NAR REALTOR® News Change Agents

NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson sits down with three standout founders from the REACH, NAR's tech growth accelerator program, to explore how technology is transforming the real estate industry from the inside out. Guests & Topics Covered: Russell Smith (President & COO, Earnnest): Modernizing earnest money deposits, securing payments against wire fraud, and what FedNow means for instant real estate transactions. Divya Aathresh (Founder & CEO, MaxHome.ai): Leveraging generative AI to streamline brokerage document compliance and free up agents to focus on client relationships. Max Fitzgerald (Founder & CEO, StackRap): Eliminating tech overload, monitoring software adoption, and building a unified hub for agents. Tune in to learn key strategies for upgrading your tech stack and staying ahead in modern real estate operations.

Real estate agents are frequently placed in vulnerable, one-on-one situations with unfamiliar clients. In this episode of Change Agents, host Bennett Richardson (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at NAR) welcomes Vanessa Martin, Co-Founder of Tether RE and military combat veteran. Vanessa shares crucial insights on why situational awareness and layered defense are vital for every real estate professional. Learn how to conduct compliant client pre-screenings under Fair Housing and FCRA regulations, implement life-saving safety habits during private showings and open houses, and explore how associations and brokerages can lead the charge in making safety a year-round priority. In this episode, we explore: Overcoming common safety blind spots in real estate Applying military after-action principles to daily showings Real-world safety tools: SOS alerts, struggle detection, and 24/7 live dispatch Responsible client screening vs. consumer privacy regulations What the future holds for integrated real estate technology Subscribe to NAR REALTOR® News Change Agents for more discussions with innovators shaping the future of real estate.

Real estate agents face risks that many consumers never see, from meeting strangers at showings to navigating remote properties alone. In this episode of Change Agents, NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson sits down with Niall Phelan, founder of Agent Buddi, to discuss why agent safety deserves more attention across the industry and how AI could help agents stay protected while improving client service.  Niall shares the four moments when agents face the greatest risks, explains why safety and productivity don't have to compete with each other, and discusses how technology can help agents verify leads, document showings, stay focused on the road, and build stronger client relationships.  They also explore how AI-powered tools may help agents prepare more effectively, retain more clients, improve coaching, and create the kind of trust and personalization that today's consumers expect.  Whether you're a new real estate agent or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers practical insights on staying safe, serving clients better, and leveraging technology to build a more sustainable business.

Is your business built to withstand the next industry inflection point? This week on Change Agents, we're joined by J. Lennox Scott, a visionary leader who has navigated decades of market cycles. As the head of a multi-generational firm, Lennox offers a unique perspective on staying relevant in an increasingly automated world. We dive into: The Modern Market Mindset: Adapting your value proposition to meet 2026 consumer expectations. Relationship Mastery: Why high-touch service is more valuable now than ever. Scaling with Purpose: Lessons in leadership from 40+ years at the helm of John L. Scott Real Estate. Whether you are a brokerage leader or an individual agent, Lennox's insights provide a roadmap for thriving in the midst of change.

Closings are the result. Pipeline is the business. Founder of Breezy | Harris & Partners, James Harris believes the most successful agents don't chase shortcuts. They focus on consistently building the relationships, opportunities, and prospecting systems that create future business. As Harris puts it, agents are the CEOs of their own businesses, and their success, now and in the future, depends on the pipeline they build today.  In this episode, Harris shares how he went from knowing nobody in the industry to building one of the most successful luxury real estate businesses in the country. He explains how door knocking, open houses, follow-up, and a relentless focus on lead generation helped him create a business that continued to grow year after year.  You'll hear his insights on prospecting, building a predictable stream of opportunities, developing long-term client and developer relationships, personal branding, and why many agents overcomplicate what it takes to succeed. Harris also reflects on the lessons he learned building a nationally recognized brand and how authenticity became one of his biggest competitive advantages. Whether you're looking to generate more leads, strengthen your pipeline, or build a more sustainable real estate business, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can put to work immediately