My thanks to John Reilly for shooting this video at CMLS 2018 last week. It was just a static shot of me on stage so I took his raw footage and edited it to include the slides I used. Hope you enjoy.
Listing Bits Episode 31: Keeping a Startup Mentality with Brian Tepfer of Rapattoni
How does a tech company maintain a startup mentality after nearly five decades in the real estate space? Rapattoni has held on to its spirit of independence since its inception, embracing change and demonstrating a pride of ownership that is rare in the tech industry.
Back from a summer hiatus I had a conversation with Brian Tepfer, Executive Vice President and CTO of Rapattoni, a 48-year-old startup that offers a suite of innovative software products and services designed specifically for real estate associations and MLSs. In his role, Brian is responsible for shaping the future vision of the company’s MLS and AMS software platforms and keeping Rapattoni’s products relevant and useful. He has been with Rapattoni since 2003, serving as Technical Operations Manager and Business Processes Manager before his 2014 promotion to the C-suite.
Today, Brian shares his background in computer science and business administration, explaining how he got his start in MLS tech support at Rapattoni. He describes the startup mentality at the company, its distinction as one of the first internet-based MLS systems, and Rapattoni’s decision to focus on the real estate vertical. Brian walks us through the latest developments in the organization, including the new Rapattoni Magic-Cloud AMS, recent updates to every piece of their MLS software, and Rapattoni’s drag-and-drop custom report writer. Listen in for Brian’s take on hot button industry issues like the front-end of choice model and the Upstream initiative—and learn how Rapattoni is working to provide one of the best MLS experiences in the rapidly changing real estate market.
What’s Discussed:
Brian’s background in computer science and business
Rapattoni’s function as an MLS and AMS software service
Brian’s initial role in MLS tech support with Rapattoni
Brian’s affinity for the startup mentality at Rapattoni
How pride of ownership inspires Rapattoni’s independent path
Why Rapattoni ultimately chose the real estate vertical
How the company dealt with the passing of Andy Rapattoni
The advantages of the new Rapattoni Magic-Cloud AMS
Rapattoni’s focus on updating every piece of its MLS software
How the custom report writer helps agents stand out
Brian’s belief in the front-end of choice model
-‘Makes everybody better’
-Requires separate listing input
Brian’s take on Upstream and its lack of cohesive messaging
Rapattoni’s intention to provide one of the top MLS experiences
Resources:
Rapattoni’s Custom Report Writer
Gary Keller at Inman Connect 2018
Connect with Brian Tepfer:
See you in Orlando for CMLS 2018!
Speaking of CMLS, they has asked me again to give my satirical “Industry Update” skit on Friday at 11:15AM. So if you have any topics you want me to cover or thought of a funny joke, please text, email or stop me in the lobby bar, and I’ll see what I can come up with. Looking forward to seeing everyone next week!
Curious about iBuyers?
I think CRMLS did an excellent job of summarizing iBuyers in a recent blog post.
Curious About iBuyers? Check Out This Helpful Guide
Fundamentally, iBuyers are companies (or divisions of companies) that make fast, automated cash offers on real estate listings. Then they turn around and sell the listings, potentially remodeling or otherwise updating the properties in the process.
Some critics claim the iBuyer model is no more than an update on traditional home flipping. Proponents, however, point to the technological advances iBuyers have made. Each iBuyer has its own automated valuation model (AVM) that helps them price listings – some even using machine learning and neural networks to come to a price estimate. When it comes time to sell the listings, some iBuyers incorporate technologies such as augmented reality and identity verification to make the buyer’s experience seamless, painless, and high on the “wow factor.”
The blog post is very concise. It also talks about how Cloud Investor Connect works in their market and how it lets agents participate.
There’s been a lot of new activity in this space as current players are expanding in to other markets and new entrants like Bungalo are getting in to the game. I’m sure iBuyers will be a good topic for the hallways at CMLS.
Southeast Minnesota REALTORS joins NorthstarMLS
Second Largest MLS in Minnesota to Join NorthstarMLS
“SEMR worked with real estate industry consultant Matt Cohen, Clareity Consulting, to help its MLS and Association leadership evaluate strategic options, to research and provide recommendations for addressing concerns, to help educate and collect feedback from broker participants, to engage with NorthstarMLS, and to create a communications plan which will be executed as the MLS operations merge.
“We are pleased to welcome SEMR as a shareholder,” said NorthstarMLS CEO John Mosey. “NorthstarMLS is implementing changes to better accommodate SEMR members’ needs and we expect these will make our service even better for our current customers. We hope that other associations in our multi-state market region can see how committed we are about collaborating to create a more efficient marketplace for our brokers and agents and continue to be open to further dialog on MLS cooperation in any form.”
SEMR serves over 11 counties in Minnesota. Nice win for both groups. Also cool to see a shout out for Matt Cohen in the press release.
