Listing Bit‪s‬ Greg Robertson

At present, MLS data access is unnecessarily complex. And brokers are calling for a more efficient system with a single set of rules around how the data can be used. In response, the CMLS Data Access Concepts Workgroup drafted the Listing Exchange and Access Policy or LEAP. But does the new policy really solve these problems? Could it be improved in a way that recognizes the changing landscape of the real estate industry?
 
Sam DeBord is the CEO of the Real Estate Standards Organization, the trade group responsible for developing standards for the industry, and he writes for publications including REALTOR Magazine and Inman News. Michael Wurzer is the CEO of FBS, the leading innovator of MLS technology and one of the most respected real estate software brands, and he covers industry issues on the FBS Company Blog. Both Sam and Michael are active participants in the LEAP debate on Twitter and have written long-form posts on the topic.
 
On this episode of Listing Bits, Sam shares the goals of the proposed Listing Exchange and Access Policy, describing how it seeks to simplify the rules and make access to MLS data more efficient. Michael discusses his concerns around the draft policy, explaining why licensing should be a part of LEAP and what a usage-based pricing model might look like. Listen in for Sam’s speed limit versus toll road analogy for the issues at play and hear both sides of the debate on whether LEAP solves the fundamental problems brokers face in using MLS data.
 
What’s Discussed:  
 
LEAP’s goal to simplify the rules and make access to MLS data more efficient
Why Michael sees a problem with how LEAP treats IDX, VOW and Back Office the same
Michael’s argument that the value of aggregated MLS data as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts
Why Michael believes that licensing and pricing should be a part of LEAP
How the definition of a Participant is evolving and why Michael thinks LEAP should address the shift
Sam’s concerns around using policy to penalize companies who are using data well
Sam’s speed limit vs. toll road analogy for the issues at play in LEAP
Michael’s point that portals would be worth dramatically less without MLS data
The potential to charge licensing fees for MLS data based on usage (with free low-usage plans available)
Sam’s view that MLSs should make local decisions about pricing rather than NAR policy
 
Connect with Sam:
 
Real Estate Standards Organization
Sam’s Website
Sam on Twitter
 
Connect with Michael:
 
Michael’s Blog on FBS
Michael on Twitter
 
Resources:
 
Michael’s First LEAP Post: Look Before You LEAP
Michael’s Second LEAP Post: MLS Content Is Uniquely Valuable, License It Accordingly
Michael’s Third LEAP Post: A Picture Is Worth More Than…
Sam’s Post: LEAP Forward -- Six Questions to Answer on Broker’s MLS Data
Rob Hahn’s Blog on LEAP
Vendor Alley
LeadingRE
The Realty Alliance
CMLS
Draft of the Listing Exchange and Access Policy (LEAP)
Victor Lund on Twitter
FloPlan by FBS
 
Our Sponsor:
 
Cloud CMA for Brokers

Policy may not be sexy, but without standards around how we format real estate data and build technology systems, we simply can’t share data or integrate the tools we need to do our jobs well.
Sam DeBord serves as CEO of the Real Estate Standards Organization, the trade group responsible for developing the open standards that drive efficiency and streamline technology for the industry. His resume includes a wide range of leadership positions in the real estate space, including President’s Liaison for MLS and Data Management at NAR and VP of Government Affairs with Washington Realtors. Sam is also the VP of Strategic Growth for Coldwell Banker Danforth in Seattle and writes for REALTOR Magazine, Inman News and the Swanepoel Trends Report.
 
On this episode of Listing Bits, Sam describes RESO’s role in the real estate industry, explaining how the standards set by his organization provide certainty for developers and support data shares and tech integrations. He shares the progress RESO has made in the last year, discussing what they have done to streamline compliance certifications and initiate the proposed Listing Exchange Access Policy. Listen in for Sam’s insight on the constraints of the current market (and the new tech that’s emerged as a result) and find out how he thinks about the kerfuffle surrounding the most recent mergers and acquisitions in the real estate space.
What’s Discussed:  
What RESO does to create efficiencies and streamline tech for the real estate industry
RESO’s evolution to an independent trade organization and how it relies on thousands of volunteer SMEs to build its Workgroups
RESO’s recent work to streamline its compliance certifications and create a new development guide for vendors
How RESO standards provide certainty for developers and support data shares and integrations
Why Sam is a proponent of creating a single policy for how data is used and displayed (and how that would help brokers)
RESO’s work with the broker community and CMLS to draft the proposed Listing Exchange Access Policy
The progress RESO has made in just the last year to align industry trade organizations, brokers and MLSs around common goals
How RESO standards helped facilitate the NorCal MLS Alliance
Sam’s take on how the artificial constraints of the current market impact agents and the tech facilitating the trend to buy homes sight unseen
How Sam thinks about the most recent mergers and acquisitions in the real estate space
Why proptech companies need to recognize our cultural preference to work with an agent
The potential problems associated with a broker-member of an MLS being paid by that MLS for a technology service
Connect with Sam:
Real Estate Standards Organization
Email sam[at]reso[dot]org
Sam on Twitter
 
Resources:
 
RESO Workgroups
RESO Web API Tools & Software
RESO’s Broker Advisory Workgroup
RESO Certification
2020 RESO Certification Updates
Andy Woolley
CMLS
NAR
NAR’s MLS Technology & Emerging Issues Advisory Board
Summary of NAR’s 2021 MLS Policy Changes
CMLS’s Participant Data Access Policy
LeadingRE
The Realty Alliance
CMLS’s CCP Implementation Guide
RESO Compliance Guide
NorCal MLS Alliance
Zillow Economist Jeff Tucker on Industry Relations EP059
CoStar
Zillow’s Acquisition of ShowingTime
Greg on Twitter
RESO’s Unique Organizational Identifier (UOI)
Victor Lund at WAV Group
RESO Remix
RESO’s 2021 Fall Conference
Our Sponsor:
Cloud CMA

Video marketing is a powerful way for agents, brokers and real estate companies to reach consumers. But how do we get the most mileage out of our videos? How do we maximize the marketing value of the content we create?
 
Christian Sterner is the Cofounder and CEO of WellcomeMat, the premier platform for managing your real estate video. Christian’s team facilitates successful video marketing campaigns for agents, brokers and companies who are committed to video as a long-term marketing strategy, helping clients leverage video content to generate traffic and engagement on their domain. Christian has been playing in the technology and marketing space since 2000, and he has led WellcomeMat since its inception in 2006.
 
On this episode of Listing Bits, Christian explains how WellcomeMat maximizes reach for every video in a user’s library and helps them make educated decisions about what videos to create. He offers insight around what kind of content really moves the needle for real estate professionals, sharing his take on the pros and cons of producing humorous or provocative video content. Listen in to understand how WellcomeMat is working to facilitate visual search for the real estate industry and learn how drone automation can be used to create killer listing videos and accelerate the adoption of video marketing among brokers and agents.
 
What’s Discussed:  
 
WellcomeMat’s mission to make video the most valuable thing agents and brokers can do to market themselves and their properties
What makes WellcomeMat the best way to maximize reach for every video in your library
How WellcomeMat accepts content from any service (and allows users to switch providers at will)
What WellcomeMat does to help users make educated decisions about what videos to create
How WellcomeMat increases site visits by an order of magnitude over using YouTube alone
Why listing videos are best for pushing top line revenue
The value in producing evergreen content like neighborhood tours, agent profiles, etc.
WellcomeMat’s referral database of 5,000 video production companies
Christian’s take on producing provocative and/or humorous video content
The MLS rules around branded and unbranded content + how WellcomeMat offers tools to remove branding for MLS compliance
WellcomeMat’s work to facilitate visual search for the real estate industry
How drone automation facilitates the production of quality video at scale for the real estate space
 
Connect with Christian:
 
WellcomeMat
Christian on Twitter
christian [at] wellcomemat [dot] com
 
Resources:
 
RE/MAX
Trulia
8z
Booj
CBRE
Revaluate
Homebot
ZAVI Homes
TED
For Sale by Owner
LeadingRE
Luxury Portfolio
Halstead
Semonin Realtors
Wistia
Tim Smith Group on YouTube
Smith Group’s ‘Teach Me How to Duffy’ Marketing Video
Gracenote
Shazam
Cole’s Drone Video
Amazon’s Ring Always Home Cam
Skydio
eWebinar

What can technology vendors do to better connect with the agents and brokers we hope to serve? And what can we learn from the perspective of a computer engineer turned REALTOR about how to approach real estate professionals and what kind of tech solutions they need?
Georgia Purpura is Managing Broker at Urban Nest Realty, a mid-size independent brokerage out of Las Vegas, Nevada, where she specializes in helping agents grow their business. She is also very involved in the local association, most recently serving as Chair of the MLS. Georgia has been a licensed agent for 12 years, acting as broker for Keller-Williams Southwest before joining Urban Nest in 2018. Prior to real estate, she earned her degree in business and information technology and spent eight years working as a computer engineer.
On this episode of Listing Bits, Georgia discusses how her background in IT has served her well in real estate, explaining how she evaluates technology solutions and what vendors can do to market their software more effectively. She offers advice for vendors and brokers on creating a business model that mitigates agent churn, challenging us to focus on producers rather than subscribers—casting a deeper net as opposed to a wider one. Listen in for Georgia’s insight on how modern agents learn about technology tools (and how that’s evolved over the years) and get her take on the top technology needs in the real estate space. 
What’s Discussed:  
Georgia’s background in computer engineering and how that tech experience has served her well in real estate
How Georgia learned about tech tools early in her career from sales meetings and through the local association
How modern agents learn about tech tools through word-of-mouth on social media
Georgia’s advice for vendors around marketing to top producers who can create influence for you
Why vendors should lead with the problem they’re solving for in pitching agents and brokers
How Georgia evaluates tech based on its potential to shorten the sales cycle and save time or money
Georgia’s criticism of how brokers have gone about increasing profitability by having the biggest army (rather than the best)
How real estate brokerages and software vendors can build a business model that mitigates agent churn
The top technology needs Georgia sees in the real estate space
--Integration among tech solutions (strategic alliances)
--Agent retention and engagement tool for brokers
 
