Inman announces the 2025 Best of Finance Award winners

by Inman | Jun 24, 2025 | Industry, News Feed

Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!

Inman, real estate’s leading news source for agents, brokers, executives and technology leaders, today proudly announced winners of its 2025 Best of Finance Awards — a celebration of those mortgage and finance professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and a profound commitment to excellence within the real estate ecosystem.

Since 1998, Inman has recognized the most deserving companies and individuals in the real estate industry for their commitment to excellence and service. The Best of Finance Awards are the latest in Inman’s highly regarded real estate awards program.

The Best of Finance Awards acknowledge individuals and companies who have distinguished themselves by not only navigating the complexities of a dynamic market but also setting new benchmarks for service and technological advancement, and their ability to drive measurable impact in the lending industry.

“In a year that has seen significant shifts and challenges in the mortgage and finance sectors, the dedication and ingenuity of these honorees have been truly inspiring,” said Emily Paquette, Inman CEO. “The 2025 Best of Finance honorees have demonstrated a commitment to empowering homebuyers and investors, and we are incredibly proud to recognize their outstanding contributions to our industry.”

Recognizing almost 150 individuals and their companies for their influence and ingenuity in mortgage and financial services, the 2025 Best of Finance honorees include:

• AJ Barkley, Head of CRA and Neighborhood and Community Lending, Bank of America
• Jane Fraser, CEO, Citi
• Allan Thygesen, CEO, DocuSign
• Laura Escobar, President, Lennar Mortgage
• Jay Bray, Chairman and CEO, Mr. Cooper
• Valerie Saunders, Chief Executive Strategist, National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB)
• Glen Messina, Chair, President and CEO, Onity
• Varun Krishna, CEO, Rocket Companies
• Mat Ishbia, Chairman, President and CEO, United Wholesale Mortgage

A full list of the 2025 Best of Finance Award honorees can be found on the Inman website. Inman extends its warmest congratulations to all the recipients for their exceptional work and lasting impact on the industry

Information on Inman’s full slate of real estate industry awards can be found at inman.com/awards.

Questions about Inman’s real estate awards programs should be directed to [email protected].

Knocking at your door: How social responsibility shapes culture

by Makenzie Green | Jun 24, 2025 | Industry, News Feed

Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!

We all have the power to be a light in the world, and our true purpose unfolds when we stay focused on the bigger picture. In the real estate industry, the brokerage and agent are privileged to represent one of the most critical decisions someone will make in their lifetime.

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Still, one’s commitment to the industry should go far beyond a transaction, recognizing our responsibility to care for the communities we represent and the people within them. Sales metrics do not just define a brokerage’s culture, but by the values it upholds. Social responsibility plays a pivotal role in shaping an environment where agents are inspired to lead with integrity, compassion, and purpose.

Generosity is multifaceted, extending beyond mere financial contributions; we all can utilize the unique talents sewn into each of us to provide value to others. By using one’s time and skills for the greater good, agents not only enhance their sense of purpose but also contribute to the overall well-being of the brokerage.

When a brokerage actively engages in community service, adheres to ethical business practices, and conducts meaningful outreach, it fosters a culture where social impact is woven into its very identity.

Experiential events, like team-building volunteer days or interactive fundraisers, challenge agents to be vulnerable and step outside their comfort zones, fostering personal growth and strengthening character.

In turn, this creates a lasting culture of collective individuals who inspire one another, ensuring that success is measured not only in transactions but in the positive impact made on the world around them.  

Here are a few ways brokerages can incorporate giving into their culture:

Host a build day

Partner with a local charity, such as Giveback Homes, for an unforgettable Build Day in your city that fosters teamwork and community impact. Agents and staff step outside their daily routines to take on tasks such as demolition, framing, and sawing, contributing to the construction of a home for a deserving family.

At one of our Los Angeles Build Days, we had the meaningful opportunity to work alongside the future homeowner as we painted, installed flooring and siding, and applied roofing. The future homeowner was a military veteran who had been injured in active duty and was also the sole caregiver for his son, who required wheelchair accessibility.

The Habitat team thoughtfully incorporated accessible design features to meet their needs within their soon-to-be forever home. This day was gratifying, as it felt like a small way to give back to someone who has given so much in service to our country.

Another core memory of mine was at our first Giveback Homes Build Day in Basalt, Colorado. Half of our team learned to measure, saw and install siding for condos that would house local teachers, while the other half built a playground for neighborhood kids.

