This week on GRIT, host Brian Charlesworth welcomes Shahar Plinner, founder and CEO of Formations, to discuss an often-overlooked aspect of running a real estate business: taxes. Shahar brings decades of expertise in tax planning for the self-employed, particularly real estate agents and team leaders. From his roots in Israel to building one of Seattle’s top accounting firms, Shahar has always been driven by one goal—helping entrepreneurs keep more of their hard-earned money. In this insightful conversation, Shahar reveals how real estate agents can save tens of thousands of dollars annually by structuring their businesses correctly. “Ninety percent of the agents who come to us aren’t set up as S Corps—and they’re losing significant money because of it,” he explains. Shahar walks through the process of shifting from a sole proprietor or LLC to an S Corporation, which allows agents to reduce their tax liability while still growing their business. The episode also touches on how real estate agents often procrastinate tax planning until it's too late, leading to missed opportunities. Shahar emphasizes the need for intentional tax management throughout the year rather than scrambling at tax time. “The sooner you start thinking about your taxes, the better the outcome. It’s not just about saving on taxes; it’s about creating a long-term strategy that supports your business growth.” Brian and Shahar also discuss the exciting new partnership between Sisu and Formations, offering real estate professionals a seamless integration between business performance tracking and tax optimization. This collaboration allows agents to have a holistic view of their business and finances in real-time, enabling smarter decisions year-round. Top Takeaways:

(4:27) Why real-time financial planning beats last-minute tax fixes.

(9:47) Making sense of real estate taxes—Depreciation, aggregation, and more.

(11:19) How does having a dream team simplify real estate investing?

(12:27) The untapped tax benefits for 1099 real estate agents.

(18:10) Automating 90% of real estate tasks

(23:01) Why live financial data is the key to business confidence.

(24:21) Sisu and Formations—The integration every real estate agent needs.

(28:08) How to eliminate data friction with Sisu’s seamless integration.

(33:27) What are the benefits of S Corps for real estate agents? If you’re looking to gain a better understanding of how smart tax planning can support your real estate business, this episode is a must-listen. Shahar’s expertise will change the way you think about taxes and how they can be used to fuel your success. About Shahar Plinner:

Shahar Plinner is a tax and accounting expert with over 20 years of experience. After moving from Israel to Seattle, he built and sold one of the top tax firms in the area. Now, as the founder and CEO of Formations, he focuses on helping self-employed professionals manage their taxes and maximize financial efficiency.

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In this episode of GRIT: The Real Estate Growth Mindset, Brian Charlesworth sits down with JD Reese, founder of The Genuine Group, one of Southern Utah’s rising stars in real estate. JD shares his evolution from selling over 1,000 homes as a builder agent to creating and leading a team that’s now ranked in the top five in just three years. How did he do it? JD credits much of his success to the systems and processes he built from the ground up. JD takes us back to when he worked long days as a builder agent at Salisbury Homes, where he learned the value of grit and consistency. After experiencing significant changes in the builder market, JD decided to start his own team. In his words, "I realized I could make ten times the amount of money by doing my own thing, and that was eye-opening." The episode dives deep into how JD created a strong foundation for his team, starting with using tools like Sisu and Follow Up Boss to manage accountability and streamline operations. He shares how his focus on building a repeatable system allowed him to transition smoothly into team leadership. JD also touches on his recruitment strategy, which emphasizes hiring young, trainable agents who align with his team's culture of hard work and innovation. What sets JD apart is his hands-on leadership style. He continues to prospect daily alongside his agents, which has helped his team maintain high performance even in challenging markets. "I still prospect an hour to an hour and a half every single day, including Saturdays," JD explains, showcasing his dedication to staying connected with his team and clients. Top Takeaways:

(2:29) The secrets behind selling over 150 homes a year.

(7:34) Can you hit your income goals by prospecting every day?

(13:29) Why the right CRM is your new best friend in real estate.

(17:20) Is data the key to a team that never drops the ball?

(18:00) What’s the real edge of 24/7 reporting for agents?

(25:26) What’s the real cost of wearing too many hats in real estate?

(29:43) How did training turn market challenges into opportunities?

(31:31) AI, PPC, and Facebook—How to use all to win.

(34:28) How do open house registrations boost conversions?

(36:07) How do proper SOPs transform lead management?

(38:41) Why Every Real Estate Deal Needs a "Pizza Tracker" System. Don't miss this insightful conversation as JD explains how to grow a team, foster a winning culture, and consistently push the needle forward. Tune in to learn more about JD's journey and what it takes to build a high-performing real estate business. About JD Reese JD Reese is the owner of The Genuine Group and a Utah native, born and raised in St. George. With a background in new construction and experience as a general contractor, JD aims to provide a genuine experience for clients, whether they are buying, selling, investing, or building homes. He founded The Genuine Group to share his knowledge from nine years in real estate and to build a tech-driven, supportive team environment. In his free time, JD enjoys skateboarding, golfing, playing video games, and spending quality time with his wife and their pets. Connect with JD Reese Today!

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In this episode of the "GRIT" podcast, Brian Charlesworth sits down with Zach Geisendorfer, Director of Client Relations at FAM Realty Group, which started with five agents and is now at nearly 40 in Orange County, California. Zach shares the ups and downs of growing quickly, including the hard lessons learned about the need for solid systems and a strong team culture. “We thought we were on top of the world when we added 25 agents in two weeks,” Zach says, “but without a solid system, things fell apart fast.” This experience taught them that growth without structure isn’t sustainable. Zach talks about his own journey, from making over 130,000 calls a year as an ISA to leading a team that has more than quadrupled in size. He jokes about his early days as a "cowboy," jumping from task to task without any real plan, and how that approach just didn’t cut it once the team started to grow. They also chat about how the team is moving into the luxury market, using data to make smart decisions, and keeping agents motivated through friendly competition. Zach’s approach to training and accountability has made a big difference in their success. With Sisu, Zach says, “we’ve moved beyond spreadsheets and guesswork—it’s all about clear, actionable steps now.” Top Takeaways:

(4:44) Why do team leaders with five agents often struggle?

(5:49) Can rapid growth really destroy your team?

(7:50) What’s the cost of being a ‘cowboy’ in business?

(9:28) How was a hot lead list created from cold contacts?

(13:03) The crash-and-burn after adding 30 agents.

(17:54) What’s the secret sauce in a 30-60-90 day plan?

(20:32) What happens when a whole team goes paperless?

(23:30) Turning leads into wins with the Sisu pipeline

(27:46) Roleplay, coaching, and conversions: a winning combo

(31:33) How did aggressive prospecting dominate the $5m market?

(36:42) What daily habits are driving massive success in sales?

(41:51) Turning accountability into a growth catalyst

If you’re looking to scale your real estate business or just want to hear how a team can grow and thrive, this episode is full of practical tips and insights you won’t want to miss. About Zach Geisendorfer Zach Geisendorfer is the Director of Client Relations at FAM Realty Group. With a strong background in sales, he began his career as an ISA, making over 130,000 calls a year before transitioning into his current leadership role. Zach has been instrumental in growing the real estate team from 5 to nearly 40 agents in Orange County, California, focusing on building solid systems and fostering a strong team culture. Connect with Zach Geisendorfer Today!

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