ScratchThat

Matt Difanis, the 2020 Chair for the National Association of REALTORS®’ Professional Standards Committee, is helping change the landscape for people of color in the industry. As racial injustice made headlines across the country in 2020, Difanis helped lead the charge for NAR to amend its Code of Ethics, making hate speech a violation of the organization’s standards of ethics—not only in professional settings but in private arenas, as well. After a heated debate with multiple members weighing in on whether REALTORS® were living up to their obligation to help find housing for all, NAR voted to pass the Professional Standard Committee’s recommendations on November 13, 2020. In this candid discussion, Matt shares some of his own experiences helping his friends of color combat racism, what this new policy means for REALTORS®, and his hopes for the future of real estate. Learn more about the policy and how it affects REALTORS®, you can visit NAR’s website section dedicated to the topic.

Sarah Thomas didn’t set out to change the face of football as the first female calling plays. Coming from an athletic background, she simply set out to succeed in her calling as an American football official with determination. As the first female official to ever work a major college football game, the first woman to officiate a bowl game, and the first to officiate in a Big Ten stadium, Sarah knows what it takes to open closed doors and make change without making enemies in a competitive environment. But it hasn’t been an easy ride and she’s had to commit to a lot of personal sacrifice to keep her career on track. We invited Sarah to share her incredibly motivating story of breaking the glass ceiling time after time at ThinkUp. When last year’s event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she shared her story about making history in a male-dominated industry as keynote for our virtual 2020 Annual Meeting and participated in a live, virtual interview during our How to Hustle series. We were able to record this interview before she started the 101st season of the National Football League in September. Since then, she’s adding another feather to her cap when she becomes the first female to officiate The Big Game on February 7, 2021! In this discussion, Sarah talks about what it takes to succeed despite the odds, how to take rejection and persevere, and how self-reflection and learning from mistakes can you help grow much faster than the determination to always be right. For anyone who has put all their energy into achieving their dreams, even if those dreams seem far-flung, Sarah’s insight offers a strategy and a mindset to get there.

With how much information is out there nowadays, it can be hard to keep up -- and even more difficult to separate fact from fiction. National Association of REALTORS® Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research Dr. Jessica Lautz joins Emily in this episode of the ScratchThat podcast to provide unique insight into the shifting markets we are seeing locally and nationally. So, listen in, scratch what you’ve heard, and start reading between the headlines. 🎙Visit https://www.ScratchPodcast.com for more information and listen in on all major podcasting platforms! Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JByfFJukpAg NAR Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers: https://abor.me/3iQqK87 NAR Research: https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics Jessica Lautz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-lautz/ Connect with ABoR on Socials: IG https://www.instagram.com/ABoR_REALTORS Facebook https://www.abor.com/austinboardofrealtors LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/austin-board-of-realtors Twitter https://www.facebook.com/AustinBoardofRealtors TikTok *NEW* https://www.tiktok.com/@abor_realtors

Pamela Benson Owens is the President and CEO of Edge of Your Seat Consulting, Inc and is acting Executive Director of Six Square. For nearly 25 years, Pam has helped organizations manage perceptions around complex and challenging issues with courage and strategic passion. At the Austin Board of REALTORS®, she is an instrumental partner in ensuring we maintain a thriving staff culture that champions belonging and inclusion, with bold vision and courageous leadership. Pam is also the host of the Rooted podcast, which you can find on Apple Podcasts. Don't miss this unfiltered, real-talk conversation with Pam and Emily about the business of belonging, and all the ways that leaders and organizations often get it wrong, when they believe they're doing everything right Watch this interview on YouTube. You can check out all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Subscribe today!

