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What the MRED/Zillow Case Has Taught Us About Owning Your Business

May 29, 2026 

By Negeen Masghati, VP & Designated Managing Broker of Baird & Warner Lincoln Park

In the wake of MRED cutting its data feed to Zillow, resulting in the disappearance of over 60% of listings from the most visited real estate platform in the country, I heard dozens of theories, concerns, and critiques about the decision. What was just the latest development in an escalating legal and political battle between industry giants resulted in a significant interruption in the way consumers search for homes, and the agent community ultimately had no say in it. Despite MRED restoring the feed following a court order, I believe the situation raises questions every agent should be asking about their business and how industry-proof it really is.

In my own analysis, it served as a pointed reminder that agents who build their business around strategies, relationships, and resources they own and control are far better insulated from the whims of a third-party whose decisions can impact their income without warning, without input from them, and without any obligation to consider their best interest. My conclusion: you can industry-proof your business by building it around you.

Do You Own Your Business, or Does Someone Else?

When MRED’s feed to Zillow went dark, agents whose business is driven by Zillow leads potentially lost a significant portion of their future income overnight. One dispute between two companies that had nothing to do with them, and their lead source evaporated with no warning, no say, and no recourse.

That’s a sobering reminder of how fragile a business can be when its foundation is rented, not owned.

When I interview agents entering this business, they almost all tell me that they want to be entrepreneurs who build something of their own, on their own terms, and in a way that serves their clients and their life. In my experience, one of the most meaningful expressions of that entrepreneurial freedom is owning your lead flow. When your business is grounded in relationships you’ve cultivated, a reputation you’ve earned, and habits you’ve built over time, you are far less vulnerable to the kind of industry drama we watched play out last week.

The lead sources you own are the ones that sustain you:

  • Referrals from people who trust you
  • Your sphere of influence and past clients
  • Open houses
  • Networking and community relationships

None of these require a monthly investment to a third-party platform, and none of them can be taken away by a court ruling or a corporate dispute. Building systems around a few strong, diversified lead sources like these takes the pressure off any one source and creates a foundation that tends to grow in proportion to your effort, your consistency, and the value you bring to the people you serve, all of which are within your control.

You Owe It to Yourself to Ask the Right Questions

If you rely heavily on online portal leads, team leads, or brokerage leads as a primary income source, here are three questions worth considering:

  • What is your long-term goal for your real estate career?
  • Are you building your own business, or someone else’s?
  • If those leads went away tomorrow, would you have a business?

Whether you invest in leads yourself or rely on leads dispersed at the discretion of a team leader or broker, any of these sources can be reduced, restructured, or eliminated based on decisions that have nothing to do with you or your performance. If that flow stopped tomorrow, where would your next transaction come from?

There is absolutely a place for these leads in a healthy business model where they add to a thriving business as opposed to driving it. If your goal is to build something that is truly yours, you need to be able to source clients independently. The most resilient agents are the ones steadily building their own referral network, their own sphere, their own brand.

My Takeaway

The MRED/Zillow situation was a disruption, but disruptions have a way of revealing what needs attention. Regardless of where your business stands today, I’d encourage you to evaluate your lead sources honestly, identify where you may be too dependent on something outside your control, and make a plan to close that gap.

If you want to talk through your SOI strategy, your client communication, or how to build systems for long-term consistency, I’m here for that conversation.

Questions or thoughts? Click the link below to schedule a time to chat. My door is open.

→  Schedule a free strategy call here

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One Step Is All It Takes

How a single action – and the awareness of what is really holding you back – can build the momentum your business needs.

Over the past month, I’ve noticed the toll of this emotional market on agents as they fall victim to overwhelm. Between the fast and furious pace of multiple-offer situations and the challenge of generating business opportunities in a low-inventory market, it’s no surprise that many feel stuck without clarity on what to do next. In moments like these, I recommend simply taking one small action, as a single step forward is all that is needed to jumpstart momentum and restore motivation.

The Power of Progress.

