Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered

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CRMLS vs. Compass: Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson on the Lawsuit That Could Redefine the MLS Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Is the MLS a broker cooperative, or a public marketplace for listing data? And can it survive trying to be both?

James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson bring back Rob Hahn, the Notorious R.O.B., and Greg Robertson, co-founder of W+R Studios and Vendor Alley, to break down the escalating fight between Compass and the MLS. CRMLS, the country's largest MLS, filed a preemptive federal lawsuit after Compass demanded MLSs stop fining agents for publicly marketing office-exclusive listings.

Rob walks through the legal theory behind Compass's demands, including NAR's 14 Points from 1971 and why they still matter. Greg shares a firsthand account of Robert Reffkin's tense appearance at the Council of Multiple Listing Services conference, which came just an hour after CRMLS announced its lawsuit. The group also debates who owns listing data, whether the fight is really about agent recruiting, and what happens to agents if big brokerages stop sharing listings.

It gets heated, but they also find common ground. Agents' value has never come from listing data, and the industry risks losing consumer trust if this fight drags on.

Links mentioned during the episode: CRMLS: Protecting Cooperation (including CRMLS's public letter to Compass): https://go.crmls.org/protecting-cooperation/ Rob's write-up on Notorious R.O.B.: https://notoriousrob.substack.com/ Industry Relations Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/industry-relations/id1204450450 The Wall Street Journal, "The Fierce Battle to Control How Americans Buy and Sell Their Homes": [WSJ link]

Connect with Rob on Notorious R.O.B. Connect with Greg on Vendor Alley.

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The views and opinions expressed on Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered are those of the hosts and guests in their personal capacities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AGNT, Inc., eXp Realty, LLC, NextHome, Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, or directors.

Zillow's Cynthia Taylor on Likely to List, AI in Follow Up Boss, and Why 1 in 4 Flagged Homes List Within 90 Days Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

What if the next listing in your market is already sitting in your database, and you just don't know it yet?

Live from Zillow Unlock 2026, James Dwiggins sits down with Cynthia Taylor, Senior Vice President of Agent Software and Advertising at Zillow, to talk about how AI is changing the way agents find, serve, and keep clients. Cynthia shares her path from investment banking to Amazon Web Services to Zillow, and what it's like to build products her own mother, a real estate agent, now uses on her listings.

She breaks down the two ways AI can help agents most: automating busy work like call notes and transcriptions, and surfacing proactive signals about which clients are ready to act. She also explains Likely to List, which brings Zillow's seller signals directly into an agent's Follow Up Boss database. One in four homes tagged by it come to market within 90 days.

They also discuss Zillow AI Mode, why consumers using it are more likely to reach out to an agent, and how to approach AI without leading with fear. Cynthia's advice for 2027 is to bring your scattered data sources together into one system, so AI has the context it needs to help you.

Links mentioned during the episode: Zillow Pro Membership (Likely to List and Smart Messages): https://www.zillow.com/pro/membership/ Follow Up Boss: https://www.followupboss.com/2026 Zillow Consumer Housing Trends Report: [report link]

Connect with Cynthia on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Zillow on Instagram - Facebook, and online at zillow.com.

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2026 So Far: Consolidation, Private Listings, and What Comes Next Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

What if the market you keep waiting to return to isn't coming back, and this is the new normal?

James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson break out the new studio setup for a three-quarter review of 2026, covering the headlines that shaped the year so far and how agents and brokers should prepare for the rest of 2026 and into 2027. With roughly 4 million transactions now looking like the floor, Keith makes the case that if your business isn't built to function at that level, right-sizing it should be your priority for Q4.

They dig into brokerage consolidation, including Compass acquiring Anywhere, Real buying RE/MAX, and AGNT buying NextHome, and why mid-sized brokerages are the most at risk. They also unpack MLS consolidation and what it means for local associations, NAR stepping back from MLS rulemaking, the fight over private listings, new state laws and looming litigation, and how rising oil prices and inflation pushed rates back up after a promising start to the year.

Most importantly, James and Keith remind listeners that the economy that matters most is your personal one. Cut the distractions, focus on what you can control, and go put deals in contract.

The industry is evolving. The question is: will your business evolve with it? Join us at Zillow Unlock 2026 and be part of the conversation shaping what comes next. Register today at unlockconference.com and use code REIU20 for 20% off your ticket*.

