RealTrending

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Erin Bradley, the host of the "Pursuing Freedom" podcast. Erin shares her journey from financial struggles to a flourishing real estate career.  Erin talks about how embracing the "Go Giver" philosophy helped her double her business and align her personal and professional life for true freedom. She also shares some practical tips for agents to overcome fear, delegate effectively, and infuse joy into their everyday work. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How Erin transitioned from financial strain to a successful real estate career The impact of the "Go Giver" philosophy on business growth Strategies for building a life and business you don't need a vacation from Overcoming fear and embracing authenticity in business Daily habits and rituals that keep Erin grounded and inspired Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pursuing Freedom Erin Bradley | 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 Josh Anderson from the Anderson Group Real Estate Services of Keller Williams in Nashville, Tennessee​​.  Josh talks about his evolution from a solo agent to leading one of Nashville's top teams by focusing on consistent lead generation and how embracing the basics can skyrocket your business. He also discusses the game-changing impact of AI tools on personalizing client interactions and productivity. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How Josh scaled his team from a solo agent to a top performer in Nashville The importance of consistent lead generation and strong systems How embracing the basics can skyrocket your business The transformative impact of AI tools like ChatGPT on real estate Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Anderson Group Real Estate Services Josh Anderson | 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 Darryl Davis, from Darryl Davis Real Estate Coaching about several hot topics in real estate, including HUD's English-only policy, the NAR settlement, Clear Cooperation, and much more. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Why HUD's English-only policy is controversial How agents can support non-English speaking clients The importance of establishing your value as an agent before fee discussions Why the CCP is problematic in today’s market How to properly adapt to a shift to a buyer's market Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Darryl Davis | Real Estate Coach Darryl Davis | 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