RealTrending RealTrends

This week, we are bringing you a fantastic chat with Michelle Berman-Mikel, the owner and founder of Berman Media PD and the developer behind a program called Beyond the Method, which teaches real estate professionals how to use Instagram in a way that helps them grow their business.
She and Tracey do a deep dive into how to use and leverage Instagram and other social media to turn superficial follower engagement into a full-blown lead-generation tool. Michelle has what she calls the “Four Pillars of Engagement” and gives some great insight into how to make and stick with meaningful Instagram content that will help you stand out.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

Instagram is a powerful platform for real estate marketing, but many agents don’t use it to its potential.

The four pillars of success on Instagram include value series, testimonials, listing day, and lifestyle content.

Outbound prospecting is about creating opportunities and building relationships within the community.

The 'black line approach' is a strategy for success, inspired by Michelle's swimming career, and emphasizes focus, discipline, and trust in the process.


Related to this episode:


Michelle Berman-Mikel | LinkedIn 

Michelle Berman-Mikel Instagram

Can you have a “presence” on Instagram without being “present” | HousingWire

Berman Media

HousingWire | YouTube


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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.
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In today’s episode, we have a fantastic chat with Jim D’Amico, the CEO and president of Century 21 North East. Jim is a 2020 RealTrends Gamechanger, touting an impressive transaction growth rate of 179% between 2014 and 2018.
Jim shares the one small change that he made early in his career that led to massive growth in his professional and personal life. Jim also discusses his specific approach to acquisitions, the inherent value of continuing education for agents, and much more.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

Acquisitions have played a key role in the company's growth strategy, with a focus on cultural fit and opportunities that align with their goals.

It’s important to say ahead of industry changes and adapting to market dynamics.

Agent education is a top priority, with a focus on providing training and resources to help agents navigate industry changes and better serve their clients.

Personal setbacks often come with lessons, including the importance of humility and personal growth.

The future holds organic growth, attracting top agents, and continuing to provide resources and support for their team.



Related to this episode:

James D'Amico | LinkedIn

James D'Amico, III, CENTURY 21 Real Estate Agent in Everett, MA

Century 21

REAL Trends Game Changer: Jim D'Amico, President of Century 21 Northeast in Massachusetts

HousingWire | YouTube


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

In today’s episode, we speak with the co-founder & CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), Gary Acosta. Gary is a real estate and mortgage entrepreneur, public policy advocate, investor, and advisor, who has served on boards for several Fortune 500 companies including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and JP Morgan Chase.
Tracey and Gary’s conversation focuses on Gary’s career passion: the health of Hispanic and Latino homebuyers in today’s market. They discuss the impact of the NAR settlement on Hispanic agents and homebuyers and how broker cooperation benefits first-time homebuyers. They also talk about takeaways from NAHREP’s State of Hispanic Homeownership Report and the priorities that NAHREP is focusing on as they see more opportunities in the changing market. 
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

The NAR settlement and potential changes to broker cooperation could have a disproportionate impact on Latino real estate agents and first-time homebuyers.

The Latino community has shown resiliency and has rising income and education levels, making them an important demographic for the real estate industry.

The NAHREP Homeownership Report highlights the increasing homeownership rate among Hispanics and their mobility to affordable markets.

NAHREP's priorities include housing affordability, access to credit, and diversity in the industry.

Opportunities in the real estate market lie in the changing dynamics of the industry, such as remote work and advancements in technology.


Related to this episode:

Gary Acosta | LinkedIn

NAHREP

Gary Acosta | NAHREP

State of Hispanic Homeownership Report | NAHREP

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

Today we welcome Sharran Srivatsaa, the president of Real, to the RealTrending podcast! Sharran joined Real in 2022 and has personally overseen the onboarding of over 13,000 agents while Real has moved up to #6 from #11 by transaction sides in the 2024 RealTrends Verified brokerage rankings. He brings over two decades of business and entrepreneurial experience to today’s conversation from several companies across the real estate, finance and technology sectors.
In today’s conversation with Tracey, he talks about Real’s strategic growth plan on a granular level, including his personal commitment to showing up for his agents even in the most unexpected of places. He also talks about how they’re navigating industry-wide changes amid the commission lawsuits, and how brokers can best provide building blocks for their agents to build out their unique businesses.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

Deploying goodwill and generosity is a powerful strategy for growth in the real estate industry.

Showing up in unexpected places and staying true to the business model can create a sense of belonging and warmth.

Training agents to navigate upcoming changes in the industry is crucial for success.

Providing results in advance and being entrepreneur-centric can attract and retain agents.

Brokers should provide agents with building blocks to build their unique businesses.


Related to this episode:

Sharran Srivatsaa | LinkedIn

Sharran Srivatsaa | Instagram

Sharran Srivatsaa

Real

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

On today’s episode of RealTrending, we talk to the newly appointed CEO of eXp Realty, Leo Pareja. He has over two decades of real estate and entrepreneurial experience, and it was just announced last month that Leo was to move from his role as Chief Strategy Officer into the role of CEO, which was previously held by Glenn Sanford. Sanford moves to Chairman of eXp Holdings.
In today’s conversation, Leo shares eXp’s plan for future growth, how they are educating agents on the terms of the NAR settlement and how technology at the company is evolving. He and Tracey talk about the importance of proper agent support systems, the challenges happening during the transition of compensation models, and how eXp is embracing generative technology to aid in long-term growth.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

There is a need for real estate agents to treat buyers and sellers as valued clients and provide full support throughout transactions.

There is a paradigm shift in the real estate industry with compensation models and technology adoption, and the lack thereof.

Embrace technology to stay ahead of industry trends, specifically the use of AI and generative language models to enhance processes.

Collaboration among agents is more important than you realize, and there are real benefits of proximity to successful peers.


Related to this episode:

Leo Pareja | LinkedIn

eXp Realty

Leo Pareja takes over as CEO of eXp Realty | HousingWire

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

On today’s episode of RealTrending, we welcome Jason Mitchell, the founder and president of the Jason Mitchell Group. In 2023, JMG had over 8500 transaction sides and almost $4.2 billion in transaction volume according to RealTrends verified data.
Jason offers insight into the impact of the NAR settlement on the industry as well as the lack of transparency in the settlement agreement. JMG’s model focuses not only on buyer leads from lender referrals, but also a lot of veteran buyers, which he believes will be much more negatively impacted by changes in the commission model. He also talks about the Real Estate Agent Pledge, a commitment to educating clients about cooperative compensation and promoting transparency in the industry.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

The NAR settlement will require buyer-broker agreements, which can create more loyalty between consumers and agents.

The lack of transparency in the settlement, particularly regarding cooperative compensation, is a concern.

Low-income buyers, such as veterans and those using down payment assistance programs, may struggle to afford out-of-pocket fees.

The Real Estate Agent Pledge aims to educate clients about cooperative compensation and promote transparency in the industry.


Related to this episode:

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

Jason Mitchell Group

Jason Mitchell Real Estate - Real Trends 

The Real Estate Agent Pledge

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