*Code can be used on all full-priced passes leading up to the event and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

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Zillow's Chief Economist on Rate Hikes, 8% Mortgage Odds, and the $26 Cost of Waiting to Buy Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

What if the savings buyers are holding out for add up to little more than a Netflix subscription?

Live from Zillow Unlock 2026, James Dwiggins sits down with Mischa Fisher, Chief Economist at Zillow, on the same morning a disappointing CPI report pushed yields higher. Mischa explains how high diesel and energy prices are working their way into everyday goods, why inflation behaves like a snowball, and why this rate cycle is hitting a housing market that was already weak.

They cover where mortgage rates are likely headed, the odds of rates reaching 8%, how existing home sales should finish 2026, and what Mischa would do as economic czar to get housing moving again. He also shares Zillow's 2027 outlook and the research showing that a typical buyer saves about $26 a month by waiting a year.

Plus, Mischa breaks down Zillow's data on homes sold privately versus on the open market. His one piece of advice for agents heading into 2027 is to figure out what makes you uniquely trustworthy, and double down on it.

Links mentioned during the episode: Zillow Research: https://www.zillow.com/research/

Connect with Mischa on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Zillow on Instagram - Facebook and online at zillow.com.

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Financial Freedom After MMA Knockout Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

What happens when you walk away from a lucrative career, get knocked out in front of thousands of people, and lose your fortune not once, but twice?

James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Lawrence Dunning, a former professional MMA fighter, financial trader, and real estate broker, to explore an unconventional journey through wealth, failure, and rebuilding.

After making significant money trading derivatives, Lawrence left finance to pursue professional fighting. But when his trading career was no longer an option, he had to start over in real estate. Years later, a failed development partnership cost him approximately $1 million and led to years of litigation.

Lawrence shares how fighting taught him to confront fear, why making money and keeping money require completely different skills, and how real estate investing can contribute to long-term financial freedom.

They also discuss inflation, Bitcoin, the importance of daily discipline, and why building genuine relationships remains one of the most valuable skills in real estate.

Links mentioned during the episode: The Forgotten Asset Class: Low Risk, High Reward, Real Estate Investing - https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Asset-Class-Reward-Investing/dp/B0CMN3CWP2/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Enter the Lionheart Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enter-the-lionheart/id1554904704

Connect with Lawrence on LinkedIn - Linktr.ee and online at teamdunning.com.

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Agent Series 60: Does Transparency Matter If No One Listens? Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Can the real estate industry claim to be transparent if the people it's serving aren't paying attention?

James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson welcome Ashley Jackson of Mueller Residential Group at Compass for a candid discussion about transparency, MLS data, seller choice, and the future of real estate associations.

Drawing from her experience serving on the National Association of Realtors Board of Directors and leading local real estate organizations in Austin, Ashley challenges the assumption that greater transparency automatically creates greater trust.

The conversation explores how off-market listings affect consumers, why incomplete MLS data creates problems for agents and appraisers, and whether sellers truly understand the choices available to them.

Ashley also shares lessons from Austin's housing affordability challenges, her experience navigating a brokerage acquisition, and why company culture matters more than commission splits.

Plus, discover her advice for overcoming isolation in real estate, building meaningful professional relationships, and creating a consistent prospecting routine.

Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn - Instagram and online ashleyjacksonrealtor.com.

Stay ahead of the market with insights from Zillow's Consumer Trends Report. This annual research breaks down what buyers and sellers are actually doing — and what they expect from their agents.

Today's clients prioritize pricing strategy, negotiation expertise, and a seamless, organized offer process. If you want to position yourself as the agent they choose in 2027, start with the data.

Explore the full report and put these insights to work in your business.

Buyers: https://www.zillow.com/research/buyers-housing-trends-report-2026/

Sellers: https://www.zillow.com/research/sellers-consumer-housing-trends-report-2026/

Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1

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jessica@inman.com

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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative.

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AI Can't Do the Final 20% That Matters Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

AI can write your marketing copy, design your graphics, and produce content in seconds. But does faster actually mean better?

James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Adam Taylor, founder of Splendor, a marketing and design agency, to discuss why the final 20% of creative work is often what separates a memorable brand from everything else.

Adam shares his unconventional journey from studying sculpture to building a successful design agency specializing in real estate. He explains why branding starts long before a consumer contacts an agent, how authenticity influences purchasing decisions, and why understanding what makes your business different is essential.

