Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Industry Relations Podcast: I don’t think that word means what you think it means…

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg explore the evolving definition of an “open market” in real estate. They discuss how consumer expectations, technology shifts, and the dominance of platforms like Zillow are reshaping what it means for a listing to be considered publicly available. The conversation also covers the historical role of the MLS, comparisons to other industries, and whether the industry should rethink its terminology to focus on “fair marketplaces” instead of “open marketplaces.”

Watch us on YouTube!

Key Takeaways

  • Definition of Open Market – Rob and Greg discuss the historical and modern interpretations of what constitutes an open market for real estate listings.
  • MLS vs. Portals – Analysis of how MLS participation historically defined an open market and how that has shifted with the rise of Zillow and other portals.
  • Consumer Behavior and Technology – Exploration of how changes in consumer behavior and technology have influenced the industry’s definition of market openness.
  • Fair Market vs. Open Market – Debate over whether “fair marketplace” would be a more accurate and useful term moving forward.
  • Risks of Portal Dominance – Discussion on the risks associated with defining the open market based on a single platform’s dominance.


Connect with Rob and Greg

Rob’s Website https://notoriousrob.substack.com/

Greg’s Website https://www.vendoralley.com/about-2/

Our Sponsors:

Cotality https://www.cotality.com/

Notorious VIP https://notoriousrob.substack.com

The Giant Steps Job Board https://vendoralley.jobboard.io/

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios 

Compass sues NWMLS

Compass sues Northwest MLS, pulling Windermere along for a ride

“The 39-page suit in federal court claims the MLS serving 2,500 member offices in Washington and Oregon has “no meaningful competitors,” and that, as a broker-owned multiple listing service, its Seattle-area brokerage owners with controlling stakes have an interest in limiting competition from new entrants.”

Be careful what you wish for Robert.

Listing Bits Podcast: The Amazing Annie Ives

🎙️ Listing Bits Episode: The Amazing Annie Ives

Host: Greg Robertson

Guest: Annie Ives, CEO of The MLS™ / VestaPlus

Duration: ~40 min

👋 Episode Summary:

In this episode, Greg sits down with Annie Ives, a true titan in the world of organized real estate. From her early days immigrating from Tunisia to building and reviving one of the most resilient MLS organizations in the country, Annie shares her personal and professional journey with candor, humor, and a hint of rebellion.

They cover everything from her humble beginnings in Los Angeles, to taking down not one but two formidable adversaries (a rogue MLS and the LA Times), and ultimately building a fully-fledged MLS software company from the ground up — all while raising a family and earning her MBA.

🧩 Key Topics Covered:

• Annie’s Origins: Born in Tunisia, moved to LA in 1967 post-Six-Day War

• First Jobs in the U.S.: Nanny, Bank of America check processor

• Finding Her Calling: Started in accounting for CLAW (Combined L.A. Westside MLS) in 1993

• The CLS Uprising: How Annie resurrected CLAW after a broker-led exodus and competition from the breakaway “CLS”

• Publishing Power Move: Took on LA Times and launched Southern California Homes & Estates, which remains a staple in the market

• Building VestaPlus: Tired of relying on vendors, Annie led the charge to build a proprietary MLS platform — now adopted beyond their core market

• Checkmate™: Her team’s AI-driven compliance tool making waves across the MLS industry

• Team Philosophy: Why taking risks, building a strong team, and staying scrappy still matters

📌 Resources & Mentions:

• The MLS™ / VestaPlus:

• Contact Annie: annie.ives@themls.com

• Compliance tool: Checkmate™, powered by VestaPlus

• The MLS Summit Event: Annual event hosted by The MLS™

“Long live the free market!”

Compass Exclusive Almost Became a $100K Mistake

“But the longer I sat with it the less happy I was. If only two people saw it and we hit this magic number, what if 50 people saw it?

Turns out, the buyer had the same doubts. Is it really worth this much? There are no comps… They backed out. And I felt oddly relieved.

We published on the MLS and Zillow.

Six days later we had an offer $100,000 above our magic number.”

Still perplexed how Compass agents are cool with this strategy.

Industry Relations Podcast: You down with CCP?

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg examine how changes to MLS rules, especially around delayed marketing and the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), are impacting portals, broker strategies, vendors, and the broader real estate ecosystem. They also explore the implications of the Rocket-Redfin merger, challenges for MLS public-facing websites, and what the new data policy landscape means for technology providers.

