Discover how to balance technology adoption with authentic relationship building in real estate. Laurie Weston Davis, broker-owner of Better Homes & Gardens Lifestyle Property Partners and the original "Geeky Girl," shares nearly 20 years of wisdom on using technology to enhance—not replace—human connections.

🎯 Key Insights:

• The "problem-first" filter for evaluating new technology solutions
• Why technology should inform your outreach, not automate it
• Leading by example to drive successful team technology adoption
• Navigating AI implementation with strategic caution
• The dangers of "drip, poke, and touch" automation in relationship-based businesses

🔑 Essential Quotes: "Our company is 100% relationship based. We don't buy leads... it's about the people and they know you and trust you and love you."

"The best technology is the kind that can let me know who I need to be talking to right now... but they're not going to talk to the person for me necessarily."

"My filter generally is: is it solving a problem that I already have?"

"Don't be transactional. Really build the relationships because they will serve you a lot longer."

🏢 About Laurie Weston Davis: Broker-owner with three offices in North Carolina (Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Banner Elk). Started in 2006, serves on NAR's MLS Issues and Policy Committee. Known as the original "Geeky Girl" for helping agents navigate early social media and digital tools.

📋 Topics Covered:

• Relationship-first business philosophy and "core 10" strategy
• Technology as intelligence vs. automation
• AI adoption best practices and potential pitfalls
• Generational differences in technology acceptance
• Client-centric technology selection criteria
• Simplicity over complexity in tech stack management

💡 Perfect For: Brokers, agents, real estate entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking authentic technology adoption strategies that strengthen rather than replace human relationships.

🎧 PropTech Pulse delivers actionable real estate technology insights in just 20 minutes.

#PropTech #RealEstate #RelationshipBuilding #TechnologyAdoption #AI #RealEstateBroker #AuthenticMarketing #CRM #GeekGirl #BetterHomesAndGardens #ClientRelationships #RealEstateTechnology

https://www.lwolf.com/podcast

Discover the vendor selection secrets that independent real estate brokerages need to thrive. Vanessa Bergmark, owner of Red Oak Realty with 22 years in real estate and 15 years as a brokerage owner, reveals the strategic approach to technology partnerships that drives sustainable growth.

🎯 Key Insights:

• Why vendor relationships matter more than product features
• How to evaluate technology when you don't understand the technical details
• The foundation-first approach: backend systems before marketing tools
• Effective due diligence strategies that include team input
• When to stay with existing vendors vs. switching to new solutions

🔑 Essential Quotes: "In real estate we all say it's all about relationships... That's the entire ecosystem of real estate."

"Technology always has felt like it's behind this screen... Having that trust in the vendor that understands that language is somewhat crucial because I don't understand it."

"You could love that product. It could be the right price. It could have all the right features... but it's not going to be the one you choose because 'Will you get a phone call back?'"

"Taking your time getting in is a lot more beneficial than making the wrong decision and trying to get out. It's super disruptive."

🏢 About Vanessa Bergmark: Owner of Red Oak Realty, a boutique independent brokerage in California's East Bay with 160-180 agents. The brokerage is approaching its 50th anniversary while maintaining independent flexibility. Bergmark serves on the Lonewolf customer advisory board and participates in Leading RE networks.

📋 Topics Covered:

• Vendor relationship management for independent brokerages
• Technology trust and transparency challenges
• Referral networks and industry connections for vendor evaluation
• Financial platforms and transaction management priorities
• Team involvement in technology selection processes
• Long-term vendor partnership strategies

💡 Perfect For: Independent brokerage owners, operations managers, real estate entrepreneurs, and anyone selecting technology vendors for real estate businesses.

🎧 PropTech Pulse delivers actionable real estate technology insights in just 20 minutes.

#PropTech #RealEstate #IndependentBrokerage #VendorRelationships #Technology #BrokerageOperations #RealEstateTechnology #VendorSelection #TransactionManagement #RealEstateBusiness #TechnologyPartnership #BrokerageOwner

https://www.lwolf.com/podcast

Episode Summary
In this forward-looking episode of PropTech Pulse, host Jake Hamilton sits down with Jeremy Crawford, President and CEO of FirstMLS (FMLS) in Georgia, alongside Lisa Mihelcich, Lone Wolf's General Manager of MLS and Associations. The conversation centers on the newly announced partnership bringing Transaction Desk and Transact to FMLS members, while diving deeper into Jeremy's vision for the future of MLS technology in an evolving real estate landscape. With decades of industry experience, Crawford shares valuable insights on how artificial intelligence, interoperability, and consumer transparency are reshaping the MLS ecosystem.

Topics Covered

• The partnership between FMLS and Lone Wolf to bring Transaction Desk and Transact to members
• The impact of regulatory changes on MLS operations
• How AI is transforming agent workflows and consumer experiences
• The critical importance of interoperability in real estate technology
• Training and support strategies for MLS members
• The evolving value proposition of MLSs in today's market
• Consumer transparency and the enduring importance of real estate professionals

Key Quotes from Jeremy Crawford

• "We were founded in 1957 to help our brokers transact real estate and the best way to do that is to give the agents the tools they need to succeed and stand behind those tools."
• "AI is not going to replace the agent. We think it's going to infuse the agent to be more powerful in front of their buyers and sellers."
• "I think interoperability is key... The world lives in a Bluetooth environment of interoperability of many competitors that are out in the space."
• "We believe in consumer transparency at FMLS... As much data we provide consumers in transparency, the professional is helping them along the way."
• "Let's help our brokers and agents transact real estate in the most efficient way possible. They serve their consumers and the consumers continue to think the highest opinion of the broker and agent professionals."

About Jeremy Crawford
Jeremy Crawford is the President and CEO of FirstMLS (FMLS), one of the largest MLSs in the country. With extensive experience in residential real estate, he is recognized as one of the most innovative thinkers in MLS strategy, leadership, and technology. Under his leadership, FMLS maintains a 95% customer satisfaction rating while processing over 80,000 support inquiries annually.

Connect With FMLS

• Website: fmls.com

PropTech Pulse: From the entrepreneur's desk to the industry front lines and into real-world operations – taking the pulse of real estate technology in just 20 minutes.

https://www.lwolf.com/podcast