Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Welcome to the new Vendor Alley!

Hope you like the new look of Vendor Alley.  I had been hosting the blog through WP but wanted to make a few changes and that meant I needed to “self-host” the blog myself.

The biggest reason I wanted to self host the blog was that I am going to add a “Vendor Alley Jobs Board”. I’m hoping that this will be a place that MLS vendors, MLS providers, State and local associations, brokers, real estate franchisees, Title companies,  software companies and other real estate related companies can post jobs available.

Nice review of Cloud CMA on 1000watt's Blog

I’m a little biased, but Brian Boero is a genius….

Cloud CMA and the downfall of crappy real estate software
via 1000watt Blog

Looking for a new gig? Inman News is hiring…

Alice asked me to post this for them:

1) Conference sponsorship and registration sales:

Ideal candidate has contacts in real estate/tech industry, must be willing to travel extensively.

2) Group sales:

Sell various products including membership and event registrations to real estate brokerages, associations, MLS, and other organizations in the real estate industry. Contacts and experience in Real Estate very helpful.

3) Online ad sales and operations:

Ad trafficking involved, must be highly organized and tech-savvy, entry or junior level acceptable. Limited travel requirement.

I’m look for someone who:
-Rocks the phone (isn’t the phone the best sales tool around?)
-Can talk intelligently to people at all levels including C-level executives and entrepreneurs
-Cold call
-Follow through
-Loves to close business!
-Is creative but understand how to put a deal together that works for the client AND the company
-Is willing to travel ~50% (jobs #1 & #2 above)
-Is interested in technology

-prefer local to Bay Area but I’m flexible on jobs #1 & 2 for the right person with the right contacts.

Interested candidates should send their cover letter and resume to salesjobs at inman dot com.

calREDD-Use at your own risk!!

This came up in my Twitter feed.

Check out this jewel in the calREDD’s EULA. It’s in Section 7.

In case you think I’m making this shit up check you can access it here.

[UPDATE: June Barlow, C.A.R. Vice President, General Council (and now apparently CTO) responds to post -CHECK COMMENTS!]

SECTION 7. LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF OTHER WARRANTIES; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; REFUNDS FOR INDIVIDUAL FORMS SOFTWARE LICENSE PURCHASES.

A. Disclaimer of Warranties. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOME CALREDD PRODUCTS MAY BE EXPERIMENTAL IN NATURE, STILL IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE, AND MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FULLY TESTED PRIOR TO YOUR USE. CALREDD, ITS AUTHORIZED PROVIDERS AND SUPPLIERS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES FOR THE CALREDD PRODUCTS AND CALREDD SERVICE. EACH CALREDD PRODUCT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTATION IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WORKMANLIKE EFFORT, TITLE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT OF USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE CALREDD PRODUCTS AND CALREDD SERVICE REMAINS WITH YOU. NEITHER CALREDD NOR ITS AUTHORIZED PROVIDERS OR SUPPLIERS MAKES ANY WARRANTY THAT ANY CALREDD PRODUCT OR THE CALREDD SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE OR ERROR-FREE. CALREDD, ITS AUTHORIZED PROVIDERS AND SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY INTERFERENCE OR SUSPENSION OF INTERNET SERVICE OR FOR ANY LOSS OR CORRUPTION OF DOCUMENTS, DATA, OR LOSS OF ANY OTHER MATERIALS YOU MAY STORE ON THE INTERNET. NEITHER CALREDD, NOR ITS AUTHORIZED PROVIDERS OR SUPPLIERS MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY, RELIABILITY, OR AVAILABILITY OF THE CALREDD PRODUCT OR CALREDD SERVICE FOR ANY PURPOSE. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CALREDD AND ITS SUPPLIERS MAY BE COMPILED FROM PUBLIC RECORDS AND OTHER SOURCES, AND NEITHER CALREDD, NOR ITS AUTHORIZED PROVIDERS OR ITS DATA SUPPLIERS GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE MATERIALS. THE MANNER AND PURPOSE FOR THE USE OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE CALREDD SERVICE AND THE VERIFICATION OF ITS ACCURACY IS YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY.

Is the agent website business dead?

Call it a case of the tail wagging the dog or just the fact someone took the wrong apple from the apple cart, but change is in the air. Today the wunderkinds at Diverse Solutions are releasing dsIDXpress. In a nutshell dsIDXpress is:

“A plug-in for WordPress that give gives IDX functionality to your website, allows your users to search for and browse available properties on in your MLS, and lets search engines index properties from the MLS on your website.”

I think their tag line says it better.

“MLS on your blog”

For SEO purposes adding dynamic listing content to your blog is like pouring gasoline on a lit fire. And it takes the “agent website” completely out of the equation. In the past the biggest reason you had a website separate from your blog was IDX. Not anymore. Now your blog is your website!

