Rethink Real Estate

In this powerful episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, sits down with Ben Reinberg, Founder and CEO of Alliance Consolidated Group of Companies, to expose one of the biggest financial misconceptions of our time — the myth that “cash is king.”Fresh off his recent TED Talk, Reinberg shares how he built an empire in commercial real estate from the ground up, and why hard assets—not savings accounts—are the true path to long-term wealth. From raising $2 million at age 23 to managing hundreds of millions in recession-resilient assets today, Reinberg breaks down the mindset, strategies, and disciplines that separate those who get rich from those who stay wealthy.The two Bens dive deep into the 2026–2027 commercial market reset, where trillions in real estate debt are set to come due—creating what Reinberg calls “the buying opportunity of a generation.” You’ll learn why the ability to hold, not just buy, is the defining trait of great investors… and why communication, focus, and emotional discipline remain the ultimate assets in business.Whether you’re a residential agent looking to expand your wealth portfolio or an investor preparing for the next market cycle, this episode delivers tactical insights and timeless financial wisdom you won’t hear anywhere else.Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – Intro: The “Lie About Money” and the Power of Hard Assets[00:01:30] – How Ben Reinberg Built His Empire from $0 to Millions[00:03:40] – What True Wealth Means (It’s Not About Being Rich)[00:06:20] – The Ability to Hold: Investing’s Most Underrated Skill[00:09:15] – $90 Trillion in Real Estate Will Change Hands: What That Means[00:12:00] – The Coming Commercial Market Reset (2026–2027)[00:16:00] – Why Residential Real Estate is a “Money Pit”[00:21:10] – Renting vs. Owning: The New Wealth Perspective[00:24:45] – How Over-Leverage Destroys Investors (and How to Avoid It)[00:27:00] – The Missing Skill in Real Estate: Communication[00:29:00] – Mindset is the Best Real Estate You Own🔗 Connect with Ben Reinberg:https://www.benreinberg.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/benreinberg/https://www.facebook.com/TheRealBenReinberg/https://www.youtube.com/@UCN-VuewtdVrFwlOrTsNbxGA https://www.instagram.com/therealbenreinberg/🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctionsSubscribe for more insights into building wealth through real estate strategy, leadership, and mindset.💬 Comment below: Do you think cash or hard assets are the smarter play heading into 2026?

Dive into how Blackstone views AI's impact on real estate, highlighting the 'picks and shovels' analogy to identify who benefits from disruption. Discover the cautionary tale of the airline industry as it relates to innovation and profitability. Ben warns that rule-based jobs, like title and appraisal, face automation risks, yet emphasizes the irreplaceable human connection between agents and clients. Ultimately, he reassures that real estate thrives on personal relationships, not algorithms.

In this heartwarming and insightful episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, sits down with Kara Welliver, Realtor at Harcourts Prime Properties and one of the company’s original standouts. With over 23 years in the business, Kara has built a career that proves relationships—not transactions—create lasting success.From her early days climbing the corporate ladder at Nordstrom to becoming one of the most connected agents in Orange County, Kara’s story is a masterclass in authenticity, consistency, and the power of showing up. She opens up about her journey from retail to real estate, how she built an enduring client base through genuine relationships, and why her most successful marketing efforts are the ones infused with personal touch—homemade baked goods included.Ben and Kara dive deep into how to cultivate a business that feels like you, from personalized newsletters and client events to crafting experiences that create loyalty for life. Kara shares her approach to client retention through “pop-bys,” wine tastings, and ice cream socials—plus how she turns these thoughtful gestures into repeat business and referrals.Whether you’re a seasoned agent looking to reconnect with your “why” or a new Realtor searching for your voice in the market, this episode is a reminder that the best brand you can build is one rooted in who you truly are.Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – Introducing Kara Welliver: A Harcourts Original[00:02:12] – From Nordstrom to Real Estate: Lessons in Service & Style[00:06:00] – Building Connection Over Transaction[00:11:00] – How to Stay Top-of-Mind Without Being Salesy[00:14:00] – Pop-Bys, Baked Goods & Personal Branding[00:18:00] – Creating Client Events That Actually Work[00:26:00] – The Value of Authentic Marketing & Consistency🎥 For more incredible episodes, check out the Rethink Real Estate playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLynsSXgbRaMs-snZG6CHzX1Mxiyy9toMx🔗 Connect with Kara Welliver:⁠https://karawelliver.harcourtsna.com/https://www.instagram.com/karawelliver_baker_realtor/https://www.facebook.com/KaraWelliver4Homes🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions:⁠https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎯 Subscribe for more stories that redefine success in real estate.👇 Comment your favorite client connection strategy — and tell us how you make your business feel personal.

