From Bankrupt to #1 Real Estate Agent: How To Rise From Rock Bottom w/ Michelle Fermin | Episode 86
Release Date: 11/21/2024
Want to Sell Luxury? Fake it Till You Make It (The Right Way) w/ Julia Spillman | Episode 110
Real Producers
Most people dream of breaking into luxury real estate, imagining a glamorous life of lavish parties, jaw-dropping listings, and red-carpet moments. They see the glossy Instagram photos, the million-dollar deals, and the VIP lifestyle. But what they don’t see is the grit, sacrifice, and relentless hustle behind the scenes. The truth is, success in luxury real estate isn’t just about "looking the part", it’s about building the skills, relationships, and experiences that get you in the right rooms. And yes, sometimes that means “faking it till you make it”, but in the right...
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Risk Is the Ultimate Shortcut to Real Estate Growth w/ Sam Stone | Episode 109
Real Producers
In real estate, success often feels like it's just out of reach. We see others climbing to new heights, owning multiple properties, building vast networks, and achieving financial freedom, but rarely do we hear about the risks they took to get there. The truth is, we all want success without understanding the sacrifices and risks successful people face. It's easy to envy their achievements without recognizing the challenges that come with the journey. But here's the reality: without risks, you won't learn. Growth in real estate (and life, for that matter) is all about stepping outside of...
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Great Real Estate Leaders Get Vulnerable to Grow...Here's Why w/ Keith James | Episode 108
Real Producers
On this podcast, we’ve seen many traits and habits that lead to real estate success. Of course, drive, discipline, and sales mastery are necessary if you want to build an awesome business and legacy. But the exceptional agents we feature on this show have another thing in common. Their ability to withstand temporary pain in the pursuit of long-term growth. That pain takes on many forms: being vulnerable about where your business is bleeding. Receiving and applying feedback. Not focusing on flashy accolades like GCI and rather prioritizing net profit. Using...
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From Realtor to Publisher: The Power of Being in the Right Rooms w/ Brittney Shull | Episode 107
Real Producers
Success in real estate—or any sales-driven business—isn’t just about chasing leads. It’s about cultivating real relationships and intentionally putting yourself in the right rooms. Because let’s face it: leads can get you in the door, but relationships are what keep you in the game. The environments we choose to step into can radically accelerate our growth. Being in the right rooms—whether that’s a mastermind, a networking event, or a simple lunch with other top producers—can unlock opportunities we may never have uncovered on our own. You get to learn from people who are a...
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How to Go From $5 Million to $16.8 Million By Being Yourself w/ Ryan Cecil | Episode 106
Real Producers
In some jobs, being authentic and outspoken on social media can get you fired. But in real estate, that authenticity could be the thing that separates you from cookie cutter agents and gets you hired by buyers and sellers. That was Ryan Cecil’s experience. After getting fired for her social media content, she found that real estate agents who show their personality attract more clients. Her online marketing and community-building efforts have created a highly successful real estate trajectory, going from $5 million in sales to $16.8 million in just a few years. Ryan’s...
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How a Real Estate Team of 8 Achieves the Production of 20 w/ Erin Krueger | Episode 105
Real Producers
In real estate, many agents who decide to build teams are focused on what the team will do for them. It’s often about using leverage for the team leader to achieve what they personally want. Maybe that’s why the industry has so many problems around perception and professionalism. What would happen if a leader built around the concept of how they impact others and focused on the “why” of their people? You get a solid culture, a ton of production, and an environment they’ll never want to leave. That’s what Erin Krueger built in Nashville. Her team is built so well...
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Why Teaming Up with Real Estate Agents Could Make You Millions w/ AJ Kallas | Episode 104
Real Producers
Most businesses and entrepreneurs are laser focused on building brands that appeal to the consumer. They spend a ton of money on getting Instagram followers and going viral, but to no avail. What they don’t realize is that there’s a better (and less expensive) way to get in front of the consumer - and that’s through real estate agents. One relationship with a top producing agent in your city could be worth millions. Instead of trying to win consumers one-for-one, the right agent could lead you to their database of thousands of clients and customers. Industries like...
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How to Become a Community-Building Real Estate Agent w/ Richard Spears | Episode 103
Real Producers
In real estate, agents wear many hats. We’re marketers, advisors, entrepreneurs, and salespeople, but one important role we tend to overlook is community builders. We’re in a unique position to influence and inspire people, using homeownership to close the wealth gap. It’s easy to focus on what real estate can do for us, but we can’t lose sight of what it does for our communities. Through real estate ownership, many people have been able to change the trajectory of their lives and step into financial freedom. That’s why a real estate transaction has so much emotion attached to it....
