Not sure if this qualifies as a FlashMob. Drunks dancing is more apt!
[Thanks Mr. Howe!]
NARdiGras 2010 Cool Cats.
For more photos check out the Vendor Alley Flickr Photostream.
Why Yardi bought Point2
I think because of the recent acquisition of ListHub everyone was quick to jump to the fact that it was a “syndication play” Yardi was making when they acquired Point2. I don’t think that was the case. I see two reasons for this latest move.
1. All part of the plan. This acquisition came after it’s recent acquistion of PropertyShark. So it seems to me that they are going in the direction of providing content for their customers to use their tools.
2. Yardi provides rental management/screening and investment property software. With so many homes unable to sell and many Realtors have found themselves becoming “accidental property managers”. I think Yardi also sees Point2 as a good channel to sell it’s property/investment management tools.
So that’s how I see it. Maybe Saul can give us some further insight in the comments.
Ted Young 30 Year Industry Veteran, at one company!
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Executive Vice President,Ted Young, Celebrates 30 Years with Rapattoni Corporation
SIMI VALLEY, Calif., September 10, 2010 – Rapattoni Corporation (Rapattoni) announced today that Ted Young, executive vice president, will celebrate his 30th year as an employee of Rapattoni this September.
Mr. Young, who started as a programmer with Rapattoni in 1980, currently serves on the company’s executive committee and assists in overseeing the company’s operations. He is responsible for the development of four generations of Rapattoni’s association management software products, and he was the principle software architect behind Rapattoni Magic, a product which is used by approximately 250 real estate associations throughout the United States.
A graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, Mr. Young has been an integral part of Rapattoni throughout the years and served in a leadership capacity as the company grew from 15 employees to its current count of over 130. Mr. Young is well known within the real estate industry, and he is viewed as an expert in the field of association management software.
On achieving this milestone, Mr. Young said, “It has been an amazing 30 years with Rapattoni. Technology moves ever onward, and, as time passes, it only advances more and more quickly. What started out as a slow walk in 1980 is now a full sprint in 2010 just to keep up with the latest developments. But that’s what makes it fun and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead. Over the years, the most important thing I’ve learned is that regardless of the technology, the most satisfying part of the job has been working with a wonderful group of customers and having a positive and very real impact on their professional lives.”
Nick Rapattoni, president, said, “I’ve known Ted all these years, and I have worked closely with him since assuming my role as president nearly four years ago. He is an integral part of the Rapattoni past and future, and he has helped this company evolve into the industry leader that it is today.”
Reflecting on this milestone, Andy and Niki Rapattoni, co-founders of the company, stated, “Ted has been with us every step of the way as we grew Rapattoni from just a few employees to the national company it is today. His technical expertise, wit, and charm are role models for the company culture we provide, and they have helped propel him to success within the real estate industry.”
About Rapattoni
Rapattoni Corporation has been serving the real estate industry under the same name and management for 40 years. The company provides an array of integrated products and services for real estate associations and MLS organizations, including an internet-based MLS, association management software, and key-less Rapattoni Secure Logon with SSO identity portals for online security and convenience. Rapattoni’s MLS products are serving approximately 300,000 users nationally and its association management customers represent more than 85% of the nation’s REALTORS®. Rapattoni’s headquarters are in Simi Valley, California.
Can real estate sink any lower?
Chelsea Handler (impersonating Lady GaGa) hosting last night’s MTV VMA awards.
Seven Big Wishes: The Vendor Edition
CMLS is just around the corner and it promises to be the most attended in it’s 53 year history. Rob Hahn recently posted “Seven Big Questions ‘The MLS Edition'”, I’m going to riff off that and give my 7 wishes from Real Estate Vendors. Some of these I’ve experienced first hand, some I’ve heard from others. I don’t want the list to sound whiny, and like everything on this site, please take it with a little tongue in cheek (just a little).
1. I want standards. I want to be able to write a killer real estate app and release it everywhere at once. Yes, I know there are “chicken and egg” type issues, and it’s difficult. But, it’s 2010 people, let’s make this happen!
