Tech with Ty

🤖[T]echnology: Black Friday
🎓 [E]ducation/Entertainment: Beginning of the End of the MLS?
💪[C]oaching: Be Thankful
📹 [H]ow To: Stay Top of Mind This Holiday Season

[T]echnology: 

I’ve said it before…Black Friday is my favorite holiday of the year.

It’s not just the deals, especially as I get older and definitely don’t NEED anything.

It’s the nostalgia of staying up all night and going through the paper with my dad and brother and a touch of the thrill of the kill…getting the deal. 🙌

Here are the top deals for real estate agents:

Dead spots in your wifi? Upgrade to a mesh system for better connections and coverage: https://a.co/d/fx56sFu

Bad audio makes for bad videos…use the same mics I use: https://a.co/d/57ryTTq

Want your videos to be as smooth as butter? Get yourself a gimbal: https://a.co/d/dqq5wgW

Want to be a bit more creative, never miss the right angle, or do your own 3D tours? This is the best bang for your buck when it comes to 360 cameras: https://a.co/d/c6DwBhh

As agents, I know your phone is always on the verge of dying…never run out of power with this handy portable charger: https://a.co/d/bOVGRNX

Want a decent closing gift? Stock up on Ring doorbells: https://ring.com/products/battery-doorbell

This is certainly not an all-encompassing list…and you may be able to save a few more $$$ at a local store, but Amazon ordering is just too easy. ☺️

What are you looking forward to buying this year?

[E]ducation:

The Beginning of the End

The MLS Choice program from Phoenix Realtors is getting a lot of attention—and not all of it’s positive. At $249 a year, it’s a wallet-friendly option for brokers and agents who want MLS access and legal forms without full Realtor membership. For some, it’s a no-brainer, but for others, it feels like the start of something that could unravel the foundation of the real estate profession. 🫣

Some see MLS Choice as a much-needed step into the modern age. They love the idea of improved recruitment and retention, cost savings, and a better fit for newer, tech-driven business models. And sure, it sounds great on paper—more options, less cost, fewer headaches for agents who don’t need every MLS service.

But then there’s the other side. What happens when the agents who opt out start “free riding,” benefiting from MLS services without paying their share? 💰 Or when MLS budgets shrink because fewer members are contributing? And let’s not forget about the possible unintended consequences that always seem to pop up when a major policy changes. It’s not just about dollars—it’s about the services, standards, and ethics that keep the industry running smoothly.

Some leaders in the field, like Merri Jo Cowen of Florida Regional MLS, are all-in on changes like this. She’s been vocal about her belief that agents should still belong to an MLS, even if they’re not Realtors. And then there are brokers like Jim Weix who argue for more flexibility overall, like letting Realtors choose their board regardless of office location. It’s clear that the industry is at a crossroads, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

In the short term, MLS Choice might look like a win for agents and brokers looking to cut costs or streamline their business. But I can’t help wondering about the bigger picture. Will this lead to a better, more adaptable industry—or just one where standards slip even further and professionalism takes a backseat? 🤷

I’ve always been an advocate for increasing fees and creating a higher barrier to entry to increase the public perception of a Realtor.

Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure 🕰️: MLS Choice is forcing all of us to rethink how we balance flexibility with the responsibility of upholding what makes this profession trustworthy.

READ MORE HERE

[C]oaching:

You might have a ton to be thankful for, or maybe this has been a tough year.

I’ll never forget my old partner, Scott Harris, talking about volunteering at the Victory Project…an incredible organization if you’re looking for a local (Dayton, OH) organization to support.

He sat in a room full of young men who hadn’t had the easiest life, to say the least. Each had seemingly impossible hurdles to overcome.

One had a mother who passed away from a drug overdose. Another was abused and lost his sibling due to the abuse.

The stories were/still are heartbreaking. 💔

Not discounting that any of it was something a child (or anyone) should go through, he asked them if they could each put all the awful things they had been through in a bag -  who at that table would they trade it with?

Not a single one said they would trade it.

Why?

Was it because they had already endured the pain of their experiences?

Maybe. 

Or maybe it was something deeper. Scott said it was because, despite everything, those experiences had shaped who they were. Their pain, their losses, their struggles—it was all part of their story, their identity, and the resilience they carried with them. They didn’t want to trade that because, as hard as it was, it made them who they were.

It’s a powerful reminder, isn’t it? The things we go through—the good, the bad, the downright unfair—shape us. They teach us. They give us the tools to keep going, even when it feels like the world is stacked against us. And sometimes, they even give us the strength to help someone else who’s going through their own impossible hurdles.

So, as you think about what you’re thankful for this year, don’t forget to include yourself on that list. The person you’ve become, the strength you’ve found, and the things you’ve learned along the way—all of it matters. And if this year has been tough, know that you’re not alone, and the story you’re building is one that’s worth telling. ❤️

[H]ow To: With Abby

The busy holiday season is approaching FAST! If you haven’t already started planning what to do for your clients, I’m here with TEN ideas to help you out.

1. Free photos with Santa 🎅🏻

   a. This classic idea is super easy to execute! Find a friend who can pull off Santa’s look, hire a photographer, and voilà! Don’t forget to invite your clients with furry friends, too.

2. Mixology Class 🍸

   a. One of the best parts of the holidays? The drinks! Partner with a local cocktail bar to host a mixology class. With all the holiday stress, this is the perfect way to help your clients unwind.

3. Light Shows 🎄

   a. Host an event at a local holiday light display or do a giveaway for free tickets. For example, the Cincinnati Zoo Lights or Kings Island Winterfest are excellent options if you're in the area.

4. Best Lights 🏡

   a. Create a Facebook post asking followers to share photos of their holiday lights in the comments. Choose your top two favorites and let your followers vote for the winner. A fun, interactive way to spread holiday cheer!

5. Partner with a Charity 🧸

   a. Hosting a Toys for Tots drive is a heartwarming way to give back. Set a drop-off time for donations and use it as an opportunity to mingle with your clients.

6. Pop By 🚗

   a. Pop-bys are a classic and thoughtful way to show appreciation. Ideas include poinsettias, scented candles, hot cocoa mix, a bottle of wine or champagne, or a gift certificate for house cleaning services.

7. Movie Screening 🎥

   a. Winter weather makes movie nights even more appealing! Renting a theater for a private screening is more affordable than you might think. Add popcorn vouchers to make it extra special.

8. Skiing, Tubing or Ice Skating ⛸️

   a. This one will obviously depend on where you live. I think our Texas people still have indoor ice skating rinks right? Or is that purely a midwest thing?

9. NYE Essentials 🎊

   a. Celebrate the new year with gift baskets featuring NYE essentials: 2025 glasses, confetti poppers, a bottle of bubbly, and a small cheese tray.

10. Homemade 🏠

    a. Show clients you care with homemade goodies. Ideas include vanilla extract, honey butter, granola, apple jam, sourdough bread, or stovetop Christmas potpourri.

Hopefully this gave you some ideas or maybe even inspired something entirely different. Have a great Thanksgiving! 🙂 

-Ty Morton + Abby G