Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

NorthstarMLS discontinues Homesnap Pro license

From an email to members: NorthstarMLS discontinuing MLS wide license for Homesnap Pro in March

“NorthstarMLS was an early champion and is a current supporter of Broker Public Portal (BPP), an initiative spearheaded by brokers and MLSs to provide a new option for public display of listings. BPP and technology vendor Homesnap entered a joint venture that facilitated BPP’s introduction of Homesnap Pro. At that time, NorthstarMLS added Homesnap Pro as part of its subscriber offerings. 

In 2022, Homesnap and BPP ended their joint venture. Given this change, the NorthstarMLS Board of Directors decided to discontinue offering Homesnap Pro effective March 20, 2023. “

Me thinks there is more to this story than what is being said…

The MLS™/CLAW offers free floor plans to members via CubiCasa

The MLS/CLAW CEO, Annie Ives

Free Floor Plans are Now Available to The MLS™/CLAW REALTOR® Members Through CubiCasa

“The CEO of The MLS™/CLAW, Annie Ives, says “Advancement is essential for The MLS™, especially when it comes to technology. We’re pleased to be offering easy floor plans to members as this is a key feature that clients look for during their property search. Agents can now provide their clients a more comprehensive property outlook.”

Super smart!

CubiCasa is building a lot of momentum. A little birdie told me that other big announcements are coming soon. My thanks again to CubiCasa for sponsoring this month of Vendor Alley!

T3 Sixty’s Real Estate Almanac shows consolidation and growing membership of MLS and Associations

New data from T3 Sixty shows continued compression of total real estate MLSs and Realtor associations across the US

“The 2023 rankings compiled by T3 Sixty’s research team reveal a four-year steady decline in the total number of MLS organizations and local associations and a steady increase in the average MLS subscriber count and local association membership during that same time period. Since 2020, the total number of MLSs and local Realtor associations have dropped 7.6% and 3.8%, respectively, while the average member count of each has steadily grown.”

From a T3 Sixty email announcement:

Meanwhile, the MLSs that remain are growing in subscriber count, averaging an increase of 5.5% in membership in 2022. Since 2020, the average subscriber count for MLSs has grown by nearly 30%.

Not sure why T3 Sixty didn’t publish the same content in their email overview somewhere on the web to link to. Lame.

But the data is awesome. While membership counts are up close to 30% since 2020, they did dip down from 2022 to 2023 by -5.5%. The Real Estate Almanac is a great resource for the entire industry. Many thanks to Jack, Clint, and the rest of the team at T3 Sixty.

MLSage à trois

Bright MLS, CRMLS, and BeachesMLS Enter National Data Share Agreement

“The data share is an important step forward in Bright MLS’ and CRMLS’ previously announced plan (February 2022) to collaborate on technology solutions for the MLS industry. The data share among Bright MLS, CRMLS and BeachesMLS is the latest in several innovative joint ventures that Bright and CRMLS are leading, including REdistribute, which provides brokers transparency on the distribution and consumption of their data while ensuring fair-market compensation for its usage, and Nestfully, a new leading consumer portal developed and run by the residential real estate industry, the source of principled and pristine data for home buyers and sellers across the country.”

Ooh la la

Looking for a new gig?

Director, MLS Sales – Restb.AI

“Responsible for managing and overseeing MLS B2B sales in North America. Primary responsibilities will include designing plans to meet sales targets, negotiating deals, developing and cultivating relations with clients to maintain and grow customer satisfaction and retention. We’re looking for someone who loves working in a high-tech environment and is familiar with API, AI, cloud technology and SaaS. Candidate should be comfortable working in a dynamic environment without constant supervision.”

Data Services Specialist -realMLS

“realMLS, located in Jacksonville, FL, serves over 11,000 members spanning across 5 counties. Our membership base continues to grow as do the member’s needs. We are seeking a full time data services specialist to assist in evaluating data quality, establishing procedures, maintenance ensuring that all date meets industry standards as defined by RESO (Real Estate Standards Organization). In this role, you will be also assist with documenting, troubleshooting, and resolving any data related issues.”

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


Dave Howe named CEO and President of MetroList Services

MetroList Elevates Dave Howe to Chief Executive Officer and President

“The MetroList® Board of Directors announced the appointment of Dave Howe to lead MetroList as Chief Executive Officer and President. Previously he served as President, and with this announcement, Mr. Howe becomes the organization’s CEO/President. MetroList is Northern California’s largest Multiple Listing Service (MLS), operating in 13 counties. Dave succeeds Rick Trevino, who has stepped down from his CEO position due to health reasons.”

There are two stories here. One I’m completely happy to see happen, Dave Howe is now CEO/President of MetroList Services. I’ve known Dave for close to 30 years and it is great to see him rise up to this level. I’ve often called him “the hardest working man in the MLS business”, but this shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. In his career, he has learned from the best and shrewdest minds in the business starting with Tom Beede, Bill Miller, and recently Rick Trevino. Dave also served on the board of directors of CMLS and later as President. MetroList has a great staff and I know the transition will be smooth and they will find continued success with their new leader.

But the news is also a bit saddening. I know Rick was been struggling and fighting cancer for some time now. Even while dealing with these health issues Rick was still being recognized and named on the Swanepoel 200 list of the most powerful people in real estate. As he leaves MetroList to continue that battle it’s good to know he left on top. #fuckcancer

CoStar to purchase Realtor.com?