2. I want MLS providers to make decisions quicker. The Internet moves faster than one board meeting a month. How many times have you heard, “Our board meets next week but the agenda is already full, and next months is also full, but I might be able to squeeze you in the following month…maybe”? Lame.
3. Let me compete. For a number of reasons, many MLS providers put up huge walls or policies designed to keep new products from entering in the market. Give your members a choice.
4. Stop the shake down. One MLS provider requires me to pay $1,500 a month to release a CMA app in their market, at another MLS it’s $1,000 a month, at another it’s $600.00 per quarter and at another its $0.00. WTF? As a technology solution provider, I’m pretty well aware of the “costs” of providing data. Instead of making me pay you protection money….
5. ..Let’s be partners. I would much rather do a revenue share where you and I both gain based on performance rather than paying you a “tribute” each month.
6. Let me make a living. You complain about customer service but forget you drilled your vendor so far down on price that you made it impossible for them to perform.
7. I want to advertise (in your magazine, newsletter, or website), sponsor (your event, blog) , and attend trade shows. But, make it worth my while. Don’t just put me in a booth in the middle of nowhere, put my logo on a sign, and expect me to be happy. Be creative! And, don’t charge me an arm and a leg. The longer I’m around, the more money I will have to spend. We need each other, price accordingly.
Did I miss your wish? Let me hear them or your comments.
Leads not cheese!
Very funny video put out by RE/MAX, executed perfectly.
Vacation
Sorry for the lack of posts. I’ve been on vacation. Will be back next week, in a big way.
CMLS is gonna be a monster hit this year!
Russ Bergeron has taken over the effort of MRED, LLC hosting the CMLS Conference in Chicago this year due to Bud Fogel’s departure. And the event is shaping up to be one of, if not the largest CMLS conferences ever!
Attendance is way, way, up! The conference hotel (The Westin) is sold out of rooms. All sponsorship tables are sold out. And it’s only July!
So if you haven’t already paid your CMLS member dues or signed up for the conference I suggest you do so….now.
Details can be found at the new Council of MLS website.
Hope to see you there!
Inman Connect SF 2010 Recap Part I
I’ve been remiss to offer my insights on last week’s Inman Connect SF. Too damn busy. Brian Boero from 1000Watt Consulting summed up things pretty well, you should go read his “fuzzy notions” recap. I have to agree with Brian, it was truly one of the best Inman RE Connect conferences I’ve attended.
And I’m not just saying that because the Premium Member Lounge (Brilliant Tim, brilliant!) : )
I didn’t get to catch too many sessions (see this post) but one I did get a chance to see ( and from the front row) was the “debate” on the main stage titled, “Is the MLS System Broken“.
I’m going to focus on 3 people at that session.
Michael “Invisible Hand” Wurzer. Mike is a good friend, so I might have some bias here (duh!) but I really can’t help but thinking what a great asset he is to our industry and I’m not just talking about vendors. His arguments were clear, concise, and he didn’t pull any punches. I talked to some people that thought the suggestion that the market will decide when to “fix” the MLS industry was “pollyanna”, but Michael lives and breathes these issues everyday. So if you got a better solution, prove it.
Joel “Fail Forward” Singer. I’ve been very critical of Joel’s organization, the California Association of REALTORS®, and their efforts to start a statewide MLS system (calREDD) in California. On stage he was a bit light on details but you just got to respect a guy who goes up there in front of all his industry colleagues, after the rough two years he’s had, and still comes out swinging.
And lastly I come back to where I started. Brian Boero. Brian’s “geek chic” vibe is like Steve Allen and Ira Glass had a baby. Stay with me here… Brian is able to capture the essence of the conversation, ask great follow up questions, shut up when he needs to, and always get the biggest laughs. It’s a remarkable thing to stand in front of 1,000 people and accomplish this, and Brian makes it look effortless. Bravo.
Stay tuned for Part II of my Inman Connect SF recap in which I ask, “Inman Innovator Awards WTF?”
