With how much information is out there nowadays, it can be hard to keep up -- and even more difficult to separate fact from fiction. National Association of REALTORS® Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research Dr. Jessica Lautz joins Emily in this episode of the ScratchThat podcast to provide unique insight into the shifting markets we a…

Kirk Watson is no stranger to politics. The former Mayor of Austin and Texas State Senator is throwing his hat in the ring once again, running to serve as Austin’s Mayor. In this episode of ScratchThat he joins Emily Chenevert to map out his plans to prioritize housing if he is elected Mayor of Austin again come November. Visit ABoR's Voter Hub at …

Pamela Benson Owens is the President and CEO of Edge of Your Seat Consulting, Inc and is acting Executive Director of Six Square. For nearly 25 years, Pam has helped organizations manage perceptions around complex and challenging issues with courage and strategic passion. At the Austin Board of REALTORS®, she is an instrumental partner in ensuring …

Meet Zachary Maurais, co-founder of Favor and now Sunroom Rentals. He solved our basic needs for grocery delivery and wings on a Friday with Favor. Now he’s focused on helping consumers navigate the leasing process while giving property managers and owners tools to market their properties more efficiently. You can follow Zac on Instagram @zacadooo …

Meredith Broussard is dispelling the myth that computers are intelligent, impartial players in decision making. A data journalist and associate professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University, research director at the NYU Alliance for Public Interest Technology, and the author of Artificial Unintelligence: How Computer…

It's been almost two years since New York Newsday conducted an investigation that found REALTORS® engaged in discriminatory talk and practices. This investigation rattled the industry and led to some serious discussions and changes. It also happened around the same time Bryan Greene, who had spent his career at HUD, joined the organization as NAR’s…

Michelle Mills Clement is healing wounds through her job. As CEO of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, she hit the ground running when she proposed a resolution to formally apologize to the community for past discrimination against minorities, such as redlining policies. For Michelle, undoing history that did not promote Fair Housing in Chicago …

Get out some pen and paper to learn productivity secrets from bestselling author and life coach Hal Elrod! In this special episode, he shares insights into building a morning routine that can set you up for success. Author of “The Morning Miracle” and “The Morning Miracle for Real Estate Agents,” Hal has helped countless people change their career …

When NAR amended its Code of Ethics to directly address hate speech, it sparked a fury of complaints throughout the REALTOR® community, as some felt it would be used as a weapon against those with conservative political beliefs. One of its most outspoken critics is Rob Hahn (who we interviewed on this show back in 2019), Managing Partner of 7DS Ass…

Matt Difanis, the 2020 Chair for the National Association of REALTORS®’ Professional Standards Committee, is helping change the landscape for people of color in the industry. As racial injustice made headlines across the country in 2020, Difanis helped lead the charge for NAR to amend its Code of Ethics, making hate speech a violation of the organi…

Sarah Thomas didn’t set out to change the face of football as the first female calling plays. Coming from an athletic background, she simply set out to succeed in her calling as an American football official with determination. As the first female official to ever work a major college football game, the first woman to officiate a bowl game, and the…

Founder and President of Rental Beast Ishay Grinberg believes every agent should include rental services in their portfolio. It’s not only a wise networking opportunity with future buyers, but a chance to make extra money with much less effort than you would anticipate. After years of working as an agent with a boutique agency in New York City, Gri…

Dee Dee Blizard loves to travel. As Broker at Global Real Estate Consulting and the Vice President of the International Real Estate Federation USA, Dee Dee’s combined her passion for traveling and networking, closing transactions around the world for residential and some commercial properties. Pre-COVID, her life consisted of boarding dozens of int…

In this candid interview about prejudice, Afua Addo and Emily discuss what steps REALTORS® can take to help shape the future of housing. As Deputy Director of Programs and Training at Perception Institute, Afua is working to educate REALTORS® and members of NAR on housing inequity in the United States, as well as the role the housing industry plays…

As Executive Editor for Curbed—an online publication that’s a must-read for members of the housing industry and fans of architecture—Mercedes Kraus is always looking to feature unique and historically interesting homes for their avid readers. But, with so much competition and without a publicity team to spend the time reaching out, how does a REALT…

