G
ino Blefari, former president and CEO of HomeServices of America, shares his insights on the real estate industry in a recent episode of the Playmakers podcast. As he steps down from his leadership role, Blefari emphasizes the importance of having a system for success, which he attributes to focus, leverage, engagement, and accountability.

    Blefari notes that many agents struggle because they lack knowledge about the business side of real estate. He advises them to develop a system to stay ahead in the industry. "What you don't know will hurt you," he says. "Most agents are rainmakers, but they need to have a system."

    The timing of Blefari's departure from HomeServices was unrelated to Warren Buffett's retirement announcement, although they share some commonalities, including living in the same house their entire adult lives and sharing a favorite song.

    Blefari praises his successor, Chris Kelly, as "super talented" and notes that it was time for him to step down. He cites personal reasons, including being an expectant grandparent and feeling that the industry had lost its fun due to market challenges and lawsuits.

    Despite the slow spring buying season, Blefari believes that motivated and experienced agents are thriving in the current market. "Prices have never been so high," he says, making it a great time for top agents and teams. He notes that having a good work ethic, mindset, and skills makes an agent "dangerous" in any market.

    On the topic of private listings and pre-marketing, Blefari takes a nuanced approach. While acknowledging the benefits of showing homes to multiple buyers, he emphasizes the importance of disclosing office exclusives to sellers and allowing them to make informed decisions about their property's marketing strategy.