🎧 Description:

In this week's My First Commission episode of Unlocking Real Estate, we sit down with Derek Tschilar, a rising star at Realty ONE Group in Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona. In just two years, Derek has already closed over $500,000 in commissions—building a robust business around residential and multifamily properties.

Derek shares how he carved his niche in the Phoenix market, leveraging his communication and marketing skills to move homes off-market and develop a loyal referral base. With experience in homes priced between $175K–$630K and totaling over $17 million in sales, he reveals his tactical approach to client acquisition and branding in a competitive market.

🗂️ Chapter Highlights:

**00:00 – Introduction & Background**
**02:30 – First Deal & Market Entry**
**06:15 – Creating Off‑Market Opportunities**
**09:40 – Marketing Strategies for Phoenix Buyers & Sellers**
**13:00 – Building a Multifamily Portfolio**
**16:45 – Managing Rapid Growth & Scaling Habits**
**20:10 – Advice for Ambitious Rookie Agents**
**23:00 – What’s Next: Long‑Term Vision in Real Estate**

🔗 Connect with Derek Tschilar:

Instagram: @derektschilar – Showcases his market activity from homes to community insights
instagram.com

LinkedIn: Derek Tschilar – 820+ followers; posts on motivation, market trends & agent mindset
linkedin.com

Twitter/X: @DerekTschilar – Promotes his Phoenix Area house search services and community involvement
podchaser.com
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twitter.com
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phoenixareahousesearch.com
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Facebook: Derek Tschilar – Residential & Commercial insights and off‑MLS listings
homes.com
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facebook.com
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facebook.com
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Email & Mobile: (480) 432‑4849 · realestate@tschilarderek.com
phoenixareahousesearch.com
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map.realtyonegroup.com
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facebook.com
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🚀 Ready to apply?

Are you a driven rookie agent with a compelling story about your first commission? We want to feature your journey on *My First Commission*! Apply today to share your success and inspire other new agents.

\#g RealEstatePodcast #MyFirstCommission #DerekTschilar #PhoenixRealEstate #RookieSuccess #RealtyONEGroup #UnlockingRealEstate

In this episode of My First Commission, we highlight Paul Haley, a Scottsdale-based agent with eXp Realty who built a thriving luxury real estate business—without relying on social media to start. Paul shares how he leveraged open houses to break into multimillion-dollar listings, including a $3M sale that came from a simple follow-up and rapport-building lunch.

At just 21 years old, Paul walks us through:
- Why attending 4–5 open houses per week helped him enter the luxury space
- How he built trust with clients despite his age and experience level
- His signature open house method that prioritizes connection over hard sells
- The follow-up process that won him deals—like handwritten notes, personal texts, and customized MLS insights
- Why mastering contracts and client service came before branding and Instagram posts
- Paul proves you don’t need flashy ads or big budgets to succeed—just consistency, humility, and genuine human connection.

📌 Episode Chapters:
00:00 – Meet Paul Haley: Scottsdale Native with a Dream
02:15 – Getting Licensed & Overcoming Test Anxiety
06:30 – Why Open Houses Became His Key to Luxury
10:00 – The Haley Open House Formula
15:00 – $3M Sale Story: Rapport, Strategy & Timing
20:00 – Challenges of Being a Young Agent
26:00 – Long-Term Vision and Staying Grounded

🔗 Connect with Paul Haley:
Website: haley-housing.com
Instagram: @paul.haley
Email: paul@tackettteam.com

🎧 Want to Share Your Story?

Are you a new agent with an inspiring journey to your first commission? We'd love to feature you on the My First Commission series. Apply now to be a guest on the show! https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

In this episode of My First Commission, we spotlight Stacy Cole, who transitioned from a church daycare director in Saraland, Alabama, to RISMedia’s 2023 National Rookie of the Year. Achieving $10.7 million in sales across 54 transactions in her first year, Stacy shares how she built a thriving real estate business through community connections, relentless follow-up, and unwavering dedication.

Stacy delves into her journey, from her first land sale to becoming a top agent at Realty Executives Bay Group. She emphasizes the importance of building lasting client relationships and the realities of working early mornings, late nights, and weekends to succeed in real estate. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and community engagement in launching a successful real estate career.

📌 Episode Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction & Stacy's Background
• 02:30 – Transitioning from Daycare Director to Real Estate
• 05:45 – First Sale: The Eight-Acre Land Deal
• 09:15 – Building a Client Base through Community Involvement
• 13:00 – Achieving $10.7M in First-Year Sales
• 17:30 – The Importance of Follow-Up and Client Relationships
• 21:00 – Balancing Work and Family Life
• 24:45 – Advice for Aspiring Real Estate Agents

🔗 Connect with Stacy Cole:

• Instagram: @stacy_realtyexecutives
• Facebook: Stacy Cole - Realty Executives Bay Group
• Zillow: Stacy Cole's Profile

Want to Share Your Story?

Are you a new agent with an inspiring journey to your first commission? We'd love to feature you on the My First Commission series. Apply now to be a guest on the show! https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

In this episode of My First Commission, we feature Keely McNeal, a Georgia-based REALTOR® who transitioned from a stay-at-home mom to a top-producing agent, closing over $10 million in sales within her first year. Keely shares her inspiring journey, highlighting how she leveraged her community connections, embraced social media, and maintained unwavering determination to achieve remarkable success in the real estate industry.

Keely discusses the challenges and triumphs of balancing motherhood with a burgeoning real estate career, the strategies she employed to build her client base, and the importance of authenticity and consistency in marketing. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, strategic networking, and the impact of a strong personal brand.

