Backed by Google, Zillow Set to Become Online Brokerage

Real Estate is not just an online thing. It’s a global thing. People buy houses all around the globe, and in many nations – the notion of online real estate is hot.  In the small nation of England, companies valued at £312m, or £40m Housesimple along with easyProperty and eMoov are all trying to make a go of it with significant venture backing. Online real estate is ripe for the taking. Zillow Group will not need to go out for additional funding to pivot to online real estate.  The company is valued at over $5B and is operating at a run [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:13-07:00June 14th, 2016|Broker Technology Research, Broker-Agent Information|Comments Off on Backed by Google, Zillow Set to Become Online Brokerage

How MLSs Stand To Benefit From Upstream

The pessimist MLSs among you will look upon the title of this article with raised hairs. The lens that we have adopted here is for a single focus. Namely, to search for specific context within the databases of Upstream that may be of value to MLSs. Remember, Upstream does more than manage listings, but it does  start with the MLS destination in mind. The MLS does not need to change their business rules, or modify their data schema. They need only disclose to their brokers what their rules and schema are and accept a broker load as is common among nearly [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:13-07:00June 14th, 2016|Broker Technology Research, Broker-Agent Information, MLS Insights|Comments Off on How MLSs Stand To Benefit From Upstream

Mary Meeker’s 2016 Internet Trends: 3 Takeaways for Real Estate

One of my favorite research rituals is the annual release by Mary Meeker of her Internet Trends Report, the latest of which was issued on June 1. Meeker was catapulted into the financing world spotlight as the lead manager at Morgan Stanley for Netscape’s IPO in 1995. Later that year, she and Chris DePuy at Morgan published The Internet Trends, and it quickly became the definitive digest of the current state of the Internet, as well as discerning big-picture trends. Meeker would go on to serve as a research analyst for another notable Morgan Stanley IPO in 2004: Google. Today, [...]

By |2020-07-10T12:05:21-07:00June 14th, 2016|Broker Technology Research, Reports|Comments Off on Mary Meeker’s 2016 Internet Trends: 3 Takeaways for Real Estate

Worried about missing the RESO Web API Mandate on June 30th?

As you probably know MLS Policy requires that every MLS gain certification for the RESO Web API by June 30th, 2016. For those that are do not live, eat, sleep and breathe technology, even the words Web API can be confusing and even a little intimidating! CMLS recognizes the need for all of us to get a better handle of the important goals that putting a Web API in place can solve for MLSs, brokers and technology companies. RE Technology is proud to help CMLS host a webinar in June 14th to help MLSs better understand this important next stage [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:14-07:00June 2nd, 2016|Broker Technology Research, Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Worried about missing the RESO Web API Mandate on June 30th?

RESO Announces Free Web API Certification, new CMLS Webinar

The Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) Board of Directors voted yesterday that all MLSs currently Data Dictionary Certified – which is the majority of the MLS world – will now be able to get Web API Certified for free. RESO also announced that CMLS will host a soup-to-nuts dive into the RESO Web API Certification process featuring Michael Wurzer, President of FBS, and Rebecca Jensen, President & CEO at Midwest Real Estate Data LLC. According to the CMLS CEO Deene Evans, the webinar is set for Tuesday June 14 at 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern, will be open to everyone and the [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:14-07:00May 27th, 2016|Broker Technology Research, MLS Insights|Comments Off on RESO Announces Free Web API Certification, new CMLS Webinar

Risk-Taking is Back and so is Rampant Innovation

My wife woke up this morning to the voice of Alec Baldwin telling her “Wake up Sunshine. Let me tell you something, I’ve been up since the crack of dawn…” before I shout out “off” and silence Alec in midsentence. No, Alec isn’t in our bedroom. Alec’s voice is an alarm option in Alexa, our household’s digital assistant that’s built into both our Amazon Echo and Dot. It’s simply the coolest – and most practical – innovation I’ve seen in decades. Alexa is a vibrant example of the rampant innovation emerging today. Life-changing stuff: self-driving cars, VR immersion technology, drones, [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:14-07:00May 18th, 2016|Broker Technology Research, Broker-Agent Information|Comments Off on Risk-Taking is Back and so is Rampant Innovation

Real Estate in Crisis – Is Nothing Better Than Something?

