Podcast Summary: The David Greene Show – Episode 70: Real Talk Realtor with Joseph Hamer
Title: Real Talk Realtor with Joseph Hamer
Episode: 70
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Host: David Greene
Guest: Joseph Hamer
Duration: Approximately 63 minutes
1. Introduction and Guest Background
David Greene opens the episode by introducing the theme: exploring how a Realtor in their first year of full-time production can achieve remarkable success. He welcomes Joseph Hamer, a guest who has swiftly made a significant impact in the real estate industry despite a relatively short career span.
Notable Quote:
David Greene [00:00]: "This is the show where we pull back the curtain and show it to you too."
2. Transition from Education to Real Estate
Joseph Hamer shares his journey from being an assistant principal in Wichita, Kansas, to transitioning into full-time real estate. Initially passionate about teaching, Joseph ventured into real estate investing in 2019, which ignited his passion for the industry.
Key Points:
- Bought first property in 2019 with his wife, leading to initial success after renovation and sale.
- Founded a local meetup called "Pythons and Properties," inspired by advice from the Bigger Pockets podcast.
- Decided to leave his stable job as an assistant principal to pursue real estate full-time after obtaining his license three months prior.
Notable Quotes:
Joseph Hamer [01:01]: "I started a local meetup here, not the one that we actually met at. I host one called Pythons and Properties."
Joseph Hamer [04:09]: "It was scary as hell, you know, um, but it's been the best thing for me."
3. Challenges and Mindset Shift
David probes into Joseph's courage to leave a steady career, highlighting the risks involved. Joseph explains that despite the security his previous job offered, the lack of fulfillment and increasing stress led him to seek a more passionate career in real estate.
Key Points:
- Acknowledges the financial and personal risks of leaving a stable job.
- Emphasizes the importance of passion and joy in daily tasks over financial security.
- Discusses personal health improvements after switching careers, linking mental well-being to professional satisfaction.
Notable Quotes:
Joseph Hamer [02:49]: "I didn't love my new job as an assistant principal... It didn't bring me joy."
David Greene [05:08]: "If you're struggling with real estate, maybe you don't like it... you might be holding yourself back."
4. Strategies for Success in Real Estate
Joseph details how he leveraged his background in education and investing to excel in real estate. His proactive approach to networking and relentless work ethic enabled him to secure listings quickly, even while still employed as an assistant principal.
Key Points:
- Utilized existing knowledge and passion for real estate to build credibility.
- Secured first three listings shortly after obtaining his license by tapping into his established network.
- Emphasizes the importance of diversification in marketing strategies during the initial phase.
Notable Quotes:
Joseph Hamer [10:20]: "I'd say approaching. Yeah, that's like a really, really good number."
David Greene [10:35]: "How the heck you got three listings as a brand new agent..."
5. Building Relationships and Networking
Joseph discusses the critical role of relationships in his early success. By focusing on his sphere of influence and investing in genuine connections, he was able to generate referrals and build a robust client base.
Key Points:
- Prioritized talking to people he already knew and trusted.
- Established meaningful connections through meetups and consistent communication.
- Applied his teaching and service-oriented mindset to listen and understand client needs deeply.
Notable Quotes:
Joseph Hamer [14:07]: "I need to listen, right. I want to restate what they're saying to make sure I understand."
David Greene [20:09]: "There’s something about people that carry themselves with integrity... those first three listings you got, were those from your circle of influence?"
6. Working with Teams
Joining a real estate team provided Joseph with the support and resources necessary to manage multiple deals efficiently. The collaborative environment allowed him to delegate tasks and maintain high productivity, even while traveling.
Key Points:
- Highlights the benefits of being part of a team, including shared knowledge and workload.
- Values the structured support from his team at Reese Nichols, emphasizing full-service and relationship-based models.
- Finds that being on a team amplifies his ability to handle more clients without compromising quality.
Notable Quotes:
Joseph Hamer [21:17]: "We’re a team of four and all of us are either current or former educators."
David Greene [23:05]: "If you get a phone call from someone... how you’re guiding that conversation and what type of information you’re going to be sharing?"
7. Expertise in the Local Market: Wichita
Joseph provides an insightful overview of the Wichita real estate market, highlighting its stability and diversity. He explains why Wichita is an attractive location for investors seeking medium-term rentals and long-term appreciation.
Key Points:
- Wichita boasts a diverse economy with strong sectors like aerospace, healthcare, and education.
- The market is characterized by steady growth, making it ideal for predictable investments.
- Median home price is affordable at approximately $235,000, with opportunities for rental income and appreciation.
Notable Quotes:
Joseph Hamer [43:15]: "We have great economics here, very diverse sectors. We're the air capital of the world."
Joseph Hamer [44:49]: "Wichita's a great, you know, safe community. It's a big city, but it's certainly not right."
8. Advice for New Realtors
Joseph emphasizes the importance of focusing on one’s strengths and sphere of influence rather than spreading efforts too thin. He advises new agents to invest deeply in their existing relationships and avoid overextending into cold leads unless it aligns with their personality and passion.
Key Points:
- Encourage new agents to concentrate on their strengths and preferred client interactions.
- Advocate for deep, meaningful engagement with existing contacts over broad, superficial outreach.
- Recommend leveraging personal networks and consistent communication to build a reliable client base.
Notable Quotes:
Joseph Hamer [49:20]: "Instead of going a mile wide and an inch deep, flip it right, do the opposite."
David Greene [51:03]: "You need to be making a post for the people that are already following you and like you."
9. Personal Development and Overcoming Fear
Both hosts discuss the psychological barriers new Realtors face, such as fear and lack of confidence. Joseph shares his experience of overcoming the fear of reaching out to clients and emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships based on trust and understanding.
Key Points:
- Highlight the necessity of personal growth and overcoming ego to succeed in real estate.
- Encourage embracing discomfort as a pathway to professional and personal development.
- Stress the significance of authenticity and transparency in client interactions.
Notable Quotes:
Joseph Hamer [58:21]: "I had to let go of that fear and just not be afraid to. To write a postcard, to send a gift, to text or to call."
David Greene [59:24]: "You get that voice in your head that tells you you don't deserve it."
10. Closing Thoughts and Final Advice
In the concluding segment, both David and Joseph reiterate the value of perseverance, continuous learning, and maintaining a positive mindset. They encourage Realtors to stay committed to their strategies, leverage their strengths, and build on genuine relationships to achieve sustained success.
Key Points:
- Reinforce the importance of consistency and dedication in real estate.
- Advocate for utilizing educational resources and team support to enhance performance.
- Encourage ongoing personal and professional development to adapt to industry challenges.
Notable Quotes:
Joseph Hamer [61:51]: "I'm a lifelong learner. I believe in education."
David Greene [62:34]: "That's what most real estate offices turn into is... how'd you meet that person? Zillow lead."
Conclusion
Episode 70 of The David Greene Show features an inspiring conversation with Joseph Hamer, who demonstrates that passion, strategic networking, and leveraging team support are key to excelling in real estate, even in a market like Wichita. Joseph’s journey from education to real estate underscores the importance of aligning one’s career with personal fulfillment and strengths. His practical advice serves as a valuable guide for new and aspiring Realtors seeking to build a successful and sustainable career in real estate.
Final Notable Quote:
Joseph Hamer [60:53]: "I'm happy where I'm at and I do recognize the amount of money that I'm putting into it."
