Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Who will be ARMLS’ next CEO?

The big news I can report is that ARMLS has formed a search committee to help choose their next CEO. This position has been opened since former ARMLS CEO, Bob Bemis, left to join Zillow.

Being one of the largest MLS providers in the country has certainly piqued the attention of many in the MLS industry on what ARMLS plans to do to fill this post.

The joke running around is that the next CEO would have to be named Bob, since the last 3 CEO positions have been occupied by people named Bob. Does this mean that Bob Hale is a candidate? Probably not. But Hale has a deep bench so maybe someone like Rene Galvan might be interested. You also have to consider others out there, what about Bud Fogel? I hear Bud spends a lot of time in Arizona, maybe he could make the move permanent? Or maybe someone looking for a warmer climate, say current CMLS president and CEO of Intermountain MLS, Greg Manship. Winters in Scottsdale sure sound better than winters in Boise!

But methinks that its going to be hard to beat Matt Consalvo, ARMLS’ current Interim CEO. The Phoenix market is heating up, and having gone thru a couple rough patches with their membership I think that they will be looking for stability. Matt is certainly up for the task and with the rest of ARMLS’ stellar staff they are certainly well equipped to rise to the challenge.

Vendor Artifact 4.29.12

You may recognize the names, but…

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Listing Syndication 3.0

I got a chance to take a look at the new ListHub interface a few days ago. The product/service is what I would term a 3.0 release. “3.0” is software parlance for a “mature” product/service.

One thing struck out at me though, “MLS Preferred Publishers”.

For some reason, and it may just be me, but the ability for MLS providers to call out (by non inclusion) publishers they don’t condone seems problematic. It reminds me of the early days of IDX when new business models (internet only brokerages) were popping up and MLS providers (via broker members) would come up with rules and regs to keep them out. We all know what happen next. Three little letters: DOJ. As I’ve said, I could be wrong here, and I understand the spirt of this feature but it will be interesting to see how many MLS provider actively participate and denote publishers “preferred”.

Other than that concern I think this is a solid release that shows that the people at MOVE and ListHub have been listening to feedback from all participants, and that’s a good thing.

For a great overview of the new features see the video below:

John Whitney Joins ListHub

It’s getting hard to keep track of all the personnel changes lately. Even for this industry things have certainly heated up. It’s like there’s a big game of musical chairs.

Bob and Jay took a seat a Zillow. Todd sat on it at Trulia, and now John has pulled up a chair at Move.com.

Seems like all of them have chosen a seat with a portal. Do they all know something we don’t know? Maybe I should look at buying back Dwellicious!

John left Sentrilock, a NAR owned company, so I guess with MOVE he is still technically part of the REALTOR family? I really think this is a good fit for John. His diverse resume gives him a very unique perspective on the industry.

I’m also hoping that John might enlighten our reader on how he found out about this new gig of him. I have my suspicions but looking for confirmation. : )

Full Press Release Below:

John Whitney Joins ListHub Industry Relations
Whitney Brings MLS Executive Experience To Syndication

MORGANTOWN, W. Va., April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — ListHub, the leading listing syndicator and provider of online metrics, announced today that John Whitney will join the ListHub executive team as Vice President of Industry Relations. ListHub is committed to bringing industry-friendly innovation to the online marketing landscape. Whitney will play a key role in leading this evolution, and translating it into direct value for ListHub’s MLS partners.
Whitney has demonstrated twenty years of commitment to the real estate industry, including experience in the role of MLS executive director, as well as experience with technology in service to MLS organizations. His diverse background will bring new vision to the ListHub team, including personal insight into the unique business needs and challenges of the MLS community.

John Heithaus, CMO of MRIS commented, “The team at MRIS is looking forward to working with an alliance executive of John’s caliber. While we’re very pleased with the business relationship that we’ve built with ListHub already, John’s addition will undoubtedly result in further innovation and improvement of the syndication service we provide to our customers. In addition, as MRIS works proactively with the brokers in our system, John’s industry experience and consultative approach will be most welcome at just the right time for us.”

Whitney most recently served as Director of National Sales at Sentrilock, LLC, and he previously held the position of Executive Director at the Central Valley Association of Realtors and at the Southwest Multiple Listing Service. After graduating Cum Laude from Chapman University, Whitney started his career in active service in the United States Navy as a Database Installation and Training Manager. Whitney received the Navy Achievement Medal for outstanding performance of duty, and is a veteran of the Gulf War.
ListHub, a product division of Move, Inc., provides a platform to MLSs and real estate brokers to effectively manage every aspect of advertising listings online, including tools for making informed advertising choices, flexible options for routing consumer traffic and leads, and reporting for accurately measuring the results of their online marketing. Listing information is kept up-to-date to provide today’s homebuyers with the most accurate information available from the MLS. Currently, ListHub is the leading platform nationwide for listing management, serving more than 43,000 brokerage firms, and synchronizing listing information from over 400 MLS data sources with more than 100 publisher websites.

ABOUT LISTHUB
ListHub is operated by Move, Inc., MOVE -3.01% , the leader in online real estate. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, ListHub provides seamless distribution of active listings to popular Internet sites where consumers search for property information. ListHub updates listings on their publisher site every 12 hours to provide today’s homebuyers with accurate information from their MLS. Multi-level reporting options for brokers, agents, and homeowners, along with unique customization tools make ListHub the premier solution for real estate listing syndication. Currently, ListHub powers listing distribution for more than 43,000 brokerages, 117 publishers, and 376 MLS sources nationwide.

