In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci break down Trump’s proposed 50 year mortgage and what it could mean for real estate agents, homebuyers, and the market as a whole. They compare payments between 30 and 50 year loans, explain how affordability changes, outline the dramatic interest differences, and discuss when the product might actually benefit buyers. They also explore potential risks, tax implications, appreciation impacts, and how lenders and agents may respond if this loan product becomes available. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the 50 Year Mortgage01:20 What We Know and What We Assume04:14 Running Real Mortgage Numbers06:18 Million Dollar Example Breakdown07:52 Payment Savings and Affordability09:35 How Much More Home Buyers Could Afford12:18 The Real Interest Cost Comparison18:16 When a 50 Year Loan Might Make Sense22:08 How Agents and Lenders Might Respond28:20 Final Thoughts on Pros and Cons

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, hosts Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci tackle one of the toughest challenges in real estate: how to find a home for clients with extremely specific wants and needs. Sparked by a real Slack discussion within their team, Kyle and Bryan break down proven strategies that turn effort into opportunity, from high-impact door knocking and personalized letters to leveraging MLS data, agent networks, and social media. They share real-world examples of how agents within their team generated multiple potential listings in just hours and discuss why genuine hustle, collaboration, and creativity will always outperform waiting for leads to appear online.   Chapters 0:00 – The problem: buyers with ultra-specific home requirements 0:41 – Why most agents don’t deserve to get paid 1:00 – Staying relevant in an AI and Zillow world 2:35 – The culture of collaboration at Whissel Beer Group 6:42 – Real success story: two sellers in two hours from door knocking 8:12 – Why a “specific” buyer is a gift 9:01 – The most effective strategy: knock on the damn doors 10:26 – What to bring and what to say when door knocking 14:14 – How to dress, knock, and leave a message 23:00 – Ten more ways to find off-market listings 27:00 – Why door knocking still wins and final takeaways

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, Bryan Koci sits down with Brian Danney to uncover the top three mistakes that cause real estate agents to stall or leave the industry, and the single superpower that guarantees success.   From chasing shiny objects to ignoring proven systems, Brian shares insights from over a decade of coaching and leadership experience at Whissel Beer Group. Together, they break down the power of coachability, accountability, and focus, emphasizing that simplicity and implementation, not perfection, are what separate top producers from the rest. Chapters 00:00 – Intro and episode overview02:23 – Mistake #1: Reinventing the wheel04:03 – Shiny objects vs. proven systems06:08 – How to identify distractions in your business09:48 – Mistake #2: Lack of coachability and accountability13:36 – Vulnerability and the power of ownership17:22 – Mistake #3: Why less is more in real estate19:45 – Managing fewer clients to make more money22:16 – Using leverage and letting go of control26:29 – The Superpower: Implementation29:11 – Getting comfortable being uncomfortable31:53 – Final challenge for agents: Follow your calendar 3 Key Takeaways for Agents Stop reinventing the wheel — Master what already works before trying to innovate. Simplicity and focus always outperform chaos and distraction. Be coachable and accountable — The most successful agents are humble, willing to learn, and unafraid to own their mistakes. Implement immediately — Speed beats perfection. The agents who take consistent, fast action are the ones who win in the long run.

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, hosts Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci dive into lessons learned from Tiger 21, an exclusive network of ultra-high-net-worth individuals.   Kyle shares why attending fewer, more intentional events outside the real estate bubble has accelerated his growth, and reveals two major takeaways: the rising importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in an AI-driven world and the shift from focusing on short-term income to building long-term net worth through strategic investments. Real estate agents will gain insights into how to think bigger, leverage wealth-building strategies, and develop skills that will keep them relevant and profitable in a rapidly changing industry.Chapters: 00:00 – Why too many real estate events hurt your growth02:00 – Finding value outside the real estate bubble04:05 – Choosing the right cadence for events06:30 – The power of joining EO, Boardroom, and Tiger 2107:40 – Lessons from the wealthy: parenting and legacy10:00 – Why curated conversations matter at events13:30 – Key takeaway: EQ matters more than IQ in the age of AI17:10 – How to grow your emotional intelligence22:00 – Net worth vs. income: a wealthy mindset shift25:00 – Using real estate development and refinancing for tax-free growth

