to to get that done, give them your information. They can get that done in about two to three weeks.

SPEAKER_08

Wow. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah. She'd been living years not being able to get a credit card, not being able to do that. That's so upsetting. Yes. And she didn't know why. She was like, I don't know how to get this off. How do I get this off of my record? So anyway, I turned them over with McCoopin County Housing Authority. That was one of the places that I went to. And they can do that. They're not just for housing people, is they can help you. They want to help you gain ground so that you can buy things. And so another resource for me. Exactly.

SPEAKER_08

Another service that they're offering. Yeah. It's awesome.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah. So I didn't know that about the housing authority. Yeah. Now, and this has been a few years back. I'd have to check again because I haven't had happen since. But that was one of those times that that was a great help to them. And they bought a home. Oh good. Yeah. They bought a home. Get a happy ending. Yeah. And they were so thrilled to be able to do that. And thrilled that this is not over her anymore. I can't be on the loan app with my husband because I bring him down. Yeah. How to carry that? That's too much. And so she got that taken care of. And that is a happy ending.

SPEAKER_08

So from making sure they're pre-approved, walking them through the process of how you're going to hand hold them all the way through, getting them the valuable information on each home that you're showing them after they're pre-approved, walking through all the steps of all the way the funding issues or the credit issues. Sounds like you guys are there to help them all the way through, all the way to the closing table. So that's how you help. Because again, first time home buyers, they're not going to know all that stuff.

SPEAKER_03

No. I think just reassuring them too, like always checking in, not too much, where they're like, oh my gosh, stop messaging me. Yeah. But to where they know we're there. We're answering their questions. We're checking in, hey, do you have any questions? Things like that, walking them through every process because it is. If you've never been through it, you don't know anything about it.

SPEAKER_08

Sure. Yeah. No, that's true. And that's awesome. So with first choice reality pros, what is your vision for the next five years?

SPEAKER_05

To continue to do what we're doing, only finding better ways to be more to stay to be trend setters. There we go.

SPEAKER_08

That's right. Lisa's on it.

SPEAKER_05

I knew I would rock your world.

SPEAKER_08

Oh man. I'm glad my arm of my chair was under my desk. I'm flown back on it. That's right. That's right. I love it. So is there any goals or vision of adding more agents to First Choice Realty Pros team?

SPEAKER_05

I would love to.

SPEAKER_08

They're hard to be better than what you got.

SPEAKER_05

You gotta really be tough act to follow. Yeah. Yeah. It's a tough one because I've always said, I don't want a body shop. I don't want just a bunch of people to say, I've got 27 agents working under me. But if none of them are doing anything, well then what's the deal? And if they're not doing anything, then they're not staying on top of the game. And then I'm putting them out there in front of somebody and expecting them to do the right things. That's very scary for me. So if I had two or three more Lydias, so well that would be the question. Are you she clone herself?

SPEAKER_08

Possibly. So you would be looking for additional agents if they fit the qualifications.

SPEAKER_05

Yes.

SPEAKER_08

You're not opposed to adding agents to the team.

SPEAKER_05

No. No.

SPEAKER_08

Okay.

SPEAKER_05

No, because Lydia, I believe, made first choice better. And if you can come into a company and you can better that company, then you have just made yourself an asset. And I want to keep her.

SPEAKER_06

Definitely. Yes.

SPEAKER_05

She's not going anywhere. She's just looking at me out of the corner of her eye. But you're stuck with me. Sorry. Yeah, see. That's awesome. Yeah. And even when we talked about doing podcasts and different things, she gets excited. She was so excited about this segment. She was like, oh my gosh, I'm so excited about doing this. And when I brought it up, she said, I'm calling Kate. Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

I could tell she was excited when she messaged me, and I was so excited too.

SPEAKER_05

Then she yeah, and then she called me back. Yeah. And she said, Oh, she was so excited. Oh, yeah. It's a response of excitement.

