Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered

Is organized real estate "going nuclear"? In this candid conversation, James and Keith sit down with Matt Widdows, Founder and Executive Chairman of HomeSmart, to talk about the seismic shifts reshaping the industry. From AI disruption and private listing wars to broker consolidation and MLS gridlock, this episode dives into what's next—and what agents must do now to stay relevant. Widdows shares...

Tony Hanson and Lucas Mudrey, co-founders of Peracle, join the show for a high-energy, unfiltered masterclass on hyper-growth. They reveal their core philosophy—the "Rhino Mindset"—which drives them to charge at every market challenge. They detail their massive lead generation model, explain their obsession with calculating hourly agent worth, and share their full tech stack, including BrokerBot,...

In this timely episode, Errol Samuelson, Chief Industry Development Officer, and Josh Weisberg, Senior VP of AI, join us to unpack Zillow's groundbreaking integration with ChatGPT. They address the industry's concerns about MLS compliance, dispel data sharing myths, and reveal the rigorous Fair Housing guardrails they built. Most importantly, they give a first look at the future of "Agentic AI" an...

Greg Geilman, CEO of DOMO Real Estate, joins the podcast for a deep dive into building a high-production, boutique brokerage. He shares the story of quitting his tech job in 2010 to enter the worst housing market. Greg details his unique philosophy on leadership (authenticity and vulnerability), his data-driven approach to acquiring leads via PPC, and the unconventional accountability system that...

Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson from Industry Relations join us for a high-octane debate on the Compass-Anywhere acquisition. We focus on the ripple effects: Will the industry consolidate into a few giants? How will Zillow, Rocket, and Homes.com respond? Diving into the chaos, debating Zillow's "nuclear war" options, the risk of a private listing "arms race," and whether the deal signals the end of th...

Anthony Djon, leader of a 100-agent "teamerage" doing $50 million a month in volume, provides a masterclass on top-of-funnel lead conversion. He details his military-style team structure, which uses "Team Captains" and strict "floor time" to maximize speed-to-lead. He shares his full tech stack, including Shiloh and Fellow, and confesses his biggest mistake: neglecting client retention. Anthony's...

In this episode, we are joined by Michael Valdes, CEO of LPT International and President of Aperture. Michael shares his remarkable journey from an investment banker to a global real estate leader. He gives a behind-the-scenes look at LPT's rapid growth, the launch of their new luxury brand, and why AI will be a game-changer. Most importantly, he reveals the one thing agents can do to win in today...

Levi Rodgers, a former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, shares his powerful story of survival, recovery, and building the number one team in Texas. After a near-fatal IED, Levi found purpose in real estate, inspired by a single act of agent honesty. He unpacks the disciplined systems of his 280-agent team, detailing his use of AI (Shiloh), a unique in-house desktop appraiser to win listings,...

In this episode, Keith and James break down the Compass-Anywhere megadeal. They analyze the all-stock transaction and its potential impact on the industry. The hosts discuss the deal's challenges, including managing significant debt and potential agent churn, and warn of an "arms race" for private listings. This episode provides a candid analysis of what this means for Zillow and the future of res...

Byron Lazine, co-founder of BAM and a top team leader in Connecticut, joins us on the podcast to share his wild journey from a submarine mechanic to a real estate mogul. He explains how a personal bankruptcy in 2008 gave him the drive to succeed and a unique, no-nonsense philosophy for business. Byron provides a masterclass on team building, lead generation, and social media, explaining why buildi...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Kelly, the new President and CEO of HomeServices of America. Chris provides a rare, unfiltered look at the industry from the top, sharing his journey from attorney to CEO and offering critical insights on today's market. This conversation covers the legal landscape, the hidden dangers of "closed ecosystems," and a simple, powerful strategy for success: focus...

In this episode, we sit down with Justin Havre, the leader of one of eXp's top-producing teams in the world. Justin shares his unfiltered story, from starting a tech background to building a real estate empire. Providing a masterclass on SEO, the importance of a long-term mindset, and the power of accountability as the key to scaling a team and unlocking the true lifetime value of a client. Links...

