Looks like RESO might be incorporated as a separate entity (with dues), with the big guys pulling the strings. Is this a chance to for RESO to become a real standards entity?
Check out all the hot RETS action at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rets-2011
You heard it here first. To be honest I’ve never heard of Carrington before. This has got to be a blow to RealtyTrac, where Rick was known as one of the good guys. Best wishes Rick!
Here’s the link via HousingWire:
Sharga Leaves RealtyTrac for Carrington
“Heard You Went Down Last Night”
With CMLS coming up next week at NAR just around the corner I thought I would share some travel tips. Just click on the images to see them better. Here goes…
So I hate to check any luggage. Especially with connections, you are just asking for trouble. I was reading this blog (onebag.com) It’s all about how to travel light. Anyway this company (RED OXX) worked with the blogger to create the ultimate carry on bag, they call it the AIR BOSS. One of the “onebag” concepts is no wheels. The mechanism for the wheels in rolling bags take up too much space. At first that was a deal breaker for me but the site convinced that you aren’t really carry the bag that much anyway. I got the bag and it’s great. I have no problem going on week long trips with this sucker, the design is simple and the quality of the bag is top notch, I love it. Problem was that I noticed that I was carrying the bag a lot longer than I wanted to, I missed wheels. But I didn’t want to sacrifice the bag. I needed another solution.
The best of both worlds
I typically ride me bike to work, so I use a backpack. When I travel I use the same backpack to carry by MacBook and other gear. Some of our sales guys use a rolling wheel case. I thought this might be the perfect solution for when I travel. I bought a Wenger Swissgear wheeled case from Amazon. The case was wide enough for all my gear and as an added bonus just fit my AIR BOSS bag on top. So now I could keep my AIR BOSS bag, have wheels and still not check any baggage.
Shoes and belt
When doing trade shows you really stand a lot so comfortable shoes are key. Rubber soles are a must. Normally I rock my Allen Edmonds but these are not for booth duty. So about 8 years ago, on a recommendation, I bought a pair of Mephisto shoes. They were a bit pricey but are awesome! Another tip, buy a reversible belt. You’re welcome.
Gear
You never know when you are going to need that extra power. So I like the integrated extention cord/ multi-outlet strip. They carry these at any hardware store. I also use at Fivespot for wireless internet, since I usually have multiple devices (MacBook Pro, iPad, iPhone, etc). One thing I recently got for my iPad and love is the Book Book by Twelve South. I’m still using my original iPad so I don’t have a smartcover, but even if I upgrade I think I’ll still keep the Book Book.
Last but not least is headsets. I have the QuietComfort 15 (Noise Canceling). I prefer “over the ear”, rather than “on ear” to baffle out as much noise as I can. I also spent a few extra bucks and bought the “OE headphones mobile communications kit” which basically adds a microphone so you can use your phone/Skype with them. This makes them perfect for conference calls.
Hope you enjoyed this and travel safe!
I noticed that something was absent from the RealtyTrac executive bios page, Rick Sharga. http://www.realtytrac.com/company/bios.html
Haven’t heard any official word….yet. Rick is well respected in the industry and it will be interesting to see where he lands.
Just got this press release and it’s kind of shocking that CMLS is just next week. Get your livers ready!!!
——————————————
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Philip Tedesco
CEO
(520) 382-8773
Top MLS Companies to Sponsor and Exhibit at CMLS2011
Tucson, AZ–(September 26, 2011) – Over 50 of the industry’s top companies will be at the Council of Multiple Listing Service’s annual Conference in October. FBS – Creators of flexmls®, the Diamond Sponsor, LPS Real Estate Group, the Platinum Sponsor and Homes Media Solutions and REALTOR.com both Gold Sponsors, are just some of the big hitters attending the conference.
