Broker Technology Research Archives

Listing Input Forms Rise Again
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Listing Input Forms Rise Again

Broker Technology Research, Main category, MLS Insights

Listing Input Forms Rise Again

If you are like me, you recognize that it was not very many years ago that agents relied on completing a listing input form as a primary method to submit a listing to the MLS. Indeed, in many markets today, MLSs still allow agents to fax in their listing, or broker administrators enter the listing for the agent. This is all happening at a time when many agents are clamoring for MLS listing input using their mobile device or tablet. In a tale of new school meets old school, Instanet is providing a new listing input service; the very service [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:42-07:00January 31st, 2013|Broker Technology Research, Main category, MLS Insights|4 Comments

CREA Integrates Digital Signatures Into WEBForms® For All REALTORS

WAV Group had the opportunity to speak to Marc Lafrance of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) about their launch of digital signatures to all REALTORS in Canada. In an announcement, CREA is now offering REALTORS Instanet’s Authentisign and soon the DocuSign Electronic Signature products tightly integrated in their proprietary real estate forms product, WebForms®. Canada has been successful at offering a national forms solution as a driver of REALTOR professionalism for more than a decade. Today, more than 51,000 REALTORS are using WEBForms®out of a total membership of about 116,000 REALTORS across Canada. WEBForms® is considered the second most [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:42-07:00January 31st, 2013|Broker Technology Research, Main category, Product Management|Comments Off

Trulia tries harder, Alon Chaver speaks up

WAV Group works with brokers and MLSs who have been fed up and frustrated with the data quality on third party listing websites like Trulia, Zillow and others. We study and measure the problem in detail - and have published countless articles, papers, and reports on the topic. Frankly, the discussion about the ills of listing syndication are getting tired and laborious. It is the same stuff regurgitated over and over again. But today, a shining light appeared in an article on RE Technology. Trulia launched a dedicated effort to make a difference. Today, Trulia announced that they are moving to a [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:43-07:00January 30th, 2013|Broker Technology Research, Main category, MLS Insights|2 Comments

Time is Running Out!

RE Technology is hosting an exciting 60-minute webinar with Cartavi and DocuSign on: January 29, 2013 at 10:00 am PST, 12 pm CST, 1 pm EST to learn how you can leverage your iPad and become mobile and paperless agent. The presenters of this interactive webinar will show you how to take advantage of the cloud, your iPad and technology such as DocuSign and Cartavi to better serve your clients from wherever you are. Take your business to the next level by saving time, saving money and providing your clients with an exceptional level of service when and where they [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:24:43-07:00January 25th, 2013|Broker Technology Research, Broker-Agent Information, Main category|Comments Off

REALTORS Really Hitting It Off A Few Rows Back On Airplane

PHOENIX—According to sources currently seated in rows 14 through 18 aboard flight 763, two middle-aged REALTORS® are really hitting it off during the trip to Inman in New York. Using terms like “AVM” and “CMA,” the slightly overweight, average-looking men are reportedly engaged in a detailed discussion about overwhelmingly exciting work-related topics and, sources said, seem to be getting along great. “They got to talking as soon as we boarded, and you could tell they just clicked right away,” said 31-year-old Camille Catteano of 16B, adding that one of the men, upon looking up from his REALTOR Magazine™, immediately recognized [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:44-07:00December 28th, 2012|Broker Technology Research, Main category|Comments Off

Broker Profitability POD concept

This may be the real future of real estate brokerage. You will need to endure a series of short product stories to understand the POD concept for real estate brokerage. The coffee industry hit a home run with coffee pods. As it turns out, consumers would be happy to pay more for coffee if they do not need to deal with filters, scoops, and cans. The coffee pod industry was able to sell less coffee for a higher price by offering convenience. The pod revolution did not end with coffee. The rather smart dudes and dudettes at P&G took one [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:44-07:00December 20th, 2012|Broker Technology Research, Broker-Agent Information, Main category, Strategic Planning|1 Comment

iPad Is What Agents Want For Christmas
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iPad Is What Agents Want For Christmas

