
RealTrending
Trends, analysis and success stories from leaders in the real estate industry.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.
Latest episodes

Oct 2, 2023 • 35min
ShowingTime+ President Mike Lane on winning listings
On today's RealTrending, ShowingTime+ President Mike Lane offers insight into how showings have been impacted by the low inventory and high-interest rate market. He'll also talk about how agents can win listings, how Zillow has been impacted by the commission class-action lawsuits, and how they are using AI to build better photography products.Related to this episode:
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn
Michael Lane - ShowingTime
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!HousingWire Annual is where the community from across the housing ecosystem comes together to share strategies, drive business, discover new technologies, discuss best practices, and meet industry leaders. Our agenda is power packed with content to propel your company to the next level and connect you with the industry playmakers. Click here to learn more!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

Sep 25, 2023 • 31min
Realtor.com's Damian Eales on the transformation of Realtor.com
In today's RealTrending, we speak with Damian Eales, CEO of Move, operator of Realtor.com. Not happy with Realtor.com's position as No. 2, Damian outlines the strategic moves the company will take to leverage the News Corp audience and launch new products to help agents get listings.We also delve into the lessons he learned in his career and how his understanding of company culture has shifted over the years.Related to this episode:
Connect with Damian on LinkedIn
Damian Eales - Realtor.com
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!HousingWire Annual is where the community from across the housing ecosystem comes together to share strategies, drive business, discover new technologies, discuss best practices, and meet industry leaders. Our agenda is power packed with content to propel your company to the next level and connect you with the industry playmakers. Click here to learn more!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

Sep 18, 2023 • 32min
BHGRE's first affiliate on building a thriving property management company
In today's episode of RealTrending, we speak with Tom Wilkins, broker-owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins Associates in Pennsylvania. Wilkins was the first BHGRE affiliate.Find out from Wilkins, who has more than two decades worth of practical knowledge, how he found success in property management and relocation, along with residential real estate. Wilkins's company manages 5,000 doors in the Poconos. He'll discuss lessons learned, explain how he structured his business and how he found success.Related to this episode:
Connect with Tom on LinkedIn
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!HousingWire Annual is where the community from across the housing ecosystem comes together to share strategies, drive business, discover new technologies, discuss best practices, and meet industry leaders. Our agenda is power packed with content to propel your company to the next level and connect you with the industry playmakers. Click here to learn more!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

Sep 11, 2023 • 35min
The Real Brokerage CTO shares all things AI and practical uses
In today's RealTrending Pritesh Damani, CTO for The Real Brokerage, shares how his team developed Leo, an AI assistant for teams and brokers. More than that, he discusses potential uses for brokerage leaders in streamlining business and recruiting.Two and a half years ago, The Real Brokerage made the strategic move to automate many of their processes. With the subsequent emergence of generative AI technologies and access to their proprietary data, the brokerage saw an opportunity to elevate their services. Damani discusses how other brokerages can harness the power of AI with different applications such as training.Related to this episode:
The Real Brokerage
Connect with Pritesh on LinkedIn
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!HousingWire Annual is where the community from across the housing ecosystem comes together to share strategies, drive business, discover new technologies, discuss best practices, and meet industry leaders. Our agenda is power packed with content to propel your company to the next level and connect you with the industry playmakers. Click here to learn more!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

Aug 28, 2023 • 43min
Michael Maher on boosting your referral business with events
aboutToday's RealTrending features Michael Maher, CEO of ReferCo and author of "7 Levels of Communication." Maher emphasizes the importance of creating "talk abouts" or memorable experiences. He did that in his own real estate business by hosting housewarming parties and three client appreciation events annually, tailored to what their clients enjoyed, like sports or bowling. The key was to provide entertainment that clients loved and then step back, letting them enjoy. The ultimate goal of these events and strategies was fun prospecting. While attendees enjoyed themselves, they were also reminded of the speaker's real estate services. The speaker encouraged referrals, emphasizing that it benefits everyone involved.Maher goes into his event method, how even introvert real estate agents can enjoy events and how to build a referral business.Related to this episode:
Michael Maher
ReferCo
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!HousingWire Annual is where the community from across the housing ecosystem comes together to share strategies, drive business, discover new technologies, discuss best practices, and meet industry leaders. Our agenda is power packed with content to propel your company to the next level and connect you with the industry playmakers. Click here to learn more!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

