Listing Bits

Andy Taylor and Greg Fischer, co-founders of RetroRate, bring a wealth of experience in real estate technology. They delve into the significant opportunity that assumable loans present, highlighting that 22-25% of homes may qualify yet are rarely marketed effectively. The duo discusses the challenges agents face in recognizing and promoting these loans and unveil RetroRate's innovative tools, like their Chrome extension, designed to enhance visibility and facilitate transactions. They also address how assumable loans can increase home affordability and assist various buyer types.

Rich LaRue, Designated Broker for HomeSmart Arizona and VP for its Western region, has over 40 years of real estate experience overseeing 12,500 agents. He shares insights on exclusive listings, advocating for a broad market approach while respecting client privacy. Rich discusses the evolution of MLS rules and the potential separation from associations, emphasizing local advocacy's importance. He also encourages patience among vendors, highlighting tools like Raise that help agents demonstrate their value clearly to clients.

Dalip Jaggi, co-founder of Revive, empowers homeowners to maximize property value through renovations and innovative financial solutions. He shares his journey from web development to real estate, revealing challenges in scaling his business and the vital focus on local markets. Dalip discusses Revive’s unique role as a facilitator, distinct from competitors, and highlights their flagship program that funds renovations to enhance sale prices. His insights on entrepreneurship and customer engagement offer valuable lessons for navigating the real estate landscape.

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. Key Takeaways 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 RentSpree LinkedIn RentEdge   Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired   Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Todd Carpenter, SVP of Industry Relations at Styldod, shares his extensive experience in mortgage tech and real estate. He discusses how AI is revolutionizing real estate by automating photo compliance, detecting issues in listing images, and enhancing data extraction from photos. Todd highlights the evolution from virtual staging to cutting-edge AI tools that streamline listing processes, while also sharing insights on compliance automation and future MLS integrations. His journey reflects the industry's shift towards technology and innovation for better efficiency.

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.   WAV Group Interview: Meet Ben Kinney and Chris Suarez of Place – new owners of Remine - https://www.wavgroup.com/2025/04/22/meet-ben-kinney-and-chris-suarez-of-place-new-owners-of-remine/ Our Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

🎙️ 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: Sunbound Studios

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: Sunbound Studios

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