Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Listing Bits Podcast: Meet Ben Kinney, the new owner of Remine

The latest Listing Bits episode in now available on your favorite podcast player!

In this episode, Greg Robertson sits down with Ben Kinney, CEO and co-founder of Place, to talk about Place’s acquisition of Remine, how Ben built his PropTech empire from the ground up, and what’s next for the platform. Ben shares his personal journey from growing up in rural Washington to building a half-billion-dollar business, and lays out his vision for supporting agents, MLSs, and consumers through technology, services, and long-term stability.

Key Takeaways

  • Place Acquires Remine – Ben shares why his team bought Remine out of bankruptcy, what they plan to do with the platform, and how MLSs can expect immediate support.
  • A Business Built for Agents – Place focuses on helping top teams across brokerages run more profitable and efficient businesses without trying to replace brokers or compete with their models.
  • Three Keys to Product Adoption – Ben breaks down his framework for driving usage: show users how, show them why, and show them others who’ve succeeded.
  • From CRM to Services – Place provides agents with everything from CRMs and marketing tools to bookkeeping, HR, title services, and even AI-powered handwritten notes.
  • CCP and Cooperation – Ben shares his views on Clear Cooperation and listing exclusivity, emphasizing transparency, consumer benefit, and the importance of cooperation.
  • Long-Term Vision – Ben discusses Place’s public company aspirations, upcoming acquisitions, and consumer-focused services like moving support—all while keeping control of the business.

Links

Place.com https://place.com

Active Rain https://activerain.com

Mom’s “No Bake” Cookie recipe

1 stick of butter

2 c sugar

1/4 c cocoa powder

1/2 c milk

3 c oatmeal

1/2 c crunchy peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

Stir butter, sugar, cocoa, milk in saucepan until boil. Boil at low for 2 mins. Remove from heat and add in oatmeal, peanut butter, vanilla.

WAV Group Interview: Meet Ben Kinney and Chris Suarez of Place – new owners of Remine –

Meet Ben Kinney and Chris Suarez of Place – new owners of Remine

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

Listing Bits Podcast: The Amazing Annie Ives

🎙️ Listing Bits Episode: The Amazing Annie Ives

Host: Greg Robertson

Guest: Annie Ives, CEO of The MLS™ / VestaPlus

Duration: ~40 min

👋 Episode Summary:

In this episode, Greg sits down with Annie Ives, a true titan in the world of organized real estate. From her early days immigrating from Tunisia to building and reviving one of the most resilient MLS organizations in the country, Annie shares her personal and professional journey with candor, humor, and a hint of rebellion.

They cover everything from her humble beginnings in Los Angeles, to taking down not one but two formidable adversaries (a rogue MLS and the LA Times), and ultimately building a fully-fledged MLS software company from the ground up — all while raising a family and earning her MBA.

🧩 Key Topics Covered:

• Annie’s Origins: Born in Tunisia, moved to LA in 1967 post-Six-Day War

• First Jobs in the U.S.: Nanny, Bank of America check processor

• Finding Her Calling: Started in accounting for CLAW (Combined L.A. Westside MLS) in 1993

• The CLS Uprising: How Annie resurrected CLAW after a broker-led exodus and competition from the breakaway “CLS”

• Publishing Power Move: Took on LA Times and launched Southern California Homes & Estates, which remains a staple in the market

• Building VestaPlus: Tired of relying on vendors, Annie led the charge to build a proprietary MLS platform — now adopted beyond their core market

• Checkmate™: Her team’s AI-driven compliance tool making waves across the MLS industry

• Team Philosophy: Why taking risks, building a strong team, and staying scrappy still matters

📌 Resources & Mentions:

• The MLS™ / VestaPlus:

• Contact Annie: annie.ives@themls.com

• Compliance tool: Checkmate™, powered by VestaPlus

• The MLS Summit Event: Annual event hosted by The MLS™

Listing Bits Podcast: Brian Donnellan and the future of cooperation

🎙️ Listing Bits: Brian Donnellan, CEO of Bright MLS

Host: Greg Robertson

Guest: Brian Donnellan, CEO of Bright MLS

Episode Summary:

Greg sits down with Bright MLS CEO Brian Donnellan for a candid conversation about leadership, music, and the shifting dynamics in real estate. They dive into design, the Clear Cooperation Policy, Wall Street’s influence, and why cooperation—not just compensation—is the heart of MLS value.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Bright MLS invests so heavily in communication and design

• How playing in bands helped Brian lead complex teams

• The real impact of removing compensation from the MLS model

• Brian’s take on Clear Cooperation and private exclusives

• What Wall Street’s growing role means for brokers and MLSs

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

Listing Bits Podcast: A floor plan with every listing

In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson is joined by Megan McFarlane from New Mexico MLS and Jeff Allen from CubiCasa to discuss the growing importance of floor plans in real estate listings. They dive into why New Mexico MLS has taken the bold step of requiring floor plans on every listing, how technology like CubiCasa is making this easier, and the industry-wide momentum pushing for more complete and transparent listing content.