As the Chief Real Estate Officer of OJO Labs, Chris Heller is at the forefront of artificial intelligence and real estate. OJO helps connect people with answers to their real estate questions immediately, using a mixture of real human interaction and AI. During COVID-19, it’s been an especially useful tool as more consumers are using online resourc…

As CEO of the National Association of REALTORS®, it’s Bob Goldberg’s job to keep his finger on the pulse of tens of thousands of REALTORS across the country to ensure they’re getting the support and advocacy they need. From negotiating deals with companies to providing resources for members to advocating on Capitol Hill, Bob says NAR is there to he…

Will COVID-19 change the way we decide to buy homes in the future? Emily and Ralph McLaughlin, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Analytics at Haus, ponder this question as they talk about the market’s recovery taking a “flying W” shape, whether the migration to urban centers will slow, and trends we can expect in the coming years. Having…

When it comes to why specific groups of people make decisions, Dr. Jessica Lautz has her finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the real estate industry. As Vice President of Demographics and Behavioral Insights at the National Association of REALTORS®, she studies demographic trends within the industry—which means she’s focused on how behavior…

Patrick Boyaggi isn’t a soothsayer, but he tends to look to the future and prepare for it. He is the co-founder and CEO of Own Up, a tech company that allows buyers to shop for lenders with the assistance of a free advisor, and when it comes to COVID-19 he has two potential outcomes for the housing industry: one that looks rosy and one that’s more …

Alan Graham changed the course of his life more than 20 years ago. When he was a real estate investor and developer, he experienced a transformation that called him to use his skills to help those less fortunate. That’s when he founded Mobile Loaves & Fishes and started fighting for the rights and needs of the chronically homeless. He has more rece…

Is technology really the great equalizer in our business? In Episode 22 of ScratchThat, ABoR CEO Emily Chenevert talks with Jeff Turner about how tech can’t replace heart. As the President of RealSatisfied, former CEO and current Chief Strategy Officer of immoviewer, and the Entrepreneur in Residence with the National Association of Realtors' REACH…

As President and CEO of Realogy Expansion Brands, which includes Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Sherry Chris has keen insight on what it takes to establish and support a healthy culture within a business. She’s currently doing that with multiple brands under her leadership. Whether you’re working solo or within a group, Sherry says staying t…

Tim Heyl, Founder and CEO of Homeward, took the Austin real estate market by storm within years of starting his career at Keller Williams Realty. Voted Top Real Estate Agent by Austin Business Journal and having his team, The Heyl Group, ranked as the 25th most productive team in the Real Trends Thousand list, he attributes his success to knowing w…

Under the umbrella of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Young Professional’s Network gives members of the industry a chance to build a strong community, access additional resources for their business, and help shape the future of the industry. YPN plays a vital role in promoting the values and needs of REALTORS® within local associations a…

In Episode 18, we revisit Episode 2 featuring Joe Rand, who will be a featured speaker at ThinkUp, Austin Board of REALTORS®'s new conference happening in April 2020. Rand is the leading innovator in real estate education and author of Disruptors, Discounters, and Doubters: A Guide for the Client-Oriented Future of the Real Estate Industry. At the …

As the market changes and questions arise about the role the MLS plays in the new landscape, it’s becoming a Y2K moment for the MLS. On November 9, the National Association of Realtors will engage in a discussion with ABoR and associations around the country on the proposal of the “Clear Cooperation Policy,” which is meant to ensure that any MLS pa…

As CEO of RE/MAX Leigh Brown & Associates, bestselling author, and inspirational speaker, Leigh Brown is a force of nature who is determined to show fellow REALTORS® the power they have to make a difference. During this episode, Leah shares her knowledge of housing affordability and its impact on the average family. Determined to put policy in plac…

The chronically homeless population are not the only ones who suffer from a lack of affordable housing. This episode examines a community of people who have to choose between rent and food; families who end up moving so frequently their children get sick, and the adults end up physically aging by 10 years, shortening their life span and increasing …

