Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

RIP Hugh, I’m going to miss your parties


I’ve been to two Playboy parties in my life, both in Las Vegas. I was an AV guy working for a company called Systems 2000. We had a gig working at a convention in Las Vegas at a booth for Newline Cinema. We were next door to the Playboy Home Video booth. This was back in the days before the internet, the time where every corner had a video rental store or a Blockbusters. This was the convention that all the studios would entertain store owners with elaborate parties. But Playboy’s parties were the invites to get.

I got to know the guys working the Playboy booth, and after some horse trading (usually company swag and t-shirts) we secured an invite to the “Playboy Pajama Party” and the “Playboy Wet n’ Wild”party at a local waterpark.

While I can’t publish any of the photos I have from the “Wet n’ Wild” party I do have this photo from the Pajama Party.

I thought I had hit it off with the current Playmate of the Year, Stacy Sanches, she said I was funny. So after the party I asked her out (she declined, said she was “busy”.) But, look at this photo, she’s in to me, right?!

RIP Hugh. Hope you went out with a smile!

Listing Bits: Making Real Estate Mobile with HomeSpotter CEO Aaron Kardell

By 2009, mobile users could do a lot with smartphone apps—get directions, listen to music, take pictures, play games, even film a video. Aaron Kardell thought that you ought to be able to add ‘look for a house’ to the growing list of applications, and he founded HomeSpotter with the intention of doing just that.

Aaron grew up in rural Nebraska in a family of entrepreneurs. He started writing software programs in high school, and went on to earn a BS in computer science at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He originated several businesses, including Altona Ed, an ed tech student information system that was acquired by Pearson School Systems in 2004.
Aaron’s first experience with location-based iPhone applications came along in 2009 when he created iGarageSale. Very shortly thereafter, a broker contacted Aaron about building an app to complement the firm’s successful lead generating website. Aaron retained intellectual property rights, and Mobile Realty Apps was born. The company rebranded as HomeSpotter in 2015, and today they have offerings for MLSs, brokers and agents. On this episode, Aaron joins Greg live from CMLS in Austin to discuss HomeSpotter’s business model, the latest capabilities around mobile listing input, and HomeSpotter’s recent launch of Boost, an automated digital marketing system with trackable ROI.

What’s Discussed: 

Aaron’s entrepreneurial family
How Aaron developed an interest in writing software programs

The genesis of HomeSpotter
– Created iGarageSale app
– Realtor asked to build app as consultant
– Retained intellectual property rights

The tactical mistakes HomeSpotter made early on
Why Aaron chose to take the native mobile route

How Aaron built a business in the 99¢ app store world
– Relied on SaaS model
– White label broker offering

HomeSpotter’s service offerings
– White label platform for brokers
– MLS member access on-the-go
– Boost (automated digital marketing with trackable ROI)

How high agent adoption in MLS markets led to the introduction of additional products
The new capabilities around mobile listing input

– Ability to edit listings (corrections, status changes)
– Update photo support capabilities

How Aaron funded HomeSpotter
– Personal capital sustained first three years
– Angel investors in Minneapolis/St. Paul

The particulars of HomeSpotter’s newest offering, Boost
– Automated system
– For agents, teams, brokers
– Creates Facebook/Instagram ads for each new listing
– Targets prospective buyers and seller
– Helps average agent be more effective with marketing

Greg’s hesitance to get into the ‘advertising business’
Why agents are willing to spend more for advertising than tools
The scalability of an app like Boost

How HomeSpotter is upselling current subscribers to try Boost

– Partnering with brokers, franchises, MLSs
– Email agent when listing added
– Brokers pay for initial week in some cases

How Aaron’s team generates ideas for new products

Cloud CMA’s deal with Tom Ferry
The pros and cons of a pay-per-listing pricing model
The difference between HomeSpotter’s free and premium versions for MLS

Resources:

