Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Cloud Streams now available free to all CRMLS members

Cloud Streams LogoWhen we (W&R Studios) launched Cloud Streams earlier this year we were basing it on the same precepts that made Cloud CMA successful. Find something that has heavy usage on an MLS system but could be done much better. MLS systems are amazing pieces of software but they can’t do everything right.

We immediately saw an opportunity with listing alerts and “client portals”. It was a new product category for us, but still kinda of the same, “…making agents look awesome in front of their clients”.

That’s why I’m so proud to announce that CRMLS is now offering Cloud Streams as part of their basic MLS service. Launching any new product can be scary but based on the response, our instincts were right.

So many thanks to Art Carter and his team as CRMLS for their confidence and support. What a great way to end and start a New Year!

P.S. We’ve got a few more of these deals in the pipeline, and would love to talk to any of you who are looking to give your MLS members (Site license or otherwise) a great alternative to what your existing MLS system provides. Give me call at 714-240-3895 or via email at greg [at] wr-studios [dot] com

P.S.S. Inman News also did a story on the deal. I really should remember that I’m talking to a reporter when I’m opening my mouth. : )

MLS listing alert tool aims to give agents an edge over top portals
-Nation’s largest MLS is first to offer Cloud Streams as free member benefit

Full Press Release Below:

CALIFORNIA REGIONAL MLS SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH W&R STUDIOS
CRMLS to Offer Cloud Streams to Association Members

SAN DIMAS, Calif. (December 30, 2014) – California Regional MLS (CRMLS) has reached a partnership agreement with W&R Studios, in which California Regional MLS will offer W&R Studio’s product: Cloud Streams. Cloud Streams is an innovative listing alert and collaboration tool that allows agents and brokers to set up and provide branded MLS listing alerts to their clients.

Cloud Streams allows clients to receive listing alerts by email and/or text in real-time via desktop, tablet or iPhone app. Listing alerts link directly back to the client’s personalized communication stream. Brokers and agents benefit from the branded, photo-rich content delivered through Cloud Streams.

“We are partnering with W&R Studios because we wanted to align ourselves with a proven provider that can deliver a product that will strengthen collaboration between real estate professionals and their clients.” said Art Carter, Chief Executive Officer of CRMLS.

“We think agents and their clients will enjoy using Cloud Streams. We wanted to create somehing that gave agents an edge over the listing portals. Cloud Streams is fun to use, provides the best property information there is while keeping them engaged with their clients. said Greg Robertson, Co-Founder of W&R Studios.

“We are confident this partnership with W&R Studios will help deliver more creative products for real estate professionals”. said Mr. Carter. “As the industry leader, will continue to add to our suite of products those that assist in making agents and brokers relevant to today’s consumer”.

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 software solutions for the real estate industry.

For more information on California Regional MLS membership, products and services, visit www.crmls.org.
About California Regional MLS

CRMLS
California Regional MLS is the nation’s largest and most recognized subscriber-based MLS, dedicated to servicing over 73,000+ real estate professionals from 34 Associations, 3 Boards of REALTORS® and 1 MLS. CRMLS is the industry powerhouse and thrives on providing the most relevant products and services to its subscribers.

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Holograms and real estate

NYT: Selling Condos With Holograms

“The hologram presentation includes an overview of the waterfront neighborhood (the five Extell buildings on the Riverside South plaza unfurl in succession like a time-elapse cocoon-to-butterfly birth simulation), a trip inside the new complex, now 85 percent sold with remaining units ranging from $3.6 to $25 million, and a dazzling display of its amenities.

“Instead of just saying we have a 75-foot swimming pool, the hologram makes it seem like there’s someone actually swimming across the room,” Ms. Rothenberg said. “It brings everything alive, and it’s all controlled by an iPad.”

From the same guys who brought Tupac Shakur back to life at Coachella 2012.

New Vendor Alley Job Board

I switched platforms for the Vendor Alley Job Board. It a pretty basic right now but I will be updating it throughout the coming year. The new platform gives me a lot more flexibility to give special discounts and allows for invoicing. Check it out.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

2014 has been an exciting year in real estate and it’s been fun covering it. While I haven’t been posting much lately I’m going to be firing on all cylinders this coming January.

Thanks also to all of Vendor Alley’s sponsors.

ListHub
Rapattoni
Aculist
Trulia
MarketTrends

Their support is fantastic and I’m always surprised when these spots fill up so quickly each year. So thank you Celeste, Niki, Jim, Ginger, and David.

And stay tuned because next week I’ve got some exciting news to announce!!

Happy Holidays!

Berkowitz out as CEO at Move, Inc.

News Corp Announces New Leadership at Move, Inc.

“News Corp announced today that Ryan O’Hara will become Chief Executive Officer of Move, Inc. (“Move”), effective January 5, 2015.

Mr. O’Hara will replace CEO Steven Berkowitz, who has led the company since January 2009. News Corp acquired Move, a leading provider of online real estate services, including realtor.com®, last month.Mr. O’Hara will replace CEO Steven Berkowitz, who has led the company since January 2009. News Corp acquired Move, a leading provider of online real estate services, including realtor.com®, last month.

“We are excited to have secured Ryan O’Hara to take the helm at Move, given his record of transforming businesses in the digital age and his clear determination to accelerate the growth of the company. We are also extremely grateful to Steve Berkowitz for his years of astute and principled leadership, during which period he secured greater operating flexibility for the business and put the company on a solid growth trajectory,” said Robert Thomson, Chief Executive of News Corp.”

Dave Linger replaces Margaret Kelly as CEO of RE/MAX Holdings

RE/MAX Holdings Announces CEO Transition, Replaces Margaret Kelly with Board Chairman Dave Liniger

“Liniger said, “We owe Margaret our deepest gratitude for the contributions she has made over the last three decades. Her leadership during her tenure as CEO allowed us to emerge from the recent financial crisis as a stronger company and led us through an initial public offering. Due to Margaret’s management, our business is performing exceptionally well and we’re positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Whoa! This is interesting a lot of levels. As many of you know Dave Linger went through some major health issues is the past few years. I remember being at the T3 Summit in Las Vegas earlier this year. In an interview with Swanepoel, Dave recounted part of his recent health scare, along with some other great stories. He got a standing ovation at the end. Dave is the real deal and a true bad ass. So I gotta believe this means his health is back. Good news for him, not so much for his competitors.

Nice scoop for RIS Media on this story. Although it seems like the nice bow they put on Margaret’s departure is a bit too perfect.

Denee Evans hired as first CEO of Council of MLS (CMLS)

Denee in Dallas

Council of Multiple Listing Services Names Denee Evans CEO

“As CEO, Evans will become the point person to implement the organization’s strategic plan and oversee its daily operations to raise the presence of the organization while empowering members to stay ahead of advancing technology, legal issues, and cutting-edge management.”

I had a chance to meet and work with Denee this past week. She is wonderful and is going to be a great fit for CMLS. Congrats Denee!!

Tough week for Zillow

Zillow Accused of Subjecting Female Employees to “Sexual Torture”

“The suit goes on to describe Zillow’s Souther California office as an “adult frat house” where “sexual harassment and misconduct are normalized, condoned, and promoted by male managers.”

When you have hundreds of young people in their twenties in a sales environment this stuff is going to be super hard to control.

Move Inc. sues Beardsley over stock sale

“The Move lawsuit charges Beardsley sold more than $200,000 worth of Move Inc. stock after learning “non-public, inside information that legally prohibited him from selling that stock.”

Hopefully we won’t see any “FREE CURT” t-shirts anytime soon.

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