by Christy Murdock | Apr 10, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
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!
Among the best training grounds for agents, according to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CEO Ken Baris, may just be athletic fields, courts or courses. “As a former competitive tennis player, I understand the athlete’s mindset — and I’ve seen firsthand how well it translates to real estate,” Baris said. “Athletes tend to make exceptional Realtors: They’re coachable, collaborative, open to feedback and fiercely driven to win.”
Over the years he’s worked with a highly ranked competitive tennis player, Colin Dibley, who won the Davis Cup for Australia before spending more than 25 years as a Realtor, as well as Olympians in figure skating and track and field events.
“I love that our firm attracts elite competitors,” Baris said. “It speaks to our culture — one that values focus, resilience and the relentless pursuit of excellence.”
To keep his team competitive, Baris focuses on career development, with lunch-and-learn and power hour events and coaching for both emerging and top producers. “This constant focus on growth keeps us sharp, agile and always ahead of the curve,” he said.
“When the market shifts, we don’t flinch — we lean in. We actually welcome challenges, because we know that’s where the greatest opportunities for growth are born.”
Learn how this highly regarded industry figure, speaker, advisor to major real estate companies and lifelong student of real estate developed his deep, nuanced understanding of both the broker and vendor perspectives.
Name: Ken Baris
Title: CEO
Experience: Started with our firm the morning after graduating Rutgers in 1985
Location: Northern New Jersey
Brokerage name: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Jordan Baris Realty
Team size: 183
Sales volume: Billions in closed sales
Awards:
- In 2021, Real Living established a Jordan Baris Award for Diversity and Inclusion and named our firm the first recipient.
- Three Time RIS Media Newsmaker of the Year: 2024 Industry Luminary, 2022 Industry Luminary, 2020 Influencer
- Leading Real Estate Companies of the World President’s Award for Service
- Leading RE Award for Transaction of the Year for Outstanding Client Experience (2009)
How did you get your start in real estate?
I never dreamed of being a fireman. For as long as I can remember, I only wanted one thing — to work with my dad. He founded our firm in 1952, long before I was born or even a thought in his mind.
In kindergarten, when my teacher asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I didn’t hesitate: “A Realtor!” She asked, “What’s that?” I proudly replied, “I don’t know — but my dad is one, and I will be, too.”
That moment sparked a lifelong passion, and I’ve been proud to carry on his legacy ever since — building a business rooted in family, service and the belief that real estate is about relationships first.
What’s something you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
When I first started, my focus was simple: be the best Realtor I could possibly be. As my career evolved, I discovered something exciting — I could blend my passion for technology with real estate brokerage, creating a path that was both innovative and deeply fulfilling.
But the most meaningful part of the journey took a little longer to reveal itself. Yes, there are many ways to be successful and earn a great living — but real estate offers something more: The chance to build a career while making a real difference in people’s lives.
If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: The impact you’ll have on others will be the most rewarding part of it all. That knowledge is what still fuels me every single day.
What are 5 things you’d like readers to know about you and your brokerage?
- I was not allowed to be given a lead until I qualified for the then-Million Dollar Club, which is now the Circle of Excellence. My father wanted to be certain I knew how to fish.
- I was a prolific lister of real estate when I was selling and thought that we could take my presentation and put it on a laptop computer so our team could replicate what I was doing. We created it and it was pretty good. Ultimately, we licensed it to Top Producer and it was named Top Presenter. It won the NAR Technology Product of the Year when it was launched. Over 88,000 copies were sold, and it was the first multimedia listing presentation. Many other presentations have been built since and many have a lot of what we created in them.
- We proudly have a very diverse and inclusive company, and it has been that way since the 1950’s long before DEI was a thing and long before people realized how important it is. This has always made us a better firm.
- In an industry where there is a lot of movement, we have numerous members of our company family who have been with us for 20 years or more.
- Culture is key and we have a warm and embracing culture. Our tech suite is among the best in the industry. This, combined with our support helps us to envision our team with what they can do to be successful, empower with a world-class technology suite and continually energize to make it exciting.
What’s your top tip for freshly licensed brokers?
From day one, make listings your top priority. Set aside time every working day to generate appointments with potential sellers — no exceptions. Be creative, have fun, and find ways to stand out. With consistency, something powerful happens: people start reaching out to you.
And when that momentum builds — don’t ease up. Too many agents forget what fueled their early success, take their foot off the gas, and stall. The pros? They double down. The ones who stay committed to daily listing generation don’t just grow — they explode.
