Listing Bits
Greg Robertson, co-founder of W+R Studios and publisher of Vendor Alley, talks real estate technology with the people who are shaping it.
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Santanu Barua from VestaPlus: Why your Next MLS Won't Look Like Today's
07/16/2026
Santanu Barua from VestaPlus: Why your Next MLS Won't Look Like Today's
The Listing Bits podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson talks with Santanu Barua, CTO of Vesta Plus, the tech platform owned by the Combined LA/Westside MLS (CLAW), about his path into MLS tech, the Checkmate compliance product, and VestaPlus's approach to AI and MCP servers. Key Takeaways Vesta Plus is a wholly owned subsidiary of CLAW, licensing its homegrown MLS tech to other MLSs since 2018 Santanu's path: EE/CS at University of Houston → mortgage tech at Countrywide (2001–06) → MLS technology since 2006 Checkmate, born from a talk with former CLAW COO Gigi Marina, catches violations input rules can't (bad remarks, photo violations via computer vision) and automates follow-up Products are built modular/extensible so tools like Checkmate can later be sold to other MLSs Vesta Plus has its own MCP server, launching soon to members — part of the "headless MLS" trend (Flex MLS/FBS also offers this) Data access runs through a controlled API layer, not direct database access, for security Greg pitches a "16 core fields + AI chat for everything else" MLS interface idea They discuss a possible marketplace for member-built AI tools, like custom GPTs New public-facing site (in development ~6 months) will let the public search agents and listings, with agents controlling how much history/testimonials they show Santanu's AI philosophy: build deliberately on existing data strengths, prioritize security over speed Contact Santanu: santanu@themls.com Sponsors — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. – 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:
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Katrina Romatowski: Rethinking Homeownership for the Next Generation with reSpace
05/28/2026
Katrina Romatowski: Rethinking Homeownership for the Next Generation with reSpace
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson sits down with Katrina Romatowski, founder and CEO of reSpace, to discuss a new approach to housing affordability through co-homeownership. Drawing on nearly three decades in real estate, development, and housing advocacy, Katrina explains how reSpace redesigns homes into private suites with shared common spaces and enables buyers to purchase fractional ownership interests. The conversation explores affordability, homeownership as a wealth-building tool, aging-in-place design, MLS challenges, and the growing need for alternative housing models. Key Takeaways Katrina grew up throughout the Pacific Northwest, worked in construction from a young age, and built a career spanning real estate sales, development, and brokerage. Her real estate company was founded as a social purpose corporation, leading to the creation of a nonprofit focused on housing and mentorship for people exiting incarceration and recovery programs. The idea for reSpace emerged after selling a small infill home for nearly $1 million and questioning who could realistically afford it. Inspiration came from fractional ownership models such as Picasso, but Katrina wanted to apply the concept to primary housing rather than luxury vacation homes. reSpace creates homes with private suites that include ensuite bathrooms, closets, workspace areas, and personal amenities, paired with shared kitchens and living spaces. Buyers purchase an ownership interest in the property, allowing them to live in high-cost neighborhoods at a price point closer to renting an apartment. The model is designed to help first-time buyers, retirees, siblings, friends, and other groups gain access to ownership while maintaining independence. Katrina argues that homeownership remains one of the most important pathways to building middle-class wealth and that affordability challenges are increasingly shutting people out of that opportunity. A major hurdle for reSpace has been gaining MLS support for fractional ownership listings, despite existing standards that support partial-interest ownership categories. Current projects include The Grove in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood and a historic mansion redevelopment in Leschi, with plans to expand through technology and partnerships. Links Links Sponsors — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. – 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:
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Fixing Home Affordability One Room at a Time With Atticus LeBlanc of PadSplit
05/28/2026
Fixing Home Affordability One Room at a Time With Atticus LeBlanc of PadSplit
