Industry Relations

Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson
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Aug 13, 2025 • 57min

AI Octagon

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Rob and Greg welcome Coleton Boyer from OnTuesday.com for a spirited debate on whether AI will truly disrupt the real estate industry. They explore AI’s potential to improve lead generation, client service, and agent efficiency, while questioning if these benefits will actually level the playing field or further concentrate market share among top agents. The conversation touches on ethics, the human element in client relationships, and how AI could reshape industry business models and pricing structures. Key Takeaways AI in Real Estate: Potential for personalized marketing at scale, faster client responses, and improved efficiency. Lead Generation: AI could enable unique, data-driven outreach, though ethics and authenticity are debated. Client Service: Tools can parse documents instantly, freeing agents to focus on relationships and strategy. Democratization vs. Consolidation: Debate over whether AI empowers new agents or strengthens established ones. Business Model Impact: Shift from “butts in seats” to usage-based or outcome-based pricing likely. Industry Stickiness: Despite technological changes, the human connection and trust factor remain central to real estate.   Links: ontuesday.com   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  
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Aug 6, 2025 • 1h 1min

OK Boomer.

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! In this episode, Rob and Greg recap Inman Connect San Diego, discuss the current state of the real estate industry, and explore the hype and utility of AI in real estate. They cover industry gossip, shifting executive roles, macroeconomic forecasts, and heated disagreements on whether AI truly enhances the client experience. Key Takeaways Inman Connect Recap Greg shares his experience from Inman Connect, including a pre-party at his studio and the CEO Connect session. NAR Membership Projections Kevin Sears (NAR President) revealed current membership is ~65,000 above projections at 1.4M; however, NAR is budgeting for 1.2M members in 2026. Agent Churn Annual agent churn is approximately 20%, meaning roughly all members cycle every five years. CoStar vs. Zillow Lawsuit The buzz at CEO Connect centered around CoStar suing Zillow over image copyrights. Rob believes CoStar has a solid strategy involving strategic acquisitions to bolster legal claims. Executive Moves Chris Heller moved his team to eXp; York Baur (formerly of MoxiWorks) joined Lone Wolf—highlighting industry consolidation and competition. AI in Real Estate Greg sees promise in AI for marketing content, lead gen, and operations. Rob remains skeptical of AI’s impact on client experience, arguing that service still relies on human interaction. AI Assistants and the Future The debate intensifies around whether AI chat or voice assistants can enhance service or erode trust in agent relationships. Generational Divide on Service Rob emphasizes trust and high-touch service; Greg counters that efficiency and new client expectations may shift norms. 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
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Jul 31, 2025 • 54min

Plans, within plans, within plans

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into Zillow’s legal strategy in its defense against Compass's lawsuit, focusing on Zillow’s surprising claim that it only facilitates a “single-digit” percentage of real estate transactions. They debate the strategic implications of this position—especially how it could undermine Zillow’s perception of power in the industry—and analyze the broader impact on listing presentations, MLS relationships, and competitors like Compass and Homes.com. They also preview the upcoming Inman Connect in San Diego and discuss potential industry sentiment and attendance given the market’s current challenges.   Key Takeaways Zillow's Legal Strategy: Zillow argues it is not a monopoly, claiming it only facilitates a single-digit percentage of home transactions. Strategic Risk: Rob questions why Zillow would make this claim, suggesting it weakens their perceived power and brand strength in the industry. Agent Sales Impact: The claim could hurt Zillow's Premier Agent business by giving competitors a compelling narrative (“why pay for single-digit exposure?”). Compass Lawsuit Context: The lawsuit stems from Compass’s perception that Zillow’s policies harmed their three-phase marketing strategy and listing exposure. MLS Relationships: Rob and Greg wonder how MLSs might reevaluate their relationships with Zillow after this shift in positioning. eXp-Zillow Data Feed Deal: Rob questions why eXp is sending direct data feeds to Zillow when MLS feeds already exist. Inman Connect Preview: Greg expects a smaller, more introspective crowd due to market conditions. He plans to gather MLS sentiment on the ground. Industry Power Perception: Rob contends Zillow is still the most powerful entity in organized real estate—more than NAR post-clear cooperation—making its current legal stance all the more surprising.   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  
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4 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 1h

Lawsuits, Listings & Listings Fees

Legal battles heat up as the lawsuit from Homie against NAR and big brokerages gets dismissed. A new referral fee disclosure policy by NWMLS sparks debate on consumer transparency. Realtor.com’s acquisition of Zenlist raises questions about the startup landscape in real estate. Homes.com launches a marketing campaign aimed at sellers, drawing mixed industry reactions. Throughout the discussion, the hosts ponder portal strategies and the shifting tides in the real estate landscape, hinting at future trends that could reshape the market.
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10 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 59min

Vibe Buying

Dig into the debate about who should access real estate listing data, sparked by a Wired article on college students using Zillow to gauge wealth. One host argues for privacy, suggesting sensitive details should be restricted, while the other defends open data access. The conversation explores VOW rules, consumer legitimacy, and the clash between marketing and research data. Plus, enjoy stories of a memorable golf trip, blending personal anecdotes with serious discussions on modern transparency in the real estate landscape.
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8 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 59min

Monopoly Schmonopoly

The hosts explore the lawsuit filed by Compass against Zillow, questioning the legality and impact of Zillow's practices. They delve into the implications of behind-the-scenes meetings, dissecting the alleged statements from Zillow executives about controlling listings. The conversation also touches on Redfin's potential involvement and examines the competitive dynamics in real estate, where pressures and rivalries shape market behavior. Finally, the hosts debate the definition of monopoly power in this evolving industry landscape.
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Jun 25, 2025 • 55min

Tori Amos?

Dive into a lively discussion about the transformative power of music across decades! The hosts explore iconic artists like Nirvana and Depeche Mode, debating their cultural impact. They reflect on the evolution of hip-hop from Run DMC to modern giants like Kendrick Lamar. Nostalgia reigns as they reminisce about 80s and 90s bands and their influence on youth identity. The conversation also celebrates powerful female voices in music and the ongoing evolution of genres like jazz and reggae, all wrapped in humor and personal stories.
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Jun 18, 2025 • 59min

The thing about incentives

Hosts delve into the evolving world of real estate, highlighting how policy shifts impact broker incentives and the role of MLS. They discuss the consolidation of larger brokerages and its effects on smaller firms, plus the everyday challenges agents face amid industry drama. A segment on career paths for young adults emphasizes the importance of skilled trades in today’s job market, advocating for their potential to deliver financial stability and passion-driven success. Listeners will also enjoy reflections on a recent panel and engaging parenthood milestones.
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Jun 11, 2025 • 52min

NAR Midyear Recap and then some...

The hosts recap thrilling moments from the NAR Midyear Meetings, revealing key industry developments and MLS policy changes. They discuss the implications of repealing the commingling ban on listing syndication and how the revised hate speech rule impacts industry dynamics. The intrigue continues with speculation about CMLS leadership transitions and potential mergers. The episode also highlights reduced vendor presence at trade shows and the challenges facing emerging tech companies in the real estate landscape.
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12 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 4min

Buyer's Market Fever Dream

What if we're entering a true buyer's market? The hosts delve into potential shifts in real estate dynamics, from antitrust litigation to tech-enabled brokerages. Discussions include how platforms like Zillow might adapt and the evolving role of AI in transactions. They explore historical trends, government regulation pressures, and the impact of affordable housing concepts. Expect lively debates on debt morality and trust erosion in the industry as they analyze what a buyer’s market could mean for both consumers and agents.

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