Researcher and psychologist Frederick Herzberg identified something important about human motivation: of all the things that drive us to act, progress is the most powerful. This means action creates motivation, not the other way around. We tend to believe we need to feel motivated before we can act, but the research flips that entirely. Taking one step forward, however small, triggers a positive feedback loop, and when you register a win, the next step feels easier and momentum builds.

In real estate, this plays out every single day. The agent who makes one call often ends up making ten. The agent who sends one text finds themselves on a roll. One action breaks the inertia. But here’s the part most people skip over: if progress is such a powerful motivator, why do so many of us get – and often stay – stuck?

It’s not a lack of knowledge. The thing blocking you isn’t information. It’s an underlying fear, belief, or justification you haven’t fully identified yet.

You know you should be calling your database. You know consistent follow-up builds a business. You know that showing up for your sphere, week after week, is what separates high-performing agents from those who plateau. The knowledge is there, so ask yourself honestly: what’s really in the way?

Awareness First. Then One Step.

Here’s the path forward, in two parts.

First: get honest about what’s holding you back. Before you try to force yourself into action, ask the question: “what is the fear, belief, or justification keeping me from doing this?” You don’t have to solve it completely. You just have to see it clearly. Awareness alone can shift things.

Second: take one step. Not ten. Not a full business overhaul. One action in the right direction.

→  Call one person from your sphere – just to check in.

→  Send one personalized follow-up to someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to.

→  Set a 15-minute timer and make calls until it goes off.

→  Write one handwritten card and drop it in the mail.

→  Block 30 minutes on your calendar tomorrow for lead generation and protect it.

None of these will transform your business today, but every single one puts you back in motion. As you may recall from middle school science class, an object in motion stays in motion. Once you’re moving, the next action becomes obvious. But it all starts with taking one step.

Not Sure Where to Start?

If you’re feeling stuck and you’re not sure what your next step should look like, let’s talk. I’m happy to sit down with you, look at where you are, and help you find a clear and simple path forward.

→  Schedule a free strategy call here

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How Nina McDaniel Doubled Her Business in Just 5 Months

It wasn’t luck, a hot market, or a viral post. It was process, intention, and a few surprisingly simple habits — applied consistently, every single day.

1. Run an Intentional, Process-Driven Business

Nina attributes a major part of her growth to treating her business like a system, not a series of reactions. At the heart of that system is her CRM — a tool she uses to actively track her sphere of influence and stay in consistent, meaningful contact. She doesn’t just log names; she uses it as a living roadmap for who to reach out to next and why.

Your Action Item: Audit your CRM this week. Make sure every contact has a next-touch date. If you don’t have a system, pick one tool and commit to entering 10 contacts today.

2. Invest in Continuous Learning — and Show Up Prepared

Nina is a student of her craft. She regularly listens to the Ninja Selling podcast and has built out professional materials that reflect her expertise — including agent resumes for open houses and polished client packets. This level of preparation signals to clients that they’re working with someone serious, not someone winging it.

Your Action Item: Create or refresh one professional material this month — an open house resume, a buyer consultation packet, or a listing presentation. Treat it like a portfolio piece, not a checkbox.

3. Upgrade Your Open House with a “Mega” Mindset

Nina reimagined the open house experience from a stressful scramble into a calm, organized event. She preps all materials in advance — laid out in a file folder — so the emotional energy is focused on connection, not logistics. One signature move: a neighbors-only preview from 11 AM to noon, letting her engage the local community and demonstrate her work before the general public arrives.

Your Action Item: For your next open house, add a 1-hour neighbors-only preview window. Send personalized door hangers or notes to the surrounding 25 homes the week before.

4. Stop Collecting Contacts — Start Booking Coffee Dates

Nina doesn’t measure open house success by how many sign-in sheets she fills. Her goal is simple and focused: leave with at least one coffee date or buyer consultation booked. This mindset shift — quality over quantity — means she spends less time chasing cold leads and more time having real conversations with people who are genuinely interested.

Your Action Item: Before your next event or showing, define your one conversion goal: not “collect emails,” but “book one conversation.” Measure success by that single outcome.

