The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player!
In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson sits down with Marcus Brown, founder of MLS Pipeline. Marcus shares his path from real estate agent to solo software founder, discussing how frustrations with lead generation, CMAs, and manual marketing workflows led him to build a Canva-based MLS data integration. The conversation covers MLS sales cycles, member-benefit products, and why automation and design flexibility matter for agents today.
Marcus Brown transitioned from working auctions and traditional real estate sales into building real estate software.
Partial “home value” leads often converted better than fully submitted leads when followed up with hand-delivered CMAs.
MLS Pipeline connects MLS data directly into Canva, eliminating copy/paste and manual data entry.
The product is designed as an MLS member benefit rather than a direct-to-agent SaaS.
MetroList is the first MLS to officially launch MLS Pipeline on its dashboard.
Contact Marcus Brown: marcus@mlspipeline.com
Phone: 208-340-9600
Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs.
Giant Steps Job Board – Built for organized real estate and PropTech, not generic tech bros and recruiters who don’t know what an MLS is.
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player!
Greg Robertson sits down with Julie Drazen, founder of Editora, to talk about her background in film and commercial editing and how that experience led to building a fast, opinionated video-editing platform for real estate agents. Julie explains how Editora uses AI as a behind-the-scenes tool (not a replacement for craft), why simplicity and taste matter in listing videos, and how the product is designed to save agents time while keeping branding consistent across brokerages.
Julie’s career in commercial editing and documentary filmmaking shaped Editora’s focus on storytelling, pacing, and taste.
Editora automates listing videos from professional photos, handling shot selection, order, scripts, and voiceover with AI assistance.
The platform prioritizes simplicity: fewer choices, consistent branding, and no flashy transitions or gimmicks.
Agents can create videos quickly on desktop or mobile, including status updates like “just listed,” “under contract,” and “sold.”
Pricing tiers launch February 1, with a free first listing video and scalable options for solo agents, teams, and brokerages.
Contact Julie: julie@editora.ai
Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs.
Giant Steps Job Board – Built for organized real estate and PropTech, not generic tech bros and recruiters who don’t know what an MLS is.
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player!
Greg Robertson sits down with Joe Kazzoun, CEO of Remine, for a wide-ranging conversation on real estate technology, forms, MLS dynamics, and Remine’s path forward under new ownership. Joe walks through his career across brokerage tech, transaction management, and proptech, then digs into lessons learned from Instanet, Lone Wolf, Dotloop/Zillow, and his return to Remine. The discussion focuses on software bloat, member benefits vs. direct sales, and how Remine is simplifying its product strategy to regain stability and growth.
Joe Kazzoun’s career arc spans brokerage tech, transaction management, and proptech leadership, shaping his pragmatic view of software in organized real estate.
The forms and transaction management market became fragmented due to MLSs seeking control over technology choices rather than relying solely on association member benefits.
Dotloop’s success highlighted the power of direct-to-agent sales, strong customer support, and simplicity over feature overload.
Software bloat—especially in MLS environments driven by committee decisions—often hurts usability more than it helps adoption.
Remine struggled under MLS ownership due to governance complexity and delayed cost-cutting, leading to a public sale process.
Remine’s acquisition by Place (Ben Kinney & Chris Suarez) stabilized the company, reduced redundancy, and moved it toward break-even.
Going forward, Remine is focusing on clarity: prospecting, public record/tax data, simple MLS search, and Docs+—not trying to be everything at once.
Remine is re-positioning its tax and public records tools as a standalone value for MLSs, alongside continued sales to MLSs, associations, and directly to agents and teams.
Email: jkazoon@remine.com
Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software
Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired
Greg sits down with returning guest Annie Ives, CEO of CLAW/The MLS™, to discuss major industry changes following NAR policy shifts, the rise of MLS-only memberships, exclusive-listing strategies, and the rapid growth of CLAW’s in-house technology products including Vesta Plus, Checkmate, Showing software, and MarketSnap. Annie also shares insights on managing a high-end market, delivering strong customer service, and the future role of MLSs in a shifting industry.