News Corp in Talks to Sell Real Estate Site For $3 Billion

“Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. is in talks to sell its Move Inc. online real estate business to CoStar Group Inc.

Move is the parent of Realtor.com and other real estate-related websites. The deal is worth about $3 billion, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. The sale could be announced within days, one of the people said.”

After CoStar announced at a recent earnings call they had raised $750M for future acquistions Rob and I on our Industry Relations podcast tried to guess what they would scoop up. I thought we had a pretty good guess with Matterport. Matterport had recently bought VHT Studios. So we thought it would give them some killer IP and a network of photographers. Turns out Zillow took the bait and purchased VRX, and CoStar had bigger fish in mind. Although $3 billion isn’t that much money for CoStar, remember they bid $7 billion for CoreLogic.

Brings up a few questions. Will NAR approve? Or do they even have the say? If NAR was cool with handing the reins to Rupert Murdoch, then Andy Florance seems like a Boy Scout.

What about Homes.com? I’ve been wondering when the new website would be launched, and they recently had a big round of layofffs. Maybe Andy realized that it would take a hell of lot more money to get Homes.com (a distant #3) to compete with Zillow than it would take #2, realtor.com. And the whole “your listing, your lead” actually might play better under the realtor.com umbrella.

Your move Nestfully.

FMLS launches Lundy’s “Finding Homes” assisting the blind and visually impaired with home search

FMLS Introduces New Technology to Assist Blind & Visually Impaired Individuals Access to Listings in Georgia and Beyond

“The technology app is called “Finding Homes” and works with Amazon’s Alexa to help visually impaired homebuyers and sellers access FMLS real estate listings. Through the app, consumers can ask questions via Alexa, such as “provide property details of 111 Main Street in Atlanta, Georgia, or how large is the lot.” The data from FMLS listings are delivered in complete sentences using the voice of Alexa.”

“Alexa, find me a home below a million dollars in Buckhead”

“Alexa?”

“Alexa?”

“Alexa?”

The 2023 Swanepoel Power 200

Let’s face it, we all love lists. “What’s your top 5 albums?”, “Rank the 10 greatest basketball players”, etc. ,etc. ,etc.

Well the SP200 is out today and some big changes with Gino Blefari, President and CEO of HomeServices of America, taking the top spot from Gary Keller. Some are calling this controversial. I think Rich Barton and Andy Florance should have ranked higher but nobody asked me. Sue Yannaccone, newly minted CEO and President, Anywhere Brands is the top female executive at #6, I’m a big fan of hers so that was good to see.

But on to what I’m really interested in, how did our peeps in organized real estate do? I count about 19 MLS execs on the list. I think that is 4 more than last year. At the top of this is the Mt. Rushmore of MLS Execs (since they appeared that way on the list). Art Carter, CEO of CRMLS, Brian Donnellan, CEO of Bright MLS and Bob Hale, CEO of HAR.

Art is off to a running start in 2023 with the addition of SRAR, bringing CRMLS’ member count north of 110,000.

Teresa King Kinney of Miami AOR at # 65, Jon DiMichele of TREBB at #74, and it wouldn’t be a Top200 list without Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS #84, Rebecca Jensen, CEO of MRED at # 93, deal maker extraordinaire, Jeremy Crawford of FMLS continues his rise to #102 this year.

Matt Consalvo #110, CEO of ARMLS and Dionna Hall #115, CEO of Beaches MLS both jumped ten spots from last year. Emily Chenevert, CEO of Austin Board of REALTORS leaped 13 spots up from last year to #142


Tom Hurdelbrink, CEO of NWMLS made a huge leap up 15 spots from last year to #155, although with the leadership NWMLS has done this past year regarding transparency I would have loved to see him higher on the list.


Brad Bjelke CEO of UtahRealEstate.com catapulted up 19 spots from last year to #159, and great to see Gene Millman, CEO of REColorado.com land at #167 on the list and Rick Trevino, CEO of MetroList Services debuts on the list at #174 (Go Rick!)


Also cool to see Stuart White, CEO of Realtracs at #176 and it looks like this year AnneMarie DeCatsye, CEO of Canopy MLS went from #192 to #181. Plus “don’t call it a comeback” Tim Dain was listed at #188 and the spectacular Shelley Specchio came in at #194.

***Please forgive me if I missed someone. Just DM me and I’ll make the correction.***

And it is always great to see Sam DeBord #144, CEO of RESO and Denee Evans #178, CEO of CMLS be recognized for all the great work they do for the industry. I would also add the prophet himself, Mike Wurzer, CEO of FBS to that category.

I’m also contractually obligated (just kidding!) to mention that Lone Wolf CEO, Jimmy Kelly lept 6 spots to #52 on the list. How could you not love a CEO name Jimmy!?

And I did want to make a special call out to a special person on the “SP200 Watchlist“, Caitlin McCrory, VP of Industry Relations, Anywhere Real Estate.

I’ve been following Caitlin’s career for a while now and she has a passion for the industry that is infectious, it’s just all kinds of wonderful to see her recognized.

Looking for a new gig?

Data Services Specialist -realMLS

“realMLS, located in Jacksonville, FL, serves over 11,000 members spanning across 5 counties. Our membership base continues to grow as do the member’s needs. We are seeking a full time data services specialist to assist in evaluating data quality, establishing procedures, maintenance ensuring that all date meets industry standards as defined by RESO (Real Estate Standards Organization). In this role, you will be also assist with documenting, troubleshooting, and resolving any data related issues.”

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

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