In this powerful episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, sits down with Erica Jevons Sizemore, founder of Sizemore Residential in Raleigh, North Carolina — a top-producing agent who’s redefining what real estate leverage really means. Consistently ranking among the top 20 Keller Williams agents in the Carolinas, Erica’s business model proves that doing more doesn’t have to mean doing less for clients.From her early career in finance and marketing to leading one of the most efficient boutique operations in the Triangle area, Erica shares how she’s scaled her business through relationships and strategic leverage, not massive teams or automation overload. She opens up about the systems that allow her to maintain personal touch at high volume, how she hires for alignment over experience, and why she believes being “too far from the transaction” is the greatest mistake top agents can make.Together, Ben and Erica unpack the evolution of the Raleigh real estate market — from its post-pandemic surge to its new plateau — and explore what true operational scalability looks like when your reputation is your brand. Erica also offers a candid look into mentorship, team culture, and why she’s betting that authentic service will always outlast shortcut models and recruiting pyramids.Whether you’re a solo agent struggling with growth or a team leader wondering how to scale without losing your identity, this conversation will challenge how you think about leverage, client relationships, and sustainable business.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Introducing Erica Sizemore and the Raleigh Market[00:02:00] – From Finance & Marketing to Full-Time Real Estate[00:05:45] – The Power of Relationships and Long-Term Leverage[00:09:20] – How to Scale Without Sacrificing Service[00:12:30] – Hiring Smart: Why Personality Beats Experience[00:16:00] – Balancing Profitability and Performance[00:20:10] – Why Erica Doesn’t Believe in “Buyer’s Agents”[00:24:00] – Mentorship, Retention, and the Fear of Losing People[00:27:40] – Industry Insights: Compass, Anywhere, and AI in Real Estate[00:31:00] – Homeownership’s Next Era and Generational Shifts[00:34:00] – The Future of Real Estate Leverage🎥 For more incredible episodes, check out the Rethink Real Estate playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLynsSXgbRaMs-snZG6CHzX1Mxiyy9toMx🔗 Connect with Erica Jevons Sizemore & Sizemore Residential:⁠https://www.sizemoreresidential.com/https://www.instagram.com/ericareraleigh/?hl=enlinkedin.com/in/erica-jevons-sizemorehttps://www.facebook.com/EricaJevonsSizemore/🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions:⁠https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎯 Subscribe for more conversations that rethink how agents build, lead, and scale.Drop a comment below 👇 — What’s your definition of “leverage” in real estate?

