Explore every episode of the podcast The Real Thought Exchange

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	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	Amplified Intelligence: Keeping Realtors at the Centre	05 Jun 2026	01:00:40
In the very first episode of The Real Thought Exchange, Roger Boutillier (CEO, Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS®) and Suzanne Gravel (NSAR President) speak with Kevin Hawkins, president of Wave Group Communications and author of The Real AI Guide for Real Estate Agents. They explore what AI really means for working REALTORS today, why it won’t replace agents, and how it can actually give you more time, more confidence, and stronger client relationships. In this episode, we discuss: Why “AI will not replace agents, but agents who know how to leverage AI will replace the ones that don’t.” How AI can help REALTORS® save time, improve workflows, and create better work-life balance The difference between casually experimenting with AI and using it as a serious, secure business tool Practical, real-world ways REALTORS® can use AI today — from client emails and listing descriptions to compliance and training tools Why the human side of real estate — empathy, trust, judgment, and connection — can never be replaced by technology Episode Chapters: [00:00] – Opening quote: AI and the future of REALTORS [01:06] – Meet your hosts and guest [03:04] – Kevin’s “accidental” start in real estate [06:13] – From technology early adopter to “Real AI Guy” [10:50] – Why AI is “bigger than the internet” [12:33] – “Baby steps” with AI for real estate pros [13:43] – The 7-Day AI Challenge [18:59] – Handling tough client conversations with AI [23:17] – AI for associations, brokerages, and MLS® [29:18] – Real-world AI in the MLS®: Recipe AI & photo compliance [32:55] – We are in one of the most exciting times [37:25] – Generative AI vs. “agentic” AI and what’s next [49:48] – “Technology can’t smell the cat pee in a house” [51:21] – Practical AI safety: why “free” is risky [56:03] – Final message: Don’t let fear be the barrier [58:54] – Closing: Human first, technology second About NSAR (Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS®) The Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS® (NSAR) supports REALTORS® across the province through professional education, licensing, MLS® services, advocacy, and industry resources. NSAR is committed to helping members serve their clients with professionalism, integrity, and access to the tools and technology shaping the future of real estate. Learn more about NSAR: Website: https://www.nsrealtors.ca/ Education & courses: https://www.nsrealtors.ca/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nsarREALTORS LinkedIn: Nova Scotia Association Of Realtors Instagram: @nsarrealtors About Kevin Hawkins: Kevin Hawkins is the President of WAV Group Communications and a recognized leader in real estate technology with more than 35 years of industry experience. He is the author of The Real AI Guide for Real Estate Agents, publisher of the Real AI Newsletter, and was recognized as a RISMedia 2025 Futurist for his leadership and education around artificial intelligence in real estate. Learn more: The Real AI Guide for Real Estate Agents: https://www.amazon.ca/REAL-Guide-Real-Estate-Agents/dp/B0FTPNN95F Real AI Newsletter: https://www.wavgroup.com/ai/ Wave Group Communications: https://www.wavgroup.com/ If you found this helpful, please subscribe, rate, and share this episode with a colleague who’s curious about AI in real estate.
	Introducing: The Real Thought Exchange	29 May 2026	00:01:12
The real estate industry is shifting faster than most agents can keep up. Court battles, massive brokerage mergers, new regulations, and AI tools that could either replace you, or unlock your next level. If you’re a Realtor in Nova Scotia, you can’t afford to be caught flat‑footed. What you don’t know over the next 12–24 months could cost you listings, income, and your competitive edge. The Real Thought Exchange, powered by NSAR, is your insider line to what’s coming next. Lead by the NSAR team, the voice of real estate in Nova Scotia, this podcast brings you high‑profile leaders, innovators, and industry decision‑makers. This isn’t theory. It’s real talk for working Realtors who want to stay ahead of the curve. You’re out there fighting for every listing, so let NSAR empower you. Tune in to The Real Thought Exchange, and make sure you’re the agent who sees change coming, and capitalizes on it.
