Valerie Fitzgerald, a Beverly Hills-based global luxury property specialist, has teamed with Bob Hurwitz, a Los Angeles-based luxury real estate broker and consultant, to host Real Estate, Real Laughs, a newly launched podcast that finally tells the real, outrageously funny stories behind the scenes of luxury real estate. From a client faking her own murder to get out of a contract, to finding freakish things in a listing, the podcast is lighthearted and fun. New episodes every Friday will feature new guests – luxury Realtors or celebrities – to share stories and keep the fun going.
FWM: Tell us about your background in luxury real estate.
I started out holding open houses that were not my listings. And at that time, I had a baby and no child care so I had to bring her with me. I started meeting new people, earned their trust and they started to list their homes with me. With hard work, strong follow up, and perseverance I built my business and gained traction as a high-end agent. Eventually I represented many CEO’s, celebrities, and clients who bought and sold their homes with me. Today I have closed over $3.5 billion in sales.
FWM: You recently teamed up with Los Angeles-based luxury real estate broker and consultant, Bob Hurwitz to launch your new podcast, REAL ESTATE REAL LAUGHS. Tell us about your partnership.
Bob and I have been friends for over 20 years. We would get together, have lunch, do deals together and we were always laughing while exchanging stories. Then we thought funny, crazy real estate stories most agents experience would be a fun podcast! Real Estate Real Laughs was born! Each week we share stories with guests and listeners.
FWM: “It’s time to pull the curtain back on what really goes on in our world of luxury real estate.” Why?
As real estate agents we are a part of our clients’ lives and we often experience some funny things we need to navigate in order to sell their homes.
FWM: Share a few outrageously funny stories that we can find on your podcast.
A woman faked her own murder to get out of a sale. Michael Jackson wanted to see a home that was leased to a Saudi family. He asked to drive by it again to see it from the outside, then he got out of his bus and was dressed as a Saudi with a beard. He rang the gate, the tenants opened the gate, and he walked in bowing and saying HALHALA and finally took off his head dress and beard and the family was shocked! They showed him the house. A house in Beverly Hills was owned by a famous rocker, and when meeting with him there was no furniture but stacked up cages floor to ceiling in the dining room, living room, and family room. The cages were full of snakes. There were over 300 snakes in there! How do you show a house with snakes? We have many more stories!
FWM: Does it take a good sense of humor to be a Top Agent?
Yes, by having a sense of humor it helps when we need to navigate a different , uncomfortable situation. We have to adapt quickly and do the best thing for the client.
FWM: What is your mission for your show?
The mission for our show is to have a fun show about “inside true stories” behind the real estate curtain that people will enjoy!
FWM: Are you looking for guests?
Yes, we have guests each week! Our website is www.realestatelaughs.com
FWM: What is the most outrageous story from your career?
There are a few that stand out in my mind. One is representing a well-known conservative lawyer who wanted to impress his new girlfriend and look at homes. We walked in one and there was a very tall (almost 7 ft) woman who was almost naked! She had a feather whip and was using it on a man who was almost totally naked on a white fluffy rug tied up. The clients were shocked!
FWM: Share your social media.
Real Estate Real Laughs YouTube
Real estate real laughs Spotify, Apple and all podcast platforms
And on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriefitzgerald
