Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Looking for a new gig?

MLS Executive Director – Triangle MLS

“Triangle MLS is seeking an experienced MLS executive to lead their dynamic organization and talented staff. The Raleigh/Research Triangle region is ranked among the best places to live in the country, and with over 14,000 subscribers across the region, this is a great opportunity for the right leader.”

Director, Retention, and Renewals – SentriLock

“As the  Retention and Renewals Director you will be a member of the customer-focused Sales Team at SentriLock, focusing on developing and deepening relationships with existing customers, increasing adoption, and selling product and system upgrades, securing long term contract renewals, serving as a trusted business advisor, and leading interdepartmental collaboration to ensure customer’s needs are addressed.”

The find out about these jobs or post a job, please visit the Vendor Alley Job Board.

#jobboard

Lone Wolf acquires Propertybase

Lone Wolf, Propertybase, and the ultimate real estate platform

“Our goal is to bring the time-honored tenets of the real estate world into the present with a modern, innovative, and connected technology platform that makes it simpler for people—and the professionals who serve them—to buy and sell homes. Serving over 1.5 million agents, 15,000 brokerages, over 900 MLSs and associations in North America, boasting nearly 650 employees with hundreds of cumulative years of experience, and offering the most trusted solutions in the industry involved in over 75% of all real estate transactions the US and Canada, Lone Wolf is the only company with the reach, size, and technology that can make this happen.”

Chris Egan, Chief Strategy Officer for Lone Wolf

5 acquisitions in 9 months. Unprecedented.

While there is a ton of money out there trying to disrupt traditional brokers and agents, Lone Wolf is doing the opposite, putting all their chips on brokers and agents to win.

I was already a big fan of Propertybase. Cloud CMA was a popular option to include with their standard Bold Leads product and Boston Logic (now Propertybase). Good products and good people.

Join me today on Clubhouse. Let’s talk iBuyers. Today 3PM PT

Join me!

Hey all you Alley Cats! Let’s talk about iBuyers. It seems the tide is turning and agents are finding new ways to leverage these new business models.  But at what cost?

The MLS™/CLAW, Will Soon Exchange Data with ShowingTime Via API for its ShowingsPlus™ solution

ShowingsPlus™, Owned & Operated by The MLS™/CLAW, Will Soon Exchange Data with ShowingTime Via API

“ShowingsPlusTM, the new showing management tool developed internally by The MLS™/CLAW technical team, will soon exchange real-time data with ShowingTime and any other showing service in the marketplace via API. ShowingsPlusTM is fully integrated within VESTAPLUSTM, the wholly-owned and operated MLS software of The MLS™/CLAW.”

There are lots of advantages to running your own MLS system. Of course, this path is not for everyone. You are basically running an MLS organization and a software company. But this “MLS Owned” movement is gaining traction. Annie Ives, CEO of The MLS™/CLAW has been a pioneer in this, and their polished VESTAPLUS™ MLS system stands out among the other “MLS Owned” MLS systems and traditional MLS systems.

I’m curious to see how this API is going to work. Lots have been written about the challenges of implementing a solution like this and others have presented the idea, but this seems to be the first to market. Looking forward to seeing this in action.

Inman Connect Las Vegas to require proof of vaccination

From a recent Inman News email…

“We’re looking forward to seeing you in Las Vegas this October. As we make the return to in-person events, Inman’s top priority is the health and safety of our community. To that end, we are requiring full vaccination against Covid-19 to attend Inman Luxury Connect and Inman Connect Las Vegas in person.”

????????????

Looking for a new gig?

Education Manager – Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of REALTOR

“We are looking for a full-time Education Manager to design and oversee all learning and development programs for our membership. You will be working closely with our members, (both in-person and over the phone), with team members, and all departments.
Education Manager responsibilities include identifying training needs based on the real estate industry and current market trends. To be successful in this role, you should have solid experience organizing training and designing the educational curriculum.
Ultimately, you will help us develop our memberships’ skills to raise the bar of professionalism.”

The find out about this job or post a job, please visit the Vendor Alley Job Board.

