Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Killing the Copy-Paste: MLS Data Meets Canva

The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player!

Overview

In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson sits down with Marcus Brown, founder of MLS Pipeline. Marcus shares his path from real estate agent to solo software founder, discussing how frustrations with lead generation, CMAs, and manual marketing workflows led him to build a Canva-based MLS data integration. The conversation covers MLS sales cycles, member-benefit products, and why automation and design flexibility matter for agents today. 

Key Takeaways

  • Marcus Brown transitioned from working auctions and traditional real estate sales into building real estate software. 
  • Partial “home value” leads often converted better than fully submitted leads when followed up with hand-delivered CMAs. 
  • MLS Pipeline connects MLS data directly into Canva, eliminating copy/paste and manual data entry. 
  • The product is designed as an MLS member benefit rather than a direct-to-agent SaaS. 
  • MetroList is the first MLS to officially launch MLS Pipeline on its dashboard. 

Links

  • Contact Marcus Brown: marcus@mlspipeline.com
  • Phone: 208-340-9600

Sponsors

Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs.

Giant Steps Job Board – Built for organized real estate and PropTech, not generic tech bros and recruiters who don’t know what an MLS is.

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

Zillow’s win sends Compass spinning

Overview

Rob and Greg go live to break down major news shaking real estate tech: a judge rules decisively in Zillow’s favor against Compass’s injunction, reshaping the conversation around exclusive listings and distribution. They also recap Inman, including leadership perspectives, vendor pitches, and the ongoing debate around AI’s role in real estate—optimism mixed with caution. 

Key Takeaways

  • Zillow wins the injunction: The court blocks Compass’s attempt to stop Zillow from enforcing its listing rules, signaling a strong legal position for Zillow.
  • Implications for Compass & MLSs: The ruling challenges Compass’s three-phase marketing strategy and shifts attention to MLS policies and enforcement.
  • Inman recap: Strong attendance, notable executive interviews, shade around the Compass/Anywhere deal, and lively “New Kids on the Block” vendor pitches.
  • AI sentiment: Widespread interest with cautious optimism—tools may enhance agents, but uncertainty remains about scope and impact.

Connect with Rob and Greg

Rob’s Website 

Greg’s Website 

Watch us on YouTube

Our Sponsors:

Cotality 

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board 

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

Matt Consalvo set to retire in 2027

ARMLS’ Matt Consalvo to Retire in 2027

“NTREIS CEO, Chris Carrillo, remarked “today, we celebrate not just a retirement announcement, but the remarkable journey of a true mentor, industry leader, and friend. Matt is more than just a colleague; he embodies the best of our industry. His humility and almost clairvoyant intellect have guided us through challenges, and his unwavering commitment to our MLS community has left an indelible mark.”

Well said.

Industry Relations Live! Today at 11AM PT

Word on the street is that the judge ruled in Zillow’s favor in regard to the Compass injunction. Plus a Inman NY Connect wrap up!

Join us on Industry Relations Live today at 11AM PT!

https://www.youtube.com/live/PjyTaMoL91U

CRMLS Picks Up Tuesday

California Regional MLS Offers Tuesday, a New App That Turns the MLS into a Social Feed

“Learning a whole new way of doing things just to use one app is always a pressure point for adoption, but Tuesday is an MLS app that’s user-friendly and feels easy to pick up,” said CRMLS CEO Art Carter. “The feeds, profiles, and overall user experience on Tuesday will feel right at home for anyone who’s used social media, which means our brokerage community can get to work fast and deliver thorough results to their clients.”

I’m here in New York City, at Inman Connect, having a few meetings. I remember back in 2010 when Dan and I launched Cloud CMA at ICNY. So this news feels like old times.

Big thank you to Art and Sarah at CRMLS. And also a big shout out to Brian and Jess at Propstream, who I’ll talk about in another post.

I’ve been demoing Tuesday to agents here at Inman. The vibe is great, it feels like accessing the MLS before was a chore and turning it in to a feed really unlocks the MLS for agents. Reach out to Cole Boyer if you are an MLS interested in giving your agents a new way to MLS.

See you on Tuesday!

CoStar strikes back

CoStar Group Reiterates Strategic Initiatives to Prioritize Profitable Growth and Increase Long-term Stockholder Value

“Third Point appears intent on spinning a yarn of Board complacency and “quixotic” investment. Their story is completely detached from reality. Following a review process that Third Point and D.E. Shaw suggested with participation from their Board nominees, the Board unanimously recommended a plan involving accelerated profitability for Homes.com, additional investments in our core platforms, incremental capital return, stockholder-aligned executive compensation, and greater investor transparency. Unhappy with the conclusions of the independent Board they helped pick, Third Point, like a child with a board game, wants to throw the pieces off the board.”

