# Follow the Money: The Strategy That Changed His Career

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/forward-one-podcast-7242978/follow-the-money-the-strategy-that-changed-his-career
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/forward-one-podcast-7242978/follow-the-money-the-strategy-that-changed-his-career.md
Podcast: [Forward One Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/forward-one-podcast-7242978)
Published: 2026-03-02T08:00:37+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e2d490c6
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/e2d490c6/fd6e1877.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/forward-one-podcast-7242978/episodes/follow-the-money-the-strategy-that-changed-his-career
Duration seconds: 4659

## Resource

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 Fl…

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