Unlocking Real Estate: Colibri Real Estate Podcast
Welcome to Unlocking Real Estate - My First Commission where we dive into real stories, big wins, and early lessons learned from highly successful rookie real estate agents and brokers. This is the podcast where we explore how real estate can transform lives one home at a time by sitting down each week with a new agent or broker who has found incredible success in their first year.
Your hosts are instructors and leaders at Colibri Real Estate school, one of the largest real estate educators in the nation where we focus on helping people like you get started or find continued success in their careers.
We’d also love to hear from you! Send your comments, key takeaways, or recommendations to UnlockingRealEstate@colibrirealestate.com
Interested in being on the podcast, or know someone who might be? Please fill out our form: https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish
Unlocking Real Estate: Colibri Real Estate Podcast
Designing Success: Carol Koutsourais’ First Year from Staging Expert to Trusted Youngstown Agent
In this episode of *My First Commission* on *Unlocking Real Estate* by Colibri Real Estate, we sit down with Carol Koutsourais, a lifelong Mahoning Valley resident and marketing-savvy Realtor® with **CENTURY 21 Lakeside Realty** in Youngstown, Ohio. With a background in interior design and marketing, Carol successfully transitioned into real estate, leveraging her creative strengths to stage homes, showcase listings effectively, and build deep-rooted client relationships.
Carol shares:
* How her marketing and design experience helped her navigate the industry and guide sellers to stand out in a competitive market
* The ways she uses staging insights and visual storytelling to create emotional connections that lead to faster sales and happier clients
* How local knowledge and a commitment to long-term relationships became her client retention edge in the Mahoning Valley
Whether you’re an agent—or an aspiring one—looking to elevate your launch with thoughtful presentation and personal connections, Carol’s journey offers a beautiful example of using professional background to amplify real estate results.
🎧 Episode Chapters
* **00:00 – Meet Carol Koutsourais**
* **02:45 – From Marketing & Design to Real Estate**
* **06:10 – How Staging Sets Listings Apart**
* **09:35 – Building Trust Through Visual Storytelling**
* **13:20 – Navigating the Youngstown Market**
* **16:45 – Connecting Clients Beyond the Sale**
* **20:00 – Advice for Agents with Creative Backgrounds**
🔗 Connect with Carol Koutsourais
* **LinkedIn** – Realtor at Century 21 Lakeside Realty in Youngstown, OH (500+ connections) https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-koutsourais-515b0881
* **Century 21 Profile** – Marketing‑minded agent providing staging advice and long-term client care in the Mahoning Valley https://www.century21.com/real-estate-agent/profile/carol-koutsourais-P80184052
* **Facebook (“Homes by Carol”)** – Local updates, listings, and community-focused real estate content https://www.facebook.com/p/Homes-by-Carol-at-Century-21-Lakeside-61560129238708/
🚀 Want to Share Your Story?
Do you have a first-deal journey worth sharing on *My First Commission*? Apply now to share your experience, inspire others, and be featured in the next episode! https://share.hsforms.com/1o4DbEqKvQwSzoMTSnrznZQ8ish
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