In this gripping episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, sits down with Christopher Drzyzga, Partner and Senior Vice President at Voit Real Estate Services, to unpack the contrarian outlook shaking up the real estate world. From commercial debt cycles to the rise of Bitcoin as a competing asset class, Chris brings a level of insight and candor few in the industry are willing to share.They start by diving into the state of U.S. commercial real estate — from industrial and office to retail and the surprising resilience of strip malls. Chris reveals why lenders are “extending and pretending,” how the industrial market in the Inland Empire is recalibrating, and why institutional capital is quietly chasing yield in unexpected asset types like industrial outdoor storage and small-format retail.The conversation then takes a sharp turn toward macro trends and financial history, as Chris lays out a bold thesis: that real estate’s five-decade run as the world’s default savings vehicle is ending. He connects the dots from Nixon’s 1971 decoupling from the gold standard to today’s fiat-driven asset inflation — arguing that Bitcoin now offers the same protection once reserved for property. Together, Ben and Chris explore the implications: what happens when trillions in real estate capital seek better yield elsewhere?From the looming “flight to quality” in commercial assets to generational shifts in homeownership philosophy, this episode challenges every assumption about where the real estate industry is heading. Whether you agree or not, it’s a must-listen for anyone serious about understanding the structural forces redefining how we measure value, store wealth, and invest for the next decade.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Introducing Christopher Drzyzga and His Commercial Background[00:02:20] – How Commercial Agents See the Market Differently from Residential[00:05:30] – The Office Debt Bubble and “Controlled Demolition” in Lending[00:09:10] – The Industrial Corridor: Riverside, Rexford, and Inland Empire Trends[00:13:40] – Why Institutional Capital Is Targeting Strip Malls Again[00:17:50] – Data Centers, Power Constraints, and the Real Bottleneck in AI Infrastructure[00:24:00] – 2026 Market Outlook: Flight to Quality and Structural Shifts[00:26:30] – The Long View: Real Estate’s Five-Decade Inflation Tailwind[00:30:00] – Bitcoin as the New Safe Haven for Global Capital[00:35:00] – Generational Wealth Transfer and the “Home as Utility” Mindset[00:40:30] – How Agents Can Stay Relevant in the Age of Bitcoin and AI🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Chris Drzyzga and Voit Real Estate Services:https://voitco.com/https://chrisdrzyzga.com/https://www.instagram.com/chrisdrzzz/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-drzyzga-sior-775b5051🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣ ⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣ ⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣ ⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎯 Subscribe for more market insights and provocative conversations on the forces shaping real estate, finance, and technology. Drop a comment below:➡️ Is Bitcoin the next real estate? Or just another bubble?

In this forward-looking episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, sits down once again with Tony Self, Broker Associate at Harcourts Hunter Mason Realty, to unpack one of the most disruptive moments in modern real estate. From the proposed Compass–Anywhere merger to Zillow’s partnership with OpenAI, Ben and Tony dive into how consolidation, regulation, and artificial intelligence are rewriting the industry’s playbook.They examine the potential consequences if Compass gains control of nearly two-thirds of U.S. real estate transactions, the growing backlash from agents and franchise brands, and what this could mean for competition and consumer choice. Tony brings his insider’s perspective from years in corporate real estate and tech, offering rare insight into how brokers, teams, and independent offices should prepare for what’s next.The conversation then pivots to AI’s rapid evolution — from OpenAI’s partnership with Zillow to Sora’s video generation and the new wave of real estate-focused agents and automations. Tony shares how he’s integrating AI into his business today, where he draws the ethical line on visual manipulation, and whether we’re heading toward a full-blown AI bubble reminiscent of the early 2000s tech crash.If you’re a real estate professional trying to make sense of the Compass–Zillow rivalry, OpenAI’s expanding footprint, or the future of automation in real estate, this episode connects every dot.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – The Compass–Anywhere Merger: Monopoly or Market Shift?[00:02:10] – What the DOJ and Regulators Might Do Next[00:04:30] – Century 21’s $2.6 Billion Problem and the Debt Factor[00:07:00] – Compass vs. Zillow: The Data War Nobody Wins[00:10:00] – Zillow’s OpenAI Partnership Explained[00:13:00] – How AI Could Redefine Home Search and Consumer Behavior[00:16:00] – What Agents Should Know About Licensing and AI Tools[00:18:30] – The Risk of Misrepresentation in AI Marketing[00:20:30] – Are We in an AI Bubble? Tony’s Tech Market Perspective[00:24:30] – When AI Becomes Native: The Next Real Estate Revolution🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Tony Self and Harcourts Hunter Mason Realty:https://selfregroup.com/https://www.facebook.com/selfregrouphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyself/https://huntermason.harcourtsna.com/https://tonyself.harcourtsna.com/🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣ ⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣ ⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣ ⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎯 Subscribe for more industry insights — and drop a comment with your thoughts:Will AI make real estate smarter… or monopolized?

