Robstradamus Strikes Again: Office Exclusives and Clear Cooperation Policy

I am extremely busy putting the finishing touches on a massive report on CoStar and its entry into residential real estate, but… had to take a few minutes to… um, crow. Yes, I did sprain my shoulder patting myself on the back. But thought it maybe worthwhile in case people have forgotten the issues I … Read more

In Which I Solve the Days On Market “Mess”

Over at Inman, there’s a great writeup of a truly inside baseball topic: the confusion and controversy around Days On Market. Andrea Brambila wrote the report on a panel discussion between Sam Debord of RESO, Rene Galicia of NAR, and Katie Smithson of W+R Studios. All three are people I count as friends, and they … Read more

[VIP] Zillow Unlock Event: Stages of Grief

Zillow’s big event for its IMT segment — Premier Agents, Rentals and New Construction — just concluded in my (new) hometown of Las Vegas. I attended Tuesday as a member of the press, because when the United States Department of Justice calls you a “trade publication” who am I to disagree? So first, let me … Read more

The Problem with “Good Agents Will Adapt”

I mentioned blogging would be light because I’m at the annual Realtor Quest conference that the Toronto Real Estate Board puts on. It’s a truly wonderful world-class event, I think, and I’m not just saying that because I spoke there. 🙂 But I did want to take a few moments to jot down a quick … Read more

Future of MLS Technology: Open Source Software

A couple of weeks ago, I gave a presentation at the Clareity MLS Executives Workshop in Scottsdale, AZ. It was on a topic that is near and dear to my heart, as I actually wrote a whole business plan way back in the day on introducing Open Source software to the MLS industry. I abandoned … Read more

Negative Space: Reffkin and Schneider on the Future of Brokerages

It’s been over a week since I thawed out from the polar vortex that was Inman Connect NYC. I realize that people in Chicago and elsewhere in the Midwest would have loved mere 10 below zero temperatures, but for this now-southern boy, that week came with a religious awakening: hell won’t be hot, it’ll be … Read more

The Notorious ROB’s Shiva Award

I’m neck-deep in getting the September Red Dot on the Real Estate Platform out the door, but had to pause and poke my nose in to give an award for a minute. Inman reported on the 16 startups at the new Innovation, Opportunity & Investment Summit conference that NAR is putting on as I write … Read more

Stages of Decline: The Keller Williams Edition

I hesitate to write this. I really do. The reason is that I have so much admiration for Gary Keller, who is on my list of the top five most important and influential people in the history of the residential real estate industry. (The other four are: Colbert Coldwell, Dave Liniger, Arthur Barnhisel, and the … Read more