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Just One Layup": DeVante Blow's $30M Real Estate Philosophy (From $50 to His Name to Bestselling Author)
- Wendy Forsythe
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
DeVante Blow had $50 to his name when he took someone to lunch for $43.16. That deal became his best year. Learn his "Just One Layup" philosophy, video text strategy, and why asking for help doesn't mean you failed.
What is DeVante Blow's "Just One Layup" philosophy?
Stop trying to take the flashy 3-pointer. Get to the basket and take the highest percentage shot you can take—which is a layup.
DeVante built a $30 million real estate career on this simple principle: do the easiest thing you can do that day to build momentum.
Make 5 calls. Do one open house. Work a lease.
"It's not all glamour," DeVante says. "Sometimes it's just the work and the shot."
How did DeVante Blow get started in real estate?
He worked in the restaurant industry for 8 years. He's from Oak Harbor, a small island, and thought "a little kid like me can't do the big things I see on TV."
COVID shut down the restaurant. He had to make a decision.
Why real estate? He fell in love with someone's mindset—Tim Cornwell at eXp. "He could have been selling cutco knives or vacuums, and that would have been my mode of transportation. But it was real estate."
When DeVante started, he didn't even know what a linen closet was. "That was a towel closet. And they're probably not even folded."
He called Mindy Price immediately: "I don't know what I'm doing, from heads to tails, can you help me out?"
What does "asking for help doesn't mean you failed" mean?
This is one of the most powerful quotes from the episode.
DeVante was raised by his grandparents in a military household. They taught him: "Asking
for help doesn't mean you failed. It means you're not alone."
A lot of agents are afraid to look like they don't know what they're doing. DeVante didn't care. He reached out early and often.
"I'd rather ask for your help and do it the right way than fumble through it."
What's the $50 to $43.16 lunch story?
In DeVante's second year of real estate, his wife was battling cancer. They had to drive to Seattle for her treatment. He went 6 months without selling real estate.
At one point, he had $50 to his name. Total.
He got back to basics. He's an outgoing person who loves community. So he took someone out to lunch.
The bill was $43.16.
That person sold their house and bought a house with him the next month.
It became the best year of his career.
That's the "Just One Layup" mindset. Do what you can do. Build momentum. The big 3 will come.
What's DeVante's video text strategy for SOI?
DeVante runs an SOI challenge in the summer where agents send video texts to their sphere of influence.
The script is simple:
"Hey, how are you doing? My mom always told me when I'm thinking about somebody, reach out. So I just want to reach out and say, how you doing?"
Rules:
Under 30 seconds (if it's 60 seconds, you went too long)
Don't edit it
If you stutter, still send it—it's perfect the way it is
Results: If DeVante sends out 10 video texts, he gets at least 8 replies in the same day.
Sometimes people send video texts back. Sometimes they just call you right back.
"The open rate is so high because they're like, 'Wait, he took time out of his day to send a video.'"
What's the difference between a coach and a cheerleader?
"Cheerleaders aren't watching the game. They're having a good time, win, lose, or draw."
"Coaches are in the fight with you. They walk with you through the mud. They see, believe, and call out the best in you."
Real coaches tell you when something sucked. They say "let's try it this way." They pull the best out of you even when you don't see it.
What would DeVante say to agents ready to quit?
"Keep going. I was in your shoes just a couple years ago. $50 to my name. A wife who was sick. A son struggling in school. I stuck with it."
"Just do the easiest thing you can do that day. If all you can do is 5 calls, if all you can do is one open house or door knock 5 doors, go do it and win the day."
DeVante breaks down fear vs. forward, building your playbook, and why one intentional step changes everything.
Let's grow,
Wendy
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