Redfin has converted to the Constellation1 data aggregation service. The two companies have been collaborating on the transition in stealth mode. The Constellation1 managed MLS data is now live on Redfin.com. If you are an MLS providing data services to Redfin and have not gotten a new three-party data application, you probably will soon.
This is an enormous problem and the most serious threat to our industry. It is a problem that we have faced every year before today, and one that we are going to face until consumers simply stop working with Realtors and start hiring companies that supervise Realtors.
Who is getting to the listing appointment first? Is it a traditional broker the first call for a listing appointment, or do consumers reach out to iBuyer programs like Zillow, Redfin, Keller Williams, Realogy, OpenDoor, Mark Spain, or others first?
Our industry loves shiny objects! We’re also looking for the next goose that is going to lay golden eggs at our feet. This year the promise of greatness has been tied to technology investments. From Open Door to Compass to Keller Williams and a whole bunch in-between, brokerages are lining up to claim their rightful place as a technology company.
I was inspired by a Facebook post the other day that asked the question – “Name One Thing That Government Has Made Cheaper and More Efficient.” Ok – it was not really a question. But it was a command that begged a question.
This is great news! Multiple Listing Issues and Policy Committee voted to send the Broker Attribution policy change recommendation back for another look. An impressive move based on a recommendation by the NAR Leadership during the Committee meeting.
If you have not seen the 2007 film, A Hero Ain’t Nothing But a Sandwich, don’t bother. It’s a pretty depressing story about a young boy who gets hooked on heroin. But I love the title. It takes a word like Hero, with its multiple meanings and twists it into something profound. One of most important impressions that I got from the RISMedia CEO Summit last week is that the meaning of Disruptors can be twisted around too.
“Let’s modernize IDX by linking to the listing broker!” IDX or Internet Data Exchange is a thesis that was developed by the collaboration between Brokers and MLSs that outlines a set of display rules for listings on broker websites. The idea behind IDX is that of cooperation among brokers. Fundamentally, the IDX policy states that a broker allows all other brokers participating in an MLS to display their listings on any broker (and usually Agent) website. Over the years, the IDX policy has evolved. And today, Redfin CEO, Glenn Kelman suggests a radical new change. Kelman would like the IDX [...]
If you ask any REALTOR® about the relationship between online website traffic and sales volume, they will tell you that there is a direct relationship. The conviction among Realtors® is that companies that have the most amount of consumer website traffic sell the most amount of homes. This belief has stirred the root of Realtor® emotions, causing them to vilify the Zillow Group. A new entry of concern is Redfin®, a company that has long battled with Zip Realty® for online website domination. Redfin’s IPO has been a great success that is causing competing brokers to contemplate their future in [...]
Today, all MLSs in America are prepared to provide a standard set of data from across the nation. It’s the kind of data that portals have been aggregating for years, which is now being made available to real estate brokers. With great effort Redfin championed this strategy to become one of the most successful broker websites in America. We will be hosting a webinar surrounding these topics on Tuesday October 11th at 10:00am PDT. Register here today! Our panelists on this exciting webinar include: [...]
I was reviewing the 2010 National Association of REALTORS Member Profile today and noticed a very alarming fact! The real estate industry is retiring! Not only has the average age of REALTORS moved from 51 to 54 year old. While the number of REALTORS that are 60 or older has risen 32% in the past four years, the number of REALTORS that are 39 years old and younger has actually DECREASED 21%! Not only is the industry concentrated on those that are nearly retirement age, we are LOSING those that are in their prime producing years! Most MLSs and Associations [...]