Key Takeaways
NAR’s policy changes are already increasing MLS-only membership interest, especially in California’s Thompson state environment.
Annie expects MLS-only membership to rise from ~15% to potentially 25–30% as agents look to cut costs.
Associations may face pressure to restate their value proposition as non-dues revenue becomes increasingly important.
CLAW is launching a new listing status: MLS Exclusive — allowing listings to remain off-market-facing while still visible to MLS members.
MLS Exclusive listings accrue no DOM and no public price-change history while in that status.
CLAW continues to grow its in-house technology stack, including:
Vesta Plus MLS platform
Checkmate compliance software (now used by ~200k agents)
Showing software
MarketSnap analytics
Annie credits their success to customization, rapid iteration, and client-driven feature development.
She predicts MLSs will increasingly become technology companies, especially as revenue from dues becomes less stable.
Future industry direction remains uncertain, but Annie emphasizes persistence, adaptability, and building strong teams as core to longevity.
Links:
Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software
Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired
This Listing Bits episode is now available on your favorite podcast player!
Overview
Greg Robertson sits down with industry veteran Amy Gorce of REdistribute to clarify what REdistribute actually does, how it differs from display-focused data platforms, and why MLSs should care about the exploding gray-market use of MLS data. Amy breaks down the institutional-buyer use cases, explains how gray-market pipelines emerged, and outlines why MLS participation directly impacts valuation accuracy, AVMs, risk modeling, and overall market health.
Key Takeaways
• REdistribute is not a display vendor. Their data is used solely for institutional-grade analytics, AVMs, risk modeling, and portfolio management—never for consumer-facing listing display. 
• Owned by MLSs, built for MLSs. The operating agreement limits eligible purchasers and prevents MLSs or brokers from using the data for competitive display products. 
• The gray market is real and accelerating. Companies scrape, partner with brokers, or purchase unclear data sources to fuel AVMs and risk tools—often without MLS compensation. REdistribute is actively converting gray-market users. 
• AI is making the problem bigger. Scraping tools, automated ingestion, and LLM training pipelines are proliferating. REdistribute is building an MCP server to support AI-specific use cases in a controlled and compliant way. 
• Coverage, not demand, is the bottleneck. Institutional buyers are ready, but MLS participation is still below critical mass (~55–60% coverage). More MLSs joining closes the gap and increases revenue potential. 
• Economics vary by use case. AVM licensing generates significantly higher value than simple match-and-append use cases—creating real opportunities for meaningful revenue distribution back to MLSs and brokers. 
• Joining is simple. MLSs sign a license agreement and can be onboarded in roughly two weeks, with quarterly revenue distributions. 
Links
• The Market Value of Listing Data—and the Cost of the Grey Market - White Paper
Contact
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Greg Robertson sits down with Michael Wurzer, CEO of FBS (Flexmls), right after CMLS 2025 in Toronto. They reflect on the state of the MLS industry, FBS’s growth and culture, and how AI, standards, and industry consolidation are shaping the future of organized real estate.
FBS growth & longevity
FBS is now the #2 MLS system vendor with near-100% retention.
Employee-owned culture drives long-term stability and customer focus.
Industry leadership
Wurzer has been influential in pushing APIs, RESO standards, and long-term tech adoption.
Stresses that standards work is critical and shouldn’t be overshadowed by hype around AI.
AI & MCP
New protocols like MCP let large language models connect directly to MLS APIs.
This evolution validates years of investment in standards and API development.
Compass/Anywhere merger
Private listing networks challenge cooperation but face adoption hurdles.
Consolidation could create distractions; agent adoption remains the biggest barrier.
CMLS 2025 reflections
Strong broker/MLS dialogue, with Craig Cheatham’s session a highlight.
