In this year-end marketing deep dive, Chris Cochran, Director of Marketing for Harcourts Auctions, takes over the show to break down the real numbers behind what actually worked in 2025. From YouTube performance shifts to Facebook’s new advertising algorithm, Chris unpacks the platforms, trends, and behaviors shaping how real estate professionals should be thinking about attention in 2026.He reveals how long-form content quietly overtook reels, why podcast audio streams dipped while YouTube surged, and the surprising reason Facebook delivered nearly 8x more impressions than Instagram despite having fewer followers. Whether you're growing a personal brand, building a listing funnel, or trying to understand where consumers actually spend time, this report exposes the truth behind modern real estate marketing.Chris also breaks down Harcourts Auctions’ best-performing ad structures of the year — including Meta’s overhaul of the ads manager — and how their cost per lead dropped from $85 to $16 using a simplified campaign structure. Finally, he walks through the rising dominance of texting and cold calling as email deliverability collapses, and why agents should rethink their 2026 outreach plans before Q1 hits.⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00] Why Chris is hosting today & what this episode covers[00:35] YouTube growth: watch time up, views down, what it means[01:54] Subscriber gains & YouTube becoming the #1 podcast platform[03:35] Facebook performance: views explode, interactions drop[04:59] Instagram analytics: high engagement, low reach[06:56] Podcast audio vs. YouTube: the platform shift[10:38] Meta Ads overhaul: the new 2026 structure explained[13:03] Dropping cost per lead from $85 → $16[17:01] Why text messaging is outperforming email outreach[19:45] Cold calling, 2026 marketing predictions & next steps🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions#RealEstateMarketing #HarcourtsAuctions #RealEstateLeads #MetaAds #FacebookAds #InstagramMarketing #YouTubeForRealEstate #RealEstatePodcast #RealEstateAgents #ListingStrategies #DigitalMarketing2026 #RealEstateContent #AgentGrowth #RealEstateTips #RethinkRealEstate

In this candid year-end episode of Rethink Real Estate, Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, sits down with Auction Associates Matt Blethen and Chase Boruff to unpack one of the most misunderstood, yet most powerful, tools available to real estate agents today: the non-distressed auction process. After a year filled with longer days on market, stalled listings, and multiple price reductions, the trio dives into the real frustrations they’ve seen across the industry and why so many agents unknowingly work against their own clients.Ben, Matt, and Chase break down the full outreach sequence: how they identify aging listings, what messaging goes out, and the typical responses they hear from agents every single day. From fear of the word “auction,” to ego-driven decision making, to the myth of “good activity,” they expose the patterns that keep listings stagnant far longer than they should be. They also reveal what good agents do differently: leaning into transparency, inviting third-party expertise, and using auction as a high-integrity way to uncover true market value quickly.The conversation then shifts to the outcomes agents never talk about — the listings that don’t sell at auction. Instead of viewing those moments as failures, the team explains why they often lead to the clearest price discovery, the fastest path to a realistic relaunch, and in many cases, a sale that would have taken months longer traditionally. If you’ve ever wondered how the auction process really works behind the scenes, what objections the team hears daily, or how to stop relying on hope as a strategy, this episode is the reset button most agents didn’t know they needed.Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] — Introduction [00:00:36] — Why agents fear the auction word [00:01:52] — Biggest industry frustrations in 2025 [00:03:45] — How the auction outreach sequence actually works [00:06:18] — Common agent objections & how to overcome them [00:10:44] — Why price reductions aren’t a strategy [00:13:06] — Ego in real estate: the hidden problem [00:15:22] — What great agents do differently [00:18:04] — The REAL downsides of staying traditional [00:22:15] — Why the auction process isn’t “marketing” [00:26:11] — What happens when a property STILL doesn’t sell [00:30:14] — The biggest disconnect agents have [00:33:00] — What we’re improving for 2026 [00:36:40] — Why auction volume will grow in the U.S. [00:38:51] — Closing thoughts & call to action🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions

