As an exercise I thought it might be fun to write a script for the Super Bowl Ad I would run if Mr. Florance would let me. Enjoy!
Is a standards based add/edit actually here? Perchwell and REBNY, say yes.
RESO Add/Edit is Official: 6 Tech Companies Lead the Way
“REBNY and its technology vendor Perchwell were the first companies to be certified for implementing full-listing Add/Edit. NYC brokers and their vendors have their own listing interfaces that integrate with REBNY’s Residential Listing Service (RLS).
RESO
Companies like RESO members Lofty, RealPlus and RESoft send their brokers’ listings directly into the Add/Edit-equipped RLS. Allowing brokers to use whichever apps or systems work best for them to update RLS data greatly enhances product choice and competition.”
I’m a bit late to this but, if this can go mainstream it would be huge for the industry.
Homes.com teases Super Bowl Ad
Watching the Grammy’s last night I caught an ad for Homes.com.
The ad features Lil’ Wayne and Dan Levy with the tag line, “Home Shopping goes back to school” and then the date “2.11.24”, which is the date to the Super Bowl.
There are also two other ads on their YouTube channel. The one above features Dan Levy again and Heidi Gardner riffing on new Homes.com slogans.
The last video appears to have CoStar’s CEO Andy Florance in a cameo board room scene (:15). Both of them teasing the “2.11.24” Super Bowl date.
We are already know that Mr. Florance likes to go big with their promotion, and nothing is bigger than a Super Bowl ad. Should be fun to watch!
KW settles for $70M
Keller Williams settles Sitzer, Moehrl commission suits for $70M
“If approved by the court, the settlement means Keller Williams will pay substantially less than it could have to resolve Sitzer | Burnett. On Oct. 31, in a historic verdict, a jury found that Keller Williams, RE/MAX, Anywhere, the National Association of Realtors, HomeServices of America and two of its subsidiaries, BHH Affiliates and HSF Affiliates, conspired to inflate broker commission rates paid by homesellers. The jury awarded $1.78 billion in damages to a class of approximately 500,000 Missouri homeowners. If that award stands, it would be trebled by law to more than $5.3 billion.
The deals leave NAR, HomeServices of America and two of its subsidiaries, BHH Affiliates and HSF Affiliates, as the remaining defendants in the case.”
ANDREA V. BRAMBILA, INMAN NEWS
I’ve been thinking about this for the last week and a couple things stand out. I guess you could say it was shrewd of KW to see if the case was won before settling (interesting to think of NAR and BHH/HSF through that lens). Hard to say if the settlement would have been lower if they had settled earlier. But $70M feels about right. BHH/HSF are probably talking longer due to their corporate structure.
That would leave NAR standing alone. People who would know tell me that their case for appeal is pretty strong based on upon the documents being filed by NAR. That may be true, but the genie is out of the bottle. More and more of people I meet and hear I’m “in real estate” ask me about being “over-charged” for commissions. I still think settling (and sooner than later) is the right move.
Bob Hale announces retirement in 2026, René Galvan named successor.
HAR PRESIDENT & CEO BOB HALE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT PLANS; SUCCESSOR NAMED
“Following Hale’s announcement, the HAR board of directors unanimously approved current HAR Executive Vice President René Galvan to succeed Hale as HAR president and CEO in 2026. Galvan has served as a critical member of HAR’s management team since 1996 when he was hired as Director of Business Development. In 1999, Galvan was recruited away as CEO of the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale, but he returned to HAR as EVP two years later and has held that post ever since.
Asked about his accomplishments during his tenure at HAR, Galvan said, “I am most proud of building a team of incredible professionals, keeping focused on our mission of helping members achieve success, and working closely with staff and leadership to improve service to members while keeping a watchful eye on expenses resulting in no dues increase during the past 21 years.”
“This journey has been one that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” said Hale. “I could not think of anyone more qualified and driven than René Galvan to lead HAR through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the real estate industry.”
HAR.com
What a journey! 52 years in the arena, fighting the good fight, planning, innovating, leading, teaching, and sharing. Bob’s generosity is unmatched and what he has contributed to this industry can’t be overstated. And what a class act announcing René as his successor at the same time as his retirement.
