Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

Against the backdrop of an intensely competitive recruiting landscape, Compass this week announced it has scooped up star New York City agent Patty LaRocco.

LaRocco comes to the brokerage from Douglas Elliman, according to a Compass statement, and has done more than $3 billion in sales volume in her native New York. The statement adds that LaRocco specializes in a number of well-known neighborhoods including the Upper West Side, Park Slope and TriBeCa.

“I’m grateful for my time at Douglas Elliman and the support I received there,” LaRocco said in the statement. “However, I felt it was time for a new chapter. I’m excited to connect with a fresh network of friends and support moving forward.”

The statement adds that LaRocco has represented a number of high-profile individuals, including the ex-wife of billionaire George Soros, Weber Soros, who sold an Upper East Side townhouse for $31 million in 2014. LaRocco has also nabbed top spots on numerous agent rankings.

LaRocco will bring two team members with her to Compass, with the statement adding that she hopes to expand in the future.

LaRocco comes to Compass during a period of intense competition for top talent.

Just days ago, Inman reported that 13 percent of “business operator” agents — or agents a recent report defines as not being low or non-producers — moved brokerages in 2024. Inman Intel data has also shown that many agents field frequent recruiting calls from brokerages. The recruiting frenzy has taken place against the backdrop of a years-long slower real estate market — meaning the demand for agents who can close deals is higher than ever.

In the statement, Compass Tristate Vice President Gordon Golub said he was “thrilled to welcome Patty into our community and help her grow even further.”

“With initiatives like Compass’ 3-phase marketing,” Golub added, “she’ll be able to provide her clients with more options, all while tapping further into the Compass network.”

Email Jim Dalrymple II

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the Inman Community and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

Days after vowing to work with Zillow to uphold the National Association of Realtor’s Clear Cooperation Policy, eXp Realty on Wednesday rolled out a new “Seller Advisory” form in an effort to warn consumers of the risks that come with marketing a property outside of multiple listing services.

The “Seller Advisory: Risks of Limited Market Exposure” open-sourced form is available to anyone via eXp Realty’s website, the brokerage announced in a livestream on YouTube. The form warns homesellers that marketing a property privately without listing it on the Multiple Listing Service or other wider channels “can significantly limit visibility and reduce buyer competition, which may negatively impact your final sale price and terms.”

The form includes four sections on the drawbacks of limited buyer exposure, financial risk involved as a result of limited competition, the potential for longer days on market and the negative impact of withholding listings from public portals.

“EXp Realty strongly encourages you to consider exposure to the broadest market possible which includes the Multiple Listing Service and broader public marketing channels available to all consumers, prior to accepting an offer,” the form reads in bold.

EXp executives specified on Wednesday that the form is not a contract and also notes that sellers should establish their priorities and weigh any potential ramifications before deciding on forgoing public marketing of a listing.

But before two signature lines at the bottom of the page, the form also says, “Ultimately, the final choice of marketing direction is at your discretion. You acknowledge your eXp Realty agent has explained your options.”

Pareja also took the opportunity during Wednesday’s presentation to criticize “a company” — presumably Compass — that has spearheaded the “so-called ‘seller choice movement,’” which eXp characterized as anti-consumer.

“The loudest voices behind the so-called ‘seller choice movement’ come from a company born out of greedy venture capital that has purchased all its growth without a sustainable business model or a clear path to profitability,” Pareja said.

“And now, in a rush to appease Wall Street investors, they are pushing an agenda that runs clearly counter to consumer best interests.”

The intention behind the new Seller Advisory form is to increase transparency for homesellers, eXp Realty said in a press release.

“Seller choice is foundational, but choice without truth is a disservice,” eXp Realty CEO Leo Pareja said in a statement. “We believe the industry must lead with transparency, not tactics. That’s why we’ve open-sourced this advisory. To give every seller in America a clear view of what’s at stake.”

During a YouTube presentation on Wednesday, Pareja and Holly Mabery, SVP of brokerage operations, said that the form is designed for seller education and to facilitate conversation. But it’s also available to help empower agents industrywide.

“We are going to empower sellers and empower all the agents out there — whether you’re with eXp or another company … you’ll have access to this form,” Mabery said.

Pareja also clarified that its agreement announced with Zillow last week was in no way a signal toward an exclusive partnership with the portal.

“We are offering the same opportunity to every major portal,” Pareja added in a statement. “This is not about favoring platforms — it’s about delivering consumer transparency at scale.”

Pareja framed the move as one by eXp to lead the industry away from the recent conversation surrounding private listing networks and toward transparency.

“We’re not waiting for the industry to catch up,” Pareja said. “We’re modeling what leadership looks like.”

During Pareja and Mabery’s joint YouTube presentation, the two also clarified that eXp Realty will not be engaging in the National Association of Realtors’ new delayed marketing exempt listings option.

After the NAR settlement, “we made a unilateral decision as a company that we would no longer do broker-to-broker to remove confusion to the consumers,” Pareja said.

“We’re finding ourselves in the same situation with delayed marketing — we are not going to do it. We truly believe if a seller requires privacy, which we strongly believe in seller choice, coupled with seller truth and education, if a seller needs that, we are absolutely going to support that. But once that property is inputted into the listing service to be shared with other brokers, our position as a company is, we’re going to share it with everyone.”