5. Done is Better Than Perfect — Especially in Marketing

Nina doesn’t wait for flawless. She’s recognized that consistent communication — mailers out on time, newsletters sent regularly — does far more for her business than a perfectly edited piece that never goes out. She focuses her energy on the marketing activities that feel authentic to her, like handwritten notes, rather than stressing over every social media post.

Your Action Item: Identify one marketing habit you’ve been delaying due to perfectionism. Set a “good enough” standard and a deadline — then send it.

6. Borrow from Your Best Colleagues

Some of Nina’s best ideas didn’t come from a course or a coach — they came from watching colleagues. By paying attention to what other agents in her office were doing well (like a colleague’s newsletter format), she’s been able to adapt proven strategies and make them her own. Accountability groups keep her on track and create a culture of shared growth.

Your Action Item: Find one peer in your office whose marketing or systems you admire. Ask them to coffee and ask specifically: “What’s one thing you do consistently that you think makes the biggest difference?”

7. Educate on the Front End to Protect the Back End

Real estate is emotional — and Nina leans into that fact rather than fighting it. She invests heavily in client education from the very first conversation, knowing that informed clients are calmer clients throughout the transaction. She also brings loan officers in early to ensure everyone is aligned from the start, eliminating surprises that derail deals.

Your Action Item: Review your buyer or seller consultation. Add one educational touch point you currently deliver reactively — move it to the front of the process so clients hear it before they need it.

8. Release the Clients Who Aren’t Your People

One of Nina’s most powerful mindset shifts: she’s stopped trying to be everything to everyone. She’s made peace with the fact that not every client is meant to be hers, choosing instead to pour her energy into relationships built on mutual trust and good faith. She also embraces the long game of marketing — understanding that a well-timed mailer or thoughtful gift may not generate a direct referral immediately, but it quietly keeps her top of mind.

Your Action Item: Think of one current client relationship that feels draining or misaligned. Ask yourself: is this relationship actually serving both parties? Give yourself permission to redirect your energy where it’s most valued.

“It’s a momentum-based business. Show up consistently, be genuine, and the referrals follow.”
— Nina McDaniel, on what it really takes to double your volume

Connect with Nina!

nina.mcdaniel@bairdwarner.com | nina.mcdaniel@bairdwarner.com https://www.instagram.com/ninamoffarealtor/

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The Plateau Problem

What separates agents who keep growing from those who stall, and what to do
about it.

I’m coming up on four years as a designated managing broker. In that time, I’ve had the
privilege of observing, engaging with, and coaching dozens of Realtors. And as I look at
where many agents find themselves today, with pipelines starting to thin and
momentum harder to sustain, one pattern stands out above the rest: agents hit a
plateau and can’t figure out why.

They’re experienced. They know how to service a client. But somewhere along the way,
they stopped going to training. They pulled back from the prospecting activities that built
their business in the first place. They kept doing what they’ve always done in an
industry that keeps changing, and expected the same results. Or better ones.
The difference between agents who are leveling up and those who are standing still isn’t
tenure. It isn’t luck. It isn’t having a team around them. It’s the choices they make every
single day.

Conversion happens in conversation. If your pipeline is dry, start talking to
your database.

Top producers in any field choose growth over comfort. They push through when
business is hard. They do the work even when they don’t feel like it. And they never
stop building their pipeline, even when things are going well. That last part is critical.
The most successful agents aren’t just servicing their pipeline; they’re constantly
feeding it. That means making the calls, showing up to the events, having the
conversations that feel awkward or inconvenient. It means choosing discomfort over
stagnation, again and again.

Growing your business in a challenging market isn’t easy. But the path forward is often
simpler than it seems. Go back to basics. Attend a training. Sit down with a few
colleagues and talk through lead generation strategies. Recommit to the activities that
work.

Your success is in your hands. No one else can want it for you, build it for you, or
earn it for you. The good news is that means it’s entirely within your reach. So
make better choices, do the work, and go get it.

Feeling stuck and not sure where to start? I’m happy to sit down with you and talk through a strategy to push through the plateau.