Cloud CMA’s Listing Presentation Kit by Tom Ferry
Zillow’s Report on Trends in Residential Relocation

Connect with Aaron Kardell:

HomeSpotter
Aaron on LinkedIn

Industry Relations 14: ‘MLS of Choice,’ Sam DeBord and Jeff Young of RPR

Hang around the hotel bar at CMLS2017 long enough (we’re looking at you, Greg), and you will overhear conspiracy theories about ‘MLS of Choice’ somehow leading to a national MLS. The MLS community has long feared that NAR is looking to get into the MLS business, and the rhetoric ‘of choice’ raises alarm bells in the industry. What is NAR’s intent in changing MLS Policy Statements 7.42 and 7.43? Could RPR eventually evolve into a national MLS?

Today Rob and Greg dig into the ‘MLS of Choice’ debate with Sam DeBord and Jeff Young. Sam is a member of the MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board that revised 7.42 and 7.43, and he will serve as the Vice-Chairman of MLS Policy for NAR next year. He also serves as the managing broker for Seattle Homes Group and VP of Strategic Growth for Coldwell Banker Danforth. Sam writes for a number of real estate news outlets, and he was named to SP200’s Top 20 Social Influencers and Inman’s Top 101 in Real Estate.

Jeff Young is the Chief of Operations for Realtors Property Resource (RPR), an NAR resource providing comprehensive data, powerful analytics and client-friendly reports for each of NAR’s constituencies. Jeff has been a REALTOR since 1996, serving in various NAR leadership positions including President of the Michigan Association of Realtors in 2008. (In this live recording Jeff happen to walk by as the podcast was being recorded and coaxed in to participate.)

On this episode of Industry Relations, Greg, Rob, Sam and Jeff walk through the details of ‘MLS of Choice,’ discussing how the policy change will offer greater flexibility for brokers and agents in the MLS marketplace. They explore the MLS community’s skepticism around NAR’s intent, and whether there is any merit to the theory that this new policy might eventually lead to RPR becoming a national MLS. Listen in to understand the arguments for and against ‘MLS of Choice’–tin foil hat optional.

What’s Discussed: 

The broker pain points that led to changes in MLS Policy Statements 7.42 and 7.43
The role of the MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board
The current jurisdictional rules around MLS dues
How ‘MLS of Choice’ provides greater flexibility for brokers/agents in MLS marketplaces
Why the previous policy was endorsed
The arguments for and against ‘MLS of Choice’
Sam’s response to industry fear of NAR establishing a national MLS
The rumors that RPR could become the national MLS
Jeff’s rebuttal concerning the rumors around RPR
– RPR contracts with MLSs prevent national MLS
– RPR depends on relationships with 661 of 694 current MLSs
The confusion around ‘MLS of Choice’ as a naming convention
The concept of which MLS not if MLS
How the policy change will adversely affect MLSs that don’t provide value
CMLS’s response to the ‘MLS of Choice’ policy change

Resources:

Sam at Coldwell Banker Danforth
Realtors Property Resource
‘MLS of Choice’ Article in Inman News

Connect with Rob and Greg:

Rob’s Website
Greg’s Website

MLSListings adds MLS-Touch

MLSListings Inc. and Prospects Software Join Forces to Bring MLS-Touch App to Northern California Real Estate ProfessionalsMulti-year agreement offers unique and custom mobile functions to MLSListings professionals

“We heard from many brokers and agents that mobile apps for real estate are good, but an app with expanded functionality would be great. Charles Drouin and the MLS-Touch team understands that and they have used the input of thousands of brokers and agents from California to Montreal to build their model. They are committed to working with associations and MLSs to create a custom experience. We are proud to offer convenient features to support the more than 15,000 real estate professionals who trust us with their business,” said James Harrison, RCE, CAE, President and CEO of MLSListings Inc.

Félicitations to Charles and his team. Their persistence is inspiring. I’m big believer in giving agents more choices when it comes to the tools they use the most, like the MLS. This “front-end of choice” movement is gaining steam.

Jeff Turner takes CEO position at immoviewer

immoviewer Announces Appointment of New CEOJeff Turner Named Chief Executive Officer

“We are thrilled to have such a highly regarded industry leader as our new North American CEO,” immoviewer founder, Ralf von Grafenstein said. “Jeff has a unique understanding of where the real estate market is heading and a clear vision for where technology fits into the picture. Jeff’s experience and reputation in the industry is stellar and well known. We are certain he will be able to lead us to the conversations that will move immoviewer forward at a rapid pace in North America.”

Huge congrats to Jeff. This stuff looks shit hot and affordable for most brokers/agents.

Industry Relations EP013: Barriers to Change in the MLS with James Dwiggins and Sam DeBord

Stakeholders from every facet of the real estate industry are calling for change. Problem is, that’s about the only thing they can agree on. So what happens when you put a broker, a vendor, a consultant, and NAR leadership in the same room to talk about all things MLS? A sometimes uncomfortable, yet revealing discussion around consolidation, data standardization, MLS fees, and the policymaking process.

Stakeholders from every facet of the real estate industry are calling for change. Problem is, that’s about the only thing they can agree on. So what happens when you put a broker, a vendor, a consultant, and NAR leadership in the same room to talk about all things MLS? A sometimes uncomfortable, yet revealing discussion around consolidation, data standardization, MLS fees, and the policymaking process.

Live from CMLS2017 in Austin, Rob and Greg are joined by James Dwiggins and Sam DeBord. James is the CEO of NextHome, a progressive real estate franchise with consumer-focused branding, technology and marketing. Prior to founding NextHome, James served as Chief Strategy Officer and VP of Realty World Northern California & Nevada. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, James’ impressive resume also includes VREO, a groundbreaking company he co-founded in 2000 to develop web applications for agents and brokers.
Sam is both the managing broker for Seattle Homes Group and VP of Strategic Growth for Coldwell Banker Danforth. In addition, he is a member of the MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board, and he will serve as the Vice-Chairman of MLS Policy for NAR next year. Sam writes for a number of real estate news outlets, and he was named to SP200’s Top 20 Social Influencers and Inman’s Top 101 in Real Estate.

Listen in as Greg, Rob, James and Sam search for a little common ground when it comes to the future of the MLS. James shares his concern regarding a lack of non-REALTOR members in NAR decision-making bodies, and Sam offers his take on the future of the industry. They cover the political barriers that prevent true collaboration in the industry, how the not-for-profit mandate hinders MLS progress, and the value of vendor-inclusiveness. 

 

What’s Discussed: 

James’ message at the CMLS event in Austin
The ongoing conversation among NAR, brokers and MLSs
The continued consolidation of MLSs
NAR’s focus on broker co-op
The vast differences in how MLSs are run
The challenges around a lack of data standardizationFactors that prevent a common data share
The brokers’ contribution to the technical barriers 
How a common MLS feed might affect membership
How members of the MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board are selected

-Vetted by leadership
-‘Standard of experience’James’ concern regarding a lack of non-

REALTOR members NAR’s effort to bring in advisors/speakers from other industries to inform the advisory board

Why having your heart in the right place doesn’t mean you are a qualified decision-maker
The challenge of overcoming politics to engage in true industry collaborationNAR’s role in fostering cooperation
How CMLS is setting the standard of vendor-inclusiveness
Rob’s argument that the nonprofit mandate is the biggest issue hindering MLS progress
The pros and cons of raising MLS fees
The excessive fees vendors pay for access to IDX feeds
The benefits of MLS consolidation:

-Less overhead, more profitable for MLS
-Broker costs decrease
-Vendors can reinvest money saved

The painful loss of jobs that would result from MLS efficiency
James’ prediction that it will take outside forces to facilitate change
The value generated by a very small number of agents -Zillow market cap at 7.6B -80,000 agents