Taking place October 5-7 at the Westin La Paloma in Tucson, CMLS2011 will be the Multiple Listing Service meeting of the year. FBS – Creators of flexmls®, will be sponsoring the night out at the famous Old Tucson where many TV series and movies were filmed including, The High Chaparral, Little House on the Prairie and The Bells of St. Mary’s starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. Buses depart from the main entrance of La Paloma to Old Tucson at 5:30pm on Thursday, October 6.
LPS Real Estate Group will be sponsoring the opening night’s cocktail reception on Wednesday, October 5 from 6 to 8pm at La Paloma. The night will feature tasty appetizers, exhibitor/sponsor networking and a live mariachi group.
The closing poolside dinner party at La Paloma on Friday, October 7 at 6:30 pm is being sponsored by REALTOR.com. The weather this time of year in Tucson is superb for this setting, which will feature live jazz music by Tucson’s own Joe Bourne.
The Golf Tournament on the morning of October 5 is sponsored by Goomzee. The greens surrounded by Tucson’s gorgeous mountain scenery, is a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
We’d like to thank our all of our generous sponsors and exhibitors for helping in making this event a success:
Diamond Sponsor:
FBS – Creators of flexmls®
Platinum Sponsor:
LPS Real Estate Group
Gold Sponsors:
Homes Media Solutions
REALTOR.com
Silver Sponsors:
CoreLogic MarketLinx
MLS-Office /Prospects
Supra, A UTC Fire & Security Company
Goomzee
Bronze Sponsors:
Discover Software, Inc
dynaConnections Corp
MLS Domains Association
Mobile Real Estate ID
Onboard Informatics
Point2
Trulia
WAV Group
Workforce Resource
Xplode Conference
Sustaining Sponsors:
Announce My Move
BuildFax
Clareity Security
Cloud CMA by W & R Studios
CoreLogic MarketLinx
CRS Data
DocuSign
Dot Loop
GeoJet Information Solutions
Inside Real Estate
Instanet Solutions
ListHub
Mobile Realty Apps
Rapattoni Corporation
ShowingTime
Solid Earth, Inc
Stratus Data Systems
Terradatum
Exhibitors:
10K Research & Marketing
Adigida Solutions
BookAShowing.com
Centralized Showing Service
eshowings, Inc
Hillside Software
iMapp, Inc
Kurio Inc
Listingbook
Magex Technologies Inc
Real Estate Industry Solution
RealBiz 360 Inc
SentriLock, LLC
Smarter Agent
Systems Engineering Inc
TRENDGRAPHIX, INC.
Those interested in more information about CMLS 2011 are directed to http://www.cmls2011.com or to Philip Tedesco at phil at tucsonrealtors dot org or 520-382-8773.
Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) is the premier forum and resource for Multiple Listing Service associations.
The Multiple Listing Service (TAR/MLS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tucson Association of REALTORS®, is a reliable, cooperative real estate database of listing and sale information in Southern Arizona.
# # #
We exhibited at the CAR EXPO show last week at the San Jose Convention Center. The show kicked off at 5PM on Tuesday night and went till 8PM, show hours were 9AM to 5PM on Wednesday and 9AM to 4PM on Thursday. Not a lot of Vendors will share with you any real numbers in regard to sales at trade shows but I thought I would this time.
Our Booth
I had us listed as “Cloud CMA by W&R Studios“. This was an naming convention I stole from FBS. I’m just worried about the day we launch another product that may or may not have the “Cloud” moniker so I think its important to get both names out there now. We had 3 people total, myself and two others. To be fair I wasn’t always at the booth. Our booth location wasn’t the best but I was able to get a 10 X 10 close to the MLSListings booth, which will make sense a little later in this post.
Over all the traffic was slow. I almost hate saying that since every Vendor references this mythological year when they were off the hook busy with booth traffic. And the Scarf King was super busy! : ) The times we did receive a quick bump was usually when a speaker had referenced us at one of the breakout sessions.
Personally I don’t really care for CAR’s Tuesday evening “kickoff”. It just increases our costs (hotel, food, rental car) We did have a few sign ups (about 10) during this time, but I really think we could have done without it, or maybe it should have lasted just two hours, instead of three.
