Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Industry Vet, Luke Glass, launches RealX, a property rights exchange

Second Century Ventures Makes Investment in Top Property Exchange Network

“RealX has had over 6 million acres registered in its exchange since its official launch in late 2019 and continues to increase both acreage and offers received at a rapid pace. RealX’s mission is to unlock the value of every property, both for the landowner and corporations that may need access to the land. This investment will allow RealX to expand its offering nationwide to Realtors® who can then register their client’s land in RealX, making the land available for offers from third party corporations across energy, communications, agriculture and building materials sectors.


“Individual landowners are met with a host of difficulties when thinking about how to use their land in the best ways possible, including how to identify all the opportunities for their land to generate revenue, how to market it broadly, what to negotiate and who to trust. Now they can partner with their trusted real estate professional using a known exchange that provides accuracy, transparency and automation,” said RealX co-founder and CEO, Luke Glass.”

Great idea. RealX is a property rights exchange — mineral (oil, gas), solar, and air rights — that makes it easy for any agent to reach out, from home to all their clients with 10 acres or more of land to offer a way to tap into more revenue for their land — immediately. This becomes an additional way for agents to generate income (via a 3% commission) from their current SOI. Congrats Luke and best wishes on your new venture!

Join us for a Virtual Lobby Bar tonight at 4:30PM PT

The Good Stuff!

Virtual Lobby Bar @ Thu Mar 19, 2020 4:30pm – 5pm (PDT) via Katie Smithson

“In response to the positive feedback I received about hosting a virtual lobby bar, I invite you to join me tonight for a cocktail. Grab your drink of choice and don your most comfortable WFH attire.  I realize this may be a little early for the West Coast folks, but assuming tonight goes well, we can try again at a different time. Hope to see you tonight!”

Katie Smithson is hosting a “Virtual Lobby Bar ” tonight from 4:30PM to 5:00PM (PDT). So pour yourself a drink and join us.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/639823434

Meeting ID: 639 823 434

Redfin to host Livestream this Thursday, about running a brokerage during a Pandemic

Redfin Livestream for Thursday Afternoon: What We’ve Learned So Far Running a Brokerage During a Pandemic

“At 1:45 p.m. Pacific Time Thursday, March 19, Redfin is broadcasting a live presentation followed by a question-and-answer session on what we’ve learned about running a brokerage during the coronavirus pandemic. The intended audience is the real estate industry, including agents, brokers and folks working at Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), but anyone is welcome to attend.”

No link to register yet.

NAR Midyear to go virtual

via GIPHY

NAR to Deliver Virtual Solutions for 2020 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo

“We are all watching the development of the coronavirus pandemic with uncertainty and serious concern.
On behalf of the NAR Leadership Team, CEO Bob Goldberg, and the NAR staff, your well-being and your business are of paramount importance to us at this unprecedented time.


Due to recent restrictions and recommendations implemented by the federal and Washington, D.C. governments, NAR will deliver previously-planned programming and committee meetings virtually.

With the Centers for Disease Control issuing guidance limiting discretionary travel and gatherings of more than 10 people for the next eight weeks, and Washington, D.C. also instituting a state of emergency to limit the spread of COVID-19, we will no longer hold the 2020 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings and Trade Expo in person from May 11-16 in Washington, D.C.

Had to happen, but still….

Jeff Lasky is new CEO of North Shore-Barrington Association of Realtors

NSBAR’s new CEO is a familiar face

Midwest Real Estate Data Chief Operating Officer Jeff Lasky will be taking over as CEO of the North Shore-Barrington Association of Realtors next month. The position was left vacant after their former leader, Steve Volkodav, took a position as CEO of the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors in Colorado. 


The news was announced at the association’s 2020 Vision event yesterday, where Lasky told members he’s looking forward to focusing on the challenges posed to organized real estate in Chicagoland. “I wouldn’t be here if your leadership and I didn’t speak the same language when it comes to the big rocks for this association,” he said. “We can play a critical role in improving business done and money made by our members too, and that’s important. I’m taking charge of these efforts and I’m ready to go.”

Chicago Agent Magazine

I’m a bit late on this, but happy to spread the news. Congrats Jeff and good luck on your new position.

Secrets of a Smarter MLS podcast: Bill Miller

 Bill Miller, CEO of MetroList MLS | Everyone Has a Voice at the Table

“By constantly soliciting open-ended feedback, northern California MLS MetroList has built a winning organization that both staff and over 18,000 members are proud to be part of.  Andy queries Bill on the customer-centric  ethos that drives their success.
Homes.com”

Bill is one of my favorite guys in the industry. Don’t miss the bonus content where Bill talks about how they manage data sharing for 7 large California MLS providers and the inside story on MetroList’s cyber attack!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from W+R Studios

A little distraction for a tough week. Be safe!

Want even more distractions? Check out our YouTube page of W+R Studios “Office Shenanigans”.

NWMLS disables open house features in MLS system

Northwest MLS halts open houses amid coronavirus crisis

“The move was announced in an email explaining that, in light of the virus, “NWMLS has made the difficult decision to temporarily disable the public and broker open house feature” in the Matrix technology platform the organization uses. The email states that the open house features will remain disabled” until at least March 31. As a result, “brokers will not be able to input, search, or view public or broker open house information in Matrix.”
The move may largely end open houses for the time being across a major portion of Washington state that includes high-profile, high-price cities such as Seattle. In total, NWMLS serves 23 counties including King and Snohomish. Significantly, Washington was the first state to report cases of coronavirus in the U.S., and it has since been described as “ground zero” for the spread of the illness.”

Great to see this kind of leadership from Tom Hurdlebrink and the rest of the NWMLS staff.

BombBomb to give free video email services for teachers during COVID-19 crisis

To help schools affected by COVID-19, BombBomb video email is now completely free for teachers.

“As a teacher, you’re at your best when you can communicate face-to-face. Yet now, more and more teachers are forced to teach remotely. Video conferencing is great – but what about those times when you can’t communicate live?

Now you don’t have to rely on plain text email. Use BombBomb to send pre-recorded video emails to students and parents through our simple, easy-to-use software.”

Love seeing vendors step up and help others.

RESO Spring Summit going digital

2020 Digital Spring Technology Summit

“Your safety is our top priority. New Orleans is under a state of emergency and Louisiana has banned large meetings through mid-April. We can’t ensure that our 2020 Spring Summit will be allowed to take place, or that it would be safe for our members to travel to it.

Instead of an in-person event, we will deliver the RESO Spring Summit as a digital event. While the RESO team and I are disappointed that we won’t see you in person, we will take this opportunity to reach a broader audience with the industry-leading work that you do.”

Sam DeBoard, CEO RESO

What a bummer, I was really looking forward to this one. But its the right move. I’m sure this won’t be the first or last event that is going “digital” this year.

Sponsored By Paragon Connect