WELCOME

Only 1 in 5 real estate agents would recommend this job to a friend, according to a Redfin survey, and is that a bad thing? Less competition in our saturated industry means more commissions, leads, listings, and parking spots at broker’s opens for the agents that make it—like those that put the tips and takeaways in this Real Estate Roundup to good use. 😉

SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS: Today’s Top Podcast Rec 🔊

Missed last month’s Future Forward live Q&A panel here in LA? You can catch the full recording here—including advice from real estate powerhouses Josh Flagg, Jason Oppenheim, Tracy Tutor, and Jade Mills, hosted by Ben Belack. Watch for more on how these top-of-their-game agents are handling buyer-broker agreements, Clear Cooperation and changing listing policies, putting AI to good use, and more.

TRACK THE MARKET: The Springtime Surge in Seller Confidence

The economy may be shaky, but sellers’ confidence isn’t. According to a recent Realtor.com survey, 81% of would-be sellers believe they’ll get their asking price—or more—when they’re ready to sell. Only 13% expect they’ll have to settle for less. 

Why the sudden optimism? Survey respondents pointed to a nationwide inventory shortage that could take more than seven years to resolve, mortgage rates hovering near six-month lows, and the typical springtime boost in buying demand. Plus, many sellers have taken steps to prepare their properties for the strongest debut possible. 

• About 1 in 3 potential sellers have recently tackled home improvement projects like painting, landscaping, and replacing dated fixtures.

• Over half of sellers surveyed say they’ve even made a major home improvement, like renovating a kitchen or bathroom. 

• 60% of respondents have started the selling process, by connecting with an agent (36%), getting a pre-emptive home inspection (27%), or listing the home (22%). 

Selling optimism is especially high in the Northeast, where inventory remains tight and listing activity is slower. Meanwhile, sellers in the West are the most confident about going over asking—especially in high-demand markets like California.

DIVE IN

The Friday Five

📖 Fit your functionality. Tour the home masterfully made by designer / content creator Robert Gigliotti.

👀Beverly Hills Blockbuster. Casa Encatada, the priciest home in Beverly Hills, is back on the market for $175M—with Josh Flagg representing it. 

👀Jost & Johansson. See inside the 14-room Manhattan penthouse just purchased by this celebrity power couple. 

💡Navigating negotiations. Why script training and role-playing don’t actually improve your approach.  

💡Fight your fears. How Tracy handles fears—or pushes straight through them.

LAST WEEK IN ESTATE ELITE

It’s been a packed week in Estate Elite—and there’s still time to join! Yesterday, Josh Flagg walked members through exactly how he uses open houses as deal-making tools, not just showings. And later today, James Harris is sharing the branding and negotiation strategies that have helped him build one of LA’s most recognizable teams in real estate. 

Can’t make the live session? Those replays—and a dozen others—are all available for instant access inside the community. 

If you haven’t watched it yet, Josh’s full Million Dollar Agent masterclass is also available now to all Estate Elite members. It’s an exclusive breakdown of his approach to finding high-net-worth clients, staging properties that sell fast, and negotiating with confidence.

Every Real Estate Roundup reader gets 14 days of free access to Estate Elite with this free trial pass. Why wait to master luxury real estate?

WHAT’S NEW FROM ESTATE MEDIA

The Clear Cooperation Policy introduced by the NAR back in 2020 was meant to level the playing field in real estate. It stated that if you start publicly marketing a property, you had to also list it on the MLS within one business day, so everyone has a fair shot at seeing the listing. 

But as of September 30th, 2025, that rule is no more.

In the latest episode of The Breakdown, Ben Belack reveals the new ‘Multiple Listing Options for Sellers’ rule replacing Clear Cooperation—and the interesting new options it gives agents marketing and listing their clients’ properties.

FEATURED LUXURY LISTING

TIPS & TAKEAWAYS

Straight talk seals the deal

On the red carpet at Estate Media’s Future Forward panel, Jason Oppenheim shared one simple but powerful negotiation tactic: transparency. Especially in high-end real estate, being overly direct—clear, confident, and upfront—can go further than any well-planned script. The more money at stake, the more clients value straight talk.

Want more takeaways from the event? Follow us on Instagram or TikTok to catch more tips just like this!

HANGS & HAPPENINGS

Inman Connect | San Diego, CA | July 30 – August 1. Sharpen your real estate game with immersive discussions, interactive workshops, top-tier networking, and more, alongside some of the biggest players in real estate, proptech, and lending. 

Apartmentalize | Las Vegas, NV | June 11 – 13. Discover the latest trends, technologies, and management strategies shaping the future of multifamily housing. Hosted by the National Apartment Association, this is the place for anyone in the rental housing industry.

RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference | Washington, DC | August 3 – 5. Connect with RE/MAX leaders and fellow broker-owners for three days of strategy sessions, networking, and fresh ideas to drive brokerage growth and your team’s success.

Tom Ferry Success Summit | Dallas, TX | August 26 – 28. Join thousands of top-producing agents for Tom Ferry’s signature event, packed with actionable strategies, mindset shifts, and high-energy coaching.

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