Real estate is a fascinating industry when it comes to making choices about something vs. nothing. Again and again, we see individual agents, brokers, Associations, MLSs, and Franchises make choices to set something when getting nothing may be the better strategy. I doubt that this article will have any change on the bearing of the industry, but in some small way it may influence one or more decisions today or this week by a few people. Why Do We Sacrifice Long Term Success for Short Term Gain? In our industry, people too often say “yes” to a bad deal. An [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:15-07:00May 18th, 2016|Broker Technology Research, Broker-Agent Information, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Real Estate in Crisis – Is Nothing Better Than Something?

Broker Public Portal Reveals Partnership and Plan

It is with much excitement that I would like to announce some major news for the Broker Public Portal project!   We have been researching the value of consumer property search sites like the Broker Public Portal since 2005 and we’re thrilled to announce a game-changing opportunity for agents and brokers to captivate consumers! Broker Public Portal has executed a binding letter of intent with Homesnap, a creator of highly rated apps for consumers and agents, to launch a national home search experience defined by simplicity, integrity and common sense.   The program will be marketed under the Homesnap brand. Homesnap is [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:15-07:00May 18th, 2016|Broker Technology Research, Broker-Agent Information, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Broker Public Portal Reveals Partnership and Plan

Form Simplicity by Florida Realtors Upgrades NEFAR, Continues Growth

The subheadline on the news release issued during NAR Midyear tells the real story for Florida Realtors and its Form Simplicity transaction management software: NEFAR offers 6,500+ professionals Form Simplicity Ultimate Edition as member benefit Form Simplicity, built for Realtors by Realtors as Florida Realtors points as a key competitive advantage, continues to grow.  See for yourself why  at the NAR Midyear meetings this week. Check them out at Booth 818.       Washington DC – May 10, 2016 – The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors is helping its more than 6,500 members extend their paperless capabilities, signing a long-term [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:15-07:00May 10th, 2016|Broker Technology Research, Broker-Agent Information|Comments Off on Form Simplicity by Florida Realtors Upgrades NEFAR, Continues Growth

Clareity’s New Dashboard Review

Clareity Security is staging the release of their best Single Sign-On dashboard ever. As a quick primer, Clareity Security was born to prevent password sharing and other unauthorized access to the MLS system. The MLS has confidential fields that must be protected and Clareity’s software also prevents theft of service and provides revenue assurance to the MLS. Over the years, they extended the platform to ensure that valid MLS users could securely access other licensed solutions offered by the MLS. This “Single Sign-On” convenience not only manages authorized access, but also relieves the agent’s stress of remembering more usernames and [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:15-07:00May 10th, 2016|Broker Technology Research, Broker-Agent Information, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Clareity’s New Dashboard Review

Upstream™ Names Alex Lange President and CEO

WAV Group is pleased to officially announce and welcome Alex Lange to the UpstreamRE project as its first CEO. WAV Group has worked with the Upstream founders and Board of Managers as their consultant, curating the vision, shepherding the vendor selection process, working with the technology workgroup to kick off development, and now transitioning to Alex. I have known and worked with Alex for years and believe that the Board of Managers made an excellent choice. Working with our industry’s leadership has been a most rewarding experience. I am especially thankful for the support of so many fellow teammates – [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:16-07:00May 9th, 2016|Broker Technology Research, Main category, Press Releases|Comments Off on Upstream™ Names Alex Lange President and CEO

Long and Foster Combines Mobile Search with Mortgage Pricing

There is an unsightly lack of holistic information that is being made available to consumers by full service brokerages. Until now, brokerage mobile applications provided plenty of information about properties for sale, but little information about brokers’ other service centers in mortgage, title, insurance, commercial properties, and property management (rentals). Long and Foster partnered with Xome’s Real Estate Digital division to deliver mortgage information to consumers through their real estate mobile application in an impressive way. For those of you who know Long and Foster, they provide a full array of real estate services through their company owned providers. Under [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:16-07:00May 6th, 2016|Broker Technology Research|Comments Off on Long and Foster Combines Mobile Search with Mortgage Pricing