Rethink Real Estate

3 Creative Real Estate Deal Structures to Boost Your Income in Any Market with Chris Prefontaine | Rethink Real Estate S4E58

In this eye-opening episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady sits down with Chris Prefontaine, Chairman and Founder of Smart Real Estate Coach, to unpack the strategies behind creative deal structures that work in any market. Chris shares how his team and community across 80+ markets are using owner financing, lease purchase, and subject-to transactions to close deals—often without needing massive capital or perfect credit.Chris breaks down exactly how each structure works, the pitfalls to avoid, and why these methods are becoming essential knowledge for real estate agents in a shifting market. From building new income streams without bank loans, to converting listings that would otherwise expire, this episode reveals how agents can position themselves as problem-solvers and generate revenue beyond traditional commissions.You’ll also hear how the Smart Real Estate Coach community partners directly in deals—coaching members through transactions from start to finish—and why the average time to first deal is just 157 days. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn more of the opportunities that cross your desk into actual income (even the ones that don’t fit the MLS mold), this conversation will flip the switch.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Introduction to Chris Prefontaine & Smart Real Estate Coach[00:02:08] – The mixed sentiment across 80+ U.S. real estate markets[00:04:20] – Defining “creative real estate” and why Chris shifted to it after 2008[00:06:22] – The three core structures: owner financing, lease purchase, subject-to[00:07:16] – Why principal-only payments can be a recession hedge[00:08:29] – How lease purchase deals lock in control without taking title[00:09:11] – Subject-to explained (and the truth about the due-on-sale clause)[00:12:29] – How Smart Real Estate Coach trains and partners on deals[00:15:21] – Opportunities in a longer-days-on-market environment[00:16:22] – How to start creative deal-making with zero experience[00:18:15] – Structuring community membership for hands-on deal guidance[00:20:34] – Monetizing creative real estate: timelines and income potential[00:22:21] – Case study: government employee to six figures in 24 months[00:23:32] – Chris’s 2025 focus: reducing time to first deal for members🔗 Related Resources Below:📚 Get Chris’s free book: https://wickedsmartbooks.com/rethink📺 Watch Smart Real Estate Coach deal structures on YouTube:  @wickedsmartinc 🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Chris Prefontaine & Smart Real Estate Coach:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisprefontaine/https://smartrealestatecoach.com/https://www.instagram.com/chrisprefontaine_/https://www.facebook.com/CHRISPRE/https://www.youtube.com/user/smartrealestatecoach🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣ ⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣ ⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣ ⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎯 Subscribe for more industry insights, and don’t forget to like, follow, or comment with your thoughts on creative deal-making in real estate!

We Reviewed 120,000 Listings — Here’s What Real Estate Agents Need to Know | Rethink Real Estate S4E57

In this special solo episode of Rethink Real Estate, Ben Brady unpacks the seismic shifts he’s seen across North America’s real estate landscape in July. After reviewing over 120,000 listings last quarter, Ben reflects on a key turning point: a major sentiment shift among agents and sellers, signaling a broader acceptance of the market for what it is—not what people wish it was.From Florida to Boulder to Menlo Park, Ben shares hard-hitting case studies that highlight both the wins and the honest reality of today’s seller expectations. He breaks down how agents are getting clarity (not just contracts), why “help” is Harcourts Auctions’ new rally cry, and the surprising trend of listings coming off the market entirely—because the process delivered the truth sellers needed.Whether you’re seeing stalled listings, frustrated clients, or just trying to understand how to build trust and results in this market, Ben’s breakdown will leave you with insight, inspiration, and a no-BS roadmap for what’s working—and what isn’t—right now.⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Why July Felt Like a Major Sentiment Shift[00:01:16] – Analyzing 120,000 Listings & Response Rates[00:03:05] – The New Agent-Seller Relationship Dynamic[00:05:06] – Our New Company Theme: Help Over Hype[00:06:08] – Florida, Menlo Park, Boulder: Case Study Results[00:09:04] – What We Learn from the Auctions That Didn’t Sell[00:11:53] – The 4th Phase of Auction: Clarity for Sellers🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎧 Like, follow, and subscribe to help us keep the podcast growing. If this episode helped reframe your thinking, share it with a colleague who needs a data-first mindset.#RethinkRealEstate #BenBrady #AuctionRealEstate #MarketUpdate

How This 24-Year-Old Built a $10M Real Estate Business from Scratch in Phoenix, AZ | Rethink Real Estate S4E56

