Marilyn Wilson, Author at WAV Group Consulting

Running an Association does not have to be a “Life Sentence”
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Running an Association does not have to be a “Life Sentence”

Main category, Strategic Planning

Running an Association does not have to be a “Life Sentence”

Association Executives serving a 'Life sentence" At WAV Group we work with leading associations and MLSs around the country helping them to find world class talent to continue an organization’s growth and evolution. We are lucky enough to be able to observe board dynamics, internal operations and CEO-led initiatives. As an industry, we are blessed with loyal leaders and followers who value the tradition of real estate and the process of governing the industry as well. They clearly understand the unique needs of REALTORS® and are passionate about nurturing the real estate industry. Many of them have [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:09-07:00March 13th, 2012|Main category, Strategic Planning|Comments Off

Is the MLS responsible for the Syndication Mess?
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Is the MLS responsible for the Syndication Mess?

Broker-Agent Information, Main category, Strategic Planning, Technology Evaluation

Is the MLS responsible for the Syndication Mess?

I give a lot of credit to the Council of MLS for their commitment to understanding the issues with listing syndication and formulating an effort to fix it. In the first place, the failure of many MLSs to understand listing syndication has been the cornerstone of the problems that exist today. Here is a little history lesson. In the beginning, only a few brokers with their own IT staff were able to supply a feed of their listings to publishers. When a broker has hundreds of listings or tens of thousands of listings like Howard Hanna, Prudential Fox and Roach and [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:10-07:00March 9th, 2012|Broker-Agent Information, Main category, Strategic Planning, Technology Evaluation|2 Comments

Figuring Out The Non-Dues Revenue Equation

As membership numbers have declined, many MLSs and Associations are feeling more and more pressure to reduce their dependence on dues based revenues. At the same time, the cost of running an MLS is increasing. Members are more demanding for the scope of services they expect while they expect the pace of improvements and enhancements to keep up with the ever-increasing speed of technology innovations available today. Third, members are under increasing pressure to offer better service and information to their customers, putting even more pressure on the MLS to deliver comprehensive, accurate data and seamlessly integrate to third party [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:10-07:00March 8th, 2012|Main category, Marketing, MLS Insights, Press Releases, Product Management, Strategic Planning|Comments Off

MLS iPad apps have NOT gone far enough yet

Recently, WAV Group has completed several customer satisfaction surveys from around the country in the Southwest, Mid-West, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. In every case there has been a lot of discussion and requests for more MLS access via smartphones and especially for iPads and other tablet devices. While many MLSs think of their iPad application as a property search tool, agents want their MLS iPad apps to go much further than that. Even for those that have launched Tablet solutions, there are two major areas of dissatisfaction that MLSs need to address to make mobile MLS applications truly useful for [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:14-07:00February 19th, 2012|Main category, MLS Insights, Suveys and Research, Technology Evaluation|3 Comments

GLVAR hires longtime association leader Nelson Janes as CEO

LAS VEGAS – The Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® (GLVAR) announced today that it has hired seasoned real estate association executive Nelson Janes as its new chief executive officer. Janes, who previously ran the Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, expects to start work at GLVAR on May 7. He was hired after GLVAR leaders conducted a national search to replace Irene Vogel, who is retiring after guiding the association for nearly 30 years. Devin Reiss, chairman of GLVAR’s CEO Search Committee, said Janes “brings extensive experience building successful associations and REALTOR® programs, considerable experience as a legislative advocate, expertise in [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:14-07:00February 15th, 2012|Main category, MLS Insights, Press Releases|Comments Off

New Study Measures Consumer Interest in MLS, Reinforces Efforts to Obtain .MLS Top-level Domain

The WAV Group has published results of research that demonstrates the high value consumers place on the term “MLS”. The research, commissioned by the MLS Domains Association, includes surveys of consumers using MLS public websites and of a representative sample of consumers who have purchased or sold real estate in the last twelve months. It supports three key conclusions: For consumers, an MLS represents property search, home valuations and “the good stuff”, as one respondent described it—the term “MLS” equates to high quality, educational, objective information about property; A majority of consumers prefer MLS sites as sources of real estate [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:18-07:00January 10th, 2012|Main category, MLS Insights, Press Releases, Reports, Suveys and Research|1 Comment