SPEAKER_08

I can tell. I feel the excitement in here. It's all right. I do too.

SPEAKER_04

And my cheeks are really hurting. From smiling so much. I know.

SPEAKER_08

Like your legs from working out. Oh, sorry.

SPEAKER_04

It's working too much. Why does my voice never get tired?

SPEAKER_05

That's weird. But Chris, I wanted to say mission statement. Yes. Because I'll read it. It's helping people move forward with confidence. Everything that we've talked about, that's just that first part. What are we doing? We're building confidence in others. We're trying. Because if you're not confident in what you're doing, it might procrastinate. If I'm not confident in knowing how I'm going to do something, it'll be the last thing I'm going to do. That's very true.

SPEAKER_04

I'm not going to do it. I don't think it's going to be 110% yet.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah. Yeah. I'll think about it. And then I don't do it. Buyers and sellers. I'm thinking about selling. I don't know where to start. I don't want somebody to bombard me. I don't want a pushy salesman. Don't hound me. I don't want them to only think about themselves. That kind of stuff. A buyer. I don't know. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to get started. So they just don't know. I don't I'm not going to get started. So we want to build that up, that confidence up to know you can start with us just asking the questions. Let's see if we're a good fit. Because if we're not a good fit, right, maybe we don't want to work with you either. Because it's probably not going to be a journey.

SPEAKER_08

And that's correct. And you're doing the all of it with honesty and integrity.

SPEAKER_05

Yes. Yes.

SPEAKER_08

And that's what's key with that. Yes. And I'm glad you said that because even in our construction company, we literally, when we go into someone's home for the first time, we will talk to them and we literally say, This is an interview process, both directions.

SPEAKER_06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Because we may find that you're not a fit for our company as well. Because there's no reason to go through this journey. We're in someone's home, you're selling their home or helping them buy a home. And if it's not a successful at the end, why start the journey? Or if something doesn't feel right. So it's glad that you're talking about it.

SPEAKER_04

That's a really like hard concept for me to I guess do because and I'm learning it slowly, but I want to say yes to every single person.

SPEAKER_03

And I get told that all the time. I've got to learn the word no sometimes. Yeah. I don't know, it doesn't exist.

SPEAKER_04

It'll come as you they've been rude, and I'm like, I shouldn't have done that. And it was just, but I think I guess you learn it is.

SPEAKER_08

And here's the thing, and that was my we probably the same way. In starting your own business, you don't want to turn anybody away.

SPEAKER_04

No, I want everything.

SPEAKER_08

It's money, it's money, it's money, right? Yeah. But what I've found in my senior years that yeah, that what happens is sometimes you will it will cost you more time and money by saying yes.

SPEAKER_04

By saying yes and more stress and just saying no doesn't hurt.

SPEAKER_08

The word no doesn't hurt. You have to learn, and I know Lydia's fine with that word because the way you just so chill is no doesn't hurt. Does it hurt? I don't know. You can be honest.

SPEAKER_03

Well, people pleasing. I'm a people pleaser, though. That's the other thing. You are you don't cross. But talk to my husband. I am I don't know the word no. Like if it's if I can figure out a way to make it happen, I'm going to. Like I just I don't like hurting people's feelings. I don't know. I'm just But sometimes you need to. I've got to learn. I've got to learn.

SPEAKER_08

You can do you can go no, but here's a possible option.

SPEAKER_04

Or maybe in the future, you should.

SPEAKER_08

No, not right now. And like we talked yesterday, the N-O with the K and N O, K on and the no, it's the K and the W that sandwich that no, the N O with the knowledge and wisdom. And when you provide that knowledge and wisdom to people, that no will turn into a yes. You maybe it's you need more knowledge from them on what they're wanting before you can commit and say yes to them.

SPEAKER_05

You're not a hundred percent in it if you say yes, and then instantly after you go, oh, why did I say that?

