What does it really take to succeed in real estate today — without the fluff, the fake motivation, or the "post-and-pray" strategies? In this episode of The Madison Podcast, host Ben Lavender sits down with Dylan Bugallo, a high-producing New York real estate agent known for his no-nonsense, relationship-first approach. Together, they unpack what actually moves the needle in real estate — from prospecting fears no one admits out loud to why most agents stay busy but broke.

This is an honest, unfiltered conversation about doing the work, caring deeply, and building a business that lasts.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

- Why real estate can feel lonely — even when you're surrounded by people

- How Dylan built a referral-driven business without relying on AI or gimmicks

- The difference between looking busy and actually producing results

- How to instantly build trust in listing appointments (without scripts)

- Why relationships will always beat automation in real estate

Key Takeaways & Timestamps

00:01 – The Lonely Agent Paradox: Why real estate feels isolating — and how events, mentors, and proximity to talent change everything.

00:07 – Mindset Before Metrics: Why burnout kills more careers than rejection — and how rest actually improves production.

00:12 – The Trust Advantage: How simple human behaviors (listening, respect, curiosity) win listings over flashy pitches.

00:17 – Facing the Fear No New Agent Admits: Why rejection isn't the real fear — and what actually stops agents from prospecting.

00:21 – The 33-Touch Rule Explained: How consistent, genuine follow-up turns past clients into long-term referral engines.

00:27 – Busy ≠ Productive: Why podcasts, AI tools, and motivational content don't matter if you're not calling people.

00:29 – Why Dylan Hates Open Houses: A brutally honest breakdown of time ROI, lead quality, and when open houses actually make sense.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs the reminder: 👉 Care more. Work smarter. Build relationships that last.

🤝 Let's Connect

Host: Ben Lavender – New York's Favorite British Mortgage Broker

📸 Instagram: @blavmtg

Guest: Dylan Bugallo – Real Estate Agent, Over South

📸 Instagram: @dylanbugallo

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