REAL Producers Podcast

The Secret to Raising Your Real Estate Commissions in 2025

Between challenges in the market and the changes to legislation, 2024 wasn’t the easiest time to be in real estate. It’s hardly surprising that we’re expecting a 20% to 40% exit rate of licensed agents. But for some agents, tough markets are actually the best time to grow. Even though the market was at an all time low, some agents have been able to thrive, raise their commissions and grow their market share. How do you join their ranks? When an agent is doing all the right things, buyers and sellers will never bat an eye on hiring you and paying you what you’re worth. 2025 is promising to be a great year with a ton of opportunities for some agents. What do you need to be paying attention to if you want to win over the next 12 months? Has anything good come out of the NAR settlement? How do you raise your commissions this year? In this episode, I’m joined by Broker/Owner and CEO of Lamacchia Realty, Anthony Lamacchia. He shares what it takes to succeed in real estate in today’s market. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -The real impact of the settlement Now that the dust of the buyer agency ruling has started to settle, have any positives come out of it? -How to have staying power in this business Real estate is set to have a 20% to 40% exodus rate. What is the secret to thriving for decades in this industry? -Acquisition vs. opening a new office in a city One of Anthony’s growth strategies is buying real estate companies that have been in the business for 30 to 50 years. Why do they use this strategy instead of opening their own companies in new cities? Guest Bio Anthony Lamacchia is the Broker/Owner and CEO of Lamacchia Realty and Lamacchia Companies: Lamacchia Property Management, Lamacchia Property Development, and Crush It In Real Estate Currently, Anthony spends his time managing the companies, training agents, and strategically planning for the future. Given the size of the Company and its rapid growth, he spends most of his

How Gratitude and Handwritten Notes Fuel Long-Term Real Estate Success

In real estate, you can get away with being a transactional salesperson - going from one deal to the next - for a limited amount of time. At some point, you’ll have to shift to being relational if you want long-term success. Anybody can get one deal…but it takes a completely different skillset to keep a relationship and get business for the rest of someone’s life. There are many ways we can nurture a long-term relationship with clients. Sending out valuable content, giving gifts and hosting client events, but a humble handwritten “thank you” card can actually be more effective than anything else. Gratitude isn’t just a great behavior to train ourselves on, it can give us the competitive advantage in business. How can we use gratitude and handwritten notes to build stronger relationships? How do you consistently show up for the people in your sphere? How do we practice gratitude when we don’t feel like it? In this episode, I’m joined by Mr. Thank You, John Israel. The keynote speaker, author and gratitude coach talks about his journey, sending 1800 cards in a year, and how to shift out of transactional selling. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -What you appreciate wants to duplicate In order to get more out of our relationships, we have to take responsibility for them. How do we reinforce our connection with people? -How to be grateful when you don’t feel like it Gratitude doesn’t come naturally for human beings, so how do we make it a habit? -Go beyond handwritten cards Handwritten cards are a strategic tool to make more connections, but it’s not just about sending out a handwritten card and disappearing. How do we make sure we’re consistent in our care and communication? Guest Bio John Israel is a keynote speaker, author, and founder and Chief Gratitude officer of Mr. Thank You, a consulting firm focused on client and employee retention. John is one of the most sought after speakers and trainers who teaches companies bot

How NAR is Creating Major Opportunities for Agents (And You Might Not Even Know It)

The US real estate industry is unlike any other in the whole world. The speed of the transaction, the number of times people move and the solutions that drive homeownership…these are all opportunities that don't really don’t exist anywhere else. A lot of those opportunities are possible because of the National Association of Realtors. With 1.5 million+ members, NAR has a strong voice on the national stage, and the association has used its considerable influence to drive real value to both the agent community and the consumer. NAR is at the forefront of creating more opportunities for success, doing work agents might not even be aware of. What are some of the solutions NAR has advocated for? How does the association provide value to consumers and agents? In this episode, I’m joined by broker-owner and NAR VP candidate, Colin Mullane. He shares all the work the association is doing, and how the leaders drive value. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Voice of the REALTOR® The US real estate industry offers way more opportunity for success. How does NAR make this possible? Good for agents, good for consumers How does NAR balance advocating for agents while also addressing the needs for buyers and sellers? Supply solves everything Many agents believe that NAR’s asleep at the wheel when it comes to dealing with institutional buyers. How is the association creating a long-term solution? Guest Bio Colin Mullane is a broker-owner of Full Circle Real Estate, in Ashland Oregon and the candidate for VP of NAR First 2026. His journey from the streets of Limerick, Ireland, to becoming a leading voice in American real estate is a story of resilience, hard work, and unwavering commitment. Colin’s journey into real estate governance began with involvement in the local MLS in 2007, going on to serve as its President and the Oregon REALTORS® President. Colin has made significant contributions at the national level including multiple leadership roles, de

