"If a spectacle is going to be particularly imposing I prefer to see it through somebody else's eyes, because that man will always exaggerate. Then I can exaggerate his exaggeration, and my account of … Read more about The report of RPR’s birth is an exaggeration…
Offer spamming
Imagine you are a real estate broker, and you receive an email like this: From: Mystery Investment Company, LLC. To: YOU Subject: Offer To Purchase LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE 123 Elm Street [the … Read more about Offer spamming
REALTORS® Property Resource: A possible business model?
I have had numerous conversations with folks regarding the REALTORS® Property Resource (RPR), NAR's multi-million dollar initiative shrouded in secrecy. Until now, my view has been that there is no … Read more about REALTORS® Property Resource: A possible business model?
Emancipating innovation from the ‘legacy customer’
MLSs are plagued by a seemingly intractable problem: their legacy customers. This is the existing broker 'member' or 'participant/subscriber' base. The problem finally crystallized for me during Brad … Read more about Emancipating innovation from the ‘legacy customer’
Great radio portrayal of how the real estate/mortgage bubble happened
It's always struck me that the news stories covering the real estate/sub-prime bubble and collapse have either been very superficial or too complicated for the average person to understand. When a … Read more about Great radio portrayal of how the real estate/mortgage bubble happened
Bonuses and Conditions on MLS Offers of Compensation
Ok, so I posted earlier about why I think bonus offers are bad PR for the industry. But it is also unclear to me whether bonus offers can be allowed in MLS. Policy background If we take the example … Read more about Bonuses and Conditions on MLS Offers of Compensation
Bonus offers in MLS are bad PR for the industry
This post and the next are revised versions of posts I did on my short-lived ActiveRain blog a couple years ago. They came to mind because of an Inman column by Teresa Boardman two weeks ago regarding … Read more about Bonus offers in MLS are bad PR for the industry
‘Core’ vs. ‘optional’ Pt 4: Legal issues
(This is Part 4 in a four-part series. I started with some definitions to get us on the same page; we then looked at NAR policy on the issue (for those MLSs that are bound by it); I provided some of … Read more about ‘Core’ vs. ‘optional’ Pt 4: Legal issues
Extent of MLS’s VOW rules enforcement duties
I'm taking break from the MLS core vs. optional services series to get out this post. An email has been circulating in the MLS community that has been misinterpreted as saying MLSs have some … Read more about Extent of MLS’s VOW rules enforcement duties
‘Core’ vs. ‘optional’ Pt 3: Arguments both ways
(This is Part 3 in a four-part series. I started with some definitions to get us on the same page; we then looked at NAR policy on the issue (for those MLSs that are bound by it); here, I'll provide … Read more about ‘Core’ vs. ‘optional’ Pt 3: Arguments both ways
MLS services ‘core’ vs. ‘optional’ Pt 2: NAR policy view
(This is Part 2 in a four-part series. I started with some definitions to get us on the same page; in this post I'll look at NAR policy on the issue (for those MLSs that are bound by it); next, I'll … Read more about MLS services ‘core’ vs. ‘optional’ Pt 2: NAR policy view
When should MLS services be ‘core’ and when ‘optional’? (Potential CMLS topic 4)
(Note: Shelley Specchio is CEO of the Northern Nevada Regional MLS, Inc., a host of the CMLS Conference in Lake Tahoe, September 30 – October 2. She and I have been discussing topics for the legal … Read more about When should MLS services be ‘core’ and when ‘optional’? (Potential CMLS topic 4)