As we wrapped up, a mother and her son walked by — the boy’s eyes lit up at the sight of the new playground, and he ran to the slide, smiling from ear to ear. It was a blessing to see the fruit of our hard work that day and receive the stamp of approval from the small boy on the joy the playground will bring to the families of Basalt.

Organize a community clean-up

Make a tangible difference by organizing a community clean-up. Whether picking up litter, painting or gardening, your brokerage can have a significant impact when everyone comes together to enhance our cities.

The Agency’s Annual Global Clean Up for Earth Day is one of my favorite initiatives. It’s incredible to see our offices—from Amsterdam to Maui and everywhere in between—come together to care for our communities. Whether it’s cleaning parks and beaches, beautifying schools, or planting trees and gardens, the collective impact shows how much of a difference we can make when we all come together.

Sweat for social good

Foster camaraderie and support a cause by partnering with a local fitness studio or hosting a sports tournament — such as golf or pickleball — to raise funds for a charitable organization. A little friendly competition creates lasting memories while giving back.

Shop for change

Turn networking into a force for good by hosting an exclusive shopping event at a boutique that donates a portion of its proceeds to charity. Engage your clientele while supporting meaningful causes.

Rethink holiday giving

The holiday season is an ideal time to incorporate giving into your business. Use your office or open houses to entertain your clients and community by collecting toys for children’s organizations, coats for shelters or hosting a gift-wrapping fundraiser to support local charities.

By embracing these opportunities, agents and brokerages can transform their professional influence into a force for meaningful change. When generosity becomes a cornerstone of the business, it not only strengthens client relationships but also deepens the bonds within the team.

Together, we can build a culture where giving back is not just an occasional act but a defining principle that shapes our industry and the communities we serve. When you set out to help the world, you end up helping yourself. At the heart of this is the belief that, no matter where we are in life, the opportunity for generosity is knocking at our doors.

Makenzie Green is the Vice President of Vibes at The Agency. You can connect with her on Instagram.

How AI is transforming the role of real estate reviews

by Molly McKinley | Jun 24, 2025 | Industry, News Feed

Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!

The shift from search engines to answer engines is redefining how agents and brokerages should approach online reputation management.

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The real estate industry is experiencing its most significant digital transformation since the advent of online listings. As artificial intelligence reshapes how consumers discover and evaluate services, the role of client reviews has evolved from simple social proof to critical training data for AI systems that will soon recommend or overlook your business.

The new reality: From search to conversation

Traditional search behavior is rapidly changing. Instead of typing “real estate agents near me” and scrolling through results, consumers increasingly ask AI assistants direct questions: “Who’s the best agent for first-time buyers in downtown Austin?” or “Which brokerage knows the most about new construction in Plano?”

This shift represents more than a change in user interface. It’s a fundamental change in how business recommendations are generated. When ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews or other AI systems respond to these queries, they’re not ranking websites. They’re synthesizing information from across the internet to provide direct recommendations, and your client reviews are a primary data source.

A study by Netpeak found that over 60 percent of consumers now use AI chatbots for product research before making purchase decisions. For real estate professionals, this means your online reputation isn’t just influencing potential clients who read your reviews. It’s actively training the AI systems that will represent your brand to future prospects.

Reviews as AI training data

Here’s the critical insight most agents miss: AI systems can assess the sentiment of written content, meaning negative or outdated reviews on any platform may cause AI to describe your brand unfavorably. Conversely, detailed, positive reviews with specific outcomes help AI systems understand and communicate your expertise.

AI systems are surprisingly sophisticated at identifying inconsistent claims. If your marketing materials claim exceptional results but independent reviews don’t support these assertions, AI systems will likely favor competitors with stronger evidence. This makes authentic client satisfaction — and the detailed reviews it generates — more valuable than ever.

The most effective reviews for AI training include specific details: transaction timelines, price outcomes, neighborhood expertise and process excellence. Generic five-star ratings with minimal text provide little training value compared to detailed testimonials that demonstrate concrete expertise.

Platform strategy: Focus where it matters

While the industry offers numerous specialized review platforms, market data reveals a clear hierarchy. According to BrightLocal’s 2025 consumer behavior survey, 83 percent of consumers check Google reviews, compared to just 44 percent who check other major platforms. This isn’t just about consumer preferences. It directly impacts the quality and quantity of AI training data.

