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

Episode Summary

In this insightful episode of PropTech Pulse, host Kyle Hunter welcomes Greg Robertson, a 30-year veteran of real estate technology. Robertson, who founded his first real estate software company in 1992 and most recently sold W&R Studios (creators of Cloud CMA) to Lone Wolf in 2020, shares his expert perspective on the changing landscape of Multiple Listing Services (MLS). The conversation covers the evolution of MLS from physical books to today's post-settlement environment, current challenges facing the industry, and predictions for the future of real estate data sharing and ownership.

Topics Covered

• The three stages of MLS evolution (MLS 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0)
• Impact of the NAR settlement on cooperation and compensation models
• Current market challenges affecting MLSs and real estate professionals
• The balance between technological innovation and legal compliance
• MLS consolidation trends and data sharing models
• Data ownership debates and broker-of-choice implications
• Strategies for MLSs to thrive in the changing landscape

Key Quotes

• "We're in the MLS 3.0 stage where... what used to be the two pillars of MLS, which were cooperation and compensation... mandatory compensation is gone."
• "The top 23 [MLSs] represent a million of those 1.5 million realtors. So it's a very long tail."
• "The best marketing is having a great product. When you have a great product, marketing takes care of itself."
• "Be so good they can't ignore you... focus on the things you can control."

About Greg Robertson

Greg Robertson has been in the real estate technology industry for about 30 years. He started his first real estate software company in 1992, shipping software on 5¼-inch floppy disks. His most recent venture, W&R Studios with flagship product Cloud CMA, was acquired by Lone Wolf in December 2020. Greg is known for his insights on MLS systems and real estate technology trends.

Resources Mentioned

• MLS Reset conference
• Clear Cooperation policies
• NAR settlement and its implications

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

In this impactful episode of PropTech Pulse, host Aaron Kardell welcomes Kendall Bonner, VP of Industry Relations and Strategic Partnerships at eXp Realty. A licensed attorney, former broker-owner, successful team leader, and recognized industry influencer, Bonner shares her expertise on leveraging technology to enhance client relationships while maintaining the human connection that drives real estate success. The conversation covers digital transformation, balancing efficiency with personal touch, technology adoption strategies, and building community in virtual environments.

Topics Covered

• How digital transformation has changed client relationships in real estate
• Balancing technology efficiency with authentic human interactions
• Current gaps and opportunities in real estate technology
• Effective strategies for technology adoption and implementation
• Building team culture and community in digital environments
• The future of AI-driven insights in real estate business

Key Quotes

• "We are a belly-to-belly business in real estate... the goal of technology and digitizing relationships is to enhance the client experience."
• "You can't outsource the heart. People want to digitize the heart part of their business, and I think that's a mistake."
• "Before you can reach the success goal... you have to get consistent doing it over and over again. The next step is proficiency... And then the final step is efficiency."
• "The one thing technology can do really well that we are honestly not that great at is aggregating and interpreting data."
• "You can't just focus on how to do something, how to use the tool. You have to teach the agents why they need to use the tool and where and when to implement it."
• "Community is not just about having a physical location... Really what community is about is relationship."

About Kendall Bonner

Kendall Bonner has been a licensed Florida attorney since 2003 and entered real estate in 2011. She founded a franchise brokerage in 2014, growing it from a single agent to 60 agents with over $200 million in volume. In 2021, she launched a real estate team that achieved 200+ home sales and $80+ million in volume within two years. Currently, she serves as VP of Industry Relations and Strategic Partnerships at eXp Realty, overseeing the eXp Solutions business unit. Her recent accolades include being named a 2024 Woman of Influence by HousingWire, a 2025 Power Player by Inman, and a 2025 Newsmaker by RISMedia.

Resources Mentioned

• CRM systems for real estate
• AI-driven insights and coaching
• Virtual community-building platform

Connect With Kendall Bonner

• Website: KendallBonner.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

🎙️ Episode Description: Join us for an insightful conversation with Stacie Staub, CEO and co-founder of West of Main Homes, as she shares her journey of growing a 500-agent brokerage through smart technology choices and consistent implementation.

⏱️ Timeline: 00:00 - Introduction and background 00:50 - Current tech challenges in real estate 02:16 - Discussion on tech solution effectiveness 04:02 - AI considerations in real estate 04:39 - Understanding brokerage operations 06:35 - Technology's role in profitability 08:11 - Balancing tech with personal touch 10:14 - Evolution of tech stack 14:36 - Partner roles in training 16:25 - Future of tech-brokerage relationships

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Success in tech adoption requires patience and consistency
• Choose scalable solutions from day one
• Focus on best-in-class tools, not just real estate-specific ones
• Maintain human support for technology implementation
• Balance technology with relationship-building

👉 Featured Guest: Stacie Staub CEO & Co-founder, West of Main Homes

• 8 years building a tech-forward brokerage
• Grown to 500 agents without recruiting
• Background in real estate technology

#RealEstateTechnology #PropTech #BrokerageTech #RealEstateInnovation #LoneWolfTech #RealEstateBusiness

https://www.lwolf.com/podcast

Episode Summary
In this insightful episode of PropTech Pulse, hosted by Jake Hamilton, welcomes Marc Davison, co-founder of 1000watt and a 25-year veteran of the real estate industry. Davison shares his expert perspective on the science of branding in real estate, distinguishing between true branding and simple marketing tactics. The conversation explores common branding mistakes, highlights companies that excel at brand building, and offers practical advice on creating meaningful connections with clients beyond transactions.

Topics Covered

• The fundamental difference between branding and marketing
• Common branding mistakes in real estate
• Examples of successful real estate brands
• The importance of customer-centric storytelling
• Technology's role in brand enhancement
• Creating "reasons to believe" through actions and content
• Strategies for standing out in a competitive marketplace

Key Quotes

• "Branding is the action you take as a company to create some kind of emotional connection with your audience."
• "You can't say something that you are and then not have any activated proof that that exists in the world."
• "There are very few brands in real estate, really. Most of them think they're brands. But if you were to say to somebody, 'What do they do besides sell real estate?' no one would be able to answer that."
• "What a brand does... is it tells the stories of the success of its clientele—the hero's journey. The customer is the hero."
• "If there's no room for me to see myself within your story, brand is not happening."
• "It's not that you have tech, but it's the ingenious ways in which you can use your tech to blow somebody away."

About Marc Davison
Marc Davison is a co-founder of 1000watt, a creative agency dedicated to helping real estate companies build meaningful brands. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Davison has worked with numerous brokerages, MLSs, and technology companies to develop and refine their brand strategies. His expertise lies in helping organizations move beyond surface-level marketing to create authentic emotional connections with their audiences.

Highlighted Real Estate Brands

• Slifer Smith & Frampton (Colorado)
• Hawaii Life
• Michael Saunders & Company (Sarasota, Florida)

https://www.lwolf.com/podcast