Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Industry Relations Podcast: The Duel over Dual Agency

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg dive into the controversy surrounding dual agency, private networks, and the MLS’s role in protecting small brokers. They break down the industry’s long-standing acceptance of brokerage-level dual agency while questioning why teams are getting a pass. Plus, they debate whether Compass’s push to double-end deals is just standard brokerage strategy—or an attempt to reshape the industry. If you want unfiltered takes on where real estate is headed, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways

• Is Brokerage Dual Agency Bad? Rob argues that the industry has historically supported it—so why the sudden outrage?

• The Compass Controversy: Greg and Rob discuss whether Compass is playing the same game as everyone else or trying to blow up the MLS for its own benefit.

• The Team Dual Agency Dilemma: Should teams be held to a different standard? Rob questions why brokerages get a pass but teams don’t.

• MLS Protection for Small Brokers: Rob suggests the MLS has always been designed to protect smaller brokerages—should that continue?

• The Future of Private Listings: If brokers create exclusive networks, will they face lawsuits—or is that just scare tactics?

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Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

Industry Relations Podcast: Choking on NAR’s Kielbasa

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg tackle the latest controversies surrounding NAR  and the recent investigative article from The New York Times. They debate the role of lobbying, explore accusations of corruption and financial mismanagement, and reflect on the broader challenges facing NAR’s leadership and reputation.

Key Takeaways

• NAR and Lobbying Controversy: Discussion on how NAR funnels money to political groups through entities like the American Property Owners Alliance (APOA).

• The “Woke vs. Conservative” Debate: Examining NAR’s conflicting image as both progressive and a supporter of conservative causes.

• Transparency Issues: Why NAR’s approach to handling controversies feels “astroturfy” and the need for more open dialogue with members.

• Organizing Homeowners: The untapped potential of grassroots homeowner advocacy and how it could reshape lobbying strategies.

• PR Missteps: Criticism of NAR’s traditional PR playbook and a call for leadership to adopt more authentic communication strategies.

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Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors:

CoreLogic

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

Industry Relations podcast: What to do about Zombies

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg dive into one of the most heated debates yet—was NAR’s fight for survival a necessary battle, or did it do more harm than good? They analyze the fallout from the settlement, discuss the rise of leaders like Michelle Harrington who are ditching corporate-speak for real talk, and debate whether NAR should have surrendered years ago to avoid the lawsuits entirely.

Key Takeaways

• Michelle Harrington’s Blunt Truths: The First Team CEO calls the settlement “bulls***,” and Rob and Greg love her authenticity.

• Corporate-Speak vs. Real Talk: Why real estate leaders should ditch the PR fluff and embrace straight-shooting communication.

• The $2 Billion Club Controversy: Why independent brokerages feel abandoned and how the settlement exposed them to legal threats.

• Should NAR Have Surrendered in 2018? Rob argues they could have avoided everything if they had just given in earlier. Greg pushes back.

• Zombie Members or Hostages? Rob says NAR fought to protect dues from disengaged agents. Greg insists they were an opportunity, not a liability.

Inman story on FirstTeam CEO, Michelle Harrington; “A broker left out of NAR settlement gets candid: ‘I’m still pissed'” 

Todd Carpenter’s LinkedIn post on “Zombie members vs. Super members”

Rob Substack, “Between Black Pill and White Pill”

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Connect with Rob and Greg: 

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Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors:

CoreLogic

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

Industry Relations Podcast: Organized Real Estate’s Head Spinning Week

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg break down three major real estate bombshells—the rumored Compass acquisition of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS), the Redfin-Rocket merger, and the potential shake-up of NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP). They discuss whether Compass is actually in talks with BHHS or if this is just Wall Street speculation, how Redfin and Rocket could disrupt the brokerage model, and why NAR might be making CCP optional to dodge legal liability. 

Key Takeaways

• Compass x BHHS Rumors: Wall Street Journal reported that Compass was acquiring BHHS—but BHHS CEO Gino Blefari strongly denied it. So what’s the truth?

• The Redfin-Rocket Power Move: Why Rocket’s mortgage empire could turn Redfin into Zillow’s biggest competitor—and how Respa exemptions give them an edge.

