The geeks at Zillow, Bridge and retsly put this together as a proof of concept. Something similar was demoed at the Hacker Connect at Inman NYC. Just scratching the surface of what’s possible with APIs.
Thanks to Eric Finlay
IRES declines offer from REColorado
IRES Response To REcolorado Offer
“The majority of our consideration of this offer focused on the ultimate impact on our customers. We heard from many of you and sincerely appreciate your input. We heard you loud and clear and understand you value the philosophy and company culture of IRES:
-Our customer service is top notch. A recent satisfaction survey of IRES users revealed 92% are either Extremely Satisfied or Satisfied.
-Although IRES is a for-profit company, by design, our profits are reinvested back into the system to benefit customers
-We believe in cooperative data sharing to benefit brokers, appraisers and their clients
-We are responsive and nimble
-Our array of services and system features are unparalleled
-We believe competition is good, healthy and spawns innovation”
I think everyone thought it would go this way. Although I think this is far from over.
Also, not shy about throwing a bit of shade at REColorado and Matrix are they?
Listing Bits EP005: The Staying Power of MLS
You can subscribe to Listing Bits on iTunes.
Michael Wurzer is the President and CEO of FBS, Creators of Flexmls. FBS is a 100% employee-owned company, and every employee-owner is committed to exceeding customer expectations. Flexmls is a standards-driven technology platform connecting real estate professionals to their customers with collaboration tools that deliver timely and accurate information. Their products serve 185 organizations and 200,000-plus agents in the real estate sector.
Before taking over for his father at FBS, Wurzer enjoyed a seven-year career in law, primarily defending publicly traded companies in class action litigation. He also worked as the Assistant General Counsel for Aveda, a botanically-based hair and skin care manufacturer for beauty professionals. The method of thinking employed in legal analysis and writing provided unique preparation for his eventual work in the field of real estate tech.
Under Wurzer’s leadership for the past 20 years, FBS has worked to constantly evolve and embrace change. They were among the first to build a web-based system, striking a balance between the stability of being an established company and creating a culture of innovation. On this episode of the podcast, Wurzer examines the staying power of the MLS, real estate software product integration and the implementation of industry standards. Listen in to find out how building relationships provides the foundation for FBS’s success.
What’s Discussed:
– How a law background benefits Wurzer in the real estate tech industry
Talent in writing and communicating have been integral to his work with FBS
– The evolution of real estate tech community-building online
– The continued need for integration among real estate software programs
– Wurzer’s take on new initiatives like AMP and Upstream
– The source of anti-MLS sentiment
– The challenge of implementing standards in real estate tech
– How to solve the industry’s permissioning problem
– Wurzer foresees expanding agreements so that belonging to one MLS will provide access to a broader pool of data that can then be used
As long as the broker has permission, the vendor should have permission
– The necessity of reinventing yourself in the real estate tech business
FBS is actively developing leadership that embraces change
Connect with Michael Wurzer:
Also, don’t miss Michael’s latest post
Vendor Alley Job Board postings are up!
Not sure if you noticed but the Vendor Alley Job Board is chock full of great opportunities.
CMLS
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
“The Marketing and Communications Coordinator is responsible for the execution of the CMLS communications plan and daily execution of marketing and communications projects. The ideal candidate will bring a minimum of 2 years of demonstrated success, experience and knowledge within the multiple listing services industry, including work with both senior executives and volunteer leadership. They will possess an in-depth knowledge of the real estate industry and demonstrate professional written and verbal communication skills.
Central Virginia Regional Multiple Listing System (MLS)
Director of Data Quality and Compliance
“Working with the Vice President of Professional Development and Compliance with Central Virginia Regional Multiple Listing System (MLS) maintain, develop and enforce MLS rules and policy.This position is responsible for the daily oversight of CVR MLS operations and serves as lead for external and internal inquiries on MLS policy/compliance issues and as a technical resource for Matrix and other MLS related services.”
“We’re FBS, creators of flexmls, 100% employee owned, and the leader in real estate software innovation for 30+ years. We’re looking for a high-energy, self-motivated, Promotional Trainer.
This mid-level position lives within our Broker Agent Services division, which develops and sells IDX-based products and services to individual agents and brokers.”
Northern Nevada Regional MLS
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
“The Northern Nevada Regional MLS is seeking a visionary leader to begin by March 1, 2017 to continue a legacy of exceptional member service and strategic innovation and build upon the momentum that currently exists within the organization.
By focusing on keeping our 3,000 members central to the real estate transaction and moving on issues most impactful to their business, the next CEO of NNRMLS has the opportunity to keep this strong, nationally recognized, regional MLS flourishing and take it to the next level. The CEO will lead an exceptional team of 9 employees who dedicate themselves daily to the service of our members and work with a board of volunteer leadership that is engaged and enthusiastic.”
Diverse Solutions
Sales Executive
“Are you a sales professional that is passionate about helping customers grow? Do you thrive on building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with customers? Are you looking for a career where high ethical standards and hard work pay off? The Sales Executive role at Diverse Solutions provides a compelling opportunity for professionals with a proven track record to generate new customers and grow our existing business, while delivering an exceptional customer experience. You are versed in working to generate new customers as well as building and working with an assigned book of business.”
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty
Digital Strategies Manager
“The Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty family of companies has an opening for a Digital Strategies Manager.The digital strategies director leads the online marketing efforts for the company.The role focuses on the creation and execution of digital marketing strategies designed to acquire and retain customers through interaction with the website, mobile and/or applications while delivering measureable results.This position provides leadership, mentorship and strategic direction for the digital team. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.”
