Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

CRMLS inks deal with NorthStarMLS for new SSO/Dashboard solution

California Regional MLS (CRMLS) and NorthstarMLS Enter SSO Agreement

“This announcement marks the start of an evolution for NorthstarMLS with our mission of providing a collaborative marketplace of real estate data, tools, and services at the forefront,” said Tim Dain, NorthstarMLS CEO. “We believe that MLSs like NorthstarMLS and CRMLS have similarities that can and should benefit both MLSs and the customers we serve.”

CRMLS and NorthstarMLS have begun to work together to implement the necessary changes required to convert NorthstarMLS onto CRMLS SSO. The SSO integration is expected to launch later in 2023 within the new REcenterhub dashboard that CRMLS has designed and developed from the ground up.”

The trend continues as more MLS organizations are taking over their own tech stacks and in some cases like this one, successfully sell them to other MLS organizations who have the same/similar needs. MLSAligned so far is only interested in serving its owners, and other MLS-owned initiatives that are barely holdings on.

One thing is for certain, if MLS organizations are going to do this successfully they are going to need to invest in a good sales team.

The end is nigh?

Andrea Brambila for Inman News: Bombshell multibillion-dollar commission suit now a class action

“In a serious blow to the National Association of Realtors and major real estate franchisors, potentially millions of homesellers can ask to be reimbursed for billions in commissions they paid to buyer agents between 2015 and 2020 as a result of a federal court ruling on Wednesday.”

Welp, here we go. I’ve been holding off writing about this in the hopes I come up with some sort of positive spin. But I don’t have one. After reading the judge’s memo, it seems she has her mind made up. And I’m afraid all the nuances of our business are going to be lost to someone who wants to take the advice of someone who says…

“…in more competitive markets, the increasing use of the internet has reduced consumer costs, highlighting how increases in the number of consumers using the internet to book air travel and to trade stocks has been accompanied by corresponding decreases in commissions for travel agents and stockbrokers.”

Buying a house ≠ Buying a plane ticket

Buying a house ≠ Buying a stock

And Zillow can’t smell the cat.

Listing Bits Podcast: Pooling Resources & Expertise Among MLSs – with Betsy Hanson of Markt

From a vendor’s perspective, small MLSs are the most challenging to work with. And that’s no surprise, seeing as how they have fewer resources than the big players in the space.

So, how do we support MLSs with fewer than 400 members in keeping up with NAR rules, for example? Is there a way MLSs might share marketing, support, and compliance services in a way that makes the market work better for all involved?

Betsy Hanson is General Manager and General Counsel at Markt, a multi-MLS service organization focused on pooling resources and expertise to serve MLSs, brokers, and agents. 

On this episode of Listing Bits, Betsy shares her journey from an executive assistant at a small association to her current role at Markt, describing how she avoids the attorney’s reputation as the Department of No.

Betsy offers her take on what organized real estate is missing about the life and times of an ordinary REALTOR, why the average agent doesn’t understand the lawsuits facing the industry, and how those lawsuits might change the way we do things moving forward.

Listen in to understand how Markt works as an MLS back-office provider and learn how Betsy and her team are uniquely positioned to help MLSs of all sizes with local market delivery.

What’s Discussed:  

Betsy’s journey from an executive assistant at a small association to General Counsel at Markt

What differentiates the role of executive assistant from that of the chief of staff

How Betsy avoids the attorney’s reputation as the Department of No

Betsy’s experience teaching English in China between undergrad and law school

What organized real estate is missing about the life and times of an ordinary REALTOR

Why the average REALTOR-on-the-street doesn’t know about the lawsuits facing the industry

How public perception of REALTORS remains positive despite lawsuits around compensation

Betsy’s predictions re: how the lawsuits facing organized real estate might play out

How Markt began as a way for MLSs to pool support resources and create efficiencies

Markt’s potential to solve the challenge small MLSs face in keeping up with NAR rules

Connect with Betsy:

Markt

Email betsy@themarkt.com

Resources:

Notorious ROB

Industry Relations Podcast

Turn On by 1000watt

Our Sponsor:

Cloud CMA for Brokers

REsides first to launch Inspectify

RESIDES IS FIRST TO MARKET WITH ADVANCED INTEGRATION WITH INSPECTIFY

“Inspectify leverages its proprietary software to customize and integrate the data found within a home for individuals, institutional investors, and iBuyers well beyond the scope of a traditional property inspection. For non-institutional buyers, Inspectify’s streamlined approach and concierge-level service save hours typically spent searching for inspectors and coordinating schedules and access. Through the platform, buyers can instantly book inspections and receive repair estimates.”

I’m seeing a lot more of these “marketplaces” type business models lately. I think these will do great if they can get participation.