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson sits down with Atticus LeBlanc, founder and CEO of PadSplit, to discuss the affordable housing crisis and how room-by-room rentals can create housing opportunities for people who are priced out of traditional apartments. Atticus shares his journey from commercial real estate broker to housing entrepreneur, the origins of PadSplit during the Great Financial Crisis, and how the company has grown from a single prototype house to more than 33,000 beds nationwide. The conversation explores shared housing, affordability challenges, real estate investing, and the role technology can play in expanding access to housing. Key Takeaways Atticus grew up in New Orleans, studied Architecture and Urban Studies at Yale University, and credits competitive swimming with teaching resilience and persistence. After entering commercial real estate during the early stages of the housing crash, he discovered an overlooked opportunity in room-by-room housing. A chance encounter with tenants Mitch and Otis led to his first rooming-house experiment, revealing strong demand from renters who couldn’t qualify for traditional apartments. PadSplit was founded in 2017 to provide the operational and technology infrastructure needed to make shared housing scalable. The platform functions similarly to Airbnb, connecting hosts with renters while handling marketing, screening, payments, move-ins, and support. Many PadSplit residents are workers earning modest incomes who are unable to meet traditional apartment qualification requirements despite having stable employment. The company has grown from 82 beds in 2018 to roughly 33,000 beds today. Shared housing can help homeowners offset mortgage costs and create pathways toward real estate investing. Atticus argues that local market knowledge often matters more than national data when identifying successful housing opportunities. The average PadSplit resident stays about nine and a half months, though many remain for years due to the affordability and stability the model provides. Links Sponsors — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. – 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:
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Brian Boero on Storytelling, Signal, and What Comes Next for MLS
05/08/2026
Brian Boero on Storytelling, Signal, and What Comes Next for MLS
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson sits down with Brian Boero of 1000Watt to talk about the current state of organized real estate, the future of the MLS, AI’s impact on SaaS and marketing, and why writing and storytelling still matter in an AI-driven world. They also preview 1000Watt’s upcoming Signal Conference and discuss a new “next generation MLS” concept the team is developing for the event. Key Takeaways Brian explains how 1000Watt blends strategic advisory work with branding, messaging, and design. Greg and Brian discuss why strong writing is still a critical skill, even as AI tools become more common. The conversation dives into private listings, MLS relevance, and the growing tension between brokerages, portals, and organized real estate. Brian shares his core belief: “don’t mess with homes,” arguing that limiting access to listings could ultimately hurt the industry. Greg and Brian discuss how AI may fundamentally reshape proptech, SaaS, and vendor business models over the next few years. Signal Conference preview: 1000Watt will unveil a conceptual “future MLS” complete with branding, governance ideas, and a proposed business model. Links Sponsors — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. – 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:
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From Pixels to Property Intelligence with Dominik Pogorzelski
04/27/2026
From Pixels to Property Intelligence with Dominik Pogorzelski
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson is joined by Dominik Pogorzelski from Restb.ai to discuss the evolution of AI in real estate—from early photo tagging to large-scale property intelligence. They cover how AI is now embedded in MLS workflows, powering listing input, compliance, and valuation, while also exploring the challenges of scale, accuracy, and the future of AI in the industry. Key Takeaways Restb.ai has been AI-first from the start, building on early computer vision models before the current AI boom. Their tech automatically tags listing photos, generates captions, and flags compliance issues during listing input. AI is deeply integrated into MLS workflows, improving listing data quality and agent efficiency. Scale matters: they process ~1.5B real estate images per month, making speed, accuracy, and cost critical. Specialized computer vision models outperform general LLMs for image tasks at scale. Compliance is a key use case—detecting prohibited elements and AI-manipulated images in listings. New regulations around altered images are increasing the need for detection and transparency tools. Expansion areas include valuation, appraisal workflows, insurance, and broader property intelligence. Links Restb.ai – Contact: Sponsors — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. – 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:
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Brian Tepfer: How PropStream Turns Data Into Deals
04/10/2026
Brian Tepfer: How PropStream Turns Data Into Deals
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson interviews Brian Tepfer, CEO of PropStream, about his journey from tech support at Rapatoni to leading a major proptech data platform. The conversation explores how PropStream turns public record data into actionable real estate opportunities, the rise of investor-focused tools outside the MLS, and how shifting market conditions are changing agent behavior. They also discuss industry trends like wholesaling, MLS fragmentation risks, and new go-to-market strategies—including vendor partnerships and alternative revenue models. Key Takeaways Brian transitioned from tech roles into leadership by focusing on business + people, not just coding. PropStream is a nationwide property data platform built primarily on public records, not MLS data. The platform helps users identify “signals” (distress, equity, liens, etc.) that indicate potential transactions. A significant portion of users are investors or aspiring real estate entrepreneurs—not traditional agents. Wholesaling offers a low-barrier entry into real estate compared to licensing. Market shifts (rates, lower transaction volume) are pushing agents to explore investing and alternative revenue streams. PropStream is expanding into a full workflow: search → identify → connect (via dialer, outreach tools). AI features are being introduced to provide actionable insights (e.g., evaluating deal potential). MLS partnerships are positioned as marketing + non-dues revenue opportunities. Concerns remain about MLS fragmentation and its impact on data access and market transparency. New vendor collaboration models may offer faster, more flexible go-to-market strategies. Links (PropStream) (PropStream CEO)
