FirstTeam’s Michele Harrington on opportunities for independent brokerages

FirstTeam’s Michele Harrington on opportunities for independent brokerages

From RealTrending by RealTrends

March 2, 2026 · 27 min

About this episode

Michele Harrington discusses the evolution of her brokerage and the importance of an agent-centric approach in the current real estate market.

In this episode of the RealTrending Podcast, Michele Harrington, CEO of FirstTeam Real Estate, discusses the evolution of her brokerage, the challenges faced in the current market and the importance of an agent-centric approach. She emphasizes the need for technology and accountability in supporting agents, while also addressing the impact of legal pressures on regional brokers. Michele shares her insights on defining growth in the industry and expresses optimism for the future of real estate as a viable investment for building wealth. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Michele emphasizes the importance of being agent-centric in real estate. The past few years have been challenging for many brokerages due to market downturns. Legal pressures, such as class action lawsuits, significantly impact regional brokers. Profitability should be prioritized over growth for sustainable success. Creating value for agents is essential to attract and retain talent. Technology should enhance agent productivity, but accountability and coaching are crucial. Regional brokers have a unique opportunity to differentiate themselves in a consolidating market. The real estate industry offers…

People in this episode

Host: Tracey Velt

Guest: Michele Harrington

Topics covered

  • agent-centric approach
  • market challenges
  • legal pressures
  • profitability vs growth
  • technology in real estate
  • regional brokers
  • generational wealth
  • future of real estate

Keywords

  • brokerage evolution
  • market downturns
  • class action lawsuits
  • sustainable success
  • agent productivity
  • differentiation
  • wealth building
  • market adaptability

Mentioned in this episode

Products: FirstTeam Real Estate

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