This episode is a special one, Wicked Smart listeners—episode 500! And to mark the occasion, we’re flipping the script. I step into the hot seat while three of our top Wicked Smart Coaches—Russell Ham, Mike Makredes, and Rick Abbiati—take over and put me on the spot with questions that dig deep into the journey, the lessons, and the long game of building a creative real estate business.We cover everything from how I’d start over today, to managing market shifts, scaling with the right hires, and why I believe so strongly in coaching. Whether you’re brand new or you’ve been grinding for years, you’ll hear hard-earned insight and practical tips that can help you go further, faster—with fewer bumps along the way.
Timeline Summary
[0:00] - Introduction
[1:32] - How the creative real estate landscape has shifted—and why adaptability is key
[3:02] - Why market changes don’t mean pivoting entirely, but shifting your approach
[7:03] - The two hires I’d make on day one if I were starting over
[10:32] - What kept me moving forward when everything felt like it was falling apart
[15:45] - Stacking consistent habits vs. chasing shiny objects in real estate
[18:13] - How I decide whether to cash out or hold long-term on a deal
[23:24] - Why owner financing is still my favorite strategy for building wealth
[27:57] - How coaching has impacted the business—and the personal growth of our team
[34:00] - Our coaches share their transformations and biggest breakthroughs
[37:39] - Looking ahead to QLS Live 2025 and what we’re bringing to Boston
5 Key Takeaways:
1. Adaptability is everything: Real estate markets shift, but success comes from knowing how to fish in new ponds—not switching your whole strategy.
2. Start with support: If I had to start over, I’d hire an executive assistant and a VA from day one to stay focused on high-value activities.
3. Stack before you pivot: Master one niche before jumping into another. Consistency always beats jumping from shiny object to shiny object.
4. Coaching isn’t just about deals: Coaching accelerates your growth, sharpens your skills, and gives you the confidence to lead.
5. Owner financing is a wealth builder: It may be harder to understand at first, but when structured right, it delivers six-figure paydays and long-term wins.
LinksReal Estate Junkies:
Coast 2 Coast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-estate-junkies-coast-2-coast/id1747965666
Episode 103: From Full-Time Job, 12 Hour Days to Full-Time Investor, with Mike Makredes
https://sites.libsyn.com/101440/episode-103-from-full-time-job-12-hour-days-to-full-time-investor-with-mike-makredes
Episode 371: Kickstarting Your Career in Creative Real Estate, with Rick Abbiati
https://smartrealestatecoach.com/podcasts/rick-abbiati/
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.