I did some digging based on a tip. What I found was Third Point invested in Rocket last year which changes the optics for me a bit. Could there be a bit of game play here? Maybe. Maybe not. But, as I said in my last post, I still wouldn’t bet against Andy Florance.

But in my last episode of Industry Relations, recorded before the CoStar news broke, I asked Jack Miller his thoughts on CoStar and he had a brilliant take.

 

From Jack’s perspective it’s still about product market fit. In my 2026 predictions I said that we were going to see a shift in the strategies of non-Zillow portals. So far Realtor.com has announced their Realtor + app, and I think Homes.com is going to have to think of something that answers Jack’s take.

Hive MLS grows

West Metro Board of REALTORS joins Hive MLS as its 20th Member

“West Metro joining Hive is a powerful example of what our cooperative model is all about,” said Daniel Jones, CEO of Hive MLS. “They share in our belief in the strength of community, where associations gain influence by working together, the value of collaboration across markets to support brokers and agents with better tools, and the importance of connectivity through modern systems and seamless data exchange. We look forward to West Metro helping to strengthen our Hive.”

Interesting model. One thing I’m looking forward to about MLS Reset is getting a chance to learning more from Daniel and others on their unique business models.

Bright MLS appoints first Chief AI Officer, Rajeev Sajja.

Bright MLS Appoints Rajeev Sajja as First Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer

“AI can no longer be a feature on the side of the MLS; it has to be built into the core of how we manage listings, deliver insights, and support our subscribers’ businesses,” said Brian Donnellan, Bright MLS President & CEO. “Rajeev brings a rare combination of deep real estate experience and technology vision to this new role that will help us turn AI into real, everyday advantages for the professionals who rely on Bright.” 

Rajeev and I were both speakers at a recent Bright MLS board of directors meeting so I got to see him speak live. Super smart and I Ioved his presentation. As Brian mentioned he has the perfect mix of experience for this role. Congrats Rajeev!

Jack Miller on Lists, Trends, Marketplaces and CoStar.

Overview

Rob and Greg are joined by Jack Miller (President & CEO of T3 Sixty) for a wide-ranging discussion on the SP 200, changes to T3’s ranking methodology, brokerage business models, agent economics, consolidation, and the future of the MLS as a comprehensive marketplace.

Key Takeaways

  • SP 200 methodology update: Rankings now factor in future impact, not just past performance, leading to notable shifts in the Top 10.
  • Agent economics by model: Traditional brokerages show higher average agent income, while fee-based and capped models emphasize unit economics.
  • Brokerage costs: The critical metric is cost per transaction and cost per agent—not just GAAP net income.
  • Teams vs. platforms: High-producing agents increasingly partner with platforms (Compass, Place, Side) instead of building large internal teams.
  • MLS under pressure: Preserving a comprehensive marketplace is the key challenge as private and delayed listings increase.
  • Consolidation continues: Industry consolidation is ongoing, but not near an end-state oligopoly.
  • Portals vs. brokerages: Compass and Zillow are shaping industry direction in different ways, with contrasting strengths and strategies.

Links

Consulting

Trends

Industry Rankings

Sp200 Rankings

Industry News

Connect with Rob and Greg

Rob’s Website 

Greg’s Website 

Watch us on YouTube

Our Sponsors:

Cotality 

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board 

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

Inside Editora: Julie Drazen’s No-Fluff Approach to Real Estate Video

Overview

Greg Robertson sits down with Julie Drazen, founder of Editora, to talk about her background in film and commercial editing and how that experience led to building a fast, opinionated video-editing platform for real estate agents. Julie explains how Editora uses AI as a behind-the-scenes tool (not a replacement for craft), why simplicity and taste matter in listing videos, and how the product is designed to save agents time while keeping branding consistent across brokerages. 

Key Takeaways

  • Julie’s career in commercial editing and documentary filmmaking shaped Editora’s focus on storytelling, pacing, and taste.
  • Editora automates listing videos from professional photos, handling shot selection, order, scripts, and voiceover with AI assistance.
  • The platform prioritizes simplicity: fewer choices, consistent branding, and no flashy transitions or gimmicks.
  • Agents can create videos quickly on desktop or mobile, including status updates like “just listed,” “under contract,” and “sold.”
  • Pricing tiers launch February 1, with a free first listing video and scalable options for solo agents, teams, and brokerages.

Links

Editora

AppStore Link 

Julie’s LinkedIn

Contact Julie: julie@editora.ai

Sponsors

Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs.

Giant Steps Job Board – Built for organized real estate and PropTech, not generic tech bros and recruiters who don’t know what an MLS is.

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

Sponsored By Aligned Showings