Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Listing Bits Episode 84: Enabling Collaboration in the Home Buying Experience – with Tom MacLeod of ZenList

In preparation for a move, Tom MacLeod and his wife were looking at properties in the Bay Area. Tom was on Redfin. His wife was on Zillow. And they were receiving listings via email from their agent.

But none of the applications talked to each other. So, Tom was making a spreadsheet when he thought, “There’s got to be a better way.”

Tom is Cofounder of Zenlist, an agent-to-client home search that enables efficient collaboration by putting everyone in the same space. 

On this episode of Listing Bits, Tom describes how @properties helped him develop Zenlist and what differentiates his app from Homespotter, RealScout and other competitors in the space.

Tom shares Zenlist’s initial growth strategy, explaining why it didn’t include targeting MLS customers and how that’s changed.

Listen in to understand how Tom’s team gets consumers to download an app and learn how Zenlist is facilitating collaboration in the homebuying experience.

What’s Discussed:  

How Tom’s experience with moving inspired him to build Zenlist

Why Tom made the decision to bootstrap Zenlist over taking venture money

How Zenlist facilitates collaboration in the homebuying experience

Tom’s experience of developing Zenlist with the help of @properties

Zenlist’s initial growth strategy and why it didn’t include targeting MLS customers

What differentiates Zenlist from Homespotter, RealScout and other competitors in the space

Tom’s ambition to serve both real estate agents and consumers

Zenlist’s mobile capabilities and how it was called into action during the Rapattoni outage

How Zenlist is overcoming the challenge of getting consumers to download an app 

How consumers benefit from using Zenlist vs. Zillow or Redfin

Connect with Tom MacLeod:

Zenlist

Email tom@zenlist.com 

Resources:

SNL Skit on Zillow

Leo Pareja at eXp

Trackxi

Our Sponsor:

Cloud CMA for Brokers

Industry Relations Podcast: What Has Really Changed In The MLS Industry?

On this episode of Industry Relations Rob and I discuss what has really changed in the MLS industry. One thing that has always been a constant in the MLS industry is change. With technology rapidly evolving and consumer demands continuously shifting, it’s no surprise that the MLS landscape is constantly adapting.

But what does this mean for those working in the industry? Are there new skills or knowledge that are now required to succeed?

Watch us on YouTube!

Resources:

Greg’s YouTube

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors: 

Notorious VIP

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Industry Relations podcast: The RE/MAX Settlement And What Happens Next

Catch the latest update on the RE/MAX Settlement and its impacts on the real estate industry. Join Rob and Greg as they dissect this essential development and discuss what the future of the industry holds. Gain an in-depth knowledge of this critical lawsuit and stay informed on its far-reaching effects.

Watch us on You Tube!

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors: 

Notorious VIP

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Listing Bits Episode 83: Revolutionizing Member Engagement for MLSs + Associations – with Nick Gough of NoteRouter

MLSs and associations face an issue Nick Gough refers to as RDR, an acronym for REALTORS don’t read. 

So, what can these organizations do to communicate more effectively with the members they serve? 

Nick is Founder and CEO at NoteRouter, the all-in-one email and texting platform designed to help organized real estate achieve record-high member engagement.

On this episode of Listing Bits, Nick shares his experience in leadership of associations and MLSs, explaining how it drove him to build NoteRouter.

Nick describes how NoteRouter helps users write content that connects with REALTORS individually and discusses why the presentation of your message matters as much as the value you provide.

Listen in for Nick’s insight on leveraging influencer marketing to reach more REALTORS and learn how to humanize your outreach by focusing on the real pains your members face.

What’s Discussed:  

Why Nick dropped out of college and became a real estate agent at 18

Nick’s experience in leadership of associations and MLSs and how it drove him to build NoteRouter

How NoteRouter solves the problem of member engagement 

Using email and text outreach to help associations and MLSs connect with the people they serve

How NoteRouter helps users write content that connects with REALTORS individually

Why presentation matters just as much as the value you provide

NoteRouter’s expertise in outbound communication through email service and telecom providers

Why NoteRouter is designed around the principle of permission-based marketing

Why it’s crucial for MLSs and associations to learn influencer marketing

The relationship between email open rates and subject lines

The benefit of humanizing your outreach and focusing on real pains members face

How the latest MLS outage impacted Nick and the team at NoteRouter

Connect with Nick Gough:

NoteRouter

Nick on LinkedIn

Email nick@noterouter.com 

Resources:

Seth Godin

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell

Our Sponsor:

Cloud CMA for Brokers

Industry Relations Podcast: Blueprint Conference 2023 Recap

On this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg give a recap of the Blueprint conference in Las Vegas. What did they think? Hear why Rob wanted a bit more from the proptech sector and get an insider look at Greg’s first time attending the conference.

