Real Talk with Leigh Brown

Why Small-Town America Gets Left Behind After Disasters

Small towns don’t just recover slower after disaster—they’re often forgotten altogether. In this episode, Leigh Brown exposes the deep inequalities she’s witnessed firsthand in Western North Carolina’s long road to recovery. From government red tape to rising property taxes, this is a raw look at what happens when working-class communities are pushed to the margins.   Key takeaways to listen for Why disaster relief often favors urban areas over rural ones The hidden financial toll of rebuilding for low-income, generational homeowners How property tax hikes after disaster can force people off their land The overlooked role of elitism in disaster planning and recovery Why preserving small-town economies and culture is essential to America’s future   Resources mentioned in this episode American Red Cross Samaritan's Purse   Are you ready to make a difference? Go to https://www.patriotrelief.org to learn more.   Connect with Leigh Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

VA Home Loans in 2025: Myths, Facts, and Game-Changing Updates with John Bell III

VA loans are faster, smarter, and more competitive than ever, so why are real estate pros still missing the mark? John Bell III, head of the VA Home Loan Program, joins us to drop major updates, debunk industry myths, and explain why VA buyers are winning in today’s market. If you serve Veterans or want to dominate the real estate game in 2025, this episode is for you!   Key takeaways to listen for Why 2025 is the strongest year yet for VA Home Loan volume How the VA’s digital platform is enabling agents to advocate for Veterans Ways the VA completes appraisals in under 7 business days Who qualifies for VA loans in 2025? Where to get the VA Home Loan Toolkit every pro should be using   Resources mentioned in this episode VA Home Loans Real Estate Professionals VA Home Loan Toolkit VA Home Loan Guidance on Natural Disasters Rebuilding Hope: How the VA Supports Veterans After Disasters – A Conversation with John Bell Navigating VA Loan Changes: Expert Insights from John Bell III What You Need To Know About VA Home Loans RIGHT NOW with John Bell III   Find direct support through the VA Loan Guaranty Service, whether you're a Veteran, agent, or lender. Submit a ticket via https://benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/contact.asp or call their toll-free line for fast, reliable answers.   About John Bell IIIJohn Bell III began serving as Executive Director of the Loan Guaranty Service on June 21, 2022. He is responsible for delivering VA Home Loan Benefits to his fellow Veterans. Mr. Bell has extensive mortgage industry experience, having served in leadership roles with nationwide lenders for over 20 years before starting his career with the VA in 2010. Mr. Bell's top priorities are ensuring that VA home loan benefits are the product of choice for Veterans and that Loan Guaranty is the VA program of choice for his 900 talented staff.   Connect with Leigh Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

We’ve Rebranded! Say Hello to Real Talk with Leigh Brown

Crazy Sh*t in Real Estate just got a glow-up - welcome to Real Talk with Leigh Brown! From deals that go off the rails to lessons you didn’t see coming, Leigh brings you unfiltered conversations with pros who’ve been deep in the trenches. Same wild stories. Same hard-earned wisdom. Same bold personality. Just with a name that’s a little easier to say out loud. Subscribe now to keep hearing the stories real estate pros talk about behind closed doors.   Connect with Leigh Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.   Sponsors "You Ask. Leigh Answers." Your Affordable Coaching Program Hey there, real estate pros! Are you ready for some more Leigh Brown wisdom in your life? Then don't miss out on my brand-new program, "You Ask. Leigh Answers." It's your exclusive gateway to the insights and advice you need to supercharge your real estate business. With "You Ask. Leigh Answers." you get Direct Access to Leigh Brown, directly! Expert Coaching, Community Connection, and Extensive Resources. Whether listening to this on the go or watching at home, sign up today at Answers.RealEstate and take your business to the next level. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!   🔗 https://answers.realestate/

Real Estate Restart: Systems, Referrals & CRM That Actually Work with Bob Percesepe