View the full Seller Advisory form below.

Email Lillian Dickerson

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the power of the Inman Community, and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

One of the most common questions I get from agents and sellers alike is, “Does staging really make that big of a difference?” The short answer? Yes — and it’s not even close. In fact, if you’re not making staging part of your selling strategy, you’re leaving serious money and opportunity on the table.

Staging is more than just furniture and decor. It’s about creating an emotional experience and helping buyers visualize their future in a home. It’s about making a property feel warm, inviting and functional — and removing anything that distracts from its potential. As agents, it’s our job to bridge the gap between what a house is and what it could be in the eyes of a buyer.

Buyers have little imagination. You have to do the heavy lifting

One thing I’ve taught my agents for years is that buyers, for the most part, don’t have the time or mental space to imagine what a home could be. They’re busy. They’ve been scrolling Zillow for months, they’ve toured multiple properties, and they’re overwhelmed. Add in the fact that many buyers don’t even know exactly what they’re looking for, and it’s clear why staging is so powerful.

When buyers walk into a vacant home, they’re greeted with echoes and empty spaces. It feels cold and disconnected, and it’s hard for them to picture how their furniture would fit or how they would use the space. Conversely, if they walk into a home that feels cluttered, personal, and overstuffed with someone else’s life — family photos everywhere, walls painted in bold colors or furniture that overwhelms the room — they can’t see past it.

Staging is about presenting the home in its best light, making it easy for buyers to imagine themselves there without having to work too hard. You’re not just placing furniture — you’re telling a story, and that story needs to be simple, clean and compelling.

The couch shows them how big the living room is. The dining table placement helps them imagine family gatherings. The neutral decor allows them to project their own style onto the space. All of this helps buyers move from “I’m not sure” to “I can see us here.”

Striking the right balance

The biggest challenge with staging is balance. Too empty, and the space feels sterile and uninviting. Too full or too personal, and buyers feel like they’re intruding in someone else’s life. The sweet spot is a space that feels intentional, warm and welcoming, but still leaves room for imagination.

This also extends beyond furniture. The exterior matters just as much. Landscaping, clean entryways, fresh paint and small details like new doormats or well-maintained walkways make a huge difference. Buyers are making judgments before they even walk through the front door. Staging includes curb appeal. It’s all about first impressions.

What’s often overlooked is the psychological aspect. Buyers want to feel like they’re stepping into their next chapter — not someone else’s final one. A staged home offers them that fresh start. It shows care, effort and professionalism, all of which translate into perceived value.

The proof is in the results

Here’s the thing: The statistics back this up. According to industry data from the National Association of Realtors, 20 percent of real estate professionals said staging led to higher sale prices, while 27 percent agreed that staged homes sold in less time. Perhaps more importantly, 81 percent reported that staging improved buyer visualization, and a staggering 89 percent noted that it had an overall positive impact on the sale.

These numbers aren’t just anecdotal — they’re consistent. Staged homes generate more interest, sell faster and tend to command stronger offers. In a competitive market, that edge is invaluable. Staging builds trust and creates emotional momentum. It turns browsers into buyers.

At the end of the day, our job as agents is to remove obstacles for buyers and make the process as easy and appealing as possible. Staging is a key part of that. It helps buyers fall in love with a home before they even know why.

So here’s my question for you: Are you making staging part of your strategy? If not, why not? Get focused on how to have this conversation with your sellers, how to access the right resources and how to build staging into your listing presentation.

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the power of the Inman Community, and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

One of the most common questions I get from agents and sellers alike is, “Does staging really make that big of a difference?” The short answer? Yes — and it’s not even close. In fact, if you’re not making staging part of your selling strategy, you’re leaving serious money and opportunity on the table.

Staging is more than just furniture and decor. It’s about creating an emotional experience and helping buyers visualize their future in a home. It’s about making a property feel warm, inviting and functional — and removing anything that distracts from its potential. As agents, it’s our job to bridge the gap between what a house is and what it could be in the eyes of a buyer.

Buyers have little imagination. You have to do the heavy lifting

One thing I’ve taught my agents for years is that buyers, for the most part, don’t have the time or mental space to imagine what a home could be. They’re busy. They’ve been scrolling Zillow for months, they’ve toured multiple properties, and they’re overwhelmed. Add in the fact that many buyers don’t even know exactly what they’re looking for, and it’s clear why staging is so powerful.

When buyers walk into a vacant home, they’re greeted with echoes and empty spaces. It feels cold and disconnected, and it’s hard for them to picture how their furniture would fit or how they would use the space. Conversely, if they walk into a home that feels cluttered, personal, and overstuffed with someone else’s life — family photos everywhere, walls painted in bold colors or furniture that overwhelms the room — they can’t see past it.

Staging is about presenting the home in its best light, making it easy for buyers to imagine themselves there without having to work too hard. You’re not just placing furniture — you’re telling a story, and that story needs to be simple, clean and compelling.