Key Takeaways 

• Portal Impact of CCP Changes – Rob and Greg analyze how platforms like Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, and Homes.com are adapting to rule changes.

• Delayed Marketing and Public Portals – Discussion of how CCP affects MLS public-facing websites, particularly HAR and UtahRealEstate.com.

• Vendor Challenges with VOW Feeds – Vendors may need to shift from IDX to VOW feeds, which are more costly and complex to implement.

• Rocket-Redfin Merger – Examination of how Rocket’s acquisition of Redfin could reshape brokerage models and mortgage integration.

• Enforcement Variability – Insights into how different MLSs may interpret and enforce delayed marketing and cooperation rules.

• Broker Website Tech – Consideration of how IDX and VOW data will influence broker sites and lead generation strategies moving forward.

Connect with Rob and Greg 

Rob’s Website https://notoriousrob.substack.com/

Greg’s Website https://www.vendoralley.com/about-2/

Our Sponsors: 

Cotality https://www.cotality.com/

Notorious VIP https://notoriousrob.substack.com

The Giant Steps Job Board https://vendoralley.jobboard.io/

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios sunboundstudios.com

Looking for a new gig?

Vice President of Operations – Stellar MLS

“The Vice President of Operations at Stellar MLS is a key executive leader responsible for overseeing and optimizing the company’s operational functions. This role ensures efficient execution across departments, aligns systems and processes with strategic goals, and drives cross-functional collaboration to improve performance and customer satisfaction. 

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the VP of Operations brings strong systems thinking, leadership, and change management capabilities to support Stellar MLS’s ongoing success and evolution.”

To find out about this job and more please visit the Giant Steps Job Board

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No equal.

Looking for a new gig?

Association CEO – Baltimore County area

“The CEO is responsible for strategic direction and operational oversight, driving progressive, forward-thinking initiatives to ensure long-term growth and relevance in a rapidly evolving industry. As the face of the organization, the CEO needs to be personable and able to maintain positive interactions with members, staff, the public, and elected officials, collaborating regularly with the Board of Directors to achieve the organization’s mission and objectives.”

To find out about this job and more please visit the Giant Steps Job Board

Peter Shuttleworth RIP

Peter, sans red suspenders, I believe in 2011.

Word spread over the weekend, that we lost Peter Shuttleworth. Mike Wurzer, CEO of FBS, wrote a great post about Peter you can read here. Below is an excerpt:

“A lot of people throw the term partnership around easily but Peter was very intentional and selective when he used that term, which is one of the many reasons CMLS honored him by naming their annual MLS Executive of the Year Award after him (PDF). In creating the award, CMLS wrote: “Peter’s motto of, ‘You should always have a seat at the table to listen, participate and help shape ideas’ is an ideal that all MLS Executives should desire. When Peter retired he left a legacy of integrity, professionalism and resoluteness to serve as the standard for any MLS Executive to aspire to be.” Well said, CMLS!”

I like that word “resoluteness”. It means a strong determination to achieve or persevere something through challenges. With things being as they are now, I believe resoluteness is something we can all aspire to.

I have my own story about Peter and how he helped me. This was back in the days when CMLS was known as Northwest Council of MLS. “Northwest Council”, as we all called it, had two conferences a year. Perhaps it was because I would sit in on a lot of the meetings, or would love to discuss all things MLS in the lobby bars of these events, Peter once asked to speak with me. He told me there was an opening for a “business representative” on Northwest Council’s board and he thought I would be a great candidate.

I was accepted, and was the business representative for Northwest Council for about 10 years. It opened a whole new world for me.

Thank you Peter. Rest in peace.

Ben Kinney’s Place acquires Remine for $1.5

Place buys Remine at auction for $1.5M in cash

“Real estate tech and agent services company Place is acquiring real estate software firm Remine for $1.5 million, all in cash — less than 3 percent of what four multiple listing services paid to buy the company 3.5 years ago.

The deal is expected to close in about 14 days, Place co-founder Ben Kinney told Inman exclusively Thursday.”

“Less than 3 percent…” — ooof.

Probably the best outcome for Remine, though. Ben Kinney is legit. Still, a long road ahead.”

The consolidation continues…

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