The REALTOR® organization’s strength lies in how the local, state and national levels work together to amplify advocacy, streamline ethics enforcement and enhance member resources. In this episode, recorded live at the AE Institute, Drive with NAR podcast host Marki Lemons Ryhal speaks with NAR President Kevin Sears, Senior Vice President of Industry Relations Jarrod Grasso and Denver Metro Association of REALTORS® CEO Brendan Bailey. Learn how this collaborative structure ensures a unified REALTOR® voice, protects consumers and can help your business succeed.

Meet the Guests...

Kevin Sears, a 30-year real estate veteran from Springfield, Massachusetts, is the 2025 President of the National Association of REALTORS®. He is a Broker-Associate with Lamacchia Realty.

Jarrod Grasso is the Senior Vice President of Industry Relations at the National Association of REALTORS®. Before his current role, Jarrod served as Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey REALTORS® for nearly 17 years.

Brendan Bailey is the CEO of the Denver Metro Association of REALTORS®, with nearly a decade of public affairs, advocacy and real estate industry experience. He was named Vice Chair of NAR's Association Executives Institute Advisory Board in 2023.

What happens when two real estate appraisers give different values for the same property? In this episode, broker Lutalo McGee and appraiser Maureen Sweeney join host Marki Lemons Ryhal to explain the real estate appraisal process, why home appraisals can vary, and how real estate agents can effectively communicate with appraisers to help ensure accurate home valuations.

Learn tips for preparing for a home appraisal, how to handle a low appraisal, and when to request a reconsideration of value. Plus, hear why appraisal contingency risks matter in today’s market.

Meet the Guests...

Lutalo McGee, ABR, GRI, is the owner and managing broker of Ani Real Estate in Chicago. He currently serves as the president-elect of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and is a member of NAR’s Real Property Valuation Committee.

Maureen Sweeney, RAA, is a Chicago-based real estate appraiser who specializes in residential and small income-producing properties. She is the 2025 chair of the Real Property Valuation Committee and serves as member of the Illinois Real Estate Appraisal Administration and Disciplinary Board.

Host Tracey Hawkins delves into the critical role of negotiation leverage in real estate transactions, focusing on how to protect your client’s interests at the negotiating table. Joined by experts Matthew Rathbun and Amy Steele, discover key strategies to avoid common pitfalls, safeguard your client's bargaining power and enhance your negotiation skills. Learn about the impact of digital security, social media and AI on real estate transactions, and gain practical tips to ensure both safety and success.

 Meet the Guests

Matthew Rathbun, ABR, CRS, is a broker with Coldwell Banker Elite in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He serves as the 2025 president-elect of the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® and the 2025 president of the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI), an NAR affiliate organization. Rathbun is an instructor of NAR’s Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) certification course.

Amy Steele, ABR, SRS, is an agent with JPAR Real Estate in Grapevine, Texas, who also is licensed in California. The owner of a short-term rental property, Steele focuses her real estate expertise on investment properties and vacation homes. She has a personal library of more than 3,000 books.