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?

In this powerful episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady, CEO of Harcourts Auctions, sits down with Ben Reinberg, Founder and CEO of Alliance Consolidated Group of Companies, to expose one of the biggest financial misconceptions of our time — the myth that “cash is king.”Fresh off his recent TED Talk, Reinberg shares how he built an empire in commercial real estate from the ground up, and why hard assets—not savings accounts—are the true path to long-term wealth. From raising $2 million at age 23 to managing hundreds of millions in recession-resilient assets today, Reinberg breaks down the mindset, strategies, and disciplines that separate those who get rich from those who stay wealthy.The two Bens dive deep into the 2026–2027 commercial market reset, where trillions in real estate debt are set to come due—creating what Reinberg calls “the buying opportunity of a generation.” You’ll learn why the ability to hold, not just buy, is the defining trait of great investors… and why communication, focus, and emotional discipline remain the ultimate assets in business.Whether you’re a residential agent looking to expand your wealth portfolio or an investor preparing for the next market cycle, this episode delivers tactical insights and timeless financial wisdom you won’t hear anywhere else.Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – Intro: The “Lie About Money” and the Power of Hard Assets[00:01:30] – How Ben Reinberg Built His Empire from $0 to Millions[00:03:40] – What True Wealth Means (It’s Not About Being Rich)[00:06:20] – The Ability to Hold: Investing’s Most Underrated Skill[00:09:15] – $90 Trillion in Real Estate Will Change Hands: What That Means[00:12:00] – The Coming Commercial Market Reset (2026–2027)[00:16:00] – Why Residential Real Estate is a “Money Pit”[00:21:10] – Renting vs. Owning: The New Wealth Perspective[00:24:45] – How Over-Leverage Destroys Investors (and How to Avoid It)[00:27:00] – The Missing Skill in Real Estate: Communication[00:29:00] – Mindset is the Best Real Estate You Own🔗 Connect with Ben Reinberg:https://www.benreinberg.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/benreinberg/https://www.facebook.com/TheRealBenReinberg/https://www.youtube.com/@UCN-VuewtdVrFwlOrTsNbxGA https://www.instagram.com/therealbenreinberg/🔗 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 insights into building wealth through real estate strategy, leadership, and mindset.💬 Comment below: Do you think cash or hard assets are the smarter play heading into 2026?

Ben Brady breaks down Blackstone’s latest investment outlook and what it means for the real estate industry in the era of artificial intelligence.While AI continues to dominate global conversations about disruption, Ben explores a fresh perspective—how Blackstone’s “picks and shovels” philosophy reveals where the real changes will occur. Drawing parallels between the airline industry’s innovation-versus-profit paradox and today’s AI boom, he unpacks which sectors are likely to be revolutionized and which will quietly fade away.More importantly, Ben brings it home to real estate: identifying the rule-based businesses that are most at risk of automation—like title, escrow, mortgage, and appraisal—and why the agent relationship remains irreplaceable. His key takeaway? Real estate is not a rules-based business; it’s a human-based one.If you’ve been wondering how AI will shape your role, this episode will reset your mindset on where the real opportunities lie—and remind you that the agent-client relationship is the ultimate advantage no algorithm can replicate.Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – Blackstone’s AI Investment Outlook Explained[00:01:15] – The “Picks and Shovels” Analogy: Who Profits from Disruption[00:03:20] – Why the Airline Industry is a Cautionary Tale for AI[00:04:50] – Blackstone’s Focus on Chips, Data, and Energy[00:05:40] – Rule-Based Industries and Their Risk of Automation[00:07:10] – Can Real Estate Be Automated? The Human Factor[00:08:30] – The Future of Escrow, Title, and Appraisal Jobs[00:10:00] – Why Relationships Will Always Outperform Systems[00:10:45] – The Real Estate Industry’s Hidden Strength: Emotion and Trust🔗 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 more candid conversations on how technology, strategy, and leadership are reshaping real estate.👇 Drop a comment sharing your thoughts:Do you think AI will help or hurt the real estate industry?