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Emotional Intelligence in Real Estate: Why Clients Are a Lot Like Horses w/ Brittney Pino | Episode 102
Real Producers
Horses and human beings during a real estate transaction are a lot alike - they need to be handled with emotional intelligence. Purchasing or selling a home is a high stakes scenario with a lot of money and emotion on the line. Just like horses are sensitive to the emotions of their riders, consumers are sensitive to the emotions of their agent. Unfortunately, a lot of deals go south and people get hurt because agents lack the EQ required for things to go smoothly. In order to be great agents, we have to apply level-headedness to our transactions, and avoid showing strong emotions...
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You’ve Been Lied To: Why Real Wealth Isn’t Just About Buying Properties w/ Nick Najjar | Episode 101
Real Producers
“Invest in real estate, it’s the true path to wealth” they say. That’s not the whole story. True wealth doesn’t come from simply racking up assets, but by building business enterprises that produce passive income. So while buying up single-family, multi-family, short-term rentals and other investments is a big piece of the puzzle, that’s only step one. To fully experience the power of real estate, we have to take it a step further, and run those investments like a business. The challenge is: most people (even real estate agents) get so caught up in earning...
info_outlineImagine going from earning $700k, getting all the accolades and being able to afford whatever you want to the brink of bankruptcy. Hiding your Range Rover from the repo man, your own home going into foreclosure and counting every penny. Back in 2008, that was enough for many real estate agents to throw in the towel and leave the industry.
For Michelle Fermin failure wasn’t an option. It’s easy to feel like giving up is the only option when everything starts to crumble, but here’s the truth: when things get tough, it’s time to pivot.
It’s time to get creative and adapt. The only way out is through—by doubling down, working harder, and pushing forward with a new strategy.
When hard times hit, how do you turn it all around? How do you pivot with purpose and execute at a higher level than you ever thought possible?
In this episode, team lead at Century 21 North East - Fermin Group Michelle Fermin joins me to talk about her rise, fall and journey back to top agent. We also talk about the importance of personal touch, going back to basics when needed and why it's more important to collaborate than compete in the world of real estate.
Sometimes when we succeed, we become cocky and lose that personal touch. Get back to the basics -building relationships, asking questions and building systems. -Michelle Fermin
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- Back to basics
A strong foundation in real estate is built on solid relationships and asking the right questions. Why is it so important to always go back to the basics that build a foundation?
- Asking the difficult questions
Facing fears and asking tough questions is essential in real estate, especially during challenging times like bankruptcy. How can confronting your biggest fears help you make smarter decisions in tough situations?
- Top 10 vs number 1
The difference between the top 10 and number 1 in real estate often lies in consistency, innovation, and exceptional client service. What does it take to gain that number 1 spot?
Guest Bio
Michelle Fermin is a growth and accountability driven leader to a top producing team in the country. The Fermin Group, is currently composed of 37 senior agents and 7 junior agents. They have sold over 5000 homes, over $1.5 B in sales.
For their stellar service, the team was voted Best Team in the Boston Agents' Choice Awards twice in the last 3 years. They were also the #1 Century 21 Small Team in the World in 2020, and a Top 5 Global Century 21 Team since 2018. The group is also a 4-time NAHREP Top 10 team.
Also a national speaker, Michelle is dedicated to educating while helping her team members grow as entrepreneurs and as members of their community.
With 26 years in the business and membership in elite organizations like NRBA & NAHREP, Michelle knows the in’s and out’s of real estate and how to navigate a challenging market.
Michelle lived between Lawrence, MA and Dominican Republic as a child, so her connection to the hispanic community in the area is strong.
She has 3 children and 2 dogs, and currently resides in the Merrimack Valley. A world traveler, she has visited 60 countries to date.
Follow Michelle on Instagram @michellefermin
Find Michelle on LinkedIn @Michelle Fermin
About Your Host
Real Producers Podcast is hosted by Remington Ramsey, creator of the Real Producers brand that reaches more than 120 markets nationwide. He is a real estate investor as well as an avid reader and writer. Remington calls Indianapolis home and enjoys life on the lake surrounded by his wife and their three girls.
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