Last Year Vs. This Year.
Last year the event was held in Anaheim (our backyard), and we did about 70 signups. Half of them yearly (about $199.95) and the other half monthly ($24.95), our “show special” pricing. We had to turn a lot of people away since we were not compatible with Sandicor at the time and some of the Northern California MLS providers.
This year we did a big push in California and the only major MLS provider we were not compatible with was BAREIS. We are going to be launching BAREIS soon, but the timing for this year’s CAR EXPO didn’t work out.
We did about 40 sign-ups total for the show, half of them Yearly. Same pricing as last year. I had set our goal at 100, so I was disappointed. The main factor (besides traffic) was that we are launching a site license with Contra Costa, Bay East and EBRD next month. So we had to turn away a ton of people from those areas who were going to get Cloud CMA free as part of their MLS membership. Also a factor was that we just recently launched the local MLS, MLSListings, so our name recognition was really that strong.
But these are just excuses, and as I tell my sales guys: “Excuses are like assholes. Everyone has one, and they all stink.”
Selling
The guys tried a few different things this time, like demoing on their iPads, which I believe worked out well (although I’m still concerned some agents might be intimidated). I was more comfortable with using the actual printed report samples we had. When demoing on their notebooks (MacBook Airs) they would use a slide show instead of going live on to the web. Although we did have a wireless internet connection thru a Verizon MiFi device we brought along in case a customer had a specific feature they wanted to see. Also, we had a pretty high closing rate of people who came by the booth, so that also tells me traffic was a factor in our poor results.
Since we were new in the area we focused upon finding contacts in the area for coming back for a second trip and doing demos in larger offices. So all was not lost, but disappointing.
Bottom Line
We haven’t had any great success with trade shows this year and I’ve really scaled back our participation. The CAR EXPO will be in Anaheim next year, which means I will probably attend again. If the show were in another area where I would have to travel I would probably scale back and not go myself (which would save a ton of money on alcohol alone). I will give the convention staff at CAR credit, they have a great team and do treat the exhibitors with respect and are open to suggestions. And fresh coffee and doughnuts at the Exhibitor Lounge do go a long way. : )
Many thanks to Jim, Jeremy, Jim, Deb, and Barbara for making this happen.
Read Full Press Release Below:
MLSListings Selects Cloud CMA for Fast, Easy and Unique Real Estate Property Reports
Latest ‘cloud’ tool helps homebuyers and sellers understand local conditions
PR Newswire
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 21, 2011
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — MLSListings, Inc. (MLSListings) today announced the launch of its latest business-building PERKS product, Cloud CMA, by renowned cloud software developer W&R Studios. The integrated application will enable agents to quickly and easily compile and deliver the most up-to-date comparables reports to clients within minutes, whether from a desktop machine or a mobile device.
“As the real estate industry increasingly embraces cloud-based accessory applications, MLSs have taken on a role of vetting products and services that satisfy multiple expectations,” said Jim Harrison, president and CEO of MLSListings, Inc. “We’re very excited to have identified a comparative market analysis tool that squarely meets our stringent requirements for timeliness, and dependability of information, and delivers an innovative solution that suits the emerging needs of our subscribers for speed, mobility, and ease of use.”
“Our goal with Cloud CMA is simple; to make real estate agents look awesome in front of their clients,” stated Greg Robertson, co-founder of W&R Studios. “With the personalized reports created by Cloud CMA MLSListings members will showcase a unique set of information unavailable to consumers on the web.”
For additional Cloud CMA product detail or ordering information, please visit MLSListings’ PERKS program of business building services at http://portal.mlslistings.com/perks.
About MLSListings, Inc.
MLSListings, Inc. is the premier multiple listing service (MLS) for real estate listings in northern California, representing the REALTOR® associations of Central Valley, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley, San Mateo, Monterey, Pajaro Valley, and San Benito. Currently, the not-for-profit MLSListings represents more than 16,000 MLS subscribers, in approximately 6,000 firms, in an area covering 28,000 square miles. MLSListings facilitates more than $70 billion in annual real estate transactions, and maintains a free, public real estate search for homes for sale at www.mlslistings.com.