Local broker engagement remains the most important success metric for MLSs.
Source MLS revival
Effort to clearly brand MLS-sourced listings and improve analytics transparency.
Planned launch at the 2026 RESO/REset conference.
Regionalization & data standardization
Florida coast example: six MLSs aligned on one entry system, eliminating duplicates.
Push for more regional cooperation to solve overlapping market disorder.
Vendor vs. MLS-owned tech
MLSs entering the vendor space still face the same integration and sustainability challenges.
Wurzer argues FBS, as an employee-owned vendor, shares MLS values and long-term commitment.
Future concerns & opportunities
Biggest worry: MLSs losing focus on standardizing data formats regionally.
Supports potential CMLS–RESO merger if it leads to stronger professional staffing and delivery of promised value.
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Overview
Greg Robertson sits down with Andy Taylor and Greg Fischer from RetroRate to discuss assumable loans and their potential to reshape real estate transactions. They explore the history and career paths of both founders, the challenges of discoverability in MLSs, and how RetroRate aims to make assumable loans more visible and accessible for agents, buyers, and sellers.
Backgrounds of the founders:
Andy Taylor: From gaming at EA, to Apple, to Redfin, to startups like Approved and Credit Karma.
Greg Fischer: From brokerage and realtor.com to innovative consumer tools like Doorsteps and Doorsteps Swipe.
RetroRate’s mission:
Helps real estate professionals identify and transact on assumable loans.
Assumable loans can drastically reduce monthly payments compared to current market rates.
Market potential:
22–25% of homes on the market have an assumable loan, yet less than 1% are marketed that way.
Properly marketed assumable loans can increase sale prices and attract more buyers.
Challenges:
Discoverability in MLSs—fields exist but are often unused or misunderstood.
Educating agents and consumers on how assumables work.
Equity gaps require creative solutions (cash, piggyback loans, or policy changes).
Tools & partnerships:
RetroRate offers an agent-facing platform, MLS integrations, and a Chrome extension (“RetroRate VHS”) to overlay assumable loan info on Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com.
Engaging with MLSs and realtor organizations to standardize data fields and improve adoption.
Call to action:
MLSs, brokers, and agents should connect with RetroRate to make assumable loans more visible and usable for clients.
Contact: andy@retrorate.com | greg@retrorate.com
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In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson sits down with Rich LaRue, Designated Broker for HomeSmart Arizona and VP of Corporate Brokerages for HomeSmart’s Western region. Rich shares his background in real estate, thoughts on exclusive listings and MLS rules, and his perspective on the evolving role of associations, NAR, and vendors in the industry.
Rich LaRue oversees over 12,500 agents across Arizona, California, Colorado, and Texas, with more than 40 years in the business .
On exclusive listings: HomeSmart’s stance is client-focused—market broadly unless specific client needs dictate otherwise .
LaRue acknowledges MLS rules can feel restrictive but stresses the need for common guidelines and transparency with clients .
Predicts exclusive listing programs may be a short-term fad, with market cycles determining their relevance .
Believes associations and MLSs may eventually separate, but stresses the ongoing local value associations provide, especially around advocacy and forms .
Notes the recent push for MLS-only membership options and the challenges of balancing form libraries, branding, and NAR’s influence .
Advises vendors to be patient—sales cycles are long, especially in today’s market—and to focus on helping agents articulate their value to clients .
Highlights Raise, a product that helps agents track and communicate their value, as a timely and effective tool for buyer representation .
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In this episode of the Listing Bits Podcast, Greg Robertson sits down with Dalip Jaggi, co-founder of Revive, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and how Revive is helping homeowners maximize the value of their properties. Dalip shares how his early background in tech led him to real estate, the challenges and lessons of scaling a business, and Revive’s unique approach to empowering homeowners through renovation and financial solutions.
Dalip’s background: from web development and running an agency to launching Revive.
Early exposure to real estate tech through working with “Rich Uncles” and scaling investment platforms.
