In this powerful conversation, luxury specialist Michael LaFido sits down with James Dwiggins—third-generation broker, co-founder of NextHome, and host of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered—to unpack what’s really happening in real estate post–August 17, 2024 and why every agent, team leader, and broker-owner needs to pay attention.

James was one of the first voices in the industry to publicly lay out what the commission lawsuits and settlement would mean for real estate professionals, long before most leaders were talking about it. In this episode, he and Michael break down how offers of compensation have changed, why “just put it in the offer” is the safest path forward, and how agents may be unknowingly exposing themselves to steering claims and future litigation.

They also dive deep into the high-stakes battle between Compass and Zillow, private networks, and the looming threat of a “private listings war” that could reshape the MLS, crush smaller brokerages, and even push Zillow to become a full-blown brokerage. Throughout the discussion, one theme stays front and center: your fiduciary duty to the consumer, and why transparency and exposure—not secrecy and restriction—are still the best path for both buyers and sellers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What actually changed for buyers and sellers after August 17, 2024

• Why calling the listing agent to ask “What will your seller pay the buyer’s broker?” is a legal landmine

• How to structure your buyer rep and compensation conversations to reduce risk

• The real difference between MLS-wide private networks and brokerage-only private networks

• How the Compass vs. Zillow fight could trigger massive consolidation—and what that means for your future in this business

Unlock how AI can quietly build your authority—and your pipeline—while you sleep. Michael sits down with AI strategist Tiffany Marroquín to break down the shift from traditional SEO to AEO (AI Engine Optimization) so you can start showing up as the trusted answer when clients ask tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for the best luxury agents. You’ll hear practical moves you can implement this week: tighten and unify your bios across platforms, build an AEO-friendly content hub with data-backed guides, structure your reviews and pages with schema, post FAQs that mirror real client questions, and leverage LinkedIn, YouTube transcripts, Reddit, and Quora for high-trust signals. Tiffany also shares a rapid workflow—record a 3–5 minute weekly voice memo and spin it into blogs, emails, shorts, and captions—plus how custom GPTs and agent-style automations can research competitors and keep you consistently visible.

Want to raise your average sale price and dominate high-end listings? Join the in-person LUXE Designation training on November 19 (bonus mansion tour!). Details and savings at LuxuryDesignation.com/Chicago.

In this episode, Michael LaFido sits down with global keynote speaker and tech strategist Marki Lemons to discuss the future of AI in luxury real estate. Together, they explore how REALTORSⓇ can use artificial intelligence to elevate their marketing, connect more deeply with affluent clients, and build authority online.

You’ll learn how tools like Humantic.AI and RPR/ESRI help agents understand client behavior and personality, why aligning with luxury brands can instantly boost your credibility, and how to repurpose a single piece of content into multiple revenue-generating assets.

Whether you’re looking to break into luxury, scale your business, or simply work smarter—not harder, this episode is packed with actionable insights, real-world stories, and powerful takeaways that can help you dominate your market in 2025 and beyond.

🎯 Want to take your business to the next level? Join Michael and Marki at the upcoming LUXE Designation Training on November 19th in Schaumburg. 👉 Learn more at www.LuxuryDesignation.com/Chicago

In this week’s blog, Michael LaFido interviews Florida luxury broker Heather Caine, founder of Style to Design, on how staging and design can help REALTORSⓇ sell faster and for more money. Heather explains that 81% of buyers can’t visualize a home’s potential, making presentation critical. She introduces her innovation, Reality Staging, which uses real, shoppable design boards—allowing agents to market listings as “sold with design services included” and even earn affiliate income. The key takeaway: education builds confidence, and confidence helps agents stand out, elevate their price points, and deliver greater value to clients.

In this episode, I sit down with Jimmy Mackin for a tactical deep dive into what’s truly working for real estate agents right now. We unpack the “triple threat” approach—combining direct mail, email, and social media—to help you generate leads and position yourself for growth in an ever-changing market.

