Girl, Get Your Face Off A Bus Bench: Real Estate Marketing Only Better

  Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream, but for many, it remains just that—a dream. The First Generation Homebuyer Loan Program is changing the narrative, and we've got the inside scoop straight from the experts.   This week our guest is Heidi Welch from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and we sat down to discuss a groundbreaking opportunity for first-time homebuyers. Heidi has over a decade of experience with the state, and she sheds light on the details of the program, its goals, and how it's set to help bridge the housing disparity gap in Minnesota.   For listeners outside Minnesota, the episode is equally enlightening. Nearly every state has a housing finance organization, and Heidi encourages homebuyers to explore these wherever you are. It is important to choose the right loan officer that can better inform you about these life-changing opportunities. Heidi emphasizes the critical role of homebuyer education and the wealth of resources available to those willing to seek them out and how Realtors can help to better inform their clients.    We found this conversation incredibly eye opening and informative and we are grateful Heidi took the time to share this information with us. Let’s dive in!

Have you ever caught yourself staring at a closet full of clothes yet feeling like you have nothing to wear? Or perhaps you've been at a networking event, feeling the urge to connect with someone but held back by the thought, "Do they even want to talk to me?" If these scenarios sound familiar, you're not alone, and this podcast episode is for you.   In our latest episode, we're tackling the hefty concept of scarcity versus abundance. It's not just about money or possessions; it's about how you view the world and your place in it. From the fear of missing out on sales to the guilt of indulging in a cupcake, we cover how a scarcity mindset can manifest in our daily lives. But it's not all about the struggles. We also delve into the joys and freedom that come with an abundance mindset. So, if you're ready to give yourself a loving kick in the pants and embrace a life of abundance, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s dive in!

In the competitive real estate market, it's easy to succumb to scarcity thinking, constantly comparing yourself to others. But what if success isn't found in competition, but in camaraderie and community? Our conversation this week delves into this idea with Rosie Choromanski, otherwise known as Rosie the Realtor.   We met Rosie through her Instagram page, and took our online relationship and turned it into a real life friendship. In spite of being at different brokerages we were able to collaborate and form a great working relationship as well. Rosie is a refreshing and authentic presence on social media, and we love that she uses her platform to spread positivity. In this conversation Rosie opens up about her life beyond selling houses. She talks about her passion for DIY projects, her love for her home, and her exciting new venture into writing a children's book. This is an uplifting conversation, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Let’s dive in!

We recently had the opportunity to chat with Falen Bonsett, prominent radio personality known for her dynamic presence on the Dave Ryan in the Morning Show on KDWB and now for her own show in the afternoon called, Falen and Colt. We delved into her experiences as a woman in the male-dominated radio industry and her journey as a mother balancing it all. Falen shared insights into the challenges she faced as a female broadcaster, from breaking stereotypes to earning respect in a field dominated by men. Despite obstacles, her passion and determination carried her forward, earning her a well-deserved place in the industry. In a world where representation matters, Falen Bonsett serves as an inspiration for aspiring female broadcasters and mothers alike. Her story is a testament to the power of authenticity and perseverance. This was such a fun conversation and we are so excited to share it with you. Let’s dive in! You can find Falen on Instagram @falenkdwb and @falenandcolt and you can check out her podcast, I’m Still Fun with Jenny AJ Monsour.

Are you putting a lot of effort into your social media marketing and struggling to convert your social media audience into leads and sales? This is a real struggle for many freelancers and small business owners, and something we are always tweaking and working on. Moving your social media audience onto your email list can be the key to upleveling your business, but that can be easier said than done. How do we get there? It could be with contests or giveaways, or maybe it’s a special guide or discount code. Something to entice them and bring them into your inner circle. Once you’ve got them on your email list you have direct access to your target audience without the interference from algorithms and the latest trends. And let us not forget the most important part. You own your email list, you don’t own your followers! This week we are diving into all our tips and tricks for increasing your email subscribers from your social media platforms and converting them into sales. Let’s dive in! 