Why Dalip sold his agency and shifted focus to solving one problem deeply.
Revive’s mission: helping homeowners build wealth through smarter real estate decisions.
Flagship program: Renovate to Sell, which funds and manages home renovations to maximize sale price.
Additional equity-extraction program for homeowners needing faster liquidity.
Difference between Revive and competitors like Plunk and Curbio: Revive acts as a third-party facilitator, not a general contractor, offering oversight, funding, and design support.
Challenges and opportunities of scaling in California versus national expansion.
Importance of focusing deeply in one market before expanding.
Instagram: @revive.realestate
Dalip Jaggi Instagram: @dalipjaggi
Sponsors
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Greg Robertson sits down with Michael Lucarelli, CEO and co-founder of RentSpree, to explore how RentSpree streamlines rental transactions for agents, landlords, and tenants. They discuss RentSpree’s growth, integration with MLSs and Associations, the role of rentals in agent business, and the increasing importance of data-driven tools for tenant screening and rental management. Michael also shares thoughts on how the rental ecosystem can be improved through standardization and better agent education.
RentSpree’s Purpose: Simplifies rental workflows by offering a one-stop shop for applications, tenant screening, rent payments, and more.
MLS Partnerships: RentSpree is integrated with over 300 MLSs, enabling rental tools directly within agent workflows.
Agent Opportunity: Rentals are an underused income source for agents; RentSpree helps make them more manageable and profitable.
Tenant Screening: The platform provides comprehensive tenant screening through credit, criminal, and eviction background checks.
Data Ownership: RentSpree emphasizes agent ownership of renter relationships and their associated data.
Market Trends: Institutional investors and consumer pressure are pushing the rental market toward transparency and modernization.
Standardization Need: The rental process lacks uniformity; RentSpree aims to bridge gaps through tech and partnerships.
Agent Education: There’s a need for more training and awareness among agents about how to handle rentals efficiently and professionally.
Links
Sponsors
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In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson sits down with Todd Carpenter, SVP of Industry Relations at Styldod, to talk about the evolution of real estate technology—from mortgage lead gen to photo AI. They dive deep into how Styldod uses artificial intelligence to help agents with virtual staging, automate compliance workflows, and extract property data directly from listing photos. Todd also shares his career journey through early online mortgage startups, NAR, and RE.net culture to where he is today—working on AI-powered tools designed to modernize listing input and photo compliance for MLSs.
Key Takeaways
Career Journey – Todd shares his path from growing up in real estate, to working in mortgage tech, to leading social media strategy at NAR, and now serving at Styldod.
Photo Compliance and Automation – Styldod’s AI can detect and automatically correct issues like branding, people, pets, or license plates in listing photos based on MLS rules.
Data Extraction from Photos – The AI identifies room types, finishes, and furniture to help pre-populate listing details and property descriptions.
AI-Powered Listing Input – Discussion on how AI can assist in streamlining listing input and future MLS integrations without replacing MLS platforms themselves.
Visual Staging and Marketing Add-ons – Styldod enables decluttering, virtual staging, and style customization through a seamless workflow integrated into MLS photo upload processes.
Product and Pricing Models – Overview of different pricing approaches for MLSs, agents, and brokers—either as direct charges or revenue-share options.
Reimagine.AI – Styldod’s consumer-facing product with over 2 million users, offering swipe-based before-and-after image tools.
AI Search and Industry Disruption – Todd and Greg speculate on how on-device AI and generative agents may reshape search, SEO, and real estate monetization in the future
Contact Todd
Links:
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In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson sits down with Ben Kinney, CEO and co-founder of Place, to talk about Place’s acquisition of Remine, how Ben built his PropTech empire from the ground up, and what’s next for the platform. Ben shares his personal journey from growing up in rural Washington to building a half-billion-dollar business, and lays out his vision for supporting agents, MLSs, and consumers through technology, services, and long-term stability.