Book a strategy call

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Agent Spotlight: Millie Rosenbloom

40 Years of Real Estate Excellence — Meet Millie Rosenbloom

When it comes to real estate, Millie Rosenbloom is nothing short of legendary. With four decades of experience under her belt, she’s helped clients with everything from first homes to high-end luxury listings, hospitals to golf courses, condos to new construction. Her unmatched versatility, depth of knowledge, and tireless commitment to the profession make her a true force in Chicago real estate.

Millie’s path began with a decision between two dreams — trading at the Mercantile Exchange or diving into real estate. At the time, few women were seen on the trading floor, but Millie had grown up moving frequently with her family, buying and selling properties with the same Realtor: Mrs. Beeman. That early relationship stuck with her.

“There’s no single blueprint for being a Realtor — you can make it what you want,” Millie says. “And the longer I did it, the more confident I became. I love that I get to protect people and earn their respect.”

She built her reputation across a range of specialties — residential, development, and commercial — becoming known for her work in the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Lake Shore East, and northern suburbs all the way to Evanston. Her client base spans first-time buyers to seasoned luxury sellers, and her depth of experience brings calm and clarity to every deal.

Millie is also a trailblazer in the industry. As the 3rd female president of the Chicago Association of Realtors in 18 years, she helped shape policy and pave the way for future women in leadership. She’s a CAR Hall of Fame inductee, receiving the highest honor the association offers — a testament to her lasting impact on the profession.

Her advice for agents? It depends where you are in your journey.
 ▶️ New agents: “Work as many open houses as you can. Build a list of potential clients and create an engagement program to become their go-to.”
▶️ Experienced agents: “Work your sphere. Create meaningful, consistent touchpoints with past and current clients — through newsletters, events, or calls. Be their lifelong resource.”

Another key to her success?
“Build strong business relationships with other brokers. In a low-inventory market, having that mutual respect can make all the difference in getting a deal done.”

Millie credits Baird & Warner Lincoln Park with providing the support and environment she needs to thrive:
“The market share, the accessibility to staff, the programs and insights shared at meetings, and the relationships I’ve built within the office — all of that helps me better serve my clients.”

With four decades of insight, integrity, and influence, Millie Rosenbloom is more than an agent — she’s an icon.

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How to Help Your Clients Become Real Estate Investors

Historically, investing in real estate has been one of the most effective ways to find financial freedom, especially in the Chicagoland area. It’s a smart way for people to build generational wealth and diversify their portfolios. 

It’s a unique asset class that has lower volatility than stocks and offers a safe way to hedge against inflation or uncertain times. Responsible real estate development can revitalize and strengthen communities by boosting property values and tax revenue, leading to better public services and success for locally-owned businesses.

Most brokers join this industry because they are driven to help match their clients with the perfect home for their family or find the ideal location for an innovative commercial enterprise. 

You also have the power to guide your clients toward making advantageous financial decisions. Here are some smart strategies for encouraging your buyers to become real estate investors and boosting your real estate brand to the stratosphere.

Become a Subject Matter Expert

In the business world, an SME (subject matter expert) is a highly qualified professional who has advanced knowledge in a specific field. 

Finding your niche is key to establishing your reputation as a trusted advisor. Whether you specialize in a certain area, historic buildings, or multi-family dwellings, doing your research and staying in front of current market trends is vital.

Chicago’s 77 community areas each have a distinct flavor and possible opportunities for residential or commercial investments. In-depth market analysis utilizing the latest AI-powered technology will give you the data you need to steer your clients to the most potentially profitable properties. 

You should also be aware of upcoming development projects, zoning ordinance changes, economic policies, and how to evaluate deals and estimate cash flow. 

The National Association of REALTORS® provides a certification program in real estate investing that takes a deep dive into 1031 exchanges, NOI (net operating income) modeling, and practical insight into professional property management.

By developing your expertise, you’ll inspire homebuyers to expand their horizons and explore the possibilities of building wealth through this type of investment.

Educating Your Clients

The next step is to sit down with your clients and truly understand their goals and financial situation. Many potential homebuyers are unaware of the options available to them or the safety and tax benefits of purchasing property as an investment.