Key Takeaways

• New Mexico MLS’s Bold Move: Why they made floor plans mandatory and how it enhances listing accuracy and consumer experience.

• The Tech That’s Changing the Game: How CubiCasa and other solutions make floor plans more accessible for agents and MLSs.

• Overcoming Pushback: Addressing concerns about liability, data privacy, and adoption challenges.

• Consumer Demand is Clear: NAR research shows floor plans are the #1 most requested listing feature.

• Global Trends in Real Estate: Why countries like Finland and Australia have already made floor plans standard—and why the U.S. is catching up.

• The Future of MLS Compliance: How MLSs are using AI and automation to enforce floor plan requirements.

Links & Resources

New Mexico MLS to require floor plans on all listings

MLS Floor Plan Requirement Programs: FAQ 2025

CMLS Presentation Clip

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

Listing Bits Podcast: Building Real Estate Technology: The Story of Real Geeks with Kevin McCarthy

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Greg Robertson talks with Kevin McCarthy, co-founder and CEO of Real Geeks, about his journey from a small-town tech enthusiast to creating a leading real estate technology company. Kevin shares insights into Real Geeks’ origins, its evolution, and how its all-in-one platform empowers real estate agents. The conversation touches on the early challenges of building a tech company, the role of SEO in the early internet era, and how AI is shaping the future of real estate technology.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. The Birth of Real Geeks

• How Kevin’s move to Hawaii led to a partnership with Jeff Manson, Real Geeks’ co-founder.

• The transition from building a single real estate website to creating a scalable product for agents.

2. The Real Geeks Platform

• Combining IDX websites with a CRM for seamless lead generation and management.

• The importance of fast, user-friendly software and SEO optimization.

3. AI Innovations

• Introduction of “SEO Fast Track,” an AI-powered website builder.

• The future of CRMs: AI taking over repetitive tasks to let agents focus on client relationships.

4. The Journey of Growth

• Challenges of starting in Hawaii and expanding operations to Dallas, TX.

• Navigating the sale of Real Geeks to Fidelity National Financial while preserving its mission.

5. Advice for Entrepreneurs

• Building a profitable, self-funded business in challenging markets.

• The value of focusing on user experience and sustainable growth.

Quotable Highlights:

• “Fast software is good software. Even milliseconds matter when it comes to user experience.”

• “AI will make CRMs fade into the background, automating tasks agents hate so they can focus on building relationships.”

• “Real Geeks is more than just software; it’s a tool that powers the livelihood of real estate agents.”

Reach Out:

LinkedIn for Kevin McCarthy

Real Geeks – Tools Tailored to Your Ambitions

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

Listing Bits Podcast: The Front-endless MLS System with Carlos Grass and Paul Hethmon of Amplify

Carlos Grass

Overview:

Greg Robertson sits down with Carlos Grass and Paul Hethmon, co-founders of Amplify, to discuss their innovative “front-endless” MLS backend platform. This episode highlights Amplify’s approach to creating a flexible, adaptable MLS backend designed to empower MLSs with greater control and cutting-edge technology.

Key Takeaways:

1. Amplify’s Mission and Flexibility:

• Amplify offers a decoupled backend solution that allows MLSs to use multiple frontends, enabling greater customization, data control, and integration with new technologies.

2. Innovative Technology Integration:

• The platform features advanced capabilities like natural language processing and machine learning, allowing users to search MLS data through voice or natural language, while also automating content creation such as audio descriptions and marketing videos.

3. Real-Time Changes and Responsiveness:

• Amplify’s backend allows MLSs to make updates and add fields in real-time, drastically improving adaptability and response time compared to traditional MLS systems.

Paul Hethmon

4. A New Vision for MLS Accessibility:

• Amplify enables MLSs to extend data access to a broader network, including appraisers, attorneys, and financial institutions, fostering a more collaborative ecosystem.

Reach Out: 

Carlos Grass, Co-Founder of Amplify and CEO of Stratus Data Systems

Paul Hethmon, Co-Founder of Amplify

Visit Amplify at ampsystems.us

Download Amplify’s new White Paper: Adapting to the post DOJ ruling

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios


Listing Bits Podcast: Austin Allison, CEO of Pacaso

Overview:

In this episode, Greg Robertson chats with Austin Allison, CEO of Pacaso, about his entrepreneurial journey in real estate, starting with Dotloop and transitioning to his current venture, Pacaso. The discussion covers lessons learned from his early career, how Pacaso is revolutionizing second home ownership, and insights into raising capital through innovative approaches like Regulation A.

