About Marilyn Wilson

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So far Marilyn Wilson has created 544 blog entries.

Top 10 Ways to Become a Truly Broker-Centric MLS.

Ever since the now infamous Gripe List was published, MLSs have been scrambling to find out they can better serve their MLS Customers.  I was honored to moderate a panel of brokers at the highly successful RESO conference last week as part of the first business track. I asked them what they believe an MLS must do to become broker-centric. Since there is no official definition of what a broker-centric MLS is I thought I would take a crack at it to get the conversation going. The following list is a compilation of their answers along with interviews we conducted [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:29-07:00November 11th, 2015|Main category, MLS Insights|1 Comment

Boost Your Member Satisfaction by offering RE Technology

Real estate agents and brokers are overwhelmed by technologies. Telemarketers pitching the latest and greatest gimmick inundate them. We have been changing this since 2010 and now serve 750,000 MLS and Association subscribers with straight shooting information. Let's meet at NAR to discuss this top rated solution for your area. Trust the Real Estate Technology Leader RE Technology is an online source where agents and brokers can learn about how to use technology to win more listings, sell homes more quickly, and maintain stronger relationships with past clients. Currently agents and brokers have access to thousands of articles and product [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:29-07:00November 11th, 2015|Broker Technology Research, Main category, Our Services|Comments Off on Boost Your Member Satisfaction by offering RE Technology

Gavin Blair Named as New CEO of the Iowa Association of REALTORS®

The Iowa Association of REALTORS® (IAR) is pleased to announce the hiring of Gavin Blair as the next Chief Executive Officer of the 6,800-member association. Mr. Blair is the current CEO of the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® in Ohio. Blair oversees the over 2,400-member organization and the Dayton Regional MLS with over 3,000 members. “We conducted a nationwide search and interviewed several excellent candidates. We felt Gavin Blair was the best fit for IAR with his background in government affairs and his track record of progress and innovation in his previous positions.” IAR President Jon Yocum stated. Prior to [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:31-07:00November 2nd, 2015|Main category, Press Releases|Comments Off on Gavin Blair Named as New CEO of the Iowa Association of REALTORS®

DAMIEN HUZE JOINS W&R STUDIOS’ LEADERSHIP TEAM AS CHIEF DESIGN OFFICER

Damien Huze, founder of Wake Interactive, has joined W&R Studios to focus on design of W&R Studios’ products and services. HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA (October 29, 2015) – Privately held software company, W&R Studios, announced today that Damien Huze will be joining their leadership team as the Chief Design Officer. Damien has been involved with the company since 2008. He designed W&R Studios’ corporate identity as well as consulted on the UI/UX and identity of their flagship product, Cloud CMA. Damien grew up in Paris, France. Both his parents were in creative fields. “It wasn’t until much later that I realized [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:31-07:00October 29th, 2015|Main category, Press Releases|Comments Off on DAMIEN HUZE JOINS W&R STUDIOS’ LEADERSHIP TEAM AS CHIEF DESIGN OFFICER

Preparing for Success in the Coming Year

As we approach the end of another exciting year in real estate, now is a great time to sit back and reflect on the best ways to help prepare your members and organization for success next year. We have talked many times over the years about the importance of staying in touch with what is happening in the industry today. Here’s what can happen when an organization is out of touch: They can delay decisions because they seem difficult or controversial causing the organization to fall behind or lose its competitive advantage. Instead of responding to the waves of change, [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:32-07:00October 27th, 2015|Main category, Our Services|Comments Off on Preparing for Success in the Coming Year

Quarterbacking the adoption of the RESO Data Dictionary

An inside look with the Workgroup’s Chair, Rob Larson of CRMLS By Jeremy Crawford He’s at the helm of what has been hailed as real estate’s “Rosetta Stone.” Rob Larson, the Chief Information Officer of the nation’s largest Multiple Listing Service, CRMLS, chairs the RESO Data Dictionary Workgroup. The Workgroup is responsible for the real estate industry’s new and growing set of property data listing standards, which is quickly approaching the NAR mandated deadline of January 1, 2016 for Data Dictionary adoption. Larson and CRMLS are testaments to the old adage “Practice what you preach.” At CRMLS, Rob has lead [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:33-07:00October 8th, 2015|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on Quarterbacking the adoption of the RESO Data Dictionary

A TRULY Broker-Centric MLS – What a Concept!