I know he doesn’t retire till February 2026 but I just want to be the first to say thank you Bob.
Cameron Paine is the new CEO of MARIS as David Price retires
MARIS Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of New Leadership
“Expressing gratitude for his journey with MARIS, Price said, “I am immensely proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together at MARIS. It has been an honor to lead such a talented team and I am confident in the bright future that lies ahead for the organization. Cameron has earned a well-deserved reputation as an innovator and I can’t think of anyone better suited than he is to lead MARIS into the future.”
MARIS
Nice quote about Cameron from David. David was always a class act. Also great to see Cameron back on the saddle again. Congrats Cameron and Happy Trails to David.
Andy Florance teases new Homes.com celebrity spokesperson
A little birdie told me that Costar CEO, Andy Florance dropped the name of the celebrity spokesperson for Homes.com. The news dropped while Andy was being interviewed by Brad Inman at Inman Connect NYC. And who is it? Dan Levy. I think Dan Levy is a great choice, although I think his father, Eugene Levy, would have been awesome too. There will be other celebrities featured too but it sounds like Dan is the man.
The first commercials start dropping February 11th.
[UPDATE: Clarification, Mr. Florance said there were 4 new actors and Dan Levy one of them and the only one he disclosed.]
1000watt announces new event
1000watt Brand & Marketing Summit
-1000watt“It’s time to focus
Brand building and marketing are everything in any business. They are especially important in fragile times when survival and growth require sharp claws, tenacity, and a plan.Winners rise out of markets like this. It’s trite, but true. We want to help them — you — be out ahead. So we’re bringing together some of the brightest brand and marketing minds from both inside and outside of real estate to exchange ideas, strategies, and action items for what to do and what to say, right now.”
This is going to be good. Who better to put on a conference about brand and marketing than 1000watt? 1000watt has been delivering the goods on high quality marketing, branding, design and content for way over a decade. If you aren’t reading their Friday Flash and newsletters you’re missing some of the smartest takes and analysis in real estate. Also excited about one of their speakers, April Dunford, her book on positioning, titled “Obviously Awesome” is a must read.
My advice, bring a few people from your company that need to get recharged and inspired. It’s time. I’m sure tickets will go fast. Get Yours => 1000watt Brand & Marketing Summit
Dan Troup is the new CEO of the Broker Public Portal (BPP)
DAN TROUP NAMED NEW BROKER PUBLIC PORTAL CEO
“As the former director of Data Operations & Strategy at RE/MAX, BPP stated that Troup has a demonstrated history of driving strategic initiatives, fostering collaboration, and delivering exceptional results. In his new role as CEO of Broker Public Portal, he will be responsible for the organization’s strategic vision, partnerships, business model, financials, product development roadmap, and launch.”
RIS Media
Congratulations to Dan. Interestingly enough this is the second gig Dan has had taking over for something Homes.com used to manage. First when RE/MAX ended its agreement with Homes.com for data aggregation and lead management services for remax.com (which first started at eNeighborhoods) and now when BPP ended its relationship with Homes.com (first started with Homesnap).
I will say I’m super curious on what direction BPP goes. It’s unclear to me (everyone?) what the play could be here, I honestly don’t have any idea. Maybe a partnership with Nestfully? 🤷♂️
Industry Relations Podcast: Impact and Consequences of the Zillow Lawsuit
What happens when a real estate giant like Zillow takes legal action against their own clients? Things get a little complicated as Rob and Greg explore the issues of the delicate balance of being a participant, vendor and MLS organization (sometimes all at the same time!)
***Disclaimer – Due to MLS Aligned being a consulting client of Greg, the views expressed on this podcast are Greg’s opinions and DO NOT represent the views of MLS Aligned.***
Rob and Greg discuss the recent Zillow lawsuit against two MLSs, ARMLS and Metro MLS, which alleges control over technology distribution and the practical implications of not being integrated into the MLS member portal and how it affects the functionality of platforms like ShowingTime. Greg gives his own first-hand experiences with MLS system integration and Cloud CMA.
They explore what could be the potential impact on competition and the challenges faced by MLSs in making integration decisions. And can MLS organizations choose who they do business with or not? Mountain? Molehill? Listen to Rob and Greg try and grapple a tricky situation as only they can.
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This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2024.