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Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, sits down with Mike “Big Mike” Zlotnik — CEO of TF Management Group and host of the Big Mike Fund Podcast — for a wide-ranging conversation on the trends shaping real estate, private credit, and the broader economy heading into 2026.Mike shares how his journey from Moldova to New York City, combined with a background in mathematics and technology, shaped the analytical lens he now uses to manage real estate funds and evaluate national market cycles. He breaks down why some markets are softening, why others remain surprisingly resilient, and how Wall Street wealth continues to buoy the luxury sector even as affordability hits historic lows.The episode then turns to one of the biggest unknowns in today’s economy: the rapid surge of AI investment and whether we’re entering a bubble similar to the dot-com era. Mike explains how a correction could ripple into real estate — from capital flows to job stability to long-term demand — and why commercial assets, particularly triple-net industrial and retail redevelopment, may be positioned to benefit either way.You’ll also hear Mike’s take on the $90 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer, the psychology behind renting vs. owning, and why private credit has exploded as banks have tightened lending. Whether you’re a residential agent, a commercial investor, or someone trying to decode the next cycle, this conversation offers clarity on the forces driving the market and the opportunities emerging within them.⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – Introducing Mike “Big Mike” Zlotnik & his investment background[00:02:00] – From Moldova to Manhattan: math, tech & real estate fund management[00:05:00] – NYC real estate: appreciation, cash flow, and political risk[00:08:20] – Why some U.S. markets are declining while others are thriving[00:10:00] – Rent drops in the Sunbelt vs. growth in the Northeast[00:11:40] – How AI investment compares to the 1999 dot-com bubble[00:13:00] – What happens to real estate if a tech bubble bursts[00:15:20] – Opportunities in commercial: cap rates, distress & tailwinds[00:17:00] – The $90T wealth transfer: will younger generations sell real estate?[00:20:00] – Renting vs. owning: affordability, emotion & long-term behavior[00:22:00] – Inside The Big Mike Fund Podcast & how Mike evaluates deals[00:23:30] – Why private credit is booming & where the risk sits[00:25:00] – Triple-net industrial vs. private lending: yield, tax, and stability[00:27:00] – How to approach homeownership in a high-rate environment[00:31:00] – How to invest with Mike & access deal opportunities[00:33:00] – Mike’s books, frameworks & upcoming resources🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Mike Zlotnik & TF Management Group, LLC:https://bigmikefund.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/mzlotnik/https://tempofunding.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bigmikefund/id1333666009https://www.facebook.com/zlotnikm/https://www.youtube.com/@TempoFunding🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions

Ben Brady welcomes back a true fan favorite — Shannon Mesritz, Broker with McClung Realty Group and longtime member of the Harcourts family. Shannon was one of the very first guests ever on this podcast (years before it became what it is today), back when he was running auctions in San Francisco at the height of COVID. But Shannon’s history with Harcourts goes far deeper than that. He began his real estate career with Harcourts in Australia over a decade ago, helped launch the auction platform in Oregon, returned home briefly, then came back to the U.S. to build the Bay Area auction marketplace before transitioning into his own traditional sales business, now consistently closing 40+ transactions a year.This episode dives into the one tool Shannon created during his auction days that has since become a critical part of his traditional real estate business: the Active Competition Study — a ranking-based pricing system that shows sellers exactly where their home sits within the current market. Forget sold comps. Forget “gut feeling” pricing. Shannon’s spreadsheet ranks a property against its live competition based on price, price-per-foot, days on market, and buyer viewership performance — creating a data-driven roadmap for pricing, repositioning, and securing meaningful price reductions without the emotion, ego, or guesswork that typically derails a listing.Ben and Shannon break down why this method works in every market cycle, how it exposes overpricing instantly, why most agents accidentally misprice listings by relying too heavily on historic sales, and how this tool has helped move more than $250M+ in inventory across multiple U.S. markets. Whether you're an auction agent or traditional-only, this episode will fundamentally change how you analyze competition, present value to sellers, and protect your listings from becoming “market stale.”Timestamps & Key Topics:[00:00:00] – Welcome back, Shannon Mesritz: fan favorite + long Harcourts history[00:00:34] – Shannon’s decade-long journey: Australia → Oregon → Bay Area → back to Oregon[00:01:16] – Why the Active Competition Study matters NOW more than ever[00:01:51] – How shifting markets expose overpricing instantly[00:02:37] – The “buyer hat” concept — and why agents almost never wear it[00:03:49] – Using live competition (not sold comps) to determine true value[00:05:05] – The psychology of price reduction conversations[00:06:17] – How Shannon built the tool during high-stakes SF auction campaigns[00:08:54] – Why most agents misinterpret square footage pricing[00:10:24] – Ranking categories: price, price-per-foot, days on market, view performance[00:12:06] – How to widen search radius and find “real” competitive data[00:13:45] – Using viewership trends as the ultimate indicator of buyer rejection[00:15:28] – When a listing isn’t selling: market issue vs property issue[00:17:02] – How the tool secured an 11% reduction on a Portland listing[00:18:40] – Why sellers trust this system more than agent opinion[00:20:07] – The listing presentation: how to pitch this strategy and win[00:21:56] – The biggest mistake agents make when positioning a property[00:23:14] – How this tool helped move $250M+ in Bay Area inventory[00:25:10] – Final takeaways: challenge your assumptions & think like a buyer🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Shannon Mesritz:https://mcclungrealtygroup.com/agents/shannon-mesritzhttps://www.instagram.com/real.estate.mate/https://www.facebook.com/shannon.mesritz🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣ ⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣ ⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣ ⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions

Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, is joined by long-time friend and returning guest Tony “Tech Tony” Self, Broker/Owner of Harcourts Hunter Mason Realty — to dissect the rapid rise of AI in 2025, where it’s heading, and what’s starting to make even the tech optimists a little uneasy.Tony, known for being an early adopter of everything from automation to video avatars, opens up about the first time AI has truly spooked him. The two dive deep into the realities of AI displacement, the threat to white-collar jobs, and what “Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)” might mean for industries like real estate. From autonomous driving to robotics, they break down the economic and ethical implications of a future where machines don’t just assist — they think, act, and compete.But it’s not all doom and gloom. Ben and Tony also explore how entrepreneurs can stay ahead of the curve, leverage AI tools like HeyGen and 11Labs for content creation, and prepare for the industries being reshaped by automation. Expect bold predictions, uncomfortable truths, and practical insights for agents, leaders, and business owners trying to navigate the AI-driven decade ahead.Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – How AI started 2025 and where it stands now[00:02:00] – Why Tech Tony is finally nervous about AI[00:03:45] – Job displacement and the automation wave[00:06:30] – From robots to real estate: AI’s reach expands[00:08:00] – The rise of generative video tools (HeyGen, Sora, 11Labs)[00:10:45] – Governments vs. progress: who wins the automation race?[00:12:00] – How content creation is changing forever[00:14:30] – What is AGI and when will we see it?[00:18:00] – The illusion of authenticity in social media[00:22:00] – Algorithmic manipulation, misinformation, and bias[00:25:00] – Predictions for 2026: what jobs and skills survive?[00:27:00] – AI reliance, creativity, and the human edge🔗 Related Resources Below:🌐 For more information on Harcourts Auctions our non-distressed auction platform feel free to visit https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Tony Self and Harcourts Hunter Mason Realty:https://selfregroup.com/https://www.facebook.com/selfregrouphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyself/https://huntermason.harcourtsna.com/https://tonyself.harcourtsna.com/🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and Harcourts Auctions: ⁣https://www.facebook.com/Benbradyharcourts⁣ ⁣https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517⁣ ⁣https://www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctions⁣ ⁣https://www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎯 Subscribe for weekly episodes blending real estate, innovation, and technology.💬 Comment below: Do you think AI will replace real estate agents — or empower the next generation of them?

Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, sits down with Sean Uyehara, Area Manager of Geneva Financial, to unpack one of the most powerful — and overlooked — mortgage strategies available today: the First Lien HELOC.Sean explains how this product, widely used in Australia but still emerging in the U.S., allows homeowners to pay off their mortgages in 3–7 years instead of 30. He breaks down exactly how it works, who it’s for, and why it’s fundamentally changing the way people think about homeownership and liquidity. You’ll learn how this approach turns your home equity into a powerful financial tool — letting you access capital, avoid unnecessary interest, and build wealth faster without changing your lifestyle.The conversation then shifts to social media, where Sean shares how he’s built a 90% lead-generating business through TikTok and Instagram. From posting 100 videos fast to using TikTok’s content-gap insights, he reveals the repeatable framework that took his brand from invisible to over 2 million monthly views. If you’ve ever wondered how to mix financial innovation with content consistency, this episode delivers both the blueprint and the mindset.Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – What is the First Lien HELOC and why it’s popular abroad[00:02:00] – How it helps homeowners pay off mortgages 25 years early[00:04:00] – Who it’s for (and when it doesn’t work)[00:06:45] – Turning your home equity into a self-financing tool[00:08:30] – Liquidity, access to capital, and financial freedom[00:10:00] – Avoiding debt traps and budgeting for success[00:11:45] – Real-world examples of payoff timelines[00:14:00] – Sean’s social media playbook for loan officers & agents[00:16:10] – The “100 Video Rule” and content-gap strategy[00:19:00] – Automating your posting across 6+ platforms[00:21:00] – Converting leads through comments, DMs & drip campaigns[00:22:40] – The connection between niche content and massive traction🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.com🔗 Connect with Sean Uyehara & Geneva Financialhttps://www.genevafi.com/sean-uyehara/https://www.linkedin.com/in/suyehara/https://www.youtube.com/@UCen6zACsF-75IVq-Lhib1oQ https://www.facebook.com/sean.uyehara22/🔗 Connect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions

