Stop thinking about what you might lose. Start imagining what you could gain. When two or more REALTOR® Associations consider merging, the conversation too often focuses on what might be lost. Will we lose our identity? Our independence? Our local influence? This type of scarcity thinking often derails regional collaborations before they even get started. There's a much more compelling question association leaders should be asking:
Worried about your Association's value proposition? Many REALTORS® don't understand everything their Association does for them and frankly, many don’t care. There IS one benefit every real estate professional can appreciate: Knowing their Association is actively working to keep them safe. Imagine if every REALTOR® knew their Association was helping them avoid dangerous situations, providing tools to protect them when something goes wrong, and teaching practical ways to keep their clients and families safe, too. That's an Association value proposition that's personal, tangible, and hard to ignore.
Today, many REALTOR® associations and MLSs are getting serious about merging. They've had some productive conversations, recognize the potential benefits of coming together, and believe they could build a stronger organization by joining forces.
Congratulations to Kendra Murray on her appointment as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS® (GAAR) and Southwest Multiple Listing Service (SWMLS)! I have had the pleasure of working with Kendra in several of her previous leadership positions, and I could not be happier to see her take on this exciting new opportunity.
Peter and Mary Jo Hunt will be inducted into the Western New York Business Hall of Fame at Buffalo Business First's 10th annual C-Level Awards and Hall of Fame ceremony on Wednesday, October 14, in the Golden Ballroom at The Statler Buffalo, honoring business leaders whose vision and accomplishments have made a lasting impact on the region. As Buffalo Business First put it, the husband and wife team have grown a $100-plus million family business while shaping Western New York through decades of leadership in business and philanthropy. For anyone who knows this industry, the recognition is long overdue.
With fewer MLS organizations and an increasingly limited pool of experienced executives, hybrid and remote work may be one of the smartest recruiting strategies available.
Niki Rapattoni passed away last night. Our prayers go out to her family and all of her employees. Niki was the heart and soul of Rapattoni Corporation, living every day to deliver the legacy of the company she and her husband built.
I love seeing two of my favorite MLSs find new ways to work together across state lines! Les Sulgrove, who leads NoCoast MLS in Iowa, is one of the most passionate and committed MLS leaders in our industry. He is always looking for ways to deliver more value to the brokers and agents he serves.
There was one major takeaway. Sticking to historical thinking, avoiding conversations with competitive MLSs while your brokers are asking for you to simplify their businesses is not appropriate anymore.
For years, some have argued that allowing a private status within an MLS creates an environment where listing agents can hold properties close and capture both sides of the transaction. If that were happening systematically in MRED’s marketplace, we would expect to see higher double-ending rates in PLN Status.
MRED just prevailed in its legal battle with Zillow. In a preliminary hearing, MRED prevailed on its right to enforce its own data licensing agreement with Zillow
The new settlement between Northwest MLS and Compass is important for a very practical reason. NWMLS’s new First Look status gives agents and sellers more flexibility to begin building interest in a home while it is still being prepared for sale.Homes are not always either “ready” or “not ready.” Sometimes a property is almost ready, but a few important details still need to come together.
