July Update!
- George Laughton
- Aug 12
- 4 min read
Hey Team,
Over the last couple of years, these monthly messages have become something I really look forward to. They’re a chance to do three things I care deeply about:
Share the bigger vision and direction of the team,
Pull back the curtain on what’s happening behind the scenes, and
Celebrate the people who are out there doing the work…you.
Because while you’re negotiating contracts, hosting open houses, and guiding clients through one of the biggest moments of their lives, there’s a whole infrastructure behind you, quietly (and sometimes loudly) working to support your success.
That support takes a lot of forms. Sometimes it’s legal. We’ve quietly handled several issues this year before they became major distractions. In an age of DIY lawsuits powered by AI, we’ve chosen to absorb cost early rather than let it balloon into a bigger risk. We don’t always broadcast those things, but I want you to know: we’ve got your back.
Sometimes the support looks like innovation. Maybe you’ve seen pilots come and go RDC, Homebot, YouTube Shorts, new CRM tools, or agent scripts powered by AI. Some work. Some don’t. But every test has the same goal: to give you a competitive edge. We’re willing to invest early, fail fast, and try again, so you can stay focused on growing your business.
At our mid-year leadership meeting, I shared a phrase that has become a mantra. It’s not my most poetic of moments but it still stuck: Keep the thing the thing. Don’t let the process become the thing.
Helping people simplify their next move—that’s the thing. It’s our mission.And that’s why our #1 priority heading into the second half of this year is improving listing success.
You’ve told us it’s a pain point, and I see it in the numbers. If we’re not helping sellers cross the finish line, we’re falling short of our mission. So we’re going all in—with new strategies like Roast My Listing, enhanced seller reporting, clearer pricing conversations, and more hands-on support from the team. We are going to do a deep dive into these strategies in our August All Agent meeting. It will be one you won’t want to miss!
Let’s keep going…focused on what really moves the needle.
Next 30 Days:
New Contract Forms
We’ve all experienced the friction of intake forms that don’t behave, especially this last week : file size issues, broken logic, extra clicks, and emails that don't trigger and ultimately slow everything down.
For a long time, we were working within tools we couldn’t fully control. But that’s changing.
We’ve built our New Form System 3.0 — a hybrid model that retains your favorite pre-fill automations (MLS, FUB, internal tools), but gives us full backend control and a better agent + TC experience.
Here’s what it unlocks:
Expanded pre-fills = less agent entry, cleaner data, and fewer errors that delay submission or file launch
85% faster file intake = TCs can move faster without chasing missing info or reprocessing forms
Calendar syncs = Automatically adds contract milestones to both the agent and TC calendar — no more missed reminders or deadline confusion
Upgraded initial emails = Transaction-specific templates are now smarter and more personalized, improving how we set expectations with agents and clients from day one
Client portal & weekly pending updates = Clients will soon have real-time access to their deal progress, and agents will receive weekly check-ins with what’s been completed, what’s still needed, and what’s coming up next — fewer check-in calls, more visibility all around
Timeline & Rollout Plan:
Internal Beta testing begins next week
Agent Rollout: August 11th
BAM Camp upcoming
BAM Media and Navi Title are hosting an epic event right here in Scottsdale! You don’t want to miss it. Sign up before they are sold out!! If you’re not familiar with BAM, give them a follow. @NowBAM
For Motivation
I’ve switched from listening to 90’s Alternative music and 2000’s Emo during my workouts to motivational youtube videos. It’s a good change of pace. Juli Forsyth shared this one with me and I've listened to it the last couple of days. Good stuff!
Must Watch
Great video! Maybe off topic for this month, but if you are trying to build social media as a pillar of your business this is a must watch.
Must Read
Good read… here’s the abridged version
Engage with others: Joy is amplified when experiences are shared; social connection enhances enjoyment.
Avoid passive pursuits: Active leisure (like hobbies or exercise) leads to greater satisfaction than passive activities (like scrolling or watching TV).
Follow your passions: Doing what you personally find rewarding is more fulfilling than doing what’s simply considered “good for you.”
Diversify your activities: Mixing up your free-time activities brings more joy than going deep into just one thing.
Protect your free time: Setting boundaries around work ensures you can use leisure time meaningfully, which improves both well-being and work performance.
Ad Inspiration
This isn’t easy
"This recent commercial from Zillow is a great example of how to connect with your audience, be emotionally honest, and set up a problem-solution value story... all in 15 seconds. The ad tells us, “Buying a home is really hard - exhausting even - but we will get you through this hard thing successfully”. People pay people for help with things that are hard, not things that are easy. We forget that a lot." 1000watt
Just for Fun
This might be a new trend of sharing a song that my 10-year-old has been playing on repeat—and this month’s pick is a classic: Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus. One of my biggest goals as a parent (aside from keeping them alive!) is expanding my kids’ musical palette beyond the latest YouTube trends. So if you catch yourself singing “I’m just a teenage dirtbag, baby…”, you can thank Liam.
GL
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