Key Takeaways:

1. Austin’s Journey in Real Estate:

• Austin Allison started his real estate career early, getting his license at 18. His early experiences selling homes during college inspired him to create Dotloop, which he later sold to Zillow.

• The entrepreneurial lessons from Dotloop, including navigating challenging markets and working with large real estate brands like Keller Williams, set the foundation for his future ventures.

2. The Birth of Pacaso:

• After selling Dotloop, Austin co-founded Pacaso, a platform aimed at democratizing second home ownership by enabling people to co-own luxury homes. The idea stemmed from his own experience of buying a second home and realizing most vacation homes sit unused for much of the year.

• Pacaso allows people to purchase a share of a vacation home, creating more efficient and accessible ways to own luxury properties.

3. The Challenges of Scaling a Startup:

• Pacaso had rapid growth, especially during the early days of the pandemic when people sought second homes, but faced new challenges in 2023 due to rising interest rates and a cooling real estate market.

• The company has refocused on profitability and expanding its market presence globally, with operations in the U.S., Europe, and Mexico.

4. Innovative Fundraising through Regulation A:

• Pacaso recently explored raising capital through Regulation A, a public fundraising method that allows retail investors to buy into private companies. This method democratizes access to investment opportunities typically reserved for institutional investors.

• Austin believes this approach aligns with Pacaso’s mission of making second home ownership more accessible and also raises brand awareness by turning investors into advocates.

5. Future of Pacaso and Second Home Ownership:

• Pacaso aims to continue expanding its product offerings and entering new markets. While the current focus is on high-net-worth individuals, Austin envisions future opportunities to lower the entry point for ownership, making the Pacaso model more accessible to a broader audience.

• Austin emphasizes the long-term potential of Pacaso and the importance of scaling the business carefully to meet the demands of a large, untapped market.

Reach Out: 

Austin on LInkedIN

Find out more about Pacaso

• Learn more about Pacaso: Pacaso.com

• Explore Regulation A investment opportunities with Pacaso.

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

A working agent’s perspective on the current state of organized real estate- Maggie Etheridge, REALTOR.

I sat down with a long-time friend and former business partner, Maggie Etheridge. Maggie was one of my co-founders at IRIS, a real estate software company we started back in 1992. She is a second-generation real estate agent. Maggie’s mom, Martie, was the inspiration for starting a software company focused on real estate and is likely the reason I have a career today.

This episode began from a series of texts between Maggie and me about her thoughts on NAR, the lawsuits, exclusive listings, and what the pundits are getting wrong. It was a great conversation and a huge reality check for me, making me rethink some of my previous assumptions. It was a discussion that could have gone on for hours; somehow, I think we’ll have to have her on as a guest again.

Reach Out: 

Maggie’s website

Maggie’s Insta

Greg’s website

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

Listing Bits Episode 93: Real estate data, myths and cowboy boots with Kevin Shtofman of Cherre

Listing Bits is back with a great guest, Kevin Shtofman, Global Head of Innovation at Cherre. Cherre is a global real estate data management platform. Kevin is from Texas and comes from a very entrepreneurial family that owned retail stores selling western wear, including honest-to-goodness cowboy boots! Yee-haw! Kevin talks about his journey from Wall Street back to Dallas and Cherre. It’s a great conversation where we dive into the breadth of real estate data available now, housing affordability, real estate myths, and the changing vendor landscape. Kevin is a super smart guy, and I found this conversation very insightful—I know you will too.

Reach Out: 

Kevin on LinkedIn

Greg’s website

Find out more about Cheere

Cherre.com – Follow your Data

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

Listing Bits Podcast: Dan Fortin of Lone Wolf Technologies on designing a proper Foundation

Dan Fortin was one of my favorite people I met working at Lone Wolf. He came over from the Instanet acquisition and has had a front-row seat to see big changes in the industry. From Lone Wolf acquiring 8 companies, 5 of them in less than 9 months, to the challenges of being a forms company during COVID when everyone wanted a specific form, and they wanted it NOW! Sounds familiar, eh?

We discuss Dan’s background, the lessons he’s learned over the 10 years, and how taking a data-driven approach to making decisions has helped him during his career.

We also get to talk about Lone Wolf’s recent announcement on its newest platform, Foundation, and the tremendous amount of work that took. We also delve into product, design, and what the future holds for Lone Wolf.

For more about Lone Wolf Foundation please visit here.

To connect with Dan check out his LinkedIn profile.

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