Real AI: Florida, Headlines and The Beatles
Introducing Real AI – a human-curated weekly roundup of all things AI in real estate and emerging AI innovations in other sectors likely to impact real estate, posting a new edition every Friday.
Computer vision is revolutionizing MLSs: The appraisal industry is next
I spent a large part of my career in the mortgage business - long before computer vision was a thing. I was a VP at one of the largest nationwide retail lenders (Great Western), a Fannie Mae Director both in public affairs and later as head of the Seattle Partnership office, and finally, a mortgage loan officer for over eight years with the largest lenders (Countrywide, Wells Fargo and Chase) in the country at the time. These combined experiences give me a unique vantage point of looking at this industry from a 35,000 foot level and the surface as a [...]
Ben Caballero does it again: HomesUSA.com launches new listing technology for home builders
Ben Caballero is relentless when it comes to creating new technology and achieving major milestones. The founder and CEO of HomesUSA.com, Ben is currently the No. 1 ranked real estate agent by RealTrends and has been every year since 2013. He is clearly the world’s most productive agent. Ben is an exclusive listing agent for over 60 home builders. He invented the technology for builders that helped earn him three Guinness World Records for home sales and a slew of accolades, including “Most Innovative Agent” by Inman News and a Pinnacle Award for Entrepreneurship from Keller Williams, presented by Gary [...]
zavvie expands its Power Buying services to the mortgage industry
Here's the zavvie stat that tells you why agents will LOVE their LOs for putting together a cash offer for their buyers: mortgage-backed buyers had to make an average of 7 bids when buying a home, compared to just 1.1 offers when using cash.
Big conventions are back – believe it or not: A look at the Builders Show in Vegas
I had an immediate pandemic flashback as I looked around at the thousands of people that filled the Las Vegas Convention Center at this week's National Association of Home Builders annual International Builders Show. I remember asking colleagues on virtual conferences at the height of the pandemic if anyone thought we'd ever have major, mask-less conventions again. The consensus was “no way.” NAHB's International Builders Show or IBS is the nation's biggest real estate show by nearly every measure. Yes, way. In fact, it was rare to see many masks at the latest builder show. And I probably [...]
Renwick Congdon: A gentle giant passes
Renwick Congdon, founder of Imprev, which he sold to MoxiWorks and Vector Capital in November 2019, shockingly passed away a few days ago at just 60 years old. He was my mentor and forever changed my life. As I posted in a comment on Greg Robertson’s Vendor Alley, Renwick was a gentle giant of the business world, a proud leader in EO, and a serial entrepreneur. He was my mentor, and I was blessed to be a loyal Imprevian, having worked for and with Renwick at Imprev for several years. He was a true thought leader of our industry and [...]
New 2022 Realtor Tech Survey Reveals Advances, Shortcomings
Today the National Association of Realtors released its annual Technology survey of members, one of my favorite yearly research studies. With over 2,400 responses, it provides excellent insight into how tech innovations are impacting the real estate business now and in the future. Not many surprises, but this new research confirms the acceleration of tech adoption as one positive factor fueled by the pandemic. Here are some quick highlights: -eSigning rules: Looking back at the last 12 months, respondents ranked eSignatures as the most impactful tech tool (79%), with lockboxes (67%) and local MLS apps/technology (67%) tied for second place. [...]
A big jump up for hot PropTech startup zavvie
MoxiWorks is a real estate industry titan, serving 800 brokerages and their 400,000 agents, connected to over 500 MLSs and 150-plus tech partners. Today, zavvie announced integration with MoxiWorks, making its white label marketplace for brokerages and vastly expanding its ability to offer iBuyers and Power Buyers solutions with the addition of MoxiWorks powered brokerages. zavvie integrates with MoxiPresent, known as the easy-to-use, feature-stuffed, and ultra-versatile real estate presentation builder. MoxiPresent can now showcase instant iBuyer offers for sellers and information about Power Buyers, including “cash offers” and “buy before you sell” modern bridge solutions for buyers and current homeowners. [...]
And the winner is … Revive tops 12 hot startups in the “Pitch Battle” at NAR iOi Summit
The two-day National Association of Realtors fourth annual iOi Summit in Los Angeles hit its crescendo just minutes before it adjourned with the biggest announcement of the conference. Revive Real Estate, the fast-growing startup that’s blazing the presale renovation trail, was named the 2022 winner of the highly coveted “Pitch Battle.” It was a moment that embodied the conference acronym: innovation, opportunity and investment as Revive snagged the winner-take-all $15,000 prize and benefits that will help pole-vault it massive industry awareness. Revive’s four-minute pitch was handled deftly by its CEO and Co-Founder Michael Allawadi. Then Michael faced four more minutes [...]
Florida’s Largest Real Estate Event of the Year Set for Orlando Aug. 24-25
This year's annual Florida Realtors® Convention & Trade Expo takes place Aug. 24-25, 2022, at Rosen Shingle Creek resort in Orlando, Fla. Realtors from around the state will discuss crucial issues that shape their profession, selecting from nearly 40 education sessions. Topics run the gamut, from how to sell luxury homes, the post-pandemic future of global real estate, how traditional brokerages can increase their profit margin, how to create videos people will watch, and proven strategies for "irresistible" listing presentations. The convention and workshop schedule is here. According to the Florida Realtors, the top keynoter is entrepreneur, celebrity, and self-made billionaire Martha Stewart, [...]
NFTs in real estate: Temporary faze or an enduring fixture?
Is the crypto world and NFTs sunsetting? Or is what's happening simply a reset shaking out the con artists, scams, and the hyperbole that had run amok? If you ask Joe Jesuele, he will tell you it's the latter. And Joe knows crypto and NFTs. Joe is a real estate entrepreneur, a tech innovator, a passionate problem solver, and a remarkably humble leader. Yet, he's purposefully remained an under-the-radar type of guy – until recently. As the Founder & CEO of HomeJab, the leading on-demand professional real estate photography and video marketplace for real estate pros, Joe is one of [...]
NCRMLS continues to expand: Now covers more than half of North Carolina
North Carolina Regional MLS has created an impressive and unique alternative to the data share models promoted by other MLSs. Through NCRMLS’s wholesale cooperative model, they have proliferated in North Carolina and now reach into southern Virginia with their latest announcement. What’s the big buzz? Jody Wainio, the current President of NCRMLS, explains the significant advantage of their wholesale cooperative model is that it brings everyone under one set of rules. It also ensures data integrity and fosters broker cooperation. But, most importantly, it eliminates duplicate MLS memberships and the accompanying fees. The data share models, Jody says, “can have [...]