ABOUT MOVE, INC.
Move, Inc. MOVE is the leader in online real estate and operator of REALTOR.com®, the official website of the National Association of REALTORS®; Move.com, a leading destination for new homes and rental listings, moving, home and garden, and home finance; ListHub, the leading syndicator of real estate listings; Moving.com; SeniorHousingNet; SocialBios; and TOP PRODUCER Systems. Move, Inc. is based in Campbell, California.
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including information about management’s view of Move’s future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Move, its subsidiaries, divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents Move files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Move’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Move cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Move expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
SOURCE Move, Inc.

Nudge ’em!

We just finished a project I’m excited to talk about. 1000watt Consulting had started working an app for real estate agents last year. During that process they had some creative differences with their developer and decided to part ways. That’s when they approached us (W&R Studios) and asked if we would like to partner up on finishing the app. We’ve always respected Brian, Marc and Joel and jumped at the opportunity to work together. Well, last week we formally launched the app dubbed, Nudge, so we threw a party. : )

What’s Nudge?

An image and some words. It doesn’t get any simpler. What is Facebook but a way to share your photos with some text? Same with Instagram, an image and a caption. Simple. That’s the idea around Nudge. It’s a simple way for agents to grab their clients attention with a short targeted message about the market. Even better Nudges can be delivered via email, Facebook, Twitter, a blog, whatever.

Lani Rosales over at AGBeat did a great job of highlighting the use cases for Nudge.

The response has been great. One idea came up during some feedback session that Nudge would be a great way for an MLS or large brokerage to communicate to their members important stats about the market. The Nudge could include a link to a more comprehensive report (something like 10K Research provides). Cool idea. It’s hard to get agents to read anything and an image with some short text might just do the trick.

If any MLS exec (or large broker) would like a free demo account just send me an email by clicking on the link below:

Free Nudge Demo Account.

Metrolist chooses new CEO

Looks like Metrolist has decided on Kirby Slunaker as its new CEO. Sluaker was named the “interim” COO when Pat Bybee‘s departure was announced.
Not sure about you but its going to be hard to imagine Metrolist without Pat.

Speaking of open MLS CEO positions, still no word on ARMLS. Bob Bemis left to join Zillow and I haven’t heard whether they are looking to promote internally or do a formal CEO search. I’ve got some ideas on candidates, but I’ll save that for another post. : )

Full Press Release Below:

———————————————–

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

METROLIST NAMES SLUNAKER AS PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Colorado’s largest MLS selects local executive for top position

Denver, CO – April 2, 2012 – Metrolist® announced that Kirby Slunaker has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective March 13, 2012.
“In Kirby, we have chosen a seasoned business leader to continue our transition as a high quality service-oriented organization serving Colorado Realtors®,” stated James T. Wanzeck, Metrolist Board Chairman. “Kirby has deep experience in transforming and leading top companies, such as VISA USA, eBags, FedEx, MDC Holdings, and, most recently, Pendum LLC. With an executive of this caliber, we’re extremely well positioned to take the company to a new level.”
Slunaker was chosen as interim Chief Operating Officer (COO) in November 2011, and was integral in establishing a strategic partnership between Metrolist and Hillside Software, a Denver market leader in real estate software. Under Slunaker’s leadership, Metrolist re-launched its public website, www.recolorado.com, providing the most comprehensive and accurate home search website for the greater Denver market.

As a strong proponent of “Green housing” initiatives, Slunaker also lead the effort to join Colorado state’s initiative to “green the MLS”, spearheaded by the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO). Launched in early March, energy/green features are now included in the MLS along with the state recommended Green Features Addendum (GFA).
“Kirby’s accomplishments as the interim COO made him the clear choice as President and CEO,” said Wanzeck. “We’re confident in his ability to fully execute our long-term strategies.”
Slunaker is a former Chairman of and currently serves on, the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for the Colorado Technology Association (formerly CSIA), Colorado’s premier technology trade association.

About Metrolist
Metrolist is the largest MLS in the state of Colorado, supporting the largest network of Realtors with the most comprehensive database of real property listings throughout the Front Range. Realtor owned since 1984, Metrolist provides leading technology solutions to real estate agents and brokers to better serve buyers and sellers. More information about Metrolist is available at www.metrolist.com.

Contact Information:

Melissa Olson
Director, Marketing & Advertising CSG-PR molson at metrolist dot com
303.850.9576

Dan Mahoney
dmahoney at csg-pr dot com
970.405.8060

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Is Sutton West Coast Realty run by scumbags?

The evidence indicates yes. As reported over at GeekWire Sutton West Coast Realty was a partner with Estately. I written a lot about Estately and how I believe its at the top, design-wise, of the best real estate search portals on the web. Seems Sutton West Coast Realty thought so too. When they ended their partnership with Estately they just copied the whole Estately site design for themselves.

What does it say for traditional brokerages if one of Canada’s largest brokerages’ idea of innovation is copying a small startup?

I really hope someone at Sutton West Realty wakes up and does the right thing.

Redfin to become Century 21 franchisee

Glenn Kelman announced today as part of their new company strategy they had struck a deal Realogy and are now branding all their real estate operations under the Century 21 name.

“We think it a perfect mix of the old and new.” stated Kelmann and also debuted their new “2-Click Purchase feature” on redfin.com.

RPR announces 100th active user

Realtor Property Resource (RPR) announced today they had reached an important milestone, their 100th active user. The user was identified as part-time Realtor Vlad Brockevich. Vlad is practices real estate part-time while holding down a job as a rocket scientist in Huntsville, Alabama. As the 100th active user of RPR Vlad won a free iPad.

Bob Bemis leaves Zillow returns to ARMLS

In a reversal that is sure to shock many people Bob Bemis has resigned his position at Zillow and seeks to gain his position back as CEO of ARMLS.

Bob called his move to leave ARMLS and take a position at Zillow as “hasty” and “not well thought out” and hopes the industry forgives him.

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