Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

MOVE, Inc acquires TigerLead for 22 million in cash.

Move, Inc. Acquires TigerLead Solutions LLC

“Used by thousands of agents nationwide, the TigerLead platform provides real estate professionals a powerful solution for capturing, cultivating, and managing buyer and seller leads. For brokers and teams, the platform also provides an enterprise-class lead management system that gives 24/7 visibility into the entire team’s lead follow-up performance. This unique platform provides a potent closed-cycle system that combines strong Search Engine Marketing (SEM) expertise with a sophisticated IDX platform and lead management system to help agents generate “Smarter Leads,” leads that are delivered with unique insights such as how many times a user has returned to the site to search, price ranges and the amount of times homes are viewed.”

I’ve read mostly positive reviews about TigerLead in agent forums, but don’t know much about their business. 22 million is a great payday for to co-fouders Howard Tager, Art Sawyer, and Adam Ingersol

Errol Samuelson explains a bit more about TigerLeads at Move Trends…

Move Acquires TigerLead

“Additionally, the TigerLead platform delivers deep insights into the consumer’s “DNA” – insights like how many times a user has returned to the site to search, price ranges and amount of times homes are viewed. This key information and analytical data can help real estate professionals take that next step in enhancing relationships and connections via a deep understanding of consumer wants and needs.”

This seems to me to be a response to Zillow’s $10 websites. They are changing the conversation/value proposition by adding a system/platform to REALTORS that give insights to consumer behavior, not just a cheap website. It’s not just traffic, but traffic plus business intelligence.

My question is, how this will integrate with MOVE’s Top Producer CRM system.

Industry vet Jim Secord introduces new venture to real estate.

Jim Secord
I had a chance to catch up with Jim Secord the other day. Jim is an industry vet who’s last gig was at Kurio (he remains as an advisor to the firm).

Jim had been in the real estate technology business for over 17 years. He’s first gig was at T3 where he worked on one of the first online MLS systems (which later became GTE’s System 4). He left Kurio in 2012 and now he’s now is the CEO of a start-up called Kashoo, which creates online accounting software for small businesses. Not such a stretch since he did work for Simply Accounting before his gig at T3. Kashoo now has the #1 business accounting software for the iPad on Apple’s App Store.

Recently Kashoo was added to Metrolist Marketplace (See full press release below). I encourage everyone to go check it out. Best of luck Jim!

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Metrolist Realtors®: Kashoo and Metrolist Are Partnering Up to Soothe Your Accounting & Bookkeeping Headaches

Denver Colorado – June 26, 2012 – For Realtors®, accounting and bookkeeping are massive headaches. Recognizing this, and in the spirit of giving Agents a break, Kashoo, a provider of small business cloud accounting software, and Metrolist Marketplace, are teaming up to bring Kashoo Online Accounting to real estate professionals on the go. Any broker wanting to simplify their accounting and save money doing it can get Kashoo from Metrolist’s Marketplace.

“We’re collectively giving Agents the ability to run their bookkeeping in a simple and efficient way,” said Kashoo CEO, Jim Secord. “And what’s really great about it is that this is all cloud-based. You can quickly and easily move your accounting and bookkeeping from a shoebox or spreadsheet into Kashoo online and tackle real-time invoicing, bill pay, general ledger, bank reconciliation, financial reporting and so much more from wherever you are – either on a computer or your iPad through Kashoo’s iPad app that is currently the #1 Small Business Accounting App in the world – and it’s included in your monthly fee for Kashoo.

“We’re pleased to be able to add products like Kashoo’s Online Accounting system to the Marketplace,” stated Kirby Slunaker, Metrolist President & CEO. “Sourcing products that can help our members simplify their business processes is our main focus with the Marketplace. We provide a convenient way for our members to find and purchase products like this, so they have more time to do what they love the most – help buyers and sellers connect.”

About Kashoo
Kashoo is simple cloud accounting software for entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers, small business owners, and accountants and bookkeepers. The software is available in over 150 countries, and theKashoo iPad app is the iPad’s No. 1 accounting application. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Kashoo was recently named the 2012 “Most Promising Startup” by the British Columbia Technology Industry Association. To learn more, visit http://kashoo.com.

