Life & Listings: Balancing Real Estate, Scaling Your Future w/ Jennifer Staats

88. From Broker to Coach: Building Scalable Profit Centers for Teams & Brokers with Chris Prefontaine

In this episode, Jennifer Staats interviews Chris Prefontaine about his extensive real estate journey, how he turned adversity into a scalable family business, and what it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur and coach in real estate. Chris shares practical strategies for brokers and agents to build additional profit centers, the mindset shifts needed for success, and why hands-on coaching is critical. "Mindset and tenacity are as important as skill set in building a thriving business." - Chris Prefontaine Key Discussion Topics: * Chris's 34-year journey from broker to real estate coach and founder of a family business. * Lessons learned from the 2008 financial crisis and rebuilding with creative financing strategies. * Smart Real Estate Coach's unique "in the trenches" coaching model: supporting clients from first call to closing. * Creative profit centers: owner financing, lease-purchases, and subject-to deals—how agents and brokers can leverage these strategies. * The top three questions to uncover seller motivation and close more deals. * Adapting and scaling a business post-COVID—including going fully virtual and recruiting nationwide. * Chris's personal "superpower" and insights on leading a family business. About Chris Prefontaine: Chris Prefontaine is the Chairman and Founder of Smart Real Estate Coach®, a 4x best-selling author. He is a Forbes Business Council Member and a 3-time Inc 5000 Honoree for Fastest Growing Company. Wicked Smart Community operates all over North America and has successfully completed hundreds of transactions, assisting students in doing the same. Alongside his achievements, Chris hosts the Smart Real Estate Coach® Podcast, which ranks in the top 0.5% globally. Having navigated through challenges such as the crash of 2008, 9/11, a near-death experience with his son, and the impact of COVID, Chris reengineered his entire business to weather all storms and economic cycles. Understanding these challenges, he helps students navigate the constantly changing real estate waters. Chris, his family, and his team's mission focus on transforming dedicated individuals into Wicked Smart real estate investors. Chris and his wife Kim have been married for 37 years, and their adult children Nick and Kayla participate in the family business while also pursuing their own entrepreneurial ventures. Connect with Chris: Website: https://smartrealestatecoach.com/ [https://smartrealestatecoach.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisprefontaine/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisprefontaine/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHRISPRE/ [https://www.facebook.com/CHRISPRE/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisprefontaine_/ [https://www.instagram.com/chrisprefontaine_/] Download the Playbook: https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9 [https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9] Boost ROI, close more deals, and grow smarter—get your free real estate CRM guide now!: The Heartbeat of Your Business [https://staatssolutions.com/2025/08/05/real-estate-crm-heartbeat-of-your-business/] Connect with Jennifer Staats: Website: staatssolutions.com [https://staatssolutions.com/] Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/ [https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/] Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor [https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/]

