Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Top 20% of Agents Do 65% of Transactions

The Top 20% of Agents Do 65% of Transactions

“There is a commonly held belief that in real estate, the top 20 percent of agents do 80 percent of the deals – a ratio that is close, but not entirely accurate. 

Why it matters: The truth is that the industry is concentrated, but not that concentrated – the top 20 percent of agents do 65 percent of deals – leaving a very long tail of producing agents.”

Great research from Mike Delprete.

There was also this nugget:

“Despite challenging market conditions, the survivability of the low-production, part-time agent remains as strong as ever.”

ICE Paragon Connect [Sponsor]

My thanks to ICE Paragon Connect for sponsoring this month’s Vendor Alley.

Last week we asked if you and your leadership team have had any discussions regarding the role of AI-enhanced tools incorporated into MLS and how AI capabilities can save considerable time, help decrease compliance issues and streamline workflows for everyone across the home ownership transaction.

Positive Results:

Based on the poll results, many of you are already looking into seizing the tremendous opportunity to both expand your business AI technology capabilities and offer even more value to your members and their clients.

Offering more connectivity and opportunity through enhanced AI tools can help preserve the important role that MLS organizations play. 

My thanks again for ICE Paragon Connect for sponsoring this month of Vendor Alley.

Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.

Homes.com will ‘boost’ listings that are banned on Zillow: Florance

“Homes.com is going to support any agent who gets blackballed or blacklisted on Zillow, and boost their listing,” he told Inman exclusively on Thursday, adding that access will be free to those impacted by Zillow. “We don’t think it’s right to ban people’s listings for your economic interest.”

But what about the economic interest of the seller or the buyer?

There’s a lot I think Homes.com does well, but every now and then (like now), Mr. Florance seems to be driven by a personal vendetta against Zillow. And look, I’m not always the biggest fan of Zillow either (for example, I don’t think Homes.com ever sued their own clients).

But in the end, this feels like a hollow threat.

To put a finer point on it, I updated the graphic that accompanied the Inman article today.

Omni Lobby Bar – After Party – THREE-PEAT!

Tradition is tradition. The last couple years were a huge success so I’ve been asked to do it again.

I’m inviting everyone to meet up at the Omni Hotel’s Marquee Lounge, Sunday night (6/1/25). Anywhere from 9 PM on, just get there before last call (Midnight), and let’s all raise a glass together in a place we have enjoyed each other’s company for so long!

UPDATE: Last year was kind of crazy so I’ve spoken to the Omni Shoreham hotel staff and they promise that additional staff will be on hand!

Spread the word!! LFG!!

No Such Thing as Free Advertising? Maybe There Is

David Etheredge, CEO of SavvyCard, is running a new promotion for their RE-Target media network—you know, those banner ads you see on MLS dashboards and such.

SavvyCard now works with MLS organizations that represent over 450,000 agents. David sent me a document outlining the promotion. Here’s a clip:

They have MLS orgs representing over 450,000 agents. David sent me a document outlining the promotion, here a clip from the doc,

“On July 1st, 2025, SavvyCard will select one company and provide them 1,000,000 advertising impressions on the RE-Target network at no cost (a $30,000 retail value) as a no / low-risk way for that company to validate the effectiveness of RE-Target as a marketing channel. The selected company will have no requirement to purchase advertising after the initial 1,000,000 impression trial, and there are no hidden fees or expenses associated with this promotion.”

Read the full document for all the details. I can tell you from experience—I’ve used their service before, and it’s totally legit.

Many vendors already know that the pop-up screen you see before logging into the MLS is the gold standard for exposure. And being on top of the MLS dashboard? That’s prime real estate too.

Anyway, if you’re interested, David says you should contact him directly at David [at] SavvyCard.com.

For $30,000 in free advertising, it’s definitely worth a shot.

Industry Relations Podcast: Back to books

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg discuss the broader cultural trend of returning to physical, human-centered experiences amid rapid advances in technology and AI. They explore topics ranging from Compass’s decision to print physical listing books to the rise of tabletop gaming, and examine whether real estate’s resistance to full automation is part of a wider pushback against digital efficiency.

Key Takeaways

  • Printed Listing Books – Compass’s return to printed materials prompts a discussion about whether real estate is experiencing a retro shift.
  • AI in Real Estate – Speculation on how AI could replace or supplement agents, and whether efficiency should be the ultimate goal in real estate transactions.
  • Cultural Nostalgia and Physical Experiences – The potential link between societal burnout from digital life and renewed interest in human interaction and analog tools.
  • Efficiency vs. Connection – Ongoing tension in the industry between embracing high-efficiency tech and preserving the emotional, human elements of real estate.

