Real estate agents need to step up and stop running from change, Austin Board of Realtors CEO Emily Chenevert told the audience at Inman Connect Las Vegas.

Real estate agents need to step up and stop running from change, Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) CEO Emily Chenevert told the audience at the Inman Connect Las Vegas conference.

“Many of you feel like so much has changed in the business,” Chenevert said during a session entitled, “Stop Being A Victim: Industry Fate Is In Our Hands.”

“But we’ve got to stop grieving over the way this industry used to be and embrace what it could be if we work together,” she said.

The speech, meant to motivate agents who are unhappy with where the real estate industry is headed, comes after Chenevert publicly announced that ABoR was “done with this shit” following a 2017 governance battle that stemmed from staff leaks and led to member removals and a subsequent lawsuit.

Chenevert brought up her son Barrett, who had to go through dialysis due to kidney failure at the time of his birth, as an example of why agents should not focus on challenges and instead keep fighting for a better future.

“You need to step up and advocate for your profession with the same amount of passion,” she said, adding that too many in the industry hold on to an outdated version of what real estate should look like.

Acknowledging that many are afraid of changes from iBuyers and the Redfin and Opendoor collaboration, Chenevert said that agents need to think about “what’s new and engaging” and seek out opportunities for growth no matter what the industry throws at them.

“You don’t have to run in fear or cry tiny tears because things are uncomfortable,” she said. “You can get excited, you can lead and you can advocate for the way things in this industry should be.”

Watch the Chenevert’s full discussion here for more thoughts on how to create the change you want to see in the industry. 

Email Veronika Bondarenko

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×