You want to know the test of true innovation? True innovation happens when it puts someone else out of business.

—————-

Diverse Solutions Releases New WordPress IDX Plugin For Indexable Listings

Irvine, CA January 25th, 2010 – Diverse Solutions announced today that they have released a new IDX product called dsIDXpress. The product allows agents and brokers using WordPress to get property listings on their own website and own domain to be indexed by the major search engines. dsIDXpress is different than traditional IDX solutions in that it has both the standard consumer search capabilities as well as the ability to insert specific listings or groups of listings into any page or blog post with their Live Listings(sm) shortcodes. The plugin also automatically builds in search-engine-friendly city, community, and zip code pages that show available properties in the respective areas. Furthermore, listing detail pages are available for every property in the MLS. Overall, dsIDXpress is being touted as a low cost alternative to functionality that was previously only available in high- end custom websites.
The development of dsIDXpress came out of the desire for agents and brokers to have search-engine-indexable IDX listings on their website. With the National Association of Realtors recently adopting changes allowing for search engines to index property listings on an agent’s or broker’s website, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Diverse Solutions recently completed their beta testing period, and the increase in website traffic from search engines was staggering. Active listings were being indexed by Google and ranking higher than results from the big national sites and large brokers. When asked about the new product, Justin LaJoie, CEO of Diverse Solutions, said, “Since WordPress is quickly becoming the platform of choice for real estate websites, it only made sense that we develop a WordPress IDX plugin that provides the functionality that the industry has been asking for.”
The plugin is built with flexibility in mind with the goal of placing the creative power back in the agents and brokers hands instead of being at the mercy of their vendors. Additionally, the Live Listings(sm) shortcode functionality provides the ultimate control on where listings show up on pages or posts. Live Listings(sm) allows agents and brokers to create the perfect city, community, or zip-specific pages with listings that are updated in real time for that area. dsIDXpress also include a number of WordPress IDX widgets, including their search and mapping widgets.
For more information about dsIDXpress, visit www.dsIDXpress.com or simply search for “dsIDXpress” in the WordPress plugin directory.
About Diverse Solutions
Headquartered in Southern California, Diverse Solutions is a leading provider of IDX technology for clients nation wide. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to enhance the productivity and marketing efforts of real estate professionals through cutting-edge technology, excellent service, and superior quality.

An app store for RE Vendors?

1000Watt Consulting released the “1000watt Index” this week. To me this is the next generation of the “Real Estate Mind Map” they published awhile back. Here’s a few thoughts I have about the site.

First off, I LOVE the design. It’s as simple as it gets. Great layout. They have about 35 categories, laid out nicely, and already have over 300 links to companies/products.

This reminded me of a simliar web site launched a couple months ago called Haystack.com (now called Sortfolio.com). It was put out by the guys at 37signals. Basically it’s was a way for companies to find web designers. Web designers can get a free posting or pay for a premium posting (bigger, more content).

Joel at 1000watt says there are no plans for charging vendors. But I think it is something they should consider.

Taking it a step further is the WAV Group. They are launching a new site called RETechnology.com. The site is not launched yet but will launching in several markets early this year. They also provide free listings for vendors AND a way to pay for premium ads. Agents will able to access the site through their MLS system is some markets.

Marketlinx signs multiyear deal with SoCalMLS

Or the headline could read.

THE LARGEST MLS IN CALIFORNIA SAYS NO TO CALREDD.

Take your pick!

Either way, a HUGE win for Marketlinx. Congrats guys!

MARKETLINX SIGNS MULTIYEAR AGREEMENT WITH SOCALMLS
—Largest California Multiple Listing Service Renews TEMPO Contract—

