Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

CRMLS helps agents showcase the power of the MLS

The Value of Representation

“Your clients may not always see the behind-the-scenes effort you put into delivering an exceptional real estate experience. The expertise, dedication, and tools you leverage—especially your connection to the MLS—are key to providing outstanding service. “

I love this. It reminds me of the Making the Market Work campaign that CMLS and 1000watt put together, but this effort feels more localized and broader in the range of assets being delivered. It’s designed to be easy for agents to incorporate into their listing presentations or social media campaigns.

What I especially appreciate is that CRMLS is both talking the talk and walking the walk. CRMLS CEO Art Carter and General Counsel Ed Zorn have long been leaders in championing the value of the MLS, and they’re backing up that commitment with real tools their members can use to demonstrate that value.

Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.

Homes.com will ‘boost’ listings that are banned on Zillow: Florance

“Homes.com is going to support any agent who gets blackballed or blacklisted on Zillow, and boost their listing,” he told Inman exclusively on Thursday, adding that access will be free to those impacted by Zillow. “We don’t think it’s right to ban people’s listings for your economic interest.”

But what about the economic interest of the seller or the buyer?

There’s a lot I think Homes.com does well, but every now and then (like now), Mr. Florance seems to be driven by a personal vendetta against Zillow. And look, I’m not always the biggest fan of Zillow either (for example, I don’t think Homes.com ever sued their own clients).

But in the end, this feels like a hollow threat.

To put a finer point on it, I updated the graphic that accompanied the Inman article today.

Compass “reimagines” MLS books

Compass to debut physical, in-office book of private listings

“In a sort of throwback to the origins of the first multiple listing services, Compass is preparing to deploy physical books filled with private listings and viewable in company offices.”

I think they meant to post this on April 1st, not May 1st.

Compass sues NWMLS

Compass sues Northwest MLS, pulling Windermere along for a ride

“The 39-page suit in federal court claims the MLS serving 2,500 member offices in Washington and Oregon has “no meaningful competitors,” and that, as a broker-owned multiple listing service, its Seattle-area brokerage owners with controlling stakes have an interest in limiting competition from new entrants.”

Be careful what you wish for Robert.

“Long live the free market!”

Compass Exclusive Almost Became a $100K Mistake

“But the longer I sat with it the less happy I was. If only two people saw it and we hit this magic number, what if 50 people saw it?

Turns out, the buyer had the same doubts. Is it really worth this much? There are no comps… They backed out. And I felt oddly relieved.

We published on the MLS and Zillow.

Six days later we had an offer $100,000 above our magic number.”

Still perplexed how Compass agents are cool with this strategy.

FAFO MLS Edition

NWMLS shuts off Compass’ IDX feed amid private listing conflict

“The IDX suspension is only the latest chapter in an ongoing saga involving the country’s largest brokerage by sales volume and a powerful independent multiple listing service. The conflict began in late March when Compass CEO Robert Reffkin criticized NWMLS, describing it on Instagram as uniquely restrictive. Reffkin’s comments stemmed from Compass’ efforts to expand the listings it markets privately before posting them to an MLS.”

I gotta wonder how many Compass agents think this feud is productive.

Industry biggies shun exclusive listings model

Obi Jacobi, co-president of Windermere, Why private listing networks are a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’

“While we clearly have a very long way to go, our industry has made great efforts to move toward fairness and transparency, and I am proud of the fact that my dad, John Jacobi — founder of Windermere Real Estate — and his fellow real estate leaders in the Seattle area were instrumental in helping to eliminate such tactics by cooperating with each other to share real-time listing information. In fact, our region was the first in the country to do so via the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.”

Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp, America’s real estate advantage is under siege

“That’s the road we’re heading down. And if we don’t course-correct now, we are going to financially harm sellers and rob buyers, especially those from historically underserved communities, of the chance to build generational wealth through homeownership.”

Leadership.

Enough!

If a listing is online, it should be online everywhere: Zillow’s new listing access standards

“Consumers should not have to wonder whether the home that might be perfect for them is hidden behind a gate they didn’t know existed. And agents shouldn’t have to jump through hoops just to show their clients all the homes available to buy. 

Zillow was founded on the principle of free and fair access to real estate information and listings and we have not wavered in that commitment. We are the most trusted consumer brand in real estate, with the largest audience of movers who expect to see all the publicly available listings on Zillow. We have a responsibility to deliver what consumers demand and deserve. We will continue to advocate for the best interests of consumers, as we always have. “

Zillow sounds like the Dad who… just about had enough of this bullshit. And I’m here for it!

Is this the future of real estate?

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