Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

VestaPlus [Sponsor]

My thanks to VestaPlus for sponsoring this month’s Vendor Alley.

VESTAPlus is an all-in-one MLS system, customized to work the way real estate professionals work. Whether it’s desktop or mobile, with VestaPlusTM MLS, you have an intuitive MLS system that’s agent-proven and loved by consumers.

And don’t forget CheckMate. CheckMate™ automatically detects listing violations and notifies agents. More data compliance with less effort, how great is that? 

Start each day with listing violations sorted and notices and fines ready to go.  Our smart AI detects violations in your photos.

Winner of HousingWire Real Estate Tech 100 Award 2024.

My thanks again to VestaPlus.

MLS Reset 2026 – SAVE THE DATE

Save the date! February 9 -11. Scottsdale, AZ. More details coming soon!

Is this the future of real estate?

Heeeeeere’s Rocket

via Lance Lambert

Industry Relations Podcast: Clear as mud

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg break down the big news about the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) and what its potential changes could mean for the future of real estate. They discuss the DOJ’s ongoing investigation into NAR, the evolving landscape of MLS policies, and how major brokerages are responding. With key shifts on the horizon, they explore what these developments mean for agents, brokers, and the industry at large.

Key Takeaways

• Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) Under Fire – What the latest updates mean for listing practices and market transparency.

• DOJ vs. NAR – Ongoing legal scrutiny and potential implications for how real estate operates.

• MLS Policy Changes – How the rules around listing distribution may evolve and what it means for competition.

• Brokerage Adaptation – How leading firms are adjusting to the shifting regulatory and policy landscape.

• Industry Power Shifts – The role of leadership changes and legal actions in reshaping the real estate ecosystem.

Resources

Agents feel joy, rage, confusion over Clear Cooperation ruling

Watch Us on YouTube 

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

Our Sponsors:

Cotality

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

Scoop: Chris Carrillo named CEO of NTREIS

I’m hearing that Chris Carrillo has been named CEO of NTREIS. A formal announcement should be coming out soon.

Chris has served as CEO of Metro MLS for over 14 years and previously led Centralized Real Estate Information Services (CRIS) MLS in Akron, Ohio. NTREIS’s previous CEO, John Holley, retired earlier this year.

Headquartered in Dallas, TX, NTREIS has over 50,000 members and is the largest MLS in Texas.

UPDATE: Here’s the official press release from NTREIS.

FMLS chooses Lone Wolf in 5 year deal

Lone Wolf Technologies and FMLS forge strategic partnership to revolutionize transaction management for 60,000+ real estate professionals

“In a significant development for the real estate technology sector, Lone Wolf Technologies and First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) have announced a groundbreaking five-year strategic partnership. This collaboration will bring Lone Wolf’s trusted TransactionDesk platform, including the industry-leading Authentisign eSignature solution, to FMLS’s more than 60,000 members. “

Absolutely huge deal for both parties. There’s been a bit of a logjam in deals like this in our space. I get to meet and work with a lot of great companies and talented people who love real estate technology and want to innovate.

I hope this is a sign that things are getting back to a place where we see more companies investing in the future so all this wonderful talent can be put to good use.

Rocketman

Rocket Companies set to acquire Mr. Cooper Group Inc. for $9.4B

“Rocket is one of the largest lenders in the U.S. (the second by originations, according to the latest data available from 2023) and Mr. Cooper is the largest mortgage servicer in the country. The move comes just a few weeks after Rocket announced that it would be acquiring Redfin for $1.75 billion in equity.”

There is an interesting story on how this touches organized real estate. Mr. Cooper owns Xome, Xome does MLS data aggregation for its site and clients such as ICE (formerly Black Knight). ICE is the main MLS data aggregator for Realtor Property Resource (RPR). Who had that on their bingo card?

Listing Bits Podcast: Brian Donnellan and the future of cooperation

🎙️ Listing Bits: Brian Donnellan, CEO of Bright MLS

Host: Greg Robertson

Guest: Brian Donnellan, CEO of Bright MLS

Episode Summary:

Greg sits down with Bright MLS CEO Brian Donnellan for a candid conversation about leadership, music, and the shifting dynamics in real estate. They dive into design, the Clear Cooperation Policy, Wall Street’s influence, and why cooperation—not just compensation—is the heart of MLS value.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Bright MLS invests so heavily in communication and design

• How playing in bands helped Brian lead complex teams

• The real impact of removing compensation from the MLS model

• Brian’s take on Clear Cooperation and private exclusives

• What Wall Street’s growing role means for brokers and MLSs

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

NAR slashes staff in “Organizational Revamp”

National Association of Realtors® Announces Staffing Changes as Part of Organizational Revamp

“NAR is also reducing expenses in some areas and reallocating budget dollars toward its Advocacy, Research, Data and Education functions that will provide members access to more useful and critical resources. This step in the organizational reshaping includes a staffing makeover that will impact 41 positions and eliminate 20 open roles that were redundant or that could be integrated elsewhere in the organization, for a total of 61 positions affected. The impacted departments include Creative and Content Strategy, Digital Strategy, Public Relations and Communications, Meetings and Events, Member Development, Human Resources, Member Engagement, Member Experience, Research, Finance and IT. “

Let Nykia cook.

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