Forward One Podcast

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 Derrick Smith, who built a $130M+ real estate career without a sphere, without family connections, and without shortcuts. Derrick shares how writing $30M in offers before closing his first deal shaped his mindset, why “following the money” changed everything, and how focusing on developers and off-market opportunities accelerated his growth.

We unpack the discipline behind consistent prospecting, how to underwrite deals like an investor, and why long-term commitment beats short-term motivation every time. If you’re serious about building a sustainable real estate business — especially in a challenging market — this conversation is for you.

*Derrick Smith*
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveluxuryla
Website: https://www.coldwellbankerluxury.com/specialist/PDAMNSlX/derrick-smith 

*More from Paul & Josh*
Paul: https://www.instagram.com/paulmarkmorris/
Josh: https://www.instagram.com/spitzenjosh/
Forward One Media: https://www.instagram.com/forwardonemedia/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forwardonepodcast

*Presented by Forward One Real Estate*
https://www.forwardone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forwardonerealestate/


Timestamps
00:00:00 Meet Derek Smith
00:00:15 From Texas to Real Estate
00:02:26 Crushing It Fast
00:05:00 Finding a Niche
00:07:24 Off Market Advantage
00:10:09 First Deal Lessons
00:18:01 Deal Sourcing Playbook
00:28:23 Underwriting and Proformas
00:41:27 Many Paths to Success
00:41:54 Branding the Derrick Smith
00:43:15 Value Building and Negotiation
00:46:08 Fatherhood and Flexibility
00:49:06 Weekly Metrics and Accountability
00:54:39 Prospecting and Agent Collaboration
01:01:57 Goals Florida Expansion Investing
01:08:31 Decisions Lessons and Fire Round

What is Forward One Podcast?

Welcome to the Forward One Podcast, where top realtors come to sharpen their edge and out-close the competition every single time.

Hosted by Paul Morris, New York Times best-selling author and CEO of Keller Williams Forward Living and founder of Forward One Estates, and Josh Spitzen, CEO of Keller Williams Beverly Hills and co-founder of Forward One Estates, this podcast brings you insider knowledge from some of the biggest names in real estate. Each episode features top-producing agents, marketing experts, and industry leaders who share their strategies, success stories, and game-changing insights.

If you’re a realtor looking to level up, the Forward One Podcast is your secret weapon. Tune in, take notes, and ignite your real estate success.

Stay ahead. Stay Forward.