Listing Bits

The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson sits down with Dan Cooper, founder of Gitcha and the Buyer Listing Service (BLS), to talk about his path from spec-home builder to real estate broker to proptech founder. They dig into why Dan built a platform that flips traditional reverse prospecting on its head — letting buyers broadcast exactly what they want instead of waiting to be matched — and how that product is rolling out at the MLS level. Key Takeaways Dan Cooper grew up mostly in Eugene, Oregon, and got into home design and spec building in 2004 without formal architecture training He's designed over 200 homes and worked alongside his father, who joined the business after exiting the HVAC industry Dan opened a real estate brokerage in May 2020 to better serve clients he couldn't find homes for The idea for Gitcha originated in 2011 while trying to sell his own home during a market downturn Gitcha is the public-facing product where consumers can view buyer "wants" and reach out to agents BLS (Buyer Listing Service) is the MLS-level input product; agents submit detailed buyer requests, which can optionally syndicate to Gitcha The core pitch: reverse prospecting is static and seller-initiated, while BLS lets buyers steer the market by broadcasting specific, detailed wants Buyer requests can go far beyond standard MLS fields, including narrative detail on exactly what a buyer needs Dan sees the product addressing agent-to-agent communication that's fragmented across Facebook groups and other informal channels since NAR's Sitzer-Burnett settlement changed cooperation rules Current MLS/association partners include the Lubbock Association of Realtors, MyBor (BLC), and Momentum MLS in Western Arizona About 5% of MyBor's members signed up within three weeks of launch, with 120+ buyer listings already in the system Greg and Dan go back and forth on the elevator pitch, landing on "expand inventory" as a cleaner message than "increase supply" Dan credits Greg's Giant Steps consulting group with early guidance when he was starting the company Links Gitcha The Buyer Listing Service Sponsors Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. Giant Steps Job Board – Built for organized real estate and PropTech, not generic tech bros and recruiters who don't know what an MLS is. Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg sits down with returning guest Annie Ives, CEO of CLAW/The MLS™, to discuss major industry changes following NAR policy shifts, the rise of MLS-only memberships, exclusive-listing strategies, and the rapid growth of CLAW's in-house technology products including Vesta Plus, Checkmate, Showing software, and MarketSnap. Annie also shares insights on managing a high-end market, delivering strong customer service, and the future role of MLSs in a shifting industry. Key Takeaways NAR's policy changes are already increasing MLS-only membership interest, especially in California's Thompson state environment. Annie expects MLS-only membership to rise from ~15% to potentially 25–30% as agents look to cut costs. Associations may face pressure to restate their value proposition as non-dues revenue becomes increasingly important. CLAW is launching a new listing status: MLS Exclusive — allowing listings to remain off-market-facing while still visible to MLS members. MLS Exclusive listings accrue no DOM and no public price-change history while in that status. CLAW continues to grow its in-house technology stack, including: Vesta Plus MLS platform Checkmate compliance software (now used by ~200k agents) Showing software MarketSnap analytics Annie credits their success to customization, rapid iteration, and client-driven feature development. She predicts MLSs will increasingly become technology companies, especially as revenue from dues becomes less stable. Future industry direction remains uncertain, but Annie emphasizes persistence, adaptability, and building strong teams as core to longevity. Links: Vesta Plus – Request a demo Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Overview Greg Robertson sits down with Michael Wurzer, CEO of FBS (Flexmls), right after CMLS 2025 in Toronto. They reflect on the state of the MLS industry, FBS's growth and culture, and how AI, standards, and industry consolidation are shaping the future of organized real estate. Key Takeaways FBS growth & longevity FBS is now the #2 MLS system vendor with near-100% retention. Employee-owned culture drives long-term stability and customer focus. Industry leadership Wurzer has been influential in pushing APIs, RESO standards, and long-term tech adoption. Stresses that standards work is critical and shouldn't be overshadowed by hype around AI. AI & MCP New protocols like MCP let large language models connect directly to MLS APIs. This evolution validates years of investment in standards and API development. Compass/Anywhere merger Private listing networks challenge cooperation but face adoption hurdles. Consolidation could create distractions; agent adoption remains the biggest barrier. CMLS 2025 reflections Strong broker/MLS dialogue, with Craig Cheatham's session a highlight. Local broker engagement remains the most important success metric for MLSs. Source MLS revival Effort to clearly brand MLS-sourced listings and improve analytics transparency. Planned launch at the 2026 RESO/REset conference. Regionalization & data standardization Florida coast example: six MLSs aligned on one entry system, eliminating duplicates. Push for more regional cooperation to solve overlapping market disorder. Vendor vs. MLS-owned tech MLSs entering the vendor space still face the same integration and sustainability challenges. Wurzer argues FBS, as an employee-owned vendor, shares MLS values and long-term commitment. Future concerns & opportunities Biggest worry: MLSs losing focus on standardizing data formats regionally. Supports potential CMLS–RESO merger if it leads to stronger professional staffing and delivery of promised value. Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson sits down with Rich LaRue, Designated Broker for HomeSmart Arizona and VP of Corporate Brokerages for HomeSmart's Western region. Rich shares his background in real estate, thoughts on exclusive listings and MLS rules, and his perspective on the evolving role of associations, NAR, and vendors in the industry. Key Takeaways Rich LaRue oversees over 12,500 agents across Arizona, California, Colorado, and Texas, with more than 40 years in the business . On exclusive listings: HomeSmart's stance is client-focused—market broadly unless specific client needs dictate otherwise . LaRue acknowledges MLS rules can feel restrictive but stresses the need for common guidelines and transparency with clients . Predicts exclusive listing programs may be a short-term fad, with market cycles determining their relevance . Believes associations and MLSs may eventually separate, but stresses the ongoing local value associations provide, especially around advocacy and forms . Notes the recent push for MLS-only membership options and the challenges of balancing form libraries, branding, and NAR's influence . Advises vendors to be patient—sales cycles are long, especially in today's market—and to focus on helping agents articulate their value to clients . Highlights Raise, a product that helps agents track and communicate their value, as a timely and effective tool for buyer representation . Links LinkedIn Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

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

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: 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

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