About W&R Studios
Founded in 2008, W&R Studios is a privately held web software company located in Huntington Beach, California. W&R Studios focuses on creating the next generation of web-based software solutions for the real estate industry. By providing a “less is more” approach to software design, elegant user interfaces, and using the latest in agile programming, W&R Studios’ software applications are at the same time powerful, yet accessible to everyone. For more information, please visit www.wr-studios.com.
About PERKS Program
MLSListings, Inc. provides a suite of business-building products and services called PERKS, designed to improve agent/broker workflows that increase productivity and facilitate real estate transactions. These products and services range from web sites, software, advanced tools, wireless products, listing syndication, and document management products.
I hinted about this in my last post. But the deal seems to be done quicker than I thought.
In an email to customers CoreLogic’s CEO, Ben Graboske states…
“I have some exciting news to share with you.
CoreLogic MarketLinx has acquired Tarasoft, makers of the Matrix® MLS platform. By combining these two market leaders under the CoreLogic brand, we are creating a robust suite of technology solutions that will benefit our MLS partners, MLS members, and MLS members’ clients.
Seain Conover and Brian de Schepper founded Tarasoft in the early 1990s with the simple goal of building great software. More than 15 years later, Tarasoft has achieved some impressive results. The company provides service to some of the largest metropolitan areas in North America. Their approach emphasizes the smart use of technology, resulting in excellent speed, flexibility, and mobile usability.”
Congrats to Seain and Brian!!!
More later but this are sure getting interesting!
Thanks for the heads up @infosam!
So here’s my take on the news being announced today.
Management buy-out
LPS Real Estate Group has been split in two. The MLS side, responsible for the Paragon MLS system will still be part of LPS. The franchise/broker and agent products division has been bought out by current managers Jay Gaskill, John Hensley, Prem Luthra and Mike Kovar. This new entity is now dubbed Real Estate Digital. RED for short (love the new logo too!).
Think of RED as a startup but all ready generating tons of revenue. From my understanding RED is well funded and the new owners are pumped up and ready to roll.
MLS Division
In regard to the MLS division I see this gives them a ton of more focus on delivering their current product and services while expanding. LPS knows they have a great asset and doesn’t want to lose it.
The Industry
I don’t see any real parallels to CoreLogic‘s recent news. Their motivations are purely on a “maximizing share holder value” vein. Rumors are also swirling about another MLS vendor looking for a buyer and a deal may be announced soon. Consolidation? Maybe. Time will tell.
But this play is about 4 guys taking the bull by the horns and going for it. Jay, John, Prem and Mike think they can do better, and they are putting their own money, and reputations on the line to prove it.
The Future
To me the franchise/broker and agent products divisions was too messy for LPS to deal with. LPS has bigger problems to solve. I see RED acting more from a consultive side to help franchisors and brokers generate revenue. I also think this change will be welcome from the new owners perspective. In the past they needed to serve many masters, LPS corporate, the MLS division, franchise/broker/agent products and all the customers associated with them. Shedding LPS corporate and MLS will allow them greater focus.
Challenges
Change always freaks people out. So they will have deal with that, from a existing customers and more importantly from a employee side. John Hensley’s core team has been with him for 10+ years, and several company acronyms, so hopefully that won’t be a problem.
On the product side you have a monster platform with their associated rDesk products. That has many advantages, but also challenges. How quickly will they be able to roll out new products? How do their existing products fit into these new business models they want to roll out to franchisors and brokers?
Final Thoughts
I have to say the thing I love about this announcement is about 4 men taking a stand. Some in the industry are hunkering down, timid, a “batting down the hatches” mentality. Jay, John, Prem and Mike are on deck, looking forward, ready for the journey. I find it just damn inspiring.
As Teddy Roosevelt once said…
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. ”
Got get ’em boys!!!
