Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Craig Rowe of Inman News says MLS providers should stay in their lane

The 6 tech trends that defined real estate in 2021

“Many of the nation’s multiple listing services are now rebounding with attempts to develop and deliver technology for their members instead of seeking the best possible options in the open market.

Beyond it not being their core competency, building software isn’t easy, cheap or a one-time thing.

There’s simply no way for MLSs to create a system, continually support it and offer training and help to thousands of members (in some cases, tens of thousands) without significantly raising fees, which it will need to do in order to hire more experienced technology professionals, including expensive engineers and developers.”

Inman News

This matches what I hear from a lot of vendors: Remember when all the big franchisors and real estate brokers announced they were “technology companies”, not real estate companies. How’s that working out?

He goes on to cite the vetting process most MLS providers follow.

“How can this not further complicate how due diligence on other products is handled, especially when they provide comparable services? Thus, does it best serve members, or the politics and public image of their organization?

It’s also hypocritical, specifically in any case where an MLS has refused to partner with a vendor for fear of that vendor being acquired.”

Inman

He said it, not me. 😇

RESO Directors Announced

RESO Unveils 2022 Board of Directors, Executive Committee Leaders

“The real estate industry is well represented by this group, which includes:

Rebecca Jensen, MRED; Michael Wurzer, FBS; John Breault, State-Wide MLS; and Richard Renton, Triad MLS; Todd Carpenter, NAR; Jason Normandin, NAR; Matt Cohen, CoreLogic; Bob Evans, Move, Inc.; and Mark Lesswing, T3 Sixty; Turan Tekin, Zillow Group; Andy Woolley, Homes.com; Chris Carrillo, Metro MLS; Shayne Fairley, Stellar MLS; and Frank Major, Bright MLS; Marty Reed, CRMLS; Bill Fowler, Compass; Dan Troup, RE/MAX; Caitlin McCrory, Realogy; and Jeff Young, RPR.

Via The WAV Group

Congrats to everyone and thank you for helping push the industry forward.

Trendsetter: Brian Donnellan

HW 2021 Tech Trendsetter: Brian Donnellan

“Brian Donnellan has not only played a major role in the industry’s largest MLS merger to date, but also has been an advocate of moving Bright MLS forward by sourcing and launching upgraded and innovative tools and resources with new methods of subscriber training and support.”

Congrats Brian!

Looking for a new gig?

Full Stack Developer – Stellar MLS

“The Full-Stack Developer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining existing and new full-stack applications. This role will work closely with a team of developers to deliver interactive, scalable, web apps in the real estate industry. This position must have in-depth knowledge of C#, .NET Core, HTML5/CSS3, JavaScript Framework, JavaScript, and Microsoft SQL Server and will be responsible for not just maintaining existing systems but designing and building new systems and sites to keep Stellar MLS up to date with modern web standards. The full stack developer is expected to provide mentor-ship with regards to design patterns, architecture, process, and communication among all developers on the team. This position reports to the Lead Developer and is a salary, exempt, full-time position.”

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

Looking for a new gig?

MLS & Membership Director – Central Oregon Association of REALTORS® (COAR) & Central Oregon MLS

“The Central Oregon Association of REALTORS® (COAR) is the voice for real estate in Central Oregon. We represent more than 2,500 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate markets throughout Central Oregon. The Central Oregon Association of REALTORS® also owns and operates the Multiple Listing Service of Central Oregon. Our Multiple Listing Service is part of a data share with multiple MLSs in the state of Oregon”

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

#jobboard

GAMLS chooses connectMLS

Georgia MLS Partners with dynaConnections to Provide connectMLS™

“Real estate professionals across Georgia will soon benefit from dynaConnections’ top-rated MLS platform, connectMLS. Designed with the end user in mind, connectMLS’s intuitive, feature-rich, and mobile-friendly solution provides Georgia MLS members an additional suite of tools to efficiently collaborate with their buying and selling clients.”

Big win for dynaConnections. Not clear whether this is a “system of choice” play or full conversion. The stated launch date is March.

Huge congrats to Tim and the rest of the dynaConnections team!

RE/MAX starts displaying buyer’s commission rate next to listings on their website

Nick Bailey, chief customer officer at RE/MAX in an interview from an Inman News story:

Nick Bailey

“And while other MLSs have followed suit in displaying the data publicly, RE/MAX publishing the data in its consumer-facing website and app in 65 markets is perhaps the largest single move to display the data yet.

Bailey was clear in conversation that displaying it or not was never RE/MAX’s decision. The international real estate franchisor just wanted to ensure when it inevitably becomes a requirement, the company was prepared, Bailey explained.”

Great leadership from Nick and RE/MAX on this issue.

One quibble, I would add an “i” information icon next to the rate, linking to some copy giving further context. But it’s a good start.

Also, from the story…


“Bailey, who is also a broker himself in addition to being a RE/MAX exec, believes displaying the buyers’ broker commission isn’t an overly monumental move, rather an evolution that has been happening for a number of years.”

He’s right, but more change is coming and RE/MAX is smart to start now so that everyone is prepared for the questions and challenges ahead.

Illinois Rockford Area REALTORS adds MRED

Midwest Real Estate Data Joins Forces with Rockford Area REALTORS®

Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), the largest multiple listing service (MLS) in Illinois, announced a partnership with Rockford Area REALTORS® (RAR) which allows their association’s members to have access to one of the nation’s largest MLSs.


The agreement allows RAR’s members the opportunity to use MRED’s connectMLS to access nearly two dozen products and services.
“We see offering MRED as a valuable additional MLS service to our current association’s MLS,” said Conor Brown CEO of Rockford Area REALTORS®. “Our members will be able to take advantage of increased marketing and analytics so they can continue to be successful.”

I’m sensing a trend here…

NTREIS expands services to Northwest Louisiana

NTREIS Welcomes the Northwest Louisiana Association of REALTORS® as it Expands

With NWLAR, there are 15 diverse REALTOR Association Shareholders in the NTREIS family. The regional MLS contracts with vendors for services and wholesales to the Shareholders who provide direct services to their membership.

John Holley, CEO of NTREIS added, “Our decentralized model is attractive to Associations that wish to provide a high level of REALTOR services to their membership but have another entity to do the heavy lifting of the technology and data services of a multiple listing service.”

Makes sense. Fits NTREIS’ model, plus NWLAR members get to take advantage of NTREIS deep member services. These cross-state consolidations are becoming more common.

Northern Nevada Regional MLS (NNRMLS) promotes George Pickard, current CTO to CEO position

Search Committee Promotes From Within

“In his nearly nine years with NNRMLS, Pickard has proven himself to be a leader. He’s played a crucial role in strategic planning, executive decision-making, data analysis, budgeting, negotiating, contracting, recruiting,  project management, business development, policy, public speaking, marketing, and communications. Pickard is a driving force behind the implementation of the NNRMLS strategic vision, empowering team members and contractors, coordinating solutions with vendors and stakeholders, and fostering strong relationships with NNRMLS’ Shareholders to deliver world-class MLS services to our members.”

George Pickard

This isn’t the first time NNRMLS has promoted from within, Shelley Specchio (now CEO of MIBOR) was also promoted when Merri Jo Cowen left for the top spot at Stellar MLS (formerly My Florida Regional MLS).

Great gig for George. As mentioned above NNRMLS is known for being a creator of leaders in the industry.

Congrats to George and NNRMLS!

Sponsored By MLS Reset