Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lacey Brutschy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lacey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

You know what gets me in trouble at real estate conferences? Saying out loud that homeownership isn’t the dream for everyone—and maybe, just maybe, our obsession with it is a little broken.

It’s not the typical Realtor party line, I get that. We’re trained—conditioned, really—to believe that the holy grail of adulting is owning a house. And don’t get me wrong: I help people buy homes for a living. I absolutely believe in the power of real estate to build generational wealth. I’ve seen firsthand what it can do for families, for communities, for security and freedom. I’ve built a career and a reputation doing just that.

But here’s my take that might ruffle a few feathers: more people need to buy now—before they no longer can.

There’s a lot of buzz lately about the quote from the 2016 World Economic Forum video titled “8 Predictions for the World in 2030”: “You will own nothing, and you’ll be happy.” It was framed as a bold vision of a future where the sharing economy reigns—where everything is leased, borrowed, or subscribed to. But let’s be real: for a lot of us, it landed like a warning.

Because here’s what happens when people stop owning real estate: they lose control.

They lose control over where they live, what they pay, how long they can stay. They become beholden to landlords who can raise rents without recourse. They lose access to one of the most reliable tools for building generational wealth—and we’re watching this happen in real time.

Institutional investors are buying up neighborhoods, turning once-affordable homes into permanent rentals. Everyday buyers are getting priced out while the market consolidates into the hands of the few. This isn’t a conspiracy—it’s capitalism. And if we don’t act with urgency, we’ll look up one day and realize we’ve handed over the keys to our communities.

I once worked with a couple—tech jobs, newly married, great income—who were completely overwhelmed by what they could afford in Dallas. The sticker shock was real. But here’s the thing: we ran the numbers, looked at the rental market, and they realized that even with a higher upfront investment, buying gave them more financial stability than renting ever could.

Because rent isn’t just a monthly payment. It’s a moving target. It’s vulnerable to inflation, market trends, landlord whims. And when you’re renting, you have zero equity, zero appreciation, zero leverage. That might be fine short term—but it’s a losing strategy long term.

Yes, buying is hard right now. But waiting? That might be harder.

Interest rates will fluctuate. Prices might correct a little, or they might not. But land? Land isn’t being manufactured. And with Dallas growing the way it is, this market isn’t going backwards in any meaningful way. The longer you wait, the more you risk being locked out—not just of a home, but of the kind of wealth that only ownership can create.

Homeownership is not a moral imperative. It’s not the only marker of success. But let’s stop pretending like renting is a safe and equal alternative. It’s not. Not when the system is rigged to reward ownership and penalize dependence.

So yes, I’ll say the quiet part out loud: Buy now, before it’s out of reach.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

If you haven’t heard of me before, I’ll give it to you straight: I’m a real estate advisor who actually puts your needs before my own.

I didn’t fall into this career by accident. I built it brick by brick, client by client, moment by moment—driven by one big belief: real estate isn’t just about houses. It’s about freedom. It’s about legacy. It’s about creating options in a world that’s trying to take them away from everyday people.

I got into this industry because I was fascinated by the idea that the biggest financial decision most people ever make is often done emotionally, reactively, and without strategy. That didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t want to just open doors and smile for closing day photos—I wanted to walk into the mess, the fear, the doubt, the spreadsheets, and help people come out on the other side more secure, more confident, and more in control of their future.

I work primarily with buyers, sellers, and investors in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Some are first-timers navigating low down payment options; others are relocating families who need help finding their “forever for now.” Some are seasoned investors scaling their portfolios. My team and I guide them through every twist of the market with radical transparency, deep local knowledge, and a strategy-first mindset.

What sets me apart? I don’t sell dreams—I help you build them. I’m not the agent who’s going to tell you, “You have to buy this house right now or you’ll miss out forever.” I’m the one who’ll say, “Let’s sit down. Let’s look at your long-term goals, your budget, your risk tolerance, and what you actually want out of life. Then we’ll decide what makes the most sense for you.”

And yes, sometimes that means telling someone not to buy right now. But more often than not? It means helping them act before ownership becomes a luxury item locked behind institutional gates and impossible price points. Because let’s be honest—homeownership is already slipping out of reach for too many people. And the only way to change that is to help people get in the game while they still can.

I don’t think success in real estate is about flashy closings or viral TikToks (although, let’s be clear, I definitely use social media to educate and empower). Success to me is when a client messages me years later and says, “Buying that home changed everything.” Or when a seller tells me they didn’t just make a profit—they found peace.

I’m most proud of the reputation I’ve built—not just for results, but for integrity. My business is 90% referral-based because people know I show up, I follow through, and I tell the truth—even when it’s not what they want to hear. Especially when it’s not what they want to hear.

I’m not trying to be the biggest team in Texas. I’m trying to be the most trusted voice in a noisy market. And I’m proud that people don’t just hire me—they rely on me. They send their best friends, their parents, their coworkers, because they know I’ll treat every client like family (the kind you actually like).

If you’re looking for someone to help you flip a house overnight or pressure you into a bidding war that doesn’t make sense for your life, I’m not your agent. But if you want someone who will help you think bigger, plan smarter, and move with confidence in one of the most important decisions of your life—then I’m exactly who you want on your side.

