In this episode of The LEAD, Brown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman welcomes The Agency founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky for a candid discussion on building a luxury real estate brand from the ground up, staying competitive in a changing market, and why kindness still matters in the business.

Filmed as part of the Mastery of Real Estate (MORE) Network, powered by Brown Harris Stevens.

Host:

Bess Freedman

https://www.bhsusa.com/about-bess-freedman

Guest:

Mauricio Umansky

Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida.

https://bhsusa.com/

#TheLEAD #BessFreedman #BHS #RealEstate #mauricioumansky

Recorded live at The Real Deal Forum on the MORE Network Stage, this episode of The LEAD features Bess Freedman in conversation with Director of Markets of StreetMatrix, Jonathan Miller to discuss the importance of accurate industry market studies and dangers of private listing networks (PLNs.)

All episodes filmed and recorded as part of Brown Harris Stevens' Mastery of Real Estate (MoRE) Network.

Subscribe to The LEAD:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lead-with-bess-freedman/id1718976681

Host:

Bess Freedman

https://www.bhsusa.com/about-bess-freedman

Guest:

Jonathan Miller

Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida.

https://bhsusa.com/

#TheLEAD #BessFreedman #BHS #RealEstate #TRDForum

Recorded live at Inman Connect in the More Network Studio on February 3rd and 4th, this episode of The Lead features Bess Freedman in conversation with NextHome Co-Founder and CEO James Dwiggins for a thoughtful and candid discussion on the forces reshaping residential real estate. From the Compass and Anywhere merger to the implications of private listings, industry consolidation, potential litigation risks post-NAR, and Zillow's evolving role, the dialogue explores what these shifts mean not only for brokerages and agents, but for consumers. James also shares his macro outlook for the 2026 housing market and offers a clear call to action for agents to elevate the client experience. Insightful, direct, and future-focused, this is a conversation about transparency, leadership, and protecting the integrity of our industry.

Recorded live at The Real Deal Forum on the MORE Network Stage, this episode of The LEAD features Bess Freedman in conversation with Director of Markets of StreetMatrix, Jonathan Miller to discuss the importance of accurate industry market studies and dangers of private listing networks (PLNs.)

All episodes filmed and recorded as part of Brown Harris Stevens' Mastery of Real Estate (MoRE) Network.

Subscribe to The LEAD:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lead-with-bess-freedman/id1718976681

Host:

Bess Freedman

https://www.bhsusa.com/about-bess-freedman

Guest:

James Dwiggins

Brown Harris Stevens is one of the largest privately owned real estate brokerages in the country, with more than 40 offices across four states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida.

https://bhsusa.com/