RealTrending

Today on RealTrending, Tracey Velt sits down with Rory Golod, President of Growth and Communications at Compass, to discuss their lawsuit against Zillow and what Compass is doing to reshape the agent and consumer experience in real estate. Rory unpacks the motivations behind the lawsuit and also shares Compass’s three-pronged marketing strategy. He also talks about how agent feedback drives tech development across platforms like Compass One and their other AI integrations. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Why Compass is taking a stand against Zillow’s marketing policies How pre-marketing creates demand and higher sale prices Compass’s agent-first tech development model Why consumer value is the key to brokerage profitability How AI is accelerating innovation and agent efficiency The secret to high agent adoption of brokerage tools Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Rory Golod | LinkedIn Compass Real Estate Brooklee Han on the Compass lawsuit against Zillow | HousingWire The juiciest details in Compass's lawsuit against Zillow | HousingWire ⁠⁠⁠⁠HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Dermot Buffini, CEO of Buffini & Company. Tracey and Dermot got the opportunity to sit down in person to record an episode at HousingWire’s The Gathering. Dermot breaks down the challenges in today’s real estate leadership  — from agent productivity to market shifts — and shares how to stay focused on what really matters. He also talks about “above the line” thinking to help leaders prioritize outcomes over distractions, and offers strategies for embracing technology and staying rooted in core values and customer service. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Starting a business is easy, but making it work is hard. Agent productivity is crucial for business success. Good markets do not create good habits; preparation is key. Embrace technology and AI as tools for growth. Distractions can derail focus; stay mission-driven. The harvest comes for those who endure the cold seasons. Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dermot Buffini | Speakers Bureau Dermot Buffini | LinkedIn The Gathering 2026 ⁠HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Hoby Hanna, CEO of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and Hanna Holdings. Hoby discusses the company’s culture-first M&A strategy, innovative consumer programs like the buy-borrow bundle, and how AI and data are shaping real estate. He also shares why collaboration matters and outlines his goal to reach 20% share in 20 major markets. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Howard Hanna targets culturally aligned acquisitions to drive strategic growth and market expansion. The company prioritizes profitability and strong cash flow over rapid, unsustainable growth. Real estate agents remain central to every transaction, reinforcing the firm's agent-first philosophy. Howard Hanna is a full-service housing ecosystem, offering mortgage, title, and insurance services. Organizing data for AI integration is a core focus to enhance efficiency and decision-making. Innovation, including consumer programs like the buy borrow bundle and money-back guarantee, sets the company apart. Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Howard Hanna disavows NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy | HousingWire Howard Hanna Executive Team Howard W. "Hoby" Hanna, IV | LinkedIn Howard Hanna HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Tami Pardee, founder of Pardee Properties in Venice, California. Tami shares how she brought a production-style model from the entertainment industry into real estate and built a high-touch, high-performing boutique brokerage. She also talks about how she tripled sales during the wildfires, uses the tools from an AI collective to empower her agents, and helps homeless women through her Life Change Warriors program. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Tami transformed her entertainment production experience into a real estate model. She created a task force to help clients during the wildfires. AI is a crucial tool for staying competitive in real estate. Life Change Warriors empowers homeless individuals through support and education. Building a strong company culture enhances agent performance. Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pardee Properties Tami Pardee Tami Pardee, MBA - Pardee Properties | LinkedIn Life Change Warriors ⁠HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Alex Derenne and Alexis Hirsig, the masterminds behind The Powerhouse Partners, a group with The Real Brokerage that blends coaching and marketing in a real estate network that collaborates, rather than competes. Alex and Alexis dive into how building authentic personal brands on social media has helped them connect with clients, and how AI tools, from content creation to scheduling, are boosting their productivity. With a mission to grow a supportive community of agents nationwide, Alex and Alexis also share their vision to expand Powerhouse Partners to all 50 states. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Collaboration, rather than competition, can create more growth in real estate. Authentic branding attracts aligned, loyal clients. Social media and marketing knowledge is a must-have tool for modern agents. When used right, AI greatly boosts efficiency and sparks creative content ideas. Know your ideal client avatar to properly tailor your marketing strategies. The industry is always shifting toward consumer-first strategies. Related to this episode:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Powerhouse Partners | Instagram Alex Derenne Realtor Alexis Hirsig | Instagram HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt sits down to chat with Sarah Reynolds, the CEO of EmpowerHome with Keller Williams.  