Crazy Sh*t In Real Estate with Leigh Brown

Three headlines. One bigger conversation.

This week, I'll share my perspective on three stories shaping the real estate industry:

• AI's growing role in the homebuying journey
• Zillow, MRED, and Compass taking their listing control fight back to federal court
• Why more older adults are choosing "Golden Girls" style housing

They're very different stories, but they all point to one question:

What does the future of homeownership look like?

I'll also share a reminder about the American promise that has made homeownership one of the greatest wealth-building opportunities in history—and why that still matters today.

Join the Conversation Live

Thanks for spending part of your day with me.

Every Thursday at 9:00 AM ET, I go live on YouTube to talk through the week's biggest housing and real estate headlines. The best part is hearing your questions and perspectives while we're live.

I'd love for you to join the conversation.

Subscribe and turn on notifications here:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@LeighBrownSpeaker

I'll see you From the Rooftops.

About Leigh Brown

Leigh Brown is a keynote speaker and leadership expert who helps organizations navigate growth, conflict, and change with clarity and courage.

Her message resonates with leaders facing real-world pressure—whether that's housing challenges, organizational friction, or cultural shifts.

Her latest book, Next Is Now, equips leaders to stop reacting and start leading with intention.

👉 https://amzn.to/48FKenF

👉 Bring Leigh to your stage: https://leighbrown.com

DM Leigh on Instagram: @LeighThomasBrown

If your inbox looks anything like mine, you've probably seen the same headlines I have. Housing crisis. AI. Interest rates. Mergers. Rent control. Everybody's yelling, and somehow we're all supposed to figure out what's actually important.

I'm sharing a few of the stories that landed in my inbox this week and giving you my take on what they actually mean for REALTORS®, homeowners, landlords, and anybody trying to make sense of today's housing market. Some of these headlines deserve your attention. Others? Not so much.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why I don't believe real estate will ever become a commodity
• Thoughts on rent control and the unintended consequences that follow
• Where AI can actually help your business and where it can't
• Why housing policy deserves more attention from real estate professionals
• How to decide which headlines are worth paying attention to

Resources mentioned in this episode

• REALTORS® Legislative Meetings

Join the Conversation Live

Thanks for spending part of your day with me.

Every Thursday at 9:00 AM ET, I go live on YouTube to talk through the week's biggest housing and real estate headlines. The best part is hearing your questions and perspectives while we're live.

I'd love for you to join the conversation.

Subscribe and turn on notifications here:

👉 https://www.youtube.com/@LeighBrownSpeaker

I'll see you From the Rooftops.

About Leigh Brown

Leigh Brown is a keynote speaker and leadership expert who helps organizations navigate growth, conflict, and change with clarity and courage.

Her message resonates with leaders facing real-world pressure—whether that's housing challenges, organizational friction, or cultural shifts.

Her latest book, Next Is Now, equips leaders to stop reacting and start leading with intention.

👉 https://amzn.to/48FKenF

👉 Bring Leigh to your stage: https://leighbrown.com

DM Leigh on Instagram: @LeighThomasBrown

Everybody keeps saying the same thing: young people can't afford to buy homes anymore.

Justice Bigot isn't ignoring today's market, but he also isn't buying into the idea that homeownership is out of reach. At just 26 years old, he's helping clients navigate a challenging market by focusing on honesty, relationships, and practical advice instead of hype.

If you've been wondering whether homeownership is still possible or whether the next generation of real estate professionals is ready to lead, this episode is worth your time.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why saying "I don't know" can actually make clients trust you more
• How AI can support great REALTORS® without replacing them
• Why consistency matters more than years of experience
• What first-time buyers need to hear in today's market
• Justice's "Like. Value. Trust." philosophy for building a lasting business

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
• Like, Value, Trust by Justice Bigot

About Justice Bigot

Justice Bigot is a REALTOR® serving the Central Florida area, where he helps buyers and sellers navigate the real estate process with honesty, clear communication, and a relationship-first approach. Passionate about making homeownership more attainable, Justice embraces new technology while believing that trust and genuine human connection will always be at the heart of great service.

Connect with Justice

• Instagram: @justice.big
• TikTok: @justbigrealty
• YouTube: Just Real Estate
• X: @JusticeBigotRE
• Email: justice.bigot@cbrealty.com
• Contact Number: (407) 676-9431

About Leigh Brown

Leigh Brown is a keynote speaker and leadership expert who helps organizations navigate growth, conflict, and change with clarity and courage.