5 MLS Providers launch new venture, MLS Aligned.
We are proud to announce the launch of MLS Aligned, LLC, a new company created to address the data efficiency problems facing multiple listing services. Formed and owned by 5 of the most innovative MLS organizations, with more expected to join, MLS Aligned has developed and launched a functioning platform for tools and software that will solve many of the pain points currently experienced by brokers, real estate product vendors, and multiple listing services.
ARMLS (serving Arizona), MetroMLS (serving Wisconsin), MLSListings (serving Silicon Valley), RMLS (serving Oregon), and UtahRealEstate.com (serving Utah) came together with the idea to change how data is distributed and to offer a platform for their individually built products. The platform, which is operational and has been validated by a large national vendor, uses a proprietary method to manage and distribute data without needless replication.
They have set up a website at MLSAligned.com which includes a brief whitepaper. I have to say I’m intrigued, but still have lots of questions about this “sharing but not sharing” concept.
When you look at BrightMLS, MLS Grid, Front End of Choice, ARMLS-MetroMLS, and now MLS Aligned you can see a lot of innovation in the MLS space. But I also worry that in an industry that is already fragmented we might even further separating ourselves. That being said it good to see that many MLS Execs are not standing still. I think its important to get as many ideas out there and flesh them out. Looking forward to hearing more about MLS Aligned and these other initiatives at the CMLS Conference next week.
bridgeMLS adds dynaConnections’ connectMLS as system of choice option
bridgeMLS Selects dynaConnections’ Highly Acclaimed connectMLS
“bridgeMLS announced today that it has selected dynaConnections’ responsive MLS solution, connectMLS, to offer its subscribers. With a suite of mobile-friendly features including search, reports, contact management, and an embedded TMS, connectMLS will provide bridgeMLS subscribers greater flexibility as well as the ability to customize their MLS environment.
dynaConnections specializes in MLS technology and has consistently earned the highest ratings in industry studies. Its flagship product, connectMLS, maintains full functionality on any device, and its interface automatically adjusts based upon screen dimensions to provide an optimal user experience. The robust yet intuitive solution will be a valuable asset to bridgeMLS’ increasingly mobile subscribers.
This is a very interesting move by bridgeMLS. Mostly I see MLS providers offer a “system of choice” option to help with consolidation efforts with other MLS Providers in the same geographic area. That was certainly the case when MLSListings (which primary MLS system is Matrix) launched Paragon. The idea is it’s easier to consolidate if members didn’t have to learn a new MLS system. That doesn’t appear to be the case here with Bridge since dynaConnections’ closest installation of connectMLS is at MRED, LLC (Chicago, IL).
I have a theory about what is going on here. But I’ll save that for another post.
But let me end by congratulating Tim and his team at dynaConnections!
Alain Pinel chooses Cloud CMA
Alain Pinel Realtors Unveils Dynamic, “Best Of Breed” Technology Strategy
“As sole proprietors of their own business, agents deserve the confidence of knowing that their data and tools belong to them exclusively. We have chosen a model that gives agents flexibility and options without extra cost on their part,” said Zane Burnett, Vice President of Digital Innovation & Technology at Alain Pinel.
APR has inked partnerships with the following companies:ActivePipe: Automated email marketing with exclusive property feed integration
Adwerx: Automated, geo-targeted social and display advertising of property listings
Cloud CMA: Deep property, comparable sale and buyer reports presented in a branded format
RealScout: Collaborative home search between agents and buyers and email alerts powered by “computer vision”
Contactually: An intelligent CRM that automates common tasks required of agents
Several of these applications are integrated; all will be available to APR agents through a single sign-on (SSO) dashboard within the company intranet.
Smart guys.
KW acquires SmarterAgent
Keller Williams is building a new consumer-facing app to challenge Zillow and Redfin
“You’ve heard Gary [Keller] talk about the agent-enable tech versus the tech-enabled agent, and so the idea of a Zillow or Redfin coming in and buying SmarterAgent then having access to all 400,000 agents’ mobile apps out there being used by millions of people was something that was concerning to us,” Team said.
Team said the acquisition is a signal to Keller Williams agents that the company is serious about its investment in technology and revealed that the company has quietly acquired a number of other tech platforms in the past four months.”
Nice scoop for Inman News. It’s starting to feel like 1999 again. But the quotes from Mr. Team seem a bit all over the place, the quote above is a good example. Maybe they weren’t ready to announce yet? No mention of SmarterAgent’s patents. I know they did a deal with CoreLogic but I’m not sure if any of their patents were covered by CIVIXX.
I am happy for Brad and Eric they have been at this quite awhile and created a great business. Congrats!
Looking for a new gig?
Digital Marketing Analyst – W+R Studios
“We are seeking a talented and motivated individual to empower the organization to be more data driven across the Marketing, Finance, and Product teams. A successful candidate will have a strong understanding of data manipulation, data relationships, spreadsheets, queries, and business intelligence tools. The position will perform deep analysis of performance data for internal consumption as well as relentlessly pursue better ways to incorporate analytics into content related projects and processes.
For more information on this job and other please visit the Vendor Alley Job Board today!
