Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Waco Association of REALTORS® joins NTREIS

NTREIS Expands Reach in North Central Texas with Addition of Waco Association of REALTORS

“Integrating the Waco market into NTREIS will deliver increased exposure for agents, enhanced listing inventory, and access to richer market data. For professionals in the Waco area, this collaboration brings greater visibility for their clients’ listings and buyers’ needs, along with cutting-edge technology tools designed to support their business success.

“Joining forces with the Waco Association of REALTORS® aligns perfectly with our mission to empower real estate professionals with the best technology and resources available,” said Kristi Davis, President, NTREIS. “This partnership strengthens our commitment to providing top-tier services to the consumer while broadening market opportunities for our members.”

Congratulations to Chip and Joanna on your new MLS!

See you in New York!

New Mexico MLS to require floor plans on all listings

New Mexico Multiple Listing Service: Floor Plans Now Required for New Mexico Real Estate Listings

“At NMMLS, we are committed to delivering the highest quality data and media to consumers, and this initiative is a major step forward in achieving that goal. Requiring floor plans on listings ensures that every buyer in New Mexico has access to the tools they need to make better decisions. This move also ensures our brokers remain on the cutting edge, delivering a superior listing experience for their clients. NMMLS is proud to be a leader in this space and excited to set a new standard for our industry.”

Rad! I spoke about this back at CMLS in Seattle (which Vendor Alley sponsor and NMMLS partner CubiCasa have been promoting) and have been advocating for this for many years now. Great leadership is being shown here by Megan McFarlane and NMMLS.

Being the first to take this step is always the hardest, and I’m sure there will be challenges ahead. But it’s crucial that someone had the courage to lead the way. My hope is that this will be the domino that pushes the entire industry forward.

Congrats to Megan and NMMLS!

Industry Relations Podcast: It ain’t over yet

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg navigate the fallout from key legal decisions and the broader implications for the real estate industry. They analyze the Supreme Court’s denial of NAR’s cert petition, its potential effects on DOJ actions, and how shifting dynamics—such as commission lawsuits and housing market pressures—might reshape the landscape. The conversation also previews upcoming events and industry challenges that will define the next chapter of real estate.

Key Takeaways

• Supreme Court Denies NAR’s Petition: What this decision means for DOJ’s antitrust investigations and future legal battles.

• Commission Lawsuits Continue: Why the litigation isn’t over and what could come next, including potential first-time homebuyer class actions.

• DOJ’s Goals: Rob and Greg speculate on what the Department of Justice ultimately wants for the real estate industry, including reducing transaction fees.

• Housing Market Pressures: Rising costs, insurance challenges, and inventory shifts, including their impact on rentals and sales.

• Upcoming Events: The MLS Reset Conference and the first-ever Industry Relations live stream scheduled for February 7th.

Watch Us on YouTube 

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

Knowledge Base? User Manual? How about a podcast instead?

I wanted to share an idea one of my Giant Steps clients, Aligned Showings, had that I was really delighted by. After reviewing updated Aligned Showings User Guides, Chris Lambrou got the idea of feeding those PDFs into a new AI tool that creates podcasts. The beginning is a bit cheesy but the overall result is mind-blowing, take a listen.

Swanepoel Power 200 for 2025

T3 Sixty has published their annual SP200 list for 2025. Every year I like catch up on how MLS leaders fared on the list. Art Carter CEO of CRMLS (18) and Brian Donnellan CEO of Bright MLS (19) both jump 3 spots respectively.

Bob Hale CEO of HAR landed at 38. Merri Jo Cowen CEO of Stellar MLS (47) jumped 5 spots, a two year gain of over 37 spots. Jeremy Crawford, CEO of First MLS (48) jumps 6 spots, a two year gain of 54 spots.

John DiMichele, CEO of TREBB (53) jumps up 13 spots. Teresa King Kinney, CEO of Miami AOR placed 75 on the list. Matt Consalvo, CEO of ARMLS (92) jumped 8 spots. Tim Dain, CEO of Northstar MLS returns to the list at 98. Dionna Hall, CEO of Beaches MLS (100), Rebecca Jensen, CEO of MRED (104).