In this high-energy episode of Rethink Real Estate, Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, sits down with Chris Cochran, Director of Marketing, to unpack a next-level strategy for winning competitive listings — using AI to transform your listing presentations and impress even the toughest sellers.Ben and Chris dive into the psychology behind preparation and presentation, revealing how you can differentiate yourself long before you even walk through the seller’s front door. From sending a photographer to capture pre-presentation property photos to leveraging AI image enhancement tools like Gemini or DALL·E for before-and-after visuals, they explore how small touches of innovation can create massive impact.The conversation also gets tactical — how to assess seller personality through early engagement, how to position “preparation” as your unique value proposition, and why the three P’s of success — Preparation, Product, and Price — are the foundation of every standout listing pitch. Plus, they share how to overcome objections, use visuals to build credibility, and stay ahead of competing agents in a crowded market.Whether you’re trying to break into luxury listings or simply need an edge in your next pitch, this episode delivers actionable ideas to help you compete smarter, present better, and close with confidence.Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – Introduction: The Strategy Behind a Standout Listing Presentation[00:01:00] – Why Preparation Is the Hidden Differentiator in Real Estate[00:02:10] – The Power of Pre-Presentation Photos & Custom Proposals[00:04:00] – How to Read Sellers: Engagement, Personality & Motivation[00:05:30] – Using AI Tools (Gemini, DALL·E) to Enhance Listing Visuals[00:06:15] – The Three P’s of Real Estate: Preparation, Product & Price[00:07:10] – Framing the Conversation: Competing vs. Marketing[00:08:00] – Staging, Presentation & Small Touches That Win Listings[00:09:10] – How AI Can Elevate Brochures, Staging, and Buyer Imagination[00:10:30] – Breaking into Luxury Markets with Innovative Listing Tactics🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions💡 Subscribe for weekly insights on sales strategy, marketing, and innovation in real estate.💬 Comment below: Would you use AI to help you win your next listing presentation?

Ben Brady breaks down what the 2026 real estate market could really look like—beyond the headlines, hype, and hopeful optimism.Fresh from an economic forum at Chapman University, Ben shares insights from one of the nation’s top real estate economists on inflation forecasts, long-term mortgage rate trends, and how these forces could reshape the industry over the next 24 months. With predictions of 5% inflation by the end of 2026 and interest rates unlikely to dip below 5%, Ben urges agents to replace wishful thinking with strategic preparation.This episode isn’t about doom and gloom—it’s about realism, resilience, and readiness. Ben breaks down the core skill sets agents must master to thrive in a high-inventory, high-stakes market: clear communication with sellers, data-backed pricing strategies, and the ability to sustain relationships through longer days on market. He also shares why adaptability and empathy will define the most successful agents of the next cycle.If you’re serious about building a business that lasts through any market condition, this is your wake-up call for 2026—and beyond.Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – Introduction: 2026 Market Predictions & Economic Forum Takeaways[00:01:00] – What Economists Are Saying About Inflation and Rates[00:02:30] – Why “Lower Interest Rates” Won’t Save the Market[00:03:45] – The Reality of 2026: Longer Days on Market, Price Reductions[00:05:00] – Skill Sets Agents Must Master for the New Market[00:06:10] – Communicating with Sellers: Data, Honesty & Trust[00:07:00] – Why Time and Communication Are Your Greatest Assets[00:08:15] – The Tariff & Debt Variables No One’s Talking About[00:08:45] – Final Thoughts: Setting Mindset & Expectations for 2026🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctionsSubscribe for more real estate insights on sales strategy, market cycles, and building a listing-focused business for the future.💬 Comment below: What do you predict will define the 2026 real estate market?