Commonly called “house hacking,” many motivated investors start out by earning income through renting out part of their property (such as accessory dwelling units like basement apartments or separate mother-in-law suites) or by living onsite in a residential building and acquiring tenants for the other units.

This rental income can reduce or eliminate housing costs while building equity and allowing your client to save money for additional investment properties. 

You should advise your buyers to work with a lender who will work with them to find financing options specifically available for investment properties and owner-occupied multi-units. The qualifications for multifamily property mortgages are different than those for single-family homes but definitely still achievable.

For example, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) guarantees mortgages with lower down payment requirements that are specifically designed for those with lower income or credit scores. Buyers can use this program to purchase a property with up to 4 units, as long as one will be their permanent, full-time home. 

Properties with 5 units or more are considered commercial real estate. If your clients are considering taking this route, they’ll need to have good credit and be prepared to make a larger down payment. Commercial mortgage loans also may have shorter terms than conventional residential mortgages — typically 5 to 20 years. 

These kinds of properties are also usually listed at a higher price point than residential ones, but they also generate more revenue, which makes it easier to grow your portfolio. There are many different types of commercial real estate, but these are traditionally the most profitable:

  • Apartments
  • Flex space (multi-use light industrial)
  • Self-storage
  • RV/ motor home parks
  • Strip malls with a balanced tenant mix
  • Student housing

Being a landlord isn’t for everyone, however. Be sure to talk to your clients about their lifestyles and expectations. Some people are ready to be fully hands-on, and some would prefer to let someone else handle the day-to-day oversight and dealing with repairs and maintenance. But property management companies can take a huge bite out of investment property income, so it’s crucial for your client to factor those expenses into their plan. 

Best Practices

Effective negotiation tactics are especially critical when it comes to sealing the deal on investment real estate. Honing your skills and specializing in this kind of transaction will give you valuable expertise and nurture your business. 

It’s vital to offer ongoing support to your clients throughout the process. Providing regular updates on market trends, answering questions, and offering guidance will make your clients feel more confident in their investment decisions and their plan for the future.

Be transparent and upfront with your buyers about the risks and rewards of investing in real estate. This is critical for building trust and establishing yourself as a trusted and reliable partner. 

At Baird & Warner Lincoln Park, we give our brokers every possible advantage to ensure they exceed client expectations. We leverage the latest property management and CRM technology to build a highly unique platform for our top-performing team. 

Discover more about finding success in an exciting and prosperous industry at the largest independent brokerage in the country — reach out today!

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Agent Spotlight: Dan Asher

There’s one glorious ideal that drives Dan in his chosen career with Baird & Warner Lincoln Park. 

And that’s to help others. He believes that there’s no better path than helping people improve their lives by finding the perfect home. 

From a young age, Dan has been fascinated by architecture, buildings, and the idea of creating beautiful spaces. 

He studied at Missouri State University, graduating with a degree from their highly respected and unique Construction Management Program. It’s one of the only programs in the country that offer incredible opportunities for onsite training and internships in this particular field.

One of the reasons that Dan loves living in the Chicago area is its reputation as the architectural capital of the world. He enjoys admiring the city’s many iconic buildings like the Tribune Tower, Willis Tower, the Rookery, the Chicago Cultural Center, and the Aqua skyscraper.

Dan and his family regularly go adventuring and take advantage of the nearly endless kid-friendly things to do and places to go that the city is known for. Some of his favorite places to spend time with his loved ones include:

Chicagoland is an exhilarating place to visit any time of the year, of course, but in the warmer months, Dan takes every opportunity for exploring the great outdoors and hiking some of the best urban trails on the planet with his partner and 2 energetic children. He also thinks this is a wonderful place to raise kids and loves helping potential homeowners find homes in Chicago’s diverse family-friendly neighborhoods.

The 1.8-mile Lakeshore Path is an especially awesome trail for both walking with the kids and admiring breathtaking beach views and cityscapes, as is the Chicago Lakefront Trail. In the summer, of course, it’s time to hit the beach — you should check out North Avenue, 63rd St Beach, and Montrose near The Dock, where you can indulge in comfort food like cheese curds, burgers, and tacos after a day in the sun.