In this tactical and timely episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, reconnects with Chad Widtfeldt, seasoned Realtor and business owner at Harcourts Prime Properties, to uncover a smarter, faster way to win expired listings. Chad reveals how his team has been averaging 2–3 new listings per week by rethinking the traditional expired strategy — and how one small shift completely changed their conversion rates.The secret? Replacing in-person meetings with quick Zoom presentations that lower the barrier to entry, increase immediacy, and save hours of wasted drive time. Chad walks through the scripts, follow-up process, and real-world rhythm that has transformed his pipeline — from the initial cold call to signed listing agreements within 24 hours. Together, Ben and Chad break down why speed is the new advantage, how to qualify without overcommitting, and why auction-based differentiation gives agents a decisive edge.If you’ve ever felt the burnout of chasing dead-end appointments or wondered how to stand out in a crowded expired market, this episode offers the practical blueprint to build momentum and efficiency into every prospecting day.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Introduction: Why Chad’s Approach to Expired Listings Works[00:01:10] – The Return of Expired Listings and a Shift in Market Dynamics[00:03:00] – Why Most Agents Quit (and How Chad’s Team Thrives Instead)[00:05:10] – Differentiation Through Auctions and the Power of a Unique Pitch[00:06:40] – The Mental Strain of Appointments That Go Nowhere[00:08:20] – How Zoom Changed Prospecting Forever[00:10:00] – The Formula: Call, Zoom, In-Person — All Within 24 Hours[00:12:10] – How to Keep Appointments from Falling Apart[00:15:00] – Qualifying Sellers Without Killing Momentum[00:18:00] – Chad’s Exact Script for Booking Zoom Meetings[00:20:00] – Final Takeaways: Efficiency, Immediacy, and Differentiation🎥 For more incredible episodes, check out the Rethink Real Estate playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLynsSXgbRaMs-snZG6CHzX1Mxiyy9toMx🔗 Connect with Chad Widtfeldt and His Real Estate Team:⁠https://www.instagram.com/thegreengroupre/⁠https://www.greengroupre.com/homehttps://www.facebook.com/chadandjustin🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions:⁠https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions💬 Subscribe for more actionable real estate insights — and drop a comment below with how you’re using Zoom or AI to convert more listings.

In this forward-thinking episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, is joined by Chris Cochran, Director of Marketing at Harcourts Auctions, to unpack Google Gemini’s latest AI release — the bizarrely named yet incredibly powerful “Nano Banana” update — and why it’s a game-changer for real estate marketing and content creation.From creating hyper-realistic agent headshots to instantly restaging homes, Nano Banana brings Photoshop-level image control to anyone who can type a simple prompt. Chris breaks down how agents can leverage Gemini’s new likeness recognition and inpainting tools to produce professional-grade flyers, team photos, and listing visuals without a designer. Meanwhile, Ben explores how these tools might reshape listing presentations, branding, and the creative arms race in real estate.Together, they dig into the competition heating up between Google, OpenAI, and Adobe — and how these tools are redefining what it means to market property. Whether you’re tech-curious or AI-skeptical, this episode will leave you rethinking how fast the real estate industry is evolving and how to stay one step ahead.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Welcome to Rethink Real Estate[00:00:36] – What on earth is Google’s “Nano Banana” update?[00:01:18] – The AI image revolution: realistic headshots and likeness accuracy[00:03:22] – Gemini vs. Photoshop: how Google is closing the gap[00:05:18] – Real estate flyers, prompts, and social media automation[00:06:11] – Can AI clean up old headshots and generate team photos?[00:07:01] – The power (and limits) of restaging interiors and exteriors[00:08:01] – Turning blank rooms into design-ready showpieces[00:10:02] – Elon Musk, Grok, and the broader AI ecosystem[00:11:30] – How agents can blend creativity with accountability[00:12:00] – Real-world real estate use cases for Gemini AI[00:15:39] – How AI helps agents visualize and communicate value[00:16:18] – Final thoughts: exploring Gemini’s full potential🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions📣 Subscribe for more episodes exploring how technology is reshaping real estate.Drop your thoughts below — could AI-generated marketing replace traditional design agencies?

