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avigating five years of upheaval in real estate has required swift adaptation and a willingness to seize new opportunities. In this two‑part series, three seasoned leaders—brokerage founder Dava Davin and the Neal brothers, Clint and Shane, of the Neal & Neal Team—share how they guided their agents through a turbulent landscape and emerged stronger.
**New rules, clearer conversations**
The August 2024 settlement‑mandated changes to buyer agreements and agent compensation challenged brokerages nationwide. Davin and the Neals view these shifts as a positive step toward transparency. “It’s great for professionals to discuss compensation and have an agreement before the job begins,” Davin says. In Maine, where buyer agreements were already common, the rule changes fostered consistent, honest dialogue across the industry. Clint notes that the new framework allows agents to demonstrate value and deepen client trust: “It’s an opportunity to educate clients and secure agreements rather than just showing houses.”
**Adapting to agent needs**
Agents’ expectations have evolved. At Portside, Davin has embraced personal branding over brokerage‑centric messaging. “Your name is your brand,” she tells agents, offering in‑house marketing support to help them present a polished, cohesive identity. The Neal brothers have focused on setting realistic expectations in a tougher market. Shane recalls that selling during COVID was easier; now agents must understand that success may require double or triple the effort. Their team has expanded mentorship and training—from boot camps for newcomers to coaching for high performers—to meet these demands.
**Embracing technology**
Both brokerages see AI as a catalyst for the next growth phase. Davin monitors AI’s potential in compliance and transaction management, anticipating tools that will boost agent efficiency. In San Antonio, Neal & Neal use AI for training: agents role‑play calls with AI, receive scores, and refine their pitches. “Our business model remains the same, but as more tech becomes available, we adopt it,” Shane explains. The overarching goal is to free agents from administrative tasks so they can focus on building deeper client relationships.
**Key lessons learned**
The leaders agree on several fundamentals:
- **Respond quickly in crisis**—clear communication builds loyalty.
- **Scale strategically**—growth is achievable when systems are ready.
- **Educate and adapt**—agents must explain financing shifts and new rules.
- **Support agents**—investing in branding, training, and mentorship positions brokerages for success.
- **Play to local strengths**—Portside capitalized on Maine’s relocation and second‑home buyers, while Neal & Neal leveraged San Antonio’s growth without losing focus.
The past five years have tested the industry’s resilience. For Davin and the Neal brothers, adaptability and an unwavering focus on agents have been the keys to thriving amid disruption.
