
RealTrending
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.
Latest episodes

Jan 22, 2024 • 44min
Coach Julie Harris on creative ways to find inventory
In this episode of the Real Trending podcast, Tracey Velt interviews Julie Harris, co-founder of Tim and Julie Harris Coaching. Harris has deep insights into what agents are struggling with right now (inventory!) and offers solid ways to find more listings. She also explores trends in the industry, such as the value of expanding one's center of influence and emphasizes the importance of focusing on fewer, more meaningful goals and breaking them down into daily and weekly tasks. By whittling down weekly goals and consistently taking proactive actions, agents can make significant progress in their business. Julie shares pivotal moments in her career and offers three to-dos for agents to change their business.Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:
The lack of inventory is a major challenge for real estate agents, but being proactive and creative in finding inventory can lead to success.
Real estate commission lawsuits are causing uncertainty in the industry, but agents can navigate this by being more professional and transparent in their buyer representation.
The most successful agents are those who are proactive, stay educated, and focus on expanding their center of influence.
Pivotal moments in a real estate career can include making strategic pivots, such as targeting luxury markets or returning to basics that have proven to work in the past.
To change their business, agents should focus on generating new business daily, staying educated, and expanding their center of influence. Focus on fewer, more meaningful goals and break them down into daily and weekly tasks.
Consistently take proactive actions to make progress in your real estate business.
Invest in personal development and maintain a healthy lifestyle for overall success.
Whittling down weekly goals helps agents stay focused and avoid overwhelm.
Related to this episode:
Connect with Julie on LinkedIn
Tim and Julie Harris Real Estate Coaching
The Gathering
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!The RealTrending podcast features the brightest minds in real estate. Every week, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts share their success secrets, trends, and lessons learned navigating this ever-changing industry. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by Elissa Branch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 15, 2024 • 34min
Transaction-fee brokerage leader on how they refocused recruiting
In this episode of the Real Trending Podcast, Tracey Velt interviews Steven Barks, the president and COO of Worth Clark Realty, a transaction fee brokerage. When Barks joined the company, they had 5 licensed salespeople. Now, they have 1,200. Barks talks about myths about transaction fee services and explains how a focus on recruiting the right agent has helped the brokerage break even in the difficult 2023 housing market. They also explore the use of AI in real estate and the opportunities for brokerage leaders in the industry. Steven shares his aha moment and the lessons he has learned in running a RealTrends 500 brokerage. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:
Worth Clark Realty offers a flexible, transaction fee business model that allows agents to vary their service offerings and charge their clients accordingly.
The use of AI in real estate is growing, but the adoption rate among agents is still relatively low. However, tools like AI writing assistants can help agents save time and improve their marketing efforts.
Brokerage leaders should focus on providing value to their agents and helping them understand the unique value they offer to clients. Building strong relationships and communication with agents is key to success.
The future of Worth Clark Realty involves expanding their market footprint, exploring alternative ways to represent clients, and continuing to provide value to their agents through tools and services.
Related to this episode:
Connect with Steven on LinkedIn
Worth Clack Realty
The Gathering
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!The RealTrending podcast features the brightest minds in real estate. Every week, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts share their success secrets, trends, and lessons learned navigating this ever-changing industry. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by Elissa Branch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 8, 2024 • 37min
Renee Mueller on restructuring her brokerage, expanding core services
Renee Mueller, President and Co-founder of Elite Real Estate Systems, and her leadership team made a huge leap over the past three years as they reorganized the company and expanded core services. The goal of the reorganization was to make the company more sticky and provide better investment opportunities for agents.Now, the company fully owns all of its core services, has a structured ownership model for its C-suite and is working on an ESOP. Mueller highlights the challenges faced during the reorganization process and the importance of hiring the right people. She also discusses the impact of commission lawsuits on the real estate industry and how the company is preparing for changes. Find out her lessons learned during the process.Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:
Hiring the right people and focusing on the agents' needs were key challenges during the reorganization process.
The company is preparing for changes in the real estate industry, including the impact of commission lawsuits.
The use of AI has helped the company save money and improve operational efficiency.
The future plans for Elite Real Estate Systems include expanding to more states and partnering with teams and brokerages.
Related to this episode:
Connect with Renee on LinkedIn
Elite Real Estate Systems
The Gathering
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!The RealTrending podcast features the brightest minds in real estate. Every week, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts share their success secrets, trends, and lessons learned navigating this ever-changing industry. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by Elissa Branch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 2, 2024 • 42min
Keller Williams CEO Mark Willis on leading through challenging times
In today’s RealTrending, we speak with Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams. After serving as CEO of Keller Williams through some high-growth years for the company, Willis stepped down in 2015. Now, he’s back in leadership in his second stint as CEO and is ready to lead the company through some challenging times. Willis shares his leadership lessons learned, his love of helping others succeed, and the importance of building strong teams. Willis gets personal about his love for University of Texas Austin football and, on a more serious note, he opens up about personal experiences and the foundation he created in honor of his late wife. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:
Keller Williams is designed to thrive during challenging economic periods.
