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RealTrendingAuthor: RealTrends
The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons theyve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Language: en Genres: Business News, News Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Real estate sherpas: Corwyn Melette on how brokers lead in turbulent times
Monday, 21 September, 2026
In this episode of the RealTrending, Tracey Velt sits down with broker-owner Corwyn Melette of Exit Realty Lowcountry Group breaks down what legacy really means beyond a single transaction. He shares how his own family lost generations of rental properties — and how that experience reshaped his mission to help consumers and agents build lasting wealth instead of simply consuming it. Corwyn explains why Charleston, South Carolina, is a “perfect storm” market, with geographic constraints, strong economic drivers, and intense demand that create both scarcity and opportunity. From workforce and affordable housing with layered funding to educating consumers on equity and long-term value, he walks through practical ways real estate can be the engine for financial freedom. He also digs into what real leadership and professionalism look like in today’s market amid lawsuits, rate anxiety and commission pressure. Corwyn challenges agents and brokers to lead with service, master their contracts and double down on real human connection, whether that’s picking up the phone or being a true “real estate sherpa” for clients navigating complex decisions. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Eddie Garcia’s Realty of America debuted on the Real Trends Verified rankings in its first full year, hitting number 45 by sides, 63 by volume, and 24 among private independents. Garcia’s journey from poverty and humble beginnings fuels his mission to create opportunity and a modern path to the American dream through real estate. Realty of America runs a cloud-based model anchored by a physical 27,000-square-foot Chicago headquarters, emphasizing culture, collaboration, and centralized support. The brokerage is built on revenue share and agent ownership, paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars monthly to agents instead of keeping profits solely at the broker-owner level. Seven founding partners with 170 years of combined experience and $17 billion in closed production still run teams, ensuring leadership decisions are made from a producer’s perspective. The company is intentionally profitable without mortgage, title, or insurance, operates with no debt and no outside investors, and still posts rapid agent growth across more than 24 states plus Puerto Rico. Garcia believes the industry is consolidating toward a handful of mega brokers while strong boutiques survive locally, with RevShare models expanding to a far larger share of agents. He sees disciplined, tech-forward, debt-averse growth as critical in a market defined by affordability challenges, rate uncertainty, and mounting competitive pressure on traditional brokerages. Related to this episode: Tracey Velt’s LinkedIn Corwyn Melette's LinkedIn Exit Realty Lowcountry Group Buy one, get one FREE tickets to the Mortgage Banking Summit on October 1st Want more from Tracey? Don’t forget to subscribe to Real Estate Daily. The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.
