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 [...]

Marketing Automation Can Be a Huge Risk

This week I have gotten four open house notifications from a Realtor®. She is a friend of mine that has served in various capacities on the Board of Directors for an MLS 2,000 miles away from where I live. She sends me a monthly snapshot of what is happening in the housing market in her area, along with a note when she lists a new property. That is all good. But recently she caused me to hit the unsubscribe button by spamming me with an open house notification when I was clearly not a candidate to attend or buy. Marketing [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:14-07:00May 27th, 2016|Marketing|0 Comments

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|0 Comments

What’s Your Loyalty Program?

A loyalty program is such a simple thing to construct, and they work. I buy from Amazon because I get Amazon Prime – free shipping – a loyalty program. I fly with American or United because they give me priority boarding, upgrades, and other perks – a loyalty program. In the latter example, I continue to use American and United even though I am not delighted with their service or price. But the perks have more meaning to me than other options. It is really hard to break free of loyalty programs. For years, we consolidated our hotel preference to [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:14-07:00May 26th, 2016|Marketing|0 Comments

WHAT’S THE POST NAR MIDYEAR BUZZ? Join Industry Leaders this Thursday, May 26th and Find Out!

WAVES OF CHANGE QUARTERLY INDUSTRY UPDATE is just around the corner! Reserve your organization’s seat at the table by signing up for the series TODAY! WAV Group Hosts NAR Recap / Industry Update Webinar on Thursday, May 26th Your subscription provides an opportunity for your members to participate in an online recap of NAR Midyear policy issues, announcements and news as well as important industry updates and best practices. Thought-provoking topics to share with your leadership, brokers and staff. HOT TOPICS • CMLS – DMCA November Ruling Update: Clarification Listing Content • How to get Free Web API Certification by [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:14-07:00May 24th, 2016|Wav of Change|0 Comments

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, [...]

Don’t Make The Biggest PR Mistake

The number one mistake I’ve most often encountered through the many years I’ve spent working in communications and public relations, is a CEO who calls back a reporter and tries to “wing it.” While I’ve been fortunate enough to work with several exceptionally media savvy CEOs throughout the years, they were the ones that never called back a reporter without being prepared. Russell Wilson, the NFL quarterback for the Seahawks, delivers the best practice for CEOs when it comes to calling back a reporter: “The separation is in the preparation.” CEOs that provide the best interviews for reporters are able [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:14-07:00May 18th, 2016|Main category, Our Company|0 Comments

The Best Kept Secrets for Agent Retention

There is nothing more devastating to a brokerage than losing a top performer. Many times these departures come as a total surprise that leaves the company scrambling to find ways to get them to change their mind and to stop more top producers following them out the door. So what can brokerages do to stop this painful bleeding that happens all too often? Here are a few suggestions that have proven to be successful. Ask for Anonymous Feedback We have worked with brokerages fielding surveys to get their agents’ input for everything from the technologies offered, the quality of yard [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:15-07:00May 18th, 2016|Broker-Agent Information, Wav of Change|0 Comments

Smart Home Certification for Residential Properties

Today, we had our Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home automation experience installed. From a single controller or mobile device, anyone in our family can controls connected lights, locks, thermostats, home entertainment devices, and even schedule when devices turn on or off. Everything is connected. Smart Homes May Add More Value This week, Coldwell Banker Real Estate and CEDIA announced a collaboration to develop a smart home curriculum for real estate sales associates. Coldwell Banker and CNET, the world’s largest and most trusted online source of consumer technology news and reviews, also developed the definition of a smart home which is illustrated [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:15-07:00May 18th, 2016|Product Management, Sales Advisory|0 Comments

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 [...]

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 [...]

Sotto Voce: Broker Recruiting and Retention Lessons from the Streets of Brooklyn

One of my favorite people in real estate is John Reinhardt of Fillmore Real Estate based in Brooklyn, New York. I am not sure why, but everything competitive in the New York City area seems amplified. Like his peers, John is always building his business, one great agent at a time. Among John’s favorite recruiting lessons is the spot. In John’s case, his spot is Peter Luger’s Steakhouse. “It is the one place that agents cannot deny a free meal.” John is a recruiting machine – among the best in the business. The last time I sat down with John, [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:15-07:00May 11th, 2016|Broker-Agent Information|0 Comments