Bottom line? I’m in this business because I believe in real estate as a tool for empowerment. And I’ll fight to keep that tool accessible—for as many people as possible—for as long as I possibly can.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

What’s a lesson I had to unlearn? Hustle culture. And trust me, that one hit hard.

I used to believe the only path to success in real estate was a 6 a.m. start and a 10 p.m. finish. No boundaries. No breaks. Just endless calls, texts, showing appointments, and inbox notifications that never stopped buzzing. I wore burnout like a badge of honor. I thought if I wasn’t killing myself to close the next deal, I wasn’t working hard enough. And if you’re nodding your head reading this—you know exactly the trap I’m talking about.

The thing is, that approach worked… until it didn’t.

I was producing. I was growing. I was becoming known. But I was also tired—bone-deep tired. My creativity dried up. My personal life took a backseat. And I realized I wasn’t actually running a business; I was just reacting to one, all day, every day. I was working in my business, not on it. And it was physically and emotionally killing me.

Then one day, I snapped. Not in a meltdown kind of way—but in the quiet, internal way where your body says, “No more.” And I realized something had to shift. So I did what most self-aware overachievers do when they’re spiraling: I bought a planner and convinced myself time blocking would fix my life.

But here’s the wild part: it actually kind of did.

Once I got disciplined—like, truly disciplined—with how I spent my time, everything changed. I built boundaries around when I worked, when I rested, and when I allowed myself to be fully offline. I started designing my day around what moved the needle instead of just reacting to every fire. I built systems. I stopped apologizing for not answering my phone at 9 p.m. And I finally saw the power of doing eight excellent hours of focused work instead of twelve scattered ones.

I’m not saying I never hustle—I’m in real estate, after all—but I hustle on my terms now. I’ve traded chaos for consistency. Noise for clarity. Exhaustion for energy. And what I’ve learned is that discipline isn’t the opposite of freedom—it’s the foundation of it.

Today, my schedule is sacred. I work hard, but I also live well. I show up for my clients at my highest level because I’m not stretched so thin that I’m just surviving. And the crazy part? My business has grown over 300% since I slowed down than it ever did when I was running on fumes.

So yeah, I had to unlearn the idea that “busyness” equals success. That a packed calendar means I’m doing something right. It took me years, but I finally understood: you don’t need to work all day to win—you just need to work smart, with intention, and leave room for the life you’re working so hard to build.

And I’m never going back.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I started using TikTok during COVID like most people: bored, curious, and honestly just trying to make sense of the world. I didn’t plan to build an audience—I planned to scroll.

But then something clicked.

I realized that TikTok wasn’t just a platform for dance trends and viral comedy. It was an algorithm-powered attention machine, and if I could figure out how it worked, I could use it to actually educate people—and grow my real estate business in the process.

So I studied it. Like, really studied it.

I watched which videos went viral and why. I paid attention to hook structure, editing, captions, hashtags, and sound trends. I didn’t just post randomly—I built a strategy. My third video went viral. By the end of the first month, I had over 5,000 followers. Now, I have over 100,000. And here’s the kicker: I’ve closed more than $17 million in real estate volume from clients who found me solely through TikTok.

No ad spend. No gimmicks. Just organic, consistent content and a real desire to help people understand real estate without the fluff.

How did I do it?

1. I Committed to Daily Video Content.
Not once a week. Not “when I feel inspired.” Every. Single. Day. TikTok rewards consistency and speed. You want to build momentum? Show up daily. Some of those videos flopped. Some blew up. That’s the game. You post and learn. Then you post again.

2. I Timeblocked for Content Like It Was a Listing Appointment.
I treated video creation with the same level of discipline I gave my business. I wasn’t going to let social media burn me out like hustle culture had before. So I blocked time in my calendar every week to write, record, edit, and schedule content. No distractions, no excuses. Just focused effort. That’s what kept me consistent without losing my mind.

3. I Led With Value, Not Ego.
I wasn’t on camera bragging about my closings or flaunting cars and champagne. I was on camera saying, “Here’s what this means for you. Here’s how this works. Here’s what you need to know before you write an offer or walk into a builder’s office.” I talked like I was on a FaceTime call with a friend who genuinely needed help.

And people responded. Because the bar is low online—people don’t want perfect. They want helpful, human, and honest.

So here’s my advice to anyone just starting out:

Don’t wait to be an expert—start by being useful.

Don’t worry about the numbers—focus on the message.

Don’t chase viral—chase clarity and consistency.

And for the love of algorithm: learn the platform. TikTok isn’t Instagram. Instagram isn’t YouTube. Each one plays by different rules. Learn them. Respect them. Then break them with purpose once you’ve built your foundation.

Social media didn’t just give me leads—it gave me leverage. It gave me reach. It gave me freedom to build a brand that felt like me—not the buttoned-up version of what a Realtor is “supposed” to be. That’s the real win.

You can’t control who sees your listing. But you can control how you show up. So show up boldly, consistently, and with value. Every time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theadvisoryteamdallas.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laceyb.realtor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacey-brutschy-04575016/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lacey.compass

Image Credits

Jin Kim for photo 2