One of the best parts about publishing this blog is how many people tell me that they found their next gig on this site.
Looking for a new gig?
W+R Studios
Software Project Manager
W+R Studios is seeking a Software Project Manager to play a key role in our agile product development team. This person will work with our designers, developers, senior management and the marketing department on existing and new web and mobile apps for the real estate industry. The primary goal of this person will be to ensure continuous progress and momentum towards shipping new products, features, and fixes for our subscribers. This position will be based out of either our Huntington Beach, California headquarters (preferred) or Boulder, Colorado office.
Find out about this job and more on the Vendor Alley Job Board!
Austin Board of Realtors, RESO, and Trestle initiative falls short
“According to Tim Dain, MLS Director of ABoR, who has been leading this effort, “The Developer Reference Server provides a solution that has been needed for years: free and easy access to data that allows for innovative development,” he said. “The Austin Board of REALTORS® is a forward-thinking, progressive Association and MLS provider, and we’re dedicated to this effort because of the direct benefit to our members as well as the entire real estate community.”
While this is a good step forward it is still waaaay short of what the industry needs. As I’ve written previously.
“2. Your initiative must include data access rights AND permission to sell. Make it an opt-out for MLS providers. One without the other will not scale. If I build something fast and it takes 6 months to get approval from your MLS committee to sell it, then these initiatives are essentially worthless.”
Let’s jump in to the future….
INT. TIM DAIN’S OFFICE – DAY
The PHONE RINGS
TIM
Hello?
KID IN GARAGE
Hey, I got my new software up and running its really great. I’ve shown it to a few agents and they love it. When can I start selling it?
TIM
That’s great. Tell you what, our Technology committee meets next month, wait err, hold on…umm we already have a full agenda…
KID IN GARAGE
Committee?
TIM
Yeah, we have to approve your software before you can sell it to our members.
KID IN GARAGE
(confused)
Uh…okay…I guess. So how long is that going to take, do I have to do that in every MLS?
TIM
Yes, every MLS will have an approval process. Let’s see here, we are booked the next 3 months, and the board doesn’t meet in December, How does January 22nd, look?
–CLICK–
TIM
Hello? Hello? Are you still there?
END OF SCENE
New developers will come only if the TAM (Total Available Market) is large enough. Currently the TAM is limited to one MLS at a time. Until that changes the “kid in the garage” will be building the next set of innovative tools for another industry.
MLSListings, TheMLS, and Palm Springs MLS announce data share
Additionally, this agreement expands the exposure and reach of listings and property information to more than 100,000 real estate professionals and hundreds of thousands of buyers and sellers through various data sharing relationships with MLSs throughout the state.
“With this new data share program, members of The MLS™ will have more exposure than ever on their listings, plus they can tap into property information and data from up north. We are very excited to partner with MLSListings and Palm Springs Regional MLS to provide greater access to real-time data across these major areas in California.”
Annie Ives, CEO of The MLS™.
The MLS landscape is changing so quickly in California it getting hard to keep track of who’s who and what’s what.
Wurzer reminds us what MLS is really all about
MLS Cooperation Creates Value for All Brokers, Not Just One
“Next, I’ll address the point in the title of this post: “MLS Cooperation Creates Value for All Brokers (and Agents and Consumers), Not Just One.” Distinguishing between the value of cooperation (all brokers) and the needs of one broker (competition) is critical to any analysis regarding the future of the MLS. Typically when folks like Drew and Rob analyze the value proposition of the MLS, they do so from the perspective of a single broker or agent, but that ignores the core value of the MLS, which is the cooperation among the individual brokers and agents.
I could quote everything in this post, you really need to go read it.
I recorded a conversation Mike and I had in New York last week for my Listing Bits podcast I can’t wait to share with you guys, hopefully next week.
Raising Standards in Real Estate – Listing Bits Episode 4
Special guest Rob Hahn talks about organized real estate
The Notorious R.O.B., Robert Hahn, is Managing Partner of 7DS Associates, a real estate consulting firm that specializes in developing and implementing corporate strategy including product management, brand marketing and social networking.
Hahn has a wide range of experience. His holds a BA in Philosophy from Yale and a graduate degree from NYU School of Law. After working briefly for a firm, he took a 98% pay cut to work as a magazine editor. Hahn’s diverse resume also includes positions at USA Networks, Inc., Kinesis Marketing and Realogy.
Hahn launched his consulting career in 2009 with the formation of 7DS Associates. He also writes a popular real estate blog, The Notorious R.O.B., and co-hosts the real estate podcast Trialogues which addresses technology, marketing and leadership in the real estate industry.
Hahn is a sought-after keynote speaker and change agent who thrives on speaking his mind and shaking things up in the real estate industry. On this episode of the podcast, he speaks to the nature of his consulting work, his candid approach to identifying industry challenges and the impending mood shift regarding standards for agents and brokers. Listen and learn what’s next for Hahn as makes an exclusive announcement about a new venture.
What’s Discussed:
– The pros and cons of consulting
The “eat what you kill” model means you must continually prove value
– The differences between commercial and residential real estate
– The “tyranny of politeness” in the industry and why Rob and Greg feel a responsibility to speak their minds
– Hahn’s take on the biggest issue in real estate
The preamble to the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics outlines the fiduciary responsibility of agents and brokers
– Why it’s difficult for consumers to evaluate realtors
Lack of transparency
Infrequent contact
– How REALTORS themselves can help raise standards
– What’s next for Hahn and the details of an upcoming partnership
Connect with Rob Hahn:
Where the magic happens…
W+R Studios – Proof positive this is where magical software is created.
