Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

RESO DataComp

Calling all innovative thinkers that want to change the course of real estate history!

“RESO will be hosting a data competition, with the chance to win up to 25k in cash!
We are connecting the best entrepreneurial developers with RESO compliant APIs. Software technologies change very rapidly and RESO is challenging the developer community to push the innovation envelope. Unlike traditional developer “hackathons” that only last hours, this event is comprised of a month-long development process.
DataComp participant registration is separate from the 2017 conference registration and is open to anyone who believes the use of RESO compliant APIs can benefit the industry. It doesn’t matter if you are the home hacker or the corporate coder, if you have been incubating the next “big idea” be sure to be seen at this event. This competition is certain to be one of the best reasons for real estate technologists to join us in San Diego.

I’ve got a killer idea for this, I just wish Dan wasn’t so damn busy. $25K would buy a lot of Tanqueray.

RESO announces massive update to the Data Dictionary

Real Estate Standards Organization Announces Massive Data Dictionary Update900+ data adds include new Accessibility, Showing Data, Saved Searches, Internet Tracking Features

““This is one huge leap for the RESO Data Dictionary,” said Art Carter, Chair of RESO and CEO at CRMLS, the nation’s largest MLS. “More importantly, this is a giant spring forward to greater innovation …..”

Yup. Lots of cool stuff here.

The Controversial Pivot to API with RESO CEO Jeremy Crawford

One of the great things about RESO is how the community comes together for the benefit of the industry. RESO recently honored some of the volunteers. You can read the full press press release here.

While at the recent RESO Spring Conference I got to sit down with Jeremy and discuss some of thing they are working on. He’s really done a great job. Hope you enjoy.


 
‘…You’re building a new infrastructure. You’re building a brand new interstate, and one of the hardest things is the off ramp and the on ramp.’

RETS has been a solid technology standard for fifteen years, and many vendors are resistant to make the change to API. But as the needs of mobile shift the industry, a new ‘interstate’ is necessary. Today’s guest is prepared to discuss the details of this controversial pivot.

Jeremy Crawford is the CEO of RESO, the organization responsible for the creation, promotion and adoption of standards in the real estate industry. RESO seeks to fuel innovation and help streamline the real estate transaction. Crawford has been involved with RESO since 2010, serving on its Board of Directors and co-leading the Education and Outreach Workgroup. He has a unique combination of talent and experience, with an extensive background in information technology and corporate management. After graduating from East Tennessee State University with a degree in computer science, he landed an IT position with Safeco Insurance. From there, he worked in network management for BB&T Corporation and MarketLinx (a division of CoreLogic). His resume also includes leadership roles as CIO of SANDICOR, CIO and COO of MLSListings, and COO of Aculist.

Crawford explains the need for a pivot away from RETS to API, the benefits of saved search portability, and the progress of the transition to date. Listen in to understand the steps being taken to improve the permissioning process and who might play a role in further advances.

What’s Discussed: 

The controversial pivot to API
– Resistance from traditional vendors
– Interstate analogy (on and off ramps)
– Shifting needs require API
– Parallel uses of both RETS and API likely
The progress of the move to API
– Distribution piece complete
– Updates component under development
The vendors who are taking advantage of API capabilities
The benefits of switching to API for established vendors
– API built to access data on the fly
– Can still replicate data, but have option not to
– Saved search portability
Progress with regard to the challenges of permissioning
– Standardized data licensing agreements
– NAR turnaround time policy for IDX access
– Access to developmental data feeds to facilitate product development
Who is responsible for permissioning process
– RESO R&D Workgroup drafting best practices
– Brokers must help shepherd process along

Resources:

AgentSquared

Agent Inbox

Connect with Jeremy Crawford:

RESO
Twitter

RESO Deep Thoughts…

Name withheld to protect the innocent. #reso2017

Austin Board of Realtors, RESO, and Trestle initiative falls short

Austin Board of REALTORS, RESO and the CoreLogic Trestle Platform Offer Groundbreaking Free Data Feed for Developers

“According to Tim Dain, MLS Director of ABoR, who has been leading this effort, “The Developer Reference Server provides a solution that has been needed for years: free and easy access to data that allows for innovative development,” he said. “The Austin Board of REALTORS® is a forward-thinking, progressive Association and MLS provider, and we’re dedicated to this effort because of the direct benefit to our members as well as the entire real estate community.”

While this is a good step forward it is still waaaay short of what the industry needs. As I’ve written previously.

“2. Your initiative must include data access rights AND permission to sell. Make it an opt-out for MLS providers. One without the other will not scale. If I build something fast and it takes 6 months to get approval from your MLS committee to sell it, then these initiatives are essentially worthless.”

Let’s jump in to the future….

INT. TIM DAIN’S OFFICE – DAY

The PHONE RINGS

TIM
Hello?

KID IN GARAGE
Hey, I got my new software up and running its really great. I’ve shown it to a few agents and they love it. When can I start selling it?

