FROM CALM AGENT DESK

Teams Continue Growing, Better Positioned for AI Integration

HousingWire's analysis of the latest RealTrends data tracks the continuing evolution of real estate teams from simple partnerships into sophisticated operations that rival traditional brokerages. The team structure also better positions agents to implement AI tools and automation.

The Team Evolution Story:

• Teams grew from informal 2-3 agent partnerships in the late 1990s (sparked by Gary Keller's "Millionaire Real Estate Agent") into complex operations with marketing, tech, and admin support

• Technology advancement drove teams to expand beyond agents to include transaction coordinators, marketing managers, and executive assistants

• Some teams now operate at "teamerage" scale - so large they function like brokerages

The Numbers:

• Top teams by transaction sides: Jason Mitchell Group (10,279), Mark Spain Real Estate (9,508), Robert Slack Real Estate (3,933)

• Keller Williams still dominates rankings across all team sizes (24-43% market share depending on team size)

• LPT Realty, despite being only 3 years old, has four teams in the top 25 mega teams

What's Driving Success:

• Flexible compensation models that adapt to agent career stages

• Specialized lead arrangements (like Hundley Group's homebuilder partnership generating 15-50 listings weekly)

• Systematic operations and technology integration

Where It's Headed: The consensus points toward more sophisticated automation and systems that help busy agents stay on top of leads and opportunities. Technology continues to enable specialization within teams.

This shift reflects a broader industry move toward collaboration and systematic operation. Having worked in a small team that grew into a mega team, I've seen how specialization changes everything. Teams also have built-in advantages for implementing AI tools—dedicated roles can focus on learning and managing new technology while agents stay focused on clients. This is a landscape where efficiency often comes through partnership rather than going it alone.

REAL ESTATE NEWS

What Is the 'Taylor Swift Tax' and Why Are Realtors Worried?

Rhode Island proposed a new tax that has local realtors concerned about market impacts. The "Taylor Swift Tax" would target owners of expensive second homes that sit vacant for extended periods.

Tax Terms: 

• Applies to second homes worth over $1 million

• Annual fee of $2.50 for every $500 of value above the $1 million threshold

• Only applies if property sits vacant more than half the year

• A $2.5 million vacation home would face an extra $7,500 annually

• Taylor Swift's Watch Hill estate could rack up $136,000 in additional taxes

State officials say the revenue is needed to fund healthcare system improvements, including raising Medicaid reimbursement rates to keep primary care clinics operational. Attorney General Peter Neronha warned of "spectacular failure" without intervention.

The Rhode Island Association of Realtors opposes the measure, arguing it will harm an already challenging housing market where median home prices have reached historic highs and average two-bedroom rent exceeds $2,000 monthly.

AI PRODUCTIVITY

Choosing a Team? Start With Culture, Then Ask These 5 AI Questions

Most agents look for the same core things when choosing a team:
Do I trust the leadership?
Is the culture supportive, collaborative, and steady under pressure?
Will I have space to grow without being micromanaged or left behind?

These are non-negotiables. But today, there’s another layer to consider: how the team uses AI.

Here are five sharp questions to ask team leaders to understand how well their systems are set up to support you:

1. Do you have lead generation systems? What AI tools are built into them, and how much flexibility do agents have to use or adapt them?
   This helps you understand whether you’ll have access to campaigns, automation, or data-driven tools that support your pipeline without being locked into someone else’s style.

2. What CRM do you offer, if any? How does your CRM use AI to prioritize contacts or automate follow-up?
   You want more than a digital Rolodex. Smart CRMs use AI to surface warm leads, flag re-engagement opportunities, and tailor outreach.

3. Are AI tools used for listing descriptions, client reports, or social content, and do agents get templates or support?
   This speaks to how the team values your time. If content is templated, automated, or AI-assisted, you’ll spend less time formatting and creating from scratch.

4. Do your brokerage operations use AI to simplify compliance, onboarding, or transaction support?
   The best AI use is often invisible. Systems and automations that reduce errors, flag missing docs, or streamline workflows can save hours you never realize you lost.

5. How is performance tracked and coached? Do you use AI to support learning, referrals, or skill-building?
   Teams that use AI to recognize strengths, not just weaknesses, tend to foster real growth. This question also reveals how intentional the team is about your development.

Because a team’s use of AI tells you how they think about time, talent, and trust, and that’s what you’re really joining.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE TEAM PROMPT