	Why Realtors Aren’t Going Anywhere: Zillow’s Take on AI and Industry Change	19 Jun 2026	00:32:59
In this episode of The Real Thought Exchange, powered by NSAR, Roger Boutilier (CEO, Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS®) and Sandi Carroll (NSAR President) sit down with Errol Samuelson, Chief Industry Development Officer at Zillow, to unpack what AI, portals, and evolving business models really mean for working REALTORS® in North America. They explore why AI won’t replace agents, how technology can actually strengthen the value of a REALTOR®, and why cooperation, transparency, and the MLS remain core to a healthy marketplace—especially as new models and private listing networks emerge. In this episode, we discuss: Why real estate is uniquely protected from being replaced by AI—and how agents who embrace AI will outperform those who don’t How Zillow has used AI for years, from Zestimates and computer-vision floor plans to Zillow AI Mode and agent tools like Zillow Pro How AI can help REALTORS® serve clients better, communicate smarter, and work more efficiently Why MLS cooperation and transparency are worth defending, and how private listing networks can actually hurt sellers, buyers, and small brokerages The thinking behind Zillow Preview and how “preview-style” listings can build excitement and give agents better pricing and staging insights Why the human side of real estate—emotion, trust, local expertise, and guidance through a high-stakes decision—can’t be replaced by technology, only enhanced by it. Chapters 0:00 – Errol’s opening thoughts: curiosity vs fear with new technology 0:50 – Introductions: Roger, Sandi, and Errol 1:17 – Errol’s real estate tech journey & early MLS innovation 2:20 – Joining Zillow and career background 2:54 – Zillow’s growth and brand in Canada 3:59 – Zillow’s traction, traffic & engagement in the Canadian market 4:32 – Canadian vs US consumer viewing patterns 4:50 – How long Zillow has been using AI & where it shows up 5:20 – Zestimate, computer vision, and AI-generated floor plans 5:58 – Introducing Zillow AI Mode and conversational home search 6:25 – Beyond beds/baths: search by lifestyle, commute, neighbourhood context 6:42 – How AI Mode refines results by learning what matters to the consumer 7:20 – Agent-side AI tools: Zillow Pro and consumer insights 8:20 – Using AI to re-engage past clients (Follow Up Boss, AI-written emails) 9:15 – Why AI emails get higher response rates than handwritten outreach 10:01 – How Zillow prioritizes product development (start with problems, not tech) 11:16 – Finding real consumer pain points: research, surveys, buyer/seller emotions 12:33 – Why you listen for needs, not just feature requests 13:18 – Why Zillow is focused on US & Canada (MLS, cooperation, transparency) 14:00 – The rise of private listing networks in the US 14:43 – Why “truly private” listings should be rare (celebs, judges, etc.) 15:17 – Research: how off-MLS deals can cost sellers tens of thousands 16:00 – Why private networks are bad for buyers, small brokerages & fair housing 18:11 – The MLS as a unique North American advantage and trust layer 19:15 – Fraud in rentals vs MLS-listed sales, and why compliance matters 19:49 – Introducing Zillow Preview 20:05 – What Zillow Preview is: a “movie trailer” for listings 21:14 – How agents can gauge interest and adjust pricing/staging pre-MLS 21:23 – Predicting days-on-market at different price points using preview data 22:28 – Brokerage partnerships and industry excitement around Preview 23:38 – “What’s next for Zillow?” – staying focused on transparency & access 24:10 – Why more people than ever choose to work with agents 25:07 – Trends: AI, low-cost brokerages, and the rise of agent teams 27:45 – CREA’s work on professionalism and industry standards in Canada 28:15 – Final industry thoughts from Errol: why he still loves real estate 29:12 – Advice to agents nervous about AI: lean in and experiment 30:21 – Why real estate is uniquely resistant to full AI replacement 31:16 – On Zillow’s 20-year journey and being a “household name” 32:39 – Closing thanks & wrap-up Learn more about NSAR: Website: https://www.nsrealtors.ca/ Education & courses: https://www.nsrealtors.ca/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nsarREALTORS LinkedIn: Nova Scotia Association Of Realtors Instagram: @nsarrealtors About Errol Samuelson: Errol Samuelson is the Chief Industry Development Officer at Zillow, with more than 30 years of experience in real estate technology. Based in Vancouver, he began his career working on next-generation MLS systems with Telus and went on to hold leadership roles across multiple real estate tech companies, including serving as President of realtor.com. At Zillow, where he has spent over a decade, Errol focuses on using technology—especially AI, data, and consumer research—to make real estate more transparent, efficient, and consumer-friendly, while empowering agents with better tools and insights. Learn more: About Errol: https://www.zillow.com/news/our-leaders/errol-samuelson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/errol-samuelson-0a8b3a1/ If you found this helpful, please subscribe, rate, and share this episode with a colleague who’s curious about AI in real estate.

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