Storytelling Through Persona Marketing with Lydia Hallay – Open House Podcast

We’re back with another episode of Open House: Everyday Excellence, a podcast from Living Room Realty that explores how real estate agents can do their work with heart, skill, and creativity.

In each episode, we sit down with agents who are reshaping what it means to serve clients well. We talk about the practices, the challenges, and the lessons that help us grow both as professionals and as people.

🎧 Episode 4: Storytelling Through Persona Marketing with Lydia Hallay

This week’s guest, Lydia Hallay, believes that every home has a story. She shows us how important it is for agents to tell that story in a way that connects with people.

Instead of relying only on the basics like square footage or the number of bedrooms, Lydia goes further. She gives her listings names, creates playlists, stages with intention, and even brings fresh flowers. All of these details create an experience that allows buyers to picture their lives in the space.

In this episode, Lydia shares:

  • How persona marketing makes homes feel alive and memorable

  • Why talking with sellers about what they love helps attract the right buyers

  • Ways to build anticipation by pulling back the curtain on your process

  • How authenticity and joy set you apart in a crowded market

Who It’s For

This episode is for agents who want to move past the pressure of “selling” and instead focus on building stronger connections. If you have ever struggled to make your marketing feel authentic, or wondered how to bring more of your personality into the work, Lydia’s approach offers both inspiration and practical steps.

Why It Matters

Real estate is about more than transactions. It is about trust, imagination, and belonging. When we treat each home as a story worth telling, we help buyers and sellers feel seen and understood. We also create excitement and confidence about what comes next.

Lydia reminds us that joy and creativity are not extras. They are tools that can elevate your practice and make your work stand out. As she says: “Stay human.”

Listen Now

Episode 4 is live. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you listen. Search for Open House: Everyday Excellence and start with Storytelling Through Persona Marketing with Lydia Hallay.

Open House: Escalation Clauses with Tracey Henkels | A Real Estate Podcast

Escalation Clauses — How to Use Them with Tracey Henkels

Open House: Everyday Excellence is back with another conversation for agents who want to sharpen their skills and deepen their relationships with clients. This podcast is for people who believe that doing great work means pairing expertise with integrity—and who know that the way we approach each deal matters as much as the outcome.

In each episode, we talk to agents and experts about the moments that define their careers. We share the wins, the near-misses, and the lessons that only real-world experience can teach. Whether you’re new to the business or decades in, you’ll find insight, inspiration, and practical tools you can use right away.


🎧 Episode 2: Escalation Clauses — How to Use Them with Tracey Henkels

Few topics spark more debate among agents than escalation clauses. Some love them. Others won’t use them. But maybe that’s not the real question.

In this episode, Tracey Henkels offers a clear, balanced perspective on when escalation clauses help—and when they can hurt. She shares how to approach them with both clients and other agents, how to keep the process calm instead of frantic, and how to use them as one tool among many in your negotiation toolbox.

Tracey breaks down:

  • How escalation clauses work (and common misconceptions)

  • The pros and cons of using them in a multiple-offer market

  • How to talk to clients about them without overwhelming them

  • Why communication and trust matter more than any single tactic


Why It Matters

Escalation clauses are just a tool—they’re not a magic fix, and they’re not a shortcut to “winning.” The best agents know that negotiation starts with listening, builds on trust, and ends with a deal that works for everyone involved.

At Open House: Everyday Excellence, we celebrate that kind of work: skilled, thoughtful, and deeply client-focused.


Listen Now

Episode 2 is live! Find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.