Want to Be Your Market’s Real Estate Agent of Choice? Do This…

Success often boils down to one simple question: Are you willing to take the stairs while others look for the escalator? Building a thriving real estate career, growing your personal brand, and achieving true success demands effort most people aren’t willing to put in. The average person chooses the easier path, hoping for shortcuts. But successful agents and investors understand that taking the stairs—doing the hard things others avoid—is what sets them apart. In today’s crowded real estate market, being "just another agent" or investor won’t cut it. Clients don’t choose services; they choose you. A strong personal brand makes you their first choice, builds trust, and creates opportunities others never see. Without it, you’re leaving deals, relationships, and income on the table. New York Times bestselling author of Take The Stairs, Hall of Fame speaker, and Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group, Rory Vaden joins me to talk about the importance of building a personal brand, why it’s crucial to lock in on the one problem you can solve and the one audience you can speak to. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -Stairs vs. escalators Success often requires taking the harder path, like choosing the stairs over the escalator, to build discipline and resilience. What “stairs” could lead to greater growth if you chose them over the easier route? -Trust before transaction Building trust and serving your immediate clients is more valuable than chasing popularity. How can focusing on trust over followers improve success especially in real estate? -The fastest path to warm leads Referrals and presentations are powerful tools for quickly building trust and generating leads in real estate. What strategies can maximize referrals and make presentations more impactful? Guest Bio Rory Vaden is the New York Times bestselling author of Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success and Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Time. He is an

The Walls of the Wigwam: Why Losing Today Is the Key to Winning Tomorrow

What if I told you that the painful failure you’re experiencing isn’t the end of the story but just the middle? My high school basketball coach dared to believe we could take on the best team. Inspired by the story of Jericho, he walked around the massive Wigwam arena for 7 days, praying for a victory. The result? A brutal loss. But that’s not where the story ends. Fast forward a decade, and that same school and the same coach achieved what once seemed impossible. As business owners, we experience setbacks or even total failures, and even though it feels like the end, I want to challenge you to see it differently. Success isn’t about one big win. It’s about how you keep showing up, even when the walls don’t come tumbling down. In this episode, I share the story of my high school basketball coach and how faith and persistence always pay off. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -A lesson in persistence Sometimes we don’t win on the first try. How do we find the motivation to keep trying like my coach did? -Failure isn’t the end When we experience setbacks, it’s easy to think it will always be that way, but are we just in the middle of the story? -Have faith when you fail When my basketball coach first walked around the walls of the Wigwam, he probably seemed crazy. How did it pay off later? About Your Host Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls. Follow the show on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don't miss a single inspiring episode! Start a Real Producers Magazine in YOUR Market! Learn more about franchise opportunities at realproducersmag.com

From Bankrupt to #1 Real Estate Agent: How To Rise From Rock Bottom

Imagine going from earning $700k, getting all the accolades and being able to afford whatever you want to the brink of bankruptcy. Hiding your Range Rover from the repo man, your own home going into foreclosure and counting every penny. Back in 2008, that was enough for many real estate agents to throw in the towel and leave the industry. For Michelle Fermin failure wasn’t an option. It’s easy to feel like giving up is the only option when everything starts to crumble, but here’s the truth: when things get tough, it’s time to pivot. It’s time to get creative and adapt. The only way out is through—by doubling down, working harder, and pushing forward with a new strategy. When hard times hit, how do you turn it all around? How do you pivot with purpose and execute at a higher level than you ever thought possible? In this episode, team lead at Century 21 North East - Fermin Group Michelle Fermin joins me to talk about her rise, fall and journey back to top agent. We also talk about the importance of personal touch, going back to basics when needed and why it's more important to collaborate than compete in the world of real estate. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -Back to basics A strong foundation in real estate is built on solid relationships and asking the right questions. Why is it so important to always go back to the basics that build a foundation? -Asking the difficult questions Facing fears and asking tough questions is essential in real estate, especially during challenging times like bankruptcy. How can confronting your biggest fears help you make smarter decisions in tough situations? -Top 10 vs number 1 The difference between the top 10 and number 1 in real estate often lies in consistency, innovation, and exceptional client service. What does it take to gain that number 1 spot? Guest Bio Michelle Fermin is a growth and accountability driven leader to a top producing team in the country. The Fermin Group, is currently composed