Her message resonates with leaders facing real-world pressure—whether that's housing challenges, organizational friction, or cultural shifts.

Her latest book, Next Is Now, equips leaders to stop reacting and start leading with intention.

👉 https://amzn.to/48FKenF

👉 Bring Leigh to your stage: https://leighbrown.com

DM Leigh on Instagram: @LeighThomasBrown

Selling a highly appreciated asset can trigger a devastating tax bill, but it doesn't always have to.

In this episode, Chad Ettmueller and Monty Walker break down a little-known tax strategy called the Structured Installment Sale. This approach allows sellers of investment real estate, farmland, timberland, or even closely-held businesses to defer their capital gains taxes while securing a guaranteed stream of income.

Before you sign on the dotted line, discover how this unique financial tool works, who qualifies for it, and why it offers significantly more flexibility than traditional tax-deferral options.

Key takeaways to listen for

• How a Structured Installment Sale differs from a traditional 1031 exchange
• Why timing matters when planning for capital gains taxes
• Which types of property owners can benefit most from this strategy
• How installment sales can help preserve wealth for future generations
• Why building the right advisory team before selling is critical

Resources mentioned in this episode

• https://sisresource.com

About Chad Ettmueller
Chad is Senior Vice President of JCR Settlements, LLC. Chad specializes in both personal and commercial general liability, trucking/transportation industry claims, medical malpractice and workers' compensation claims. Chad possesses significant experience working with Medicare Set-Asides (MSA's) in both Workers' Compensation and Liability negotiations.

About Monty Walker
Monty is a Certified Public Accountant with a diversity of experience in the private closely-held business arena. Monty supports Entrepreneurial Clients throughout the country. He is an extremely innovative advisor in the Business Transfer Industry providing support to Small Business Owners in the areas of Business Transactions, Business Structuring & Design, Business Tax Planning and Business Exit Planning.

Connect with Chad & Monty

• Website: JCR Settlements | Structured Installment Sales
• LinkedIn: Chad Ettmueller | Monty Walker
• Phone Number: (404) 661-3507 | (770) 886-7400

About Leigh Brown
Leigh Brown is a keynote speaker and leadership expert who helps organizations navigate growth, conflict, and change with clarity and courage.

Her message resonates with leaders facing real-world pressure—whether that's housing challenges, organizational friction, or cultural shifts.

Her latest book, Next Is Now, equips leaders to stop reacting and start leading with intention.

👉 https://amzn.to/48FKenF
👉 Bring Leigh to your stage: https://leighbrown.com

DM Leigh on Instagram: @LeighThomasBrown

Everybody wants consistent income but very few people are willing to do what it actually takes to get there.

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Rochon to break down what creates predictable success in a business that feels anything but predictable.

In a world where everyone is chasing shortcuts and quick wins… this conversation is a reality check on what actually works and why most people never stick with it long enough to see results.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why consistency is the real driver of long-term success
• The 4 pillars that create predictable income in any business
• How belief impacts your ability to generate and convert leads
• Why aligning your strengths with your strategy matters more than doing "everything"
• How to handle rejection without letting it derail your progress

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Teach to Sell by Dan Rochon

About Dan Rochon

Dan is a real estate coach, speaker, and former brokerage owner who helps professionals create consistent, predictable income in their businesses. After starting his real estate career during the 2007 market downturn, he quickly rose to success, eventually purchasing and operating a brokerage for over a decade.

Today, Dan focuses on coaching entrepreneurs and sales professionals using a framework built on mindset, lead generation, systems, and leadership—helping them close the gap between effort and results.

Connect with Dan

• Website: nobrokemonths.com

About Leigh Brown

Leigh Brown is a keynote speaker and leadership expert who helps organizations navigate growth, conflict, and change with clarity and courage.

Her message resonates with leaders facing real-world pressure—whether that's housing challenges, organizational friction, or cultural shifts.

Her latest book, Next Is Now, equips leaders to stop reacting and start leading with intention.

👉 https://amzn.to/48FKenF

👉 Bring Leigh to your stage: https://leighbrown.com

DM Leigh on Instagram: @LeighThomasBrown