In this episode, we welcome Colin Allen, executive director of the American Property Owners Alliance. Colin, a veteran of Washington, D.C. for 20 years, provides a deep, unfiltered analysis of the current political landscape and its direct influence on the real estate market. Breaking down the federal government's approach to the housing supply crisis, the partisan divides, and the surprising bipa...

In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Wills, a top-producing agent who gets nearly all of his business from his sphere. A former Division 1 basketball player, Charlie shares his unique approach to building a successful real estate career on a foundation of genuine relationships and a structured contact plan he calls the "Priority Pyramid." He reveals his secrets to staying consistent, nurturin...

In this episode, eXp founder and CEO Glenn Sanford joins us for a raw, unfiltered conversation about his journey. Glenn shares the origin story of eXp, revealing how the 2008 crash forced him to craft a new business model from a "blank sheet of paper." He discusses the challenges of building a brand, surviving a hostile takeover, and why focusing on agent experience over a P&L is the only path to...

In this special episode, Gary Ashton and Debra Beagle, the leaders of the number one RE/MAX team in the world, share a masterclass on building a real estate empire, revealing their unconventional journeys and the secrets to their success. Learn how a team of over 200 agents and 40 staff generates a billion dollars in annual sales by focusing on a long-term, data-driven strategy and a unique approa...

In this episode, we sit down with John Duncan, a former policymaker and political analyst. John provides a clear-eyed view of how federal policy, and a changing political environment, are shaping the housing market. He explains what policymakers in Washington can and cannot do to help with housing supply and affordability. We also discuss the impact of local regulations, and how you can influence...

In this episode, we talk with Will Grewal, CEO of HomeStack, about how real estate tech is changing. He shares insights from his trip to Japan about a "12-star service experience" and how that can be applied to real estate. We discuss the shift from websites to mobile apps, the impact of AI on the industry, and why leverage, not money, is the ultimate key to business growth. Will explains why the...

Dan Troup, CEO of the Broker Public Portal (BPP), joins us to uncover the project's history and its future. Dan reveals how BPP's unique governance structure, which prevents it from being purchased or raising outside capital, is its "superpower". The conversation dissects how BPP plans to compete with major portals not with a massive war chest, but with a superior, ad-free search experience built...

On this episode we welcome Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS, for a captivating discussion spanning her 42-year career in real estate. Merri Jo shares invaluable lessons from leading through decades of change, from manual listings to the digital age. Discover Stellar MLS's groundbreaking data-sharing partnership with CRMLS and BrightMLS, hear about the future of MLS consolidation, and gain profou...

Lovable AI https://lovable.dev/ Keith's Substack https://open.substack.com/pub/crazyunclekeith/p/will-someone-buy-a-house-from-an?r=52fisu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web Follow Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered Podcast on Instagram - YouTube - Facebook - TikTok . Visit us online at realestateinsidersunfiltered.com . Link to Instagram Page:  https://www.instagram.com/realestateinsiderspod/ Link to...

We break down the critical legal updates in the real estate industry. Ed Zorn, VP and General Counsel for CRMLS, reveals why the Burnett appeal is weak and how it won't derail new industry standards. We also dissect the Zillow vs. Compass lawsuit, expose the fallacies of "private listings," and warn agents about potential liability. Understand the urgent shift towards consumer-centric models and l...

Dan Cooper, CEO of Gitcha, joins James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson to discuss his remarkable pivot from a builder to a real estate tech entrepreneur. Discover how his past market experiences fueled his vision for a buyer-centric platform. This episode provides an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of launching a startup, the constant need for adaptation, and the essential mindset real esta...

A leading New York real estate CEO, Bess Friedman, tackles the city's complex market, including the controversial "Fair Act" and the shifting landscape of private listings. Discover how legislative decisions, affordability concerns, and changing consumer behavior are reshaping one of the world's most unique property markets. Get an inside perspective on industry challenges and the path forward. Li...

Are you screaming into the void with your real estate marketing? Nick Mallory, a marketing ninja, joins us to expose the biggest mistakes agents make and reveal the blueprint for standing out.   Witness his "SIMPLE" framework in action, a powerful tool for crafting a brand proposition that truly resonates. Dive deep into psychographics, the surprising truth about content engagement, and why chasin...