Stewart Information Services Corporation Appoints New Executive Team

Stewart Information Services Corp. (NYSE: STC) announced today a new executive team. Recently appointed CEO Matt Morris created the new executive team to capitalize on Stewart’s strengths and further align the organization for smart growth and continued market leadership in the real estate services industry. The structure increases focus, speeds decision making and provides for greater alignment between operational areas and key customer segments. “I am extremely excited to announce our new executive team and to be surrounded by some of the greatest leaders within our industry,” said Matt Morris, CEO. “This group of experienced industry veterans will join me [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:20-07:00December 9th, 2011|Main category, Press Releases|Comments Off

3 Bedrooms and 2 baths just doesn’t cut it anymore

Build your business by giving consumers what they REALLY want to search for! Have you ever had the pleasure of relocating from one city to another? You have the stress of the move compounded by the fact that you are losing all of your trusted resources and most importantly your “local knowledge”. Let’s say you’re moving because you’ve been promoted to run a new division out of state. You have a young child so you’re looking for good schools within your area and a family-friendly neighborhood. How about if you are a young professional moving for a great job opportunity? [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:21-07:00December 7th, 2011|Main category, MLS Insights, Reports, Suveys and Research|Comments Off

Increasing the relevance of MLS organizations – How about expanding the scope of data offered?

MLSs are under siege right now. Since they control the most consistent and profitable cash flow source in the industry, they are very attractive targets. They need to continue to innovate to increase their value and relevance since many are chipping away at their positions right now. It’s clear from the work we’ve done with MLSs. Data quality and comprehensiveness is the core value proposition common to all MLSs. No other organization has figured out a way to deliver the breadth and depth of quality real estate information that MLSs offer today. Even well financed venture-backed start-ups have not figured [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2021-06-22T13:22:18-07:00November 29th, 2011|Main category, MLS Insights|4 Comments

Putting the teeth back into the REALTOR® Brand
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Putting the teeth back into the REALTOR® Brand

Main category, MLS Insights

Putting the teeth back into the REALTOR® Brand

Real estate agents in our industry spend millions of dollars as a group annually to become a REALTOR® and to stay a member of the REALTOR® family. As someone who cut their teeth working with some of the most highly trusted brands in the world like Fisher-Price, Sesame Street and others, I have a few observations of the real estate industry’s branding efforts. First, when I ask most REALTORS® what makes them different than non-REALTORS® they say “the code of ethics”. While I appreciate the fact that those that live to the letter of the code of ethics may treat [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:22-07:00November 21st, 2011|Main category, MLS Insights|3 Comments

My Florida Homes MLS presents their Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers My Flyaway Giveaway

MyFloridaHomesMLS.com launched their My Flyaway promotion giving people a chance to win a VIP Flyaway to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers game on December 11th. The Grand prize includes flight tickets to Jacksonville, in-flight meal, VIP transportation to and from the game, pre-game hospitality, and 2 tickets to the game. MyFloridaHomesMLS.com is also offering 5 Second Place Prizes which include 4 tickets to the December 4th Buccaneers home game vs. the Carolina Panthers. […]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:22-07:00November 17th, 2011|Main category|4 Comments

RatedAgent Provides Ear to Ear Smiles

What’s More Painful: A Root Canal or Finding a Real Estate Agent? With RatedAgent.com, It’s Now Ear-to-Ear Smiles With the Launch Today of the First-of-its-Kind Website, Consumers Can Now Access Objective, Customer Satisfaction Scores from Actual Home Buyers and Sellers Traditionally, finding a real estate agent to help buy or sell a home has been a hit or miss proposition at best. No longer. Beginning today and at no cost, consumers can get honest, unfiltered reviews about agents written by actual home buyers and sellers — and then even select an agent — using the nation’s first-ever objective real [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:25:23-07:00November 8th, 2011|Main category|Comments Off

About Marilyn Wilson