About Marilyn Wilson

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So far Marilyn Wilson has created 544 blog entries.

Ambivalence Expressed about Association Services in WAV Group Post-Settlement Sentiment Survey

Local real estate associations play a crucial role in supporting agents and brokers, providing services that range from professional development to community engagement. But how do members perceive the value of these services? Our recent survey of real estate agents and brokers reveals valuable insights into which offerings resonate most and where associations might refine their focus to better serve their members.

By |2025-03-16T06:49:21-07:00October 8th, 2024|Associations, MLS, MLS Insights, Research, Suveys and Research|Comments Off on Ambivalence Expressed about Association Services in WAV Group Post-Settlement Sentiment Survey

Emerging Issues Advisory Board Reconvening in October to Continue Clear Cooperation and Other Key Policies Discussions

The Clear Cooperation Policy, which mandates REALTORS® to list properties on NAR-affiliated MLSs within one day of signing the listing agreement, is under scrutiny from the Department of Justice (DOJ), which has revived its investigation into the association’s rules. NAR has announced plans to appeal a court decision allowing the DOJ’s inquiry to continue. The discussion has also reached emergency status because of a Clear Cooperation Lawsuit scheduled to go to trial in November. 

By |2025-03-16T06:48:24-07:00September 17th, 2024|Industry Observations, MLS, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Emerging Issues Advisory Board Reconvening in October to Continue Clear Cooperation and Other Key Policies Discussions

5 Ways to Increase Consumer Transparency and Address the Clear Cooperation Crisis

At WAV Group, we are passionate about finding ways to ensure the long-term success of the real estate industry by protecting the best interests of real estate consumers. The on-going spirited debate around the Clear Cooperation Policy centers around different brokerage and MLS beliefs about the ways to serve real estate consumers. 

Should NAR Modify Clear Cooperation Policy? WAV Group Releases Study Findings

WAV Group shares the results of its Clear Cooperation Study to gain directional insights into the feelings of brokers and MLSs regarding the Clear Cooperation Policy incorporated into the model rules by the National Association of REALTORS®.

Alarming New Trend – Dual Agency on the rise in Los Angeles

I just had a very interesting conversation with some well-heeled luxury brokers from Los Angeles. They told me that since the new requirement to sign a 14-page State-sponsored Buyers Agency Agreement before showing a property has gone into effect, they have seen a dramatic rise in dual agency deals.

Can’t Miss Webinar: Why are some of the best Association Execs in the business getting fired?

After receiving about my 15th call is as many weeks from a distraught Association Executive telling me they just been fired, mostly for irrational and indefensible reasons, I just had to get my thoughts down to see what we can do to fix this systemic problem. I wrote an article entitled Why are so many of our strongest Association Executives getting fired?, about the ill-fated careers of many amazing Association staff leaders.

By |2025-03-16T06:45:46-07:00August 26th, 2024|Associations, Industry Observations, MLS, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Can’t Miss Webinar: Why are some of the best Association Execs in the business getting fired?

Brokerages like RE/MAX are Getting Back to Business!

In this season of 2025 budgeting and year end planning, you may want to take a look at WAV Group’s Brokerage Technology Roadmap Report  to start to think about what you should be thinking about for your brokerage technology solutions moving forward. The good news is the leading brokerage technology vendors have been working to help brokers operate more efficient and profitable businesses.

By |2025-03-16T06:31:21-07:00August 22nd, 2024|Broker Information, Broker Technology Research, PropTech, Real Estate Technology|Comments Off on Brokerages like RE/MAX are Getting Back to Business!

The Irreconcilable Conflict Between Settlement Terms and NAR Membership Requirements

Now that the attorneys have been awarded nearly $1 billion, I believe we are going to see a lot more attorneys come out the woodwork to try to find additional vulnerabilities in our policies and procedures/traditions. I believe the attorneys and DOJ are just getting warmed up. Here’s one potential vulnerability that keeps me up at night….

Do you really want to FORCE Agents to Join Your Association?

Since the Biden Administration announced their priority to “un-tie” real estate 4 years ago, I have been urging my MLS clients to get serious about opening up their subscription services to all licensees. 

By |2025-03-16T06:28:03-07:00August 15th, 2024|Associations, MLS, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Do you really want to FORCE Agents to Join Your Association?

How Volunteer Leaders can Avoid Inadvertently Firing Top Notch Association Executives

Today brokerages representing over 600,000 agents cannot or will not require NAR membership because of their proposed lawsuit settlements. Whether from litigation, DOJ rulings or the belief from brokerages (especially the $2 billion crowd) that NAR let them down, it is anything but business as usual right now. All Association leaders need to be open to new ways to doing business to be able to ride out this storm. Forward-looking, strategic AE’s recognize these vulnerabilities. They are effectively partnering with their volunteer leaders to push the envelope, eliminating outdated or poorly attended programs and focusing their attention on preparing for future scenarios that may be foisted on the industry from lawyers, the DOJ or some other unknown threat.

By |2025-03-16T06:27:20-07:00August 13th, 2024|MLS, MLS Insights, Strategic Planning|1 Comment

A conversation with Brad Inman and RFK Jr. – A Key Highlight of the Inman Connect Conference

As the current chair of the National Small Business Association, the oldest non-partisan small business advocacy organization in the U.S., I was thrilled to see RFK Jr. express so much passion to provide support for small businesses to make it easier for all of us to survive and thrive. So, what did I learn from this fascinating session?  It’s truly hard to summarize it, but I’ll highlight some of the points that stuck out the most for me.

Why are so many of our strongest Association Executives getting fired?

Today, it is more important than ever that the real estate industry nurtures and protects its best and brightest staff executives. We need people that are thoughtfully helping the industry navigate the uncertain waters we are swimming in right now. I have noticed an alarming trend, though, counter to this need. In the past year or so, many progressive Association Executive leaders have been dismissed without cause, advance notice, or well-documented justification. It seems as though as the market has gotten tougher the number of firings has increased. This alarming trend made me think about a few things that may be lacking in training and governance orchestration we may want to consider.

By |2025-03-16T06:25:45-07:00July 22nd, 2024|Associations, Industry Observations, MLS Insights, Recruiting, Strategic Planning|Comments Off on Why are so many of our strongest Association Executives getting fired?