• NAR’s CCP Shake-Up: Is NAR making CCP optional just to shift legal liability onto MLSs? Rob and Greg debate whether this is NAR’s “race to irrelevance.”

• Does Warren Buffett Want Out of Real Estate?: If BHHS is actually up for sale, what does that say about the future of traditional brokerages?

• How the MLS Landscape Could Change: If MLSs get to decide CCP for themselves, will we see regional MLS battles over compliance and cooperation?

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Connect with Rob and Greg: 

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Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors:

CoreLogic

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

Industry Relations Podcast: The Industry Needs To Stop Fronting

It seems everyone in the industry is still obsessed with CCP.  Rob and Greg are no different.  The show starts off with Rob giving Greg some advice on his upcoming client meetings, but quickly shifts to the recent back and forth about CCP.  Greg thinks that industry players like Compass CEO Robert Reffkin to stop spreading misinformation about MLS.  Rob says there is blame on both sides.  Things get interesting from there.

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Connect with Rob and Greg: 

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CoreLogic

Notorious VIP

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This podcast is produced by Sunbound Studios

Industry Relations and Listing Bits podcast nominated for Inman Innovator Award

It’s nice to be recognized and it’s double nice to be recognized twice! Many thanks to Inman News for this nomination. Rob and I have been nominated several times, maybe this year is the year!

Industry Relations podcast: Has the fat lady sung on CCP?

**This podcast was recorded the Friday BEFORE the announcement from NAR on CCP**

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg dissect the latest drama surrounding NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), the DOJ’s stance on MLS rules, and the future of PropTech in a shifting real estate landscape. They analyze how recent DOJ statements are being interpreted (or misinterpreted), debate whether the MLS still holds power over large brokerages, and discuss the potential consequences of a fragmented listing system.

Key Takeaways

• DOJ’s Footnote Controversy: Did the DOJ “call out” misleading claims about CCP, or is the industry reading too much into a footnote?

• The Power Struggle Over MLS Data: Rob argues large brokerages are taking control over listing distribution, while Greg questions whether MLSs still provide enough value to keep them in check.

• The PropTech Dilemma: What happens to tools like CMAs, reverse prospecting, and analytics when listings become fragmented across private networks?

• Compass’s Playbook: Is Compass leading the charge toward a new listing system, or just using exclusive listings as a leverage play?

• Enforcement vs. Policy: Greg insists MLS rules work because agents police each other, while Rob questions whether large firms can simply ignore the rules with no real consequences.


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Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors:

CoreLogic

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

Industry Relations Podcast LIVE! Tomorrow (3/7) at 10AM PT

Join Rob and I live this Friday- TOMORROW (3/7/25) just click on this link => Industry Relations LIVE

Industry Relations Podcast: Whadup with dat PDAP?

Many people don’t know or understand NAR’s PDAP.  PDAP stands for Participant Data Access Policy.  And PDAP is at the heart of today’s episode.

Rob and Greg dive deep into the topic of who actually owns MLS data. The answer, as it turns out, really depends on who you ask. But we’re living in a new world where private MLS ownership is becoming a reality, and also what are those second order consquences?  Greg also catches up with Rob about Rob’s meetings with brokers and their opinions on MLS data ownership—spoiler alert: they think they do. It’s a thought-provoking discussion that may raise more questions than answers.

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Section 18. Right of Participant to MLS Data Feed of Listing Content (Policy Statement

8.3)

Rob’s latest Substack :  Why the Data Ownership Thing Worries Me

South Park Human Centipede Episode

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors: 

CoreLogic

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board

This podcast is produced by Sunbound Studios

Industry Relations Podcast: Tales from the Road

After missing a recording last week (due to travel schedules) the boys are back with another jammed pack episode of Industry Relations.  In this week’s episode Rob and Greg discuss recent Blueprint conference in Las Vegas, CMLS 2024 in Seattle and REColorado new subscriber agreement.  And they sprinkle a little CCP talking points just for good measure.

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Pictures of Greg’s sister, Pilar, winning her own award

Pictures of Greg presenting at CMLS 2024

HousingWire post on REColorado acquisition

Greg’s take on Rob Reffkin’s CMLS 2024 interview

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors: 

CoreLogic

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board

This podcast is produced by Sunbound Studios

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