Inman Connect & Industry Take-Aways
Last week we attended Inman Connect, a premier 3-day real estate conference held in New York City (Feb 3–5, 2026). Not only did we get to hear from industry leaders on their plans to embrace technology, and expand their brokerage’s success in 2026 - but we also had the opportunity to network with agents themselves. Agents from the tri-state area, as well as feeder markets like Florida and Texas were bustling with enthusiasm for what 2026 will hold.
Having recently moved from a self proclaimed “tech brokerage”, Compass to Brown Harris Stevens, I personally noted remarkable differences between big brands versus small brands.
1) Quality is better than Quantity.
The quality of the connections and agents in smaller brokerages proves to be evident. Agents are more collaborative and communicate on more calls or in-person meetings to discuss new listings, market changes, and opportunities for their clients. The bigger the brokerage, the more dismantled agents. In hyper local markets like individual neighborhoods in NYC, this disconnect can affect the quality of information being shared and the quality of client representation. When agents are fighting to get noticed in a big sea of team and power brokers, they are not able to properly market their client’s properties.
2) Target Marketing Versus Blanket Branding
Many of the big brokerage sell their “brand” as a powerful tool that helps agents get noticed and win more business. Having worked in both large brokerages with nation wide exposure and small boutique local brokerages I can say from experience - it’s the agent that matters.
Big brands may have the attention and spend thousands of dollars on national marketing but when it comes to a city like New York, it’s about who you know and what you know - the brand cannot redeem a broker from inexperience nor can it do the hard physical work. A “brand” cannot physically show the property, pitch the story to press, script the content and direct the production of media to sell the home. You need people in office, in-house, working for the brokerage and upholding the integrity of the brand.
Forbes, recent article, “How Immersive Experiences Are Reinventing Luxury” describes how consumers are valuing experiences over ownership. “Their relationship with money, status and brands is different: They seek memorable moments, authentic stories and a sense of impact, expecting brands to convey all of this through immersive formats that make them active participants in the narrative.” With this newfound market data, I believe the human touch to real estate will surpass those who rely on artificial intelligence, or hiring virtual agents overseas to communicate with their clientele.
The human experience can be conveyed through a number of different platforms such as social media, blogging, and even podcasts! Brown Harris Stevens is making its mark as the oldest brokerage in New York City with an avant guard focus on exposure and target marketing. We had the pleasure of being featured Talking New York Real Estate with Vince Rocco on, which proved to be a big extension of our reach in helping promote our market insight and client listings. His show attracts thousands of listeners and a wide demographic of real estate professionals, homeowners, and real estate enthusiasts.
With the number of media outlets dwindling across the United States, the ability for brands to create meaningful and relevant content has never been more important. With the Mastery of Real Estate Network [MORE]. Brown Harris Stevens has created the premier podcast and episodic series multimedia network powered by the expertise of BHS real estate professionals from across the country.
Each MORE podcast is recorded and filmed in Brown Harris Stevens state-of-the-art Studio 1873, edited and uploaded to streaming networks and video platforms by our in-house creative team. The MORE Network covers a range of real estate themes including market analysis, home buying and selling advice, cutting-edge proptech, industry news and more. For the latest in all things real estate, subscribe below today on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
The interview below dives into my experience over the last decade, how my first job at WNBC as a Marketing Coordinator in Broadcast Advertising was the catalyst to me entering into real estate, and how generational wealth aligns with the real estate cycle in the city and suburbs. The interview was broadcasted live from the Hilton Midtown conference center, so please give me so grace if I may have had a break in my line of thought while answering these questions!
Check out our episode below and see the MORE youtube channel for more agent interviews and market information here.
3) Teams in Real Estate are to Stay
The only way you can grow, is together. I’ve noticed a growing number of teams through out various brokerages. The landscape of the city is vast, and although public transportation can connect numerous neighborhoods - I find expanding into a team structure with designated agents in each area is more efficiently. Not only does it allow clients to have their home shown more frequently but it also gives the agent in that specific enclave the voice to describe WHY the home is so special. Agents who show, work, and live in a specific area can foster deeper connections with local businesses, and relay the advantages of the location and home being represented. As we look to expand our team, The Making NYC Home Collective, we are looking forward to servicing our clients across Brooklyn and Manhattan with out upmost attention and care.
