THIS AIN'T YOUR GRANDMA'S REAL ESTATE MARKET ANYMORE

WELCOME

Happy Fall, everyone! It’s high school football time, the beginning of Starbucks’ specialty drink season, and the trees are about to explode in color. I couldn't be more excited about it all!

Our subject today is particularly hot! We’re talking billion-dollar mergers, legacy brands, and what it all means for you as an agent. This isn’t just the inside-baseball of real estate. Hell, no. This is the kind of shake-up that’s going to separate the hobbyists from the heavy hitters. So grab your PSL, lean in, and let’s talk about why this ain’t your grandma’s real estate anymore.

THE REALITY OF REAL ESTATE

GLENNDA X TURBOTENANT

Y’all, I had the best conversation with Seamus Nally, the CEO of TurboTenant last week, and let me tell you—this one is a masterclass in how tech is changing the landlord game.

Seamus walked me through how TurboTenant went from a scrappy idea in Fort Collins to a full-blown platform serving over 800,000 landlords across the U.S. The magic is that they’ve taken everything DIY landlords used to juggle with sticky notes, spreadsheets, and shoeboxes full of receipts, and built it into one easy-to-use system. From finding tenants and screening them, to rent collection and maintenance requests, TurboTenant makes the landlord journey smoother than a fresh jar of Jif.

What I loved most was hearing how this tool isn’t just for big investors. It’s for everyday folks who’ve got one or two rentals and don’t want the headache of being a full-time property manager. Seamus even shared how agents are using TurboTenant as a secret weapon to help their investor clients scale portfolios, and y’all know I was nodding the whole way through. We even laughed about landlords still collecting rent in person like it’s 1975—because with TurboTenant, that’s a thing of the past

I would love for everyone to tune in to the full episode to hear all the behind-the-scenes stories and why I think TurboTenant is the kind of disruptor every agent and investor needs to know about!

STORYTIME WITH GLENNDA

The Compass Points to Anywhere

I need y’all to buckle up because the real estate world just got turned upside down. Compass is acquiring Anywhere Real Estate in a $1.6 billion all-stock deal. When the dust settles, this merger will create the largest residential brokerage in the world, with an enterprise value of around $10 billion. Let that sink in for a hot minute.

What’s the Deal, Exactly?

Anywhere is the parent company of legacy brands we all know and love. I’m talking Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Corcoran, and Sotheby’s International Realty. Of course, Compass is the tech-driven disruptor that’s been duking it out with Zillow and rewriting what it means to run a brokerage.

Together, this new mega-company will represent more than 340,000 agents across 120 countries and territories. (Did we even know there were that many of us??) Compass shareholders are going to walk away with about 78% of the new company, while Anywhere shareholders will hold about 22%. The deal is expected to close in the back half of 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, and all of the usual fine print that they say really fast at the end of a prescription drug commercial.

Wait, What Does It Mean for Agents?

Here’s the hard truth: this is fantastic for the best agents and a nail in the coffin for the average ones. More than anything else we’ve seen, this will separate the wheat from the chaff.

Let me give you an example: if you’re only selling six houses a year, you have a hobby, not a business, because the math isn’t math-ing. Let’s say you’re selling $250K homes. The average commission is around $7,500, times six sales—that’s under $50,000 before taxes. After Uncle Sam gets his cut and you pay your expenses, you’re left with less than a living wage in most markets. I’m not saying you must be a volume agent to succeed. I know an agent here who does maybe 16 transactions per year, but they’re $2M homes. Those sixteen transactions could mean $800K+ in commission. Big difference.

Mergers like this are going to weed out what I call the “garden club” real estate agents. The days of dabbling in real estate part-time and expecting to coast are over. Consumers aren’t choosing brokerages anymore. Instead, they’re choosing agents. If you are a great agent, this is your time to shine. If you’re average? I’d advise you to start working on that exit plan, or partner with someone who can keep your referral checks rolling as long as you’re licensed.

What About Brokerages?

Anywhere is heavy with payroll employees. When you merge two companies, the easiest thing to cut is staff. That means job eliminations are coming. And don’t be surprised if some legacy brands, such as Century 21 or Better Homes and Gardens, are phased out regionally. Not every name survives when the goal is efficiency.

What’s clear is that you can’t be average anymore, not as an agent, not as a brokerage.

What About the Consumers?

Here’s the kicker: Does the consumer even care? I would argue no, no, ma’am. They do not. Buyers and sellers don’t do business with a logo, as I’ve said a million times. Clients do business with you. You are the agent who answers the phone, who negotiates the deal, and who gets them to the closing table. You’re the one who talks them down after a bad inspection or hypes them up after a great open house. You. Not Sotheby’s. Not Century 21. That’s why this merger is good for the best in the business, because it makes the strong even stronger.

Zoom Out for the Bigger Picture

Let’s not forget: Compass was on the ropes just a couple of years ago. Their stock price tanked so hard that they were nearly delisted. And now they’re scooping up the biggest real estate group in the world. What a comeback story! Oh, my stars and stripes, this isn’t just a merger; it’s a power play. What’s so interesting is that it puts Compass head-to-head against Zillow, NAR, and the MLS in ways we haven’t seen before. I am very interested to see what happens next.

So no, this isn’t your grandma’s real estate market anymore. It’s trending leaner, meaner, and primed for agents who bring real value to the table. If you’re one of them? Congratulations, you’re about to thrive. If not? Well… it may be time to rethink your strategy.

glenndabaker

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GLENNDA’S GURU

Welcome Back, Matt Lionetti!

I am delighted to bring you more of my chat with guru Matt Lionetti. Matt is a unicorn—part top-producing Realtor, part stand-up comic—with a Toronto/Durham home base and a passport full of stamps. He’s with Real Broker these days, turning listings into must-watch skits. He has racked up millions of organic views by being unapologetically himself. Y’all loved his first video, so I’m pleased to bring you more of his tips and tricks you should steal for yourselves!

Thanks so much, Matt!

GLENNDAISM

Today’s Words of Wisdom

GLENNDA BAKER & ASSOCIATES

Craftsman Charmer

Here’s my newest listing at 1784 Hollingsworth Boulevard NW in Atlanta. This Craftsman has charm written all over it!

This house is what I call a head-turner. From the stone accents that greet you at the curb to that sun-soaked, vaulted family room, this cutie has all the charm you expect in West Highlands with the upgrades you crave. The sage green kitchen cabinetry? Love so much. The spa-inspired primary suite? That’s where you’ll be ending your days in style. Add in community perks like the pool, dog park, and green space, and you’ve got yourself not just a house, but a whole lifestyle that is polished, practical, and oh-so fabulous!