The company focuses on training and consulting to support agents and help them grow their businesses.
Leadership is about serving others and making intentional decisions.
Keller Williams is dedicated to building strong teams and providing value to their agents.
Mark emphasizes the importance of personal growth and learning from failures.
Related to this episode:
Connect with Mark on LinkedIn
Keller Williams
Mark Willis steps back into CEO role at Keller Williams
The Gathering
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!The RealTrending podcast features the brightest minds in real estate. Every week, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts share their success secrets, trends, and lessons learned navigating this ever-changing industry. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by Elissa Branch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 18, 2023 • 29min
MyStateMLS leader Dawn Pfaff on the future of MLSs
Believe it or not, there will be winners when it comes to the commission lawsuit outcomes. That's the crux of our conversation with Dawn Pfaff, president of MyStateMLS, a nationwide MLS that is not affiliated with any Realtor board. Pfaff shares her opinions on the value of the MLS (Realtor affiliated or not), what the future might look like and the mistakes many brokers and agents make when it comes to protecting their data.Related to this episode:
Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn
MyStateMLS
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!The RealTrending podcast features the brightest minds in real estate. Every week, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts share their success secrets, trends, and lessons learned navigating this ever-changing industry. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by Elissa Branch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 11, 2023 • 35min
Anthony Lamacchia on commission lawsuit mayhem
In today's RealTrending, Anthony Lamacchia, CEO and founder of Lamacchia Realty and Crush it in Real Estate, passionately shares why the commission lawsuits are wrong and why the industry must start speaking out. Not one to shy away from confrontation, Lamacchia hits the issue head on with his real-life view of how the commission lawsuit outcomes will hurt buyers. Lamacchia also discusses his phone call with Michael Ketchmark, the plaintiffs' attorney in the Sitzer Burnett and Gibson cases.Related to this episode:
Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn
Lamacchia Realty
Crush It In Real Estate
RealTrends GameChangers
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!The RealTrending podcast features the brightest minds in real estate. Every week, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts share their success secrets, trends, and lessons learned navigating this ever-changing industry. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by Elissa Branch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 4, 2023 • 27min
NAHB's Jim Tobin talks 2024 new home sale trends
In the latest RealTrending episode, join Jim Tobin, the CEO and President of the National Association of Home Builders, as he unveils his comprehensive housing outlook for 2024. Discover the key factors currently influencing new home sales and construction, and learn about the organization's strategic efforts to enhance housing affordability.Tobin delves into the organization's top advocacy priorities, sheds light on the rapidly growing housing types, and unpacks emerging homebuyer trends. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of the housing market.Related to this episode:
Connect with Jim on LinkedIn
National Association of Home Builders
NAHB: Jim Tobin
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!The RealTrending podcast features the brightest minds in real estate. Every week, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts share their success secrets, trends, and lessons learned navigating this ever-changing industry. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by Elissa Branch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 27, 2023 • 30min
BHGRE's Ginger Wilcox on the industry's ability to adapt and change
Today's RealTrending features Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate's President Ginger Wilcox. With her extensive leadership experience in mortgage, real estate technology and more, Wilcox brings a fresh perspective to real estate brokerage.Wilcox discusses the changes that may come to the industry, the opportunities born out of a challenging market and recent commission lawsuit verdicts as well as some of the technology trends sure to impact how real estate professionals manage their businesses.Related to this episode:
Connect with Ginger on LinkedIn
2022 Woman of Influence: Ginger Wilcox
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!The RealTrending podcast features the brightest minds in real estate. Every week, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts share their success secrets, trends, and lessons learned navigating this ever-changing industry. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by Elissa Branch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 20, 2023 • 34min
Redfin's Glenn Kelman on NAR, commission lawsuits and market share growth
In today's RealTrending, Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman explains his decision to disassociate from NAR, his surprise at the current Gibson lawsuit, and his commitment to his agents and consumers. In this open conversation, Kelman also shares his passion for the industry, how Redfin is moving forward, his ups and downs growing the company and more.Related to this episode:
Connect with Glenn on LinkedIn
Redfin
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!The RealTrending podcast features the brightest minds in real estate. Every week, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts share their success secrets, trends, and lessons learned navigating this ever-changing industry. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by Elissa Branch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 13, 2023 • 25min
2024 NAHREP President Nora Aguirre on threats to first-time homebuyers
Nora Aguirre, incoming president of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, discusses the impacts of recent commission lawsuits on first-time homebuyers and minorities. She emphasizes the importance of education, buyer representation agreements, and high-touch relationship building. Aguirre also delves into supporting NAHREP members, the launch of the National Association of Hispanic Contractors, and the need for collaboration within the real estate industry.
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