Watch us on YouTube!

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors: 

Notorious VIP

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Industry Relations Podcast: Navigating the Realogy Settlement

Are you up-to-date on the Realogy Settlement? Rob and Greg discuss the settlement between Realogy and the Department of Justice, and explore potential second order consequences. Rob and Greg explore how this settlement can potentially affect major players in the real estate industry.

Watch us on YouTube!

Connect with Rob and Greg

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors: 

Notorious VIP

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Listing Bits Episode 82: Jeremy Henley of QuikFix

Dealing with things that come up during a home inspection is a challenge for all involved in a real estate transaction. 

But what if there was a way to get an accurate quote for home repairs in seconds? And then connect with licensed contractors who are available to do the work now?

Jeremy Henley is Founder and CEO at TheQwikFix, a proptech platform that leverages AI and predictive modeling to generate a quote for repairs based on the home inspection report.

On this episode of Listing Bits, Jeremy explains how his experience as a real estate investor inspired the creation of TheQwikFix and why contractors love getting work from its marketplace.

Jeremy describes who manages the process of using the platform to do home repairs, discussing how buyers can leverage TheQwikFix quote to negotiate—and then follow through on the repairs they care about after closing.

Listen in to understand why TheQwikFix doesn’t have issues with contractor availability and learn how Jeremy’s service makes life easier for contractors, buyers, sellers and real estate agents!

What’s Discussed:  

How Jeremy’s background in sales and cybersecurity led to founding a proptech startup

Jeremy’s experience as a real estate investor and how it inspired the creation of TheQwikFix

How TheQwikFix software generates a quote based on the home inspection report

Why contractors love getting work from TheQwikFix marketplace

The combination of AI and human confirmation TheQwikFix uses to generate a quote

Who manages the process of using TheQwikFix to do home repairs

Why contractors are willing to accept TheQwikFix’s binding quotes

How TheQwikFix does most of its business in SoCal but its service is available nationwide

How buyers can leverage TheQwikFix to negotiate and then complete repairs after closing

Why TheQwikFix doesn’t have issues with contractor availability

What Jeremy’s team is doing to help TheQwikFix stay top-of-mind with agents

The potential for TheQwikFix to handle ongoing home maintenance/repairs or remodels

Connect with Jeremy Henley:

TheQwikFix

Jeremy on LinkedIn

Jeremy on X

Resources:

TripIt

Expensify

1000watt

Industry Relations Podcast: Understanding Personal & Institutional Responsibility In The NAR Sexual Harassment Cases

Are you familiar with the recent stories of sexual harassment at NAR in The New York Times? On this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg discuss how personal and institutional responsibility plays a role in these situations. Tune in to hear how they break down the differences between personal accountability and what role the institution plays in these matters.

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Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors: 

Notorious VIP

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Industry Relations Podcast: Industry Relations Reaction: Rich Men North Of Richmond

Are you looking for an insightful reaction to the viral video “Rich Men North Of Richmond” and how it relates to the real estate industry? Tune into this episode of Industry Relations with Rob and Greg! They’ll provide their unique take on the video and explain how it applies to real estate.

Follow this link for Oliver Anthony’s Rich Men North Of Richmond.

Watch us on YouTube!

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors: 

Notorious VIP

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

Industry Relations podcast: Inman Connect Recap and Lawsuit Settlement Scenarios

On this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg discuss the key takeaways from Inman Connect 2023 in Las Vegas and the potential outcomes for ongoing industry lawsuits. Listen in for an insightful recap of the latest trends and news from the event, as well as settlement scenarios that could shape the future of real estate.

Congrats, to our very own Greg Robertson for being the 2023 Inman Connect Nate Ellis Award. The Nate Ellis Award recognizes those in the industry for their community contributions to the real estate industry. 

“There is no one else more deserving to be awarded this recognition.” – Rob Hahn

Watch us on YouTube!

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors: 

Notorious VIP

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2023.

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