Sarah talks about the power of mindset amid market uncertainty, how to keep real estate fun, and why focusing on what’s controllable is key to agent success, no matter what market conditions are. She also talks about trends and new brokerage models coming onto the market and how they are  — or aren’t — changing how Empower is doing business. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Focus on what you can control, not market conditions. Making real estate fun again boosts individual and team morale. Hiring with a growth mindset is key to innovation. We’ll start to see new, emerging agents in response to market changes. Client needs should always be the true north when driving industry policy changes. Empower Home aims to serve 100 families a month. Related to this episode: ⁠Sarah Reynolds | EmpowerHome⁠ ⁠EmpowerHome Team⁠ ⁠Sarah Reynolds | LinkedIn⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Rainy Hake Austin, President of The Agency. The Agency ranked 13 by volume and is also the fourth largest private independent brokerage according to the 2025 RealTrends Verified Top Brokerage rankings. Over the past five years, The Agency has grown to almost 100 offices across the US. Rainy dives into ethical leadership, the trend to move beyond the transaction, and how AI is reshaping operations by plugging them into staff efficiency tools. She also talks about mergers vs. organic growth and why articulating unique value is key in a competitive market. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: The agency has grown significantly, ranking 13th by volume. A people-first approach is central to their growth strategy. Maintaining a boutique feel is crucial as they scale. Agents are trained to articulate their unique value effectively. AI is used to enhance efficiency and customer experience. Related to this episode: The Agency Rainy Austin | The Agency Real Estate Best Real Estate Brokerages in United States | RealTrends Verified ⁠⁠⁠HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠⁠ Enjoy the episode! The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on RealTrending, we are bringing you a special crossover episode of the Top of Mind podcast, hosted by Altos president Mike Simonsen. Mike chats with Jason Waugh, president of Coldwell Banker Affiliates, about how the real estate brokerage model is evolving and what that means for agents, buyers, and the future of the industry. Jason shares insights from Coldwell Banker’s 100,000 agents, the shifting dynamics of consumer representation, and the lasting impact of the 2024 commission settlements. He also discusses luxury market trends, the critical role of buyer agreements, and why brick-and-mortar still matters in a hybrid world. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: What it’s like running an iconic real estate brand in 2025 The latest findings from CB’s Global Luxury Trends report Notable demographic trends for luxury real estate buyers How agent/homebuyer relationships are changing after the commission lawsuits Which consumers continue to choose full-service/full-price real estate services Which markets are noticing commission compression Insights on today’s unique commercial real estate trends Related to this episode: Coldwell Banker Affliates Jason Waugh | LinkedIn ⁠⁠HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠ Enjoy the episode! The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Tamir Poleg, CEO of The Real Brokerage, about how AI is rapidly changing the real estate game — if you don't build it, then someone else will. Tamir shares how Real is using AI to streamline operations, from an assistant answering thousands of questions per day to developing automatic broker reviews. He also discusses scaling without compromising culture, the evolving agent-client dynamic, and why brokerages must refocus on consumers. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Real is both a technology and a real estate company. AI enhances operational efficiency and client service. A strong company culture attracts like-minded agents. Leadership will always involve taking responsibility for failures. Automation can replace many tasks traditionally done by agents. AI will play a significant role in decision-making for real estate transactions. Related to this episode: The Real Brokerage Tamir Poleg - The Real Brokerage Inc | LinkedIn Real Brokerage leverages agent count growth for soaring revenue | HousingWire Best Real Estate Brokerages in United States | RealTrends Verified ⁠HousingWire | YouTube ⁠ ⁠More info about HousingWire⁠ Enjoy the episode! The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with OB Jacobi, co-president of Windermere Real Estate. Founded in 1972 by OB’s father, John Jacobi, Windermere is still being led by the Jacobi family over 50 years later.OB joins us today to talk about rethinking the role of the MLS in real estate and how NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy add-ons have impacted the industry as of late. He also has some really insightful thoughts on the strategic shifts that real estate leaders need to make in a post-settlement world, from making technology-led decisions to not underestimating local market influence. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Clear Cooperation has significant implications for market transparency. Local market knowledge is crucial for effective real estate governance. AI has the potential to revolutionize many day-to-day real estate operations. Family businesses can provide unique advantages in leadership. The role of MLS should be re-evaluated for better local governance. There is room for both national and independent brokerages in the market. Related to this episode: OB Jacobi | LinkedIn Windermere Real Estate HousingWire | YouTube More info about HousingWire Enjoy the episode!The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices