Welcome to Our Thoughts

Writings from Mark A. McLaughlin

May 28, 2025
Our industry can’t price a home: The importance of price discovery
Our industry clearly needs a more accurate way to price a home.
April 28, 2025
Results Count: The Importance of Price Discovery
Pricing StrategiesPricing strategies depend on tangible and intangible factors. They can include several drivers: supply, demand, local market…
March 11, 2025
Search & Display vs. Trust
Rocket, having closed over $100 billion in loan volume in 2024, announced its planned acquisition of RedFin, having sold $27 billion in real estate in 2023, compared to Compass selling $217 billion in 2024. The transaction is to close in Q2 or Q3 2025.
March 4, 2025
Facts Over Opinions & Co-Broker Initiative
A number of voices across the residential brokerage industry have been raising claims and concerns related to Compass' advocacy for seller choice in our industry.
January 30, 2025
Howard Hanna and Compass Set the Tone for Brokerage M&A in 2025
Join WAV Group principal Victor Lund and his colleagues plus distinguished executives Chrissy Oliver (Compass) and Matt Rand (Howard Hanna) in a…
January 8, 2025
It’s American. Freedom. Great.
It’s American. Freedom. Great.My stance on the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) is simple: home sellers deserve the freedom to choose how…
December 18, 2024
A Warm Holiday Wish: People, Trust and Results
Every year at this time, I am reminded of the keys to my motivation and success. For me, there are three principles that drive success, both personally and professionally.
November 12, 2024
On CCP and Housing on the Ballot — Voters Have Spoken
The Election and its ImpactMore than 145 million Americans voted in the presidential election last week. I was surprised at the crisp, timely…
October 31, 2024
Scary Times
Anticipation in the Air for 2025It seems we will close out the 2024 residential housing market with home sales at a thirty-year low — just…
October 10, 2024
The Homeowner on the Cutting Room Floor
Many industry experts (WAV Group, Anywhere, RedFin, 1000Watt, Compass, Rayze, the list goes on) have weighed in on the NAR rules about property…
September 30, 2024
A Look to Our Future – Here We Go!
Realm Innovation SummitI am honored to participate in the Realm Innovation Summit in Jackson, Wyoming this week. Industry thought leaders will…
September 16, 2024
Real estate recession finally ending. Get ahead of the herd.
In the last 20 years, I cannot remember a time that three institutions had such a remarkable impact on the residential real estate industry. The…
September 10, 2024
Life-altering grit. Unwavering courage. Inspiration & flow.
Don’t ever forget that as tough as your challenges may be, the person next to you may have experienced something more intense.
August 5, 2024
Opportunity Knocks: Timing Strategies
When to Buy a New Home?Last week we received easing direction from the Fed and significant volatility in the equity markets driven by weakening…
June 6, 2024
The Future is Approaching — US Housing Market Outlook – June 12th
Please join Fidelity Bancorp, Compass, and JBREC for our next virtual event featuring industry leading thoughts with John Burns, CEO, JBREC.
May 14, 2024
3Rs – Results, Rules and Records
Study the rules, adapt your behavior, practice the motions, perfect your skills, and thrive.
April 8, 2024
Latter & Blum + 38-0 = Teamwork!
What a pleasure to have Latter & Blum join Compass. Our announcement last week generated an enormous high and increased our momentum in an industry experiencing significant change.
March 18, 2024
The Big Thaw and The NAR Settlement
Regarding the NAR settlement: it represents an exceptional opportunity for the good to become great. This includes real estate professionals and brokerage firms. Those, individuals and/or companies, that focus on perfecting the expression of their value proposition will gain market share.
January 18, 2024
Front Row Seats to Compass Technology
For years you have heard about the Compass technology platform. Now you have access to a front row seat for a demonstration of the Compass tech…
December 5, 2023
Day In A Canoe
Refreshing ApproachListen to the Podcast.On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, I was privileged to “spend the day in a canoe” with…
November 27, 2023
Value Adding—How Resale Will Survive a Changing Market
This month I had the pleasure of attending the John Burns Real Estate Consulting 2023 Housing Market Outlook in New York City.
November 20, 2023
Compass Markets To Experience Year-End Lift
For a business that grew from start-up to the top brokerage company in the United States by sales volume, Compass prided itself a technology business empowering real estate advisors.
November 8, 2023
Interest Rates & The Verdict
Just as I started feeling comfortable planning for the holidays, the intensity and excitement in our industry has ratcheted up – in a big way!
October 24, 2023
The Art of Listening
Our greatest form of communication.Over the last 10 days of business planning and family communication, a common thread has emerged. Listening…
October 4, 2023
Vision, Trust, and Community – Get Closer
Last week, September 27 to 29, I participated in the Compass Summit at the Hyatt Regency in Incline Village, NV. More than 250 real estate…
August 25, 2023
Return to Compass - Sunrises Follow Sunsets
I am pleased to report on my reengagement with Compass as Chief Real Estate Strategist.
August 22, 2023
M&A Update: Dilbeck merges with Engel & Völkers
Congratulations to Dilbeck Real Estate in Southern California and their family-like culture and team, to have found an amazing merger opportunity…
July 12, 2023
Mortgage JV or Mortgage Brokerage Model?
As CEO of of the fifth largest real estate brokerage in USA by sales volume, we had two different mortgage JVs from 2010 to 2017. Starting in…
June 26, 2023
What is the most significant sector of proptech going forward?
A Conversation with Mike DelPrete, 4 of 4
June 22, 2023
Will the agent survive the brokerage?
A Conversation with Mike DelPrete, 3 of 4
June 20, 2023
Cash Is King
A Conversation with Mike DelPrete: 2 of 4
June 15, 2023
Why agents will remain at the center of the transaction
A Conversation with Mike DelPrete
June 12, 2023
Keep Your Clients Closer
Keep your Clients CloserThe consumer-direct momentum in the residential mortgage business continues to accelerate. Lenders are focused on giving…
May 9, 2023
Compelling Content is Relevant & Sticky
Engaging and Relevant ContentLast week I spoke at three different conferences, all three in Florida. It was fascinating to participate in these…
April 28, 2023
Passing the Test and Making Magic
Get Something StartedI was a C student in my best days and always feared tests as the measure of knowledge, intellect or aptitude. I guess I was…
April 24, 2023
Note to Sellers – New Home Builders Own the Headlines
Don’t be stuck in yesterday’s playbook. Follow the lead of success!We have clearly passed tax day. And while the market fell short…
April 3, 2023
Spring — No Foolin'
Where we are NowApril 1, Fool's Day, is generally filled with fun.Indeed, we accomplished every aspect of fun on April 1 in Jackson, WY…
March 13, 2023
The Epicenter of Startups – SVB
Searching for ClarityThursday, March 9, 2023, the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) earthquake started rattling our economic world. We all reflected on…
February 14, 2023
No tie. No socks.
It’s an honor to have been invited to spend time with Mike and the Bayleys team, providing keynotes for the Bayleys Residential Managers and Franchise Forum of Business Owners.
February 8, 2023
UC Boulder – Very Sharp Students, Mike DelPrete
University of Colorado, Boulder's Leeds School of Business Scholar in Residence invited me to speak with his class of seniors studying real estate.
January 30, 2023
The “Chase” Is On!
Leadership RetreatOn Thursday and Friday of last week, I participated in the Chase International Leadership Retreat — a gathering of more…
January 23, 2023
Get Me to Tax Day!
I am certainly not an economist, and I only modestly invested in the equity markets. I am real estate to the core. We are within ninety…
January 9, 2023
It Was the Best of Times
Consolidation is indeed happening. Have you thoroughly examined and considered a course correction for your business?
December 27, 2022
Retention, Recruiting, and Acquisitions as Operating Leverage
We Are a People BusinessI do my best reading and creative thinking while riding my bike that goes nowhere (aka my stationary bike). Yesterday,…
November 30, 2022
M&A Update l The Art of Luxury
Congratulations AKGCongratulations to Aaron Kirman in Beverly Hills and the entire AKG team to have found an amazing exclusive brand with…
November 9, 2022
Course Correction – Now Overdue!