Marki Lemons-Ryhal is a force of nature who has taken social media by storm. As an instructor, keynote speaker, and author, she has helped thousands of REALTORS® learn the true skills of using social media to generate leads and business. You don’t need to be a natural at using these tools to make them work for you. All it takes is commitment, scheduling and a non-sales approach to make social media help grow your business.    If you feel like you’re shooting in the dark when it comes to using social media for your business, this episode is for you. A natural teacher who speaks frankly and from the heart, Marki demystifies social engagement so that you feel empowered to make it a powerful tool in your business. She breaks down the numbers on the number of leads you need to make the income you want, how to schedule your social media activity so it’s serving your business, and the kind of valuable content you should share to attract potential clients.    Naturally, you can find Marki on all major social media channels at @markilemons, listen to her podcast here, and you can get more insight from her at MarkiLemmons.com.  PLUS, Marki shared her daily Social Media Strategy Checklist and a 7 Day Social Media Guide for Sustainable Growth.   Wanna learn more? You can check all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Subscribe today!

As the founder of Sustainable Real Estate Consulting Services and as an advisory board member for the NAR Green Resource Council, Craig Foley has seen first-hand how becoming more knowledgeable about sustainable real estate can help brokers and agents meet market demands, command higher prices for properties and contribute to a global trend toward more energy efficient and, eventually, net-zero efficient buildings. In this conversation with Emily, he talks about trends on the horizon and how you can better serve your customers, as well as changes you can make right now to understand the green home revolution.  Craig is an Agent Partner at LAER Realty Partners. Learn more about Craig here, and get more advice and insight from him on Twitter at @EnergyGeekCraig.  You can check all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Subscribe today! 

As the CEO of Redfin, Glenn Kelman is used to fighting battles in the industry he helped disrupt. Now he’s concentrating on bridging the disparity gap when it comes to race and real estate. In this candid conversation with Emily, he talks about Redfin’s role in helping minority real estate agents and homebuyers find more equal footing, and how Redfin agents can play a bigger role in helping associations challenge potentially unfair legal precedents. It’s a conversation you won’t want to miss! You can get more advice and insight from Glenn on LinkedIn and on Twitter at @GlennKelman. You can listen to this episode and previous ones on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Castbox, and Google Play. Subscribe today! 

Kirk Watson is no stranger to politics. The former Mayor of Austin and Texas State Senator is throwing his hat in the ring once again, running to serve as Austin’s Mayor. In this episode of ScratchThat he joins Emily Chenevert to map out his plans to prioritize housing if he is elected Mayor of Austin again come November.  Visit ABoR's Voter Hub at ABoR.com/Vote for more resources, including the 2022 REALTOR® Voter Guide with endorsed candidates and information about local bond propositions. Learn more about Kirk at KirkWatson.com/meet-kirk/ Watch this interview on YouTube. You can check out all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Subscribe today!

Meet Zachary Maurais, co-founder of Favor and now Sunroom Rentals. He solved our basic needs for grocery delivery and wings on a Friday with Favor. Now he’s focused on helping consumers navigate the leasing process while giving property managers and owners tools to market their properties more efficiently. You can follow Zac on Instagram @zacadooo and stay up to date with Sunroom by following them on Instagram at @sunroom and online at sunroomrentals.com. Watch this interview on YouTube.  You can check out all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Subscribe today!

Meredith Broussard is dispelling the myth that computers are intelligent, impartial players in decision making. A data journalist and associate professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University, research director at the NYU Alliance for Public Interest Technology, and the author of Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World, Broussard is dedicated to helping people avoid AI in social decisions in order to break the chain of systemic bias she believes is baked into many software programs. Because many programs rely on historical data, which itself includes bias, she believes many programs - especially those used in social decisions - end up perpetuating inequity. And, some of these programs could get users into legal trouble.  In this discussion, Meredith warns REALTORS® to avoid programs that could hold them legally liable and create bias in their decisions, what to look for when using artificial intelligence and the kind of questions you need to ask vendors before using their products. You can follow Meredith on Twitter @merbroussard and check her work as well as stay updated on upcoming books at meredithbroussard.com.

