Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Aligned Showings passes 2 millionth mark and introduces usage-based pricing

Aligned Showings Reaches 2 Millionth Showing and Introduces Usage-Based Pricing

“Having booked over 2 million showings across our MLS partners is a huge milestone for us. We continue to add new features to Aligned Showings, which has led to over 91% of active listings using the platform in RMLS alone,” stated Kurt von Wasmuth, CEO of RMLS in Portland, Oregon.”

Many MLS software solutions are bundled or provided at little or no cost. The drawback to these tethered solutions is that they limit choice and competition. Additionally, many of these vendors require licensing and terms that MLS organizations would rather not concede. As the saying goes, ‘When the product is free, you’re the product.’

With Aligned Showings usage-based pricing, MLS organizations can now offer more choice to their agents without surrendering unwanted or aggressive data usage rights.

CRS Data launches data compliance solution

CRS Data’s ListingIntegrity Elevates Data Quality and Automates Listing Violation Detection

“Our goal is to create steadfast and trusted ways to serve the real estate market,” stated Sara Cooper, executive vice president, real estate market at CRS Data. “We had immediate interest from the very beginning. In fact, we had one customer sign on prior to the product being fully developed and demand has continued to rise with a total of six new customers in the last quarter.” 

Lots of activity in this space. Got a feeling that MLS organizations are going to have a lot to choose from. Also, have you taken at look at CRS Data’s website? I’ve been meaning to comment for awhile now but they have done such a good job with it. Very crispy.

MetroList finds a voice

MetroList Introduces Revolutionary Voice-Activated Property Add-Edit Feature

“MetroList President and CEO Dave Howe highlighted the significance of this launch, “This new Add-Edit feature is important for the industry to radically modernize the day-to-day business of real estate professionals. We are thrilled to continue partnering with Lundy and Rapattoni to set new real estate standards.”

Pretty cool! The new voice search on MetroListMLS.com (also powered by Lundy) just keeps getting better and better—super fast! So, adding their voice recognition to listing input seems like a no-brainer.

Side note: Zillow’s voice search experience on the iPhone is much slower and more finicky, in my experience, compared to what Lundy has accomplished. Not sure why Zillow (or Realtor.com/Homes.com) hasn’t bought Lundy already… hint, hint.

That being said, I mostly use voice as an input device at home with Siri on my HomePod: “Siri, start a timer for 4 minutes,” or “Siri, what’s the weather like today?” I’ve just started getting more comfortable using voice with ChatGPT. I’m still a little self-conscious about it, but I know that will fade as AI improves.

Great to see MetroList and Rapattoni driving this innovation—it’s really close to magic!

Nykia Wright is NAR’s new CEO

Nykia Wright Named Permanent CEO for the National Association of Realtors®

“Wright began her career in the financial services industry and, prior to leading the Sun-Times, was a strategy and business transformation consultant who advised Fortune 500 companies and top tier universities on operational, financial and performance improvement projects. 

She is also the co-founder of SonicMESSENGER, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) startup helping democratize audience engagement and measurement by leveraging smart audio.” 

NAR

I think I could come up with 10 reasons why an outsider is the right choice and 10 reasons why an “insider” would be the right choice. But, in the end not having any baggage of any previous relationships in this case is a good thing. As I’m fond of saying, loyalty costs. God speed Ms. Wright.

CoreLogic launches OneHomeowner

CoreLogic Launches OneHomeowner – A New Engagement Platform for Agents to Nurture Relationships and Win Business 

“Today’s clients have portals to manage their healthcare, personal finances and education, but there isn’t anything to manage their home,” said Kevin Greene, general manager of Real Estate Solutions at CoreLogic. “CoreLogic solves this problem with OneHomeowner. Just as importantly, it gives agents an effective tool to ​stay connected in a valuable way ​and deliver an exceptional ​homeowner ​experience to their clients ​for years​.”  

Kevin Greene, CoreLogic

With housing inventory levels still at record lows it is going to be important that brokers and agents look at other avenues to retain and grow their business. I think there is a tremendous opportunity for agents who go beyond just the buy and sell aspect of their business and look for opportunities on the nurture side too. They already have their trust, what other services can they provide?

Polyglot listings arrive in Staten Island MLS

Staten Island Multiple Listing Service Partners With DirectOffer, Inc. to Give Subscribers a New Way to Enhance Their Property Listings

“At SIMLS, our subscribers serve a diverse set of clients, and we are committed to providing innovative tools that empower them to make homeownership a possibility for more people,” said Sandy Krueger, President and CEO of Staten Island Multiple Listing Service. “We couldn’t be more excited about our partnership with DirectOffer. DO AudioTour’s multi-language and closed captioning capabilities ensure that our subscribers’ property listings are reaching the broadest audience, while supporting our ADA and DEI initiatives.”

Sandy Krueger, President and CEO of Staten Island Multiple Listing Service

Chéri(e), arrête la voiture !

Nova Scotia adds mandatory fields for adaptable homes

Nova Scotia REALTORS®: leading the way in searching for adaptable homes

“Director of NSAR’s MLS® System, Bonnie Wigg says, “With the most common barriers people with mobility issues face being in the built environment, NSAR worked with several key partners to look at how we could make a difference in searching for an adaptable home. Everyone’s definition of an accessible home is different, so adding more information to listings will enable people to determine if a home is adaptable for them.”

