What if the best real estate deals never even hit the market?

Chris Cook welcomes business partner and long-time collaborator David Ferris to dive deep into the world of off-market real estate deals.

They explore the real advantages these hidden gems offer buyers, the surprising motivations behind sellers who choose to stay off MLS, and how agents can use this strategy to prospect more effectively and close deals creatively.

This episode challenges agents to go beyond waiting for MLS updates and start proactively building deals in a tight, competitive market.

Listen For/Watch For

:55 What are the real benefits of off-market listings for buyers?

4:20 Why would a seller choose to sell off market?

8:57 How have recent rule changes impacted off-market property marketing?

14:02 Can acting quickly on MLS listings still offer an edge for buyers?

23:37 When is off-market selling actually the right strategy for a seller?

Connect with guest: David Ferris, Sales Representative RE/MAX Hallmark ®

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Connect with Chris Cook, Sales Representative | Team Lead at The Haylard Group - RE/MAX Hallmark ®

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You might be working hard, but are you working smart?

Chris Cook dives deep into the common traps real estate agents fall into when setting their goals and power plans for the new year.

He shares real insights from reviewing agent submissions in the PATH program, showing how vague strategies and “busy work” often replace meaningful, measurable action.

From dissecting the importance of being definitive (no more “2-3 open houses!”) to sharing personal examples of how community involvement drove real results, Chris provides a playbook for how agents can stop hiding behind planning and start connecting with people—where it counts.

Get ready to tighten up strategies, own your schedule, and become the visible, trusted leader your sphere needs in 2026.

Listen For

:44 Why do most agents fall short on their goals each year?

3:45 What’s the danger of vague strategies like “2 to 3 open houses”?

6:58 How can school drop-off lead to more listings?

11:48 What personal passion can you turn into a client goldmine?

16:01 What is the #1 thing agents get wrong in their power plans?

Connect with Chris, Sales Representative | Team Lead at

The Haylard Group - RE/MAX Hallmark ®

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AI won’t replace great realtors, but realtors who use AI well might replace those who don’t.

In this episode of Mind Your Real Estate Business, Chris sits down with Johnder Perez to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in real estate today: artificial intelligence.

Rather than hype or fear-mongering, this conversation cuts to what actually matters, how AI can support a realtor’s business without stripping away the human connection that defines great client service.

From the “hammer and nail” analogy to real-world examples like listing presentations, email drafting, video avatars, and automations gone wrong, Chris and Johnder explore where AI adds speed and clarity, and where it can quietly damage trust, authenticity, and brand.

The core takeaway is clear: information is now commoditized, but experience, storytelling, and human consultation have never been more valuable.

Listen For

00:00 Should realtors fear AI?
3:33 When does AI erase personality?
6:30 Can AI build listings fast?
12:35 What makes content still authentic?
27:04 How automations destroy trust?

Johnder Perez, Directory ofTechnology andMarketing for RE/MAX Hallmark®
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Connect with Chris, Sales Representative | Team Lead at The Haylard Group - RE/MAX Hallmark ®

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