Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

The 2023 Swanepoel Power 200

Let’s face it, we all love lists. “What’s your top 5 albums?”, “Rank the 10 greatest basketball players”, etc. ,etc. ,etc.

Well the SP200 is out today and some big changes with Gino Blefari, President and CEO of HomeServices of America, taking the top spot from Gary Keller. Some are calling this controversial. I think Rich Barton and Andy Florance should have ranked higher but nobody asked me. Sue Yannaccone, newly minted CEO and President, Anywhere Brands is the top female executive at #6, I’m a big fan of hers so that was good to see.

But on to what I’m really interested in, how did our peeps in organized real estate do? I count about 19 MLS execs on the list. I think that is 4 more than last year. At the top of this is the Mt. Rushmore of MLS Execs (since they appeared that way on the list). Art Carter, CEO of CRMLS, Brian Donnellan, CEO of Bright MLS and Bob Hale, CEO of HAR.

Art is off to a running start in 2023 with the addition of SRAR, bringing CRMLS’ member count north of 110,000.

Teresa King Kinney of Miami AOR at # 65, Jon DiMichele of TREBB at #74, and it wouldn’t be a Top200 list without Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS #84, Rebecca Jensen, CEO of MRED at # 93, deal maker extraordinaire, Jeremy Crawford of FMLS continues his rise to #102 this year.

Matt Consalvo #110, CEO of ARMLS and Dionna Hall #115, CEO of Beaches MLS both jumped ten spots from last year. Emily Chenevert, CEO of Austin Board of REALTORS leaped 13 spots up from last year to #142


Tom Hurdelbrink, CEO of NWMLS made a huge leap up 15 spots from last year to #155, although with the leadership NWMLS has done this past year regarding transparency I would have loved to see him higher on the list.


Brad Bjelke CEO of UtahRealEstate.com catapulted up 19 spots from last year to #159, and great to see Gene Millman, CEO of REColorado.com land at #167 on the list and Rick Trevino, CEO of MetroList Services debuts on the list at #174 (Go Rick!)


Also cool to see Stuart White, CEO of Realtracs at #176 and it looks like this year AnneMarie DeCatsye, CEO of Canopy MLS went from #192 to #181. Plus “don’t call it a comeback” Tim Dain was listed at #188 and the spectacular Shelley Specchio came in at #194.

***Please forgive me if I missed someone. Just DM me and I’ll make the correction.***

And it is always great to see Sam DeBord #144, CEO of RESO and Denee Evans #178, CEO of CMLS be recognized for all the great work they do for the industry. I would also add the prophet himself, Mike Wurzer, CEO of FBS to that category.

I’m also contractually obligated (just kidding!) to mention that Lone Wolf CEO, Jimmy Kelly lept 6 spots to #52 on the list. How could you not love a CEO name Jimmy!?

And I did want to make a special call out to a special person on the “SP200 Watchlist“, Caitlin McCrory, VP of Industry Relations, Anywhere Real Estate.

I’ve been following Caitlin’s career for a while now and she has a passion for the industry that is infectious, it’s just all kinds of wonderful to see her recognized.

Cubicasa and Georgia MLS announce partnership

CubiCasa and Georgia MLS announce floor plan partnership

Georgia MLS joined CubiCasa’s MLS partnership program, which the software company launched in December 2022. CubiCasa’s first contract was with PrimeMLS which operates in New England.

The program allows MLSs to access CubiCasa’s free floor plans. In addition to this, MLS members will receive discounts on optional add-on features like Fixed Furniture details, Digital GLA or expedited deliveries, digitized property information and a directory of real estate photographers, through the partnership.

Who wouldn’t want all listings to have floorplans attached? It makes so much sense. Let’s make this happen people!

REdistribute

My thanks to REdistribute for sponsoring this month at Vendor Alley. REdistribute is a collaborative venture with MLS organization with the aim of simplifying licensing and ensuring brokers are compensated at fair market value, REdistribute collects listing data, distributes it to those who license it, and returns revenue to participating brokers.

Gene Milman from REColorado.com and Amy Gorce from PRESTA Consulting will be featured on the CMLS’ MLS Matters Webinar on January 19th if you want to learn more click the link below.

Link => CMLS’s MLS Matters – What’s New January 19th

Looking for a new gig?

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 this job or post a job, please visit the Vendor Alley Job Board.

The more you know…

Not sure why I found this so amusing. I can think of a few companies I would like to try this on.

Renwick Congdon RIP

Renwick Cogdon

It must have been the mid to late 90s, so pre-internet.  We were either exhibiting at a CAR trade show or maybe NAR Annual was in Anaheim that year.  IRIS was still a relatively new company and we had launched our Lightning product, which gave real estate agents a quick way to log in to different MLS systems (Moore Data and PRC).  In the booth next to us was a guy, who was solo at the time, selling software to create flyers and other marketing materials (Flyerware I think it was called) for agents, and it was Mac only.  His name was Renwick Congdon.

Typically when you are standing in a booth all day you strike up a conversation with the company next to you.  Maybe watch the booth while the other guy goes on a bathroom break.  I could tell Renwick was a smart guy, and like us he was a bootstrapper.  We started a friendship that would last over 25 years.

We would see each other at shows, check up on how our businesses were doing, grab dinner sometimes, share insights, and he talked about his family and that one of his daughters getting married.  He was very proud of his family.

I think he was one of my first interviews on my Listing Bits podcast.  We even flirted at joining forces back in 2015.  Kind of a “roll-up” strategy that never happens.  He didn’t need us.  With Imprev he created a monster of a business, I think he had all major franchisors on his platform.  He absolutely crushed it.  In late 2019 he sold his business to MoxiWorks.  I remember Dan and me talking about how great it was that “one of the good guys” got paid.  We called and congratulated him on his success.

When Covid hit, he reached out to Dan and me to check in and ask how we were doing.  He called to congratulate us in 2020 when Dan and I sold the business.

Renwick passed away last week.  I don’t know the details. But, I do know this, Renwick was a true innovator and his persistence should be an example to us all. 

My sincere condolences to his family.  He was truly, “one of the good guys”. Damn.

Thank You

Dear Readers,

I just wanted to send a quick thank you to all of you. I appreciate the comments and the interaction I have with everyone on this blog. Still hard to believe I’ve been writing here for over 15 years.

This past year the Industry Relations podcast I do with The Notorious ROB (Rob Hahn) has really taken off. I think a big factor in its success is Rob and my commitment to recording weekly.

I wish I could say the same for my blogging schedule, this year I’ve been especially lax. So, I making a new commitment to posting on Vendor Alley on all business days. This means I might expand my writing to cover topics I normally haven’t written about. But I hope to keep it entertaining.

I’m also changing the way companies can sponsor Vendor Alley, read about it here. Please reach out.

From all accounts, 2023 will be a challenging year for real estate. I want everyone to know that if there is anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We can do this.

Happy New Year,

Greg

Industry Relations Podcast:  Wrapping Up and Reviewing 2022

What were some major events in the real estate industry in 2022? Want to know which event Rob and Greg betting a steak dinner on? Or why Rob believes MLS needs to approach a prepper mindset? In this episode, Rob and Greg follow up on last week’s episode and go further into the weeds about what happened in 2022. Join us as we wrap up and do a full review of 2022.

Watch us on YouTube!

Thank you to our sponsor: RentSpree

Visit https://www.rentspree.com/ for more information!

Read more about RentSpree’s expansion in the rental market here: https://www.rentspree.com/insights/the-untapped-money-potential-of-the-rental-market

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative 2022

List of 2023 Real Estate Events

A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF 2023 REAL ESTATE EVENTS

“We intend to make this list as comprehensive and up to date as possible over the course of the year. Email daniel@inman.com with events for consideration or with changes to events already on the calendar. Please include the name of the event, the date and a website as we update the post periodically.”

I’ve tried and failed at putting together a list like this hopefully Daniel and Inman News does a better job. I’m going to be optimistic and bookmark this in my browser. Thanks Inman News!

UPDATE: WAV GROUP also has an excellent resource => Real Estate Events and Happenings

Industry Relations Podcast: Real Estate 2022 Highlights and 2023 Predictions

What was the most important thing and had the biggest impact in the world of real estate in 2022? Was it the Northwest MLS’s rules and forms update or the lackluster year for home sales? Rob and Greg are joined by two very special guests, Greg Fischer and Joe Rand. They share their top highlights of the year and for the first time on Industry Relations; stare into the crystal ball and make some bold 2023 real estate predictions.

Watch us on You Tube!

Thank you to our sponsor: RentSpree

Visit https://www.rentspree.com/ for more information!

Read more about RentSpree’s expansion in the rental market here: https://www.rentspree.com/insights/the-untapped-money-potential-of-the-rental-market

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative

Sponsored By MLS Reset