Podcast Summary: Massive Agent Podcast

Episode 418: Real Estate's Naughty & Nice List of 2025

Host: Dustin Brohm
Date: December 25, 2025

Overview

In this festive "Christmas Special," host Dustin Brohm delivers a creative and candid “Naughty & Nice List” for real estate as 2025 wraps up. Through real-life anecdotes, direct advice, and sharp industry commentary, Dustin recognizes the behaviors, people, and trends that moved agents and organizations forward—and calls out actions and systems that held agents back. The episode is equal parts actionable coaching, industry audit, and holiday pep talk, blending personal stories with pointed professional advice for agents at all levels.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Personal Connection

• Anecdote: Dustin recalls a snowy Christmas Eve closing about ten years ago ([08:00–15:00]), sharing how a personalized, thoughtful closing gift—a rare Ryne Sandberg action figure—created a loyal client for life.
  • Quote:

    “That one little thoughtful action solidified me in their mind as their agent. So they did not interview anyone else. They didn't think about anyone else.” (14:20)

• Lesson: The meaning and impact of a gift is not dictated by its cost, but by its relevance and the investiture of attention.
• Takeaway:
  Pay personal attention, remember specifics about your clients—they lead to lasting relationships and repeat business.

2. The Real Estate Naughty & Nice List (2025 Edition)

Dustin alternates between the “Naughty” and “Nice” lists, aiming less to judge than to hold the industry accountable and inspire better decision-making.

Naughty List

1. Agents Obsessed with Shiny Objects

• [16:50]
• Agents constantly jumping to the next tactic or tool without sticking to one path.
• Quote:

  “If you're chasing shiny objects all year, you're resetting the clock at zero every time you do something new. Stop it.” (17:27)

2. Legacy Brokerages That Refuse to Adapt

• [20:12]
• Outdated tech, bloated overhead, lack of innovation leading to acquisition or collapse.
• Industry Example: Compass acquiring Anywhere due to the latter’s inability to adapt.

3. Waiting for Lower Rates to “Save You”

• [25:12]
• Many agents (consciously or subconsciously) sat on their hands hoping for market improvement.
• Quote:

  “If you are letting your success be dictated by any outside force, how’s that going for you?” (26:05)

4. Agents Who Blame the Market

• [29:30]
• Excuses about market conditions are invalidated by the success stories of others in the same environment.
• Quote:

  “The market’s obviously not an excuse for them. It’s giving power away to some outside force.” (29:57)

5. Brokerages Over-Extracting and Under-Delivering

• [35:10]
• Raising fees or reducing services without adding value.
• Quote:

  “It’s wild to see brokerages over-extracting from agents and under-delivering...” (35:42)

6. Law Firms Attacking Real Estate Commissions

• [41:15]
• Legal firms taking 40% fees, while publicly castigating agents for 3–6% commissions.
• Quote:

  “Law firms trying to take down brokerages ... screaming about 3% commissions while they’re taking 40%. Big lump of coal for you.” (41:40)

Nice List

1. "Selfish" Agents

• [18:45]
• Agents who intentionally put themselves in a position to win—choosing better brokerages, negotiating fees, setting boundaries.
• Quote:

  “If you put yourself in a position to win and you made wise business decisions and not emotional ones, you’re on my nice list.” (19:20)

2. Agents Who Built Systems, Content, and a Brand

• [22:40]
• Consistency is rewarded. Those who invested in systems and personal branding are “thriving.”

3. Dustin’s Videographer—Aaron Norris

• [27:44]
• Hiring a videographer led to better content, more reach, and more opportunities.
• Quote:

  “Me hiring a videographer... allows me to do so much more content, do so much better content, and level up my entire brand.” (28:14)

4. Tamir Poleg (CEO of Real Broker) & Team

• [32:10]
• Dustin expresses heartfelt gratitude to Tamir, Joel, Jenna, and all leadership at Real for building a supportive culture that’s changed many lives, including his.
• Quote:

  “When he started the company, he kicked over the first domino and… the ripple effect is incredible.” (32:45)

5. Further Together Events

• [38:10]
• Agent-led, brokerage-agnostic events that foster sharing, growth, and community.
• Quote:

  “It was an event by agents for agents. Had nothing to do with brokerage.” (39:09)

• Touted as transformative spaces for leveling up through networking and knowledge-sharing.

6. Dustin’s Wife—Partnership & Personal Support

• [44:12]
• Gratitude for his wife’s partnership and adaptability during demanding work seasons.
• Quote:

  “My wife is absolutely incredible. So, babe, you are on my nice list for sure. At the top.” (44:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Giving, Loyalty & Connection
  “That thoughtful gift where he knew that I was paying attention to him... that one little thoughtful action solidified me in their mind as their agent.” ([14:15])

• On Business Mindset
  “The amount you spend on a gift somehow has any influence over how impactful or important or cherished that gift will be. It really doesn’t.” ([13:52])

• On Industry Change
  “Legacy brokerages or even teams that refuse to adapt with the times and adopt new technology and new ways of doing things, you’re on my naughty list.” ([20:22])

• On Action vs. Excuses
  “Some agents doubled their sales in the same market. Some agents tripled. Some agents 10x’d. The market’s obviously not an excuse for them.” ([29:41])

• On Growth Through Community
  “It’s just cool when agents who are like-minded and entrepreneurial get together ... magic happens. Those are the rooms you need to be in moving forward.” ([39:10])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening & Christmas Eve Client Story – [04:20–15:20]
• Naughty & Nice List Starts – [16:40]
• Naughty #1: Shiny Object Chasing – [16:50]
• Nice #1: Selfish Agents – [18:45]
• Naughty #2: Legacy Brokerages Resist Change – [20:12]
• Nice #2: Systems, Content & Branding – [22:40]
• Naughty #3: Waiting for Market to Save You – [25:12]
• Nice #3: Videographer/Aaron Norris – [27:44]
• Naughty #4: Blaming the Market – [29:30]
• Nice #4: Tamir Poleg & Real Leadership – [32:10]
• Naughty #5: Over-Extractive Brokerages – [35:10]
• Nice #5: Further Together Events – [38:10]
• Naughty #6: Law Firms’ PR Battle – [41:15]
• Nice #6: Dustin’s Wife & Team at Home – [44:12]

Final Thoughts

Dustin wraps up by urging agents to put themselves on their own Nice List in 2026:

“If you’re not in your own corner, who the hell’s gonna be? 2026 is here.” ([46:55])

He encourages listeners to share the episode, join his free masterclass, and take action to make 2026 their best year yet.

Episode Tone

• Direct, humorous, and motivational
• Reflective, with candid storytelling and practical business analysis
• Focuses on accountability, empowerment, and real-world results

For agents seeking growth, community, and tactical advice, this year-end “Naughty & Nice” audit doubles as both a reality check and a roadmap for the year ahead.