SPEAKER_06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

So it's okay if somebody asks you something, it's okay to say, Hey, let me get back to you on that. Correct.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, I gotta, but then I'm like, oh, they're gonna go with someone else. See, I've got to learn that. Yeah, that's what I say. That I say I can't.

SPEAKER_08

So there there is 24 hours.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, and grant yourself too.

SPEAKER_08

Grant kicked my ass for saying it's okay to say no because Grant's yes, and we'll figure it out on the way. But there's you've got to make sure you gotta you gotta make sure you know where you're heading with that. And it's okay to say that no and just know that not everyone is a fit. Yeah, you're young, you're young into this industry, right? And so you don't want to say no. And but learning how to put the no out there is to where it's heard on their ears softer because it's not no and silence. You know, no, but hey, let's think about this. And it's being a little thankful and just be able to speak that out real quick. Yeah, but I'm glad to hear that you're not opposed to expanding for structurality pros.

SPEAKER_05

I am I am open to that, and that's excellent.

SPEAKER_08

Last question I've got for you timeless advice for today's market. What's one piece of lasting advice you would give someone who's considering entering the real estate market right now, whether buying or selling?

SPEAKER_05

That's you've got two different things.

SPEAKER_08

Yep. So they're buying and selling. Yeah, yep.

SPEAKER_05

So if you're getting ready to sell, get your house ready. This is not the same market that it was two to three years ago. Put the sign out in your yard and bam, you've got all these people coming after it. No. Get your house clean, get the junk.

SPEAKER_08

We're gonna dive into some more of those details. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

All of that stuff. You've got to, you've got to get your house in order. Just house in order. You've got to get your house in order. And have people who if they don't have pets, they don't have maybe they don't smoke, whatever. Have them come in, do that smell test because a buyer coming in. And if the smell is bad, then they think your house is bad. Oh, it's a hundred percent. That is the truest.

SPEAKER_07

Yeah, yes, yes.

SPEAKER_04

She is a bald she is oh, her face. I wouldn't, I don't think. Like, my house smell, I like it. I want it to smell like a small.

SPEAKER_05

And you don't want to put out all the deodorizers because then it's it doesn't work and it gives me a headache. It says, What are you hiding? Okay, what are you hiding?

SPEAKER_08

Too much for breathe.

SPEAKER_05

I just like a little for breathe. Yeah, clean smelling. Okay, so get your house in order.

SPEAKER_07

Yes.

SPEAKER_03

Okay, find a good agent for selling. See, my first thing would be work with us, come with us. First really pros, you gotta choose us.

SPEAKER_04

Damn.

SPEAKER_08

That's timeless advice, right there.

SPEAKER_05

I'm getting them ready. I'm already working for them. Yeah. See, I've done she done did it up. That's right. Done went on. All right. And then the buyer get pre-approved. Yeah. Yeah. Call us. Let us help you. Let us put you in front of the people to make your buying success.

SPEAKER_08

I love it. So really that time advice is a pre-approval for the buyers. Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_05

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah. Well it's kind of a second follow-up question on that. Going back to the pre-approval part. It's it seems like when someone is going to buy a home and the home price is$150,000, the people are approved for$150,000. That the home just happens to appraise for$150,000. Is it all just coincidence? Or is it one of those things where certain lending institutions call the appraiser, calls up the appraisal order, and says, Yeah, it needs appraised for$150,000?

SPEAKER_03

Something I will add with that about the lender process, though, is find a lender that is wanting to work for you as well. Because there are lenders that, hey, you're approved up to$400,000, but you really can only afford$200,000. Okay. But we're going to make your house payment$2,000, even though you only want to pay a thousand.

SPEAKER_06

Okay.

SPEAKER_03

That's a big thing, is finding a lender that is trustworthy too and is looking out for your best interests and not just trying to make all that money.

