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[T]echnology: Gemini 3
[E]ducation: NAR’s Big Change
[C]oaching: You’re Doing Video Wrong
[H]ow To: Plan Strategies In 2026
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[T]echnology: Gemini 3
Google just rolled out Gemini 3, and here’s the truth. Most people have no idea how good it really is because they haven’t seen it in action. They hear “AI update” and assume it’s the same old thing. It’s not. ⬇️⬇️
Gemini 3 feels different because it finally understands what you mean instead of what you type. You can talk to it normally and it picks up the tone, the intent, the half finished thoughts, all of it. The first time you use it, you get this moment of, “Wait… why does this feel so easy?”
And the timing matters. This update dropped right after Google released Nano Banana 🍌, which is flat out the best image generator on the market right now. It doesn’t fight you. It doesn’t misunderstand your idea. You give it a concept and it nails it on the first try in a way that feels unfair.
Put those two things together and suddenly you realize why you need to try Gemini for yourself. It isn’t about replacing your systems or switching tools. It’s about the day to day stuff you already do becoming ten times lighter. You can drop in a messy email thread and get the one sentence that actually matters. You can ramble into your phone and end up with a clean message that sounds like you on your best day. 📱 You can sketch an idea in your head and let Nano Banana turn it into a real image without the headache.
Trying Gemini is like borrowing a smarter version of your own brain for the tasks you don’t have the energy for. And once you feel that difference, you won’t go back.
That’s the moment Google finally got right.
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[E]ducation: NAR’s Big Change
Jared James dropped a really interesting update this week from the NXT conference, but here’s the part I want you to pay attention to…
The headline sounds huge. ⬇️⬇️
NAR removing the rule that you must be a member to access an NAR affiliated MLS. However, the practical reality is a lot less dramatic.
Most local associations are still going to require membership, and even if they didn’t, most brokers are still going to stay because the value is baked into the local level. Your forms, your contracts, your training, your support…all of that comes from the board.
The bigger question is where this goes next. NAR is signaling that they’re preparing for future legal battles and trying to eliminate any policies that could turn into antitrust problems. That tells me we’re entering a season where association structures might evolve, but nothing overnight 🌝 is changing how you run your daily business.
Watch Jared’s take and tell me what you think. Does this move make the industry better, or is it just the start of a much bigger shift?
Bonus Education:
I found it super interesting that when I googled “nar mandatory membership”, Jared’s video on IG is the first result on the top right and even above YouTube (after Google’s AI Overview, of course).
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[C]oaching: You’re Doing Video Wrong
Every now and then I stumble across something that stops me in my tracks. This week it was an email from 1000 Watt. These folks are on another level when it comes to brand and creativity. Their take on real estate video was so good that I want to share the big idea with you and give them credit for the spark. ✨
Here’s the short version. ⬇️⬇️
Most listing videos look the same because most agents are following the exact same formula. Same shots. Same pacing. Same “I’m the main character” energy. 1000 Watt’s breakdown reminded me that the home should be the hero, not the agent.
A few standout ideas worth stealing for your next shoot. ⬇️⬇️
• Start the story like a buyer. Approach the home. Build anticipation.
• Get out of the frame. Introduce the home then step aside and narrate.
• Slow everything down. Let viewers actually see the space.
• Add small, human moments that show care and professionalism.
• Think cinematically. Reflections, light changes, real-life details.
Let this be your reminder. If your listing video looks like everyone else’s, it’s time to make something that doesn’t.
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[H]ow To: Plan Strategies In 2026
Let’s talk about the marketing strategies you should be using in 2026.
Firstly, AI. ⬇️⬇️
Watching the evolution of AI has been fascinating. We went from ChatGPT being nonexistent, to only a handful of people using it, to it essentially becoming the new Google. People aren’t “Googling” things anymore — they’re ChatGPTing it. 🔍
We also saw the wave of AI videos: everyone was suddenly excited that they could create anything with an AI generator. Then the excitement steadied, and people stopped absorbing it the way they initially did. Now, I’m seeing social media platforms labeling content as AI and actually pushing it down in the algorithm — not only for ethical reasons, but because these platforms know what truly gets views: real, authentic interactions. 💬
In 2026, AI will be all about balance — using it to enhance your workflows, letting it work with you, but not allowing it to become the entire source of your marketing. You still need personalization, human interaction, and meaning in your content. That is something AI will never fully replace. (thank god my job is somewhat saved) Finding the balance where AI works for you while you remain human is the key.
Local First. 📍
Communities matter — and right now, more than ever, people want to support the locals. Money is tight for everyone, and if they can hire someone who gives back to their community in some way, they’re going to do that.
So what does that mean for you?
It means niching down. Pick the city that is YOUR city. Know it inside and out. Highlight local coffee shops, eateries, small businesses, contractors — people who are community-focused and can support your clients. Not only does this show that you’re community-driven, but those same local people are more likely to refer business back to you.
Comfort creators. 💤
Comfort creators are extremely trendy right now. These are the people who make content that’s calm, easy-going, and relatable. We’re overstimulated 24/7 and constantly consuming content. People want someone who makes the entire process feel easier, calmer, and more human.
That’s where comfort creators shine. They:
• Provide clarity
• Stay transparent
• Communicate like themselves
• Build emotional safety
• Make moments feel special for clients
• Offer true support
Short-form content. 📹
Short, quick videos aren’t going anywhere. People are busy, and they will always want content fast. Our attention spans have been wrecked — and I don’t see that changing. I still recommend 15–30 seconds per video, unless you’re creating something educational.
Each year, each month, each day, marketing changes — you can thank social media for that. And now that AI is in the mix? Who knows what 2026 will bring.
But I’m excited to see how it evolves the industry and changes the way we communicate with each other.
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-Ty Morton + Abby G