Slice of Real Estate

#33 - Why the platform — not the agent — wins the next decade of real estate | Mike Chambers (Founder & CEO, Ridley)

Mike Chambers is the Founder & CEO of Ridley, an AI-native, consumer-first real estate platform challenging the 6% commission model that has gone effectively untouched for 40+ years. Before Ridley, Mike co-founded two international education organizations — including Summits, which grew to 42 schools serving 10,000 students with 350 employees across Haiti — led expeditions in the Himalaya and South America (including two Mount Everest summits), created and sold the Outside Network adventure series Beat Monday, and co-founded the audio discovery company Moonbeam with Kayak co-founder Paul English, which exited during the post-pandemic podcast boom. Ridley is building toward a future where the platform — not the agent — sits at the center of every real estate transaction, with agents shifting into high-stakes advisory roles. The company is backed by Fifth Wall (early investors in Opendoor, Procore, and Built), partners with Opendoor and Orchard, and is currently averaging $42,000 in seller savings per transaction while outperforming traditional listings on both days on market and list-to-sold price ratio in Colorado. We discuss: 1. The Boulder origin story — a $140K commission quote, a Colorado minimum service law, and a 9:30pm kitchen video that went viral overnight 2. Why the graveyard of disruptors (Trelora, Homie, Homelister) failed — they were brokerages in software clothing, and the technology wasn't there yet 3. The two buckets of agent work — procedural coordination vs. strategic and emotional judgment — and which one AI can fully take over right now 4. The Fifth Wall thesis — why the platform, not the agent, becomes the center of the transaction within the next 5–8 years 5. Why Ridley doesn't need the industry to love it — only consumers do — and how that clarity shaped the brand from day one 6. How $42K in average seller savings (and a $140K high-water mark) is quietly changing how wealth is built in America 7. What's coming next — the buyer-side marketplace, the agent platform, and a world where agents get paid for value delivered, not transaction size 8. The best advice Mike ever received — surround yourself early with people living the life you want — and why pain tolerance matters more than the sexy founder narrative —  Where to find Jared: * X: https://x.com/jaredstaylor [https://x.com/jaredstaylor] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredstaylor/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredstaylor/]

#32 - Maor Greenberg, Co-Founder & CEO at Spacial

In Episode #32 of Slice of Real Estate, Maor Greenberg, Co-Founder & CEO at Spacial. Listen to the full episode to learn about:  * Spacial reduces home permit timelines from 27 weeks to hours by automating structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design. * Maor Greenberg's construction experience inspired Spacial, aiming to solve long-standing inefficiencies in the building process. * The platform blends automation and AI, using 3D modeling, conflict detection, and code validation. * AI cuts engineers’ 80-hour workload to as little as 60 seconds, allowing them to focus on review and project management. * Greenberg raised a $10M seed round led by TLV Partners and advises founders to prioritize story, clarity, and stage-fit investors. Learn more about Spacial: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/spacialio/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/spacialio/] Website https://www.spacial.io [https://www.spacial.io] Learn about our Guest: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/maor-greenberg/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maor-greenberg/] Slice of Real Estate is produced by Slice of Media, Inc.

#31 - Kyle Kamrooz, Founder & CEO at Bonus Homes

In Episode #31 of Slice of Real Estate, Kyle Kamrooz, Founder & CEO at Bonus Homes.  Listen to the full episode to learn about:  * Revolutionizing Home Equity Access: Kyle Kamrooz introduces a new financial model that lets homeowners tap into equity without selling their homes. * Home Appreciation Partnership (HAP): Bonus Homes' unique structure offers homeowners cash upfront while retaining ownership and sharing future appreciation. * Passive Wealth Creation: Clients enjoy passive income and long-term appreciation gains—without the burden of being a landlord. * Serving Underserved Markets: Bonus focuses on middle America and emerging growth cities like Phoenix, Memphis, and Charlotte. * Support During Life Transitions: The model aids those facing foreclosure or life hardships, offering stability without sacrificing future gains. Learn more about Bonus Homes: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/bonushomes/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bonushomes/] Website https://www.bonushomes.com/ [https://www.bonushomes.com/] Learn about our Guest: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylekamrooz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylekamrooz/] Slice of Real Estate is produced by Slice of Media, Inc.

#30 - Charlotte Schell, Co-Founder & CEO Wreno & Andrew Luong, Co-founder & CEO Doorvest

In Episode #30 of Slice of Real Estate, Charlotte Schell, Co-Founder & CEO Wreno & Andrew Luong, Co-founder & CEO Doorvest.  Listen to the full episode to learn about:  * Doorvest helps everyday people invest in single-family rentals remotely and passively. * Wreno empowers operations teams through intelligent coordination platforms for real estate. * Both founders discuss navigating early-stage startup challenges and product-market fit. * Insights on balancing capital efficiency with growth in the proptech space. Learn more about: Wreno Website https://wreno.io/ [https://wreno.io/] Wreno LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/wreno/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wreno/] Doorvest Website http://doorvest.com [http://doorvest.com] Doorvest LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/doorvestco/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/doorvestco/] Learn about our Guests: Andrew Luong LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewqluong/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewqluong/] Charlotte Schell Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottejingweischell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottejingweischell/] Slice of Real Estate is produced by Slice of Media, Inc.

#29 - Martin Kelly, President at Blueprint

In Episode #29 of Slice of Real Estate, Martin Kelly, President at Blueprint.  Listen to the full episode to learn about:  * Blueprint 2025 returns to Las Vegas with a fresh vision: The fifth annual event focuses on transformative thinking in the built world. * High-profile speakers announced: Eric Wu (Opendoor), Ankur Jain (Bilt Rewards), and John Kite (Kite Realty) join the lineup. * Vision stage spotlights innovation in community development: Featuring projects like Boulevard Las Vegas and work from Related and Charney. * New research subscription product launching at the event: A collaboration with Inman and Beringer Capital focused on operational insights. * Panels that cut through the noise: Tech stack comparisons in multifamily and deep dives into retail and urban development challenges. Learn more about Blueprint: Website http://blueprint.connectiv.com [http://blueprint.connectiv.com] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/goblueprint/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/goblueprint/] Learn about our Guest: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinblueprint/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinblueprint/] Slice of Real Estate is produced by Slice of Media, Inc.