87. How to Break Into the Luxury Real Estate Market with Lynne Mazin

In this episode of Life and Listings, Lynne Samone Mazin shares her journey from Wall Street to the heart of Manhattan's luxury real estate market, revealing how she built a thriving career by leveraging her finance background, creating a "Hot 100" network, and embracing the power of mentorship and collaboration. From navigating the challenges of leaving corporate stability behind to launching a high-performing team at Compass, Lynne opens up about the strategies, mindset, and daily actions that helped her break into the ultra-competitive luxury space. Packed with practical tips—like networking with intention, putting yourself where your clients are, and never underestimating the value of authentic relationships—this conversation is a masterclass for anyone looking to succeed in real estate, whether you're just starting out or aiming for the luxury market. "You get a lot of no's before you get a yes. And you have to be resilient and keep your eye on the prize. You know what you need and what you want, and you have to commit to yourself to get it." - Lynne Mazin What you'll gain from this episode: * Plan your transition – Leaving corporate for real estate requires financial preparation and resilience. * Leverage your network – Build and nurture a "Hot 100" list of mentors, peers, and potential clients. * Seek mentorship and sponsorship – Learn the business from experienced agents and connect with people who can open doors. * Put yourself where clients are – Be present in the places your ideal clients spend time to build authentic connections. * Value teamwork – Collaboration multiplies opportunities, support, and client success. * Master the art of closing – Strong negotiation skills and persistence are key to getting deals over the finish line. About Lynne Mazin: Lynne Samone Mazin provides a premier, bespoke real estate experience for each client. Lynne Samone holds a JD and an MBA from Cornell. Her expertise is in luxury real estate, concentrated in New York City and the Hamptons. Prior to joining Compass, she was a leading producer on Wall Street where she advised sophisticated global investors including Hedge Funds, Central Banks and Sovereign Wealth Funds. Lynne Samone is an essential resource in real estate. She understands the complexities of investments and has mastered negotiation strategies to achieve success. She is a seasoned deal maker who enjoys a unique perspective on asset valuation, industry trends, the economic climate and regulatory matters. Her passion to advocate for her clients and critical market knowledge empowers her clients to achieve exceptional results. Lynne Samone is committed to making a social impact and contributes to organizations which support the greater New York City community including Robin Hood, Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, Ghetto Film School and Moving Mountains Theater Company. Connect with Lynne: Website: https://mazinenterprises.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mazinluxuryrealestate [https://www.facebook.com/mazinluxuryrealestate] Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lynnesamonemazin/ [https://www.instagram.com/lynnesamonemazin/?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmazin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmazin/] Download the Playbook: https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9 [https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9] Boost ROI, close more deals, and grow smarter—get your free real estate CRM guide now!: The Heartbeat of Your Business [https://staatssolutions.com/2025/08/05/real-estate-crm-heartbeat-of-your-business/] Connect with Jennifer Staats: Website: staatssolutions.com [https://staatssolutions.com/] Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/ [https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/] Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor [https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/]

86. Systematizing Your Yearly Events: Create Memorable Moments, Build Community, Repeat with Ease

Have a listen to this episode of the Life and Listings podcast as Jennifer Staats breaks down how to plan and host yearly community or sphere-of-influence events without the stress. From seasonal gatherings like Easter egg hunts and holiday parties to practical and cost-effective ideas such as shredding days, supply drives, and safety workshops, you'll learn how to create repeatable systems, track ROI, and maximize engagement. Jennifer also shares a free downloadable playbook packed with templates and SOPs to help you run smooth, budget-friendly, and impactful events year after year. Don't miss this episode filled with actionable strategies to make your events more effective and rewarding. "After that event wraps up, I want you to pause and I want you to reflect on what worked and what didn't. So you can repeat that if it really worked. You can repeat these over and over again, and these events are going to become more effective, less costly, and you're going to get a higher return on investment." Check out these highlights from the discussion: * Plan for Repeatability – When hosting an event, design it with the intention of repeating it yearly. Systems, templates, and documentation make it easier, more cost-effective, and more impactful over time. * Start Small with Anchor Events – Focus on one to four recurring anchor events each year, such as seasonal celebrations, family-oriented activities, or community-based gatherings, to build consistency and engagement. * Engagement Over Expense – Choose events that allow genuine interaction (e.g., barbecues, outdoor movies, safety workshops, or pet contests) rather than focusing on large budgets. * Track Budget and ROI – Always record expenses, attendance, and outcomes. Tracking allows you to evaluate success, cut costs in future years, and measure the return on investment. * Use Checklists and SOPs – Create a standardized checklist and document your processes (e.g., vendors, supplies, logistics) to streamline event planning and avoid repetitive mistakes. * Reflect and Optimize – After each event, assess what worked and what didn't. Apply these insights to refine future events, making them easier to run, more effective, and more rewarding. Download the Playbook: https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9 [https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9] Free Download - The Heartbeat of Your Business: Your CRM https://staatssolutions.com/2025/08/05/real-estate-crm-heartbeat-of-your-business/ [https://staatssolutions.com/2025/08/05/real-estate-crm-heartbeat-of-your-business/] Connect with Jennifer Staats: Website: staatssolutions.com [https://staatssolutions.com/] Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/ [https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/] Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor [https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/]