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, host Bryan Koci sits down with Brian Danney to discuss how real estate agents can create urgency in today’s slower, buyer-driven market. Brian shares practical strategies like defining a buyer’s top five must-haves, holding clients accountable through simple emails, and future-pacing conversations to prepare buyers for writing offers. The episode emphasizes the importance of guiding clients based on their goals, meeting them where they’re at in the buying journey, and building momentum through consistent next steps and promises. Agents will walk away with actionable ways to build trust, inspire confidence, and help buyers make timely decisions without pressure. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction & Guest Intro 01:19 – Brian’s Background in Real Estate 02:28 – Creating Urgency in a Non-Urgent Market 05:25 – Accountability and the Agent’s Role 06:19 – Defining the Top Five Must-Haves 07:30 – Going Deep: Lifestyle vs. Features 11:23 – Using Emails to Build Accountability 13:21 – Understanding Buyer Stages (Awareness, Consideration, Decision) 16:40 – Redrafting Buyer Priorities & Handling Objections 25:32 – Final Advice: Always Create a Next Step 📌 3 Key Takeaways Define the top five must-haves: Simplify buyer priorities into five core needs, then go deeper into why they matter to uncover lifestyle-driven motivations that create urgency. Use accountability systems: Send simple follow-up emails that confirm buyer goals and future pace them toward writing offers, building trust and clarity in the process. Always create a next step: Urgency is built through momentum, so set specific dates and promises that move the client forward and keep the relationship engaged.  

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci dive into the cutting-edge AI tools transforming how real estate agents operate and scale their business. From organizing complex financial data with NotebookLM, to creating polished presentations with Gamma, to coaching calls with Shiloh, they reveal practical applications that save time, improve client interactions, and help agents look more professional. They also cover how they personally use ChatGPT for transcripts, content creation, and email variations, plus creative photo editing with Envato. This isn’t just theory—these are the exact tools they’re using to generate efficiency and revenue today. Chapters 00:00 – The Evolution of Real Estate & AI 01:30 – Why Tools Matter for Realtors 03:45 – Kyle’s Favorite Tool: NotebookLM 05:45 – How to Use AI for Meetings & Content 07:45 – Privacy Concerns Around AI 09:00 – ChatGPT 5.0 & How Bryan Uses It 11:20 – Generating Images & Content Variations 12:30 – Gamma: Next-Level Presentations & Graphics 16:00 – Envato: Easy Photo Editing for Agents 18:10 – Shiloh: AI Coaching for Agent Calls 21:30 – Final Thoughts & Agent Takeaways

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci dive into a topic often overlooked in discussions about scaling a real estate business—culture. While most teams focus on tech and systems, Kyle emphasizes how crucial it is to intentionally define, build, and protect your team culture through core values, standards, and strong leadership. They unpack how to recruit and retain the right people, handle cultural misalignment (even with top producers), and develop deeper relationships with your top agents. Whether you lead a team of 5 or 120, this episode will give you the tactical insights to build a culture that fuels growth instead of fighting it. Chapters00:00 – Scaling More Than Systems01:04 – Small Team Vibes vs. Big Team Problems02:56 – Intentional Culture Starts with Core Values04:48 – The Wrong Way to Create Core Values06:17 – The Right Way to Define Culture07:18 – Budgeting for Culture08:33 – Are Team Cliques Good or Bad?10:04 – Enforcing Core Values: Hire, Raise, Fire11:09 – Culture Should Attract and Repel15:03 – Fixing a Broken Culture17:14 – Standards That Protect Top Performers20:22 – Culture Will Organically Push Out Bad Fits23:28 – Have the Tough Conversations with Curiosity24:33 – Why Kyle Focuses on Top Producers

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, hosts Tad Murroughs and Bryan Koci dive deep into the art and science of real estate phone scripts. Tad shares his unique perspective as someone who transitioned from being an agent to an Inside Sales Associate (ISA), explaining how consistency and psychology make the difference when working leads. The discussion covers everything from how to open a call, frame conversations, uncover client motivation, handle objections, and confidently ask for the appointment. Agents will walk away with proven frameworks, actionable scripts, and a mindset shift that makes prospecting less intimidating and far more effective. 💡 3 Key Takeaways Open With Familiarity & Purpose – Use the lead’s name early, introduce yourself clearly, and explain why you’re calling to build instant trust and reduce resistance. Motivation Drives Everything – Always uncover what’s truly motivating a client; this insight lets you frame solutions, overcome objections, and close with confidence. Follow-Up With Specificity – Never end a call vaguely. Always set the next step, give a clear timeline, and follow through—this builds trust and keeps leads engaged.

