The correct answer is 3. Now, can you name them?
Estately wins coolest Holiday Card.
Walt Baczkowski takes CEO position at San Francisco Assn. of REALTORS.
“SFAR President Jeffery Woo stated, “SFAR is fortunate to have been able to attract such an experienced CEO with a proven track record of leadership and accomplishment. As SFAR continues its mission of service to our REALTOR® members and toward the promotion of homeownership, we look forward to Walt’s guidance and management of the Association in a technologically and politically changing world.”
Big congratulations go out to Walt. He is going to have his hands full!
Marnie Blanco departs RE/MAX
I’ve been a bit remiss in mentioning the departure of someone I greatly respect who has left the real estate business. Her name is Marnie Blanco. Earlier this month Marnie left a VP position with RE/MAX International (now RE/MAX LLC, which is a whole other story). Marnie played a pivotal part in the history of online real estate.
The thing about RE/MAX was that is was full of beautiful, smart and talented women. Kristi, Marnie, Staci and plenty of others. Every time I went to their corporate offices I felt I had entered the fabled Amazon tribe where women ruled, and men were regulated to servitude of their every whim.
When I first met Marnie I liked her immediately. I began working with her while running the sales and marketing at eNeighborhoods. She was no nonsense, smart and had a bit of a potty mouth. So I naturally thought she was the bee knees. eN was an authorized technology vendor with RE/MAX and I had a fun time getting them to help promote eN to their agents.
A story…
Andy Woolley and I had decided to crash the “Topics In The Tropics” conference being held in Ft. Lauderdale. You might remember that the conference was “off-limits” to vendors (unless you were Ann Bailey, of course). So we were meeting a few clients in the lobby of the hotel to head out for drinks/dinner. From across the room Andy had spotted Marnie. Which was unusual, since this was an MLS conference. He waved and she came over to talk. Andy asked here what she was doing here. She said that RE/MAX was looking to make a big move in online real estate and she was doing research.
The rest is history.
Now that’s not the only story about Marnie I have, but its probably the safest I can come up with.
I can’t pretend to know the reasons why so many have left RE/MAX recently. Kristi Graning’s departure this past March, and Staci Woods departure to Metrolist, Inc. comes to mind. But I can only guess it’s not the same place that it used to be. Which is a shame, because RE/MAX, back in the day, was a sight to see. A lot of us are hoping that Dave will somehow get his mojo back. Time will tell.
Normally I like to say that when someone leaves the real estate industry an angel get their wings, but in this case I’m just sad to see the industry lose such a talent. Best wishes Marnie. Good luck at your new gig!
We Sellin’ Homes!
Listing Bits: A new blog by yours truly
I’m starting a new blog. I’ve dubbed it Listing Bits. I’m starting the blog for a number of reasons. I want to narrow the focus on Vendor Alley and with Listing Bits I’m hoping to reach a larger audience. Real Estate portals are rapidly changing and its something I’m passionate about. It’s pretty bare-bones right now and I’m sure there will be a lot of re-linking as I try and get this new site off the ground. I hope you’ll join me.
You can reach the site here: www.ListingBits.com
I’ve also set up a Twitter account at: www.Twitter.com/ListingBits
My first blog post is a review of the new remax.com site: The new remax.com – Frustratingly beautiful.
Did Edina make the right move?
Via Paul Hagey at Inman News.
“Living without the large portals isn’t easy. Operators of third-party listing portals are often able to devote more resources than brokerages to building consumer-friendly websites aimed at providing a wealth of information on neighborhoods and market conditions.
A recent review by real estate consulting firm Clareity Consulting concluded that Realtor.com, Zillow and Trulia have the best mobile apps for consumers.”
I have to say that Inman is really doing a great job lately at deep diving into these stories (the RPR story also comes to mind). Paul’s article really gets in to the nitty gritty. As for the answer to the article’s question. I think it’s a no-brainer; Don’t pull. The elephant in the room is mobile. ZTR mobile traffic is Tsunami like.
Saul’s Pearl Harbor story
December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor Day – 71 Years Ago Today.
“I am the custodian of a treasured family memento, a copy of the telegram my grandparents in Detroit sent to my dad and mom on December 8, 1941. It is faded and frayed, but still readable…”Are you OK.” In 1941, there was little long distance telephone capability, no e-mail, no text messaging or Facebook…no instant communication to ease the anxiety of families and friends who had loved ones in the Hawaiian Islands that day.”
Worth the read.
thx John.
Matt Epstein leaves Rapattoni for FBS
FBS Hires Matt Epstein as Senior Account Executive
It’s exciting times at FBS and we are happy to announce Matt Epstein has joined our MLS sales team. Matt brings tremendous sales experience to FBS. His knowledge of the MLS Industry while being an MLS software sales representative and a REALTOR in Southern California made our decision even easier.
That’s show business….
RESO seeks Executive Director
RESO Executive Director Position
“The Board of Directors of the Real Estate Standards Organization (www.rets.org) announces the imediate availability of the Executive Director of our standards making organization.
The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) and promulgation of its products, including the Real Estate Transaction Standard (RETS).”
So in a nutshell: RESO needs ED for RETS ASAP. : )
Also, in case you’re wondering, here’s a link to the definition of “promulgation“. You’re welcome.