Omni MLS partners with Lone Wolf to bring transaction management solutions to Latin America

Latin America’s Omni MLS partners with Lone Wolf to provide a complete transaction suite as a member benefit

“Omni Multiple Listing Service (“Omni MLS”) is pleased to announce that it will provide Lone Wolf Transactions (zipForm Edition) (“Transactions”) and MLS-Connect® from Lone Wolf Technologies (“Lone Wolf”) as benefits to their over 4,000 members. Omni MLS members will now have access to a complete real estate transaction experience that features specific Omni MLS forms to help standardize contracts both within Omni MLS and throughout the region—potentially reaching nearly 1.2 million real estate professionals.”

Love being a small part of these ground breaking deals. Major kudos to Jessica Richardson of Lone Wolf and Ross Buck of Omni MLS for their persistence of getting this to market! ¡Felicidades!

NorthstarMLS discontinues Homesnap Pro license

From an email to members: NorthstarMLS discontinuing MLS wide license for Homesnap Pro in March

“NorthstarMLS was an early champion and is a current supporter of Broker Public Portal (BPP), an initiative spearheaded by brokers and MLSs to provide a new option for public display of listings. BPP and technology vendor Homesnap entered a joint venture that facilitated BPP’s introduction of Homesnap Pro. At that time, NorthstarMLS added Homesnap Pro as part of its subscriber offerings. 

In 2022, Homesnap and BPP ended their joint venture. Given this change, the NorthstarMLS Board of Directors decided to discontinue offering Homesnap Pro effective March 20, 2023. “

Me thinks there is more to this story than what is being said…

The MLS™/CLAW offers free floor plans to members via CubiCasa

The MLS/CLAW CEO, Annie Ives

Free Floor Plans are Now Available to The MLS™/CLAW REALTOR® Members Through CubiCasa

“The CEO of The MLS™/CLAW, Annie Ives, says “Advancement is essential for The MLS™, especially when it comes to technology. We’re pleased to be offering easy floor plans to members as this is a key feature that clients look for during their property search. Agents can now provide their clients a more comprehensive property outlook.”

Super smart!

CubiCasa is building a lot of momentum. A little birdie told me that other big announcements are coming soon. My thanks again to CubiCasa for sponsoring this month of Vendor Alley!

T3 Sixty’s Real Estate Almanac shows consolidation and growing membership of MLS and Associations

New data from T3 Sixty shows continued compression of total real estate MLSs and Realtor associations across the US

“The 2023 rankings compiled by T3 Sixty’s research team reveal a four-year steady decline in the total number of MLS organizations and local associations and a steady increase in the average MLS subscriber count and local association membership during that same time period. Since 2020, the total number of MLSs and local Realtor associations have dropped 7.6% and 3.8%, respectively, while the average member count of each has steadily grown.”

From a T3 Sixty email announcement:

Meanwhile, the MLSs that remain are growing in subscriber count, averaging an increase of 5.5% in membership in 2022. Since 2020, the average subscriber count for MLSs has grown by nearly 30%.

Not sure why T3 Sixty didn’t publish the same content in their email overview somewhere on the web to link to. Lame.

But the data is awesome. While membership counts are up close to 30% since 2020, they did dip down from 2022 to 2023 by -5.5%. The Real Estate Almanac is a great resource for the entire industry. Many thanks to Jack, Clint, and the rest of the team at T3 Sixty.

MLSage à trois

Bright MLS, CRMLS, and BeachesMLS Enter National Data Share Agreement

“The data share is an important step forward in Bright MLS’ and CRMLS’ previously announced plan (February 2022) to collaborate on technology solutions for the MLS industry. The data share among Bright MLS, CRMLS and BeachesMLS is the latest in several innovative joint ventures that Bright and CRMLS are leading, including REdistribute, which provides brokers transparency on the distribution and consumption of their data while ensuring fair-market compensation for its usage, and Nestfully, a new leading consumer portal developed and run by the residential real estate industry, the source of principled and pristine data for home buyers and sellers across the country.”

Ooh la la

Looking for a new gig?

Director, MLS Sales – Restb.AI

“Responsible for managing and overseeing MLS B2B sales in North America. Primary responsibilities will include designing plans to meet sales targets, negotiating deals, developing and cultivating relations with clients to maintain and grow customer satisfaction and retention. We’re looking for someone who loves working in a high-tech environment and is familiar with API, AI, cloud technology and SaaS. Candidate should be comfortable working in a dynamic environment without constant supervision.”

Data Services Specialist -realMLS

“realMLS, located in Jacksonville, FL, serves over 11,000 members spanning across 5 counties. Our membership base continues to grow as do the member’s needs. We are seeking a full time data services specialist to assist in evaluating data quality, establishing procedures, maintenance ensuring that all date meets industry standards as defined by RESO (Real Estate Standards Organization). In this role, you will be also assist with documenting, troubleshooting, and resolving any data related issues.”

The find out about these jobs or post a job, please visit the Vendor Alley Job Board.


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