Where Real Estate Gets Its Dirt

Industry Relations Podcast: CoStar’s Recent Earnings and Transformational Deals

It’s the rise of CoStar! From commercial to residential real estate, shocking Q3 earnings, and antitrust lawsuits, CoStar could be making some transformational deals in the near future that may have a serious impact on the marketplace. In this episode, Rob and Greg discuss Andy Florance’s motivation going into Q4 and what potential deals are on the table for CoStar.

Watch us on YouTube! Don’t forget to subscribe and smash that like button!

Connect with Rob and Greg: 

Rob’s Website

Greg’s Website

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: Miami announcement 

This podcast is produced by Two Brothers Creative

Catching up 🤧

Been busy and also a bit under the weather so my blog posting has been minimal. But today marks the third day of not taking any drugs to treat my symptoms so I’m turning the corner! So look for some posts which may seem like old news to you but stories I think are important or interesting.

First things first if you haven’t checked out the Industry Relations Podcast we had two great episodes!

CAR members get free access to Rental Beast

CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS U.S.’s First and Largest State-Wide Rental Listing Service

“With the goal of providing California renters and C.A.R. members with the most transparent and comprehensive view of California’s rental market, the Rental Listing Service launches with nearly 500,000 rentals throughout San Diego, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, Sacramento, and the Bay Area, and will expand to include fulfillment-grade rental data listings spanning the entire state.”

I missed this early this month but thought it was big news. Nice win for Rental Beast and CAR members.

Happy Halloween

Boo!

Looking for a new gig?

Program Coordinator – CMLS

“The person we select will have strong organizational and project management skills, have great attention to detail and experience within the MLS industry. We are seeking a Program Coordinator who is a self-starter, a team player and a collaborator who works with the Director of Programs, the CMLS team and our members to establish the best-in-class programs and resources the industry has to offer!”

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

A new entry

RentSpree partners with SentriLock

RentSpree Partners with Industry Leader SentriLock to Add Tech Capabilities for Rental Agents

“Integrating RentSpree’s online standard rental application and screening platform with SentriLock’s property access management functionality enables both companies to marry important elements in the often fragmented leasing process and helps to empower and support agents as a result.

We are very deliberate in the partnerships we form, aligning ourselves with best-in-class organizations that can truly help add value to the services we provide to our rental customers,” said Lauren Martin, RentSpree Sales Director. “SentriLock is the top player in the space they serve, and our partnership will deliver to anyone in the rental process a much more seamless experience. We are truly excited about this collaboration.”

Make sense. Love the focus of the team at RentSpree. It’s not easy to maintain but they have it.

Redfin partners with Down Payment Resource

Redfin Launches Down Payment Assistance Feature to Help Make Homeownership More Attainable

“Nearly half of Americans who have never owned a home say that saving money for a down payment is a barrier to homeownership, and many young people in particular feel like they’ll never be able to own a home,” said Christian Taubman, Redfin’s chief growth officer. “Down payment assistance programs can make homeownership more attainable, but information about them is often fragmented and hard to understand. We saw a big opportunity in partnering with Down Payment Resource to raise awareness about these programs to help more people become homeowners.”

Love this! Congrats Rob.

Looking for a new gig?

MLS Compliance Coordinator/Trainer – Baldwin REALTORS(R)

“Baldwin REALTORS®, located on the beautiful Gulf Coast of Alabama is looking for a full-time MLS Compliance Director/Trainer. This position serves as the first contact for the Baldwin MLS for support assisting with day-to-day issues, input, and maintenance of MLS data, assessing and processing fines to members and management of MLS compliance matters and procedures. Develops and instructs MLS technology educational classes including new member training and CE offerings. Works closely with the MLS Executive Officer to ensure MLS software is up to date and in compliance with the National Association of REALTORS®. Staff liaison to the MLS Committee, Property Management Committee, and Forms Committee for purposes of minutes, preparation, and input to scheduled meetings.”

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

What Zillow got right and wrong about the launch of ShowingTime+

From Inman News: Real estate agents weigh in on Zillow’s ShowingTime+ debut

“The brand, dubbed ShowingTime+, is the latest development in Zillow’s ongoing attempts to build a “housing super app.” As it’s name implies, the brand includes popular showing management platform ShowingTime, as well as other offerings such as dotloop and Bridge Interactive. When the company announced the move Monday, it framed ShowingTime+ as an effort to win over agents.

But in the days following the announcement, the response from industry professionals has been mixed at best.”

I’m not sure this “mixed at best” statement is that fair. I mean, how many agents did they really talk to? But I do have some thoughts about what I think Zillow got right and wrong with the launch.

What they got right.

I think it’s super smart to put the teams together. ShowingTime, dotLoop and Bridge Interactive have a ton of smart people so getting them to work together as one makes a ton of sense. I think this move alone was worth the effort.

What they got wrong.

First, I think there was a missed opportunity in the naming. Never mind the lazy addition of a “+” to the end of ShowingTime, which I’ve already joked about. It’s been a minute since the acquisition of ShowingTime and things seem to have settled. But leading with the name “ShowingTime” has seemed to have caused agents to bring out the pitchforks again. Don’t get me wrong, I think ShowingTime is a great company and service, but it now has…baggage. I have to think either renaming ShowingTime or at least giving the umbrella brand (bundle?) a new name with ShowingTime underneath might have been a better option.

The final thing is a head-scratcher for me. Leadership. Why isn’t Errol Samuelson leading this effort? I don’t know Jun Choo. He seemed to have impressed Zillow’s leadership and has some OG creds, all the way back to HouseValues.com. Maybe Errol didn’t want it? But all these products touch MLS in some shape or form and I’ve always thought of Errol as one of the best product guys in the industry. That’s who I would want as my quarterback.

Sponsored By MLS Reset