SPEAKER_05

That's and lenders, which is hard, but when the appraisal time comes about, they call it a fishbowl. They reach in and they, it's a third party. We don't know. We're not supposed to know. Yeah. They have a listing sheet that says this is what we have on the market. And then they, the appraiser, is supposed to appraise it for the amount. I have seen over time, I let the appraiser do their job. Time company do their job, Linda do their job. Correct. Okay. But I have seen over time what you're talking about. The house is 80,000 and it appraises for 80,000, but it could have appraised for more. And sometimes it does. Sometimes I see them.

SPEAKER_08

But very rare, rarely.

SPEAKER_05

When the market changed after 2008, they were what was so crazy is in 2007 they're the banks are like handing out money. Oh yeah. You want 200,000? Oh yeah. Yeah. Oh yeah. And I was money's cheap. Okay, let's do a budget. Here comes the mom. I'm gonna sit down. Let's do a budget. I want you to be able to buy ice cream for your kids. They don't want you to go, oh sorry, kids, we can't go sweat. Sweating in bed every night going, yeah, how is that payment?

SPEAKER_08

I gotta put gas in my car to go to work tomorrow, but I don't have any money.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah. But after that, they tightened the belt straps.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

Then you could see that change, that mark in the lenders. In the lenders, in the appraisal and all that stuff. So I'm not an appraiser. I don't play one on TV. So I let the right over my both of us really.

SPEAKER_08

I'm not a doctor, I just play one on TV.

SPEAKER_05

Chris is probably so happy now.

SPEAKER_04

Crystal and I got it too.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, Crystal too. Yeah. Yeah. It's awesome. Yeah. We get these things. So anyway, I let everybody do their own thing, but I get what you're saying.

SPEAKER_08

Yeah. Yeah. Because you would think where we're at here in in our big dog studios here at our location in Carlomille, is that I know what we bought this for. I know how much I've put into it. And you've seen what it looked like before. Now in today see what it looks like now. And I know that it appraised, and I was really shocked, it appraised double for what we were actually asking to borrow on it. And I was like, okay, so now we had immediate equity in our property, which it doesn't sound like that lenders like to hand out equity all the time.

SPEAKER_04

It appraised after you did okay, okay, yeah.

SPEAKER_08

After I wasn't getting the loan.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, but as different. Yeah. I mean, it's there's a difference because you already owned it. Our house. And so you're getting it appraised after you get it. I'll walk through the our house.

SPEAKER_03

Okay. Where we're at now.

SPEAKER_07

Oh, our house. I do know that.

SPEAKER_03

Father-in-law bought it.

SPEAKER_07

Yes.

SPEAKER_03

It appraised. He had already done it all. It appraised for almost triple what he bought it for. It was going to be a flip house, and they flipped it, and now we're living there. We got it appraised because we were going through the loan process. Yep. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

Appraised lower, didn't it?

SPEAKER_03

Yep. Yep. See, I can't understand.

SPEAKER_08

And see that that's why I question that system. And all right. We won't dive too much into that in this segment.

SPEAKER_04

That could be another time.

SPEAKER_08

It will, because I don't want to bash them because they help the process. I get it.

SPEAKER_05

Well, and there's two different things because you're already the owner. And in your case, there's just different scenarios that goes with each and every one. Because people will go to, they'll go to Zillow or Realtor or Redfin and they'll say, What's my house worth? And they let these things, these algorithms tell them. They haven't seen the inside. People say, Lisa, what do you think the square footage for this house? How much per I'd have to see it. Is it a 200-year-old house or it was this house just built last week? So there's apples and apples. Are we comparing it?

SPEAKER_08

Which uh, and in that case, a 200-year-old house could be worth more than the house was built last week if the house was maintained and in great pristine condition.

SPEAKER_04

Look, I always thought my pond was gonna add value, it takes away. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_08

I tell you, this has been exciting. I've loved getting to know first choice reality pros. Yes, Lisa and Lydia doing this today. I just have one final question. No, it's for you.