Google’s dominance in search (with an 88 percent market share, according to DataPin’s research) means its review ecosystem provides the richest training environment for AI systems. Additionally, Google’s local search features capture up to 70 percent of local service interactions in home services industries, making Google Business Profile optimization critical for AI visibility.

Yelp emerges as the strategic secondary platform, ranking third in consumer usage according to BrightLocal data, following its recent integration of AI-powered review analysis tools. This integration means that Yelp reviews are increasingly contributing to AI system training data.

Strategic framework: Brokerage vs. agent approach

Successful implementation requires different strategies for brokerages and individual agents, though both should focus on the same core platforms.

Brokerages should establish market authority through comprehensive Google Business Profile optimization, targeting 100+ reviews minimum to establish credible sample sizes. The goal is to position the brokerage as the definitive market expert while maintaining consistent brand messaging across all agents.

Individual agents should build personal expertise authority through focused Google Business Profile development, targeting 50+ agent-specific reviews that demonstrate neighborhood knowledge and transaction expertise. This creates layered credibility: market authority at the brokerage level, specific expertise at the agent level.

Both approaches require systematic review collection, professional response protocols, and consistent Name, Address, Phone (NAP) formatting across all platforms to ensure AI systems can accurately identify and reference your business.

Implementation strategy

The transition to an AI-optimized review strategy should be a methodical process. Begin with Google Business Profile optimization, implementing systematic review collection processes that prioritize detailed, specific feedback over generic ratings. Establish Yelp presence as a secondary platform while maintaining any existing specialized platform investments strategically.

For established professionals with existing review platform investments, the key is integration rather than abandonment. Leverage existing content as templates for new review requests while gradually shifting focus toward platforms with proven AI integration. Ask vendors about their roadmap for AI optimization and how they plan to ensure your reviews contribute to AI training data, rather than remaining isolated from these emerging systems.

Response protocols matter significantly. According to ResponseScribe research, 88% of consumers prefer businesses that respond to every review, and these interactions provide additional context for AI training.

Looking forward

The real estate industry has always been relationship-driven, built on trust and local expertise. The AI revolution doesn’t change these fundamentals. It amplifies them. Agents and brokerages that have built genuine client satisfaction will find their authentic review patterns naturally align with what AI systems recognize as authority.

The opportunity lies in understanding this shift early. While competitors focus on traditional SEO tactics, forward-thinking professionals can build the review foundation that will drive AI recommendations for years to come.

Success in the AI era isn’t about gaming systems. It’s about being so consistently excellent that the systems naturally recognize your expertise. In real estate, that’s always been the path to sustainable success.

Molly McKinley is the founder of Redtail Creative and is the Entrepreneur-in-Residence and teaches entrepreneurship, innovation and social impact at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.

What a ’90s movie taught me about women in real estate leadership

by Summer Goralik | Jun 24, 2025 | Industry, News Feed

Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!

I’m going to warn you right now. I’ve wanted to write this piece for a long time. I kept asking myself — how am I going to incorporate real estate compliance into one of my favorite ’90s flicks?

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And then it hit me: I’m leaving compliance at the door for this one.

Because there’s something bigger, and honestly, more important, for a lot of professionals out there. Especially for women.

There are a few things I remember vividly from my younger years, and believe it or not, Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead is one of them. Not just for the title (which is undeniably iconic), but because it struck a unique chord in a less modern time.

I loved this movie so much and didn’t realize the real reason why. But watching it again as an adult, especially over the past 15 years, it finally clicked. Yes, it’s funny. Yes, it’s chaotic. But more than anything, it showcases powerful women. And that hit differently, especially for a ’90s film.

This movie isn’t just a nostalgic Gen X favorite. It’s a story about a teenage girl who steps into a corporate world she was never supposed to enter — and absolutely owns it. And in the process, it offers some sharp commentary that still applies today, particularly in real estate.

As a sociology major in college, my thesis centered on a question I had always wondered about: Do women support each other, or are we conditioned to compete?

Back then, I felt the competition. It showed up in classrooms, social circles and even casual conversations. You could practically cut it with a knife.

But over time, that changed. I’ve been supported by incredible women throughout my life and career, and I genuinely love supporting other women, especially the smart, vocal and confident ones. It’s empowering not just to be a woman, but to be a fan of other women.