The One Advantage Agents will ALWAYS Have Over AI

Real estate has always been a human-first business but that might be changing soon. As AI becomes more deeply ingrained in our daily lives, everyone wants to know one thing: can AI mimic the very qualities that define us and make us great at our jobs? Can it simulate the self-awareness, empathy, adaptability, and genuine connection of human beings? Not yet. While AI can certainly support real estate professionals, there are human qualities it can never replicate. The challenge for agents and leaders is mastering those human skills while leveraging AI to do everything else more efficiently. How can we use our human qualities to build stronger connections with clients? What steps can we take to develop the skills that AI can’t mimic? In this clip, I’m joined by the founder of MindShift Labs, Mike Lee. We talk about why the future of real estate is still human and how to use our humanity as an advantage in the real estate industry. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -Your story matters As a real estate leader, sharing your personal story can create a space where others feel understood and valued. How can opening up about our own experiences encourage others to share theirs? -Communication, connection and challenges. A common mistake real estate leaders make is challenging individuals before building a genuine connection. How does this undermine trust and motivation and what can we do instead? -Connect with yourself first. Building a strong connection with yourself lays the foundation for meaningful relationships with others. How can deepening self-connection enhance your relationships with those around you? Guest Bio Mike Lee is the founder of MindShift Labs, a company dedicated to helping leaders, athletes, and entrepreneurs enhance their performance through mental resilience and emotional intelligence. Drawing from his expertise in high-performance psychology and leadership development, Mike works with individuals and teams to cultivate a "min

How to Escape the Production Trap and Build a $1B Expansion Empire

There are two ways to maximize your income as a real estate agent. You can stay in production, hold onto the entire transaction and never experience the time freedom this business offers. Or you can relinquish the transaction, get your time back and earn money through leverage and expansion. For the short-sighted, option 1 works, but that’s how we end up with agents who are stuck selling real estate longer than they need to. The agents who give up money for more time have balance and a sustainable career trajectory in the business. Rob Ellerman chose the second option, and grew his income through expansion teams instead of production, and today he’s closing in on $1 billion in volume. What drove him to build his business this way? Why is a slow market such a good time to double down on advertising? How can team leaders provide value to their agents? In this episode, I’m joined by entrepreneur, expansion team leader and the first Real Producer cover in Kansas City, Rob Ellerman. He shares why he took a different path to growth, marketing strategies and the biggest mistake agents make. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -A Warren Buffett approach to expansion Typically when agents do expansion teams, they expand within the same brokerage brand. Why does Rob expand through different brands in different locations? -Time to double down on advertising In a recession, most agents will back out of paying for billboard advertising. Why is this actually the best time to pay for it? -The problem with growing through production The majority of real estate agents would pick a higher commission check over time freedom. Does this set them up for a trap later on? Guest Bio Rob Ellerman is a real estate leader, entrepreneur and owner of the Rob Ellerman Team with The ReeceNichols Company. With expansion teams in several cities, Rob’s Team earns over $800 million annually and is one of the fastest growing real estate teams in the country. The Rob Ellerma