About Metrolist
Metrolist is the largest MLS in the state of Colorado, supporting the largest network of Realtors® with the most comprehensive database of real property listings throughout the Front Range. Realtor-owned since 1984, Metrolist provides leading technology solutions to real estate agents and brokers to better serve buyers and sellers. More information about Metrolist is available at www.metrolist.com. Metrolist provides a broad database of real property listings for real estate brokers to better serve buyers and sellers. Metrolist serves five Realtor associations: Aurora Association of Realtors, Douglas/Elbert Realtor Association, Mountain Metro Association of Realtors, South Metro Denver Realtor Association, and the Unified Association of Realtors (formerly Denver Board of Realtors, Jefferson County Association of Realtors, and North Metro Denver Realtor Association).

Move, Inc. and Trulia Sign New Listing Syndication Agreement for ListHub

Move, Inc:

“Since the September 2010 acquisition of ListHub by Move, Inc., the ListHub publishing network has increased by 117 real estate franchises and MLSs to now represent 421 content sources. ListHub Publishers have also increased from 79 to 126 public-facing real estate web sites and marketing outlets since September 2010.”

As time goes on the acquisition of Listhub by Move, Inc. looks smarter and smarter.

¡Viva Cloud CMA!

Super excited to announce that Cloud CMA now allows agents to publish reports in Spanish! It’s a free enhancement to existing Cloud CMA customers. You can find out more here.

We put together this “behind the scenes” video to show how we did it. : )

Full Press Release Below:
____________________________________________________________
Cloud CMA reports now available in Spanish.
New feature in Cloud CMA allows select reports to be generated in Spanish.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA – June 4, 2012 – W&R Studios, a web software company, announced today that select Cloud CMA reports are now available in Spanish.
Cloud CMA is an online report generator and offers real estate professionals the ability to create custom comparative market analysis (CMA) reports, buyer tours, property reports and flyers.
“Spanish currently ranks as the second most frequently used language in the United States. According to a recent study put out by NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals), during the third quarter of 2011, Hispanic homeownership rose to a rate of 47.6 percent, growing by 288,000 units, accounting for more than half of the total growth in homeownership (53 percent) in the nation,” stated Greg Robertson, co-founder of W&R Studios.
This new feature is a free enhancement for existing Cloud CMA subscribers. A drop down menu appears during the customize step of CMA and Buyer Tour reports. Language selection defaults to English.
“Being able to create a CMA in Spanish is just one example of how we keep Cloud CMA customers ahead of the pack, more innovations are on the way,” concluded Mr. Robertson.
For more information about Cloud CMA please visit http://CloudCMA.com

About W&R Studios
Founded in 2008, W&R Studios (http://wrstudios.com) is a privately held web software company co-founded by Dan Woolley and Greg Robertson. W&R Studios focuses on creating simple yet focused web application for the real estate industry. By providing a “less is more” approach to software design, elegant user interfaces, and using the latest in agile programming, W&R Studiosʼ software applications are at the same time powerful, yet accessible to everyone. W&R Studiosʼ products include Cloud CMA and Nudge (http://getnudgeapp.com), an easy way to share real estate knowledge and stand out.

For more information please contact:
Greg Robertson
greg at wrstudios dot com
(855) 977-8834
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MRIS and MFRMLS choose reDataVault

This is the first press release from RED that, to me, really clarifies what reDataVault does, and how it can help MLS providers.

“reDataVault addresses the real estate industry’s pressing need to simplify, standardize and streamline the MLS listing data licensing process by offering a document workflow system for all licensing-related documents and contracts (e.g., IDX and broker participation agreements). The system also offers automated dashboard alerts and unlimited cloud-based document storage and retrieval for 24/7 access.”

It’s interesting to see how vendors are all approaching these challenges differently. But I’m still confused to the differences between, Clareity SAFE Syndication, OnBoard’s Listing360Insight, (does FBS’ new Spark platform fall in to this category?”. Somebody should make a chart.

Full Press Release Below
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Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS) and MY Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS) Select Real Estate Digital’s reDataVault 
 
Service Gives Industry Professional Organizations (MLSs, Associations and Brokers) More Control Over Use of Licensed Listing Data
 
5.11.2012 – Aliso Viejo – Today, Real Estate Digital (RED) announced that MRIS, which serves more than 42,000 real estate professionals across the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and MFRMLS, Florida’s largest MLS with over 32,000 members, have both signed agreements for reDataVaultTM, the industry’s leading real estate MLS data license management system.
 
reDataVault addresses the real estate industry’s pressing need to simplify, standardize and streamline the MLS listing data licensing process by offering a document workflow system for all licensing-related documents and contracts (e.g., IDX and broker participation agreements).  The system also offers automated dashboard alerts and unlimited cloud-based document storage and retrieval for 24/7 access. 
 