In this heartwarming and humorous episode of The Whissel Way, Kyle Whissel sits down with a very special co-host: his 9-year-old daughter Nixon. Together, they explore what it would look like if she ran a real estate company—from dress codes and office snacks to mascots, pricing strategy, and even a Sephora-inspired break room. While the episode is full of laughs and light-hearted moments, it also subtly touches on the importance of creativity, culture, and fun in the workplace. Whether you're a parent, a team leader, or just need a smile today, this episode shows that inspiration can come from even the youngest voices. Chapters 00:00 – Meet the Guest: Kyle’s Daughter Nixon00:46 – Why We’re Interviewing a 9-Year-Old01:07 – What Would Nixon's Real Estate Company Look Like?02:13 – Branding: Colors, Titles, and Names03:03 – Office Vibes: Lights, Layout, and Rules04:08 – Oversized Hoodies and School Policies05:30 – Office Hours and Company Culture06:10 – Logo, Mascots, and Papa’s Love for Teal08:00 – Sephora Rooms and Office Snacks12:32 – How Nixon Would Advertise Homes16:00 – Sweet Surprise Sisters: Her Real Business

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, host Bryan Koci is joined by guest host Karlee Van Dyke, a top-producing agent at Whissel Realty Group. Together, they dive deep into the evolving conversation around buyer agent commissions—especially in today’s shifting market. Karlee shares real-world scenarios where a commission negotiation either saved or cost her clients deals, and why understanding seller psychology, coaching clients through expectations, and setting the stage for smart commission conversations is crucial in today’s landscape. Whether you’re a buyer or listing agent, this episode will equip you with tangible strategies to help you win more offers and keep deals together—all while getting paid what you're worth.

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, hosts Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci break down the exact strategy their team uses to throw Mega Open Houses that draw 100+ people—even in a tough market. They discuss how most agents fail by doing the bare minimum, while their method turns listings into events that generate buzz, build relationships, and lead to multiple offers. From marketing like a Hollywood movie premiere to using an omni-channel approach—mailers, door knocking, video invites, and follow-ups—Kyle shares how he achieved over 50% market share in one neighborhood with this system. If you're tired of weak open house results, this episode is your full playbook.

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci break down how buyer’s agents can finally thrive in today’s market shift. With growing inventory, longer days on market, and increasing price reductions, buyers now hold more power than they have in over a decade. Kyle shares actionable strategies for identifying undervalued homes, using data to back up buyer decisions, and negotiating directly with listing agents to get the best possible deals—all without damaging your brand. If you're ready to stop waiting and start winning, this episode will show you how to strike while the iron’s hot.

In this candid episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci unpack the raw realities of building and running a real estate team. They break down the glamorized vision many agents have after early success and explore the emotional, financial, and operational toll that leadership brings. With humor and honesty, they share what makes team building worth it—and what makes it a complete nightmare if done for the wrong reasons. Whether you're thinking about launching a team or already drowning in team leadership challenges, this episode delivers insights that could save you stress, money, and your sanity.

In this timely and tactical episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci dive into the realities of the slow summer 2025 market and what agents can do when listings sit longer than expected. This isn't just theory — it's pulled directly from a real team meeting with boots-on-the-ground experience. They break down the “3 Showings / 8 Showings” rule to help agents identify whether price, condition, or marketing is the culprit, and offer actionable scripts, strategies, and creative tactics (like broker open feedback cards and calling recent area agents) to get homes moving. If you're tired of hearing "It's just the market," this episode gives you the tools to take back control and drive results.

This episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way takes you inside one of our most powerful weekly team meetings at Whissel Realty Group. Introduced by Bryan Koci and led by our Director of Sales, Rachel Choo, this deep-dive session was pulled directly from this week’s live training and is packed with actionable strategies to help agents set more appointments. Rachel breaks down why agents hesitate to ask for the appointment, the three core confidence gaps holding most people back, and how to script your way into more “yeses”—whether at an open house, on a call, or during a buyer consult. This is equal parts mindset shift, tactical scripting, and real-world advice that will immediately help you set more appointments and close more deals.   💡 3 Key Takeaways Confidence Is a Skill, Not a TraitConfidence comes from preparation, clarity in your value, and the willingness to get uncomfortable. Practicing rejection and affirming your strengths daily helps you show up with energy that attracts clients. Avoid Vague Scripts—Target Pain PointsBuyers don’t want a game plan or a “learn about real estate” session. They want solutions to problems. Lead with hooks like saving money, finding off-market homes, or winning offers. Repetition Creates ResultsWhether it's asking every open house visitor to tour more homes or tallying your rejections like a game, consistency in the ask is what builds pipeline—and ultimately closes deals.

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci unpack the wealth-building real estate strategy known as “Buy, Depreciate, Borrow, Die,” tied to the proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Kyle breaks down how agents and investors can use bonus depreciation, cost segregation, and strategic borrowing to massively reduce their tax burden, reinvest tax-free dollars, and pass properties to their heirs with a stepped-up basis. Whether you're new to investing or a seasoned agent looking to keep more of your income, this episode delivers actionable steps to make real estate work harder—and smarter—for you. 💡 3 Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Use Cost Seg + Bonus Depreciation: Agents can leverage cost segregation and 100% bonus depreciation (if the bill passes) to generate massive write-offs—freeing up cash for reinvestment and reducing taxable income immediately. 2️⃣ Refinance or Borrow Smart: Instead of selling, agents can borrow against appreciated properties tax-free and use the proceeds to acquire more investments—amplifying their portfolio and wealth. 3️⃣ Leave a Tax-Free Legacy: By holding assets until death, agents can pass properties to heirs at a stepped-up basis, avoiding capital gains and ensuring generational wealth with minimal estate tax implications.