The couch shows them how big the living room is. The dining table placement helps them imagine family gatherings. The neutral decor allows them to project their own style onto the space. All of this helps buyers move from “I’m not sure” to “I can see us here.”

Striking the right balance

The biggest challenge with staging is balance. Too empty, and the space feels sterile and uninviting. Too full or too personal, and buyers feel like they’re intruding in someone else’s life. The sweet spot is a space that feels intentional, warm and welcoming, but still leaves room for imagination.

This also extends beyond furniture. The exterior matters just as much. Landscaping, clean entryways, fresh paint and small details like new doormats or well-maintained walkways make a huge difference. Buyers are making judgments before they even walk through the front door. Staging includes curb appeal. It’s all about first impressions.

What’s often overlooked is the psychological aspect. Buyers want to feel like they’re stepping into their next chapter — not someone else’s final one. A staged home offers them that fresh start. It shows care, effort and professionalism, all of which translate into perceived value.

The proof is in the results

Here’s the thing: The statistics back this up. According to industry data from the National Association of Realtors, 20 percent of real estate professionals said staging led to higher sale prices, while 27 percent agreed that staged homes sold in less time. Perhaps more importantly, 81 percent reported that staging improved buyer visualization, and a staggering 89 percent noted that it had an overall positive impact on the sale.

These numbers aren’t just anecdotal — they’re consistent. Staged homes generate more interest, sell faster and tend to command stronger offers. In a competitive market, that edge is invaluable. Staging builds trust and creates emotional momentum. It turns browsers into buyers.

At the end of the day, our job as agents is to remove obstacles for buyers and make the process as easy and appealing as possible. Staging is a key part of that. It helps buyers fall in love with a home before they even know why.

So here’s my question for you: Are you making staging part of your strategy? If not, why not? Get focused on how to have this conversation with your sellers, how to access the right resources and how to build staging into your listing presentation.

Bigger. Better. Bolder. Inman Connect is heading to San Diego. Join thousands of real estate pros, connect with the power of the Inman Community, and gain insights from hundreds of leading minds shaping the industry. If you’re ready to grow your business and invest in yourself, this is where you need to be. Go BIG in San Diego!

It’s no secret that Amy and I are big fans of all things finance, business and planning for ways to meet your personal goals of financial freedom. We know that financial freedom looks different for every household, and we’re big believers in synergistic planning — that means aligning your business plan with your personal financial plan so both work together to move you toward financial freedom.

Picture this: You’re standing at a crossroads. Each road represents a financial phase on your journey. Each road has a timeline and pace. In this article we are going to show you a simple map and timeline to help you visualize what you need to know and plan for so that, yes, you can retire.

The roads ahead

There are essentially four roads that combine together to lead you to retirement. Each road is traveled for a length of time. Here are the areas we focus on.

• Grow cash: Years one to five
• Buy real estate: Years five to 10
• Invest in retirement plans: Years 10 to 25
• Retire: Flip the money switch, and watch it come back to you!

Year 3: You’re getting the hang of it. Now what?

If you’re a few years into your business and finally getting traction, your first step is clear:

Build your cash reserves

You need three to six months of living expenses saved. Why? Because having cash on hand gives you confidence and flexibility — so you’re making strategic decisions, not desperate ones.

Once you’ve got cash, think: Where should this capital go?

For agents earlier in their careers, the best next move is often real estate.

Let’s say you put $50,000 to $100,000 down on a property you plan to hold for the long term. You’re pairing debt with an appreciating asset — smart! This move can set you up with equity growth, rental income and tax benefits.

Real estate as a long-term wealth tool

Here’s how savvy investors think:

• Does the property cash flow well?
• What’s your return on equity?
• Can you comfortably carry the property for the next 15–20 years?

Your returns may go toward renovations, mortgage paydown or even personal expenses during ownership. The key is understanding the numbers and building your portfolio intentionally.

Year 7-10: You’re building wealth. Now optimize it

Once you’ve got a few properties under your belt and steady cash flow, it’s time to:

Think tax strategy

Talk to your CPA about reducing your tax bill as a real estate professional and a property owner. At this stage, your income is growing from both commissions and rents.

Here’s where qualified retirement plans come into play.

Don’t jump into retirement plans too soon

Start simple:

• IRA: Low cost and easy to open
• Solo 401(k): Still manageable, but allows for higher contributions

As your income increases, consider more advanced plans like a cash balance plan. They can offer huge tax advantages. For example:

An agent with a $50,000 tax bill contributes $100,000 to their retirement plan — eliminating that tax bill entirely. Instead of paying the IRS, you’re investing in your future.

Yes, you’ll pay taxes later when you withdraw, but meanwhile, that $100,000 is compounding for potentially 10–30 years.

5-7 years from retirement: Get serious

By now, your rental properties may be paying down, your retirement accounts are growing, and your income streams are becoming more predictable.

Time to:

 Partner with a financial advisor

Get clear on:

• Which assets are paying you?
• What debt is left?
• When will mortgages be paid off?

That’s when true mailbox money begins — rents coming in, with fewer expenses going out.

You’ve got this

We hope this gave you a clear roadmap for growing your business and personal wealth — so you can retire on your terms.