He left without telling anyone and still came out on top. In this episode, Bob Percesepe shares the wild story behind his unexpected real estate reset and the systems that helped him rebuild from scratch. From tough calls to smart CRM plays, it’s equal parts strategy and survival. Press play if you're ready to restart, scale, or shake things up.   Key takeaways to listen for How Bob rebuilt his real estate business from scratch in a new state The system behind listing 76 properties in one year Why your CRM must be clean, personal, and saleable How REALTOR® advocacy creates real local impact A wild relocation story that started with a snowstorm and a tuxedo   Resources mentioned in this episode NC REALTORS® Top Producer Wise Agent Follow Up Boss   About Bob PercesepeBob is a seasoned real estate broker with over 25 years of experience in New York and coastal North Carolina. He leads Blue Chip Real Estate, a boutique firm known for high-touch service, strategic pricing, and CRM-driven referral systems. A certified Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and graduate of the Floyd Wickman Master Sales Academy, Bob combines data, discipline, and deep industry knowledge to help clients and agents succeed. He’s a published author, former REALTOR® of the Year, and active advocate for property rights. Bob is known for his "get by giving" philosophy and passion for raising the industry bar. Connect with Bob Email: bob@bluchip-re.com Website: Blue Chip Real Estate | Homelendia Mortgage Facebook: Blue Chip Real Estate Contact Number: 910-854-0800 (Direct) | 910-795-4814 (Fax) Connect with LeighPlease subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.   Sponsors"You Ask. Leigh Answers." Your Affordable Coaching ProgramHey there, real estate pros! Are you ready for some more Leigh Brown wisdom in your life? Then don't miss out on my brand-new program, "You Ask. Leigh Answers." It's your exclusive gateway to the insights and advice you need to supercharge your real estate business. With "You Ask. Leigh Answers." you get Direct Access to Leigh Brown, directly! Expert Coaching, Community Connection, and Extensive Resources. Whether listening to this on the go or watching at home, sign up today at Answers.RealEstate and take your business to the next level. Trust me, you'll be glad you did! 🔗 https://answers.realestate/

Why So Many New Agents Fail and What Can Be Done About It with Chris Giannos

Most real estate agents don’t make it past their first five years, and Chris Giannos is on a mission to change that. In this episode, he reveals how his new platform is helping brokerages rethink recruiting, onboarding, and training to keep agents in the game. Plus, stay tuned for the wild story of how one careless comment during a showing torpedoed a $2 million deal. If you're tired of the old-school grind or looking to build a stronger team, this conversation is for you.   Key takeaways to listen for What happens when one broker tries to manage 250 agents? The rookie mistake that cost an agent a $2M deal Why most new agents fail and ways to avoid it How brokers are quietly losing top talent and don’t even know it The surprising reason Zillow's strategy might help small brokerages   Resources mentioned in this episode What is Flex? - Zillow Premier Agent Greenhouse Support ADP Marketplace   About Chris GiannosChris is the co-founder and CEO of Humaniz, a platform designed to streamline agent recruiting and onboarding in real estate. With a background that includes building and managing a 250-agent brokerage in Southern California and early experience in sales at Zillow, Chris brings deep industry insight into team growth, agent training, and real estate operations. Now based in Dallas, he’s focused on raising the bar in the industry by helping brokerages scale smarter and improve agent performance through better systems.   Connect with Chris Website: Humaniz LinkedIn: Chris Giannos Instagram: @chris.giannos | @humaniz.io Email: chris@humaniz.io Connect with LeighPlease subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.   Sponsors "You Ask. Leigh Answers." Your Affordable Coaching ProgramHey there, real estate pros! Are you ready for some more Leigh Brown wisdom in your life? Then don't miss out on my brand-new program, "You Ask. Leigh Answers." It's your exclusive gateway to the insights and advice you need to supercharge your real estate business. With "You Ask. Leigh Answers." you get Direct Access to Leigh Brown, directly! Expert Coaching, Community Connection, and Extensive Resources. Whether listening to this on the go or watching at home, sign up today at Answers.RealEstate and take your business to the next level. Trust me, you'll be glad you did! 🔗 https://answers.realestate/