Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Brokers, your real estate super app is here

Rechat and Canva Unveil New Integration

By integrating with Rechat, we are empowering agents to turn live property data into polished, on-brand marketing materials in minutes.

Smart move. But the Canva deal isn’t really the story here.

The story is what Rechat has quietly become. They’ve hit 100% year-over-year revenue growth, grown their customer base by 220%, and expanded their team to 85 people across 18 countries. Their CRM adoption rate sits at 75% — which, if you’ve spent any time in this industry, you know is borderline miraculous.

I think two things are at work here to qualify that success.

Number One: Integrations. Figma last August. SkySlope. Follow Up Boss. Now Canva. Rechat CEO Shayan Hamidi says it’s about “removing friction from the creative process and meeting agents where they want to work.” This feels different than an “all-in-one” or “end to end” strategy that a lot of vendors are shooting for — they started by knowing that integrations would be part of their solution.

Number Two: Knowing who their customer is: Independent Brokers. The content that Rechat creates is of high quality and good design. Something that gives independent brokers a way of competing with Compass’ tech stack, but without all the restrictions.

Rechat isn’t trying to be everything to everyone — they’re building the platform that independent brokers didn’t know they were waiting for, and the numbers say it’s working.

VestaPlus [Sponsor]

My thanks to VestaPlus™ for sponsoring Vendor Alley this month.

VestaPlus continues to push practical innovation in MLS technology with tools that help MLSs and agents work more efficiently and deliver better service to their members and clients. They offer a full suite of MLS solutions, including the VestaPlus™ MLS system, MLSGo™ mobile app, MarketSnap™, ShowingsPlus™, SearchPlus™, and CheckMate™ compliance software, all built with an emphasis on speed, usability, and real-world workflows.

This month I want to spotlight CheckMate™, their AI-powered compliance platform that’s gaining traction nationally with MLSs of all sizes. CheckMate not only flags potential listing policy issues, it uses machine learning and automation to help teams maintain data accuracy and streamline compliance workflows, reducing manual work while keeping listing data cleaner and more reliable.

If you haven’t looked at their stack recently, now’s probably a good time.

My thanks again to them for sponsoring Vendor Alley.

Godspeed

FBS joins ROAM on its journey to form statewide marketplace

Press Release: ROAM MLS Selects FBS and the Flexmls® Platform to Support Statewide Marketplace

“Our newly established partnership with FBS will provide our members with an MLS platform that preserves many of the features and familiarity of their current native system while offering access to updated technology. This decision eliminates the need for duplicative add-ons, consolidates data into a single source, and provides our members with the opportunity for greater cost savings,” said Rhonda Reap-Curiel, ROAM MLS President”

Significant win for FBS. See below from ROAM’s website:

“What is changing

  • ROAM will launch a unified MLS platform, built specifically for ROAM by Flex MLS.
  • ROAM will retire the existing Matrix, Paragon, and legacy Flex platforms.
  • Members will be converted to the new platform with their listings, contacts, and saved searches.
  • The Clareity dashboard will be retired.

What is not changing

  • All ancillary services will remain in place, including Cloud CMA, ShowingTime, lockboxes, RentSpree, RPR, and other current tools.
  • Local support remains local.
  • Association-specific fees are unchanged as part of this announcement.”

Nice to see Cloud CMA didn’t get kicked off the island.  😅

Looking for a new gig?

Association Executive – Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS(r)

“The Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® (HAAR) is beginning a leadership search at a moment of extraordinary growth for both the organization and the region it serves. HAAR is seeking a progressive, forward-thinking Association Executive who brings fresh ideas, proven leadership experience, and a genuine passion for elevating the value of the REALTOR® community across North Alabama.”

Chief Executive Officer – Women’s Council of REALTORS(r)

“The Women’s Council of REALTORS® is seeking its next Chief Executive Officer at a pivotal time in the organization’s history. With a mission to advance women as business leaders in the real estate industry, the Council has built one of the most respected leadership networks in real estate, serving thousands of members through a nationwide collection of state and local networks. For decades, it has played a measurable role in elevating leadership pathways, strengthening brokerages, and increasing professional opportunity across the industry.”

To find out about these jobs and more please visit the Giant Steps Job Board.

A New MLS Vendor Enters the Chat

The New Mexico Multiple Listing Service Selects reData MLS as the New MLS Software Platform for its Members

“After evaluating multiple MLS software platforms, we found reData MLS to be the fastest, most innovative, and technologically advanced.” -Crystal McCaslin, NMMLS Board Chair

I guess it was just a matter of time. UtahRealEstate.com has had their own homegrown MLS system for a while now. And just like other MLS organizations (think TheMLS/CLAW – VESTAPlus) they have decided to enter the vendor game.

