The Easiest Way to Sell New Homes Without Builder Headaches w/ Christian Calusa
Release Date: 08/19/2025
Social Selling Made Simple
One of the biggest misconceptions in real estate right now is the belief that AI should take agents completely out of the process. We constantly hear agents asking, “How do I automate this so I never have to touch it again?” But that’s the wrong mentality, and it’s actually where you start losing money instead of making more of it. Because AI isn’t at a point where it can replace us, and more importantly, we don’t want it to get there. The real power of AI isn’t replacement; it’s acceleration. It collapses the time it takes to write, plan, organize, produce content,...
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For years, we’ve been taught that SEO was the key to being found online, write the blogs, keep the website fresh, get your backlinks, and trust the process. But there’s a new shift happening in real estate that most agents haven’t caught onto yet. AEO, or Answer Engine Optimization, is quietly becoming more powerful than traditional SEO. And it makes perfect sense. Buyers and sellers aren’t searching the way they used to. They’re asking full questions out loud into their phones, their cars, and their AI tools. They don’t want links…they want answers. AEO is built for...
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Most agents think marketing has gotten harder, that technology, AI, and algorithms have made everything too complicated. But the truth is, it’s never been easier to be a marketer and to actually get results. You can create video content without showing your face. You can automate your emails, SMS, and social posts in minutes. You can turn one idea into ten pieces of content that generate leads while you sleep. Yet most agents still struggle to grow; not because the tools are hard, but because they’re doing what everyone else is doing… or worse, doing the bare minimum. In today’s...
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Real estate ain't just about buying and selling houses, it's about people. The families we help, the communities we build, the dreams we make possible through ownership. Anybody can chase closings. But being a REALTOR® means something deeper; it means showing up with integrity, protecting consumers, and building trust one deal, one class, one conversation at a time. And let's get one thing straight, mentorship isn't a Facebook post. It's not about being seen. Mentorship is a promise. It's about opening doors, not hoarding keys. It's not proximity, it's access. Don't just sit beside someone...
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Most agents are a little freaked out by AI, but here’s the truth: it’s not here to replace the real estate professional. It’s here to replace inefficiency. For years, real estate has rewarded the agents who grind harder, not smarter. The ones who show up earlier, stay up later, and never stop hustling. But the next wave of top producers will be the ones who out-automate everyone else. When most agents hear “AI,” they think job loss. But what if it’s actually the key to something real estate’s never offered: predictable income and real financial freedom? What if it’s the missing...
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“Secret agents don’t get found, and closed mouths don’t get fed.” It’s more than a catchphrase; it’s a survival strategy for today’s market. In an environment where inventory is scarce, clients are cautious, and other agents are everywhere, invisibility will keep you from earning more. If you aren’t proactively creating opportunities, asking for business, and showing up where consumers are, you’ll get overlooked every time. That’s why differentiation isn’t a luxury; it’s the core of winning in real estate right now. And the sharpest ways to position...
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For a long time, buyer representation was an afterthought. Agents leaned on MLS commission notes, dodged tough conversations about compensation, and hoped clients would just go along. But after the NAR settlement, that safety net vanished. Now, if we can’t clearly show our value and lock in a signed buyer rep agreement, we’re at risk of losing clients, income, and even putting ourselves in a legal bind. Here’s the twist: AI isn’t just a cool extra. When we use it right, it can be our sharpest edge in this new reality. With ChatGPT, predictive analytics, and the right...
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The real estate world has shifted, and whether we like it or not, there’s no going back. Too many agents are still treating the changes as an extinction event, but here’s the truth: if you adapt, we still have the opportunity we’ve had to grow market share in years. Since the settlement, more agents have entered the industry. That means more competition, but also more proof that complacency kills careers. The new agents are hungry, willing to try what others won’t, and most importantly, they’re not afraid to embrace tools like AI to move faster and smarter. I’ve been in...
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If you’ve ever tried selling new construction, you know it can be a total headache. Dropbox links everywhere, builder calls that never get answered, and brochures that are already outdated by the time they reach buyers. It’s frustrating for agents, builders, and buyers alike. So many agents just skip new construction altogether, leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table. But what if new build listings were as easy to access as homes on the MLS? That’s where NEO comes in. NEO cuts through all the chaos, helping you capture more buyer leads, keep them engaged, and...
info_outlineSocial Selling Made Simple
These days, it’s harder than ever for marginalized buyers to break into the market. Prices are high, lending rules are tighter, and misinformation is everywhere. The path to homeownership can feel impossible. Agents aren’t off the hook either. With all the changes to buyer representation and compensation, agents are being asked to prove their value in every single deal, while trying to serve clients who need more help than ever. That’s where Midwest Home M@tch comes in. We built an AI-powered referral network that connects agents with pre-approved, ready-to-go buyers. Especially those...
info_outlineIf you’ve ever tried selling new construction, you know it can be a total headache. Dropbox links everywhere, builder calls that never get answered, and brochures that are already outdated by the time they reach buyers.
It’s frustrating for agents, builders, and buyers alike. So many agents just skip new construction altogether, leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table.
But what if new build listings were as easy to access as homes on the MLS?
That’s where NEO comes in. NEO cuts through all the chaos, helping you capture more buyer leads, keep them engaged, and take control of the buying experience.
With NEO, you’re not just getting a tool, you’re getting a whole system that keeps everything organized and accessible. No more hunting for the latest floor plans or chasing builders for updates.
Everything you need to showcase new construction is right there, in one place, making it way easier to attract serious buyers and close more deals.
So how exactly does NEO tackle all those annoying obstacles agents face? What kind of opportunities does it open up?
In this episode, NEO’s CEO, Christian Calusa, breaks down why the platform is quietly becoming the “missing piece” of the MLS, why associations around the world are taking notice, and how it’s helping agents dominate niche markets.
Many agents are not selling new construction because it’s a time-consuming niche, due to the research and driving around. -Christian Calusa
Things You’ll Learn In This Episode
- The “missing MLS” for new construction
Most new-build inventory never makes it onto the MLS. How is that blind spot costing agents leads, deals, and market share?
- Turning global interest into local sales
How does NEO solve the access, language, and branding problems that stop overseas buyers from acting?
- From QR code to $1M commission
How did a brand-new agent who used NEO turn an Uber ride into a $10.2M sale? How can you replicate that kind of high-ticket, low-effort lead capture?
Guest Bio
Christian Calusa is the CEO and Founder of NEO. NEO is the most adopted platform for new construction in Florida and Texas, and is rapidly expanding throughout the U.S. NEO is a unique solution that connects builders, real estate agents, and buyers in one streamlined ecosystem, offering unparalleled access to inventory, marketing tools, and sales enablement, both nationally and internationally. The platform has received multiple awards in various countries, recognizing its innovation, scalability, and impact on the real estate and PropTech sectors. Visit https://www.newestateonly.com/ to learn more or send an email to cc@newrealestateonly.com.
About Your Host
Marki Lemons Ryhal is a Licensed Managing Broker, REALTOR, and avid volunteer.
She is a dynamic keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, both on-site and virtual; she's the go-to expert for artificial Intelligence, entrepreneurship, and social media in real estate. Marki Lemons Ryhal is dedicated to all things real estate, and with 25+ years of marketing experience, Marki has taught over 250,000 REALTORS® how to earn up to a 2682% return on their marketing dollars. Marki’s expertise has been featured in Forbes, the Washington Post, http://Homes.com , and REALTOR® Magazine.
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