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:
Our Sponsors
Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software
Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired
Production and editing services by:
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.
Our Sponsors
Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software
Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired
Production and editing services by:
🎙️ 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
Our Sponsors
Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software
Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired
Production and editing services by:
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==
Our Sponsors
Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software
Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired
Production and editing services by: