Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

NAR slashes staff in “Organizational Revamp”

National Association of Realtors® Announces Staffing Changes as Part of Organizational Revamp

“NAR is also reducing expenses in some areas and reallocating budget dollars toward its Advocacy, Research, Data and Education functions that will provide members access to more useful and critical resources. This step in the organizational reshaping includes a staffing makeover that will impact 41 positions and eliminate 20 open roles that were redundant or that could be integrated elsewhere in the organization, for a total of 61 positions affected. The impacted departments include Creative and Content Strategy, Digital Strategy, Public Relations and Communications, Meetings and Events, Member Development, Human Resources, Member Engagement, Member Experience, Research, Finance and IT. “

Let Nykia cook.

RUMOR ALERT: Over 60 NAR staff members have been laid off

Can anyone confirm?

Industry Relations Podcast LIVE! Tomorrow (March 28th at 10AM PT) CCPalooza!

Join Us Live tomorrow at 10AM PT!

Here’s the link => https://www.youtube.com/@IndustryRelationsPodcast

AI set to help MLS and Associations to better support their members

After this week announcement from NAR and CCP and all the articles written and podcasts..casting I think I’m more confused than ever. I’m wondering if AI could help? Could I feed those articles and podcast transcripts in to AI and ask it,

“Who are the winners and losers in this latest announcement from NAR about CCP?”

I’m pretty sure even ChatGPT would break down if I asked it that question.

But I’m seeing a few ways AI is helping MLS and Associations. Markt just announced a partnership, Markt Taps Voiceflip’s ARDI to Advance MLS Support Services, according to the blog post,

“By integrating ARDI into its service offerings, Markt is empowering their MLS clients to boost service speed, reduce operational costs, and offer higher value human interactions.”

Markt’s General Manager Betsy Hanson goes on to say;

“ARDI will give MLS subscribers quick and accurate answers, freeing our staff for bigger challenges and puzzles.”

I think that’s exactly right. It reminds me of a conversation I had with Justin Lundy, of Lundy, when I talked to him about their AI MLS and Association support product, Navigator. he told me that, “while some members do prefer to talk to a robot, most would rather speak to a human. Lundy’s Navigator is helping those humans surface the answer quickly so they can focus on being there for the member instead of searching through a number of documents.”

Lundy’s Navigator now has close to nine MLS clients. I’ve also heard they are announcing a partnership with CMLS, where they have built a “Best Practices Navigator”. CMLS supports over 225 MLS organizations so that will be a huge benefit CMLS members can take advantage of.

Good to have some choices.

Industry Relations podcast: Has the fat lady sung on CCP?

**This podcast was recorded the Friday BEFORE the announcement from NAR on CCP**

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg dissect the latest drama surrounding NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), the DOJ’s stance on MLS rules, and the future of PropTech in a shifting real estate landscape. They analyze how recent DOJ statements are being interpreted (or misinterpreted), debate whether the MLS still holds power over large brokerages, and discuss the potential consequences of a fragmented listing system.

Key Takeaways

• DOJ’s Footnote Controversy: Did the DOJ “call out” misleading claims about CCP, or is the industry reading too much into a footnote?

• The Power Struggle Over MLS Data: Rob argues large brokerages are taking control over listing distribution, while Greg questions whether MLSs still provide enough value to keep them in check.

• The PropTech Dilemma: What happens to tools like CMAs, reverse prospecting, and analytics when listings become fragmented across private networks?

• Compass’s Playbook: Is Compass leading the charge toward a new listing system, or just using exclusive listings as a leverage play?

• Enforcement vs. Policy: Greg insists MLS rules work because agents police each other, while Rob questions whether large firms can simply ignore the rules with no real consequences.


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Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

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NAR iterates on CCP

NAR Introduces New Flexibility for Sellers While Retaining Clear Cooperation Policy

“The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers policy statement was developed following many months of analysis and consultation with MLS and association leaders; brokerages of all sizes; agents; multicultural organizations; and fair housing, policy, technology and legal experts. It introduces a category of exempt listings called “delayed marketing exempt listings.”

The new policy goes into effect immediately, but MLSs have until Sept. 30 to implement the change.”

I’ve often said I look at many things through the lens of a software developer. In software, the best approach is to release your product, gather feedback, iterate, and repeat. The current CCP has been around since 2019—this iteration is long overdue.

I still stand by my belief that these exclusive listing strategies are bad for consumers. The latest study by ZillowPrivately Listed Homes Disproportionately Harm Sellers of Color, is pretty eye-opening. In that report, Zillow states:

“Home sellers who did not list their properties on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) — a database that allows listings to be openly marketed to all home buyers and agents — lost out on more than $1 billion collectively over the past two years. The harm to home sellers is greater in communities of color. “

Yikes.

Mr. Reffkin and others who proclaim “sellers’ rights” remind me of agents who have only ever worked in a seller’s market. They’ve never seen a buyer’s market. The GFC and the pandemic may have lengthened this cycle, but those of us who’ve been around a while know—the worm is gonna turn. And when it does, they’ll all come running home to mama.

RentSpree [Sponsor]

My thanks again to RentSpree for sponsoring this month’s Vendor Alley. RentSpree is celebrating their 9th year anniversary. Super impressive. Check out their MLS partnership program here. To learn more how RentSpree can fit in your business just ask Lauren! 

My thanks again to RentSpree.

CoreLogic renames itself to Cotality

Meet Cotality™: CoreLogic Embraces a New Name and Bold Vision for the Future of the Property Industry

“The new name, Cotality, reflects the company’s deep commitment to collaboration and connectivity, both internally and externally, while honoring its CoreLogic roots. It also signifies its approach of totality, delivering comprehensive data and insights across the entire property ecosystem and beyond. Tying it all together is the company’s spirit of vitality – placing the idea that helping people thrive is at the center of every insight and workflow.”

Rebranding is hard.

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The ruins of Remine

Mega MLSs are attempting to sell Remine — either whole or in parts

“The MLSs collectively paid $53.5 million to buy Remine. Remine is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MLS Technology Intermediate Holdings, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MLSTH.

According to legal filings, on February 19, MLSTH hired Rock Creek Ventures, a financial advisory firm that specializes in business restructuring, to run an eight-week sale process for Vienna,Virginia-based Remine under a proceeding known as an assignment for the benefit of the creditors or ABC.

According to the American Bar Association, an ABC “is a business liquidation device available to an insolvent debtor as an alternative to formal bankruptcy proceedings”

Embarrassing. And it couldn’t come at a worse time.

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