RealTrending

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt talks with Tom Ferry, founder of Tom Ferry International, and Josh Altman, celebrity real estate agent with The Altman Brothers Team at Douglas Elliman. They dive into Tom and Josh’s new partnership, discussing the gap they saw in the market for affordable, high-quality training and how they're combining Tom's coaching expertise with Josh's proven sales strategies. They also talk about the importance of discipline, branding, and AI in today's market, plus the common mistakes that prevent agents from reaching their potential. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How Tom and Josh identified the need for accessible, world-class training for agents Why 6% of agents control 60% of listings and what separates top performers The biggest mistakes agents make: insufficient follow-up for top performers and inadequate marketing for everyone else Josh's approach to being a "24/7 agent" and building a brand that attracts global buyers How AI is transforming marketing and why agents need to update their social media bios The importance of content creation and being a "chameleon" in an ever-changing market Why both experts believe AI-enabled agents will dominate the future of real estate Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Altman Brothers Tom Ferry Josh Altman | LinkedIn Tom Ferry | LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Homebot, click ⁠⁠here.⁠⁠ 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.

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt talks with Keith Robinson, co-CEO of NextHome and author of the Substack "Crazy Uncle Keith." Tracey and Keith dive into the seismic shifts reshaping real estate, including the potential Compass-Anywhere merger, the ongoing fallout from the settlement lawsuit and the pro-agent group pushing for more transparency at NAR. Keith shares his take on private listing networks, why the industry's most defensible position is "the human being," and how agents can capitalize on the current rate environment to boost their business. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Why the Compass-Anywhere merger could trigger an "arms race for listings" How agents can actually make more money now, post-settlement, by creating better buyer offerings The real impact of private listing networks on home buyers and sellers Why Keith believes NAR is finally heading in the right direction under Nykia Wright How rates below 6.5% for 60+ days signal a market shift agents can't afford to miss The three traits every agent needs to develop by 2030, including a "healthy fear of AI" Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Keith Robinson | SubStack NextHome Keith Robinson | LinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Homebot, click ⁠here.⁠ 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.

.This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt talks with James Harris, principal at Beverly Hills-based boutique brokerage Carolwood Estates and former cast member of Bravo's Million Dollar Listing. Tracey and James dive into why disruption is actually a positive force, how AI is transforming the way agents work, and the mindset shifts needed to thrive in today's changing market. James shares his perspective on embracing change rather than fearing it, and discusses his current project to disrupt the industry with AI-driven tools designed specifically for real estate agents. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Why AI adoption is becoming table stakes for real estate success How to become data-obsessed and master your local market The importance of building systems and processes that save time Why consistency beats perfection in content creation How to get uncomfortable to achieve growth in your business Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Carolwood Estates James Harris  | LinkedIn James Harris (@jamesbondst) | Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HousingWire | YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More info about HousingWire⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about Homebot, click here. 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.

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt talks with Josh McGrath, CEO and founder of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central and 2025 RealTrends Verified GameChanger.  Tracey and Josh dive into his journey from getting his real estate license at 18 to building a brokerage with over 90 agents across five offices in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio. He also shares how his 2020 affiliation with Better Homes and Gardens during the pandemic led to exponential growth. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How he transitioned from sales to brokerage leadership in 2010 The strategic decision to affiliate with Better Homes and Gardens in 2020 and its impact Why protecting company culture means saying no to top producers who don't fit His approach to scaling internal systems while maintaining team cohesion How AI and technology investments are reshaping client nurturing Why he believes mergers and consolidations will continue to dominate the industry Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Josh McGrath | LinkedIn Joshua McGrath - Real Estate Agent Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central | RealTrends Verified ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt talks with Gretchen Coley, leader of The Coley Group at Compass in Raleigh, North Carolina. Tracey and Gretchen dive into how she scaled her team from $3 million to $214 million in just five years, the power of video storytelling in real estate and her innovative "Best of Raleigh" platform that transformed how she connects with her community. Gretchen shares how her background in new home sales shaped her approach to educating agents, why she invested in two full-time videographers and how a pandemic pivot led to creating a lifestyle brand with over a million podcast listens. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How she grew from $3 million to $214 million in volume in five years How the "Best of Raleigh" platform started during COVID and became a community phenomenon The leadership lessons learned from rapid team growth and maintaining culture Why luxury real estate is about lifestyle integration, not just price point How AI integration and content optimization are shaping the future of real estate marketing Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Coley Group | RealTrends Verified The Coley Group Gretchen Coley, Real Estate Agent - Compass ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