I think New Mexico MLS (NMMLS) is a good start. With about 1,200 members is will be a perfect proving ground. NMMLS has already adopted the AlignedShowings property showing solution via UtahRealEstate.com’s ownership of MLSAligned.

I spoke to Brad Bjelke, CEO of UtahRealEstate.com briefly about the shift, and he told me that their goal isn’t to take over the world, but they think their MLS system could be a good solution for many MLS organizations. If you’re an MLS organization and want to find out more they have a pretty cool URL, https://realestatedata.com.

I secretly love when MLS organizations get in to the vendor game. As we all know, it’s a lot harder than it looks.

Richard Gibbens is new CEO of Intermountain MLS

Intermountain MLS Welcomes Richard Gibbens as CEO

“Richard most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Bluegrass REALTORS®, where he led strategic modernization initiatives, strengthened broker collaboration, and advanced data and technology capabilities. Under his leadership, the organization sharpened its operational focus while building stronger alignment with brokerage partners.”

Congrats to IMLS and Richard!

MLS Independence, AI and talking to portals.

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player!

Overview

Rob and Greg discuss MLS autonomy and whether smaller organizations are truly positioned to handle independence from NAR. They examine legal exposure, slow consolidation, and the financial vulnerability of small MLSs. The conversation shifts to AI—highlighting Homes.com’s new voice search experience—and what rapid innovation means for brokers, MLSs, infrastructure, and data access moving forward. 

Key Takeaways

  • MLS consolidation is happening slowly, but smaller MLSs may face increasing legal and financial risk.
  • Independence removes guardrails and shifts more responsibility onto local leadership.
  • AI-powered search is advancing quickly, raising questions about cost, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability.
  • Agents will soon demand MLS data access for personal AI tools, and most MLSs aren’t prepared for that shift.
  • Over-regulation—whether in housing, energy, or MLS governance—can slow innovation and adaptation.

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

Please fill out your MLS Reset event survey

For those of you who attended the event, please go to your inbox and fill out your survey. The email should have been sent on February 18th. Thank you!

Homes.com new AI voice search is legit!

COSTAR GROUP LAUNCHES TRANSFORMATIVE AI EXPERIENCE ON HOMES.COM, REDEFINING THE FUTURE OF HOME SHOPPING

“For the first time on a major real estate portal, consumers can engage in natural, real-time, two-way conversations – by voice or text – to search, refine, and explore homes in an interactive experience that feels less like navigating a website and more like being guided by a deeply knowledgeable, trusted real estate advisor. Homes AI draws from Homes.com’s unmatched depth of property data, Matterport 3D digital twin technology, images, proprietary school data, neighborhood insights, and market intelligence to deliver bespoke guidance that empowers shoppers with the resources and confidence they need to find the perfect home.”

Growing up I remember watching Star Trek. I was always fascinated by the way Captain Kirk and others crew members of the starship Enterprise would talk so effortlessly to computers.

“Computer, activate shields!”
“Computer, make me a sandwich.”

Many AI tools I use have that capability now but I’m still a little too self conscious to use AI that way. I suspect that will change soon enough. When I read about Homes.com new AI search interface that had voice integration I had to try it out. I had previously been impressed by MetroList’s implementation of voice and seen stories about other real estate portals/apps.

After giving the homes.com permission for my location and use of my computer’s microphone I was up and running. A few things stood out. Number one is that it was so seamless. I didn’t have to click any buttons to start or end recording my voice commands. Number two was the quality of the AI voice, it sounded natural…human. Number three was the speed. There was almost no latency in giving my commands and the site responding.

But what really impressed me is the way it understood and could act on my questions/commands.

“Show me homes in the 92646 zip code”
“Can you sort the houses from highest to lowest price?”
“Can I see the one on ‘Vacation Lane’?”
“Can you make the photos bigger?”
“Can you show me the next photo?”
“Next. Next. Next.”
“Can you go back to the search results page?”
“Let me see the home on ‘Pollack Drive”
“How many days has this been on the market?”

All of these commands the site understood perfectly. Don’t believe me? Check out this video I recorded.

I’m sure all of this will be commonplace shortly. And I don’t think I even scratched the surface of what this feature of Homes.com can do.

Big kudos to the engineers and designers at Homes.com. Well done!

Sponsored By VESTAPLUS