Impact vs. Income: Why Coaching Is the Ultimate Real Estate Pivot

Many agents enter the industry thinking it’s all about selling. But, over time, some discover a higher calling—coaching. While selling helps individuals, coaching impacts entire communities, creating bigger opportunities for everyone involved. It’s a shift that takes your real estate career to a new level, allowing you to make a lasting difference in people’s lives. The pivot from selling to coaching isn’t just about you, it’s about expanding your reach. As a coach, you help others in your world achieve more than they ever thought possible. The transition from selling to coaching may seem daunting, but it can be the game-changer you need. Coaching allows you to unlock your potential in a way that traditional selling can’t (and unlock potential in others). Imagine the satisfaction of empowering others while creating bigger opportunities for yourself and those in your network. How could helping others succeed redefine your own success? How do we recognize when it's time to pivot from simply selling to becoming a catalyst for change? In this episode, Operating Principal at Keller Williams Realty, Inc Tara Smith joins me to talk about coaching as a pathway to greater fulfillment and impact, what the pivot form selling to coaching looks like and her journey to being a 4x franchise owner. We also talk about the importance of mindset when it comes to success and how to get rid of our own limiting beliefs. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -Why top producers are struggling Top producers are struggling because they're surrounded by people who don't align with their goals or provide the right support. How can you connect with people who enhance your success? -Make more money, give more money Increasing your income through real estate allows you to give back more generously, creating a positive impact on your community and beyond. How can we make more to give more? -Impact on a larger scale Effective real estate coaching empowers agents and creates

Quick throwback to our first ever episode! We've come a long way since then. Who was your favorite guest so far?

Why Your Real Estate Business Isn’t Attracting Clients (And How to Fix It)

Building something that stands the test of time takes immense dedication and vision. Think about cathedrals—centuries of labor and craftsmanship have resulted in breathtaking structures that draw people from all corners of the world. Why? Because they're built with purpose, detail, and a legacy in mind. In the realm of real estate, this principle holds immense power. How can we create something that not only serves a function but also attracts the very clients we want to serve? So many businesses and real estate companies struggle to attract the right clients or tenants. We pour time and energy into it, but it just doesn't have that pull that makes people come to us effortlessly. How do we create something that stands the test of time? What if, instead of constantly chasing clients or buyers, we could create a business or product that naturally attracts the people we want to serve, like cathedrals attract visitors? In this clip, I'm joined by creative executive, founder, and best-selling author Jay Papasan to discuss how to create something that not only attracts the people you want to serve but also resonates deeply with your target audience. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -Identifying what actually matters In life and business alike, we have to be able to identify priorities and give it all our time and resources until it takes off. Why is it so important to give our priorities our all and do what needs to be done. -Read for what you need Focused reading helps us efficiently gain the knowledge and skills relevant to current goals. How can we tailor our reading habits to better align with personal or professional needs? -Why we have to give to grow Giving and investing in others strengthens connections and cultivates personal fulfillment. How can cultivating a habit of generosity impact our relationships and overall well-being? Guest Bio Jay Papasan is a best selling author who serves as the Vice President of Strategic Content for Keller Williams

Top REALTORS® Are Waiting for the Next Recession… Here’s Why

The current market is throwing challenge after challenge at real estate professionals - market downturns, inflation, interest rates and commission changes. It can feel overwhelming to face it all at once. But here’s the truth: top-producing real estate agents have faced similar challenges before and come out victorious. Those who thrived through the 2008 recession learned to expect the unexpected. They weren’t caught off guard when the market shifted—they anticipated it, prepared for the worst, and stayed ahead. How can we prepare for the shift that’s about to hit us? How does anticipation and expectation of the worst take away the shock value? Does this help us gain control of the situation? In this episode, director of product growth at Real Producers Magazine Bobby Wright joins me to talk about navigating the uncertain real estate market and why the best agents actually wait for a challenging market. We also share our key takeaways for ending on strong note in 2024 and going into 2025 with a solid game plan. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode -Easy come, easy go The easier it is to attain money in real estate and in life in general, the easier it is to lose it. Why is it that people lose respect for money when it’s easy to get? -All the right moves In today's world, we need to be able to make the right moves regardless of how the market is doing. Why is it important to continue to uphold and support those around us even when times are tough? -The value of networking Every top-producing agent knows the value of networking with other agents. How does this help build success? -The power of storytelling In order for clients to know, like and trust us, they have to know our story. How is storytelling a powerful tool when it comes to closing deals? Guest Bio Bobby Wright is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in leadership and business development across various industries. He currently serves as the Product Growth Director for Re