The real estate industry can be competitive and at times isolating. Whether you are a solo agent or you are on a big team, having a sense of community can make all the difference in your success, and really your overall happiness and well being. Building relationships with other Realtors can be a great source of shared knowledge and mutual support and can truly serve to strengthen your business. We started this podcast to build a longer table and this week we have three awesome Realtor friends Julie Desrochers, Allie Walsh, and Melissa Clawson to talk about the importance of community over competition and how we can mutually benefit from working as partners and collaborators in our industry. Pull up a seat, this is like meeting some of your favorite Realtor gal pals for happy hour. Let’s dive in!   You can find Julie Julie Desrochers at https://drealtyg.com/ and on IG @drealtyg   You find Melissa Clawson at https://www.clawsonhomegroup.com/ and on IG @melissa_clawson_realtor   You can find Allie Walsh on IG @agent_allie

You’ve been asking, and we’ve been listening. Introducing our FIRST EVER MASTERMIND workshop, launching on Wednesday, April 17th. This 6-week workshop-style course is designed to roll up our sleeves and dive deep into the process of building a brand that converts. Each week, we'll explore a specific topic aimed at empowering you to elevate your real estate business. In this week's episode, we break down the mastermind course and spill all the juicy details. We've all been in masterminds where we felt talked at rather than truly engaged. Not here. Our mastermind is jam-packed with valuable content, actionable steps, and by the end of the course, you'll have a brand strategy that resonates with your authentic self, ready to be put into action immediately. So, are you ready to level up your business? Let's embark on this transformative journey together. It's time to make your business dreams a reality!

The recent news about the NAR lawsuit and settlement has been just about everywhere lately. After the settlement was reached you couldn’t open up any major news website and not see a story about it. Naturally there has been a lot of uncertainty and concern about what this means for buyers and sellers, as well as how Realtors and brokers will be affected. It’s been touted as a big win for buyers and sellers, and the death knell for Realtors and brokers. If you’re freaking out you may want to give this a listen first. This week we are going to offer some perspective on why the sky isn’t falling and why this could actually be a good thing for the real estate business on all sides of the transaction. Let’s dive in!

Are you a woman who's suddenly found herself struggling with hot flashes, unexplained weight gain, or feeling 'ragey' without a clue why? You're not alone, and it's time to talk about it. Welcome to the world of perimenopause and menopause, a not often talked about and misunderstood phase in a woman's life. But fear not, because this week we are here to shed some light on this subject. Our guest is Janell Yule, the co-owner and Chief Nutrition Officer at The Transformation Club.    Janell shares all about the critical role gut health plays in your overall well-being, how to manage stress, and why strength training and walking might just be the best exercise for you at this stage. But it's not all about physical health. Janell and Beth touch on the importance of sleep, mindset, and having a gratitude practice.    This episode is not just informative; it's a call to action for every woman to take charge of her health. It's about understanding that you're not destined to suffer through menopause. With the right knowledge and tools, you can thrive. So, why wait? Listen to the episode now and start your journey to a healthier, happier you. It's time to embrace this stage of life with confidence and say goodbye to the days of confusion and discomfort. Your body is speaking to you; it's time to listen. Let’s dive in!

What are your feelings about Facebook? Love it? Hate it? Barely use it? While it doesn’t necessarily feel like it, Facebook is still the largest social media platform with over 3 billion monthly active users. That is over 37% of the entire world population and over 57% of the world's internet users. This means of all the social media platforms, leveraging Facebook for growth in your business is statistically going to get you the most attention.  If you are anything like us, Facebook is not where you were placing the majority of your focus. This is a mistake. If you dig even further into the numbers about demographics, users, and advertising, Facebook looks like an increasingly powerful tool for your marketing strategies. And with Facebook it’s not just ads, you can take advantage of participation and activity in groups, connect with entirely different audiences from your other channels, and present yourself and the information you are sharing in a different format from the other popular apps like Instagram and TikTok. This week we are going to dive into some of the ways that we are approaching Facebook and why it’s going to be getting even more of our attention going forward. Let’s dive in!   We are so excited to announce our first ever FREE live webinar on Wednesday, April 3rd where we will break down how to create a real estate brand that converts and grows your business without wasting money on online leads. Grab your seat at www.busbenchbabes.com/convert  