Key Takeaways
Place Acquires Remine – Ben shares why his team bought Remine out of bankruptcy, what they plan to do with the platform, and how MLSs can expect immediate support.
A Business Built for Agents – Place focuses on helping top teams across brokerages run more profitable and efficient businesses without trying to replace brokers or compete with their models.
Three Keys to Product Adoption – Ben breaks down his framework for driving usage: show users how, show them why, and show them others who’ve succeeded.
From CRM to Services – Place provides agents with everything from CRMs and marketing tools to bookkeeping, HR, title services, and even AI-powered handwritten notes.
CCP and Cooperation – Ben shares his views on Clear Cooperation and listing exclusivity, emphasizing transparency, consumer benefit, and the importance of cooperation.
Long-Term Vision – Ben discusses Place’s public company aspirations, upcoming acquisitions, and consumer-focused services like moving support—all while keeping control of the business.
Links
Place.com https://place.com
Active Rain https://activerain.com
Mom’s “No Bake” Cookie recipe
1 stick of butter
2 c sugar
1/4 c cocoa powder
1/2 c milk
3 c oatmeal
1/2 c crunchy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
Stir butter, sugar, cocoa, milk in saucepan until boil. Boil at low for 2 mins. Remove from heat and add in oatmeal, peanut butter, vanilla.
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🎙️ Listing Bits Episode: The Amazing Annie Ives
Host: Greg Robertson
Guest: Annie Ives, CEO of The MLS™ / VestaPlus
Duration: ~40 min
👋 Episode Summary:
In this episode, Greg sits down with Annie Ives, a true titan in the world of organized real estate. From her early days immigrating from Tunisia to building and reviving one of the most resilient MLS organizations in the country, Annie shares her personal and professional journey with candor, humor, and a hint of rebellion.
They cover everything from her humble beginnings in Los Angeles, to taking down not one but two formidable adversaries (a rogue MLS and the LA Times), and ultimately building a fully-fledged MLS software company from the ground up — all while raising a family and earning her MBA.
🧩 Key Topics Covered:
• Annie’s Origins: Born in Tunisia, moved to LA in 1967 post-Six-Day War
• First Jobs in the U.S.: Nanny, Bank of America check processor
• Finding Her Calling: Started in accounting for CLAW (Combined L.A. Westside MLS) in 1993
• The CLS Uprising: How Annie resurrected CLAW after a broker-led exodus and competition from the breakaway “CLS”
• Publishing Power Move: Took on LA Times and launched Southern California Homes & Estates, which remains a staple in the market
• Building VestaPlus: Tired of relying on vendors, Annie led the charge to build a proprietary MLS platform — now adopted beyond their core market
• Checkmate™: Her team’s AI-driven compliance tool making waves across the MLS industry
• Team Philosophy: Why taking risks, building a strong team, and staying scrappy still matters
📌 Resources & Mentions:
• The MLS™ / VestaPlus:
• Contact Annie: annie.ives@themls.com
• Compliance tool: Checkmate™, powered by VestaPlus
• The MLS Summit Event: Annual event hosted by The MLS™
🎙️ Listing Bits: Brian Donnellan, CEO of Bright MLS
Host: Greg Robertson
Guest: Brian Donnellan, CEO of Bright MLS
Episode Summary:
Greg sits down with Bright MLS CEO Brian Donnellan for a candid conversation about leadership, music, and the shifting dynamics in real estate. They dive into design, the Clear Cooperation Policy, Wall Street’s influence, and why cooperation—not just compensation—is the heart of MLS value.
What You’ll Learn:
• Why Bright MLS invests so heavily in communication and design
• How playing in bands helped Brian lead complex teams
• The real impact of removing compensation from the MLS model
• Brian’s take on Clear Cooperation and private exclusives
• What Wall Street’s growing role means for brokers and MLSs
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In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson is joined by Megan McFarlane from New Mexico MLS and Jeff Allen from CubiCasa to discuss the growing importance of floor plans in real estate listings. They dive into why New Mexico MLS has taken the bold step of requiring floor plans on every listing, how technology like CubiCasa is making this easier, and the industry-wide momentum pushing for more complete and transparent listing content.