Aug 21, 2023 • 36min
C21 CEO Mike Miedler on consolidation in the brokerage industry
In the latest episode of The RealTrending Podcast, we talk with Mike Miedler, CEO of CENTURY 21, who delves deep into his insights on the real estate industry. Mike passionately speaks about the unique attributes of the real estate sector and emphasizes its people-driven nature. He believes that while technology and trends may evolve, the essence of the industry will always revolve around personal connections and the significant emotional and financial weight of a home transaction. Despite the challenges of fluctuating markets, Mike sees downturns as opportunities for growth, particularly for brokers who are proactive and adaptive. He highlighted the current trend of mergers and acquisitions, suggesting that it's an avenue for brokers to consolidate and strengthen their market position. Mike's insights reflect a deep understanding of the real estate landscape and the importance of adaptability, focus, and maintaining a people-centric approach.Related to this episode:
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn
Century 21 - Mike Miedler
Century 21
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!HousingWire Annual is where the community from across the housing ecosystem comes together to share strategies, drive business, discover new technologies, discuss best practices, and meet industry leaders. Our agenda is power packed with content to propel your company to the next level and connect you with the industry playmakers. Click here to learn more!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

Aug 14, 2023 • 31min
Kurt Carlton on building a marketplace for investors
Today's RealTrending features Kurt Carlton, co-founder and president of New Western, a marketplace for real estate investors. Carlton talks about how he's working with real estate agents, his take on the affordability issue and the trend of the "Great Renovation."Related to this episode:
Connect with Kurt on LinkedIn
New Western
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!HousingWire Annual is where the community from across the housing ecosystem comes together to share strategies, drive business, discover new technologies, discuss best practices, and meet industry leaders. Our agenda is power packed with content to propel your company to the next level and connect you with the industry playmakers. Click here to learn more!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

Aug 7, 2023 • 37min
Christie's International execs on building clear core values
On today's RealTrending, we speak with Chris Lim, president and Natalie Hamrick, vice president of Christie's International Real Estate about how they build their core values on a level of service and not a price point. The two discuss lessons learned as they grow the brand, how to build your message to attract agents to your firm and where they find inspiration. PS: There may be a little pickleball strategy discussion, as well!Related to this episode:
Christie's Real Estate
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!HousingWire Annual is where the community from across the housing ecosystem comes together to share strategies, drive business, discover new technologies, discuss best practices, and meet industry leaders. Our agenda is power packed with content to propel your company to the next level and connect you with the industry playmakers. Click here to learn more!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

Jul 31, 2023 • 42min
Compass agents on the power of AI in real estate
Today's RealTrending features Rich Hopen, broker-associate of Compass and co-founder of REAL-E in New Jersey and Susan Vanech, broker-associate of Compass and founder of Compass Coastal in Connecticut. Hopen is a self-taught expert in all things ChatGPT and artificial intelligence and built an AI-powered listing chatbot. Vaneck used that chatbot to market a multi-million dollar property.Today, they discuss the power of AI in real estate marketing, what the future holds, how they are embracing AI in their businesses and what trends they are seeing. Hopen is the editor of the e-newsletter: The AI Daily Brief where he discusses the latest trends in AI and how to apply themRelated to this episode:
Connect with Rich on LinkedIn
Connect with Susan on LinkedIn
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!HousingWire Annual is where the community from across the housing ecosystem comes together to share strategies, drive business, discover new technologies, discuss best practices, and meet industry leaders. Our agenda is power packed with content to propel your company to the next level and connect you with the industry playmakers. Click here to learn more!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

Jul 24, 2023 • 34min
GameChanger Steve DuBrueler on finding success with an on-staff recruiter
Today's RealTrending features Coldwell Banker Premier CEO and Founder Steve DuBrueler, whose company grew 76% by transaction sides over the past five years. Due to that growth, he was named a 2023 RealTrends GameChanger. Much of DuBrueler's firm's growth was attributed to strategic mergers and acquisitions; however, recruiting and attracting new agents is his focus today. Find out some of the lessons learned hiring an in-house recruiter and how he determined it was time to add another. DuBrueler notes that that only job he was ever fired from was with Coldwell Banker and how that motivated him to the success he has today, ironically with the same brand.Related to this episode:
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn
Steve DuBrueler - Coldwell Banker
HousingWire’s YouTube Channel
Enjoy the episode!HousingWire Annual is where the community from across the housing ecosystem comes together to share strategies, drive business, discover new technologies, discuss best practices, and meet industry leaders. Our agenda is power packed with content to propel your company to the next level and connect you with the industry playmakers. Click here to learn more!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