What’s Working Right Now in Real Estate: The Real Strategies Denver Agents Shared on January 16, 2026

What were the most practical, real-world strategies shared at the “What’s Working Right Now in Real Estate” live speaker series on January 16, 2026?

This event was built to cut through opinions and focus on what’s actually working. Seven agents with seven different business models shared tactical strategies you can apply immediately, from systems and leverage to content, luxury, referrals, and community-driven growth.

Why I hosted this event in the first place

The real estate industry is full of opinions.

You hear a hundred hot takes a day, especially going into a new year.

But what most agents really want is simple: clarity.

What is actually working right now, in the real world, with real clients, real numbers, and real competition?

That’s why I hosted What’s Working Right Now in Real Estate: A Live Speaker Series on January 16, 2026, at Clayton Hotel & Members Club in Cherry Creek, Denver.

The goal was never to create another panel where everyone gives the same generic advice.

The goal was to bring in seven agents with seven different businesses and ask curated questions that matched how they actually operate.

Different niches. Different personalities. Different lead sources. Different markets.

One common thread: they are producing at a high level, and they are not guessing.

The setting mattered: Clayton Hotel & Members Club

I co-hosted this event in collaboration with Clayton Hotel & Members Club, and the venue was a big part of why the day worked so well.

The Clayton is one of those places where the environment helps the conversation.

It feels elevated, but not stiff.

Professional, but not formal.

That matters, because the best insights usually come out when people feel comfortable.

This was not a rushed “sit, listen, leave” type of event.

People stayed after.

They kept talking.

They swapped ideas and built real connections, which is exactly the point.

What made this speaker series different

If you have been to enough panels, you know what typically happens.

The moderator asks broad questions.

Speakers answer in broad terms.

Audience nods, takes a few notes, then leaves with motivation but not much direction.

I wanted the opposite.

Here’s what made this one different:

• Curated questions tailored to each speaker

• No repeated answers

• A mix of luxury, mountain, developer, systems, and relationship-driven businesses

• Tactical takeaways you can apply immediately

• A real conversation, not a scripted panel

  
  

Instead of forcing every speaker to answer the same questions, I leaned into their strengths.

That’s where the real gold came from.

The quick event timeline

For anyone who likes the structure, here’s how the afternoon flowed:

• 1:30 PM – Doors opened

• 2:00 to 3:00 PM – Live Speaker Series

• 3:00 to 3:20 PM – Audience Q&A

• 3:30 to 4:00 PM – Networking in the Members Club (second floor)

Parking was available throughout Cherry Creek.

Valet was available at the Clayton for $20 and $14 for members.

Meet the speakers and the strategies they shared

Below is my recap of what stood out from each speaker’s business model, plus how you can apply it to your own business right now.

I’m intentionally keeping this in plain language so it’s easy to take action on.

Cody Walker: Systems, data, and leverage that actually creates deal flow

Cody came in with a marketing background and a systems-first approach.

What stood out was how intentional his business is.

He is not hoping for business.

He is creating it, tracking it, and scaling it with leverage.

Key themes from Cody’s approach:

• Data-driven marketing decisions

• Strong systems that keep the machine running

• A Philippines-based support team (four people) to create leverage

• Multiple lead sources that work together

  • Agent referrals

  • Cold calling

  • Database follow up

  • Google Business Profile

    
    

My biggest takeaway: you do not need one magical lead source. You need a dependable machine.

How you can apply this:

• Pick 2 to 3 lead sources you can commit to for 90 days.

• Build a simple tracking system so you know what is working.

• Identify the first task you should not be doing yourself.

  • Admin follow up

  • Scheduling

  • CRM cleanup

  • Marketing posting

• Create a weekly scorecard for your business:

  • Contacts made

  • Conversations

  • Appointments set

  • Contracts written

  • Closings

    
    

If you want consistency, you need consistency in inputs.

Cody’s business is a great example of that.

Stacey Stambaugh: Content and visibility that converts into business

Stacey brought a message that a lot of agents needed to hear.

