🎙️ 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™