There are some technology companies in real estate who love Cloud Computing. Many of the nations’ most significant websites use it to host their applications, include foursquare. But be aware, there are risks - Imagine the frustration of agent and brokers would express if they tried to login to the MLS or other business critical system, and got a similar message to this.
There is a work group that recommends changes to NAR’s MLS Policy Committee on changes to the policy. This work group recently submitted suggested changes that, if adopted, would enable RSS and other electronic means of syndicating listings to third parties. Brokers and MLSs alike are very concerned about the potential infringements on the copyrights of brokers and MLSs, and the potential for law suits from home sellers. Broker participants are legally liable for the listing content as outlined in the listing contract with the seller. The broker takes on the legal responsibility for the listing through the contact. Moreover, the convents [...]
Press Releases Zillow® Files Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering SEATTLE, April 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Zillow, Inc., which operates real estate site Zillow.com®, Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, and Zillow Mobile, today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined. Citi will act as the sole book-running manager for the offering. Allen & Company, Needham & Company, LLC, ThinkEquity LLC and First [...]
I just received a copy of the Report of Recommendations of the IDX Use Work Group of the Multiple Listing Issuse and Policies Committee. I have had a blur of calls from The Realty Alliance, Leading RE, MLSs and Franchises alike today. There are many significant concerns. At the heart of the recommendations is the new rule that IDX listing content may be distributed by RSS or other electronic means (anyway you want) to any third party without any restrictions what so ever. Brokers and Agents still have restraints on the use and display of the data on their own [...]
Here are the top RE Sites combining all properties running under the top brand names.
For more than a year now, WAV Group partners have been operating RE Technology. RE Technology is designed to operate inside of an MLS System supporting the role of offering education and information about technology products available to real estate professionals. The site is free to MLSs and Associations, and they may offer it to their members at no cost. Companies may list their products in the directory at no charge. WAV Group partners and other qualified contributors volunteer their educational writing for the daily publication. Today, RE Technology reaches 587,000 agents and expansion continues. The cost of operating the site is offset [...]
RE Technology, Inc. released their first Real Estate Technology Buyers Guide today. It is a free and there is no registration requirement, so be sure to take a peek by clicking this link. You can view it on screen or you may download it. The goal of the publication is to allow MLSs and Brokers to schedule trade show meetings with key vendors offering interesting technologies that may be of use to you. Too often, the booth environment does not allow for a useful meeting opportunity. Full Disclosure, WAV Group partners are founders and officers of RE Technology - an information [...]
Point2 Announces 11 New Listing Syndication Partnerships Associations and MLSs leveraging Point2 program to enhance broker security San Diego, - April 07, 2011 - Online real estate marketing solution provider Point2 (www.Point2.com) announced today that it has completed the technology implementation and market rollout of its listing syndication and real estate broker and agent product line co-marketing program with 11 additional real estate Multiple Listing Service (MLS) organizations and associations. The new implementations bring the number of syndication partners served by Point2 in North America to nearly 240. The Point2 program, launched more than two years ago, plays an increasingly critical role [...]
The bills approved by the Capital Markets Subcommittee are: H.R. 1223, the GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act. The legislation, introduced by Capital Markets Subcommittee Chairman Scott Garrett, helps clarify the risk retention rules required under Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Act to make clear that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be held to the same standards as any other secondary mortgage market participants. A GSE loan purchase or asset-backed security issuance would not affect the status of the underlying assets. The legislation was unanimously approved with a vote of 34-0. H.R. 1221, the Equity In Government Compensation Act. [...]
WAV Group is releasing this thesis to establish a conversation about how listing syndicaiton can be improved to allow third party websites to continue their effective job as a marketing tool for broker listings. We welcome your comments. To begin downloading the paper with our compliments, please click here
One of the key goals for the long-term survival of MLSs is to identify tools that can help create tangible results for their subscribers. The best way to “move the needle” on customer satisfaction is to provide agents with something that DIRECTLY affects their ability to sell homes. As MLSs review new services to consider they need to prioritize programs that will help agents and brokers be more successful. MLS systems are a given now - the progressive MLS has to become a partner with its brokers and play a valuable role in delivering services that make the entire industry [...]
The Council of MLS released their annual MLS benchmarking study today. You can download it for free from the CMLS website at CouncilofMLS.com. The survey involved the participation of 141 of the nations’ leading MLS providing services to more than 750,000 agents and brokers. The survey provides an update of the key issues facing MLSs today - great data. Be sure to take a look and share it with your staff and board of directors.