It's been almost two years since New York Newsday conducted an investigation that found REALTORS® engaged in discriminatory talk and practices. This investigation rattled the industry and led to some serious discussions and changes. It also happened around the same time Bryan Greene, who had spent his career at HUD, joined the organization as NAR’s Director of Fair Housing Policy. He immediately took action, working on not only recognizing the agency’s past history of discrimination but addressing the biases that still exist. In this conversation, Bryan discusses how REALTORS® can take ownership of their own bias through educational programs, such as NAR’s simulation Fairhaven, which challenges a player to achieve their goals while navigating discrimination—both overt and subtle—while still obtaining the objective. Bryan also talks about what’s on the legislative agenda regarding fair housing and the policies NAR is helping push with the current presidential administration. Follow Bryan on LinkedIn here. And in the spirit of Fair Housing Month, play Fairhaven here and see how you “fare” when it comes to fair housing.

Michelle Mills Clement is healing wounds through her job. As CEO of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, she hit the ground running when she proposed a resolution to formally apologize to the community for past discrimination against minorities, such as redlining policies. For Michelle, undoing history that did not promote Fair Housing in Chicago was personal. She was leading an organization that only decades ago wouldn’t have even let her become a member. Part of her mission now is to undo the damage of the past by redefining the culture of CAR through training and creating space to have uncomfortable conversations in an effort to bring more equity to housing access. In this empowering conversation with Emily, Michelle shares her philosophy of what has motivated her organization’s decisions, the impact those moves have had on the community, and how powerful the role of a REALTOR® really is. Learn how having empathetic “Yes, and…” conversations transformed CAR and added value to its membership, making Chicago a better city. You can learn more about Michelle here, and by following her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter at @Fly_AsAMother. Watch this interview on YouTube. You can check out all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Subscribe today!

Get out some pen and paper to learn productivity secrets from bestselling author and life coach Hal Elrod! In this special episode, he shares insights into building a morning routine that can set you up for success. Author of “The Morning Miracle” and “The Morning Miracle for Real Estate Agents,” Hal has helped countless people change their career success and their lives by helping them develop some simple habits. At a time where markets are booming, inventory is low and agents are working around the clock to serve their clients, Hal talks about how you can find balance and create the life you want to have. It just starts with six simple steps in the morning. Interested in hearing more? Hal Elrod will be a featured speaker at ABoR’s ThinkUp LIVE on March 23, where he will specifically talk about how his tools can work for those in the real estate industry—both professionally and personally. Learn more about Hal and The Miracle Morning through his website or by following Hal on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Plus, be sure to check his new documentary, The Miracle Morning Movie. Watch this interview on YouTube. You can check out all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Subscribe today!

When NAR amended its Code of Ethics to directly address hate speech, it sparked a fury of complaints throughout the REALTOR® community, as some felt it would be used as a weapon against those with conservative political beliefs. One of its most outspoken critics is Rob Hahn (who we interviewed on this show back in 2019), Managing Partner of 7DS Associates and producer and writer of the blog and information site NotoriousROB. Hahn believes Canada came up with a better solution to tackling egregious behavior with its “conduct unbecoming” clause which casts a broad net as to what constitutes unbecoming behavior for an industry professional.  In this episode, Emily sits down with Rob and Tim Hudak, CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association, to see if Canada is really effective in stopping egregious behavior by asking them what lessons we could learn from our neighbor up North. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution and this conversation shows just how much tension there still is in a highly politicized environment, even when it comes to real estate.  Check out Rob’s blog at notorious-rob.com and on Twitter at @robhahn and on LinkedIn. Follow Tim on Twitter at @timhudak.  Wanna hear more? You can check out all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. You can also view this episode on YouTube! Subscribe today!

Founder and President of Rental Beast Ishay Grinberg believes every agent should include rental services in their portfolio. It’s not only a wise networking opportunity with future buyers, but a chance to make extra money with much less effort than you would anticipate. After years of working as an agent with a boutique agency in New York City, Grinberg founded Rental Beast as an MLS-style resource for rental properties. By providing millions of listings, Grinberg’s goal is to make the rental property search and transaction as seamless as possible, with the ability to do everything virtual and from one platform. In this episode, Grinberg discusses the effect of COVID-19 on rental properties, the tools REALTORS® need to get into the market, and why working in property management is worth the effort. Learn more about Rental Beast by following them on Twitter at @RentalBeast, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Wanna hear more? You can check all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. You can also view this episode on YouTube.  Subscribe today!