TIM
That’s great. Tell you what, our Technology committee meets next month, wait err, hold on…umm we already have a full agenda…

KID IN GARAGE
Committee?

TIM
Yeah, we have to approve your software before you can sell it to our members.

KID IN GARAGE
(confused)
Uh…okay…I guess. So how long is that going to take, do I have to do that in every MLS?

TIM
Yes, every MLS will have an approval process. Let’s see here, we are booked the next 3 months, and the board doesn’t meet in December, How does January 22nd, look?

–CLICK–

TIM
Hello? Hello? Are you still there?

END OF SCENE

New developers will come only if the TAM (Total Available Market) is large enough. Currently the TAM is limited to one MLS at a time. Until that changes the “kid in the garage” will be building the next set of innovative tools for another industry.

These MLS providers might be getting coal in their stockings….

RESO has published a list of the MLS providers who are not net RESO certified. The list includes about 50 MLS providers. Still doesn’t show those that are compliant but are still not giving proper access.

Results of RESO 2017 BOD elections

RESO Elects 2017 Officers New Board Directors, Strengthens Brokerage Involvement

“Newly elected Officers of the Executive Board include:
Art Carter, CEO, California Regional MLS or CRMLS, re-elected as Chair
Alon Chaver, CIO, HomeServices of America, Vice Chair
Richard Renton, CEO, Triad MLS, re-elected Treasurer
Cary Sylvester, VP of Industry Development, Keller Williams, Secretary
Newly appointed members to the RESO Board of Directors include:
David Gumpper, CTO, Michael Saunders & Company
Re-appointed
Glenn Shimkus, VP Product, DocuSign
Craig Cheatham, President and CEO, The Realty Alliance
Newly elected members to the RESO Board of Directors include:
Steve Byrd, CTO, Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc.
Chris Carrillo, CEO, Metro MLS
Tim Dain, MLS Director, Austin Central Texas Realty Information Services
Re-elected members to the RESO Board of Directors include:
Ethan Bailey, Senior Director of Software Engineering & Technology, CoreLogic
Mark Wise, VP Technology & Operations, Move”

I’m not sure Alon, Cary, or Craig really qualify as brokers but still a good start.

RESO Best In Show

HomeSpotter, Agent Inbox and TrustFunds Win Top Tech Honors at RESO Show N Tell

“More than 330 real estate technology and business leaders — a new conference attendance record for RESO, which develops, adopts and implements data standards and process for all real estate transactions — voted to select the winners of the 2016 RESO “Show N Tell.” Attendees represented the full spectrum of the real estate industry, including real estate brokerages, Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), and real estate technology providers.”

I’m a bit late on this (as usual) but I wanted to mention the vendors that won “Best At Show” at the last RESO Conference (which was great BTW, good for you Jeremy!). Top spot was taken by Aaron Kardell of Homespotter, and honorable mention given to Tyler Gordon and his app Agent Inbox and Lynn Leegard of TrustFunds. Congrats to all of them.

MLSListing implements first RESO Web API Certification in the U.S.

MLSListings Wins the Gold & Platinum, First RESO Web API Certification in the U.S.

“MLSListings, the premier multiple listing service for real estate professionals in Silicon Valley and the northern California region, is the first Multiple Listing Service in the nation to be RESO Web API Certified. Known for its forward-thinking approach to providing services to its more than 15,000 real estate professionals and their clients, MLSListings received its Certification from the Real Estate Industry Standards Organization, a nonprofit organization that creates data standards for the real estate industry.

“We are extremely proud of our RESO certifications. As we elevate data standardization, we also elevate the ability for brokers and agents to align with buyers and sellers. Data standardization is an important part of our platform to enable seamless real estate transactions, without technological or unnecessary business barriers,” said James Harrison, R.C.E. C.A.E., President and CEO of MLSListings Inc.”

This is cool. Any developers that want more information on the RESO Web API check out documentation here.

RESO makes membership fee changes

RESO Makes Certification a Member Benefit
Adjusts Dues to Make Membership Accessible to More MLSs, Real Estate Brokerages

“The RESO Board of Directors announced it has revised its 2017 membership dues to increase industry participation in standards development, and to ensure that adoption and certification of standards are accessible to all organizations. RESO Board also announced that effective immediately, Certification will be a membership benefit covered by the member’s annual dues, eliminating separate fees for Certification.
“By creating new membership tiers and slashing our annual dues for brokerages with fewer agents and MLSs with lower membership counts, we make RESO membership in 2017 more accessible for everyone in the real estate industry,” said Jeremy Crawford, executive director of RESO. “This ensures all market segments are affordably represented in the creation of industry standards, and greatly strengthens our ability to implement data standards, which directly improves the process of buying and selling homes for everyone,” he added.”

Certification fees go away for RESO members as they are now included in their RESO membership effective immediately – and beginning in January, hundreds of Brokerages nationwide can become RESO members for as little as $50 a year with the new 2017 membership dues just approved by the Board of Directors. Smart.

Sponsored By MLS Reset