Key Takeaways
• New Mexico MLS’s Bold Move: Why they made floor plans mandatory and how it enhances listing accuracy and consumer experience.
• The Tech That’s Changing the Game: How CubiCasa and other solutions make floor plans more accessible for agents and MLSs.
• Overcoming Pushback: Addressing concerns about liability, data privacy, and adoption challenges.
• Consumer Demand is Clear: NAR research shows floor plans are the #1 most requested listing feature.
• Global Trends in Real Estate: Why countries like Finland and Australia have already made floor plans standard—and why the U.S. is catching up.
• The Future of MLS Compliance: How MLSs are using AI and automation to enforce floor plan requirements.
Links & Resources
New Mexico MLS to require floor plans on all listings
https://www.vendoralley.com/2025/01/16/new-mexico-mls-to-require-floorpans-on-all-listings/
MLS Floor Plan Requirement Programs: FAQ 2025
https://www.cubi.casa/mls-floor-plan-requirements-2025/
CMLS Presentation Clip
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE2yYaMPzme/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
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Episode Summary:
In this episode, Greg Robertson talks with Kevin McCarthy, co-founder and CEO of Real Geeks, about his journey from a small-town tech enthusiast to creating a leading real estate technology company. Kevin shares insights into Real Geeks’ origins, its evolution, and how its all-in-one platform empowers real estate agents. The conversation touches on the early challenges of building a tech company, the role of SEO in the early internet era, and how AI is shaping the future of real estate technology.
Key Topics Discussed:
1. The Birth of Real Geeks
• How Kevin’s move to Hawaii led to a partnership with Jeff Manson, Real Geeks’ co-founder.
• The transition from building a single real estate website to creating a scalable product for agents.
2. The Real Geeks Platform
• Combining IDX websites with a CRM for seamless lead generation and management.
• The importance of fast, user-friendly software and SEO optimization.
3. AI Innovations
• Introduction of “SEO Fast Track,” an AI-powered website builder.
• The future of CRMs: AI taking over repetitive tasks to let agents focus on client relationships.
4. The Journey of Growth
• Challenges of starting in Hawaii and expanding operations to Dallas, TX.
• Navigating the sale of Real Geeks to Fidelity National Financial while preserving its mission.
5. Advice for Entrepreneurs
• Building a profitable, self-funded business in challenging markets.
• The value of focusing on user experience and sustainable growth.
Quotable Highlights:
• “Fast software is good software. Even milliseconds matter when it comes to user experience.”
• “AI will make CRMs fade into the background, automating tasks agents hate so they can focus on building relationships.”
• “Real Geeks is more than just software; it’s a tool that powers the livelihood of real estate agents.”
Reach Out:
LinkedIn for Kevin McCarthy
Real Geeks - Tools Tailored to Your Ambitions
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Overview:
Greg Robertson sits down with Carlos Grass and Paul Hethmon, co-founders of Amplify, to discuss their innovative “front-endless” MLS backend platform. This episode highlights Amplify’s unique approach to creating a flexible, adaptable MLS backend designed to empower MLSs with greater control and cutting-edge technology.
Key Takeaways:
1. Amplify’s Mission and Flexibility:
• Amplify offers a decoupled backend solution that allows MLSs to use multiple frontends, enabling greater customization, data control, and integration with new technologies.
2. Innovative Technology Integration:
• The platform features advanced capabilities like natural language processing and machine learning, allowing users to search MLS data through voice or natural language, while also automating content creation such as audio descriptions and marketing videos.
3. Real-Time Changes and Responsiveness:
• Amplify’s backend allows MLSs to make updates and add fields in real-time, drastically improving adaptability and response time compared to traditional MLS systems.