They also explore the growing sameness of AI-generated marketing, the importance of mastering AI prompting, and why human judgment remains critical to creating effective marketing materials.

Plus, Adam shares a practical exercise every real estate agent can use to evaluate their online reputation and identify opportunities to improve their personal brand.

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Splendor on LinkedIn - Instagram - Inc 5,000 and online at splendordesign.com.

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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative.

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Agent Series 59: It Pays to Be Specific - $100M Lesson Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Luxury Presence recently crossed $100 million in annual recurring revenue. Founder and CEO Malte Kramer says one of the lessons behind that growth applies directly to real estate agents: it pays to be specific.

James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Malte to unpack his journey from aspiring professional basketball player to building a real estate technology company with more than 20,000 customers, 100,000 agents on its platform, and 700 employees.

Malte shares why repetition is a superpower, what he learned from getting more than 40 rejections while raising venture capital, and why Luxury Presence decided standing still was riskier than going all-in on AI.

Most importantly, he explains how AI is changing the way consumers find and compare real estate agents and why trying to market yourself to everyone may make it harder to get found. The agents who clearly communicate who they serve, what makes them different, and the specific problems they solve may have an advantage in the new era of AI search.

Connect with Malte on Linkedin - Instagram.

Learn more about Luxury Presence on Instagram and online luxurypresence.com.

The industry is evolving. The question is: will your business evolve with it?

Join us at Zillow Unlock 2026 and be part of the conversation shaping what comes next.

*Code can be used on all full priced passes leading up to the event and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1

To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email:

jessica@inman.com

You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/

Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com.

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Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative.

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Future Depends on Ability to Adapt and Be Flexible Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

The real estate industry is changing fast, and Wendy Forsythe believes one skill has helped her navigate every stage of her career: flexibility.

James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Wendy, COO of eXp Realty, to discuss the lessons she's learned from working as an agent, brokerage owner, and executive across several different real estate business models. Wendy explains why the ability to adapt, listen, accept change, and remain flexible has become even more critical in today's environment.

They also explore change management, asking better questions, hiring adaptable people, avoiding burnout, and setting boundaries without sacrificing performance. Wendy shares lessons from her book, Leverage Your X Factor, including why resilience is essential for building a sustainable career.

Plus, she explains why every agent should develop a consistent content strategy that fits their personality and local market.

Links mentioned during the episode:

Wendy's Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQK38L6P Wendy's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/x-factor-marketing-with-wendy-forsythe/id1811368856

Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn - Facebook - Instagram - YouTube and online at wendyforsythe.com.

Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1

To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email:

jessica@inman.com

You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/

Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com.

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Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative.

https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/

Agent Series 58: Income Is a Direct Result of Impact Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

What if growing your real estate business wasn't about working harder, making more calls, or constantly chasing the next transaction?

James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Erin Bradley, author, coach, and creator of Pursuing Freedom, to explore her belief that income is a direct result of impact. Erin shares how she went from tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt and having her card declined for a cup of coffee to building a successful mortgage business—and eventually discovering that success without freedom wasn't really success at all.

Erin explains how The Go-Giver transformed her approach to sales, why replacing insecurity with curiosity can eliminate call reluctance, and how focusing on genuinely helping people can create opportunities you can't manufacture through traditional prospecting.

They also discuss burnout, morning routines, building systems around your strengths, and why structure can actually create more freedom in your business.

Links mentioned during the episode:

Après Ski series: https://www.shannonfoleyhenn.com/

F**k Around & Get Paid - Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f-k-around-get-paid/id1846704323

Connect with Erin on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Pursuing Freedom on Instagram - Facebook - YouTube and online pursuingfreedom.com.

The industry is evolving. The question is: will your business evolve with it?

Join us at Zillow Unlock 2026 and be part of the conversation shaping what comes next.

*Code can be used on all full priced passes leading up to the event and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Subscribe to Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered?sub_confirmation=1

To learn more about becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email:

jessica@inman.com

You asked for it. We delivered. Check out our new merch! https://merch.realestateinsidersunfiltered.com/

Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube, Facebook - TikTok. Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com.

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Link to YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEstateInsidersUnfiltered

Link to TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@realestateinsiderspod

Link to website: https://realestateinsidersunfiltered.com

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative.

https://twobrotherscreative.com/contact/

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