Why The Agency's 2026 Inman Innovator Nominations Matter

Lucía Torres · 2026-07-29

We couldn't be prouder to announce that The Agency, along with several of our own agents, has been named among the finalists for this year's Inman Innovator Awards. It's one of those moments where you stop, take a breath, and realize all the late nights and bold bets are paying off. Since 1998, the Inman Innovator Awards have honored companies, individuals, and new technologies that boost productivity, efficiency, and transparency for real estate pros and consumers alike. They recognize the people and organizations actually reshaping how this industry works, not just talking about it. ## The 2026 Nominations at a Glance Here's who made the cut this year: - **Most Innovative Brokerage** – The Agency - **Most Innovative Team** – The Umansky Team - **Most Innovative Agent** – Eric Rollo That's a clean sweep across three major categories, and honestly, it feels pretty incredible to see the whole organization recognized like this. ## A Team Effort Worth Celebrating A big congratulations goes out to every member of The Umansky Team — Mauricio Umansky, Farrah Brittany, Madison Buffardi, and Alexia Umansky — for their nomination as Most Innovative Team. And to Eric Rollo, VP of Greater Boston – Cape Cod and Islands, who's up for Most Innovative Agent. These folks represent the best of what we do. ### What Innovation Really Means Here Rainy Austin, President of The Agency, put it perfectly when she said: "Innovation has always been at the core of who we are as a brokerage. Doing things differently, looking for new solutions to longstanding issues in this industry — that's exactly what sparked our creation back in 2011." She went on to note that while other brokerages consolidate and cut back on agent support, The Agency is going the opposite direction. They're investing heavily in the tools, systems, and personal service that actually help agents serve their clients better. Being nominated for an award built around that spirit of innovation is particularly exciting for all of us. ### Why This Recognition Feels Different Look, awards are nice. But this one hits different because it's about how we work, not just what we sell. The Inman Innovator Awards spotlight the people who aren't afraid to challenge the status quo. That's been our DNA since day one. We're not just listing homes. We're building new systems, refining our processes, and dreaming up inventive ways to support our agents and elevate the experience for their clients. It's about thinking bigger and shaking things up — even when it's easier to play it safe. ### What This Means for Professionals If you're a real estate professional watching from the sidelines, this nomination streak says something important: innovation isn't a buzzword here. It's a daily practice. It's the difference between following trends and setting them. So here's a toast to our nominated agents, to our colleagues who keep pushing boundaries, and to everyone who believes the best way to honor this industry is by making it better. This recognition is yours as much as ours. We'll keep building, keep refining, and keep finding new ways to serve our agents and their clients. Because that's what innovation really looks like — not a one-time flash, but a steady commitment to doing things right.