Anyone visiting Chicagoland always gets a million suggestions for where to go and eat. Dan always has the inside scoop on sourcing gourmet grub in his favorite neighborhoods, but his absolute favorite place is Gather in Lincoln Square. Welcoming and low-key, it’s a no-frills gastropub where his family can savor decadent yet still-sort-of-healthy plates like glazed baby carrots, crispy Brussels sprouts with candied pistachios, and seared tofu with a caramel glaze.

As one of Chicagoland’s top real estate brokers, Dan simply loves what he does. He sees immense value in Baird & Warner’s people-centric approach to growing a real estate firm sustainably as well as their cutting-edge technology and organizational knowledge.

There are countless brokerages in the Chicago area, but Baird & Warner Lincoln Park offers an incredibly unique mix of elite office management, mentorship, training, and a warm, inclusive company culture. 

He’s excited about mentoring new agents as the Assistant Managing Broker and has some valuable insights to help those just starting out. His most crucial piece of advice for anyone entering this industry is to be consistent and focus on building strong daily habits.

Dan knows that your true worth is based on how much you give to others. He recommends reading The Go-Giver and its follow-ups, a series of enlightening tales by Bob Burg and John David Mann. These thought-provoking works inspire him to give to others, provide support, and add value to every aspect of his life. 

His active, family-oriented lifestyle means he’s always on the move, but you can reach Dan on LinkedIn or at dan.asher@bairdwarner.com. 

UPDATE: In February 2025, Dan Asher became the Vice President/Designated Managing Broker of our Glen Ellyn office.

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Baird & Warner’s History of Supporting Fair Housing

April has been designated as Fair Housing Month to commemorate and celebrate the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. This landmark legislation was part of the Civil Rights Act of that year and prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or family status.  

During this tumultuous time, Baird & Warner — the nation’s first and Illinois’ largest family-owned real estate services company — was led by John Baird, the father of our current president, Stephen Baird, the firm’s fifth-generation owner. 

Studying and honoring our past helps us better understand the challenges faced by previous generations of Chicagoans and the ongoing struggle for equality, inclusion, and a just society.

Let’s explore Baird & Warner’s unique, 168-year history and the vital part our organization has played in bringing diversity and equity to the Chicagoland housing market. 

Continue reading “Baird & Warner’s History of Supporting Fair Housing”
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Office Support at Baird & Warner Lincoln Park: Improving Agents’ Lives Through Systems & Tools

At Baird & Warner Lincoln Park, we know that a career in real estate gives you the freedom to build an extraordinary life.

Managing Broker David Bailey is often asked about the secret to becoming a top performer in this industry. “There’s no one ‘right’ way to launch a successful real estate business,” he points out. “Instead, I believe in an individualized approach, encouraging brokers to maximize their own natural style and strengths with the support of the office as a whole.”

Baird & Warner Lincoln Park inspires new and experienced agents to build an invaluable ecosystem and a custom business plan so they can truly thrive in their chosen field. The team offers an unparalleled level of coaching, mentorship, volunteerism, and continuing education opportunities. 

Let’s dive deeper into the unique tools and systems that will help you surpass your goals and achieve your dream of being a top earner in the Chicagoland real estate world. 

Continue reading “Office Support at Baird & Warner Lincoln Park: Improving Agents’ Lives Through Systems & Tools”
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Agent Spotlight: Jeff Nobleza

Chicagoland native and massive Cubs fan Jeff Nobleza had no idea that his path would lead him to a career in real estate. 

After graduating from DePaul University with a degree in Accounting (and a few bruises from playing rugby), he thrived as an accountant and business analyst, sitting for the CPA exam and starting to build his personal investment strategy.

Jeff decided to purchase his first home in 2006 as an optimistic and successful young professional. Unfortunately, the US housing market at that time was at the apex of the bubble which resulted in the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007-2008 and laid the groundwork for the Great Recession. 

His experiences during this time inspired him to pivot to the real estate industry, determined to help hopeful first-time buyers and families who want to establish a true home for their children and build generational wealth.

Continue reading “Agent Spotlight: Jeff Nobleza”