In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back – A Real Estate Podcast, host Mike Litzner sits down with Ron Alber, Real Estate Attorney and Founder of The Alber Law Group, to break down what really happens between contract and closing in New York real estate.

Ron shares practical insights on:
-The most common legal mistakes sellers and buyers make
-Why due diligence matters before listing or purchasing a home
-Certificates of Occupancy, permits, and how missing paperwork can derail a deal
-How agents, attorneys, and lenders can work together to keep transactions moving
-Staying calm and professional when emotions and pressure run high
-Estate planning basics every homeowner should understand
-Wild but true closing table stories from nearly 25 years in practice

Whether you’re a buyer, seller, agent, or investor, this episode offers real-world guidance to help you avoid costly mistakes and close with confidence.

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📍 Guest: Ron Alber, Esq.
🌐 Website: alberlaw.com
📞 Phone: 631-462-6900

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• cbamhomes.com

Interested in a career in real estate?

• Join our team: careers.cbamhomes.com

Need to get licensed?

• New York Real Estate Salesperson Classes: resnys.com/77-hr-new-york-real-estate-salesperson-classes-cb/

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back, Mike Litzner sits down with Janet Pushee, a top agent in the Northport / Huntington market with over 35 years of experience.

Janet shares what has mattered most throughout her career — waking up each day with a mission, staying productive, putting clients first, and answering the phone when it counts. The conversation also dives into what makes Northport such a special community, how buyers and sellers should approach today’s market, and why giving back through civic involvement is so important to her.

Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, seller, or real estate professional, this episode offers thoughtful insight from someone who has truly seen it all.

Thank you for listening

Stay connected with us:

• Facebook: facebook.com/cbamhomes
• Instagram: instagram.com/cbamhomes
• Twitter: twitter.com/cbamhomes
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cbamhomes

Visit our website:

• cbamhomes.com

Interested in a career in real estate?

• Join our team: careers.cbamhomes.com

Need to get licensed?

• New York Real Estate Salesperson Classes: resnys.com/77-hr-new-york-real-estate-salesperson-classes-cb/

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back – A Real Estate Podcast, Mike Litzner sits down with Melissa King, COO of OneKey® MLS, for a behind-the-scenes look at the data, technology, and decisions that power the real estate industry. Melissa breaks down what the MLS really is, how listing data flows to consumer portals, why transparency and standards matter, and how AI and smarter integrations are shaping what’s next for brokers and agents. The conversation also dives into leadership, industry change, and wraps with a fun Drop the Mic moment you won’t want to miss.

Thank you for listening

Stay connected with us:

• Facebook: facebook.com/cbamhomes
• Instagram: instagram.com/cbamhomes
• Twitter: twitter.com/cbamhomes
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cbamhomes

Visit our website:

• cbamhomes.com

Interested in a career in real estate?

• Join our team: careers.cbamhomes.com

Need to get licensed?

• New York Real Estate Salesperson Classes: resnys.com/77-hr-new-york-real-estate-salesperson-classes-cb/

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back, Mike Litzner sits down with Scott Rosenberg of CrossCountry Mortgage, a mortgage professional with 35 years of experience navigating every type of market cycle.

Scott breaks down today's mortgage landscape with clarity and candor from why Fed rate cuts don t always translate to lower mortgage rates, to the real differences between pre-approvals and commitment letters, rate locks, VA loans, first-time buyer programs, and jumbo financing.

He also shares practical advice for agents on strengthening offers, reducing deal risk, and educating buyers for smoother closings. The conversation goes beyond numbers, touching on ethics, long-term financial responsibility, market misconceptions, and the importance of doing right by clients even when it means saying no. If you re a real estate agent, buyer, or industry professional looking for real-world mortgage insight without the noise, this episode delivers real advice you can use.

Thank you for listening

Stay connected with us:

• Facebook: facebook.com/cbamhomes
• Instagram: instagram.com/cbamhomes
• Twitter: twitter.com/cbamhomes
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cbamhomes

Visit our website:

• cbamhomes.com

Interested in a career in real estate?

• Join our team: careers.cbamhomes.com

Need to get licensed?

• New York Real Estate Salesperson Classes: resnys.com/77-hr-new-york-real-estate-salesperson-classes-cb/

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back, Mike Litzner sits down with Sandra Caruso, Regional Manager of the Mount Sinai and Wading River offices for Coldwell Banker American Homes.

