This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Dermot Buffini, CEO of Buffini & Company. Tracey and Dermot got the opportunity to sit down in person to record an episode at HousingWire’s The Gathering.

Dermot breaks down the challenges in today’s real estate leadership  — from agent productivity to market shifts — and shares how to stay focused on what really matters. He also talks about “above the line” thinking to help leaders prioritize outcomes over distractions, and offers strategies for embracing technology and staying rooted in core values and customer service.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

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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.

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This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Hoby Hanna, CEO of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and Hanna Holdings.

Hoby discusses the company’s culture-first M&A strategy, innovative consumer programs like the buy-borrow bundle, and how AI and data are shaping real estate. He also shares why collaboration matters and outlines his goal to reach 20% share in 20 major markets.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

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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.

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This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Tami Pardee, founder of Pardee Properties in Venice, California.

Tami shares how she brought a production-style model from the entertainment industry into real estate and built a high-touch, high-performing boutique brokerage. She also talks about how she tripled sales during the wildfires, uses the tools from an AI collective to empower her agents, and helps homeless women through her Life Change Warriors program.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

Tami transformed her entertainment production experience into a real estate model.

She created a task force to help clients during the wildfires.

AI is a crucial tool for staying competitive in real estate.

Life Change Warriors empowers homeless individuals through support and education.

Building a strong company culture enhances agent performance.

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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.

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This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Alex Derenne and Alexis Hirsig, the masterminds behind The Powerhouse Partners, a group with The Real Brokerage that blends coaching and marketing in a real estate network that collaborates, rather than competes.

Alex and Alexis dive into how building authentic personal brands on social media has helped them connect with clients, and how AI tools, from content creation to scheduling, are boosting their productivity. With a mission to grow a supportive community of agents nationwide, Alex and Alexis also share their vision to expand Powerhouse Partners to all 50 states.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

Collaboration, rather than competition, can create more growth in real estate.

Authentic branding attracts aligned, loyal clients.

Social media and marketing knowledge is a must-have tool for modern agents.

When used right, AI greatly boosts efficiency and sparks creative content ideas.

Know your ideal client avatar to properly tailor your marketing strategies.

The industry is always shifting toward consumer-first strategies.

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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.

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This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt sits down to chat with Sarah Reynolds, the CEO of EmpowerHome with Keller Williams. 

Sarah talks about the power of mindset amid market uncertainty, how to keep real estate fun, and why focusing on what’s controllable is key to agent success, no matter what market conditions are. She also talks about trends and new brokerage models coming onto the market and how they are  — or aren’t — changing how Empower is doing business.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

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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 Rainy Hake Austin, President of The Agency. The Agency ranked 13 by volume and is also the fourth largest private independent brokerage according to the 2025 RealTrends Verified Top Brokerage rankings. Over the past five years, The Agency has grown to almost 100 offices across the US.

Rainy dives into ethical leadership, the trend to move beyond the transaction, and how AI is reshaping operations by plugging them into staff efficiency tools. She also talks about mergers vs. organic growth and why articulating unique value is key in a competitive market.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

The agency has grown significantly, ranking 13th by volume.

A people-first approach is central to their growth strategy.

Maintaining a boutique feel is crucial as they scale.

Agents are trained to articulate their unique value effectively.

AI is used to enhance efficiency and customer experience.

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Enjoy the episode!

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.

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This week on RealTrending, we are bringing you a special crossover episode of the Top of Mind podcast, hosted by Altos president Mike Simonsen. Mike chats with Jason Waugh, president of Coldwell Banker Affiliates, about how the real estate brokerage model is evolving and what that means for agents, buyers, and the future of the industry.

Jason shares insights from Coldwell Banker’s 100,000 agents, the shifting dynamics of consumer representation, and the lasting impact of the 2024 commission settlements. He also discusses luxury market trends, the critical role of buyer agreements, and why brick-and-mortar still matters in a hybrid world.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

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Enjoy the episode!

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.

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This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt chats with Tamir Poleg, CEO of The Real Brokerage, about how AI is rapidly changing the real estate game — if you don't build it, then someone else will.

Tamir shares how Real is using AI to streamline operations, from an assistant answering thousands of questions per day to developing automatic broker reviews. He also discusses scaling without compromising culture, the evolving agent-client dynamic, and why brokerages must refocus on consumers.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

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Enjoy the episode!

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 OB Jacobi, co-president of Windermere Real Estate. Founded in 1972 by OB’s father, John Jacobi, Windermere is still being led by the Jacobi family over 50 years later.

OB joins us today to talk about rethinking the role of the MLS in real estate and how NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy add-ons have impacted the industry as of late. He also has some really insightful thoughts on the strategic shifts that real estate leaders need to make in a post-settlement world, from making technology-led decisions to not underestimating local market influence.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

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Enjoy the episode!

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.

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This week on RealTrending, Tracey Velt sits down in person with Robert Palmer, founder and CEO of LPT Realty, at LPT’s studio in Orlando.

Robert talks about LPT’s journey from a simple marketing tool to a top brokerage in just a couple of years. He also discusses agent empowerment through dual brokerage models, LPT’s upcoming initiatives, and growth plans.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

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Enjoy the episode!

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