Partner Real Estate, brokered by LPT Realty, attended Zillow Unlock 2026 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas to explore practical ways to help our agents build stronger businesses and help buyers and sellers make informed decisions.

The event was advertised for October 12-15, with the welcome reception on October 12 and the main educational program on October 13-14. Its focus included consumer expectations, artificial intelligence, conversion, database relationships, and team leadership.

For our team, the value of continuing education comes from applying it. Below are conference themes and practical ways they can inform the service we provide throughout the San Gabriel Valley, Greater Los Angeles, Irvine, and Orange County.

Understanding What Buyers and Sellers Need

Zillow’s conference preview highlighted early access to its Consumer Housing Trends Report. The agenda also featured Amanda Pendleton discussing consumer expectations and a conversation with Toby Roberts about AI’s influence on the consumer journey. These topics reinforce the importance of understanding the person behind an online inquiry.  

A practical application for our agents is to begin consultations with better questions. What is prompting the move? What monthly housing cost feels comfortable? Does the client need to sell before buying? Which priorities are essential, and which are flexible?

For buyers, these conversations can produce a more focused search. For sellers, understanding the next move helps shape discussions about pricing, timing, and possession. Local comparable sales and current competition should inform the plan alongside the client’s circumstances.

Turning Online Connections Into Helpful Consultations

The agenda included Phil Gerdes on improving conversion and building client commitment. For Partner Real Estate, a useful application is making the path from an inquiry to a consultation clear and comfortable. 

When a buyer asks about a home, an agent can confirm what caught their attention, check availability, explain the next step, and help arrange an appropriate showing or consultation. When a homeowner asks about selling, the first conversation can establish their timeline and the information they need before deciding.

The goal is a useful appointment with a clear purpose. Buyers should understand what a consultation will cover, including representation, the search process, and financing preparation. Sellers should know what information will help the agent prepare a meaningful pricing and marketing discussion.

Making the ISA to Agent Handoff More Useful

Partner Real Estate’s inside sales team and outside agents work together to connect inquiries with personal service. One practical way to strengthen that model is to make every appointment handoff informative.

A useful handoff should capture the client’s preferred location, approximate budget or price expectations, timing, motivation, questions, and agreed next step. It should also identify information that still needs to be confirmed.

For example, an agent preparing to meet a buyer benefits from knowing that the buyer needs to sell first and wants to understand the sequence. An agent meeting a seller benefits from knowing that flexible possession matters because the replacement home is not yet secured.

This approach helps agents prepare and reduces the need for clients to repeat their story. It also makes follow-up more relevant to the actual decision the client is facing.

Using Follow Up Boss to Stay Helpful After Closing

A Follow Up Boss workshop led by Galina Mulchrone addressed past-client relationships through scheduled outreach, homeownership milestones, market updates, and organized contact lists.  

A practical application is to organize follow-up by the client’s situation. An actively searching buyer needs different communication from a homeowner considering a move next year. A past client may appreciate an annual home-value conversation or help finding a service provider.

Agents can set a specific next action after each meaningful conversation and record the client’s preferred communication method. Instead of a generic message asking whether someone is ready, a useful follow-up might address the question that delayed their decision.

For consumers, the benefit is access to an agent who remains a resource between transactions. For agents, it creates a more consistent way to maintain relationships without relying on memory.

Applying AI to Improve Preparation and Communication

Zillow described hands-on workshops connecting AI, CRM systems, automation, and Zillow tools. The broader purpose was to help agents turn technology into productive daily workflows.  

Practical uses to evaluate include drafting a meeting agenda, turning approved notes into a follow-up checklist, preparing a plain-language explanation of the buying process, and adapting a general educational message to a client’s question.

For example, an agent could prepare a draft recap after a consultation that lists the client’s priorities and next steps, then review it before sending. The benefit is a clearer record of what was discussed and who will do what next.

Agents should verify property facts, figures, deadlines, and financing information before using AI-assisted content. Client information should be handled through approved tools and appropriate privacy practices. Human review remains essential to useful advice.

Helping Sellers Evaluate the Whole Marketing Plan

The conference also offered a Zillow Pro setup workshop. A practical lesson is to review how tools fit into the complete client experience, from an agent’s profile to the way inquiries receive follow-up.  

For sellers, a useful marketing conversation should explain pricing, presentation, distribution, showing access, and the process for reviewing feedback. Agents should connect each activity to its purpose so homeowners understand what is being done and why.

A weekly discussion can review showing activity, buyer questions, new competing listings, and any changes in the seller’s plans. If a property is receiving attention without offers, the next step is to investigate the reasons and discuss options using current evidence.

For buyers, the same discipline means checking listing details and discussing a home’s fit before assuming online interest translates into the right purchase.

Building Team Support That Clients Can Feel

The agenda included Chris Giannos on recruiting through culture and Barry Jenkins on leadership and delegation. These subjects connect team development with the consistency of client service.  

A practical application is to clarify responsibility at each stage. Who confirms an appointment? Who answers the client’s next question? Who records the next action? Who checks that a handoff happened?

For agents, clear responsibilities make it easier to work with the support team. For consumers, they help create continuity as a transaction moves from the initial conversation through consultation, negotiation, and closing.

Continuing to Invest in Our Agents and Our Clients

Partner Real Estate’s participation in Zillow Unlock 2026 reflects our commitment to ongoing learning and stronger service. Our priority is to evaluate useful ideas, adapt them to our team, and reinforce the daily habits that help clients move forward with confidence.

For agents considering Partner Real Estate, these are the kinds of conversations we believe matter: how to prepare for appointments, use the database thoughtfully, collaborate with support staff, and communicate clearly with clients.

Buying or selling in the San Gabriel Valley, Greater Los Angeles, Irvine, or Orange County? Connect with Partner Real Estate to discuss your goals and build a plan for your next move.

Real estate agents interested in our team can contact us to learn about our training, systems, and opportunities.

Partner Real Estate brokered by LPT Realty