The now infamous GRIPE List issued by Craig Cheatham back in 2013 has led to a plethora of new ideas and initiatives. From the momentum of RESO Data Standards, to the Broker Public Portal and Upstream, the confrontation has led to more innovative ideas and initiatives than we’ve seen in many, many years. Last month MRIS and TREND announced a ground-breaking intention to find a way to partner with each other to create a brand new organization built with the fundamental goal to create a truly broker-centric MLS. According to David Charron, President and CEO of MRIS, “We are committed [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:34-07:00October 6th, 2015|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on A TRULY Broker-Centric MLS – What a Concept!

How about MLS coverage defined by individual broker needs?

Last week MRIS and TREND announced a ground-breaking intention to find a way to partner with each other to create a brand new organization built with the fundamental goal to create a truly broker-centric MLS. If the taskforce formed that has been at work for over ten months can be successful, they will open up a huge market opportunity for brokers in the Mid-Atlantic region. Collectively, TREND and MRIS cover 31,000 square miles, 17 million consumers, 7 million on and off market properties, and 10 million property parcels. The group has drafted a Shared Commitment and Vision paper to help [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:34-07:00October 6th, 2015|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off on How about MLS coverage defined by individual broker needs?

The Do’s and Don’ts of MLS System Selection

MLSs are growing again. Membership is up. Agents are making money again. Life is good.  In many cases, the upward turn in the market is allowing MLSs to once again focus on evaluating their technologies to ensure they are offering the strongest tools they can. Recently we have been involved in a few system selections and I thought I would share some of our thinking about the best way to make the process as successful as it can be. Turn on all of the relevant enhancements Before you even contemplate looking at alternative MLS systems, meet with your current MLS [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:36-07:00August 19th, 2015|Main category, MLS Insights|1 Comment

Top 3 Ways to Make the New IDX Rules Work for Your Brokerage

Good things are happening with the IDX rules from NAR.  As many of you know, IDX or Internet Data Exchange are the policies that allow brokers to provide the complete inventory or listings available in their area on broker websites.  These policies have been in place for some time, but thanks to the great efforts of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, these policies have been overhauled to make IDX data work even harder for brokerages across America. Leading Real Estate Companies of the World(LeadingRE) outlined several ways that IDX data could be more effective at engaging potential buyers [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:38-07:00July 23rd, 2015|Main category|4 Comments

Respond to the Threats That may Kill Off Your Business

NAR has launched a new program called the D.A.N.G.E.R. report. The goal of the interactive program is to help every brokerage, MLS and Association think through some fundamental threats and changes that may be coming to our industry.  The program is well put together and brings up some significant issues that may change the game of real estate forever. WAV Group has a suggested path for Brokers, Associations and MLSs to follow to get the most out of this important NAR program. Have your leaders read the entire Danger Survey for all segments of real estate - First and foremost, make [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:38-07:00July 23rd, 2015|Main category, Our Services|1 Comment

It’s time to replace Core Standards with the Gold Standard

NAR announced its Core Standard program for local Associations just over a year ago.   In essence it is designed to help every association ensure that they are delivering a minimum standard of code of ethics enforcement communication, advocacy, consumer outreach and fundraising to its members. The program is a good start.   At last count it had led to at least 90 mergers, likely with smaller associations who simply did not have the resources to meet the minimum standard. The number will probably be higher than that after the deadline of June 30th has been reached.   I applaud the effort to [...]

By |2018-05-03T21:23:40-07:00June 25th, 2015|Main category|3 Comments