Stuart White, CEO of Realtracs (108) jumps 12 spots for a two year leap of 68 spots. Emily Chenevert, CEO of Unlock MLS (Austin Board of REALTORS) (124) jumps 7 spots. Kipp Cooper, Heartland MLS (156), Anne Marie DeCatye, CEO of Canopy MLS (166) up 8 spots.

Brad Bjelke, CEO of UtahRealEstate.com (169) climbs 6 spots. Ed Zorn, VP, General Counsel of CRMLS (173), Dave Howe, CEO of MetroList MLS joins the list at 180 and Justin Haag placed 194 on the list. Brian Schneider, Counsel, Bright MLS rounds up the list at 197.

Also I wanted to recognize Sam DeBord, CEO of RESO (114), Denee Evans, CEO of CMLS (179), Mitch Skinner, owner of Larson Skinner (186). Kevin Greene SVP, CoreLogic (103) graced the list (as the only rep from CoreLogic). Plus the remarkable and multi-talented Amy Gorce, CEO of REdistribute jumps on at 196.

***Please forgive me if I missed someone or got something wrong. Just DM me and I’ll make the correction.***

Eagle!

It’s official, Toby is an Eagle Scout! Many thanks to all of you who have supported him on his Scouting journey. So proud of my boy.

CubiCasa

I wanted to give a quick shoutout to our January sponsor, CubiCasa. I’ve been following this company for many years and am continually impressed by the impact they’re making in the industry.

As many of you know, I’ve been advocating for floor plans to be mandatory on all MLS listings for quite some time. Well, it turns out CubiCasa’s mission aligns perfectly: every listing needs a floor plan!

I know this might sound ambitious, but I truly believe we have a real shot at making this happen. CubiCasa has developed an app that makes creating floor plans and interactive virtual tours incredibly simple. You can scan a home in just 5 minutes using the smartphone already in your pocket—no training, no complicated steps.

In fact, back in 2020, I asked my son to create a floor plan of our house using the app, and it was phenomenally easy to use—even way back then, before AI had advanced as much as it has today.

CubiCasa recently launched the CubiCasa MLS Partnership Program, which now includes over 90 MLSs. Best of all, there’s no cost for an MLS to join. MLS subscribers gain access to free product versions, special discounts and features, and CubiCasa’s active directory of Real Estate Photographers.

Click the link above to learn more about this fantastic program. A big thanks again to CubiCasa for sponsoring this month of Vendor Alley!

Going to Inman Connect NYC? Have you heard about The Real Estate Exchange?

Just wanted to pass along that the Intercontinental Exchanges (ICE) is hosting an exclusive event at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for the real estate industry’s top movers and shakers (MLS leaders, brokers and technology leaders).  

They’ll discuss the state of the real estate industry with CNBC contributor Andy Walden, and highlight the latest technology, data and analytics solutions that serve to fast-track deals and minimize friction during the real estate transaction. They’ll also examine how technology, data and analytics can support the needs of the real estate industry tomorrow. Following the event attendees will enjoy a signature cocktail reception in the revered halls of the NYSE. If you’re interested in attending

 REGISTER HERE. Space is extremely limited so RSVP soon to reserve your spot.

Where: The New York Stock Exchange | 11 Wall St. 

When: January 21, 2025 | 3:00PM 

RSVP: REGISTER HERE

See you there!

CRMLS starts 2025 with new vision

California Regional MLS Redefines Its Value and Helps Agents Best Articulate Theirs in New Campaign

“Following the commission lawsuits of 2024, the industry has been in a state of upheaval, leading to anxiety and uncertainty among many real estate professionals. CRMLS has recognized the need to help those unsure of how to articulate their value better express what they can offer their clients. With the philosophy that the situation for real estate professionals is “different, not difficult,” CRMLS has outlined its major tenets and how they each assist CRMLS users with their day-to-day and long-term business goals.”

There is a vacuum out there. With organized real estate under scrutiny in the press and on social media, organizations like CRMLS must let their customers know they understand the challenges ahead. As an industry, our leaders need to communicate that while one chapter has closed, a new one is beginning.

If you’re not doing that, you need to start. We must rise above the funk these lawsuits have left us in and take control of the narrative. The question is: who will fill that vacuum?

Sponsored By Cubi Casa