“MRIS is deeply committed to a secure and robust environment for our Brokers’ data,” said John L. Heithaus, Chief Marketing Officer, MRIS. “RED’s reDataVault meets and exceeds our requirements thus far.  We’re very pleased with the first generation of the product and look forward to the next generation of tools and resources to manage our most vital asset.”

“We are thrilled to be working with the professionals at Real Estate Digital. Implementation of reDataVault has been a great team effort. The new system offers us many advantages beyond simple document management and helps our staff better serve our members’ future need for properly licensed MLS data,” said Deanna Rogers, Vice-President of Business Development, My Florida Regional MLS.

According to Ira Luntz, Senior Vice President at Real Estate Digital, “data is one of the most valuable assets in the industry.  With reDataVault’s MLS-branded web portal, MLSs can upload and store agreements between Brokers and vendors, view account summaries and track all of their licensing and data transactions in detail.”

About Real Estate Digital
Real Estate Digital is the leading provider of integrated technology, media and data solutions to real estate franchisors, brokerages, agents and MLS organizations and associations. Some of its offerings include rDesk® Websites, Real Estate & Living Media®, reDataVaultTM, TransactionPoint®, DocCentralTM, FormCentralTM, MLS Portal, Neighborhood and School Reports, rDesk® CRM, rDesk® CMA and rDesk® IDX. The company has relationships with over 400 MLS organizations, 350 broker companies, nearly 60 settlement services companies and more than 250,000 real estate professionals. Visit us on the web at www.realestatedigital.com, and follow us on Twitter: @re_digital and “Like” us on Facebook.com/redigital.
 
About MRIS
MRIS is real estate in real time™, enabling its customers to list and sell nearly $100 million in real estate each day. In 2011, the company facilitated $33.6 billion in cooperative broker sales. A leading systems developer and integrator of real estate information technology and databases, MRIS connects its customers with timely, accurate and actionable data with a growing portfolio of technology solutions. This includes broker and agent software products, an industry-leading consumer real estate portal, HomesDatabase.com and many others. MRIS also showcases unique homes and offers tailored community information through its online television network, mrisTV.com. Behind the scenes, the CURE Solutions Group subsidiary of MRIS provides back-end technology to other MLS systems through CURE, a proprietary solution. MRIS serves nearly 45,000 real estate professionals spanning a 22,000 square mile section of the Mid-Atlantic region, including Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and markets located in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Visit MRIS at MRIS.com, “Like” us on Facebook.com/MRISonFB, and follow us on Twitter, @MRIS_REal_News.
 
About My Florida Regional MLS
Headquartered in Orlando, FL, My Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS) is Florida’s largest multiple listing service (MLS) company with over 32,000 members in 13 central and southwest Florida counties. Owned by 15 shareholder Realtor® boards, MFRMLS offers a comprehensive suite of productivity and marketing tools to professionals in the real estate industry. To complement its core residential offerings, MFRMLS operates a commercial information exchange, called My Florida Commercial Real Estate, located at www.MFCRE.com.  MFRMLS also operates the consumer home and property search website www.MyFloridaHomesMLS.com.  For more information, please visit www.MFRMLS.com.

iMapp and Discover MLS partner to take on Corelogic in Miami

It was only a matter of time. With CoreLogic existing MLXchange MLS system only being able to work on Internet Explorer and their new Fusion MLS system not able to work on mobile devices like the iPad it looks like Miami agents have had enough.

This move seems to be unprecedented. The Miami Association of REALTORS is now paying for two different MLS solutions. This isn’t a vendor just setting up a free MLS system in hoping to gain traction, their getting paid.

I’m told that the Discover iMapp solution will be different than any of their other installations.

This is setting up to be The Showdown In The Sunshine State!. The real question is will the iMapp/Discover MLS solution gain enough traction and be able to push CoreLogic out and become Miami’s single solution? What about Greater Fort Lauderdale REALTORS? RMLS? They all must have similar issues.

One thing is for sure, mobile matters.

Full Press Release Below:

MIAMI Association of REALTORS® Selects Discover/iMapp
as Alternative MLS Application

TAMPA, FL — May 7, 2012 — iMapp® and Discover MLS today announced that the MIAMI Association of REALTORS®, the largest REALTOR® Association of the National Association of REALTORS®, have signed an agreement to launch Discover iMapp, the new initiative merging MLS and tax data into a unified, property-centric application.
“Our members demand the best tools available and Discover iMapp gives them a powerful, easy way to access the MLS on any computer, including Mac and iPad, on any browser and the ability to effectively use their mobile devices and stay in contact with their clients.” said Teresa King Kinney, CEO of the MIAMI Association of REALTORS®. “We are excited to be the first association in the country making this powerful benefit available to our members. They deserve the best and it’s our job to make sure they always get it.”

