Welcome back to the Forward One Podcast, hosted by Paul Mark Morris and Josh Spitzen of Forward One Real Estate. In this episode, we sit down with luxury powerhouse Paul Daftarian to unpack what it really takes to dominate in one of the most competitive markets in the country. We talk about the mental discipline required to win listings before walking through the door, how to build a six-star service experience that clients can’t stop talking about, and why your calendar—not your market—determines your income. Paul shares insights that challenge the status quo, from redefining how agents should treat their databases to the strategic reason behind “burning the boats.” If you’re serious about playing at a higher level, this conversation will sharpen your focus and reframe how you approach success in this business.

Connect with the Forward One team on Instagram!
@paulmarkmorris
@spitzenjosh
@pauldaftarian

Timestamps
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:00 Early Mortgage
00:04:00 Missed Exit
00:07:00 Signal vs Noise
00:10:00 Burn the Boats
00:14:00 Confidence Wins
00:18:00 Calendar Wins
00:23:00 Team Building
00:28:00 Six-Star Service
00:33:00 Listing Tactics
00:41:00 Luxury Strategy
00:48:00 Set Boundaries
00:54:00 F1RE Round

Welcome back to the Forward One Podcast, hosted by Paul Mark Morris and Josh Spitzen of Forward One Real Estate.

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Flachner, co-founder of RealScout, to explore what it really takes to build a product that realtors actually want—and keep using. We dig into why most tech companies get it wrong when trying to serve agents, and how Andrew’s obsession with solving real pain points led to one of the highest retention rates in the industry. You’ll hear why building a database isn’t just a tech play—it’s a long-term wealth strategy for agents. We also talk candidly about the moment RealScout stopped trying to be everything and chose a single lane, and how that decision changed everything.

If you’re trying to scale your real estate business, make smarter hiring decisions, or stay ahead of AI-driven shifts in the industry, this conversation is packed with the kind of practical insight and strategic clarity you won’t hear anywhere else.

Follow Andrew on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/aflachner/

Timestamps
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:15 Starting as an Agent
00:03:00 100K Users
00:04:55 Fixing Churn
00:07:05 Database Gold
00:10:00 One Thing Focus
00:12:45 Revenue Goals
00:15:40 Hire When It Hurts
00:18:30 High Retention
00:24:30 Network Effect
00:29:15 Seller Tools
00:32:10 Not a CRM
00:40:00 Beating Zillow
00:44:45 AI Roadmap
00:57:30 F1RE Round

Welcome back to the Forward One Podcast, hosted by Paul Mark Morris and Josh Spitzen of Forward One Real Estate. In this episode, we sit down with architect John Umbanhowar to uncover what most realtors and developers get wrong about design—and why that’s costing them real money. We talk about how great architecture isn't just aesthetic; it’s strategic, and it can significantly increase property value when done right. John shares how to vet design professionals, what to look for during due diligence, and how to navigate tricky permitting challenges that can derail a deal. We also dig into the misunderstood dynamics between realtors, clients, and architects—plus how to position yourself as the connector who adds real value. Whether you're flipping, representing, or developing, this conversation will give you sharper tools to make smarter, more profitable decisions.

Follow John on Instagram!
https://www.instagram.com/huumarchitects/

More of John's work:
https://huum.com/fire-resilient-architecture-for-california-homeowners/
https://huum.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/250401_huumfireresilience.pdf

Timestamps
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:44 Path to Design
00:04:22 Clients & Realtors
00:07:07 Scope of Work
00:08:31 Permit Hurdles
00:12:53 Realtor Value
00:16:16 Due Diligence
00:20:24 Picking Architects
00:26:17 Design Ethos
00:29:27 Space & Feel
00:33:42 Vetting Pros
00:36:46 Fees & Value
00:44:05 ROI on Design
00:51:34 Climate Ready
00:57:34 F1RE Round