In this unfiltered solo episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, breaks down one of the biggest industry shakeups in recent history: Compass’s acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate. With two giants now attempting to merge — both operating under massive debt and increasing scrutiny — Ben takes a deep dive into what this means for agents, franchise owners, and the future of brokerage models.Ben unpacks the complexities of the deal, questioning whether regulators will even allow it to pass given the DOJ’s ongoing antitrust lens over real estate commissions and collusion. Beyond the headlines, he explores the deeper issue—how the traditional brokerage model may be collapsing under its own weight. Drawing from his experience across multiple markets, he explains why local ownership, accountability, and culture might be the last remaining competitive advantage in a corporatized industry.This episode isn’t just commentary — it’s a candid look at the changing DNA of real estate, the mistakes of “too-big-to-fail” brokerages, and where opportunity lies for the next generation of local operators ready to rise in the vacuum left behind.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] - Ben’s first reaction to the Compass-Anywhere merger news[00:00:57] - Can the DOJ really allow this acquisition to go through?[00:01:45] - Monopoly concerns and why consolidation might backfire[00:02:53] - Two unprofitable companies merge… to fix profitability?[00:03:20] - The $2.6B debt question: where does the money go?[00:04:04] - What this merger means for mid-tier and boutique brokerages[00:05:34] - Local vs. corporate: why agents crave connection and support[00:06:00] - Real-world recruiting stories from Bend, Oregon[00:07:50] - How corporate “support tickets” are killing culture[00:09:59] - Institutionalization: when your broker becomes a tech rep[00:10:56] - The slow decline of the traditional brokerage model[00:11:58] - Lessons from the Yellow Pages: cutting costs vs. creating value[00:12:43] - Why local accountability will define real estate’s next era[00:13:26] - Final reflections: why small may actually win big🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions📣 Subscribe for more insight-driven episodes exploring the future of real estate. Like, follow, and drop your thoughts below — do you think the Compass x Anywhere deal helps or hurts the industry?

In this eye-opening episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady sits down with Andrew “Dru” Wischhover, President of Inspired Title Group, Inc., to unpack one of the most overlooked yet mission-critical aspects of every real estate transaction: title insurance. While agents often dismiss title as an afterthought, Dru reveals why ignoring it until there’s a problem can cost deals, clients, and millions in claims.From breaking down the differences between attorney states and title states, to explaining exactly what title insurance does (and doesn’t) cover, this conversation delivers practical knowledge agents can apply immediately. Dru shares real-world horror stories, insider examples of liens and encumbrances gone wrong, and the surprising ways smaller boutique title companies can often provide more flexibility and protection than big-box operators.Looking forward, the two also discuss how AI, blockchain, and industry regulation are reshaping the future of title — and why the “human element” still matters more than ever. If you’ve ever glazed over the title section of a deal, this episode will change the way you think about protecting your clients and your business.⏱️Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – Introduction & quick correction on Inspired Title’s nationwide reach[00:01:30] – Why agents don’t think about title until it’s too late[00:02:22] – Attorney states vs. title/escrow states explained[00:05:40] – Title insurance 101: what it actually covers[00:07:00] – Horror stories: liens, divorces, and claims gone wrong[00:12:48] – How the title industry shifted after 2008 & regulation changes[00:16:33] – Competing with “big-box” title companies & boutique advantages[00:17:50] – AI, blockchain, and the future of title insurance[00:20:53] – When something is (and isn’t) insurable[00:23:35] – Why smaller firms can be more client-centric than large underwriters🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Dru Wischhover and Inspired Title Group:https://www.inspired-title.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-closing-table/id1733674495https://www.facebook.com/InspiredTitleGroup/https://www.instagram.com/inspired_title_group/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dru-wischhover/🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions:⁠Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁠⁠LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁠⁠Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions⁠👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share so more agents can level up their business. And let us know in the comments: Have you ever had a deal derailed by a title issue?