Watch us on YouTube!

Links

Chris Saaca on Tim Ferris talking about AI

An interview with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg About AI and the Evolution of Social media

https://stratechery.com/2025/an-interview-with-meta-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-about-ai-and-the-evolution-of-social-media

Compass “reimagine” MLS books.

Compass “reimagines” MLS books

Companion (Movie)

https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/companion-2025

Toby Robertson’s CIBACS business (Senior Project)

https://www.cyclesentrystickers.com

Critical Role

Home

Connect with Rob and Greg

Rob’s Website https://notoriousrob.substack.com/

Greg’s Website https://www.vendoralley.com/about-2/

Our Sponsors:

Cotality https://www.cotality.com/

Notorious VIP https://notoriousrob.substack.com

The Giant Steps Job Board https://vendoralley.jobboard.io/

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios 

Be Seen!

All of my kids have been—or are currently—part of CIBACS (Center for International Business and Communications Studies) at their local high school. It’s a bit like Junior Achievement, which I did after school when I was growing up, but in this case, it’s built right into their class curriculum.

As seniors, their final project is to launch a real business. Toby’s business is called Cycle Sentry Stickers.

I’m not sure how it is where you live, but here in Huntington Beach, there are tons of kids (and adults) riding e-bikes. Toby discovered that, according to several studies, most e-bike accidents happen during the daytime. He also found research showing that adding something like a third brake light—or even just a visual “disruption”—can help reduce accidents. His idea is simple: by adding a high-visibility yellow triangle sticker to an e-bike, it might make the difference between a driver noticing you or not.

Last night, Toby was out on the Huntington Beach Pier, doing booth duty—and I shot this quick video of him in action.

A pack of 3 stickers is only $10, and a portion of the proceeds will go toward organizations that support bicycle and e-bike safety.

You can order here 👉 CycleSentryStickers.com

Listing Bits Podcast: Meet Ben Kinney, the new owner of Remine

The latest Listing Bits episode in now available on your favorite podcast player!

In this episode, Greg Robertson sits down with Ben Kinney, CEO and co-founder of Place, to talk about Place’s acquisition of Remine, how Ben built his PropTech empire from the ground up, and what’s next for the platform. Ben shares his personal journey from growing up in rural Washington to building a half-billion-dollar business, and lays out his vision for supporting agents, MLSs, and consumers through technology, services, and long-term stability.

Key Takeaways

  • Place Acquires Remine – Ben shares why his team bought Remine out of bankruptcy, what they plan to do with the platform, and how MLSs can expect immediate support.
  • A Business Built for Agents – Place focuses on helping top teams across brokerages run more profitable and efficient businesses without trying to replace brokers or compete with their models.
  • Three Keys to Product Adoption – Ben breaks down his framework for driving usage: show users how, show them why, and show them others who’ve succeeded.
  • From CRM to Services – Place provides agents with everything from CRMs and marketing tools to bookkeeping, HR, title services, and even AI-powered handwritten notes.
  • CCP and Cooperation – Ben shares his views on Clear Cooperation and listing exclusivity, emphasizing transparency, consumer benefit, and the importance of cooperation.
  • Long-Term Vision – Ben discusses Place’s public company aspirations, upcoming acquisitions, and consumer-focused services like moving support—all while keeping control of the business.

Links

Place.com https://place.com

Active Rain https://activerain.com

Mom’s “No Bake” Cookie recipe

1 stick of butter

2 c sugar

1/4 c cocoa powder

1/2 c milk

3 c oatmeal

1/2 c crunchy peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

Stir butter, sugar, cocoa, milk in saucepan until boil. Boil at low for 2 mins. Remove from heat and add in oatmeal, peanut butter, vanilla.

WAV Group Interview: Meet Ben Kinney and Chris Suarez of Place – new owners of Remine –

Meet Ben Kinney and Chris Suarez of Place – new owners of Remine

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

We have the memes!

Some of my favorite COMPASS memes

ICE Paragon Connect [Sponsor]

My thanks to ICE Paragon Connect for sponsoring this month’s Vendor Alley.

The real estate landscape can be a tumultuous storm to navigate with constant change and disruption. How are you delivering more value to your members and their clients to help be the calm that guides them through the storm?

AI capabilities can save considerable time, help decrease compliance issues and improve customer satisfaction by streamlining workflows for both real estate professionals and MLS staff.

My thanks again to ICE Paragon Connect.

Sponsored By ICE