Have you heard about house hacking? If you are not familiar with this term, house hacking has typically involved buying a multi family dwelling and living in one unit while renting out the other units. It has become an increasingly popular practice in the Financial Independence movement, and is a great way to build wealth with real estate.    This week we have Conor Hesch from Closing With Conor, a mortgage expert with Bell Bank Mortgage in the Minneapolis area, to talk about his personal journey through the world of house hacking. He’s been at it for a long time, and leveraged the equity in his first duplex to acquire more properties and has now leveraged all of his real estate holdings to buy his dream house on Lake Minnetonka. It all started with purchasing a duplex and renting out half of it! This is an educational and inspiring conversation diving into the investing strategy known as house hacking. Conor is passionate about this subject and loves to educate and encourage others on their own journey. This episode is one not to miss. Let’s dive in!

Email marketing is one of, if not, the most effective way for you to reach out to your clients no matter what your business is. You own your email list, and it’s not dependent on algorithms or the latest trends. This is truly powerful stuff. In the present age where entrepreneurs are so often trying to use social media to grow their following and generate attention, the email list can be overlooked even though it is without question the better ROI. We hear far too often from Realtors, and friends in other businesses that they are not sending regular emails, and many times it’s just because they are too paralyzed by the overwhelm of starting. This week we’ve got you covered with 10 email topics that you can use and press send TODAY. If you aren’t going hard on email marketing there is no time like the present to get this going. Let’s dive in!

Are you dumping thousands of dollars into online leads that aren’t converting? Or maybe you are converting leads and you want to build a more organic and sustainable business without them. We are just going to come out and say it - you don’t need online leads to be successful! Far too often agents get hung up on thinking they need to be paying for leads to have success, and it’s just not true. In fact there are many other ways to have a much better ROI.    Many agents are skipping the basics that are foundational to a real estate agent’s success and instead they tell themselves they need online leads. What if you tried working more on your current database instead of writing a check for leads that may not ever convert? You can be more than just a “one and done” Realtor by building and nurturing your past clients. What does that look like? It means serving your clients at the highest level so that they come back again and again, and refer you to family and friends. You want to be front of mind when someone in your sphere of influence needs a Realtor and this week we are going to dive into all of our strategies for generating leads without buying them from Zillow. Let’s dive in! 

You may not hear it very often, but did you know that there are downsides to lower interest rates? Yes, you heard that correct, lower interest rates might not be in your best interest, literally. Our guest this week, Jennifer Butcher of GO Mortgage, makes a case for why low rates actually have a negative impact on the market, and how the current rates can actually work in your favor. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines because of the current rates she just might make you rethink that. Jennifer shoots it to us straight and provides real life scenarios that apply to you as a buyer or seller, and also as a Realtor facing objections about interest rates. Jennifer also shares the financial implications of renting a home vs buying a home, and the positive benefits of home ownership no matter where the rates are. You just might walk away from this episode viewing home ownership through a much wider lens than just what interest rate you lock in at, and consider its larger impact on building wealth and security in your life. Jennifer has been in the business a long time, is a treasure trove of knowledge, and she is a fantastic educator. We are so excited to share this with you. Let’s dive in!