📌 Episode Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction & Keely's Background
• 03:15 – Transitioning from Stay-at-Home Mom to REALTOR®
• 07:45 – Building a Client Base through Community Engagement
• 12:30 – Leveraging Social Media for Business Growth
• 17:00 – Achieving $10M in First-Year Sales
• 21:45 – Balancing Motherhood and a Real Estate Career
• 26:00 – Advice for Aspiring Real Estate Agents

🔗 Connect with Keely McNeal:

• Instagram: @relocatingtogeorgia
• Facebook: Keely McNeal, Realtor
• Zillow: Keely McNeal's Profile
• Website: keelymcneal.com

🎧Want to Share Your Story?

Are you a new agent with an inspiring journey to your first commission? We'd love to feature you on the My First Commission series. Apply now to be a guest on the show! https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

In this episode of My First Commission from the Unlocking Real Estate podcast by Colibri Real Estate, we chat with Cain D’Amico, a dynamic Realtor at Lokal Real Estate in Cleveland, Ohio. Cain shares his journey from earning his real estate license in 2023 to becoming a capped agent within his first year—a testament to his dedication and strategic approach.

Cain discusses how his background in fitness instilled a disciplined mindset that he now applies to his real estate career. He emphasizes the importance of acting decisively and not overthinking, a philosophy that has helped him close deals efficiently. Cain also highlights the supportive environment at Lokal Real Estate, where agents are encouraged to invest in real estate themselves, fostering a culture of growth and success.

Whether you're a new agent seeking inspiration or a seasoned professional looking for fresh perspectives, Cain's story offers valuable insights into building a successful real estate career from the ground up.

📌 Episode Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Cain D’Amico
• 02:30 – Transitioning from Fitness to Real Estate
• 07:15 – Earning a Real Estate License and Early Challenges
• 12:45 – Achieving Capped Agent Status in Year One
• 18:00 – The Importance of Decisive Action
• 23:30 – Investing in Real Estate: A Dual Approach
• 29:00 – Advice for Aspiring Real Estate Agents
• 35:20 – Future Goals and Closing Thoughts

🔗 Connect with Cain D’Amico:

• Instagram: @cain.damico
• Facebook: Cain D’Amico
• Email: cain@lokalrealestate.com

🎧 Want to Share Your Story?

Are you a new agent with a compelling journey to your first commission? Apply to be featured on My First Commission and inspire others with your experience. https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

#RealEstatePodcast #MyFirstCommission #CainDAmico #ClevelandRealEstate #RookieAgentSuccess #ColibriRealEstate #UnlockingRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #FitnessToRealEstate #LokalRealEstate

How do you sell over $13.5M in real estate in your first year?
Cindy Summer Perez shares how she did just that—while building a 6-figure marketing agency and balancing life as a broker, model, and community leader. In this on-location episode, Cindy reveals the marketing strategies that helped her stand out, how being bilingual opened new doors, and the mindset shift that made it all possible.

https://www.compass.com/agents/cindy-perez/
https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@cindysummerRE⁩
https://www.instagram.com/cindysummer.re/

In this episode of My First Commission from the Unlocking Real Estate podcast by Colibri Real Estate, we sit down with Chaka Sellers—a U.S. Air Force veteran turned top-producing agent in Sumter, South Carolina. Chaka shares his journey from military service to real estate success, detailing how his discipline and strategic mindset propelled him to close 25 deals and achieve $8 million in sales within just four years.

Discover how Chaka leveraged his background to build trust with clients, particularly in military relocations, and how he established the "Properties With Sellers Group" under Slate Realty. He also discusses his approach to real estate investing, including flipping properties and creating personalized plans for clients.

Whether you're a new agent seeking inspiration or a seasoned professional looking for fresh perspectives, Chaka's story offers valuable insights into building a successful real estate career from the ground up.

📌 Episode Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction: Meet Chaka Sellers
• 02:15 – Transitioning from the Air Force to Real Estate
• 07:30 – Building the "Properties With Sellers Group"
• 12:45 – First Deal: Overcoming Early Challenges
• 18:00 – Specializing in Military Relocations
• 23:10 – Real Estate Investing and Property Flipping
• 29:00 – Strategies for Client Engagement and Goal Setting
• 35:20 – Advice for Aspiring Real Estate Agents
• 40:00 – Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

🔗 Connect with Chaka Sellers:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwsellers04/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaka-sellers04/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chaka.sellers.9/

🎧 Want to Share Your Story?

Are you a new agent with a compelling journey to your first commission? Apply to be featured on My First Commission and inspire others with your experience. https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish

#RealEstatePodcast #MyFirstCommission #ChakaSellers #MilitaryToRealEstate #RookieAgentSuccess #ColibriRealEstate #UnlockingRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #MilitaryRelocation #PropertiesWithSellersGroup

Our guest on this episode is Sarah Lewandowski, Realtor with Compass New Jersey LLC. At the time of her RISMedia Rookie of the Year Nomination for NJ for 2023 (her 2022 performance year) she sold 39 homes for a total of $11.8 million in sales volume. She lived in the Virgin Islands from 2015-2021 and moved back to the "Jersedelphia" area in the fall of 2021. She received her license in November of 2021 and had her first contract/offer accepted Christmas Eve of 2021 and the second offer accepted New Years Eve of 2021.

In her Rookie year of 2022, she was also dealing with an infertility journey while simultaneously buying her childhood home in Washington Township from her parents (and helped them buy a retirement home down the shore). She then got pregnant and had a baby in July 2023. Funny story - she negotiated her highest deal in the delivery room!

https://www.compass.com/agents/sarah-lewandowski/

https://www.instagram.com/sarahwiththebighair/

https://www.facebook.com/sarahhwiththebighair/