Connect with Georgia:
 
Urban Nest Realty 
Resources:
David J. Tina
Top Producer
Inman News
Realtor.com
Realtor Magazine
Vendor Alley
Rob Hahn
Joe Versus the Volcano
 
Our Sponsor: 
 
Cloud CMA

Owning a second home can be an enriching experience, allowing us to make priceless memories with friends and family. But many can’t afford to buy a vacation home, nor does it make much sense to leave a house sitting empty for ten-plus months, even if you can afford it. So, what if you could buy a share of a second home and enjoy true ownership for a fraction of the cost and hassle?
 
***MAKE SURE YOU CONSULT WITH A CPA.  THIS PODCAST AND ITS CONTENT ARE NOT INTENDED TO GIVE TAX/INVESTMENT ADVICE ON LOSS/GAIN OF PASSIVE INCOME*****
 
Austin Allison is the Cofounder and CEO of Pacaso, a startup designed to make the dream of second homeownership a reality for more people. The platform allows up to eight people to buy a share of a vacation home for much less—in a way that is seamless, hassle-free, and without risk. Austin’s first venture was Dotloop, the real estate transaction management solution he built in 2008 and sold to Zillow in 2015.
 
On this episode of Listing Bits, Austin introduces us to the benefits of co-owning a second home through Pacaso over the DIY model, explaining what differentiates a Pacaso from a resort or hotel timeshare. He describes how the platform’s scheduling feature works and why it can actually be better to own a property with people you don’t know versus friends and family. Listen in for Austin’s insight on how his company makes money and learn how you might use Pacaso as a second home buyer, seller or real estate agent.
 
What’s Discussed: 
 
How Austin’s frustration with creating and signing documents as an agent inspired the creation of Dotloop
How Pacaso’s mission around second home ownership inspired the company name
The broad range of people Pacaso serves and the potential market for second homes in the US and Europe
What differentiates a Pacaso from a resort or hotel timeshare
--True ownership vs. rights to use
--Single-family home
--Easy to resell
Why Pacaso prohibits short-term rental activity in its properties
How Pacaso’s scheduling feature allows users to reserve dates in a way that corresponds with their ownership level
How Pacaso makes money through a markup on the real estate and asset management fees
What happens if a Pacaso home increases in value
The benefits of owning a home with people you don’t know through Pacaso over the DIY model
The potential tax benefits of owning a second home with Pacaso
How the Pacaso process works for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents
Connect with Austin: 
Pacaso
Austin on LinkedIn
 
Resources:
Dotloop
California Association of Realtors’ Partnership with zipLogix
The a16z Podcast
The a16z Podcast on Joint Home Ownership
Sponsor:
Cloud CMA

It’s easier to gain a seller’s trust when you have the data to back you up. But where can agents and brokers go for real-time buyer data? And how do we turn those numbers into actionable insights to earn new business?
Ashley Terrell is the Executive Vice President of Partnerships at Buyside, a real estate tech platform that helps real estate professionals leverage intelligent buyer data to capture seller leads, win more listings and close more transaction sides in-house. Prior to joining Buyside, Ashley served as the Director of Account Management and Director of Strategic Growth at Constellation Software and the Director of Account Management and Product Marketing at Real Estate Digital.
On this episode of Listing Bits, Ashley explains how Buyside partners with other vendors to procure data and provide its users with seamless product integration. She offers insight around the current buyer landscape, sharing her take on why there’s such a boom in real estate right now. Listen in for Ashley’s insight on the resources available to help agents use the Buyside tools and learn how to leverage buyer data to win your next listing presentation.
 
What’s Discussed: 
Ashley’s background in tech and how she was introduced to the real estate tech space
How Buyside serves as a seller lead gen tool and helps agents win listing presentations
How Buyside procures data from vendors like Zillow, ShowingTime, etc.
Buyside’s focus on seamless product integration to create the best possible user experience
Ashley’s insight around the current buyer landscape in real estate
Ashley’s take on why there’s such a boom in real estate right now
How agents and brokers can leverage buyer data in a listing presentation
--Help seller price home
--Marketing strategy
--Pool of buyers
How Buyside serves large brokerages vs. small brokerages and large teams
The value proposition for Buyside in a buyer’s market
Ashley’s commitment to building out resources that help agents use the Buyside tools
 
Connect with Ashley:
Buyside
Ashley on LinkedIn
Resources:
Market Leader
Sharper Agent
Real Living
John Hensley
John Heithaus on Listing Bits EP061
Charles Williams
ShowingTime
RealScout
Cloud CMA
Inman News
‘Existing Home Sales Skyrocket Amid Pandemic, Inventory Down’ in Inman News
ShowingTime’s June 2020 Showing Index Results
Buyside Help Center
 
Sponsor:
Cloud CMA