Brad Inman on Storytelling, Disruption, and the Future of Real Estate | X-Factor Marketing Podcast with Wendy Forsythe

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In this episode of X Factor Marketing, I sat down with Brad Inman—founder of Inman News, real estate media trailblazer, and one of the most honest voices our industry has ever had.

If you’ve followed Brad’s work, you know he’s always been one step ahead. He gave Zillow, Trulia, and LendingTree their first big stages. He challenged the establishment when it was risky to do so. He brought real journalism into an industry that had never seen anything like it. But what makes Brad’s story powerful isn’t just his track record—it’s his perspective.

“Perfect people make me sick.” That line sums up everything he’s built. Real estate doesn’t need more polish. It needs more people who are real.

A Front Row Seat to Real Estate's Evolution

Brad didn’t just document the changes in our industry—he pushed them forward.

He platformed the disruptors when traditional brokerages wouldn’t return their calls. He gave voice to young entrepreneurs, underrepresented agents, and fresh thinkers.

And it wasn’t always easy.

“We made a lot of people uncomfortable—on purpose.”

Brad’s courage in telling the truth, even when it ruffled feathers, helped shape the innovation we now take for granted.

Homes Will Come to the Consumer

This might have been the most important idea Brad dropped in our conversation:

“Homes are going to come to the consumer—not the consumer to the home.”

In a world driven by AI, data, and predictive tech, the way people search for homes is about to change. No more endless scrolling. No more clunky portals. Instead, real estate becomes intelligent. Anticipatory. And that changes everything—for buyers, for agents, and for the role we play in the transaction.

AI Isn’t a Tool. It’s a Turning Point.

Brad’s view on AI isn’t hype—it’s clarity.

“This isn’t just a search engine. This is godlike in its potential.” He believes AI will reshape everything from how we solve problems to how we deliver the real estate experience. And if you’re still thinking about AI like it’s optional—you’re already behind.

Why Storytelling Still Wins

Despite all the tech talk, what Brad kept coming back to was this:

“Being human is your biggest advantage.” Authenticity. Connection. Vulnerability. Those are the traits people remember. They’re what build trust in a noisy world. And storytelling—whether on stage or in your marketing—is how you make those traits come to life.

Your Move This Week

If you’ve ever felt like your voice doesn’t matter, let Brad’s story remind you:

• Speak up—especially when it’s uncomfortable.

• Tell the truth—especially when it’s unpopular.

• Embrace imperfection—it’s what connects us.

Because disruption isn’t just about new tools. It’s about new voices. And yours might be the one someone else is waiting for.

Let's Grow,

Wendy

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