LOS ANGELES Calif., Jan. 20, 2010 – SoCalMLS, California’s largest multiple listing service (MLS), and MarketLinx, Inc., a leading provider of information technology to the residential real estate industry and a member of The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF) family of companies, today announced they have signed a multiyear agreement for MarketLinx to provide MLS software products to SoCalMLS and its nine REALTOR® associations. Serving more than 46,000 members in Southern California, SoCalMLS is one of the largest multiple listing service providers in North America.
“MarketLinx has an excellent track record with us,” said Russ Bergeron, chief executive officer of SoCalMLS. “We selected MarketLinx years ago because of their experience serving large and active memberships like ours. Since then, the TEMPO system has proven to be a very robust MLS system that continues to evolve with our changing needs. MarketLinx’s support services have also been exceptional—evidenced by the outstanding job they did integrating SoCalMLS with the California Real Estate Technology Services (CARETS) database, which now supports 4 million listings and more than 100,000 real estate professionals. We are very pleased to extend our partnership with MarketLinx.”
“We’re privileged to have this opportunity to continue serving SoCalMLS,” said Ben Graboske, chief executive officer of MarketLinx. “Their confidence in our customer service and product vision has helped make us the industry’s top MLS system provider. All of our clients will benefit tremendously as we push forward with new technologies that make the process of buying and selling real estate faster, easier and less expensive.”
For more information on MarketLinx’s full suite of real estate information technology solutions and services, visit www.marketlinx.com.
About MarketLinx®
MarketLinx, Inc., a subsidiary of The First American Corporation, offers a full range of products and support services to address the information technology needs of the real estate brokerage and multiple listing service (MLS) market segments. The company’s full array of capabilities streamlines the real estate listing, financing and closing processes, resulting in increased efficiency and profitability. MarketLinx provides North America’s leading MLS and real estate software systems, including solutions for broker business management, agent productivity, and MLS data aggregation and distribution. For more information, visit www.marketlinx.com.
About First American
The First American Corporation is a FORTUNE 500® company that traces its history to 1889. With revenues of approximately $6.2 billion in 2008, it is America’s largest provider of business information. First American combines advanced analytics with its vast data resources to supply businesses and consumers with valuable information products to support the major economic events of people’s lives, such as getting a job, renting an apartment, buying a car or house, securing a mortgage and opening or buying a business. The First American Family of Companies, many of which command leading market share positions in their respective industries, operate within five primary business segments, including: Title Insurance and Services, Specialty Insurance, Information and Outsourcing Solutions, Data and Analytic Solutions, and Risk Mitigation and Business Solutions. More information about the company and an archive of its press releases can be found at www.firstam.com.
About SoCalMLS
For more than 16 years, SoCalMLS, the second largest MLS in the United States, has prided itself on a record of outstanding customer service while supporting a vast array of products and services to as many as 55,000 real estate professionals throughout the Southland, earning itself the reputation as the preferred provider of real estate information technology services. For more information, please visit news.SoCalMLS.com or e-mail info@SoCalMLS.com.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

First American Media Contact:
Carrie Gaska
Corporate Communications
The First American Corporation
(714) 250-3298 • cgaska@firstam.com

First American Investor Contact:
Mark Seaton
Investor Relations
The First American Corporation
(714) 250-4264 • mseaton@firstam.com

SoCalMLS Media Contact:
Russ Bergeron
Chief Executive Officer
SoCalMLS
714-517-2626 • russbergeron@socalmls.com

Job Posting: LPS Real Estate Group- Product Manager

The guys at LPS Real Estate Group have asked me to post this new job opening.

LPS Real Estate Group – Broker & Agent Products
Position: Product Manager

Background

LPS Real Estate Group is a leading provider of Internet solutions for the real estate industry. The Broker & Agent Products (BAP) team offers an award-winning suite of products, called rDesk, which includes broker and agent web sites, Contact Manager, CMA, IDX, and more. We are expanding our product management team, and looking for an enthusiastic individual that possesses that rare but valuable mixture of intellectual curiosity, business acumen, marketing savvy, technical proficiencies, strong communication skills, and fastidious attention to detail.


Job Description

The Product Manager is responsible for the product planning and execution throughout the product lifecycle, including: gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with engineering, sales, marketing and support to ensure revenue and customer satisfaction goals are met. The Product Manager’s job also includes ensuring that the product and marketing efforts support the company’s overall strategy and goals.

The Product Manager is expected to:
1. Define the product strategy and roadmap based on market needs and industry trends as well as information gathered from customers and business stakeholders
2. Work with customers, business, sales, account management, and support to understand, prioritize, and communicate product requirements.
3. Clearly define development tasks in the form of Product Specifications
4. Work closely with engineering, QA, project management, and account management teams to ensure successful launch and ongoing enhancements to products
5. Conduct market analysis and run usability studies, focus groups, and surveys to assess, confirm, define, and prioritize product plans.
6. Work with sales and marketing to establish pricing and effective communication of product features and value propositions.
7. Keep up-to-date with market trends and industry information, and be an expert with regards to the competition.
8. Work with external third parties to assess and form strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience as product manager, business analyst or related responsibility. Experience with real estate products a significant plus.
• Minimum 3 years experience working with software and Internet products, primarily in the B2B sector.
• Proven technical proficiencies in software and Internet arena, such that you can communicate effectively with engineering. Experience with Agile development environment a plus.
• Experience in producing product specifications. Able to supplement words with screen shots and other tools to communicate what is required.
• Demonstrated success in working in a team environment with engineering, project management, customer support, sales, etc.
• Highly organized, with extensive attention to detail.
• Have an absolute comfort in engaging with clients and partners.
• Possess a natural curiosity to explore product opportunities, and ability to convert that understanding into clear specifications.
• Strong industry references.

Contact:

Gail.Wu at lpsvcs dot com

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