REAL Smart with Cheryl King and Maura Neill

Georgia is one of only about 11 states where an attorney's office -- not a title company -- runs the closing and controls the money. That makes the closing attorney's office a mystery to plenty of clients, and more than a few agents. This week Cheryl and Maura go back to basics -- who's who from the pre-closer to the closer, and who the closing attorney actually represents. 

Everyone's asking about AI -- but do agents actually know what they're asking for? In this episode, Maura and Cheryl get real about what AI tools can and can't do for your real estate business. From practical use cases (hello, 75-page HOA documents) to the compliance landmines you need to avoid -- including a big one specific to Georgia -- this conversation covers how to use AI as a first draft, not a final answer. Plus, why prompting matters more than most agents realize, and why the skills that make you great at this job are still the ones no AI can replace.

Real estate teams come in all shapes and sizes -- and the model that works for one agent might be the wrong fit for another. In this episode, Maura and Cheryl walk through the different ways teams are structured today, what agents should consider before joining one, and what it really takes to build and lead a team of your own. Whether you're flying solo and wondering if it's time to grow, or you've been approached about joining a team, this episode will help you ask the right questions before you make the leap.

Thinking about bringing on an assistant? Before you start delegating, you need to know the rules. In this episode, Maura and Cheryl break down the difference between licensed and unlicensed real estate assistants -- and more importantly, what an unlicensed assistant is and isn't allowed to do in Georgia. It's the kind of thing that can get an agent (and their broker) in serious trouble if they get it wrong, so this conversation is worth your time before you make any hiring decisions.

Transaction coordinators can be a game-changer -- but only if you use them right. In this episode, Maura and Cheryl break down the dos and don'ts of working with a TC, including why bringing them in too late is a bigger deal than you think and how setting clear expectations from the start makes everything run smoother.

Free speech is a constitutional right. The REALTOR Code of Ethics is a professional obligation. But what happens when the two collide? This week, Maura and Cheryl dig into the tension between what you're legally allowed to say and what your code of ethics says you should say -- and where the line gets blurry for agents."I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." ~ Evelyn Beatrice Hall

Agents spend a lot of time protecting their clients. But who's protecting you? This week, Maura and Cheryl dig into the scams and schemes currently making the rounds, and yes, you're the target. Tune in to find out what to look for, what to avoid, and how to stay one step ahead of the con.

Some deals come dressed up as opportunities… but carry real risk underneath. “Subject to” offers promise creative solutions, but they can raise serious legal and ethical concerns, including potential mortgage fraud. What sounds like a win-win can quickly unravel if lenders, title, or the law get involved. In this episode, Maura and Cheryl pull back the curtain on these offers, what they really mean, and how to recognize when a deal crosses from creative into dangerous territory.