Broker Technology Research, Main category, Technology Evaluation

iPad Is What Agents Want For Christmas

2012 was an outstanding year for real estate technology embracing mobile. 2013 will be even better. However, all of this new freedom functionality will be for naught if agents do not buy iPads. In November, WAV Group did a number of research projects that included information about the adoption of mobile in real estate. By our average numbers, 60% of agents now have a smartphone. 40% of agents have a tablet computer like an iPad. We would have served ourselves well to break out the types of devices that agents use by sorting Apple devices from Android devices, but we [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:45-07:00December 20th, 2012|Broker Technology Research, Main category, Technology Evaluation|Comments Off

The Role of Mortgage on Broker Dollar
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The Role of Mortgage on Broker Dollar

Broker Technology Research, Main category, Strategic Planning

The Role of Mortgage on Broker Dollar

Only the largest brokerages in a given region provide loan solutions through joint ventures or wholly owned mortgage companies. This provides these companies with a distinct advantage in many areas of providing a full array of consumer services around home ownership. For these companies, it is a generous source of additional revenue and the consumer loves the convenience. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported that independent mortgage banks earned between $2150 and $2450 profit per loan in 2012. The average production profit in basis points ranged between 107 and 120. The average production was between 1700 and 2000 loans per quarter. [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:46-07:00December 17th, 2012|Broker Technology Research, Main category, Strategic Planning|Comments Off

Constellation Web buys Birdview and Z57

Constellation Web has been on a buying spree, acquiring two of the nation’s longest standing agent and broker web solutions providers – Birdview and Z57. The Z57 transaction closed on December 3rd. The Birdview transaction closed back in May, but we missed that. Constellation has largely been thought of as a mega broker solution – providing services to many of America’s largest brokerage companies like Howard Hanna, Coldwell Banker Burnett, Shorewest, RealtyUSA and Many others. Here is the Z57 press release TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec 3, 2012) -Constellation Software Inc. ("Constellation") (CSU.TO) today announced that its wholly-owned division, Constellation Homebuilder [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:46-07:00December 13th, 2012|Broker Technology Research, Main category, Press Releases|1 Comment

Technology Tools Used by Great Office Managers

All too frequently companies focus on broker tools or agent tools, losing sight of the tools used by great managers. Brokers who truly understand the value of office managers dedicate resources to deliver manager tools that drive company success and agent productivity. These tools fold into three categories: Market Analysis, Sales Analysis, and Agent Effectiveness. Market Analysis Tools Market Analysis involves using tools like Terradatum Broker Matrix or Trendgraphix. These tools give office managers access to two specific measurements that are key to success: Competitor Sales Volume and Agent Sales Volume relative to market pace. The first is a competitive [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:46-07:00December 10th, 2012|Broker Technology Research, Main category, Marketing, Sales Advisory, Strategic Planning|Comments Off

Watch Your Widgets

There is great leadership thought around the possibilities that may exist for real estate widgets or apps. Very small teams of developers may be able to invent fantastic software that fills a diverse set of niche needs across the real estate industry. One cannot help but to be amazed at the explosion of applications for the iPhone or the Android or other mobile devices. Bringing that type of creativity to the Million-strong real estate community is very viable. Real Estate has the benefit of the economy of numbers – outpacing any other industry beyond teachers (who do not buy anything). [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:47-07:00November 28th, 2012|Broker Technology Research, Technology Evaluation|Comments Off

Adding Broker and Agent Branding to Syndication

The gray skull of shame is the single most tarnishing factor of an agent’s online reputation. Yet today, more than 30% of listings on leading third party websites are missing photos or display incorrect contact information about the agent. There is absolutely no reason for this to happen. Today, listing syndication service providers and MLSs can fix this with ease. In truth, no change in real estate data is easy. Unless there is profit motivation, change takes place at a very sluggish pace. In order for agent and broker branding to be added to syndication, standards need to be developed. [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:47-07:00November 28th, 2012|Broker Technology Research, Broker-Agent Information, Main category|Comments Off