2 realities: 1 workplace

In the film, Sue Ellen Crandell (played by Christina Applegate) is underestimated and antagonized by Carolyn, an ambitious coworker who sees her as a threat. Carolyn isn’t exactly the villain, but she plays out a dynamic that’s all too familiar: Woman versus woman, especially when power feels scarce.

And yet, right alongside that tension, we meet Rose.

Rose is everything Carolyn isn’t. She’s warm. She’s encouraging. She’s competent. She gives Sue Ellen both freedom and structure. She sees potential before there’s even a résumé — albeit a completely made-up one in this case — to prove it. ​​She’s the kind of leader many women remember having once, or quite frankly, wish they’d had.

The irony? In an industry like real estate, where the majority of agents are women, we still don’t see nearly enough Roses at the top.

The industry has a representation problem

Despite women making up nearly two-thirds of residential real estate professionals, men remain overrepresented in leadership roles. They dominate positions as broker-owners, team leads and executives at major firms. They’re more likely to be the ones closing high-dollar deals, chairing boards and shaping industry policy.

According to the California Association of Realtors’ (C.A.R.) 2017 Women’s Initiative report, women represent 57 percent of Realtors in California, yet hold only one-third of leadership roles in brokerages with over 100 agents — and just 26 percent of the top 500 real estate firms nationwide are led by women.

Nationwide, the 2024 National Association of Realtors Member Profile Highlights shows that 65 percent of Realtors are women, continuing a longstanding trend in which women make up the majority of the residential real estate workforce.

The paradox is hard to miss: Even in a female-majority industry, leadership and high-authority positions remain disproportionately male.

Wage disparities persist as well, particularly among top-tier producers and team leaders. According to The Zebra, in 2020, women brokers and sales agents made only 69 cents for every dollar their male counterparts earned, tightening to 92 cents at the management level. In commercial real estate, CREW Network found that while the base salary gap hovers around 10 percent, the bonus and commission gap blows out to a staggering 56 percent.

Although women are doing the bulk of the work, they don’t always set the rules. I’ve been surrounded by powerful women — broker-owners, firm partners, top producers. And yet, when I attend conferences or major industry panels, it’s sometimes hard not to notice how many are still led, moderated or headlined by men.

Not a criticism, just an observation that speaks volumes and reminds us that women must keep forging ahead and reaching higher.

Supporting roles — and real shifts

Back in the film, even Sue Ellen’s brother Kenny, the burnout-turned-budding chef, surprises us. When he’s overwhelmed by housework, cooking, prepping for the party and keeping the kids in line, Sue Ellen calls him out with a line that still hits: “It’s a rat race and it sucks, Kenny. So what do you want, a medal?”

I might not have known it at the time, but that moment flips the gender script. Kenny’s domestic labor becomes visible and exhausting. But instead of retreating, he memorably steps up. He doesn’t just watch his sister succeed; he becomes part of what makes her success possible.

Real estate needs more of that energy. More men who listen, support and make room at the table. Not just in theory, but in leadership roles, partnerships and backing deals.

The Rose effect: Support is a leadership skill

Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead is often remembered for its humor and chaos. But behind the corporate whirlwinds and the constant demands of family life lies a deeper truth: Women don’t need permission to lead — they need opportunity. 

And when given both structure and autonomy, as Rose gave Sue Ellen, they don’t just show up. They thrive.

Personally, I owe my first consulting opportunity to a powerful woman who believed in me before I had any impressive title outside of government. She took a chance, gave me space and made it clear she had complete faith in my ability. That kind of trust? It was the best compliment and motivation I could’ve received, and it helped launch my career.

And speaking of compliments … I love giving them. Recently, I was at dinner with a male colleague when our waitress walked up, and besides being incredibly kind, she was absolutely stunning. So I told her. Without hesitation. Just a simple, genuine compliment. My colleague looked a little surprised.

Here’s the thing: When I see something I admire, I say it. I don’t care if we’re strangers, walking in a crosswalk or stuck in an elevator with 60 seconds to spare. If it’s genuine — whether it’s a strength, a kind gesture or something they’ve achieved — I’ll call it out. I don’t discriminate either. If someone’s doing something great, I’ll acknowledge it.

Sure, it might’ve been about her looks that night, but more often, it’s about someone’s smarts, character or the way they show up in the world. And as a woman who once wrote a thesis about whether women support or compete with each other, it hits differently when I can uplift the women around me. It feels personal. And powerful.

