Compass and Zillow Play Chicken
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into the newly surfaced Zillow–Compass court documents, a leaked Zillow strategy plan, and Mike DelPrete’s analysis of the preliminary injunction hearing. They also discuss the broader market context—from the real cost of living in 2025 to generational tension—and debate whether the lawsuit will meaningfully change industry behavior. The conversation closes with predictions, stakes, and possible compromise paths between Compass and Zillow. Key Takeaways A...
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MLS Emancipation?
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg break down what happened at NAR NXT in Houston — from the empty expo floor to major MLS–Association policy changes. Greg shares on-the-ground insights from meetings, parties, and conversations with MLS leaders, while Rob analyzes the strategic implications of NAR’s 18-point PAG recommendations and what he calls the “emancipation” of MLSs. They also discuss winners and losers of the policy shifts, potential impacts on associations, vendors, portals, and brokers, and tee up a future...
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NAR NXT Grab Bag
Industry Relations
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg dig into expectations for the NAR Annual Conference, MLS attendance patterns, and broader industry sentiment heading into 2025. They cover speculation around possible committee decisions, how the settlement fallout is (or isn’t) impacting MLS membership and commissions, and the overall vibe leading into the event. The conversation then shifts to affordability, mortgage rates, and the recent proposal of a 50-year mortgage. They close with discussion of a new Zillow/RESPA-related lawsuit,...
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Mutual customer?
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg discuss Zillow’s recent privacy policy changes to Follow Up Boss and the growing debate around data use and agent trust. They examine how Zillow’s communication strategy has affected its reputation, drawing comparisons to past acquisitions like dotloop and ShowingTime. The conversation explores whether this move signals a broader industry shift in how tech companies handle customer data, AI integration, and transparency with agents. Key Takeaways Zillow’s new Follow Up Boss privacy...
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Organized Real Estate's GTM problem
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg dive into Sean Frank’s Inman article, “NAR and the Real Estate Industry’s Relevance Problem.” They discuss how outdated MLS technology and excessive bureaucracy are stifling innovation in real estate. From permissioning delays to governance breakdowns, the hosts explore why MLS systems feel stuck in “Windows 95 mode” and debate how consolidation or standardization could spark change. Key Takeaways MLS permissioning and governance are major obstacles to innovation. Outdated...
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When Fine Print Hits the Fan
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into the controversy surrounding CRMLS’s End User License Agreement (EULA) and the debate over MLS data ownership. The discussion begins with updates in the MLS world that brought attention to how CRMLS’s EULA—originally updated for two-factor authentication—resurfaced older language asserting MLS ownership of listing data. Rob argues that this fundamental change to broker data rights was poorly communicated, while Greg defends CRMLS, emphasizing the operational...
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ZGPT
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg dive into the recent OpenAI Developers Conference announcement showcasing Zillow’s integration into ChatGPT. They break down how this partnership blurs the lines between traditional search engines and AI “answer machines,” debate whether MLS and IDX policies are ready for this shift, and discuss what it means for agents, brokers, and the future of data regulation in real estate. Key Takeaways Zillow’s new ChatGPT integration allows users to search listings directly within AI,...
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How will the portals respond to the Compass-Anywhere deal?
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! This special crossover episode brings together James and Keith from Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered with Rob and Greg from Industry Relations. The group dives into Compass’ planned acquisition of Anywhere, debating what it means for brokerages, portals, and the future of private listings in residential real estate. Key Takeaways Collaboration between Industry Relations and Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered. Compass’ acquisition of Anywhere could reshape brokerage structure—if executed successfully. ...
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Toronto tales and more
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg return to break down CMLS 2025 in Toronto, offering their candid takes on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the event. From bold leadership discussions and MLS operational shifts to vendor frustrations and AI speculation, they cover the hot topics shaping the industry. The episode also dives into the Compass/Anywhere merger, vendor challenges, and how AI may (or may not) reshape real estate. Key Takeaways CMLS 2025 Recap: Despite venue issues, the conference featured strong panels on...
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Compass Everyware
Industry Relations
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Rob and Greg dive into the major industry shake-up: Compass acquiring Anywhere. They discuss the financial implications, consolidation trends, the future of MLS rules, and what the move means for private listings, brokerages, and consumers. The conversation also covers how competitors like Zillow, Keller Williams, and eXp might respond. Key Takeaways Compass acquires Anywhere in an all-stock deal valued at $1.6B, assuming $2.6B in debt. Combined, Compass and Anywhere account for roughly one-third of U.S. real...
info_outlineThe Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player!
In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into the balance between technology and human connection in real estate. From car tech frustrations to the rise of “dumb phones,” they discuss how AI and digital tools are reshaping the industry—and whether that’s always a good thing. The conversation explores where technology truly adds value versus where it risks eroding the personal relationships that define real estate. They also touch on Opendoor’s evolving agent strategy and the broader AI hype cycle in business.
Key Takeaways
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Tech minimalism is gaining traction as people push back against screens and automation in everyday life .
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Real estate may benefit more from authentic human connections than from full automation.
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AI is both transformative and overhyped—efficiency gains often come with trade-offs.
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Tools like DocuSign provide convenience but may reduce valuable informal interactions.
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Opendoor’s new “Key Connections” program shows a shift in how it integrates agents from the start.
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The industry should focus less on “AI supremacy” and more on thoughtful application of technology.
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