Sam’s take on the future of the real estate industry

-MLS will be part of equation (dependent on data)
-Fewer MLSs
-Realtor will remain at center of transaction

Greg’s A Few Good Men analogy
Rob’s theory about the future MLS breakdown
The top barriers to change: 

-Politics
-Lack of data standards

Sam and James’ advice to MLS execs moving forward

-Focus on broker priorities
-Be flexible, innovative in delivering
-Discuss pain points with vendors
-Work with other MLSs on same process

Resources:

Seattle Homes Group

NextHome

MLS 2020 Agenda

CMLS 2017

Connect with Rob and Greg:

 
Rob’s Website 

Greg’s Website 

Buyside gets stacked

Industry Experts Join Buyside to Support Further Growth and National Expansion

“Charles Williams, Buyside’s Founder and CEO, has announced the expansion of the company’s senior leadership team with the addition of three tenured real estate industry veterans: Alissa Harper, VP, Growth; Dan McKeehan, VP, Operations; and Laura Scott, Chief Success Officer. Buyside is a data science & marketing company helping brokers transform real-time buyer data into leads, listings and profits.”

Here’s the team:

Alissa Harper, VP of Growth, joins Buyside from Market Leader, Trulia, and most recently, Zillow Group where she built and led the company’s Broker Engagement Team…

Dan McKeehan, VP of Operations, comes to Buyside from Dotloop where helped to scale the nationwide deployment of the platform, with large regional and national real estate franchise brands earning impressive user adoption levels with high customer satisfaction…

Laura Scott, Chief Success Officer is a veteran of Northwood Realty Services and Douglas Elliman, where she spent over a decade overseeing daily operations, driving strategy and recruiting effort…

Very impressive. This is about two thing I like the most, keeping talent in the industry and companies making the right investments. Congrats to Charles and the new team.

Industry vet, Dottie Shanley retires

Art Carter, CEO of CRMLS…

““I offer my best wishes to industry veteran Dottie Shanley as she enters retirement. Dottie served the MLS/AOR industry as a customer care specialist for 27 years, beginning her career as a bookkeeper with
Buena Park AOR. After Buena Park AOR merged with North Orange County and Pacific West, Dottie
began to get involved with other avenues of the industry. She learned many departments, including the
membership aspect of the industry, before moving into the MLS department. In 2000 Dottie made a
move to SoCal MLS, where she started on the Customer Care team. In 2011, SoCal merged with CRMLS,
and today she hangs up her headset from CRMLS as one of the most fearless and dedicated customer
service representatives around. Dottie is looking forward to retirement and plans to spend more time on
her hobbies, including playing bingo. Congratulations, and thanks for many years of outstanding
service!”

I’m a sucker for these announcements. Anyone devoting as much time to this business deserves recognition, and Dottie has seen it all!

CMLS officers announced

I was a bit remiss earlier and failed to mentioned CMLS’ new officers.

“David Charron, chief strategy officer of Bright MLS (Maryland), will serve as president; Chris Carrillo, CEO of Metro MLS (Wisconsin), was named president-elect; and Stephanie Hill, MLS director of Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® (Nevada), was elected secretary/treasurer.”

I’ll be writing soon about the CMLS 2017 conference itself later but wanted to make sure I recognized everyone.

MetroList® announces deal with Real Safe Agent

MetroList® Chooses Real Safe Agent

““After several months of extensive research into real estate agent safety options, our staff and Board of Directors believe that Real Safe Agent and the behavioral science behind it, was by far the best choice to further help our subscribers stay safe while conducting their business,” said Bill Miller, CEO of MetroList Services, Inc.
MetroList® is the first MLS in California to adopt Real Safe Agent and joins several other MLS’s and Associations around the country that have already deployed the system; bringing the total number of brokers and agents with access to the new safety system to approximately 85,000.

MetroList is pretty picky so I know they have vetted this solution pretty well. Congrats to Susan and Lee.

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