And here’s a key mindset: Use technology to increase personal contact, not replace it. We rely on the Bold Trail Suite for our CRM and more — it keeps us organized, visible and proactive. It doesn’t replace the human touch — it prompts it.
The real magic still happens in the personal calls, the thoughtful texts, the genuine connections. That’s where relationships are built and where long-term success lives.
What makes a good leader?
A strong leader creates the infrastructure for success and growth — but it’s the team that brings it to life. I believe in empowering people to think, decide, and rise to the occasion.
That’s why one of my favorite responses to a question is, “What would you do?” Most of the time, the answer is spot on — and when it is, I fully support it. This builds confidence, encourages ownership and makes the work more fulfilling.
My leadership mantra is simple: Don’t come to me with everything up front. That creates bottlenecks. Instead, make the call and move forward.
In return, there’s a clear understanding: out of every 10 decisions, I’ll be delighted — or at least completely fine — with seven or eight. I might offer suggestions for a better approach on one or two, and occasionally, I’ll need to reverse one. That’s the trade-off. When that happens, no one gets rattled — we focus on the fact that the vast majority of decisions were trusted and embraced.
Email Christy Murdock
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by Richelle Hammiel | Apr 10, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
The sale marks the first time the home has changed hands since 2020, when it was purchased for $5.35 million by “Full House” creator Jeff Franklin.
In 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!
“When you’re lost out there and you’re all alone, a light is waiting to carry you home,” as the Full House theme song goes — and that light just led a new owner to the iconic Full House home in San Francisco for $6 million.
The famous Victorian home at 1709 Broderick Street, part of the city’s picturesque “Postcard Row,” or “Painted Ladies,” was scooped up by an undisclosed buyer on Monday. The buyer and seller were both represented by Rachel E. Swann of Coldwell Banker Realty.
The sale marks the first time the home has changed hands since 2020, when it was purchased for $5.35 million by Full House creator Jeff Franklin, TMZ reported. The home was listed in June 2024 for $6.5 million, receiving a cut to just under $6 million before landing its final sale.
According to TMZ, the sitcom’s stars left behind a special treat for the new owner — their handprints and signatures in the home’s backyard.
Originally built in 1883 by architect Charles Lewis Henkel, the 3,737-square-foot home underwent a major renovation in 2019 by renowned architect Richard Landry, according to the property’s listing description. The result is a blend of historic charm and modern elegance, complete with white walls, high ceilings and bay windows.
The home features a primary suite with a fireplace and spa-style bathroom, a sleek wet bar, a private fitness room and even a manicured English garden. The home also includes four bedrooms and four baths spread over two spacious floors.
While the interiors of Full House were filmed in a Burbank studio, the exterior of this Pacific Heights home became forever tied to the fictional Tanner family. The sight of it instantly calls to mind the opening credits and nostalgia of the show’s theme song.
Full House, which aired from 1987 to 1995, followed widowed dad Daniel “Danny” Tanner, played by the late Bob Saget, and his household full of love, chaos and unforgettable catchphrases, especially “You got it dude,” delivered by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
The Netflix reboot Fuller House ran from 2016 to 2020 and reunited much of the original cast, along with that familiar front stoop.
Email Richelle Hammiel
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by Leah Curtis | Apr 10, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
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!
Of all real estate accolades, I think the Rookie of the Year Award is the most inspiring. That’s because we can all remember when we started in the industry.
I don’t think it matters if you’ve been in the business one year or 40 years, we always have something to learn from each other. That’s why I sat down with Tyson Hansen, our brokerage’s 2024 Rookie of the Year, to learn more about his success playbook.
Check out our conversation below.
Vidal: You caught the real estate bug when you bought your first home and started buying, fixing, selling and managing properties. What ignited your passion?
Hansen: Every time I met someone who had achieved true financial freedom — working because they wanted to, not because they had to — I noticed a common thread: They all owned real estate. That really stuck with me.
Real estate is one of the most time-tested, reliable ways to build wealth, and I knew I wanted to be part of that. I became obsessed with learning everything I could and owning as much of it as possible.
Vidal: You had a successful career in finance — close to 17 years. How did that help your transition to a career in real estate? What was it like to leave a steady paycheck behind?
Hansen: Growing up, I was always told, like so many of us, “Get a good education, find a secure job with benefits and a retirement plan.” And I did that. I had a great job in government finance, and while there were parts I enjoyed, deep down I knew it wasn’t where I belonged.