Dee Dee Blizard loves to travel. As Broker at Global Real Estate Consulting and the Vice President of the International Real Estate Federation USA, Dee Dee’s combined her passion for traveling and networking, closing transactions around the world for residential and some commercial properties. Pre-COVID, her life consisted of boarding dozens of international flights. Now, she’s taking a different approach. In this episode, we talk to her about how her operations have changed to serve her clients, and how other REALTORS® can reach their global dreams. Part of the strategy of launching an international real estate consulting business is networking with others who are doing the same thing. Check out FIABCI for more information on getting started. Wanna hear more? You can check all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play.

In this candid interview about prejudice, Afua Addo and Emily discuss what steps REALTORS® can take to help shape the future of housing. As Deputy Director of Programs and Training at Perception Institute, Afua is working to educate REALTORS® and members of NAR on housing inequity in the United States, as well as the role the housing industry plays in perpetuating the home ownership divide. Through videos and training workshops, Perception Institute is helping us learn how to recognize our own inherent biases, how to give ourselves grace as we re-educate ourselves on the history of housing, and how we can pave the way for a more equitable future—starting with our own network of friends. Check out this video the Perception Institute recently made in partnership with NAR on overcoming barriers to fair housing. And, pick up a copy of Afua’s favorite book, Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do, by Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt. This interview is available on YouTube here. Follow Afua on Twitter at @iamafua; and learn more about the Perception Institute by liking their Facebook page and following them on Twitter at @perceptioninst. Wanna hear more? You can check all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play.  Subscribe today!

As Executive Editor for Curbed—an online publication that’s a must-read for members of the housing industry and fans of architecture—Mercedes Kraus is always looking to feature unique and historically interesting homes for their avid readers. But, with so much competition and without a publicity team to spend the time reaching out, how does a REALTOR® get into publications like Curbed? In this lighthearted episode, Mercedes breaks down the dos and don'ts of getting media exposure, how to pitch to editors, and how to build important relationships with journalists without hiring a publicist. Mercedes also discusses the design trends she’s seeing come out of shelter-in-place orders, her favorite place to turn to for architectural and design inspiration, and what she misses about living in Central Texas.

As the Chief Real Estate Officer of OJO Labs, Chris Heller is at the forefront of artificial intelligence and real estate. OJO helps connect people with answers to their real estate questions immediately, using a mixture of real human interaction and AI. During COVID-19, it’s been an especially useful tool as more consumers are using online resources to shop and search for a home. As home buying changes, OJO helps showcase the tools available to provide a really great experience that is more personalized and tailored to buyers. In this episode, Emily and Chris talk about the changes happening in virtual real estate transactions, what COVID-19 could mean for future home sales, how pent up demand could affect the market—and how working remotely has changed people’s behaviors and relationships. This interview is available on YouTube here. Follow Chris on LinkedIn and Twitter, and through his personal website. Wanna hear more? You can check all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play.  Subscribe today!

As CEO of the National Association of REALTORS®, it’s Bob Goldberg’s job to keep his finger on the pulse of tens of thousands of REALTORS across the country to ensure they’re getting the support and advocacy they need. From negotiating deals with companies to providing resources for members to advocating on Capitol Hill, Bob says NAR is there to help each member succeed and invest in the technology they need to stay current and competitive. Rather than separating NAR from its members, COVID-19 has brought associations and REALTORS® closer than ever by making it possible for thousands of members to participate in virtual conferences and meetings. One major issue our industry is facing now is racial inequity due to historical laws have left many people out of the real estate market. In this frank discussion, Bob and Emily tackle issues of racism in the industry, how associations are working to change it, and how members can get involved as advocates and supporters. This interview is available on YouTube here. Bob on Facebook, LinkedIn, and go to Nar.Realtor for more information about the association’s work. Wanna hear more? You can check all of our ScratchThat episodes on Anchor, SoundCloud, iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play.  Subscribe today!