4. A New Vision for MLS Accessibility:
• Amplify enables MLSs to extend data access to a broader network, including appraisers, attorneys, and financial institutions, fostering a more collaborative ecosystem.
Reach Out:
Carlos Grass, Co-Founder of Amplify and CEO of Stratus Data Systems
Paul Hethmon, Co-Founder of Amplify
Visit Amplify at ampsystems.us
Download Amplify's new White Paper: Adapting to the post DOJ ruling
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Overview:
In this episode, Greg Robertson chats with Austin Allison, CEO of Pacaso, about his entrepreneurial journey in real estate, starting with Dotloop and transitioning to his current venture, Pacaso. The discussion covers lessons learned from his early career, how Pacaso is revolutionizing second home ownership, and insights into raising capital through innovative approaches like Regulation A.
Key Takeaways:
1. Austin’s Journey in Real Estate:
• Austin Allison started his real estate career early, getting his license at 18. His early experiences selling homes during college inspired him to create Dotloop, which he later sold to Zillow.
• The entrepreneurial lessons from Dotloop, including navigating challenging markets and working with large real estate brands like Keller Williams, set the foundation for his future ventures.
2. The Birth of Pacaso:
• After selling Dotloop, Austin co-founded Pacaso, a platform aimed at democratizing second home ownership by enabling people to co-own luxury homes. The idea stemmed from his own experience of buying a second home and realizing most vacation homes sit unused for much of the year.
• Pacaso allows people to purchase a share of a vacation home, creating more efficient and accessible ways to own luxury properties.
3. The Challenges of Scaling a Startup:
• Pacaso had rapid growth, especially during the early days of the pandemic when people sought second homes, but faced new challenges in 2023 due to rising interest rates and a cooling real estate market.
• The company has refocused on profitability and expanding its market presence globally, with operations in the U.S., Europe, and Mexico.
4. Innovative Fundraising through Regulation A:
• Pacaso recently explored raising capital through Regulation A, a public fundraising method that allows retail investors to buy into private companies. This method democratizes access to investment opportunities typically reserved for institutional investors.
• Austin believes this approach aligns with Pacaso’s mission of making second home ownership more accessible and also raises brand awareness by turning investors into advocates.
5. Future of Pacaso and Second Home Ownership:
• Pacaso aims to continue expanding its product offerings and entering new markets. While the current focus is on high-net-worth individuals, Austin envisions future opportunities to lower the entry point for ownership, making the Pacaso model more accessible to a broader audience.
• Austin emphasizes the long-term potential of Pacaso and the importance of scaling the business carefully to meet the demands of a large, untapped market.
Reach Out:
Austin on LInkedIN
Find out more about Pacaso
• Learn more about Pacaso: Pacaso.com
• Explore Regulation A investment opportunities with Pacaso.
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I sat down with a long-time friend and former business partner, Maggie Etheridge. Maggie was one of my co-founders at IRIS, a real estate software company we started back in 1992. She is a second-generation real estate agent. Maggie’s mom, Martie, was the inspiration for starting a software company focused on real estate and is likely the reason I have a career today.
This episode began from a series of texts between Maggie and me about her thoughts on NAR, the lawsuits, exclusive listings, and what the pundits are getting wrong. It was a great conversation and a huge reality check for me, making me rethink some of my previous assumptions. It was a discussion that could have gone on for hours; somehow, I think we’ll have to have her on as a guest again.
Reach Out:
Maggie’s website
Maggie's Insta
Greg's website
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Listing Bits is back with a great guest, Kevin Shtofman, Global Head of Innovation at Cherre. Cherre is a global real estate data management platform. Kevin is from Texas and comes from a very entrepreneurial family that owned retail stores selling western wear, including honest-to-goodness cowboy boots! Yee-haw! Kevin talks about his journey from Wall Street back to Dallas and Cherre. It’s a great conversation where we dive into the breadth of real estate data available now, housing affordability, real estate myths, and the changing vendor landscape. Kevin is a super smart guy, and I found this conversation very insightful—I know you will too.