SPEAKER_05

Lord.

SPEAKER_08

Because it's like I have your business card in front of me. It's like Arena Doctor's business card. So, you know, Lisa Miller, Illinois licensed realtor, N-A-R-I-A-R-S-I-B-R-M-A-R-I-S, M L S. The only thing I didn't see in there was ZNX. We got the whole alphabet there. Yeah. And A R, National Association of Realtors.

SPEAKER_05

Yep.

SPEAKER_08

IAR, Illinois Association of Realtors. S-I-B-R. Like Albany.

SPEAKER_05

Well, that's our association that we are a part of. Southwestern.

SPEAKER_08

South Southern Illinois, what's the B? S I B R. Southern Illinois badass realtors.

SPEAKER_04

No, I'm a part of the Southwestern's L Southwestern Illinois Board of Realtors. There you go. I just pulled it up too. You have everything except board.

SPEAKER_05

Yeah, board. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

All right. So dash M-A-R-I-S.

SPEAKER_05

Maris.

SPEAKER_08

That's our MLS. Okay. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05

Okay. Yeah.

SPEAKER_08

All right. Awesome. Service. Thank you. See, that wasn't that hard.

SPEAKER_06

I'm impressed. That was good.

SPEAKER_08

I love it. I love it. So I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't mention a little bit about another company. If you're in need of getting your home ready for the market, feel free to reach out to Big Dog Construction, your local window depot, USA at 217-970-7340, and talk to our knowledgeable team members and about how we can help you get your home ready for the market. In closing today, as we close, let's think of your home as a story, one that you're preparing to pass on. The better you prepare, the more compelling that story becomes for buyers. A huge thank you to Lisa Miller and Lydia Emmons for being out here today. Yeah. Sharing your expertise with everyone. Remember, first choice Realty Pros is more than a service. They're a partner in making your transition smooth and successful. So as you plan your next step, know that they have you and have guidance available for you. And thanks for spending your time with us today. This has been great. Love it. Keep dreaming, keep building, and we'll see you next time when we do this. Okay. Thanks for tuning in. If you're ready to find out more about realtors and how they can help you more, do more to help you sell your home or buy, then reach out to Lisa Miller and her team at 217-825-3999. Is that how you like to say that?

SPEAKER_07

I like that.

SPEAKER_08

Or find them on their website at firstchoicerealtypros.com. That's the number one, stchoicerealtypros.com. Or drop us a DM and we'll help you get a hold of them or call us at 217-970-7340. Let's remodel something beautiful together, one home at a time. Until next time, remember, your home doesn't need perfection and needs a plan. If you're unsure where to start, talking to a trusted local professional can save you time, money, and stress. Thanks for listening to Designing the Building Mid-Illanois one home at a time. If this episode helped you, be sure to share it with a friend and remember, good homes aren't built overnight. Stay safe, stay prepared, and keep building a better, stronger home for your family. We'll see you next time.

unknown

Bye.

SPEAKER_00

In the military, there's no such thing as good enough. You either do the job the right way or you don't do it at all. I'm Blake Middleton of Elite Roofing Professionals and Exteriors. I'm a veteran, and I brought the same mission first mindset back to Illinois. While others talk about the way it's always been done, my team focuses on the technical precision of how a roof should be built. We use the best materials, the best technology, and a level of communication you won't find anywhere else. Your home isn't just a job, it's a commitment. Elite roofing, high standards, zero compromise, clear communication.

SPEAKER_02

Give us a call today.com.

SPEAKER_08

Until next time, keep designing and building.

SPEAKER_04

See you soon.

unknown

Big Dog.

SPEAKER_01

This episode was produced by Big Dog Media Group, delivering powerful creative for brands and creators everywhere. If you're looking to take your podcast to the next level or just get started, Big Dog Media Group has you covered. Thanks for listening.