#jobboard

Cloud CMA hits milestone of 20 million reports

“After launching in 2010, Cloud CMA has steadily become the favorite report generating tool and leading member benefit for real estate agents. Now provided to nearly 700,000 agents in North America, Cloud CMA has reached its biggest milestone yet: over 20 million reports created! In this year alone, agents have already created 21.8% more reports than in 2019 and a shocking 36.3% more reports than in 2020!”

Cloud CMA hits huge milestone: 20 million reports

Hard to believe. Looking at the stats now our customers are creating more Cloud CMA reports than ever before. It’s truly amazing.

Can you say hockey stick?

I remember each milestone. In 2013 we tracked the agent who published the 1 Millionth Cloud CMA and showed up at the agent’s office meeting and surprised her with balloons, a sash to wear, and a free iPad. In 2018 with the publication of our 10 millionth Cloud CMA report we created one of the funniest videos that W+R Studios ever produced.

Of course, we couldn’t have done it without the help and contribution of many people. Including Lauren Hansen, CEO of IRES, who gave us our first shot. We signed our first site license with IRES before Cloud CMA ever launched. And I also have to throw a shout out to Art Carter, CEO of CRMLS, who has always been a great champion of ours and it was a major deal for Dan and me when CRMLS decided to provide Cloud CMA as a member benefit. And many, many more people along the way. Thank you so much.

How the US made affordable homes illegal

Via Vox

Good overview. After watching videos like this I always ask myself, “Is there something I can do to help?”

Industry Relations Episode 64: A New Approach to Antitrust Regulations—with Michael Wurzer

The DOJ pulling out of its antitrust settlement with NAR seems like bad news for the industry.

But what if it could be an opportunity?

Michael Wurzer is the CEO of FBS, the leading innovator of MLS technology. Prior to FBS, Michael spent seven years practicing law in California and Minnesota, working in corporate law, litigation, and serving as Assistant General Counsel for Aveda.

On this episode of Industry Relations, Michael shares his unique perspective on the DOJ withdrawal, discussing the Biden administration’s intent to refocus on antitrust principles and the need for smaller, independent businesses to ensure competition in any sector.

Michael explains how organized real estate might engage with regulators, describing how MLSs could serve as labs of experimentation to promote transparency and competition in the industry.

Listen in to understand the challenge of overcoming what Rob calls the regulatory mindset and find out how real estate can take an offensive posture with the FTC, working together to innovate around Brandeis and Patman’s antitrust ideals.

What’s Discussed:  

The intent of the Biden administration to refocus on antitrust principles

Why industries need smaller, independent businesses to ensure competition

How the competitive nature of the MLS benefits NAR in negotiating with the DOJ

Why Michael sees an opportunity for the industry to engage with regulators

How MLSs might serve as labs of experimentation to promote transparency and competition

The concerns around Ben Harris’ advocacy for delinking of commissions 

How a willingness to experiment would be a good defense for government intervention

Rob’s concern that the regulatory mindset won’t allow for such a nuanced approach

Why Michael doesn’t see NAR or large MLSs as Goliaths to be broken up

Connect with Michael:

FBS

Michael on Twitter

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Resources:

FBS Summit

Justice Department Withdraws from Settlement with the National Association of Realtors

Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy by Matt Stoller

Chicago School of Economics

‘Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox’ by Lina M. Khan

Robinson-Patman Act

Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy

REX on Industry Relations EP055

‘Anticompetition in Buying and Selling Homes’ by Roger P. Alford and Benjamin H. Harris

Rob’s Post on Ben Harris

Michael’s Presentation on the Expanding MLS

British Columbia’s Shadow Flipping Controversy

Our Sponsors: 

Cloud Agent Suite

Notorious VIP

Looking for a new gig?

Sales Director – Showing Service – SentriLock

“The Sales Director will be dedicated to the new SentriKey Showing Service®. The ideal candidate will have industry experience selling technology services, selling to MLSs/Associations and will ideally have established relationships with key decision makers. The is a remote position with up to 50% travel in the US and Canada. To be successful in this role, you should have excellent communication skills and have the ability to demonstrate resiliency.”

The find out about this job or post a job, please visit the Vendor Alley Job Board.

#jobboard

Sponsored By Paragon Connect