Podcast Summary: Your Daily Real Estate Podcast with Tristan Ahumada

Episode 748: 10 Listings Agents Miss Every Day (Zero Paid Leads)

Date: December 17, 2025 | Host: Tristan Ahumada

Overview

In this high-impact, tactical episode, Tristan Ahumada finishes his three-part series on overlooked listing strategies that require zero paid leads or cold calls. He shares the final 10 actionable strategies (bringing the series total to 32) to help real estate agents find opportunities hiding in plain sight—from garage sales to community events—by shifting focus from traditional “lead lists” to everyday interactions and community awareness. The show emphasizes authenticity, service, and agent visibility as the foundation for steady organic growth. Tristan's tone is energetic, practical, and direct, with actionable examples and memorable advice throughout.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Being an Expert in the Market

• Key Insight: Don’t just know the stats—live the market, preview homes, and share firsthand knowledge.
• Quote:
  • “Sellers trust you more. You're not reading a report. You're the person who was just inside 10 homes this week and can tell them exactly what's happening.” (02:00)

2. Go to Broker Opens (Or Do Virtual Walk-Throughs and Share Them)

• Action: Attend broker opens weekly, document findings, and post short videos or recaps on social. If you can’t attend in person, do virtual walk-throughs using MLS, Redfin, or Zillow and share insights online.
• Quote:
  • “You've seen those TikToks and Instagram reels... just sharing the properties they're seeing, and they have hundreds of thousands and thousands and millions of views. ...You can do the same thing.” (03:35)

3. Run a Market Update Seminar for Your Community

• Method: Host free, educational sessions with help from lenders, inspectors, and stagers. The focus is on serving and informing, not selling.
• Quote:
  • “You're not selling here, you're serving. And sellers remember who educated them before they were actually ready to do anything.” (04:14)

4. Host a Niche Event or Class

• Approach: Create events catering to specific homeowner needs or seasons (e.g., “What Every Homeowner Needs to Know Before Listing in the Winter”).
• Wisdom: Quality of attendance matters more than quantity.
• Quote:
  • “You don't need 100 people. You need 10 of the right people. That's probably the biggest misconception.” (05:08)

5. Learn and Talk About Assumable Loans

• Opportunity: Many homeowners have low-rate, assumable mortgages but don’t know it; become an expert and start these conversations.
• Quote:
  • “99% don’t even know. So please, do the homework. Learn it, then start talking about it. Go and Google it right now.” (06:00)

6. Attend Community Events or Join a Committee

• Strategy: Get involved authentically in local life—HOAs, school fundraisers, festivals—to build awareness and relationships.
• Insight:
  • “You’re not there to pitch anyone. You’re there to be known...This is long game stuff, but it works.” (06:35)

7. Look for Homes with Big Improvements Happening

• Advice: Spot dumpsters, new roofs, landscaping—these may signal upcoming listings. Engage as a curious neighbor, not a pushy agent.

8. Go to Garage Sales

• Tactic: Garage sales often precede moves—attend, converse, and build rapport. Many agents overlook these golden, organic opportunities.
• Quote:
  • “People who are cleaning out are often preparing for something bigger. A move, a downsize, a life change.” (08:09)

9. Adopt a “Every Homeowner is a Potential Seller” Mindset

• Mindset Shift: Stop labeling homeowners as “not sellers.” Everyone’s situation can change. Stay top of mind by offering consistent value over time.
• Quote:
  • “Your job is to stay in front of them. So when the time comes, you're the one that they call.” (09:10)

10. Call For Rent By Owners

• Execution: Find “for rent by owner” listings (Craigslist, Zillow), reach out with genuine curiosity. Landlords are often ready to sell after one bad tenant.
• Personal Story:
  • “I started calling them, and one of them turned into four full transactions.” (09:55)
• Script Tip:
  • “Ask how everything's going. Are they tired of dealing with the tenants?...You just need to know what to say.” (10:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Awareness over Luck:

  • “That’s not luck. That’s awareness. There’s a big difference and that’s what I want to give you today.” (00:57)

• On Social Proof and Visibility:

  • “Every single time you do this, you're showing people that you're actively in the market...building authority.” (04:00)

• On Consistency:

  • “None of these matter if you don’t execute. So I want you to pick three, just three, and commit to doing them consistently for the next 30 days.” (11:10)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00–01:10 – Main theme: Opportunities in plain sight, story on garage sale conversion.
• 01:11–02:10 – #23: Market expertise and knowing your numbers.
• 02:11–03:55 – #24: Broker opens, digital walk-throughs, and sharing content.
• 03:56–05:07 – #25, #26: Hosting community seminars and niche events.
• 05:08–06:20 – #27: Assumable loans deep dive.
• 06:21–07:30 – #28: Community involvement, relationship building.
• 07:31–08:09 – #29: Spotting home improvements as listing clues.
• 08:10–09:09 – #30: Garage sales as a lead source.
• 09:10–09:54 – #31: Mindset shift: Every owner is a potential seller.
• 09:55–10:59 – #32: Calling for rent by owners, landlord story.
• 11:00–end – Call to action: Pick three strategies, execute for 30 days.

Actionable Recap

• Choose 3 strategies from the 10 outlined and commit to consistent execution for the next month.
• Mindset is everything: See everyone as a potential client, prioritize authentic interactions, and focus on community service to organically attract listings.
• Stay tuned for tomorrow’s episode on foundational business principles (Mary Kay style).

For the full checklist of all 32 strategies, DM “checklist” to Tristan on Instagram.

Tristan’s Final Word:

• “Pick three, just three, and commit...None of these matter if you don’t execute.” (11:10)

Rich with practical ideas, this compact episode is a must-listen (or must-read summary) for agents wanting to break free from paid leads and tap into the power of genuine local connections.