Reach Out:
Kevin on LinkedIn
Greg's website
Find out more about Cheere
Cherre.com - Follow your Data
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Dan Fortin was one of my favorite people I met working at Lone Wolf. He came over from the Instanet acquisition and has had a front-row seat to see big changes in the industry. From Lone Wolf acquiring 8 companies, 5 of them in less than 9 months, to the challenges of being a forms company during COVID when everyone wanted a specific form, and they wanted it NOW! Sounds familiar, eh?
We discuss Dan's background, the lessons he's learned over the 10 years, and how taking a data-driven approach to making decisions has helped him during his career.
We also get to talk about Lone Wolf's recent announcement on its newest platform, Foundation, and the tremendous amount of work that took. We also delve into product, design, and what the future holds for Lone Wolf.
For more about Lone Wolf Foundation please visit here.
To connect with Dan check out his LinkedIn profile.
What do Willie Nelson and keeping real estate agents safe have in common? You will have to listen to this great conversation with Tether RE founder Scott Martin to find out.
Did you know that in 2020 60,000 real estate agents reported being victims of assault, sexual abuse, robbery or were murdered in the US? In 2023 over 75,000 real estate agents reported being victim of a crime. And there are a ton of more incidents that go unreported.
In this wide ranging conversation with Scott Martin, a serial entrepreneur, we talk about where the idea came from, and the journey that got Scott here. Trust me, it's a wild ride!
Join us for fun and entertaining conversation.
Reach Out:
Connect with Scott
Check out Tether RE
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Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracker
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I hope you enjoy this great conversation with the co-founders of HŌM, Jeff Zakrzewski and Nhan Vo.
In a wide ranging conversation we discuss their orgin story. Where they came up for the idea of their app and the struggles of going to market with a real estate software solution.
If you are new vendor getting in to the space, an MLS exec, or franchisor professional its worth a listen.
HŌM is a well designed app that is doing a lot of interesting things with data and collaboration with some great people behind it.
Join us!
Find out more about the HŌM experience
Reach Out:
Connect with Jeff
Connect with Vo
Our Sponsor:
Trackxi - Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracker
Production and editing services by:
The verdict against NAR in the Sitzer lawsuit has organized real estate up in arms.
But Michael Lissack thinks the decision is the best thing to happen to the industry in 100 years.
In fact, he sees the trade association as a criminal enterprise with little value beyond MLS access.
Michael is Managing Broker for The Virtual Realty Group, a 100% commission brokerage that operates in 12 states.
On this episode of Listing Bits, Michael joins Greg to discuss the real issue behind the lawsuits against NAR and describe what he would do to make buyer’s agent commission negotiable.
Michael explains why it’s necessary to decouple the MLS from NAR membership and how that would likely lead to bankruptcy for the trade association.
Listen in for Michael’s provocative take on why associations don’t deserve a way forward in a world where MLS access is open to anyone with a real estate license.
What’s Discussed:
The real issue behind the lawsuits against NAR and several real estate brokerages
What Michael would do to make buyer’s agent commission negotiable
Why the DOJ takes issue with mandatory membership in NAR for MLS access
How decoupling the MLS from NAR would impact everyday REALTORS
What decoupling the MLS from NAR membership would do to the trade association (and what NAR might do to demonstrate its value and rebuild)
What it would take to decouple local, state and NAR membership
Why Michael believes a real estate license should be the only requirement for MLS access
Running MLSs as not-for-profit organizations vs. for-profit entities
Greg’s thoughts on providing a way forward for associations by compensating them for the work of building the MLS
Why bankruptcy might be apt for associations who don’t provide value beyond MLS access
Connect with Michael Lissack:
Resources:
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