Sandra shares what it really takes to lead 100+ agents across two distinct markets, how her experience as an agent shapes her leadership style, and why understanding people, not just transactions, is the foundation of long-term success.

The conversation also goes inside the brand new Mount Sinai office, built from the ground up, including how modern spaces and in-house studios are helping agents elevate their marketing and better serve their clients.

From fiduciary responsibility and negotiation nuance to community involvement, mentorship, and giving back, this episode offers a behind the scenes look at leadership in today’s real estate landscape.

Thank you for listening

Stay connected with us:

• Facebook: facebook.com/cbamhomes
• Instagram: instagram.com/cbamhomes
• Twitter: twitter.com/cbamhomes
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cbamhomes

Visit our website:

• cbamhomes.com

Interested in a career in real estate?

• Join our team: careers.cbamhomes.com

Need to get licensed?

• New York Real Estate Salesperson Classes: resnys.com/77-hr-new-york-real-estate-salesperson-classes-cb/

Thank you for listening

Stay connected with us:

• Facebook: facebook.com/cbamhomes
• Instagram: instagram.com/cbamhomes
• Twitter: twitter.com/cbamhomes
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cbamhomes

Visit our website:

• cbamhomes.com

Interested in a career in real estate?

• Join our team: careers.cbamhomes.com

Need to get licensed?

• New York Real Estate Salesperson Classes: resnys.com/77-hr-new-york-real-estate-salesperson-classes-cb/

In this episode of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Give Back – A Real Estate Podcast, host Michael Litzner sits down with Lyndsey Gallagher, Chief Financial Officer of Coldwell Banker American Homes, to talk about what it’s really like leading in a family-run company that’s been growing strong for nearly four decades.

Lyndsey shares how she went from answering phones in the office as a teenager to managing the financial operations that power more than 1,000 agents and 100 employees. She talks about building faster, smarter systems that help agents get paid in hours, not weeks, her legendary “Croatia yacht” story, and how compassion, culture, and community remain at the heart of the Gallagher legacy.

You’ll hear about:

• How family values still guide a modern, fast-moving brokerage
• The systems and mindset behind same-day commission payouts
• Balancing business, leadership, and life
• The ongoing impact of the Heart of American Homes Foundation
• And, of course, the “Drop the Mike” moment you don’t want to miss

👉 Like and subscribe for more inspiring conversations from leaders who work hard, play hard, and give back.

Thank you for listening

Stay connected with us:

• Facebook: facebook.com/cbamhomes
• Instagram: instagram.com/cbamhomes
• Twitter: twitter.com/cbamhomes
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cbamhomes

Visit our website:

• cbamhomes.com

Interested in a career in real estate?

• Join our team: careers.cbamhomes.com

Need to get licensed?

• New York Real Estate Salesperson Classes: resnys.com/77-hr-new-york-real-estate-salesperson-classes-cb/

Meet Richie Krug Jr. & Taleen Krug, the husband-and-wife powerhouse behind the RTK Realty Group at Coldwell Banker American Homes (East Meadow). In this episode, Mike digs into the exact habits and systems that fuel their growth: color-coded shared calendars, rigorous CRM discipline, clear “ops vs. outreach” roles, and a content-first social strategy that actually converts.

We also get personal—raising kids, phone-free dinners, pickleball, and how community service (Trunk-or-Treat, food drives, cleanups) became part of their family DNA. If you’re stuck between “individual agent” and “building a team,” or you’re trying to balance work and life without dropping the ball, this one’s for you.

What you’ll learn

• The “calendar or it doesn’t exist” operating system for busy teams
• When to expand services (property management!) and when to refer out
• Social media that works: daily posting, video/reels, and human content mix
• AI as a team member: content, emails, and time saved—without copy/paste traps
• Community service as brand, culture, and the next-gen lesson

Thank you for listening

Stay connected with us:

• Facebook: facebook.com/cbamhomes
• Instagram: instagram.com/cbamhomes
• Twitter: twitter.com/cbamhomes
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cbamhomes

Visit our website:

• cbamhomes.com

Interested in a career in real estate?

• Join our team: careers.cbamhomes.com

Need to get licensed?

• New York Real Estate Salesperson Classes: resnys.com/77-hr-new-york-real-estate-salesperson-classes-cb/