Vision Through AdversityDear Real Estate Leaders,This article was originally published at RealTrends.com on March 29, 2022.While we…
October 25, 2022
M&A Update l Two Amazing Cultures Will Create Greatness
Congratulations to Richardson Properties in San Luis Obispo County, CA to have found an amazing merger opportunity with LIV Sotheby’s to create Richardson Sotheby’s International Realty.
October 4, 2022
Q4 2022 & The Chess Board
Vision Through AdversityThe 4th quarter of 2022 is off and running. I am seeing new distinct behaviors in the residential real estate market. The…
September 30, 2022
Surprise Wedding Wyoming Style
Life is Precious – Celebrate it Every DayA week ago today, we had a small gathering of family and friends to celebrate our engagement.…
September 13, 2022
Webinar – Navigating Today’s Market Dynamics
Proven StrategiesPlease join me and Brian Boero, Co-Founder of 1000Watt on Thursday at 10:00 AM PT on proven strategies to navigate dynamic…
September 6, 2022
Are You Managing to the Top or to the Middle?
If a business invests in a culture, platform, and technology that the top performers embrace and successfully execute, the entire organization watches their performance.
August 5, 2022
It's the People I Miss the Most!
Last week marked the 13th anniversary of acquiring Pacific Union. The real estate markets were not vibrant in August 2009. In fact, they were quite stressful. But our journey was vibrant, and the greatest part of our journey was our people.
July 27, 2022
Success is a Decision l Opportunity for Growth
We have plenty of fog and noise in the housing and mortgage markets. One perspective repeated by Barry Habib of MBA Highway is “Success is a Decision.”
June 27, 2022
Enhanced Mergers & Acquisition Services
Merger: McLaughlin Ventures and the WAV GroupToday, we are thrilled to announce a partnership between McLaughlin Ventures and the WAV Group…
June 21, 2022
Opportunity Knocks & Information is Power
Fortunes are made in times of adversity. Changing real estate markets, adverse equity markets, and rising interest rates all contribute to opportunity. This is when opportunity knocks. A time for leadership to stand tall!
May 24, 2022
Pace of change, fee transparency will test brokerage value proposition
A market shift and a move toward greater fee transparency will test your brokerage's value proposition.
April 18, 2022
Results Count, Even In Stealth Mode
Stealth Mode ResetAs you may know, I retired from the daily demands of real estate last year, and accomplished a different set of goals than I…
March 29, 2022
Real estate leaders, it’s time for a course correction
Changing CourseHaving started my first residential brokerage business in Marin County, California in 2006, I enjoyed 20 months of hyper-growth as…
March 7, 2022
Fortitude & Compassion
Dear Colleagues:Although I have accomplished the ability to manage through “noise,” the past ten days have been extremely distracting…
February 18, 2022
Do you really want your clients using Zillow’s “housing super app”?
If the technology or "housing super app" is not from you – it will be a gift given to your client by someone else.
January 18, 2022
Nobody wants to be managed
Empower IndividualsNobody wants to be managed. Management, teamwork and leadership – what’s the difference?Thriving…
January 10, 2022
Lots of News / Noise Last Week – 2022 Will be a Solid Year in Real Estate!
Focus Throught the News and NoiseLast week, I spent a significant amount of time reading research, listening to podcasts and trying to make sense…
December 14, 2021
People First, Followed by EBITDA
Teamwork and People FirstLast week, I had an inspiring coaching session with a real estate brokerage owner on the Eastern seaboard. The session…
November 17, 2021
Vision Over Noise
Noise can be a distraction - like a crisis – if you allow it. The ability to manage through “noise” is one of the many benefits of having a clear Vision.
October 25, 2021
Artificial Intelligence & Relationships
Referrals Drive BusinessPeople and relationships drive our businesses. For some, relationships and referrals make up more than 60% of their…
October 4, 2021
What is your Vision 2026?
Have you thought about “Who is Chasing Whom?”
Don’t model your future based on your bordering competitors as that compromises innovation and greatness. Model your business and your team around the consumer – our real estate professionals’ clients!