That wasn’t always me at 18. But now? I can’t stop thinking about how good it feels to say the thing out loud, to support someone in real time and genuinely mean it.

Don’t get me wrong. I know men who absolutely support women in the workplace. I work with them. I’m friends with them. They advocate, they amplify, they show up. And they’ll continue to show up.

But would I call it the status quo? Not yet.

We talk about innovation, disruption, evolution. But real transformation means looking at who gets lifted up, how we show up for them and whether we’re reaching beyond the usual circle.

And here’s the good news: There is momentum. While men still dominate many of the leadership stages and high-profile panels, more women are stepping into visibility — leading, mentoring and showing up for one another in ways that are shifting the narrative.

Tell Mom: There’s more to do

So let’s close this piece out. Two things are in order.

First, if you missed a film that knocked it out of the corporate park so many years ago, lifting up women from every inch of the screen, go back and watch this thing. Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead might surprise you. You won’t be disappointed.

Second, and more importantly, it’s time to look to real life. The real estate industry is in the midst of major change. And part of that progress must include a deliberate focus on recognizing, elevating and empowering women in leadership.

So let’s leave no compliment, no opportunity and no woman behind.

Speaking at San Diego Connect is a mitzvah for Michael Liebowitz

by Lillian Dickerson | Jun 24, 2025 | Industry, News Feed

Real estate is changing fast, and so must you. Inman Connect San Diego is where you turn uncertainty into strategy — with real talk, real tools and the connections that matter. If you’re serious about staying ahead of the game, this is where you need to be. Register now!

Luxury brokerage Douglas Elliman has had a busy few months.

Since President and CEO Michael S. Liebowitz took the helm from Howard Lorber in October, the exec has been working to improve finances by decreasing losses and focusing on some of the firm’s strengths, like its new development pipeline.

Liebowitz has also responded to luxury consumer demand by announcing the brokerage’s forthcoming private listings platform, Elliman Black Label Private Listings, and launching operations globally with Elliman International.

Next month, Liebowitz will also join a roster of elite industry players onstage at Inman Connect San Diego. In advance of the event, Inman caught up with the CEO to hear more about what Elliman is up to now, and what he’s looking forward to in San Diego. Here’s what he had to say, edited for brevity and clarity.

Inman: It seems like Elliman has been busy with a lot of projects lately. I wanted to start by getting an update on what’s happening with Elliman International, since it was recently announced. What are you excited about and what’s the current focus with the new initiative?

Michael Liebowitz: We think that our brand has worldwide scalability. Our prior deal [with Knight Frank] didn’t give us the ability to do that. So the fact that we’re in the high-end luxury market, the average person you know in that market has four or five, six homes, and they’re in places around the world.

The world is getting smaller, so to speak, and [so are] the barriers between countries. I know a lot of people who have homes in Europe and in South America and all that. So it’s just a natural progression for us as a company to build a worldwide network surrounding our name and our agents. It’ll bring a lot of inbound leads in to our agents in the U.S. It’ll create a revenue opportunity for us around the globe.

Yeah, that’s super exciting. And I wanted to touch too on just where we are with private listing networks today. I know you talked about this a little bit at our Miami event a couple of weeks ago. How do you feel about the state of private listing networks, and Zillow’s move to try and squash that?

It’s interesting. For me, that’s maybe a little bit different from our competitors. I’m new to the scene, you know. I don’t have any of the angst or bruises from battles that the industry, within itself, has had. So I look at it really from a very clear lens.

And on private listings, I look at it really clearly in the sense that I’m a big believer that the more people that look at something, the higher price you will typically get, right? I mean, there’s just no doubt about it. It’s like in the banking world — buyers never want a banker because they think the banker is going to raise the price on them and the deal will cost them more, right? Because there’s more people looking.

It’s no different than in this, right? If you know, 4,000 people see that your property is for sale [compared to] 40, you’re likely to get a better deal and create more competition. But I don’t want to ignore the fact that if consumers are saying that they would like some privacy in it, for whatever reason it may be — like I wanted privacy years ago because I didn’t want people traipsing through my house — I understand it. And when I mean understand it, I mean really understand it.

So I believe that Douglas Elliman is a business that is in the expertise business, and that’s where we want to be.

And you know, we’re doubling and tripling down on being the thought leader and the expertise leader, and training our agents and making sure that they’re the leaders in that. And that comes with everything that you do, education and disclosure. So you really need to have the conversation we’re having here. You meet a movie star or a very high-powered executive who says, “I really want privacy.” We’ll give you privacy. That’s no problem, but just please, really understand the process.