Keeping Agents at the Forefront
Existing MLS software providers have been slow to embrace mobile technology while consumer access to listing data has skyrocketed. By putting agents first, Discover iMapp emphasizes the MIAMI REALTORS’® role as the leading source for real estate information and marketing tools for agents, brokers and their clients.

“Our REALTOR® subscribers are used to having iMapp running on their iPads and all other mobile devices.” said Bill Rovillo, CEO of iMapp. “Now they can share MLS and any public record data with consumers from a single, mobile solution using trusted, MIAMI Association of REALTORS® data.”

Strong Demand From Associations

“The MIAMI Association of REALTORS® saw our presentation for the first time just three weeks ago.” said Bret Wiener, CEO of DiscoverMLS. “They instantly recognized the value to their members and approved the product for launch.”
Discover iMapp includes a real-time client portal with a live-chat feature that allows agents to interact with their clients, react to feedback on properties and instantly modify results to include the dynamic changes that often occur in the challenging search process. Discover iMapp is optimized for mobile and runs on all major web browsers, freeing users from PCs and allowing agents to use their preferred devices.

Roll-out Scheduled for Summer, 2012

The MIAMI Association of REALTORS® anticipates having the Discover iMapp System running with their existing MLS data in Summer 2012. An implementation team and work group will guide the launch and work with iMapp and Discover MLS to insure a smooth transition for all MIAMI REALTORS®.

5 MLS providers play it SAFE

Looks like Clareity is gaining some traction on their SAFE Syndication platform. Some big names here.

See full press release below:

May 7, 2012 – Scottsdale, Arizona – Clareity Security (www.clareitysecurity.com), the leading provider of data security and syndication management solutions for the real estate industry, is pleased to announce new SAFE Syndication™ agreements with the My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service (MFRMLS), the Cooperative MLSs of Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®, East Bay Regional Data, Inc. and the Bay East Association of REALTORS®, and the greater Sacramento area’s MetroList Services, Inc (MetroList®). These customers have chosen SAFE Syndication™ as their solution for data compliance and distribution management joining an ever-growing list of Clareity customers.

SAFE Syndication is designed to serve as a contract management, compliance and reporting tool for MLS organizations, brokerages and franchisors. SAFE Syndication provides a consolidated system for measuring and reporting on all listing distribution activity. In addition, the compliance tools in the product provide independent verification and reporting by the MLS and/or Clareity Security as a neutral, trusted third party. These features allow the MLS to eliminate unnecessary expansion of compliance costs and refocus internal resources on more strategic projects. Most importantly, SAFE Syndication, with a focus on compliance reporting and complaint tracking, complements all existing and emerging syndication tools, along with producing detailed information to help brokers and MLS organizations make better syndication and distribution decisions.

“Starting late last year, MFRMLS went through an extensive search and review of the various listing syndication solutions available to the market. The capabilities of SAFE Syndication to meet our immediate, as well as long-term needs, were readily apparent. My team is very much looking forward to implementing SAFE Syndication as a piece of our overall data distribution strategy,” said Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of MFRMLS.

Clareity Security would like to invite everyone interested in SAFE Syndication to meet with our team. Contact sales@clareitysecurity.com to schedule a detailed presentation.

About Clareity Security:
Clareity Security, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the leading provider of data security, Single Sign On and compliance management products and services for the real estate industry. Our Scout for SAFEMLS® and SAFEACCESS™ products help MLS organizations and real estate professionals easily and effectively safeguard sensitive consumer information against unauthorized access and provides strong authentication solutions for secure online transactions. Additionally, Clareity Security is the creator of Safe Syndication™, the leading listing syndication and IDX/VOW compliance management tool for brokerages and MLS organizations.

Contact:
Amy Geddes, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
480-444-0014 or Email

Brad Bjelke (former EVP and General Counsel of Rapattoni) joins lawfirm (JDTP)

Brad Bjelke
Seems like yesterday that Brad Bjelke was named EVP of Rapattoni. But it looks like he has decided to take on a new challenge. Brad has joined the law firm of JDTP; Jackson|DeMarco|Tidus|Peckenpaugh (a you thought Rapattoni was hard to spell!)

