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Listing Bits

Greg Robertson, co-founder of W+R Studios and publisher of Vendor Alley, talks real estate technology with the people who are shaping it.
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Now displaying: April, 2018
Apr 18, 2018

‘Defy mediocrity and deliver extraordinary experiences.’

Century 21 has been in business for the past 47 years, and in that time, the branding has remained virtually unchanged. When Nick Bailey took the reins, however, he moved quickly to rebrand the company in a way that reflects the consumer-driven movement in the industry, engenders multi-generational appeal, and inspires his global team to deliver extraordinary experiences.

Nick took on the role of CEO and President of Century 21 in August 2017, and he is responsible for the organization’s 8K offices and 118K independent contractors in 80 countries around the world. He has 21 years of experience in the industry, earning his real estate license at the age of 21. Nick served as the VP of Growth and Development at RE/MAX World Headquarters for 12 years and VP of Broker Relations for Zillow Group for five years. He is a leader in franchising, brokerage management and technology, and Nick is known for increasing margins while mitigating the impact of economic change.

Today Nick explains how his diverse background allows him to see issues through different lenses, including that of the consumer. He walks us through the Century 21 rebrand, discussing the company’s new motto around delivering extraordinary experiences and the positive response to its new brand identity. Nick speaks to Century 21’s reputation for training, his take on new models like iBuyers, and the consumer-driven movement in real estate. Listen in for Nick’s insight on the necessity for open network, mobile-first technology and the healthy competition between Century 21 and Realogy.

 

What’s Discussed: 

 

How Nick’s diverse real estate background helps create clarity

The consumer-driven movement in the real estate industry

Nick’s insight on the core of Century 21’s business

  • Help affiliates grow companies
  • Help agents get closings

Century 21’s new motto around delivering extraordinary experiences

The positive response to Century 21’s new brand identity

  • Cross-functional (mid-priced AND high-end)
  • Multi-generational appeal

How a brand’s design impacts consumer trust

Century 21’s reputation for training and education

Nick’s take on new models like Redfin and iBuyers

How the process of finding buyers and sellers has evolved

The difference between home search and home shopper

How agents remain essential to consumers despite industry disruption

Nick’s preference for integrated, open network technology

The healthy competition between Realogy and Century 21

Century 21’s international presence

 

Connect with Nick Bailey:

 

Century 21

Century 21 on YouTube

Century 21 on Twitter

Nick on LinkedIn

Apr 7, 2018

88 MLSs serve 80% of REALTORS. The remaining 20% are served by the rest—that’s nearly 600 MLSs! We know that consolidation will make it much easier for brokers to serve consumers, but what is the best way to approach the issue? How can we work to understand the 20% in rural, small town and resort communities and bring that group in to alignment with the 80%?

Kevin McQueen is the President of the T3 Sixty MLS Division. He joined the firm with the express purpose of facilitating MLS consolidations, mergers and collaborations. Kevin has been a real estate consultant since 2000, when he founded Focus Forward to help MLSs and associations navigate the evolution of the industry. Prior to consulting, Kevin spent nine years as the CEO of Realcomp and eight years running technical operations for BORIS Systems.

Today Kevin shares his path to consulting, from his early days with BORIS to his experience consolidating MLSs in Michigan at Realcomp. He explains the role of a consultant in facilitating strategic thinking and what led to his collaboration with T3 Sixty. Listen in to understand Kevin’s mission to pick up the pace of MLS consolidation, addressing problem areas individually with a quiet, flexible approach.

 

What’s Discussed: 

Kevin’s early experience with MLS technical operations

How Kevin transitioned to MLS leadership at Realcomp

Kevin’s insight on the benefits of consulting

Why Kevin chose the name Focus Forward

The role of a consultant in facilitating strategic thinking

  • Discussion about what’s possible
  • Organizational assessment

Why Kevin sought a partnership with T3 Sixty

The value of accurate data in decision-making to supercede emotion-based decision making in boardrooms

The shrinking number of MLSs from 2000 to 2018

Kevin’s mission to pick up the pace of MLS consolidation

  • 88 MLSs serve 80% of REALTORS
  • 20% served by the rest (nearly 600)

Kevin’s take on NAR initiatives as dividing vs. unifying

Kevin’s Do’s and Don’ts of MLS consolidation

  • Be flexible, modify business model
  • Don’t go into takeover mode

Paul Prince’s quiet and respectful approach to consolidation

How Kevin’s MLS map initiated a conversation

T3 Sixty’s approach to addressing problem areas individually

 

Resources:

Number of MLSs By State

Paul Prince Case Study

T3 Summit

 

Connect with Kevin McQueen: 

T3 Sixty

Email kevin@t360.com

Kevin on LinkedIn

Kevin on Facebook

 

Apr 4, 2018

What do you think of when you hear the term ‘MLS’? The software vendors? The providers? The database itself? What about MLS executives? We tend to use the label as a catchall for all of those things, which can get problematic.

 

Shelley Specchio has a handle on all aspects of the MLS system. In 1994, Shelley began her professional career publishing a home magazine for the Reno/Sparks Association of REALTORS. The association expanded in 2003 to become the Northern Nevada Regional MLS, and Shelley served as their VP of Sales and Marketing until 2008 when she transitioned to the role of CEO. Last February she became the CEO of the MIBOR REALTOR Association in Indianapolis, a unique organization that marries the MLS, the association, and a nonprofit arm to impact the community at large. Shelley is involved with NAR on the national level, serving on the MLS Executive Advisory Board.

 

Today Shelley addresses the role of an MLS executive, discussing her own career path and the pros and cons of the position. She shares her take on the fear of disruption in the marketplace, the Upstream initiative, and MLS consolidation. Shelley explains what drew her to the CEO position at MIBOR, describing how the association, MLS, and foundation work in tandem to impact the community. Listen in for insight around using ‘MLS’ as a catchall term and MIBOR’s adoption of the acronym BLC.

 

What’s Discussed: 

 

Shelley’s career path in real estate

The role of an MLS executive

The fear of disruption in the marketplace

Shifting from fear to strategic action

Shelley’s take on the Upstream initiative

  • No one solution for pain points
  • MLS needs to facilitate choice

Other graduates of the ‘Merri Jo School of MLS Execs’

Why MLS execs often relocate as they advance

The extensive travel required of MLS execs

The shrinking number of MLSs from 900 to 672

What drew Shelley to MIBOR

  • Economic development piece
  • Opportunity to move community forward

MIBOR’s unique structure as an association and MLS

The challenges of having a new boss every year

How MLS execs build relationships with the board

The confusion around ‘MLS’ as a catchall term

Why MIBOR uses the term Broker Listing Cooperative

Shelley’s insight on future consolidation

  • Less important to merge if data flowing
  • Tech like MLS Gridcould facilitate

 

Resources:

 

T3 Sixty

MLS Grid

CMLS Brings It to the Table

MIBOR REALTOR Foundation

 

Connect with Shelley Specchio:

 

MIBOR REALTOR Association

MIBOR on Facebook

MIBOR on Twitter

Shelley on LinkedIn

 

 

 

 

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