Content is not just about “posting.”

It is about visibility, positioning, and staying top of mind with the right audience.

She focused on creating content efficiently, generating ideas consistently, and turning that visibility into actual business growth.

Key themes from Stacey’s approach:

• Efficiency in content creation

• Repeatable idea generation

• Content that leads to real conversations

• Consistency over perfection

My biggest takeaway: the agents who win with content treat it like a system, not a mood.

How you can apply this:

• Create 3 content buckets you can rotate weekly:

  • Local market clarity (simple updates)

  • Client education (how the process works)

  • Social proof (wins, testimonials, behind-the-scenes)

• Batch content once per week.

  • Record 4 to 6 short videos in one sitting.

• Create a “swipe file” of hooks that work for you.

  • If you struggle with ideas, that’s usually the bottleneck.

• Track what converts.

  • Saves, shares, DMs, comments that turn into conversations.

Visibility is a compounding asset.

Stacey made that crystal clear.

Sheila Bailey: High volume, specialization, and deep market expertise

Sheila’s numbers speak for themselves.

She closes 100 to 150 transactions a year, with $85 million across 100 transactions in 2025.

But what really mattered was how she got there.

Sheila has deep expertise in investment properties, second homes, and new construction, especially throughout the Winter Park and Granby areas.

Key themes from Sheila’s approach:

• Specialization creates trust

• Repetition builds speed

• High volume demands strong processes

• Expert knowledge in a niche market beats general knowledge

My biggest takeaway: if you want more business, go deeper, not wider.

How you can apply this:

• Choose one niche to go all-in on for the next 6 months:

  • New construction

  • Investors

  • Luxury

  • Relocation

  • Second homes

• Build a simple “expert kit” for that niche:

  • A one-page guide

  • A short video series

  • A weekly email topic

• Get known for something specific.

When people know exactly what you do, referrals get easier.

Sheila’s business is proof.

Lori Abbey: Breaking into luxury and staying there

A lot of agents want luxury listings.

Fewer agents build a luxury business that lasts.

Lori spoke about building a luxury business from the ground up, what has worked consistently year after year, and how she balances life while maintaining high production.

Key themes from Lori’s approach:

• Consistency matters more than flash

• Relationships still drive luxury

• High-touch service is non-negotiable

• Boundaries and balance are part of sustainability

My biggest takeaway: luxury is built on trust and experience, not just aesthetics.

How you can apply this:

• Audit your client experience from start to finish.

  • Where does it feel premium?

  • Where does it feel rushed or generic?

• Create a simple luxury cadence:

  • Weekly proactive updates

  • White-glove vendor coordination

  • Presentation-ready marketing

• Build partnerships with people who serve luxury clients well:

  • Not for endorsements

  • For better outcomes and smoother execution

Luxury clients want certainty.

Lori’s approach was a strong reminder that your process is your product.

Chelsea Steen: A referral-based business and a life-first strategy

Chelsea’s story hit a lot of people because it showed what is possible with the right structure.

She is a former collegiate athlete turned top 1.5% real estate agent.

She built a 90% referral-based business, earned over $400K in GCI last year, and traveled to 16 countries.

She also brings an entrepreneurial background from founding and selling a painting company before real estate.

Key themes from Chelsea’s approach:

• Referral business is built intentionally

• Relationships are nurtured, not assumed

• A strong network can create freedom

• Business structure supports lifestyle, not the other way around

  
  

My biggest takeaway: if you want freedom, your business has to be designed for it.

How you can apply this:

• Build a “referral flywheel”:

  • Clear client experience

  • Clear follow up plan

  • Clear ask for referrals

• Create a past client touch plan you can actually execute:

  • 1 monthly email

  • 1 quarterly personal touch

  • 1 annual appreciation moment

• Track your referral sources and double down on your top 20%.

Chelsea’s results did not come from luck.

They came from design.

Gerard Langhuoth: Community, connection, and events as a growth strategy

Gerard brought a perspective that a lot of agents forget.

You can grow by being more present in your community.

Not in a forced way.