I’d go to conferences and look around the room thinking, this just isn’t my crowd. Eventually, I had to face the truth: I wasn’t doing what God put me on this earth to do. Once I realized that, I knew it was time to make a change — and I went all in. Burn the boats.
Vidal: What was pivotal to your success in your first year in real estate?
Hansen: Fear can be a powerful motivator — especially when you’ve got a wife and four kids depending on you and you’ve just walked away from your steady paycheck. About a month after leaving my job, I partnered up with my investment buddy, Donavan. We already owned several properties together and had flipped homes, so we knew we worked well as a team.
We figured instead of competing against each other, we’d team up and make 1+1=3. That partnership was huge for me. Having someone to grind with, hold you accountable, and push you to be better every day? That kind of energy is contagious, and it definitely helped shape my first year.
Vidal: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Hansen: One of my biggest strengths is that I have a hard time sitting still. I struggle to even watch a full movie or game because I feel like I should be doing something productive. That drive keeps me moving forward and makes it hard to end a day feeling like I didn’t accomplish anything.
On the flip side, I wrestle with time management. I get distracted easily — classic shiny object syndrome — and I’m a master of creative avoidance. If I have a big task I don’t want to tackle, suddenly I have to sweep the porch or take my truck to the carwash.
It’s also hard for me to delegate, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to grow and scale.
Vidal: What is something you are passionate about outside of real estate?
Hansen: My wife and I love to travel and experience new things together. We’ve got a trip planned this year to Paris and Rome — can’t wait! It’s something we both really look forward to and prioritize.
Vidal: What’s on your vision board?
Hansen: I don’t use a traditional vision “board,” but I’m big on visualization. I actually write my goals out in a letter to myself — as a story. I include what life looks like if I reach them, but I also describe what life might be like if I don’t. It’s a powerful motivator.
I read it at least once a week to keep myself focused. When I look in the mirror I want to see someone I’m proud of — strong, driven and dialed in. In my visualization, I don’t just show up – I own the moment. I win.
Vidal: What advice do you have for people just starting out in this business?
Hansen: Find someone — or a group — that will hold you accountable. Whether it’s a teammate, a coach, a mastermind group or a mentor, that accountability can make all the difference.
And treat it like a real job. Show up at your desk every day, ready to work, just like you would anywhere else.
The biggest secret? Be consistent. It’s the small, repeated actions that compound into something amazing over time.
Tyson Hansen of ERA Brokers Consolidated in Richfield, Utah purchased his first townhome in 2009, a pivotal moment that ignited his love of real estate. After years of buying, fixing, selling and managing properties, in 2024 Tyson took a leap of faith, leaving his position as Richfield City’s finance director to pursue real estate full-time.
Alex Vidal is the president of ERA Real Estate.
This post was originally published on this site
by Christy Murdock | Apr 10, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
Learn more about this team’s client-first philosophy and why team leader Julian Johnston believes Miami is on the verge of its next big boom.
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!
As Miami Beach’s No. 2-ranked real estate team, the Julian Johnston Team has a history of delivering outstanding results derived by leveraging “innovative marketing strategies and the latest technology to maximize exposure for every listing,” team leader Julian Johnston said.
“Our team is deeply passionate about real estate and committed to putting our clients first. We prioritize honesty, transparency and long-term relationships over short-term gains.”
Learn more about this team’s client-first philosophy and why Johnston believes Miami is on the verge of its next big boom.
Name: Julian Johnston
Title: Broker associate
Experience: 25 years
Location: Miami Beach
Team name: Julian Johnston Team
Ranking: No. 2 team in Miami Beach (Real Trends)
Team size: 6
Transaction sides: 24 buy side/ 48 list side
Sales volume: $400 million
What’s something you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Real estate attracts many aspiring professionals due to its low barriers to entry, especially when they see the high commissions showcased on reality TV. However, building a successful career in real estate requires much more than just getting a license.
The first few years are dedicated to learning the industry, often with little financial reward, while gaining experience, studying the market and establishing credibility. True success comes from identifying a niche and committing five to 10 years of hard work, long hours and persistence to lay the foundation for a thriving and fulfilling business.
Tell us about a high point in your career
My career has been marked by significant milestones—starting with my first listing over $1,000,000, followed by my first waterfront home listing, then achieving my first sale over $10,000,000. From there, I reached $100,000,000 in annual sales and ultimately surpassed $500,000,000 in sales in a single year.
Each achievement has been a testament to dedication, growth and an unwavering commitment to excellence in real estate.