Jimmy, co-founder of ListingLeads.com and a recognized thought leader in the Boston area, shares timely strategies for thriving even as many agents are feeling discouraged or stuck. He talks through real-world referral tactics, the power of focusing on neglected contacts in your CRM, and unveils high-converting scripts you can use immediately to spark conversations and win new business. From ramping up your referrals by reaching out to your “neglect list,” to crafting irresistible “Deal of the Week” offers that create urgency and curiosity, Jimmy’s insights are actionable and rooted in successful campaigns from thousands of top agents.

We also explore best practices for leveraging scarcity with coming soon listings on social media, the psychology behind writing engaging texts and emails, and how to overcome analysis paralysis in today’s overwhelming landscape of marketing choices.

If you’re a seasoned pro aiming to sharpen your edge, or an agent who’s felt lost in the noise of too many options and not enough results, this episode is packed with golden nuggets to help you systematize your outreach, generate predictable referrals, and build momentum heading into the next season.

In this episode, I sit down with Craig Grant, CEO of RETI and renowned tech educator, for a high-energy conversation about how artificial intelligence is transforming the real estate industry. From practical insights on leveraging ChatGPT and Google Gemini for day-to-day efficiency, to a deep dive into must-have tools like Canva Pro and the game-changing HeyGen video platform, we unpack what’s working now for agents looking to level up their business with the power of AI.

Craig shares his perspective on the meteoric rise of AI, why every Realtor needs to embrace it, and how the right technology can automate heavy lifting—without sacrificing legal or ethical standards. We discuss real-world examples, from creating marketing content at lightning speed to AI video editing with Descript, and even how tools like Reimagine Home can help you virtually stage and redesign properties in seconds.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just curious about new tech, Craig drops invaluable nuggets on avoiding AI pitfalls, choosing the right platforms for your workflow, and the importance of always treating artificial intelligence as your first draft—not your final word. He also gives listeners access to his resource-packed slides and a treasure trove of vetted AI recommendations to supercharge your marketing, client communications, and productivity.

If you’re ready to learn how AI can save you time, amplify your personal brand, and future-proof your real estate career, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can put to work immediately.

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of one of the most remarkable sales of my career—the nine-and-a-half-year journey to sell the iconic Empire Mansion, recently closing for a record $6.5M in Illinois. I break down exactly what worked, what I’d change, and the invaluable lessons this high-profile listing taught me about patience, perseverance, and staying sharp in the ever-evolving luxury real estate market.

As the third agent on the listing, spanning four brokerages, ten price adjustments, and countless strategy shifts, I dive deep into what kept us moving—from detailed buyer pre-qualification and personalized client communication, to creative event-based marketing (think thirty Ferrari owners in the driveway) and securing national press coverage. I also share what didn’t move the needle, like costly print ads and certain co-marketing partnerships, so you can leverage smarter strategy in your own business.

You’ll hear about handling the unique demands of high-net-worth sellers, best practices for scheduling and hosting standout showings, and why you should never judge a book by its cover—especially when working with luxury buyers. If you’re struggling with a long-standing listing or want to raise your game in luxury real estate, these real-world insights and case study takeaways are sure to help you work smarter, increase your value, and ultimately, get the deal done.

Keep raising the bar, and don’t hesitate to reach out for more resources, fresh eyes on a tough listing, or for information on our luxury designation and tools.

In this episode, I share some timely insights from our recent live stream, diving into the intricacies of the current luxury real estate market and the potential impact of tariffs. We navigate through pressing questions posed by clients and industry peers, unearthing the realities and misconceptions surrounding tariffs' effects on real estate.

I tackle timely issues such as stock market fluctuations and share invaluable advice on investments, emphasizing real estate's reliability as a long-term asset. The session also unveils a unique financial offering – the Buy Now, Sell Later program – designed to enhance buyer leverage and flexibility without the constraints of conventional loans.

Listeners are in for an informative session as I, alongside my guest Joe, dissect how these innovations can provide a competitive edge in buying luxury properties. Furthermore, we celebrate our nine-year milestone of the luxury designation course, announcing our most memorable location training event amidst a lineup of educational engagements across the U.S.

Whether you're an established agent looking to sharpen your strategy or a homeowner contemplating market movements, this episode equips you with the necessary tools to navigate and excel in today’s market dynamics.