The Comeback Realtor: From Zero to 27 Homes in One Year
You don’t need a perfect start — you just need to show up.
In this episode, Jon Ladas shares how he:
• Grew up in Boston and watched real estate from the sidelines before jumping in
• Dropped out of college, worked dead-end sales jobs, and hit rock bottom
• Lost his car, walked 45 minutes to work, and rebuilt from literally nothing
• Leaned on faith, structure, and consistency to find his footing
• Got licensed in real estate and went all-in, even when it didn’t make sense on paper
• Closed 27 deals in his first year — all from relationships, not cold calls or ads
• Built a brand around trust, storytelling, and showing up every day
• Learned to mentor others, pour into community, and keep perspective on wealth
• Stays grounded by balancing business drive with family, faith, and service
If you’re stuck, starting over, or just need proof that consistency compounds — this one’s for you.
Guest: Jon Ladas — Realtor, eXp Realty
📍 Massachusetts
IG: @list_with_ladas
Host: Austen Tucker
🎙️ The Breakout Bunch — real, unpolished conversations with founders who made it anyway.
Timestamps
00:00 Cold open — “I had no car, no money, and two shirts to my name”
02:01 Boston roots & early family influence
05:16 First jobs & bouncing between sales roles
09:46 Finding faith & mentors who shifted his path
13:31 Breaking into real estate with nothing
18:21 Closing 27 deals in his first year
23:11 Why relationships beat cold calls & ads
29:01 Building a brand through authenticity and trust
34:41 Mentoring new agents & giving back
40:21 Lessons from market swings & staying disciplined
46:01 Balancing hustle with life and family
51:11 Community, service, and faith as anchors
57:01 Final advice — “Show up. Give God the glory.”
Welcome to The Breakout Bunch — where real stories from real entrepreneurs come to life.
Hosted by Austen Tucker, this show cuts through the fluff and gets straight to the heart of what makes business owners tick. These are honest, unpolished conversations with self-made founders who are in it for more than just the money — they’re chasing purpose, impact, and something bigger than themselves.
Austen knows the grind firsthand. He’s a seasoned mortgage broker leading a division at one of the nation’s largest mortgage companies, helping hundreds of families get into homes across the country. But beyond that, he’s deeply curious — about business, people, and the choices that shape our lives.
New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.
Jon Ladas
Real estate agent and master investor
Jon Ladas is a Boston-based real estate agent, investor, and property manager who’s built his career on helping clients win in one of the country’s most competitive housing markets. Licensed since 2017, Jon specializes in multifamily properties—both for first-time buyers looking to house-hack and seasoned investors aiming to grow their portfolios. His passion for real estate began early, purchasing his first multifamily at just 26 years old. Since then, he’s acquired and managed multiple multi-family investment properties of his own, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges and rewards of property ownership.
As part of the Kovacs Savage Team and Head of Residential Property Management at SKY Mgmt Solutions, Jon blends hands-on experience with sharp marketing and negotiation skills, consistently selling homes quickly and often above asking price. Whether he’s helping clients maximize their returns or walking them through their first deal, Jon brings a mix of expertise, hustle, and straight-talk honesty that makes him a trusted guide for anyone serious about real estate.