Let’s Get Real About the Service-First Hustle with Paul Silverman
Wed Feb 04 2026
Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this insightful episode, we are joined by Paul Silverman, a seasoned manager at Martha Turner Sotheby's who transitioned from home building to real estate in 2010.
Paul dives deep into the realities of building a sustainable career, debunking the "HGTV myth" that the job is easy or quick money. He and the host explore why treating real estate as a genuine small business and prioritizing long-term service over immediate commissions is the only true path to longevity in the industry. If you are ready to move past the surface-level hype and build a business based on substance and relationships, this episode is for you.
In this episode, you will learn:✔️ The "Service First" Philosophy: Silverman emphasizes that clients can sense when they are being "sold" rather than served. He shares a powerful anecdote of how treating a $130,000 client with elite-level respect eventually led to over $3 million in referral sales, proving the late Ebby Halliday’s advice: "Do it for the service... and the dollar will follow."✔️ The Missing Piece of "Know, Like, and Trust": While the industry loves the "Know, Like, and Trust" adage, Paul argues it is incomplete. It doesn’t matter if a client trusts you if they don't remember you. Learn why post-closing follow-up systems are non-negotiable for staying in your sphere of influence.✔️ Strategies for Organic Business Growth: Discover how to build a client base from scratch, even in a new city. Paul discusses "organic interactions"—from frequenting the same coffee shop to spark familiarity, to walking dogs in affluent neighborhoods and mastering the art of the consistent open house.✔️ The Critical Role of Deep Education: Licensing classes are just the beginning. Paul explains why pursuing advanced designations like the GRI (Graduate, Realtor Institute) and adopting systems like Ninja Selling are vital for confidence. He also stresses the need to memorize local market statistics to hold intelligent conversations at any social event.
Connect with Paul:If you have questions about Paul’s strategies or want to learn more about his work in the Houston market, you can find him through his firm:
Firm: Martha Turner Sotheby’s International RealtyLocation: Houston, TXAffiliations: Houston Association of Realtors (HAR)
Listen to the full episode now: https://the-real-in-real-estate.captivate.fm/listen
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Welcome to The REAL in Real Estate Podcast, your go-to show for real estate success. In this insightful episode, we are joined by Paul Silverman, a seasoned manager at Martha Turner Sotheby's who transitioned from home building to real estate in 2010. Paul dives deep into the realities of building a sustainable career, debunking the "HGTV myth" that the job is easy or quick money. He and the host explore why treating real estate as a genuine small business and prioritizing long-term service over immediate commissions is the only true path to longevity in the industry. If you are ready to move past the surface-level hype and build a business based on substance and relationships, this episode is for you. In this episode, you will learn:✔️ The "Service First" Philosophy: Silverman emphasizes that clients can sense when they are being "sold" rather than served. He shares a powerful anecdote of how treating a $130,000 client with elite-level respect eventually led to over $3 million in referral sales, proving the late Ebby Halliday’s advice: "Do it for the service... and the dollar will follow."✔️ The Missing Piece of "Know, Like, and Trust": While the industry loves the "Know, Like, and Trust" adage, Paul argues it is incomplete. It doesn’t matter if a client trusts you if they don't remember you. Learn why post-closing follow-up systems are non-negotiable for staying in your sphere of influence.✔️ Strategies for Organic Business Growth: Discover how to build a client base from scratch, even in a new city. Paul discusses "organic interactions"—from frequenting the same coffee shop to spark familiarity, to walking dogs in affluent neighborhoods and mastering the art of the consistent open house.✔️ The Critical Role of Deep Education: Licensing classes are just the beginning. Paul explains why pursuing advanced designations like the GRI (Graduate, Realtor Institute) and adopting systems like Ninja Selling are vital for confidence. He also stresses the need to memorize local market statistics to hold intelligent conversations at any social event. Connect with Paul:If you have questions about Paul’s strategies or want to learn more about his work in the Houston market, you can find him through his firm: Firm: Martha Turner Sotheby’s International RealtyLocation: Houston, TXAffiliations: Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) Listen to the full episode now: https://the-real-in-real-estate.captivate.fm/listen