HomeServices’ CEO Chris Kelly on rewriting the brokerage playbook — from quiet operator to ecosystem powerhouse

Ownli’s Blake O’Shaughnessy on unbundling real estate and the startup challenging traditional commissions

In this episode of the Real Trending podcast, Tracey Velt sits down with Blake O’Shaughnessy, founder of Ownli, a platform aiming to rethink the traditional real estate transaction by removing agents entirely. Built around the idea that “search got modern, but pricing didn’t,” Ownli offers sellers a DIY platform where they can list homes, manage showings, negotiate offers and complete contracts without paying traditional percentage-based commissions. O’Shaughnessy argues that the post-NAR settlement environment has accelerated consumer skepticism around commission structures, especially as home prices continue climbing while fees remain tied to a percentage of the sale price. Ownli positions itself as a software-driven alternative, combining public listing data, pricing tools, contracts and third-party service providers into one platform. The conversation explores whether consumers are truly ready to handle transactions themselves, how Ownli plans to scale nationally, and where technology can — and can’t — replace traditional agents. While O’Shaughnessy acknowledges the emotional and relationship-driven aspects of real estate still matter, he believes the future of the industry is increasingly “unbundled,” with consumers choosing only the services they actually need instead of paying for full-service representation by default. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: * Ownli removes agents and replaces them with software-driven transaction tools. * The platform charges flat fees instead of percentage-based commissions. * O’Shaughnessy says consumers are questioning traditional commission structures. * Ownli  launched nationally with access to more than 500,000 listings. * The company believes the future of real estate is “unbundled.” Related to this episode: * Blake O'Shaughnessy's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakeo/] * Ownli [https://myownli.com/] The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

NAREB’s Ashley Thomas III on closing the homeownership gap

On this episode of the RealTrending podcast, Ashley Thomas III, president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), joined Tracey Velt to discuss the policies, barriers and opportunities shaping homeownership access across the country — especially within Black communities. Thomas framed the Black homeownership gap as more than a market issue, arguing that it was created through decades of intentional policy decisions, from the Homestead Act of 1862 to Federal Housing Administration (FHA) lending practices and the GI Bill. Because policy helped create the gap, he said, policy must also play a major role in closing it. Throughout the conversation, Thomas emphasized that access remains the industry’s biggest challenge. Even with more inventory or lower prices, many qualified buyers still struggle to navigate outdated credit models, lending standards, and qualification requirements that don’t reflect how consumers earn and manage money today. The discussion also highlighted NAREB’s policy initiatives, including its Community Property Fairness Initiative, which focuses on FHA rules in certain states that require nonborrowing spouses’ debt to be counted during qualification. Thomas argued these rules create unnecessary barriers for housing affordability. Velt and Thomas also discussed the industry’s broader responsibility in shaping consumer confidence. Thomas encouraged agents and brokers to avoid fueling negative market narratives, arguing that real estate professionals help shape buyer behavior through their mindset and messaging. The conversation closed with a look at NAREB’s eight-city homeownership bus tour, which combines education, housing counseling, legal support and community outreach in cities where affordability remains within reach. For Thomas, the goal is simple: to move the conversation beyond whether it’s a good time to buy and focus instead on whether it’s the right time for individual families to begin building generational wealth through homeownership. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: * Policy helped create the homeownership gap — and can help close it. * Access to credit remains a major barrier. * Outdated lending models are limiting buyers. * NAREB is pushing for FHA policy changes. * The bus tour focuses on education and homeownership access. * Agents help shape buyer confidence. Related to this episode: * Ashley Thomas III's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley3thomas/] * National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) [https://www.nareb.com/] * NAREB Affordable Homeownership Bus Tour [https://closingthegaptour.com/] The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