Yeah, gotcha — it’s about finding that balance.

Yeah, that’s why we’re really down the middle on this one. I think some of our competitors are using that as a way to accomplish other things, and maybe become Zillow or some of these other businesses. We are a traditional brokerage, right? That’s what we are; we’re not running away from that. We’re not trying to be something that’s different. We’re not trying to be Zillow.

We’re a traditional brokerage that has a lot of agents; we embrace our agents. We want to be an agent-centric business. And our competitors are trying, in my opinion, to take this issue — like some of our competitors are [saying], ‘Oh, we’re an urban business. We’re a technology business. Now we’re a private listing [business].’ It’s always another thing.

We’re a brokerage. That’s what we are, that’s what we want to be, that’s where we see our future.

Got it. But you guys are developing your own private listing network: Elliman Black Label Private Listings. 

Yeah, it’s in addition to the other services that we provide because the clients are demanding it. That’s it — end of story.

I also wanted to follow up on something — a couple of months ago now, there were some rumors floating around about a potential Anywhere merger, or they maybe expressed an interest in buying Douglas Elliman. Just out of curiosity, do you have anything further to say about that?

Listen, the only comment I’ll make is that we don’t comment on rumors.

But the other comment that I would make is, we are not in talks with anybody about selling the company, and we love our business plan. I think that Douglas Elliman is actually in the best position as a company for the future. And we’re not looking to go and do acquisitions that are not accretive to us immediately.

So you’re not going to see us as a company buying more real estate brokerages unless they’re incredibly opportunistic. We have no plan to buy brokerages at the moment at all. I think we’re looking at it more as a strategic recruiting opportunity. So maybe it’s a smaller one or groups of agents domestically and internationally. We’re busy working on what I’ll call our infrastructure, our technology, making the company much more efficient and lean. It’s been successful so far.

We’re spending a lot of time with our existing agents. Retention is what’s important to us. We don’t spend any time recruiting — the recruiting that we do is when we hear somebody wants to leave somewhere, or if somebody calls us, obviously, we’ll get aggressive with them, because we want to bring in really quality agents. But we are not a recruiting model business like our competitors — we’re not aggregating and building the agents.

It’s no surprise that it’s been a slow market recently, and some agents are struggling right now. What kind of advice do you have for them to get through this period?

I actually did a round table two nights ago with a bunch of young professionals, and someone asked me the question of, ‘When do you think it’s time to leave a brokerage when you’re an agent?’ And I said to them, and it really kind of rang true for us, ‘The agents that we lost, were all not having a great year, and I think that agents leave a company because they get frustrated with their own business, and they think a change of scenery will shake up their environment, and it’ll give them more motivation.’

Now, listen, maybe that’s true. Maybe there’s some truth to that. I don’t really believe that. I think at the end of the day, it comes down to us all individually, and what we do is no different than us as a company.

I’m coming up with all these things to differentiate ourselves. And I think that the reality is it’s really important as an agent to focus on your own existing business and what you’re doing. Because I think that making moves just to make a move — you then go and you realize the walls may be a different color, but it’s the same business and it’s the same industry, and there’s not much of a difference between the companies.

It’s really the support you get at the company, the people who are at the company. That’s why for us, it’s really important to make sure that the right agents come in the door, and we’re not just going to hire anybody, which some of our competitors are doing. And I think that’s the one thing.

The last thing I wanted to ask you about was, since you’re going to be speaking at Inman Connect San Diego this year, is there anything in particular that you’re looking forward to at that event?

Listen, the one thing I like about those events is that I get to meet so many people. It’s like, I mentioned this round table that I did the other night, that I was really doing it as a favor. It was for this rabbi. It was at a young Jewish professionals thing in Miami, and he asked me to do — what I really thought I was doing, I’ll stick to the script of a rabbi — I thought I was doing a mitzvah for him. And you know what, I met so many young professional people that I gave my cell phone to a bunch of them, and it was great.

And I think that with the speaking engagements, I think a lot of people think it’s like, ‘Oh my God, it’s like work.’ You gotta go to this and that. But it’s where I’ve met such amazing people. And everybody who goes to those is going there because they want to learn, they want to meet people. We’re all going kind of for the same reason.

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Email Lillian Dickerson