NAR REALTOR® News Change Agents – Details, episodes & analysis

Reinvention isn't about abandoning what works — it's about evolving with purpose.

In this episode of Change Agents, Tiffany Banks, CEO of Nevada REALTORS®, sits down with Jarrod Grasso, NAR's SVP of Industry Relations, to discuss leadership, adaptability, and what it takes to modernize organizations in today's real estate landscape.

Banks shares how leadership development, advocacy, and a growth mindset are helping Nevada REALTORS® stay future‑ready. She reflects on her transition from general counsel to CEO, how that shift shaped her leadership style, and why meaningful innovation must always be tied to member and consumer value.

This conversation offers thoughtful perspective for leaders and REALTORS® focused on staying relevant, building trust, and navigating reinvention without losing momentum

Being indispensable isn't about doing more — it's about doing the right things, consistently.

In this episode of Change Agents, Bennett Richardson, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at NAR, talks with Daniel Heider, EVP at TTR Sotheby's International Realty and founder of The Heider Company, about what separates top agents from the rest of the field.

Heider shares how a service‑first mindset, intentional preparation, and disciplined use of video and social media helped build one of the most followed real estate brands globally. The conversation explores what modern marketing really requires, how strong systems support elite performance, and why trust and consistency matter more than trends.

This episode is a practical look at how agents can sharpen their service, elevate their brand, and stay indispensable in a rapidly changing real estate industry.

Show Notes

R Street
This piece marked an early shift in how we approached our property videos, incorporating lighting and popular music in a way that felt new at the time and immediately captured attention. 

Cecilia's Point
This was an opportunity to push further with our marketing initiatives given the scale and volume of the property. Through that campaign, we sourced a $12M offer directly from social, submitted prior to a tour, and ultimately closed within a week.

2025 Recap
Our year-end video captured the challenges of the market over the last few years and how our small team persereved to deliver record results. It is a testament to the mindset and commitment of the people who are part of HEIDER Real Estate.

International Women's Day
Our most recent piece, and one that speaks more to our brand rather than a specific property. It reflects where we're heading creatively in a forward-looking marketing approach.

Integrity isn't a talking point — it's a leadership practice.

In this episode of Change Agents, NAR CEO Nykia Wright speaks with Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, about what it takes to lead responsibly in a changing real estate industry. Freedman shares her views on professionalism, fair housing, and why putting consumers first is essential to building long‑term trust.

The conversation also explores the role of private listings, the importance of transparency, and how leaders can navigate industry disruption without losing sight of their values. Freedman offers thoughtful perspective on what agents and brokers need to focus on to maintain credibility and confidence in today's market.

This episode is a candid discussion about leadership, ethics, and the principles that matter most when real estate is under scrutiny

Real estate is changing — fast.

In this inaugural episode of Change Agents, NAR CEO Nykia Wright sits down with Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp Realty, for a candid conversation about how technology, AI, and evolving consumer expectations are reshaping the real estate industry.

Pareja shares his perspective on industry consolidation, shifts in buyer and seller behavior, and the growing importance of transparency, culture, and adaptability in today's market. Together, they explore what these changes mean for agents on the ground — and how real estate professionals can stay competitive as the pace of change accelerates.

This episode offers timely insight for agents and brokers who want to understand what's driving industry transformation and what it takes to lead through change.

In this episode of Realtors News: Change Agents, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun sits down with Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com® | Homes for Sale, Apartments & Houses for Rent , for a candid, data‑driven conversation about the forces reshaping the 2026 real estate market in — and how agents can use those insights on the housing market and interest rates to better serve buyers and sellers.

• Together, they unpack:

• How listing data and consumer search behavior reveal where buyers are really headed

• Why cross‑market demand and migration trends matter more than ever for referrals and lead generation

• What agents should know about mortgage rates, the Federal Reserve, and buyer misconceptions

• How baby boomers, millennials, and Gen Z approach homeownership differently — and what that means for marketing and client strategy

• Why telling a clear, relatable housing story is critical for building trust with today's consumers

The acquisition of NextHome by EXP World Holdings marks a pivotal moment for the real estate industry.

In this episode of NAR Realtor News Change Agents, NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson talks with James Dwiggins, co‑founder and president of NextHome, about why the deal makes sense now and how it positions brokers for the future. Dwiggins explains how scale, capital, and smarter cost structures can unlock growth, innovation, and long‑term sustainability.

At the same time, he offers a clear‑eyed warning: the industry risks sliding back 40 years, becoming more fragmented and less transparent. He notes most real estate agents don't realize that the industry is "one policy decision away from catastrophe," and says that while the past few years have been turbulent, "the next 36 months may be some of the most interesting we'll ever see in this business."

A thoughtful look at where real estate is headed—what's promising, what's at stake, and how leaders are preparing for what comes next.

Too many deals fall apart because agents wait too long to have the hard conversations. Christina Pappas, President of the Keyes Company — one of South Florida's largest independent brokerages with 4,000 agents across 50 offices — has a different approach: full cost transparency before clients ever make an offer.

In this episode of Change Agents, Christina walks through how Keyes trains agents to discuss HOA fees, insurance, and property taxes upfront, why they pull insurance quotes during showings, and how that full-service consultation model has been central to their 100 years in business.

She also gets candid about Miami's international buyer landscape, the Canadian market slowdown, domestic migration trends from the Northeast and California, and what the industry's shift toward buyer representation agreements means for agent value propositions.

If you work in a complex market with high carrying costs, this one's for you.

TAGS: Change Agents podcast, Christina Pappas, Keyes Company, Miami real estate, South Florida real estate, buyer consultation, HOA fees, real estate agent training, NAR podcast

A new collaboration between Realtor.com and Zillow is changing how listings are shared—and raising bigger questions about where the industry is headed.

In this episode, NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson talks with Damien Eales, CEO of Realtor.com, about why two major portals are now collaborating and what it means for agents, brokers, and MLSs.

They break down the growing divide between open marketplaces and private listing networks—and why that choice directly impacts exposure, competition, and seller outcomes.

You'll hear:

• Why listing visibility is becoming a competitive advantage
• The real risk behind private listing networks
• How pre-market listings should be used without limiting exposure
• What Realtor.com Plus means for agent control and client relationships

Bottom line: More exposure leads to more buyers, more offers, and better outcomes—but only if agents lean into transparency instead of restricting access.

RE/MAX agent Brandon Holtz from Bloomington, IL made history as one of the rare REALTORS® to qualify for the Masters — and now he's headed to the US Open. In this conversation with NAR's Bennett Richardson, Brandon gets candid about time management, client communication, and why staying present is the key to succeeding in both real estate and golf. A must-listen for agents who refuse to put their passions on hold.