Industry Relations

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson dig into the escalating conflict between Zillow and MRED over private listing networks (PLNs), IDX rules, and Zillow's Listing Access Standards (ZLAS). What starts as a dispute over listing visibility quickly becomes a deeper conversation about power: who ultimately controls listing data—the MLS or the portal? The episode explores MRED's emails to brokers, Zillow's outreach for direct feeds, potential January disruptions, and why this fight could set a precedent for MLS–portal relationships nationwide. Key Takeaways Zillow and MRED are on a collision course over whether Zillow can selectively exclude PLN listings while still receiving IDX feeds. MRED argues selective exclusion violates its IDX rules; Zillow argues it owes transparency to sellers and consistency to its standards. Emails suggest Zillow may pursue direct broker feeds, potentially bypassing the MLS if access is cut off. The dispute is less about private listings themselves and more about control—"who runs Barter Town." Outcomes range from MLS dominance, to Zillow dominance, to a hard-to-define compromise—with major implications for brokers, sellers, and other MLSs. Links Zillow stalemate with Chicago's MLS looks like it's coming to a head Mad Max Clip Connect with Rob and Greg Rob's Website Greg's Website Watch us on YouTube Our Sponsors: Cotality Notorious VIP The Giant Steps Job Board Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into the recurring issue of embezzlement and financial mismanagement within small Realtor associations. Using recent cases as a jumping-off point, they debate what "transparency" should actually look like in a member-driven nonprofit, whether associations should provide full access to financial records, and what safeguards could reasonably prevent future financial failures. The discussion gets spirited as they explore audits, member oversight, governance culture, and how much transparency is too much—or not enough. Key Takeaways Embezzlement in small associations: Recent cases highlight how financially fragile many smaller associations are and how one incident can destabilize them. Audit funding proposals: Rob suggests that state or national associations should fund audits for smaller associations that can't afford them. Transparency debate: Rob advocates for allowing any member to inspect line-item financials; Greg argues that professional audits—not member investigations—are the correct mechanism for oversight. Concerns about disruption: Greg emphasizes how untrained members digging through records could create confusion, waste staff time, or misinterpret legitimate expenses. Proper purpose & confidentiality: Rob proposes a compromise where members may inspect records but must keep information within the association; Greg notes NDAs may be required due to vendor contract confidentiality. Governance culture: Both agree that trust has eroded in parts of organized real estate, though they disagree on the extent and cause. Association survival risk: When embezzlement happens in small associations, they may face insolvency or be forced to merge. Checks & balances: Discussion includes dual-signature thresholds, expense-tracking systems like Ramp, and the importance of third-party annual audits. Connect with Rob and Greg Rob's Website Greg's Website Watch us on YouTube Our Sponsors: Cotality Notorious VIP The Giant Steps Job Board Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

The discussion dives into NAR's failed ethics changes and governance issues, revealing deep conflicts within its structure. eXp and CAR are pushing for greater transparency, challenging NAR's approach. The hosts debate whether MLSs should 'raise the bar' and the risks of hindering their market value. Zillow's removal of climate-risk scores highlights changing consumer sentiments. They express concern over rising housing affordability issues and the need for real estate professionals to engage with younger buyers and foster trust.

Rob and Greg dissect revealing court documents from the Zillow-Compass case and a leaked Zillow strategy plan that may redefine industry norms. They debate the implications of the preliminary injunction hearing and its potential to spur rapid shifts in real estate practices. Tensions over housing affordability and the outdated poverty line also emerge, linking generational issues to the housing market. The hosts propose intriguing compromise ideas that could reshape how Zillow and Compass operate, while questioning the future of MLS dynamics.

The hosts dive into the sparse attendance at NAR NXT and the shift towards centralized vendor kiosks. They discuss how MLS policy changes signal a shift in authority from NAR to local levels, essentially granting MLS freedom. The repeal of disciplinary guidelines is highlighted, indicating a significant transformation in the MLS landscape. Winners like large brokers and MLSs emerge, while local associations may struggle to adapt. The hosts foresee a need for associations to reinvent themselves without mandatory membership and critique NAR's strategic plan.

Rob and Greg dive into the buzz surrounding the NAR Annual Conference, discussing attendance patterns and committee speculations. They explore the implications of a potential 50-year mortgage and debate whether lower interest rates could actually stimulate home sales. The conversation shifts to a new Zillow-related lawsuit and how Rocket/Redfin might navigate potential RESPA risks. Finally, they highlight the polished experience at Zillow Unlock, attended by top agents, where business connected with brand strategy.

Zillow's recent privacy policy changes spark a heated debate on data access and agent trust. The term 'mutual customer' triggered significant backlash, revealing communication failures at Zillow. Discussions highlight concerns over CRM data use and potential industry ripple effects as agents fear for their client lists. Both hosts emphasize the erosion of trust as a significant risk, while also placing Zillow's decisions within a broader trend in tech. The conversation wraps up with advice for agents to adapt to these evolving privacy expectations.

Hosts dive into the challenges facing real estate's innovation, focusing on outdated MLS technology and bureaucratic hurdles. They tackle the slow permissioning process that stalls startups and explore a proposal for a faster license system akin to a SAFE agreement. The discussion highlights the need for standardized guidelines to tackle inconsistency and fragmentation across MLS systems. With governance issues creating bottlenecks, the call for reform emphasizes both speed and fairness in the industry.

Rob and Greg tackle the contentious CRMLS EULA update, highlighting the clash between broker data rights and MLS ownership claims. They examine the fallout from miscommunication that left many unaware of significant changes. The debate intensifies with Compass CEO Robert Reffkin's posts prompting industry scrutiny. Topics include MLS strategies for data ownership, governance issues, and the vital need for improved communication to brokers. With calls for transparency, they explore the potential impacts on the industry and stress the importance of ongoing dialogue.

Rob and Greg dive into the intriguing Zillow-ChatGPT integration, sparking debates on IDX compliance and the evolving role of AI in real estate. They compare this shift to the early days of Google, highlighting how AI filters listings with more nuance than traditional search. The hosts question outdated MLS policies and advocate for new principles to govern data use. As AI reshapes the industry, they stress that agents embracing these tools will outperform those who resist. Who needs data restrictions in the age of AI? It's a thought-provoking discussion!