85. Mastering Your CRM Setup for Teams & Brokerages

Mastering your CRM setup could be the game-changer your real estate business needs. In this episode of Life and Listings, Jennifer dives deep into building a powerful database, setting up automation, defining clear stages, and creating smooth onboarding processes for your team. From avoiding costly mistakes to implementing follow-up reminders and targeted marketing strategies, this playbook-style episode is packed with actionable tips you can apply today. Don't miss out—tap in and download this month's free playbook to streamline your systems and scale your business effectively! "A CRM is more than contact storage. It's going to help you scale your business. It's going to hold your entire sales pipeline, and it's going to hold your agents accountable." What you need to remember from this episode: * A well-structured CRM is essential for scaling your real estate business and managing your sales pipeline effectively. * Clear automation, tags, and stages help prevent lost leads, missed follow-ups, and team confusion. * Consistency in tagging and stage definitions ensures accurate data and targeted marketing opportunities. * Automation should include follow-up reminders and drip campaigns to keep leads engaged without manual effort. * Onboarding processes must define CRM usage requirements such as navigation, data entry standards, and accountability. * Regular data cleanup is crucial for maintaining an accurate and organized database. * Contracts should clarify ownership of contacts and leads to avoid disputes when agents leave the team. * Downloadable playbooks and explainer sheets provide practical tools for implementing these strategies effectively. Download the Playbook: https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9 [https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9] Free Download - The Heartbeat of Your Business: Your CRM https://staatssolutions.com/2025/08/05/real-estate-crm-heartbeat-of-your-business/ [https://staatssolutions.com/2025/08/05/real-estate-crm-heartbeat-of-your-business/] Connect with Jennifer Staats: Website: staatssolutions.com [https://staatssolutions.com/] Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/ [https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/] Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor [https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/]

84. Start Strong, Finish Smooth: Building Smart Onboarding & Offboarding Workflows

If you're scaling a team, hiring support, or simply trying to bring more clarity and consistency into your business, you won't want to miss this episode of the Life and Listings podcast. In Episode 84, Jennifer Staats dives deep into the often-overlooked areas of onboarding and offboarding—breaking down exactly why they matter, what steps you need to take, and how to create efficient systems that truly support growth. Whether you're bringing on agents, admins, or contractors, this episode is packed with actionable tips, templates, and examples to help you build workflows that actually work. Tune in and grab the free playbook to start optimizing your onboarding process today! "One of the key elements that every onboarding should include is role clarity, who's doing what? What's the expectations there? Whether it's your team or and or your agent, or the person being on boarded, who's doing what? What tools and systems does this person need access to be successful? So think through that ahead of time. Think about the things they need to be successful to bring them into your team." Key Highlights: * Onboarding and offboarding are essential workflows that go beyond paperwork—they shape the new hire's experience and prevent chaos, confusion, and broken promises. * Every onboarding plan should include role clarity, tools and systems access, cultural and brand integration, and clear checklists to ensure consistency and alignment across your team. * All documentation should be role-based rather than name-based, so your systems remain scalable and adaptable as team members come and go. * Onboarding and offboarding plans must be customized for different types of team members, such as agents, contractors, and employees, since each role has unique needs and requirements. * Using templates and checklists with linked resources like emails, videos, and brand materials can significantly reduce time spent and minimize mistakes in the onboarding process. * Your onboarding and offboarding systems should be treated as living documents that evolve over time with team feedback, growing needs, and changing tools—ideally with someone owning the process. Download the Playbook: https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9 [https://app.datalabz.re/forms/e23412ac-bb1a-4302-ad81-3e3d4fd744e9] Connect with Jennifer Staats: Website: staatssolutions.com [https://staatssolutions.com/] Staats Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/ [https://www.instagram.com/staatssolutions/] Jennifer Staats Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor [https://www.instagram.com/jennifertherealtor] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/staatssolutions/]