Ben Brady sits down with Tyler Davis, founder of Met Group Real Estate in Phoenix, Arizona. At just 24 years old, Tyler shares his unconventional journey—from moving away from everything familiar at age 18 to diving headfirst into the Phoenix market and building a $10 million business in one of the most challenging real estate landscapes in the U.S.Tyler gives a candid look at navigating a market ranked #2 in price reductions nationwide, adapting to shifting buyer demographics, and balancing the nuances between luxury estates and starter homes. He dives deep into his client-first mindset, referral-based growth, and why he’s cautious about rapidly expanding his team. Plus, Tyler shares his vision beyond real estate and why he sees himself moving on from the industry within five years.Whether you’re new to the game or looking for fresh perspective on resilience and adaptation, Tyler’s story offers practical insights and inspiration for building a listing-focused business in today’s market.⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Tyler’s Journey: Starting Real Estate at 19 & Moving to Phoenix[00:01:47] – Market Reality: Navigating Phoenix’s Price Reduction Surge[00:05:18] – Shifting Seller Conversations & Building Trust[00:08:05] – Marketing That Moves Properties in Any Market Condition[00:10:11] – Defining His Niche: $750K–$2M Bread & Butter[00:13:01] – Early Entrepreneurship & Lessons from Failure[00:16:53] – Building & Managing a Small, Organic Team[00:21:09] – Pricing Sellers & Managing Motivation[00:22:14] – Year-End Goals & $10M Production Outlook[00:23:22] – Looking Ahead: Tyler’s Five-Year Plan Beyond Real Estate🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Tyler Davis and Met Group Real Estate:https://metgroupre.com/https://www.instagram.com/tylerdavisrealty/https://www.youtube.com/@UCPQDahV3cozncL2l1N60RsA https://www.instagram.com/metgroupre/https://www.instagram.com/luxecarsandcoffee/🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣ ⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣ ⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣ ⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎧 Like, follow, and subscribe to support Rethink Real Estate and catch more insider real estate strategies from leaders like Tyler and Ben.

Best Blueprint for Building a Scalable Real Estate Business in 2025 | Rethink Real Estate S4E55

In this solo episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady flips the script on what it really means to be a modern real estate agent in 2025. Forget the old-school mindset of chasing transactions. Ben argues that your real job now? Data analyst. The most valuable currency in today’s market isn’t listings — it’s information. And most agents are missing the mark entirely.Ben dives into why names, phone numbers, emails, and detailed segmentation should be your primary KPI. He breaks down practical, no-fluff ways to gather more local data — from tweaking your open house strategy to cold prospecting with a fresh lens. This episode isn’t about fancy CRMs or complicated systems. It’s about rethinking the fundamentals: How much opportunity do you actually have in your database?Whether you’re a new agent or a seasoned top producer, this is the reset button you didn’t know you needed. Ben shows how expanding your data inputs expands your income — and why volume is the byproduct of consistency, not luck.⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Why Real Estate Agents Are Actually Data Analysts[00:01:06] – Your Database Is the New Commodity[00:02:16] – The Metric That Matters More Than GCI[00:03:03] – Open House Tactics That Actually Work[00:04:30] – Stop Giving Out Brochures (And Do This Instead)[00:05:48] – Reframing Cold Prospecting as Data Refinement[00:08:40] – The Real Reason You’re Not Doing More Deals🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit:www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎧 Like, follow, and subscribe to help us keep the podcast growing. If this episode helped reframe your thinking, share it with a colleague who needs a data-first mindset.#RethinkRealEstate #BenBrady #RealEstatePodcast #RealtorTips #HarcourtsAuctions #RealEstateMarketing #LeadGeneration #AgentMindset #DataDrivenAgent #ModernRealtor

Adam Hergenrother on Why Hustle Culture Is Killing Real Estate Agents | Rethink Real Estate S4E54

In this powerhouse episode of Rethink Real Estate, Ben Brady is joined by Adam Hergenrother — founder of Adam Hergenrother Companies and one of the boldest voices in real estate leadership today. Adam pulls no punches on what it really takes to scale a real estate empire without losing yourself in the process. From managing nearly 1,000 agents to building multiple businesses under one roof, he shares why the inner game of leadership matters more than ever in 2025.Adam breaks down why hustle culture is broken, how stillness fuels better decision-making, and why your personal growth is directly tied to your business’s growth. He and Ben discuss everything from the neuroscience of leadership to tactical systems for letting go of control without sacrificing standards. Whether you're an individual agent, team leader, or CEO, this conversation will challenge how you lead, hire, scale — and show up.They also dive into the shifting real estate landscape, including the future of brokerage models, why most “top producer” metrics are misleading, and how to design a business that serves your life (not the other way around). It's one of the most honest, high-level conversations we've had on the podcast — and you’ll want to hit replay.⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Adam’s Origin Story & Building a Multi-Business Ecosystem[00:03:14] – Why Stillness Is a Superpower in Leadership[00:08:30] – The Real Reason Most Agents Burn Out[00:11:42] – How to Scale Without Micromanaging[00:16:18] – Rethinking Brokerage Models in 2025[00:19:27] – Why “Top Producer” Metrics Are Often a Lie[00:24:45] – Building a Life-Centric Real Estate Business🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Adam Hergenrother:https://adamhergenrother.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhergenrother/https://www.instagram.com/adamhergenrother/https://a.co/d/fRb4egy🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣ ⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣ ⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣ ⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎧 Subscribe, rate, and drop a comment if this episode made you rethink your leadership or business model. Share with someone building big — but doing it the hard way.