Jim D’Amico: Why Brands by Integra is betting big on the Compass-Anywhere Deal

LIVE from HousingWire’s Gathering, Tracey Velt sits down with Jim D’Amico, CEO of Brands by Integra, to talk about brokerage growth, industry consolidation and why he’s optimistic about the Compass acquisition of Anywhere. D’Amico built his company from two agents in Massachusetts into a multi-brand operation with roughly 2,000 agents across 18 states. Today, Brands by Integra includes multiple real estate franchises, mortgage, insurance, asset management and property management companies — all operating under one umbrella. The conversation centers on the industry’s accelerating consolidation, particularly Compass’ acquisition of Anywhere. D’Amico says the deal injected new energy into a brokerage landscape he felt had grown stagnant, and he believes Compass CEO Robert Reffkin brings a growth-focused mindset that could unlock the scale and lead-generation potential many franchise brands have never fully leveraged. He also addresses one of the industry’s most debated topics: Compass’ private listing network. In D’Amico’s view, the strategy has been widely misunderstood. Rather than limiting access, he believes the approach is meant to give agents and sellers more control over marketing timelines while restoring some of the value agents once held when listing information wasn’t instantly public. Beyond mergers, D’Amico sees the future of brokerage tied to scale, technology and ecosystem expansion. While he believes mortgage and brokerage can work together, he notes the operational complexity of running both businesses. What excites him most is how real estate companies are increasingly acquiring technology — a move he believes will define the next phase of industry competition. Despite rapid consolidation across the sector, D’Amico says the brokerage landscape will always support multiple models — from national platforms to local boutique firms. For his company, the focus now is simple: build density in existing markets, keep expanding through strategic acquisitions and continue growing nationally while maintaining a family-run culture. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: * Brands by Integra has about 2,000 agents in 18 states. * The company plans continued expansion and acquisitions. * The Compass–Anywhere deal brings new energy to brokerage. * Robert Reffkin’s private listing strategy is widely misunderstood. * Private listings may give sellers more marketing flexibility. * Industry consolidation is accelerating. * Brokerage scale is increasingly important. * Technology is becoming a major competitive advantage. * Mortgage and brokerage can work together with separate operations. * Multiple brokerage models will continue to coexist. Related to this episode: * Jim D’Amico’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-d-amico-72594247/] * Brands by Integra [https://brandsbyintegra.com/] The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

Inside the Playbook: Brandon Wells on culture, AI and growing an independent brokerage

On this episode of the RealTrending Podcast, host Tracey Velt sits down with Brandon Wells to talk about leadership, brokerage culture and how independent firms can compete in a rapidly consolidating real estate industry. Wells reflects on stepping into the CEO role at The Group Real Estate, a Northern Colorado brokerage founded in 1976, and explains that the company’s long-term success comes down to a simple principle: invest in the brokers. Through training, education and the brokerage’s connection to the Ninja Selling philosophy, Wells says the firm has built a culture focused on productivity, collaboration and shared success. As an employee-owned brokerage, that culture is reinforced by a sense of ownership among agents. Instead of competing internally, brokers share strategies and knowledge because everyone benefits when the company succeeds. The conversation also explores broader industry shifts, including brokerage consolidation and the growth of independent firms. Wells sees opportunity in the current environment, arguing that technology, automation and AI are lowering barriers that once favored large companies. Smaller brokerages, he says, can now access powerful tools that allow them to remain competitive while maintaining the flexibility and local expertise that many agents prefer. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: * Brokerage growth strategies * Technology and AI in real estate * Industry misconceptions and consumer perceptions Related to this episode: * Brandon Wells LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonwells1/] * The Group Real Estate [https://thegroupinc.com/] The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

HomeServices’ CEO Chris Kelly on rewriting the brokerage playbook — from quiet operator to ecosystem powerhouse

Chris Kelly breaks down how HomeServices is shifting from a behind-the-scenes holding company to a more active, value-driven parent organization — and why that evolution requires a louder voice in today’s rapidly changing brokerage landscape. He outlines a growth strategy that goes beyond traditional brokerage expansion, emphasizing a full-service ecosystem spanning mortgage, title, insurance and beyond. Kelly also explores the industry’s bifurcation between national, ecosystem-driven firms and cloud-based models, while making the case that local leadership and culture remain the defining advantage in recruiting and retention. Throughout the conversation, he stresses that the future of real estate hinges on simplifying the transaction for consumers without weakening the agent-client relationship. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: * HomeServices is evolving from a holding company into a parent company focused on delivering value to its operating businesses * Growth is driven by a mix of M&A, organic expansion and deeper investment across the real estate services ecosystem * The industry is splitting between national ecosystem players and virtual/cloud-based brokerages * Controlling more of the transaction — earlier in the consumer journey — is becoming a key competitive strategy * Strong local leadership remains critical, even as firms scale nationally * Diversified revenue streams (mortgage, title, insurance) are essential to maintaining profitability amid margin pressure * Private listings and distribution strategies are less about disruption and more about expanding consumer reach * The biggest risk to the industry is internal fragmentation that could weaken the agent-consumer relationship Related to this episode: * Chris Kelly's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-kelly-5aa16028/] * HomeServices [https://www.homeservices.com/] The RealTrending podcast features conversations with the brightest minds in real estate. Every Monday, brokerage leaders, top agents, team leaders, and industry experts join us to share their secrets to success, trends, and the lessons they’ve learned. Hosted by Tracey Velt and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.