What’s your top prediction for 2025?
I believe the economy is strong, the election is behind us and Miami is on the verge of its next real estate boom. As a young and rapidly evolving city, the number of luxury homes and condos continues to grow. Miami today mirrors what Singapore was 20 years ago, and we can expect property values to rise significantly in the coming years as commercial developers drive expansion.
Additionally, with three of the nation’s largest public infrastructure projects underway, improvements in public transportation will further enhance Miami’s livability and long-term appeal.
What’s your top tip for newly formed teams?
My team operates both vertically and horizontally. As you grow your horizontal team by adding commission-based agents, it’s crucial to have the right support from your vertical team — those on salary — ensuring a strong foundation for sustainable success.
What’s one thing you wish every agent knew?
As you gain experience in the real estate industry, you’ll initially work with a variety of clients — handling rentals, sales, retail spaces, condos and houses. Over time, you’ll discover which area of the business aligns best with your skills and interests.
To build long-term success, you must specialize and establish yourself as an expert in that niche. Clients choose to work with you not just because they like you, but because they trust your expertise and recognize the value you bring.
By becoming a true specialist — particularly within a specific geographic area — you will gradually increase your market share and establish dominance. With this strong foundation, you can strategically grow and expand your business.
Email Christy Murdock
This post was originally published on this site
by Christy Murdock | Apr 10, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
Learn more about this team’s client-first philosophy and why team leader Julian Johnston believes Miami is on the verge of its next big boom.
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!
As Miami Beach’s No. 2-ranked real estate team, the Julian Johnston Team has a history of delivering outstanding results derived by leveraging “innovative marketing strategies and the latest technology to maximize exposure for every listing,” team leader Julian Johnston said.
“Our team is deeply passionate about real estate and committed to putting our clients first. We prioritize honesty, transparency and long-term relationships over short-term gains.”
Learn more about this team’s client-first philosophy and why Johnston believes Miami is on the verge of its next big boom.
Name: Julian Johnston
Title: Broker associate
Experience: 25 years
Location: Miami Beach
Team name: Julian Johnston Team
Ranking: No. 2 team in Miami Beach (Real Trends)
Team size: 6
Transaction sides: 24 buy side/ 48 list side
Sales volume: $400 million
What’s something you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Real estate attracts many aspiring professionals due to its low barriers to entry, especially when they see the high commissions showcased on reality TV. However, building a successful career in real estate requires much more than just getting a license.
The first few years are dedicated to learning the industry, often with little financial reward, while gaining experience, studying the market and establishing credibility. True success comes from identifying a niche and committing five to 10 years of hard work, long hours and persistence to lay the foundation for a thriving and fulfilling business.
Tell us about a high point in your career
My career has been marked by significant milestones—starting with my first listing over $1,000,000, followed by my first waterfront home listing, then achieving my first sale over $10,000,000. From there, I reached $100,000,000 in annual sales and ultimately surpassed $500,000,000 in sales in a single year.
Each achievement has been a testament to dedication, growth and an unwavering commitment to excellence in real estate.
What’s your top prediction for 2025?
I believe the economy is strong, the election is behind us and Miami is on the verge of its next real estate boom. As a young and rapidly evolving city, the number of luxury homes and condos continues to grow. Miami today mirrors what Singapore was 20 years ago, and we can expect property values to rise significantly in the coming years as commercial developers drive expansion.
Additionally, with three of the nation’s largest public infrastructure projects underway, improvements in public transportation will further enhance Miami’s livability and long-term appeal.
What’s your top tip for newly formed teams?
My team operates both vertically and horizontally. As you grow your horizontal team by adding commission-based agents, it’s crucial to have the right support from your vertical team — those on salary — ensuring a strong foundation for sustainable success.
What’s one thing you wish every agent knew?
As you gain experience in the real estate industry, you’ll initially work with a variety of clients — handling rentals, sales, retail spaces, condos and houses. Over time, you’ll discover which area of the business aligns best with your skills and interests.
To build long-term success, you must specialize and establish yourself as an expert in that niche. Clients choose to work with you not just because they like you, but because they trust your expertise and recognize the value you bring.
By becoming a true specialist — particularly within a specific geographic area — you will gradually increase your market share and establish dominance. With this strong foundation, you can strategically grow and expand your business.
