Really excited about seeing and catching up with everyone at CMLS next week!
I’m going to be giving my “Industry Update” again, this year. I’m told it was the highest rated session of CMLS last year in Las Vegas (and the lowest). I’ll be onstage Friday the 15th at 8:50am, Lauren Hansen will be doing an introduction, so don’t go big on Thursday night!
Larson Skinner PLLC announces promotion of Camille M. Beshara to member of the firm
“According to firm Managing Member Mitchell A. Skinner, “Camille provides perceptive legal advice coupled with
deep industry insight to our clients. It was natural to bring her further into our team.” The firm’s founder and Of
Counsel attorney, Brian N. Larson, echoed the sentiment. “Clients appreciate Camille’s commitment to
responsive, practical, and insightful advice.”
So cool. Congrats Camille!
*I hope I don’t get in trouble from scrapping Camille’s photo from their website. : )
We are a big believer in video at W+R Studios and have used it effectively in our support and marketing efforts. Due to this we are also a big fan of Wistia, a video hosting company out of Massachusetts. They have a really wonderful company culture and their website if chock full of tip and tricks. I’ve attended their last few conferences (WistiaFest) and at this last one they introduced a great new tool called Soapbox. Basically it’s a quick and easy way to make screencasts just using Chrome. It’s free and so easy to use, you really have to try it to appreciate it.
I did one this morning so you could have an idea of how it works. You can also check out this page for more information.
Council Of Multiple Listing Services Names New Officers and Board Members For 2018
“New directors elected to three-year terms include: Glenn Christoph, CEO of Intermountain MLS (Idaho); Mike Cotrill, CEO of Greater Tulsa Association of REALTORS® (Oklahoma); Anne Marie DeCatsye, CEO of Charlotte Regional REALTOR® Association/Carolina MLS (North Carolina); and Sam Scott, director of information at Houston Association of REALTORS® (Texas).”
Andy Woolley was also named as a new “Business Partner Director”, he joins Lucie Fortier and Mike Wuzer who are already serving.
David Charron (CMLS President this year) is certainly stacked with talent this year. Congrats to everyone!
Premier Provider of Software and Data and Analytics Solutions Rebrands as Black Knight
” Black Knight Financial Services, Inc. (BKFS) announced today that, effective upon the completion of the previously announced distribution by Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) of its equity interest in Black Knight Financial Services, Inc., it will be rebranding as Black Knight, clarifying its position as a leading provider of software, data and analytics to the nation’s top financial institutions.”
I love the fact that they don’t mention FNF in the title of this press release. Foley is relentless.
Long & Foster sold to Warren Buffett company
“The acquisition price was not disclosed. Warren Buffett is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. HomeServices of America gets a company with a 50-year track record, $29 billion in sales volume last year, about 11,000 real estate agents and more than 230 offices across the mid-Atlantic, New Jersey and North Carolina. Long & Foster’s Prosperity Mortgage business originated $3.3 billion in home loans last year.
Long & Foster will continue to be run by its existing management, with founder Wes Foster serving as chairman emeritus. Long & Foster president and chief operating officer Jeff Detwiler will become CEO.
“Finding the right partner to maintain the legacy, culture, and integrity of Long & Foster was of utmost importance to me,” said Foster. “I couldn’t be more pleased that we are joining an organization known for its impeccable reputation and commitment to protecting brands. Joining HomeServices ensures that our history of market leadership and industry expertise continues.”
Monster deal.
There a 5 open positions on the The Vendor Alley Job Board!
MLS Director
REALTORS Association of Citrus County
Sr. Software Engineer
CoreLogic
Vice President of Business Technology
MIBOR REALTOR Association
Help Desk Support Manager
CarolinaMLS
Project Manager
MRIS a Bright MLS
Are you looking to hire? The Vendor Alley Job Board is organized real estate’s best hiring resource. Just click here to find out how to post. Plus I’ll back up every entry with at least one mention on the Vendor Alley blog as well.
Lots of activity in the industry but I’m still thinking about CoreLogic’s acquisition of Clareity. Why? Because I think it was one of the shrewdest deals in a long while. Here’s why.
1. Talent. The talent at Clareity is both wide and deep in industry experience and contacts. In one fell swoop CoreLogic scooped up some of the most talented and well connected people in the industry.
2. That pesky “MLS Customer Satisfaction Survey”. You know the one, where Black Knight and flexMLS were beating them every year? Well its gone baby gone.
3. Speaking of the “MLS Customer Satisfaction Survey”. All that data on their competitors that was aggregated for the survey is now in the hands of Chris Bennett. I’m sure the other MLS vendors will downplay this, but I’m equally sure they would loved it if that data was in their hands.
4. The Clareity Dashboard. Notice that last on my list is the actual product of the company! It’s almost like a bonus. And having a product that is a gateway to all other products in the industry is a nice place to sit.
Other things I’m hearing…
Troy Rech is now head of MLS sales. And Lucie Fortier, is returning back to CoreLogic after a short stint at Remine. Nice moves.
Dave Howe and Rick Trevino Promoted To MetroList Vice Presidents
“MetroList Services, Inc. announced the promotion of Dave Howe to Vice President, MLS Operations and Rick Trevino to Vice President, Information Technology. The announcement was made by Bill Miller, CEO of MetroList.
“Dave and Rick have contributed significantly and have been invaluable assets to MetroList with their combined 50 years in the real estate industry and MLS. They are innovative thinkers who have led their teams to increase the value and benefits to our real estate Subscribers,” said Miller.”
Well deserved and glad to see this happen for both. Bill Miller, MetroList’s new CEO, certainly has a deep bench to work with.