According the the press release:
“Brad has extensive experience with real estate technology licensing, regionalization of MLS entities, real estate data sharing issues, software agreements, IDX policies, RETS compliance, the setup and maintenance of VOWs, website scraping, and the implementation of policies established by NAR and state associations.”

Looks like he has some real front line experience with all the legal mumbo-jumbo in real estate.

Full Press Release Below:
______________________________________________________________________________

Brad Bjelke Joins JDTP

IRVINE, CA – Jackson DeMarco Tidus Peckenpaugh is pleased to announce that Brad Bjelke has joined the Firm.
Brad is an experienced business attorney who is well known within the real estate industry. Brad concentrates his practice on the day-to-day issues affecting real estate associations, multiple listing services, and real estate software vendors throughout the United States. Prior to joining JDTP,
Brad served for over five years as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel for one of the largest real estate software companies. In that role, Brad worked closely with executive officers of MLSs and real estate associations, the National Association of Realtors®, and state real estate associations.
Brad has extensive experience with real estate technology licensing, regionalization of MLS entities, real estate data sharing issues, software agreements, IDX policies, RETS compliance, the setup and maintenance of VOWs, website scraping, and the implementation of policies established by NAR and state associations.
Brad can be reached directly by phone at 805.418.1927 and by email at bbjelke [at] jdtplaw [dot] com

[UPDATE: Brad served as EVP for 4 months. He was General Counsel prior to that time]

Homes.com adds Bing Maps 7

Dominion Enterprises‘ Home Media Solutions announced a “Home Value Channel”, you can check out the press release at the bottom of this post. But what I was really impressed by was the implementation of Microsoft’s Bing Maps 7. Check this out, super sexy!

Full Press Release Below:
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Homes.com Launches Home Values Channel

NORFOLK, Va., May 23, 2011—Homes.com, anchor website for Homes Media Solutions and a division of Dominion Enterprises, announced today the launch of its new Home Values channel. Designed to serve as the first step for consumers seeking more information about a home’s market value, the channel’s innovative tools provide a wealth of property information to help educate consumers on local market conditions.

Home Values gives users highly accurate estimates of property values based on a proprietary, automated valuation model from SmartZip Analytics, Inc. It has valuable information about the property, including estimated value over time, last sold date and price, and a mortgage estimate. Home Values also delivers information on nearby homes for sale and recently sold properties.

Homes.com is the first major real estate search site to utilize Bing Maps 7, the latest in mapping technology.   Using three different perspectives, including the closest bird’s eye view in the industry, Home Values offers users a clear, crisp and easy-to-navigate view of the neighborhood they are searching, both on the web and on Homes.com mobile.

“The new Home Values channel on Homes.com is an industry-leading set of home valuation tools that meets the information demands of consumers. It connects millions of consumers with local real estate professionals who have the market insight to supply an even more precise value estimate for a property,” said Jason Doyle, vice president of Homes.com. Doyle added, “The launch of Home Values and the unveiling of our new brand are the first of many upcoming developments at Homes.com designed to connect more consumers visiting Homes.com with our preferred local professionals.”

“Millions of home owners, buyers and investors look to Homes.com as a trusted resource for their real estate research,” noted Tom Glassanos, president and CEO of SmartZip Analytics. “We are excited to partner with Homes.com to bring them our objective assessment of fair market values on over 75 million homes across the U.S.”
Multimedia – Download screenshots of Homes.com’s Home Values by clicking here.

About Homes Media Solutions
Homes Media Solutions is a leading provider of marketing and media services for real estate professionals, including brand advertising, property listing exposure and syndication, website design, search engine marketing, hosting and data management services and instant response lead generation. Through its flagship brand Homes.com, which reaches over 6 million visitors monthly, as well as AgentAdvantage, Advanced Access, eNeighborhoods and NUMBER1EXPERT®, Homes Media Solutions connects real estate professionals with active homebuyers and sellers. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., Homes Media Solutions is a division of Dominion Enterprises. For more information, visit www.Homes.com.

About SmartZip Analytics, Inc.        
SmartZip Analytics is a leader in real estate analytics, helping banks, real estate professionals and consumers make smart decisions about real estate. Backed by Intel Capital and adopted by leading real estate websites and businesses, SmartZip’s products offer valuable insight about pricing, investment quality, risk, desirability and likelihood to sell. SmartZip home values, ratings and analysis are available for over 75 million homes in 56,000 U.S. neighborhoods.  SmartZip is a privately held corporation headquartered in Pleasanton, California, and can be found on the web atwww.smartzip.com.

Sponsored By FBS