Real estate portals are in a full-on turf war, and agents are the ones paying the tab.

In S1E7 of The Blueprint, Ken and Katie break down the feud between CoStar Group and Zillow and why it suddenly got expensive (and annoying) to market listings the “right” way.

At the center of it: 3D tours, API rules, and two giant companies fighting for more eyeballs… while listing agents get stuck buying two tours instead of one.

In this episode, we cover:

• • What a 3D / 360 tour actually is (and what buyers are really seeing)

  
  

  • Why Matterport tours stopped showing on Zillow (and what that changes for listings)
    

• • How this forces agents to run multiple tour systems (Zillow + non-Zillow) to maintain full portal distribution
    

  • The rise of homes.com and how it’s trying to compete with Zillow using media-heavy listings and ad distribution
    

  • Zillow’s new listing agent product Showcase and what it requires (pro photos + a Zillow 3D tour)
    

  • A reality check on iPhone photos: when they’re “fine” and when they’re costing sellers money
    

  • Practical advice for agents: what to buy, what to outsource, and how to stop bleeding cash per listing
    

  • Why this probably won’t “get resolved” — and how it could get worse
    

  • A side quest into the future: portals, subscriptions, and how AI changes the marketing game
    

  Mentioned in the episode: Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, Apartments.com, LoopNet, Dotloop, Follow Up Boss, Compass, PG&E, SMUD.

  #realestatepodcast #zillow #costar #matterport #homesdotcom #realestatemarketing #listingagent #realestatephotography #theblueprint

  
  

Sales is a team sport. In this episode of The Blueprint, Ken and Katie sit down with Eddie Smith, Realtor and newly minted team lead, to talk about what actually builds a sustainable real estate career when the hype wears off. Special Guest Eddie SmithThis is a ground-level conversation about doing the work, not chasing the perfect plan.In this episode, we cover:Why open houses still work and how Eddie used them to break into higher-end homesThe difference between “looking busy” and actually generating businessWhy there is no single right path to clients. Cold calling, open houses, social media, networking. Pick what fits youHow trust changes when friends become clients and why that pressure is realThe importance of knowing the small details about a property, neighborhood, and communityWhy specialization matters and how to build credibility even outside your home marketTeam leadership, coaching, and why you can’t teach driveThe sacrifice phase no one talks about. Long weekends, missed time, and delayed gratificationEddie’s advice to new agents, struggling agents, and top producersWhy “just start” beats overplanning every timeWho this episode is forNew agents stuck in analysis paralysisAgents grinding but not seeing tractionTeam members thinking about leadershipAnyone who wants honest talk about effort, sacrifice, and long-term payoffKey takeawayThere is no perfect system. There is only consistent effort, learning fast, and adapting without ego.We hope you stick around! Like, subscribe, share, and push all the buttons.Questions? Reach out!Email: hello@theblueprintpod.comWeb: theblueprintpod.comIG: instagram.com/podcast.theblueprintKen: kenneth.jcg.homesKatie: thisisplacer.comDisclaimerThis conversation is for educational and informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult your broker and licensed professionals for guidance on your specific situation.#realestatepodcast #realestateagents #realestateteams #operations #systems #leadgeneration #openhouses #realestatecoaching #theblueprint

Director of operations meets real estate chaos… and starts turning it into profit. In this episode of The Blueprint, Ken and Katie sit down with Shannon Mabberley to unpack how systems, structure, and real human connection can turn an average real estate business into a scalable one. In this episode, we cover:What a Director of Operations actually does for a real estate team and why it’s more than “paperwork and checklists”How Shannon builds systems that are deeply human so both agents and clients can thriveWhy most agents are avoiding the very thing that would fix their chaos: structure and simple, repeatable habitsOpen houses as the true “low-hanging fruit” of lead gen, and how Shannon turned consistent open houses into her best quarter after a resetThe trap of “looking busy” with email, newsletters, and social media instead of doing real lead generationWhy systems are just habits, and why chasing production without them leads straight to burnoutTeam splits, leverage, and how joining the right team can net you more even if your percentage is smallerThe hard lesson of losing your database when you leave a team, and what every agent should do to protect their contacts from day oneClarity, burnout, and redefining success so your business supports your life, not the other way aroundWho this episode is for:* Agents drowning in “chaos” and craving a clear framework* Team leaders who want higher production without burning their people out* New agents who don’t know where to start and keep getting lost in busywork* Solo agents debating whether a team is actually worth the splitConnect with Shannon!Shannon Mabberley – “The Dragon Whisperer” on social media, Director of Operations & Realtor at Keller Williams (Roseville, CA)We hope you stick around! Like, subscribe, share, and push all the buttons.Questions? Reach out!Email: hello@theblueprintpod.comWeb: theblueprintpod.comIG: instagram.com/podcast.theblueprintKen: kenneth.jcg.homesKatie: thisisplacer.comDisclaimerThis conversation is for educational and informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult your broker and licensed professionals for guidance on your specific situation.#realestatepodcast #realestateagents #realestateteams #operations #systems #leadgeneration #openhouses #realestatecoaching #theblueprint