What does it really take to close 85 homes in a single year — and why do most people who enter real estate never make it past year one?

Ed and Terence sit down with Trey McRae, a 10-year real estate veteran who has spent the last nine years dominating new home sales at Meritage Homes right here in Charlotte. But Trey's story didn't start with closings and commission checks, it started with zero deals his first year, MLS fees draining his account, and Ubering across Charlotte just to stay afloat and learn the city. What kept him going? A mindset forged on the track and field at UNC Charlotte, where he held records in the high jump, long jump, and triple jump. Trey breaks down how the discipline of being a solo competitor, writing weekly practice plans, studying his weaknesses, chasing that 1% improvement every day — translated directly into a real estate career that has made him one of the top new home sales reps in the market.

The conversation goes deep on the realities of the business that social media never shows: the follow-up calls after every contract, the 7-days-a-week grind, and the cancellations that don't make the highlight reel. Trey also pulls back the curtain on the new home sales world, explaining why Meritage focuses entirely on realtor relationships rather than direct buyers, and why building those partnerships was the key to his 85-home year. Ed and Terence also chime in on the biggest misconceptions outsiders have about the real estate profession, the importance of knowing your "why" before chasing the lifestyle, and how to navigate the image of success without letting it attract the wrong energy. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation and the Free Game is already flowing.

Are you building an authentic personal brand that influences real relationships, or are you chasing followers with smoke and mirrors that crumble when it's time to deliver in person?

In this powerful conversation, hosts Ed Averette and Terence Guess sit down with Solomon Hejirika, founder of Hejirika Law, to explore what it truly means to wield influence in real estate and business. The discussion challenges professionals who hide behind avatars and algorithms while neglecting the relationships that actually build lasting success. Solomon shares his journey from Baltimore to Charlotte, his experience at multiple law firms, and why he chose to break away from the cookie-cutter approach that turned families into numbers. The trio dives deep into authenticity versus image, the danger of relying solely on social media for business, and why going line-by-line through closing documents builds the kind of trust that generates referrals for life. This episode is a masterclass in understanding that real influence isn't measured in followers—it's measured in the lives you impact when you show up as your genuine self, provide expert service, and pay it forward to others climbing the same ladder you once scaled.

When was the last time you looked in the mirror and asked yourself: Am I building a business, or am I just being everyone's stepping stone?

Ed Averette and Terence Guess kick off 2026 with one of their most vulnerable conversations yet about the reinvention of the real estate professional. Terence gets brutally honest about his decision to stop convincing partners to work with him, sharing how spending four weeks educating clients only to watch them use another lender without a conversation takes a serious mental toll. The hosts explore the difference between relationships that pour into you versus those that drain you, emphasizing that time and influence are more valuable than money. Ed relates to the struggle, describing how loan officers become "sugar daddies" at events, showing up, sponsoring, serving as mascots, only to be ghosted when clients make decisions. They discuss the painful reality of text message dismissals versus phone call respect, and why genuine partnerships require more than just being on someone's flyer. The conversation shifts to 2026 market predictions, with insights on how rate drops are already "baked in" and what happens when the whole city comes out to buy homes. Ed reveals his commitment to getting back to having fun in real estate, comparing it to Cam Newton's dabbing days when joy translated to winning. Both hosts land on a powerful truth: what's meant for you will be for you, and in 2026, they're done chasing what isn't.