NSAR

I can see this really useful in many communities.

Giant Steps announces two industry veterans to join company.

GIANT STEPS ANNOUNCES TWO INDUSTRY VETERANS, DAN WOOLLEY AND OHAN ANTEBIAN, TO JOIN COMPANY

Dan Woolley partners with Greg Robertson in the recently launched company and Ohan Antebian joins as principal advisor.

COSTA MESA, Calif.,  May 2 – Giant Steps, a new consulting firm that promises to help entrepreneurs and real estate companies accelerate their journey to success, today announced that Dan Woolley will join Greg Robertson as a partner in Giant Steps Company, LLC.  Ohan Atenbian will also join the company.  Both will join existing advisors Greg Robertson and Staci Wood.

“I’m beyond thrilled to have Dan join me on this latest iteration of our 30-year partnership,” stated Giant Steps founder Greg Robertson.  “Dan’s experience and technical know-how will give our clients a distinct advantage,” Robertson continued.

Also joining Giant Steps is industry veteran Ohan Antebian.  Ohan holds an MBA and brings with him 20 years of experience in the organized real estate space. “Ohan has worked in numerous positions in the industry, giving him invaluable insight into business models, operations and valuations of some of real estate’s top companies,” concluded Robertson.

Greg, Staci and Ohan will be attending the 2024 REALTORS Legislative Meeting in Washington D.C. from May 4th to May 8th.  To schedule a meeting or for more information on Giant Steps please visit https://GiantStepsAdvisors.com

About Giant Steps

Giant Steps is founded on the principle of giving back and helping other entrepreneurs and real estate companies accelerate their journey to success.  Greg Robertson and Dan Woolley are serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years experience in founding bootstrapped companies and creating award winning products being used by hundreds of thousands of real estate professionals. 

Contact

Greg Robertson
Founder/Principal Advisor
Greg@GiantStepsAdvisors.com

Property Panorama partners with Local Logic

Local Logic and Property Panorama Forge Innovative Partnership to Enrich Virtual Tours with Advanced Location Insights

“This collaboration is set to equip Property Panorama’s vast network of agents and brokers with a one-click solution to Local Logic’s advanced insights directly within their virtual tours and digital marketing solutions, offering an unparalleled understanding of locations across the United States and Canada.”

Local Logic

Property Panorama also made some recents upgrades to their dashboard to include:

  • Account activity feed to track your news and subscriptions
  • Drag and drop photo management
  • Full Support for transparent and PNG images and logos
  • Fully Optimized for Mobile and Desktop
  • Streamlined Navigation 
  • Re-imagined page layouts to better organize your tools and data
  • Priority access to all Property Panorama Products


Check out their recent blog post to learn more: Property Panorama Launches New Dashboard for Agents

Introducing Giant Steps Advisors

Industry veteran, Greg Robertson, launches Giant Steps Advisors to help entrepreneurs, real estate companies and leaders accelerate their success. 

COSTA MESA, FEB. 26 – Greg Robertson announced today the launch of Giant Steps Company, LLC a new company poised to help navigate the new real estate landscape. With a vision centered on innovation, growth, and collaboration, Giant Steps Advisors is set to become the go-to advisor for visionaries ready to take on new challenges.

“Having co-founded my first real estate software company in 1992, I’ve had a front seat to the arc of innovation in the organized real estate industry for the last 30+ years.  My goal with Giant Steps is to give back and share those experiences with our clients to help them reach their goals faster,” stated Greg Robertson, Founder & Principal Advisor.

Giant Steps Advisors believes you need to start from the end and work backwards to help you arrive at the best solutions.  Whether you are developing a product, a go-to-market strategy, M&A, or planning for the future, thinking about the outcomes of your choices first, will help you arrive at your goals quicker.

Staci Wood, Executive Advisor, has joined Robertson to expand the breadth of expertise.  Staci started her career at RE/MAX playing a critical role in the evolution of real estate portals. Staci then moved to one of the largest MLS organizations in the country, REcolorado.  While at REColorado Staci was their VP and Chief Product Officer for over 9 years. With this duo of seasoned experts at the helm, Giant Steps Advisors brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the table. 

“I met Staci over 20 years ago.  Her broad experience is a perfect addition, and I’m excited she has chosen to join me on this new endeavor,” Robertson said.

For more information about Giant Steps Advisors and its services, visit www.GiantStepsAdvisors.com or Greg@GiantStepsAdvisors.com.

About Giant Steps Advisors

We are here to help entrepreneurs and real estate companies accelerate their journey to success.

Greg Robertson co-founded his first real estate software company in 1992. He is an author of the book, ‘The Art of the CMA’, and publisher of the industry technology blog, “Vendor Alley”. He also publishes two industry podcasts, “Listing Bits”, and is co-host of “Industry Relations”. Greg was the co-founder of W+R Studios, creators of Cloud CMA and the rest of the Cloud Agent Suite. W+R Studios was acquired by Lone Wolf Technologies in December of 2020. 

Contact

Greg Robertson

Founder/Principal Advisor

Giant Steps Advisors

Greg@GiantStepsAdvisors.com

www.GiantStepsAdvisors.com

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