The thing about incentives

Industry Relations

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg reflect on a recent panel discussion hosted by the Orange County Association of REALTORS®. They discuss the incentives that drive agent and broker behavior, the value and vulnerabilities of the MLS in a post-settlement world, and the broader structural changes facing the real estate industry. The first half of the conversation also includes a candid exchange on trades as a career path and the shifting economic landscape for young adults.

Key Takeaways

• MLS Incentive Structures – A deep dive into how policy changes have affected the incentive for brokers to remain in the MLS, especially with the decline of enforceable compensation.

• Broker Power and Consolidation – Why the largest brokerages may now have more incentive to operate independently of the MLS and what that means for smaller firms.

• Agent-Level Impact – Rob and Greg question whether large-scale policy debates truly affect everyday agents and argue that most industry drama doesn’t change the work agents do.

• Panel Highlights – Reflections on a live panel with James Dwiggins and Ed Zorn, including audience reactions and a question: “What would you do if you ran NAR?”

• Compensation and Enforcement Post-Settlement – Analysis of how buyer-agent compensation continues through informal agreements and social norms, despite changes to MLS rules.

• Trades and Career Advice – A wide-ranging discussion on whether young people should consider skilled trades as an alternative to traditional college paths.

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