I don’t know about you but sometimes mornings can turn into chaos and it can feel like you are fighting off overwhelm before you even get a chance to jump into work for the day. We all want to be more productive, more efficient, and have more time for ourselves to enjoy life, but it can feel like swimming upstream. If you want to cut down on the stress and take back your day it is necessary to develop strategies for how your time is allocated. Creating a routine and developing some simple habits can make all the difference in every area of your life.  Kristi loves, well let’s be honest, she’s obsessed with diving into all things productivity and this week she is going to share some of her top tips to help you get your morning off to a good start, and how to carry that into having a productive day filled with ease, even when a curveball gets thrown your way! Let’s dive in! 

Last week’s episode was all about preparing to buy a house in the spring market. But what if you’re selling? Fear not, we’ve got you covered. This week we are sharing our top tips on what to do if you are looking at selling your home this spring.  When you are planning to sell your home you can never start the conversation too early and this week’s episode will give you all the time you need to get everything with your house in order, find a trusted lender, find a Realtor you love, and do some organizing and purging if needed. You can hold off on doing any major home improvements until your Realtor sees your home. They can give you guidance on how to make the best decisions on preparing your home and might even save you some money.  Many buyers that were waiting for interest rates to drop are getting off the sidelines and we are expecting this to be a great time to sell your home. You won’t want to miss our tips on how to prepare your home for the spring 2024 market. Let’s dive in! 

Alright BusBenchBabes, it’s almost here. The spring market. Many potential homebuyers chose to sit out during 2023 due to the high interest rates. The large number of homeowners sitting on historically low rates also had a dramatic effect on home sales due to the relatively low available inventory throughout the year. We were faced with a kind of stalemate. But with rates creeping down in 2024 we are starting to see things pick up already.    Our first listing at The BPR Experience went into multiple offers, and we are expecting to see a busy spring and summer. This week on the podcast we are sharing 5 things you need to know if you’re thinking about buying a house this year, or if you are a Realtor working with buyers, things your clients need to know. We are sharing our top tips to help prepare you to successfully navigate the spring market. Let’s dive in!

Here in Minnesota it doesn’t feel like the spring real estate market is right around the corner, but the Super Bowl is kind of the unofficial kickoff to the spring market and that’s just a couple weeks away. With interest rates coming down a little bit, the buyer demand is starting to increase, and before you know it we will be in full swing of the busy season. Before we reach the busiest time of the year it’s important to make sure you’ve got processes in place and your life dialed in so that you don’t come skidding into the end of 2024 looking like you’ve been through the ringer.    What does that look like? It could be setting a good morning routine, making sure you have “you” time scheduled, and prioritizing ways to fill your own cup. As for your business it could be making sure you’ve got client events planned, looking to outsource some tasks so you can free up more time, updating your website and so many other behind the scenes details that tend to go to the back burner when you’re busy closing deals. This week Beth is going to cover all the things you should make sure to plan while you’ve got time so you have the best year that you can personally and professionally. Let’s dive in! 

It’s the time of year where it seems like everyone is talking about resolutions, intentions and what’s ahead in 2024. New Year, new you, right? But what if you already like you the way you are? You don’t have to throw out everything about yourself just because you threw out last year's calendar and planner. The new year can be about growth, and learning, and planning and you don’t have to throw out anything. Instead, how about adding to how amazing you already are and ditching the things that no longer serve you?    This week we are chatting all about goals and intentions for 2024, and how you can decide what those are going to be. The new year is a great time to reflect on who we are, who we've been in the last year, what we are proud of, what served us most and what didn’t. You’ll never know how far you’ve come unless you look back once in a while, right? Don’t forget to grab the tissues, this one gets a little emotional, and get ready for one of our favorite shows of the year!  Let’s dive in!

Happy New Year to everyone! This year was full of progress and growth for all of us on the podcast and the BPR Experience and we are excited for what 2024 has in store for us. We hope the start of this new year finds you well and it is full of good things for all of you. We are grateful for everyone that tunes in to listen each week. So thank you all!    We always have fun doing this show and taking a minute to look back on the year that’s past. This week we are doing our year in review and going over our favorite shows, and playing highlights from each show. In case you missed them, be sure to go back and check them out! Let’s dive in!