Tori Amos?
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this special episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg take a break from real estate to talk about one of their shared passions: music. They explore the most transformative artists and bands across genres from the 70s through today. Their conversation dives deep into the cultural impact of acts like Nirvana, Depeche Mode, NWA, and Metallica, and whether artists like Kanye West, Jay-Z, or Eminem changed the landscape or simply excelled within it. Key Takeaways What Makes an Artist Transformative –...
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The thing about incentives
Industry Relations
In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg reflect on a recent panel discussion hosted by the Orange County Association of REALTORS®. They discuss the incentives that drive agent and broker behavior, the value and vulnerabilities of the MLS in a post-settlement world, and the broader structural changes facing the real estate industry. The first half of the conversation also includes a candid exchange on trades as a career path and the shifting economic landscape for young adults. Key Takeaways MLS Incentive Structures – A deep dive into how policy changes have affected the...
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NAR Midyear Recap and then some...
Industry Relations
In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg recap the 2025 NAR Midyear Meetings in Washington, D.C., discussing key industry developments, MLS policy changes, and behind-the-scenes dynamics. Topics include the repeal of the commingling ban, updates to NAR’s controversial 10-5 speech policy, and ongoing MLS consolidation. They also cover vendor presence, association politics, and speculation around leadership changes in CMLS. Key Takeaways Compass “Protest” at Midyear – Greg recounts organizing a publicity stunt in front of Compass’s hotel to promote...
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Buyer's Market Fever Dream
Industry Relations
In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg run a thought experiment: What if we’re entering a true buyer’s market? They walk through ten major industry topics—from antitrust litigation to portals, AI, and MLS relevance—and analyze how each might shift if buyers suddenly gained the upper hand. Along the way, they debate policy, technology, and market psychology, drawing connections between historical trends and current market signals. Watch us on Links Key Takeaways Antitrust & Legal Landscape – Discussion of how a buyer’s market might (or might...
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Cui bono?
Industry Relations
In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg analyze Zillow’s recently released ZLAS policy language and debate whether it reflects a shift in Zillow’s priorities. They discuss the implications of allowing broker direct feeds, the enforcement challenges around delayed marketing, and whether Zillow’s current stance can still be considered “consumer first.” The conversation also explores how MLSs and major brokerages are interpreting ZLAS and how this policy intersects with Clear Cooperation rules and VOW/IDX frameworks. Watch us on Links Howard Hanna in open rebellion...
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Full Circle
Industry Relations
In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg explore the idea of the elusive “end-to-end platform” in real estate. Prompted by Lower’s acquisition of Movoto, they revisit decades of efforts by portals and brokerages to deliver a seamless transaction experience—from search to closing. They examine why this model has struggled to take hold in residential real estate, compare it to consumer experiences like Amazon and Tesla, and consider whether the real estate agent has always been the true end-to-end solution. Key Takeaways Lower Acquires Movoto – Discussion of...
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Be Careful What You Wish For
Industry Relations
In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg examine CoStar’s recent announcement that Homes.com will boost listings banned on Zillow. They discuss whether this strategy is aimed at consumers or brokers, and whether it signals a broader battle for power in the real estate portal space. They also explore the potential implications of a proposed Illinois bill that would require public listing access by law, and debate what government involvement could mean for MLSs, agents, and listing distribution. Watch us on Links: Key Takeaways Homes.com vs. Zillow...
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Back to books
Industry Relations
In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg discuss the broader cultural trend of returning to physical, human-centered experiences amid rapid advances in technology and AI. They explore topics ranging from Compass’s decision to print physical listing books to the rise of tabletop gaming, and examine whether real estate’s resistance to full automation is part of a wider pushback against digital efficiency. Key Takeaways Printed Listing Books – Compass’s return to printed materials prompts a discussion about whether real estate is experiencing a retro shift. AI...
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I don't think that word means what you think it means...
Industry Relations
In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg explore the evolving definition of an “open market” in real estate. They discuss how consumer expectations, technology shifts, and the dominance of platforms like Zillow are reshaping what it means for a listing to be considered publicly available. The conversation also covers the historical role of the MLS, comparisons to other industries, and whether the industry should rethink its terminology to focus on “fair marketplaces” instead of “open marketplaces.” Key Takeaways Definition of Open Market – Rob and Greg discuss...
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You down with CCP?
Industry Relations
In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg examine how changes to MLS rules, especially around delayed marketing and the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), are impacting portals, broker strategies, vendors, and the broader real estate ecosystem. They also explore the implications of the Rocket-Redfin merger, challenges for MLS public-facing websites, and what the new data policy landscape means for technology providers. Key Takeaways • Portal Impact of CCP Changes – Rob and Greg analyze how platforms like Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, and Homes.com are adapting to rule changes....
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In this special live episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg broadcast from the Virtual MLS Summit, where they tackle one of the biggest questions in real estate today: What does “cooperation” mean in a post-settlement world? They explore how the industry’s shift away from compensation impacts the role of MLSs, debate the long-standing relationship between brokerages and associations, and challenge whether MLSs should truly be considered “broker cooperatives.” This episode is packed with bold insights, historical context, and plenty of Rob vs. Greg fireworks.
Key Takeaways
• The Evolution of Cooperation: With compensation no longer tied to MLS participation, what does cooperation actually mean now?
• MLS Governance and Broker Control: If MLSs are broker cooperatives, why are associations still making the rules?
• The Fiduciary Duty Dilemma: Can cooperation exist when agents owe full fiduciary duties to their clients?
• The Government’s Potential Role: If the industry doesn’t self-regulate effectively, will federal regulators step in and take over?
• Lessons from Global Real Estate: Why other countries envy the U.S. MLS system—and what we risk losing if we dismantle it.
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