This week on RealTrending Tracey Velt talks with Eric Bramlett, broker-owner of Bramlett Partners in Austin, Texas. Tracey and Eric dive into the strategies for maintaining a local identity while leveraging technology, the importance of agent retention in a competitive market, and how to stay focused amid speculative industry distractions. Eric also shares how tight hiring standards and a personal touch have led to a 90% retention rate, his approach to tech integration without overwhelming agents, and much more. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How Bramlett Partners maintains their local identity while competing with national firms The hiring discipline that drives 90% agent retention vs. 65% market average His single-dashboard tech approach that enhances rather than hinders productivity Why focusing on retention beats aggressive recruiting every time How to filter industry noise and stay focused on what moves the needle Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bramlett Partners Eric Bramlett | 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.

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt talks with the “queen of real estate video” Glennda Baker, of Glennda Baker and Associates at Coldwell Banker Realty in Atlanta. Tracey and Glennda dive into how social media and video content have transformed her 33-year real estate career, from building authentic connections through video to attracting clients who have never even met her in person. Glennda shares her journey from terrible YouTube videos in 2016 to becoming one of the most recognized voices in real estate, and how AI production tools have totally transformed her short form content game. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How consistency beats perfection when building your social media following Why posting the "struggle" stories performs better than just success highlights The client who went from TikTok follower to closing in just 53 days How 67% of her business now comes from referrals and repeat clients influenced by her online presence Why agents need to embrace AI and answer engine optimization to stay competitive The three moves every agent should make to get started on TikTok and Instagram Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Glennda Baker Atlanta (@glenndabaker) • Instagram photos and videos Glennda Baker (@glenndabaker) | TikTok Glennda Baker | LinkedIn Glennda Baker ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

This week on RealTrending, Sarah Wheeler, sitting in for Tracey Velt, talks with Heather and Zach Harrison of The Zach & Heather Harrison Team at Compass, the #20 large team nationally by volume and #4 team in New York state by volume, according to RealTrends Verified. The Harrisons dive into their unique approach of offering lifestyle tours rather than just property showings, helping clients choose not just a home but an entire community in Westchester County, New York. They also talk about changes in their market since the NYC mayoral race started, how they’re utilizing AI tools and more. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How they built their vision to "change the face of real estate" in Westchester County How their interactive downsizing tours for empty nesters are solving inventory challenges The impact of NYC's mayoral race on suburban real estate demand How luxury amenities like golf simulators and indoor pools are reshaping buyer preferences Why combining AI with human connection is the future of real estate Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Zach & Heather Harrison Team The Zach & Heather Harrison Team at Compass | RealTrends Verified ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

Yesterday, it was announced that real estate giant Compass is acquiring another real estate giant: Anywhere Real Estate, which includes Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Corcoran, ERA Real Estate, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, and Sotheby’s International Realty. Today, we’re bringing you a special bonus episode with Tracey and Steve Murray, senior advisor for HousingWire and the founder of RealTrends and RTC Consulting. Steve is an expert on all things mergers and acquisitions and provides us with some interesting insight into the industry implications and ramifications of such a landmark deal.  Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: The strategic implications of the acquisition How the deal might face antitrust scrutiny in major markets The integration challenges, including agent retention and cultural alignment Potential impacts on Zillow, NAR, and the broader brokerage landscape Steve’s insights on the future of brokerage competition and consumer trust Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Compass buys Anywhere Real Estate for a combined 340,000 agents What to know about Anywhere following acquisition by Compass ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt sits down with Jason Abrams, the head of industry and learning at Keller Williams Realty International, to explore the transformative potential of AI in all aspects of real estate. Jason shares insights from his AI playbook, debunking myths and offering practical advice on leveraging AI tools to stay ahead of the competition. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Why AI is a tool, not a threat, to real estate agents The two biggest myths about AI and how they hold agents back How to craft master prompts to personalize AI interactions The role of AI in lead generation and productivity Legal and ethical considerations for using AI responsibly Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jason Abrams | LinkedIn Keller Williams ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.