What’s the real value of a home and who gets to decide? Joining us this episode are Bill Whitaker and Hamp Thomas for a deep dive into the surprisingly complex world of square footage, floor plans, and property valuation. From legal liabilities to LiDAR tech, this episode pulls back the curtain on how real estate professionals can either protect or endanger their clients.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why agents (not tax records) are responsible for square footage accuracy
• How LiDAR technology is changing the way homes are measured
• What “ANSI standards” mean for buyers, sellers, and appraisers
• The legal and financial risks of skipping professional floor plans
• Why a national vocabulary for home size reporting is urgently needed

Resources mentioned in this episode

• RPR
• CubiCasa
• American National Standards Institute
• Matterport
• NCREC Bulletins
• National Association of REALTORS®
• Realtor.com

About Bill Whitaker and Hamp Thomas

Bill Whitaker is the founder of RAWtape Real Estate Measuring and Photography, LLC and RAWtape Real Estate Coaching and Training. A licensed Realtor in the Carolinas since 2003 and Broker-in-Charge of Whitaker and Associates Real Estate, he brings over 20 years of experience in real estate and financial services. A U.S. Air Force veteran and USC-Upstate graduate, Bill also holds a Home Measurement Specialist certification and offers free notary services to REALTORS®, veterans, teachers, and first responders.

Hamp Thomas is a seasoned real estate appraiser, educator, and author based in Whispering Pines, North Carolina. With decades of experience in both real estate and appraisal, he is best known for his expertise in home measurement and his advocacy for standardized square footage practices. Hamp is the creator of the Home Measurement Specialist program and a longtime instructor on ANSI standards, helping agents and appraisers nationwide improve accuracy, protect consumers, and elevate industry professionalism.

Connect with Bill and Hamp

• Website: RAWtape Real Estate Measuring and Photography | Appraiser eLearning
• Email: RAWtapeRPM@gmail.com | pinehurstappraiser@gmail.com
• Contact Number: 803.412.8209 | (910) 603-2690

Connect with Leigh

Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

Small towns don’t just recover slower after disaster—they’re often forgotten altogether. In this episode, Leigh Brown exposes the deep inequalities she’s witnessed firsthand in Western North Carolina’s long road to recovery. From government red tape to rising property taxes, this is a raw look at what happens when working-class communities are pushed to the margins.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why disaster relief often favors urban areas over rural ones
• The hidden financial toll of rebuilding for low-income, generational homeowners
• How property tax hikes after disaster can force people off their land
• The overlooked role of elitism in disaster planning and recovery
• Why preserving small-town economies and culture is essential to America’s future

Resources mentioned in this episode

• American Red Cross
• Samaritan's Purse

Are you ready to make a difference? Go to https://www.patriotrelief.org to learn more.

Connect with Leigh

Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

VA loans are faster, smarter, and more competitive than ever, so why are real estate pros still missing the mark? John Bell III, head of the VA Home Loan Program, joins us to drop major updates, debunk industry myths, and explain why VA buyers are winning in today’s market. If you serve Veterans or want to dominate the real estate game in 2025, this episode is for you!

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why 2025 is the strongest year yet for VA Home Loan volume
• How the VA’s digital platform is enabling agents to advocate for Veterans
• Ways the VA completes appraisals in under 7 business days
• Who qualifies for VA loans in 2025?
• Where to get the VA Home Loan Toolkit every pro should be using

Resources mentioned in this episode

• VA Home Loans
• Real Estate Professionals VA Home Loan Toolkit
• VA Home Loan Guidance on Natural Disasters
• Rebuilding Hope: How the VA Supports Veterans After Disasters – A Conversation with John Bell
• Navigating VA Loan Changes: Expert Insights from John Bell III
• What You Need To Know About VA Home Loans RIGHT NOW with John Bell III

Find direct support through the VA Loan Guaranty Service, whether you're a Veteran, agent, or lender. Submit a ticket via https://benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/contact.asp or call their toll-free line for fast, reliable answers.

About John Bell III
John Bell III began serving as Executive Director of the Loan Guaranty Service on June 21, 2022. He is responsible for delivering VA Home Loan Benefits to his fellow Veterans. Mr. Bell has extensive mortgage industry experience, having served in leadership roles with nationwide lenders for over 20 years before starting his career with the VA in 2010.

Mr. Bell's top priorities are ensuring that VA home loan benefits are the product of choice for Veterans and that Loan Guaranty is the VA program of choice for his 900 talented staff.

Connect with Leigh

Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

Crazy Sh*t in Real Estate just got a glow-up - welcome to Real Talk with Leigh Brown! From deals that go off the rails to lessons you didn’t see coming, Leigh brings you unfiltered conversations with pros who’ve been deep in the trenches.

Same wild stories. Same hard-earned wisdom. Same bold personality. Just with a name that’s a little easier to say out loud.

Subscribe now to keep hearing the stories real estate pros talk about behind closed doors.

Connect with Leigh

Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

Sponsors

"You Ask. Leigh Answers." Your Affordable Coaching Program

Hey there, real estate pros! Are you ready for some more Leigh Brown wisdom in your life? Then don't miss out on my brand-new program, "You Ask. Leigh Answers." It's your exclusive gateway to the insights and advice you need to supercharge your real estate business. With "You Ask. Leigh Answers." you get Direct Access to Leigh Brown, directly! Expert Coaching, Community Connection, and Extensive Resources. Whether listening to this on the go or watching at home, sign up today at Answers.RealEstate and take your business to the next level. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!

🔗 https://answers.realestate/

He left without telling anyone and still came out on top. In this episode, Bob Percesepe shares the wild story behind his unexpected real estate reset and the systems that helped him rebuild from scratch. From tough calls to smart CRM plays, it’s equal parts strategy and survival. Press play if you're ready to restart, scale, or shake things up.

Key takeaways to listen for

• How Bob rebuilt his real estate business from scratch in a new state
• The system behind listing 76 properties in one year
• Why your CRM must be clean, personal, and saleable
• How REALTOR® advocacy creates real local impact
• A wild relocation story that started with a snowstorm and a tuxedo

Resources mentioned in this episode

• NC REALTORS®
• Top Producer
• Wise Agent
• Follow Up Boss

About Bob Percesepe
Bob is a seasoned real estate broker with over 25 years of experience in New York and coastal North Carolina. He leads Blue Chip Real Estate, a boutique firm known for high-touch service, strategic pricing, and CRM-driven referral systems. A certified Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and graduate of the Floyd Wickman Master Sales Academy, Bob combines data, discipline, and deep industry knowledge to help clients and agents succeed. He’s a published author, former REALTOR® of the Year, and active advocate for property rights. Bob is known for his "get by giving" philosophy and passion for raising the industry bar.

Connect with Bob

• Email: bob@bluchip-re.com
• Website: Blue Chip Real Estate | Homelendia Mortgage
• Facebook: Blue Chip Real Estate
• Contact Number: 910-854-0800 (Direct) | 910-795-4814 (Fax)
  

Connect with Leigh
Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

Sponsors
"You Ask. Leigh Answers." Your Affordable Coaching Program
Hey there, real estate pros! Are you ready for some more Leigh Brown wisdom in your life? Then don't miss out on my brand-new program, "You Ask. Leigh Answers." It's your exclusive gateway to the insights and advice you need to supercharge your real estate business. With "You Ask. Leigh Answers." you get Direct Access to Leigh Brown, directly! Expert Coaching, Community Connection, and Extensive Resources. Whether listening to this on the go or watching at home, sign up today at Answers.RealEstate and take your business to the next level. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!

🔗 https://answers.realestate/

Most real estate agents don’t make it past their first five years, and Chris Giannos is on a mission to change that. In this episode, he reveals how his new platform is helping brokerages rethink recruiting, onboarding, and training to keep agents in the game. Plus, stay tuned for the wild story of how one careless comment during a showing torpedoed a $2 million deal. If you're tired of the old-school grind or looking to build a stronger team, this conversation is for you.

Key takeaways to listen for

• What happens when one broker tries to manage 250 agents?
• The rookie mistake that cost an agent a $2M deal
• Why most new agents fail and ways to avoid it
• How brokers are quietly losing top talent and don’t even know it
• The surprising reason Zillow's strategy might help small brokerages

Resources mentioned in this episode

• What is Flex? - Zillow Premier Agent
• Greenhouse Support
• ADP Marketplace

About Chris Giannos
Chris is the co-founder and CEO of Humaniz, a platform designed to streamline agent recruiting and onboarding in real estate. With a background that includes building and managing a 250-agent brokerage in Southern California and early experience in sales at Zillow, Chris brings deep industry insight into team growth, agent training, and real estate operations. Now based in Dallas, he’s focused on raising the bar in the industry by helping brokerages scale smarter and improve agent performance through better systems.

Connect with Chris

• Website: Humaniz
• LinkedIn: Chris Giannos
• Instagram: @chris.giannos | @humaniz.io
• Email: chris@humaniz.io

Connect with Leigh
Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

Sponsors

"You Ask. Leigh Answers." Your Affordable Coaching Program
Hey there, real estate pros! Are you ready for some more Leigh Brown wisdom in your life? Then don't miss out on my brand-new program, "You Ask. Leigh Answers." It's your exclusive gateway to the insights and advice you need to supercharge your real estate business. With "You Ask. Leigh Answers." you get Direct Access to Leigh Brown, directly! Expert Coaching, Community Connection, and Extensive Resources. Whether listening to this on the go or watching at home, sign up today at Answers.RealEstate and take your business to the next level. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!

🔗 https://answers.realestate/

Buckle up for a wild ride through real estate innovation! Join Brad Lewis, a tech-savvy REALTOR® who traded Lake Tahoe's peaks for Tennessee's farmland, as he reveals how a single frustrating property tour sparked the creation of LivePad - a game-changing technology that's about to revolutionize how real estate agents and clients navigate home searches. Get ready for a conversation that's part technology breakthrough, part lifestyle revolution, and 100% pure real estate excitement!

Key takeaways to listen for

• How a frustrating property tour inspired a tech revolution in real estate
• Why LivePad might be the digital solution real estate agents need
• The surprising way technology can enhance real estate transactions
• Inside LivePad: Features you need to know
• Why tracking every detail of a home tour could save you thousands

Resources mentioned in this episode

• REALTORS® Land Institute
• Tahoe 2 Tennessee
• Yelp
• Maps - Apple
• Google Maps
• National Association of REALTORS®
• Stocking Mill Coffee

About Brad Lewis
Brad is a proven innovator and thought leader who has founded and led multiple technology-focused companies, driving advancements that redefine industries. With a career rooted in entrepreneurial vision, he has consistently built organizations from the ground up, steering them to success through cutting-edge solutions and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His expertise spans real estate technology, digital marketing, and operational strategy, where he has empowered businesses and individuals alike to rise above the competition by elevating the level at which they operate.

Connect with Brad

• Website: LivePad
• LinkedIn: Brad Lewis
• Facebook: LivePad
• Email: brad@livesolutionsllc.com

Connect with Leigh
Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

Sponsors
"You Ask. Leigh Answers." Your Affordable Coaching Program
Hey there, real estate pros! Are you ready for some more Leigh Brown wisdom in your life? Then don't miss out on my brand-new program, "You Ask. Leigh Answers." It's your exclusive gateway to the insights and advice you need to supercharge your real estate business. With "You Ask. Leigh Answers." you get Direct Access to Leigh Brown, directly! Expert Coaching, Community Connection, and Extensive Resources. Whether listening to this on the go or watching at home, sign up today at Answers.RealEstate and take your business to the next level. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!

🔗 https://answers.realestate/

What happens when a former NHL hockey player trades his skates for real estate deals? Meet Bob Lachance, a pro-athlete turned real estate investor and entrepreneur. Hear his secrets on thriving in any market, plus the story of Bob's first-ever flip that kicked off his real estate career, complete with lessons learned the hard (and hilarious) way. Tune in for insights you won’t want to miss!

Key takeaways to listen for

• How a former pro hockey player’s discipline turned into real estate success
• A forgotten strategy that might become your competitive advantage
• Can artificial intelligence really spot property issues from Google Earth?
• Why hiding this metric might damage trust with clients and investors
• The secret to staying focused when real estate gets distracting

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell - https://amzn.to/3HNO2rR

Comment “PROGRAM” to learn more about the AI tool that analyzes property conditions using Google Earth images.

About Bob Lachance
Bob is a real estate entrepreneur and founder of REVA Global, specializing in virtual assistant staffing solutions. With over 20 years in the industry, Bob transitioned from professional hockey—playing in the St. Louis Blues organization—to becoming an expert in real estate investing, short sales, and coaching. He has successfully navigated multiple market shifts, leveraging his experience to help agents and investors build efficient, profitable businesses.

Connect with Bob

• Website: REVA Global
• Instagram: @revaglobalva
• LinkedIn: REVA Global
• Facebook: REVA Global Virtual Assistants
• TikTok: @revaglobal
• YouTube: REVA Global Virtual Assistants
• Email: bob@revaglobal.com

Connect with Leigh
Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

Sponsors

"You Ask. Leigh Answers." Your Affordable Coaching Program
Hey there, real estate pros! Are you ready for some more Leigh Brown wisdom in your life? Then don't miss out on my brand-new program, "You Ask. Leigh Answers." It's your exclusive gateway to the insights and advice you need to supercharge your real estate business. With "You Ask. Leigh Answers." you get Direct Access to Leigh Brown, directly! Expert Coaching, Community Connection, and Extensive Resources. Whether listening to this on the go or watching at home, sign up today at Answers.RealEstate and take your business to the next level. Trust me, you'll be glad you did!

🔗 https://answers.realestate/