While the adage “location, location, location” still holds true for residential properties, design is playing an ever more important role as homes are becoming more efficient, compact and central to the action. In this episode, Emily chats with two employees at global design and architecture firm Gensler: Brooks Howell, Residential Leader and Princ…

Marki Lemons-Ryhal is a force of nature who has taken social media by storm. As an instructor, keynote speaker, and author, she has helped thousands of REALTORS® learn the true skills of using social media to generate leads and business. You don’t need to be a natural at using these tools to make them work for you. All it takes is commitment, sched…

Spyglass Realty Owner Ryan Rodenbeck is an avid content marketing enthusiast who believes the best way to reach your audience and potential clients is through more honesty and less pictures of sold signs.. A self-educated guru, Ryan hosts a web series called Realty Hack, which provides “damn good advice for agents, brokers and real estate teams.” C…

As the founder of Sustainable Real Estate Consulting Services and as an advisory board member for the NAR Green Resource Council, Craig Foley has seen first-hand how becoming more knowledgeable about sustainable real estate can help brokers and agents meet market demands, command higher prices for properties and contribute to a global trend toward …

As the CEO of Redfin, Glenn Kelman is used to fighting battles in the industry he helped disrupt. Now he’s concentrating on bridging the disparity gap when it comes to race and real estate. In this candid conversation with Emily, he talks about Redfin’s role in helping minority real estate agents and homebuyers find more equal footing, and how Redf…

Just random shit

Clint Skutchan, Vice President of Association and MLS Consulting Division at T3 Sixty, believes the biggest step in strategic planning is asking the right questions. In this episode of ScratchThat, Emily talks to Clint about the kinds of questions you need to ask yourself to find your "why," whether you’re looking to strengthen your association or …

Compass has been making waves since its inception in 2012. The company has been building a disruptive real estate platform that pairs top agents with cutting-edge technology, making the overall buying experience fast and seamless. On Episode 8, Emily chats with Bill Fowler, Compass’ Senior Director of Industry Relations. Bill smooths the edges on t…

Working in an industry and a market that is constantly shifting, staying up to date on education is super important for agents and brokers. They’ve got to be best prepared to represent clients by being up to speed on the issues your issues happening right now. Enter AceableAgent, a TREC-certified mobile-first real estate course that helps agents ge…

Social media communicates your expertise to clients through a variety of tools and platforms. The question is, are you using them effectively to stand out? On ScratchThat Episode 6, Emily talks with Tracy Weir about MLSs, real estate associations, and top tier brokers. Tracy is the Managing Partner & Founder at August Partners, a strategic consulti…

On ScratchThat Episode 5, Emily speaks with Sam DeBord, Managing Broker and VP of Strategic Growth for Coldwell Banker Danforth in Seattle. The two discuss 2019 MLS policy priorities regarding accessibility and broker communication. Sam also makes the case for the National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) place and function in the business of creati…

Welcome to ScratchThat, the official podcast for the Austin Board of REALTORS® (ABoR). In this inaugural episode, ABoR CEO Emily Chenevert hosts guest Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research at the National Association of REALTORS®. He and Emily discuss how the housing shortage impacts the Austin community in the short a…

On Episode 4, Emily speaks with Rob Hahn, Managing Partner of 7DS Associates, a real estate focused marketing, technology, and strategy consultancy. Hahn says the traditional REALTOR® association model is a stalled concept, one focused on business rather than community. Through a range of analogies, including church, the Navy SEALs, and dating, he …

Today’s ScratchThat podcast features Jack Miller, President and CTO of California-based T3 Sixty, a leading real estate and management firm. Data rules everything around you, and Miller discusses the importance of clean MLS data, data standards that work across multiple markets, and how that data is moved. Our ability to harness large amounts of da…

Episode 2 features guest Joe Rand, a leading innovator in real estate education and author of Disruptors, Discounters, and Doubters: A Guide for the Client-Oriented Future of the Real Estate Industry. At the heart of our discussion is a question for agents and brokers, "Have I done what I can to ensure the pain points of my clients are met before m…