In a real way.

He shared how relationships, local business advocacy, and high-impact events helped him win deals, build trust, and grow quickly in a competitive market.

Key themes from Gerard’s approach:

• Local relationships create opportunities

• Community involvement builds trust faster than ads

• Events can be a real lead strategy

• Advocating for local businesses builds goodwill and visibility

  
  

My biggest takeaway: the fastest way to become known is to become involved.

How you can apply this:

• Pick one community lane:

  • A neighborhood

  • A business group

  • A local cause

• Commit to showing up consistently.

  • Not just posting about it.

• Host one small event per quarter.

  • Coffee meetup

  • Neighborhood happy hour

  • First-time buyer workshop

When you create space for connection, business follows.

Gerard is doing that well.

Jeremy Kane: Leadership, coaching, and scaling an organization

Jeremy is a nationally recognized real estate leader, top-producing agent, and high-performance coach.

He built a 225+ agent organization, earned four Icon Awards as a top 1% producer at eXp Realty, and continues to lead from the front in today’s changing market.

Key themes from Jeremy’s approach:

• Leadership is a daily practice

• Scaling requires standards

• Coaching systems drive performance

• Your organization grows to the level of your clarity

My biggest takeaway: growth without structure becomes chaos.

How you can apply this:

• Write down your “standards” for your business:

  • Response times

  • Client communication frequency

  • Process milestones

• Build a weekly rhythm:

  • Lead generation

  • Follow up

  • Content

  • Skill development

• If you lead a team, simplify everything.

  • Clear expectations

  • Clear accountability

  • Clear support

Jeremy’s piece was a reminder that a high level business is built, not stumbled into.

The sponsors who helped make this possible

Events like this do not happen without support.

I’m grateful for the partners who invest in the real estate community and show up consistently.

Rocket Lister

A real estate photography and marketing partner delivering high-quality photos, drone media, signs, lockboxes, MLS entry, and listing marketing support to help Colorado listings stand out.

Also, a huge thank you to Rocket Lister for filming and editing the recap video. They captured the room exactly how it felt in real life.

All My Sons Moving

Sponsored by Jameson Olson, a long-time supporter of real estate professionals and community-driven events. All My Sons Moving & Storage is a family-focused, full-service moving company serving Colorado.

The Junk Trunk

A Colorado-based junk removal company offering fast, professional hauling services to clear unwanted items and clutter.

Quick note on how I think about sponsors: I only align with partners who support education, community, and the agent experience. The goal is always to help agents run better businesses and serve clients at a higher level.

The biggest themes I heard across the room

Even though each speaker had a totally different model, a few common themes came up repeatedly.

These are worth paying attention to, because they are signals of where the business is going in 2026.

1) Systems are not optional anymore

Whether you are solo or building a team, systems are the foundation.

If you feel busy but not productive, that is usually a systems problem.

2) Visibility is a business asset

Content and community are two sides of the same coin.

If people do not see you, they do not think of you.

3) Specialization creates momentum

The more specific your lane, the easier referrals become.

4) Relationships still win, even in a tech-heavy world

Tools matter.

But trust still closes deals.

The best agents blend both.

What I hope you did after this event

My hope was never that you left with 47 notes and no plan.

My hope was that you left with 2 to 3 ideas you could implement immediately.

If you want a simple action plan, here’s what I’d do:

1. Choose one strategy you heard and commit to it for 30 days.

2. Put it on your calendar.

3. Track it weekly.

4. Adjust, do not abandon.

That’s how growth actually happens.

Final takeaway

This event was a reminder that there is no single “right way” to build a real estate business.

There are multiple models that work, as long as you commit to the fundamentals:

• Consistent lead generation

• Consistent follow up

• Consistent visibility

• Strong client experience

• Clear systems

Seven agents, seven different approaches, and a room full of people leaving with practical ideas they could use the next day.

That was the whole point.

Call to action

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Questions? Contact:

Jerad Larkin, Chicago Title Colorado

Phone: 303.630.9430

Email: Info@MileHighTitleGuy.com