Email Christy Murdock
This post was originally published on this site
by Chris Pollinger | Apr 10, 2025 | Industry, News Feed
In a volatile real estate market, client-centricity isn’t optional — it’s your competitive edge. Chris Pollinger shares how elite agents turn uncertainty into opportunity by obsessing over what clients truly need, moving fast and thinking like strategic partners.
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!
Let’s get one thing straight — this market doesn’t care about your feelings, your track record or your carefully curated brand image. It rewards those who adapt, move fast and obsess over one thing: the client.
If you’re in real estate and still clinging to “what’s always worked,” consider this your wake-up call. This is a market driven by volatility. Costs shift, clients ghost and one bad review can tank a lead funnel you spent months building. The days of sitting back and waiting for referrals are dead. The new game? Radical client-centricity.
Here’s what that actually looks like — and why it’ll make or break your growth this year.
The market’s not slowing down, so stop acting like it will
Economic rollercoaster? That’s cute. For us in real estate, it’s more like a game of high-stakes poker with half the deck missing. You’ve got inflation, interest rate yo-yos, tech disruption and buyer psychology shifting faster than you can say “price reduction.”
Now imagine being a client trying to make sense of all that noise. They’re not looking for someone to show them square footage — they want someone who can decode chaos and make bold, strategic moves. You want to grow? Be that person.
You don’t need to predict the future — you need to read the now. Your value isn’t in having the answers; it’s in asking better questions and giving clients the confidence to move forward when everyone else is frozen.
Think like a partner, not a vendor
You’re not selling houses. You’re selling certainty. You’re selling the ability to turn complexity into clarity. That’s what real estate advisors do — we interpret macroeconomic noise and distill it into real-world decisions that make our clients money, protect their assets and secure their lifestyle goals.
When interest rates jump? You’re the one recalibrating the ROI on that rental portfolio in real time.
When zoning laws shift? You’re the one calling the client before they even know it matters.
The agents who win in this market are the ones who treat every deal like a business venture. Your job is to know your client’s long-term goals better than they do — and reverse-engineer every decision from that place.
Tech is a tool. You are the advantage
Let’s talk AI, data, automation — all the toys everyone’s pretending they understand. These are force multipliers, not replacements for you.
Don’t confuse data for wisdom. Your CRM isn’t closing the deal — you are. Your market report isn’t negotiating the price drop — you are. The most valuable thing you bring to the table isn’t access to information — it’s how you interpret it, frame it and move people to act on it.
Clients want precision, yes, but they also want emotional intelligence, discretion and someone who can see the blind spots they can’t. Use the tools. Just don’t hide behind them.
Move at the speed of relevance
Speed wins. Period. If you’re still operating on weekly “check-in” cycles while your client’s net worth is shifting daily, you’re already irrelevant.
Be the agent who spots trends before they hit TikTok. Be the one who’s already crafted three backup offers before the first deal shows cracks. Be so dialed into your client’s life and goals that your timing feels psychic.
When Malibu wildfires hit and clients panic about their homes, don’t wait. Show up with insurance options, short-term relocation plans and off-market replacement properties.
When market sentiment shifts, bring context, not clichés.
Your speed is your value. Your adaptability is your proof of relevance. And your timing? That’s your edge.
Client-centricity isn’t just service. It’s strategy
Let’s be clear: Client-centricity doesn’t mean being a yes-man or bending to unrealistic demands. It means knowing your client’s motivations better than they do. It means fighting for their best interest — even when it means pushing back.
Want to win repeat business? Deliver clarity in the fog. Show empathy in high-stakes moments. And don’t just track the market — translate it into action.
This is about going from agent to trusted advisor. From “thanks for the tour” to “you’re the first call before I buy anything.”
Build a culture that breathes client obsession
This isn’t a solo sport. If you’re building a team — or already have one — this mindset needs to bleed through your entire operation. Your assistant, your transaction coordinator, your marketing crew — everyone needs to be fluent in “client-first.”
Every system, every touchpoint, every piece of tech you deploy should be built around one question: Does this make the client’s life easier, clearer or faster?
If it doesn’t, scrap it.
The market will keep shifting. You should, too
You’re not paid for showing up. You’re paid for outcomes. And outcomes come from obsession — with clients, with precision, with being ahead of the damn curve.
So stop worrying about whether you’re doing things “the right way” and start focusing on doing the right thing — for the client, in this moment, with everything you’ve got.
That’s how you grow. That’s how you win. That’s how you make sure you’re not just another name on a listing site — but the first one that comes to mind when the stakes are highest.
Let the other agents chase commissions. You? You chase impact.
This post was originally published on this site
