FBS – A Model For Cooperation

Having grown up in the MLS business and seeing it evolve from the days when we replaced books with MLS systems to today, where MLS sales are only made through taking a competitor’s account, I know how competitive the MLS technology landscape is.  Over the past 20 years or so, we have also seen this market mature and with that maturation we have also seen intense price pressure placed on our MLS vendors to the point today where I question whether we have gone too far.  MLS vendors today are the cornerstone of our entire real estate technology industry.  Nothing [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:07-07:00May 6th, 2010|Broker-Agent Information, Main category, MLS Insights, Technology Evaluation|Comments Off on FBS – A Model For Cooperation

New Ways to Leverage MLS Data

It is an exciting time for Multiple Listing Services.  The announcement of REALTOR® Property Resource by NAR has spawned many debates and several new programs allowing MLSs to leverage local property information in many new ways.  The programs are exciting, but are evolving quickly and thus can be a bit confusing and even overwhelming at times. In an effort to help every MLS understand the unique values of each of the programs now available, the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS), commissioned WAV Group to complete the attached evaluation.  Ideally, the paper will assist each MLS and their governing boards [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:07-07:00April 30th, 2010|Main category, MLS Insights, Our Company, Reports, Sales Advisory|Comments Off on New Ways to Leverage MLS Data

Rapattoni becomes Mac compatible

WAV Group performs dozens of strategic planning sessions for MLSs each year.  As part of our strategic planning sessions, we survey members on satisfaction with the MLS system.  One of the chief complaints among MLS Participants and Subscibers across all surveys is the desire to have Apple computers supported my MLS systems. LPS, Marketlinx, FBS, and now Rapattoni have all been focused on achieving this functionality.  Rapattoni issued a press release confirming their support of Mac based browsers this morning.  This is great news for MLSs who are delivering data services on the Rapattoni platform - a move that is sure [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:07-07:00April 29th, 2010|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Rapattoni becomes Mac compatible

Marketing 101 for Real Estate Companies

Do you have a marketing and advertising department?  For most MLS, Associations and Brokerages today, the answer is NO.  For the largest companies, the answer is Yes.  Marketing and Advertising is typically the first “Cut Back” made by an organization facing uncertain economic times - but is also the most fundamentally destructive place to try and reduce costs in your business, especially for real estate Brokers. Studies show this is the reason why large companies gain more market share durring cyclical economic recessions and small companies fade or disappear. If you are of the ilk to appreciate and agree with this position, here are a couple of solutions for [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:08-07:00April 26th, 2010|Broker-Agent Information, Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Marketing 101 for Real Estate Companies

NARs HOUSELOGIC uses Facebook to reach REALTORS

The National Association of REALTORS has moved headlong into finding new ways to communicate with REALTORS. Among those strategies are Facebook pages and now, Facebook Ads! Imagine my surprise today when this ad poped up on a Facebook page I was visiting.  The call to action was “Are you a REALTOR? and the link takes you to the Houselogic Content Resource page. I thumbed it up.  I like the ad and I like the strategy.  Advertising on Facebook is easy and very inexpensive relative to other online advertising strategies.  Choosing Keywords like Real Estate, REALTOR, etc will insure that your ad [...]

By |2017-06-30T02:13:07-07:00April 20th, 2010|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on NARs HOUSELOGIC uses Facebook to reach REALTORS

Dynamic Page Solutions releases indexable IDX solution

The National Association of REALTORS yielded to requests to allow agent and broker IDX listings to be “spidered” or “indexed” by search engines last year.  Prior to this ruling, the suggested NAR rules and regulations for IDX was to not allow this activity.  This change plays a significant role in search engine optimization whereby a search engine will ‘index’ every listing in an MLS along with all of the content associated with each listing and attribute that to the website. Most agent websites were previously only being indexed for 20 or so pages of content by search engines - examples would include [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:09-07:00April 20th, 2010|Broker Technology Research, Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Dynamic Page Solutions releases indexable IDX solution

Russ Bergeron to Join MRED as Executive Officer

Midwest Real Estate Data Lands New CEO   Lisle, IL (April 16) - Midwest Real Estate Data LLC (MRED), the Chicagoland Multiple Listing Service serving nearly 40,000 real estate professionals, announced today that Russ Bergeron will be assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer at the end of May. Mr. Bergeron comes to MRED from Southern California Multiple Listing Service where he has been CEO since its formation in 1993. As head of the largest MLS in the state of California and second largest in the nation, he is known throughout the world for his leadership in bringing technological advances [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:09-07:00April 16th, 2010|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Russ Bergeron to Join MRED as Executive Officer

Be careful when blogging

Pardon my rant. WAV Group has been blogging for a long time.  We believe that it is an excellent way to stay connected to our clients or potential clients, and to showcase the type of (hopefully) thoughtful approach we have to our consulting business.  We also are endeavoring to keep clients informed about new ideas in the real estate technology industry - some good, some not so good.  We also like to celebrate the success that companies have and publish press releases. Recently we watched some situations of blogging gone bad.  This happens innocently as people make disparaging comments on blogs.  Indeed, [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:09-07:00April 16th, 2010|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Be careful when blogging

First American launches new brand for Tech Products

Ben Graboske of First American Core Logic Marketlinx shared the announcement at HAR REIS meetings about the division of First American into two separate companies - roughly dividing the title business from the technology and data business.  We saw Fidelity do this a few years ago which resulted in the creation of LPS. Graboske was “hush hush” about the new name of the new company.  Many rumors have been circulating. Yesterday, First American announced the new company name to the employees - all 10,000 of them.  Believe it or not, the new name was leaked out. Drum Roll please……. Core [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:09-07:00April 16th, 2010|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on First American launches new brand for Tech Products

MRIS Launches XactSite

MRIS has long offered premium products and services to their participants and subscribers.  Below you will see the announcement of a new service of offering agent and broker website and IDX offerings.  It looks to be a very complete solution that will cover the needs of the majority of their customers.  You will also notice that they are rolling it out as they would any other MLS service - complete with localized information and training classes through collaboration with shareholder Associations of REALTORS. Press Release MRIS will soon launch the XactSite agent and broker web site and IDX packages. The [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:10-07:00April 14th, 2010|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on MRIS Launches XactSite

Clareity Security advances MLS security options

    This is great news for the data sharing among MLSs in Northern California.  Unlike the data share in Southern California called CARETS, which pulls all regional listings into your home MLS system – Northern California data share uses reciprocal linking – so any participant may click into another MLS system and have full access….and now, without logging in again! CLAREITY SECURITY LAUNCHES SCOUT FOR SAFEMLS AND SINGLE SIGN ON SOLUTION FOR cooperative MLS of Contra Costa, East Bay Region Data, Inc. and the Bay East Association of REALTORS Scottsdale, Arizona — April 14, 2010 — Clareity Security is [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:10-07:00April 14th, 2010|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Clareity Security advances MLS security options

Flipping the switch on your new MLS system

Flipping the switch on your new MLS system There is perhaps no more daunting task that could face an MLS than switching MLS vendors.  Most MLSs opt for choosing consultants to work with staff to create communications and training programs to make the transition as sooth as possible,  and run systems in parallel until a cut over is complete - but not all MLSs can afford this. Recently we have seen a lot of feedback from some rather challenging CalRedd conversions - most notability in Fresno and subsequently in Lake County.  But perhaps it is best to look outside of [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:26:10-07:00April 14th, 2010|Broker-Agent Information, Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Flipping the switch on your new MLS system