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci break down the five most common (and costly) mistakes real estate agents make—and how to avoid them. From the importance of respecting your calendar and prospecting daily, to showing up for roleplay and focusing on real in-person experiences, Kyle shares raw and actionable advice drawn from over 20 years and 6,000+ transactions. They also tackle the trap of shiny object syndrome, urging agents to master the fundamentals—lead conversion, sphere, open houses, and true social engagement—before chasing the next big thing. If you're serious about building a lasting, profitable business, this episode is a must-listen.   Chapters:00:00 – Intro: Why Agents Aren’t Taught Business00:33 – Top 5 Agent Mistakes Breakdown01:39 – Mistake #1: Not Using or Respecting Your Calendar03:31 – Mistake #2: Skipping Daily Prospecting04:44 – Mistake #3: Coasting Through Roleplay07:09 – Mistake #4: Thinking Online > In-Person09:00 – Mistake #5: Chasing Shiny Objects10:11 – Focus on the Core 4: Leads, Sphere, Open Houses, Social11:13 – Be Social, Not Just Media12:22 – Rapid Fire: Do You Step In or Let Clients Decide?13:29 – When to Let Clients Learn vs. When to Advise   Key Takeaways:  Respect Your Calendar – Show up for your commitments like a professional and structure your week for success. Prospect Daily – Consistency in lead generation is non-negotiable if you want to avoid income rollercoasters. Master the Core 4 – Focus on leads, sphere, open houses, and real social engagement before chasing new tools or trends.

In this episode of The Whissel Way Podcast, recorded during our weekly Tuesday team meeting, Kyle Whissel unpacks the key components of the One Big Beautiful Bill—a sweeping 1,100+ page tax reform proposal. Designed for real estate professionals, this session walks through critical wealth-building strategies like bonus depreciation, cost segregation, opportunity zones, 1031 exchanges, and the powerful “Buy, Depreciate, Borrow, Die” approach. You’ll learn how to help your clients save tens of thousands on taxes, optimize your own portfolio, and set up long-term financial freedom. Whether you're working with investors, higher-net-worth clients, or building your own real estate empire—this is a masterclass you don’t want to miss.   Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: Why This Meeting Matters01:30 – Are These Events Worth Inviting People To?03:00 – What the One Big Beautiful Bill Is05:00 – The 199A QBI Deduction Explained07:15 – SALT Tax Cap Changes (And Why Californians Should Care)12:20 – Opportunity Zones vs. 1031 Exchanges19:00 – Bonus Depreciation: How to Write Off 5-15 Year Assets25:00 – The Buy, Depreciate, Borrow, Die Strategy33:00 – Step-Up Basis and Estate Tax Changes45:00 – How to Start These Conversations with Clients

In this episode of Real Estate Success: The Whissel Way, Kyle Whissel and Bryan Koci break down the underrated art of circle prospecting—a tactic many agents write off as outdated or ineffective. Kyle shares the systems, tools, and scripts his team uses to consistently convert cold calls into conversations and conversations into closings. Whether you're a new agent struggling to find people to call or a seasoned pro looking to increase your ROI, this episode dives into overcoming call reluctance, how to leverage Cole Realty Resource, and why layering touchpoints like door-knocking and follow-up calls makes all the difference. It’s a masterclass in taking action and staying consistent.

In this powerful episode, Kyle Whissel sits down with Jason Matthews, a former NCAA basketball star turned real estate investor, to share his journey from humble beginnings in South Central LA to launching a multimillion-dollar luxury short-term rental business in Florida. Jason’s story spans personal transformation, lessons from NBA legends, Wall Street internships, and how showing up led to life-changing opportunities. The episode wraps with practical advice on building wealth through real estate, including his niche strategy of developing FEMA-compliant beach homes. A must-listen for agents looking to scale, pivot, or break into investment real estate.Chapters: 00:00 – Intro: From Boardroom to Podcast 00:55 – Jason’s Humble Beginnings in LA 02:08 – Late Start, Big Results: Making the League 04:24 – Thoughts on NIL and Player Empowerment 07:46 – The Power of Alumni & Brand Exposure 11:55 – From College Hoops to NBA Tryouts 17:50 – Jerry West, Magic Johnson, and Life Lessons 24:12 – Leaving the League for Wall Street 31:25 – Luxury Short-Term Rentals in Florida 38:20 – Investing Passively: How Agents Can Get Involved