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From Fashion to PropTech: Lauren Martin on Housing and Community
03/31/2026
From Fashion to PropTech: Lauren Martin on Housing and Community
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson is joined by Lauren Martin (RentSpree) for a wide-ranging conversation covering her unconventional path from fashion design to PropTech, the growing importance of rentals within the MLS ecosystem, and the evolution of her initiative, Renew (Real Estate Network of Empowered Women). The discussion highlights how rentals are becoming central to real estate workflows, how community-building is shaping the industry, and how Renew has scaled from a podcast idea into a multi-day retreat with strong industry engagement. Key Takeaways Nonlinear career path into PropTech: Lauren transitioned from fashion to business and sales, eventually entering real estate through Remine and later joining RentSpree. Rentals are now essential for MLSs: Industry focus is shifting from purely home purchases to broader “housing,” with rentals playing a key role in agent-client lifecycle and long-term relationships. MLS as the “source of truth” for rentals: Standardizing rental data inside MLS systems is a major opportunity compared to fragmented platforms like Facebook, Craigslist, and Zillow. RentSpree product expansion: The new RentEdge suite adds tools to fill gaps between for-sale and rental workflows, keeping agents داخل the MLS ecosystem. Renew’s growth and impact: What started as a podcast has grown into a large community with thousands of members and events, including a 70-person retreat focused on leadership, confidence, and networking. Industry community matters: Conferences and organizations like Renew help professionals build meaningful relationships, which are key to career growth in real estate. Authenticity attracts community: Lauren emphasizes that being yourself leads to stronger, more meaningful professional and personal connections. Links (mentioned for conference attire) (Real Estate Network of Empowered Women) – upcoming events and information Sponsors — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. – 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:
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Rethinking Ownership: Brett Humphrey on Co-Owning Homes
03/13/2026
Rethinking Ownership: Brett Humphrey on Co-Owning Homes
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson sits down with Brett Humphrey, founder of Joynt, to discuss a new approach to housing affordability through co-ownership. Brett shares his background as a longtime software developer and entrepreneur, including selling a consulting business to Accenture before launching Joynt. The conversation explores how shared home ownership could help address affordability challenges by allowing multiple buyers to jointly purchase and manage property, along with the technical and legal infrastructure required to make that process safe and practical. Key Takeaways Founder background: Brett Humphrey spent decades as a software engineer and consultant before launching Joynt, an idea he had been considering since the early 2000s. Affordability challenge: The core problem Joynt aims to address is housing affordability, particularly in expensive markets like Southern California. Co-ownership model: Joynt enables multiple parties to co-own a home, providing tools and frameworks to handle ownership structure, responsibilities, and ongoing management. Making co-ownership practical: The platform focuses on reducing the complexity and risk of shared ownership by providing software tools and structured agreements. Shift in industry thinking: The discussion highlights the need for the real estate industry to think beyond traditional home purchases and consider alternative ownership models. Timing and market conditions: Rising home prices and affordability pressures make shared ownership models increasingly relevant. Links Joynt – https://joynt.com Brett Humphrey – brett@joynt.com General inquiries – Sponsors — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. – 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:
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Killing the Copy-Paste: MLS Data Meets Canva
02/13/2026
Killing the Copy-Paste: MLS Data Meets Canva
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson sits down with Marcus Brown, founder of MLS Pipeline. Marcus shares his path from real estate agent to solo software founder, discussing how frustrations with lead generation, CMAs, and manual marketing workflows led him to build a Canva-based MLS data integration. The conversation covers MLS sales cycles, member-benefit products, and why automation and design flexibility matter for agents today. Key Takeaways Marcus Brown transitioned from working auctions and traditional real estate sales into building real estate software. Partial “home value” leads often converted better than fully submitted leads when followed up with hand-delivered CMAs. MLS Pipeline connects MLS data directly into Canva, eliminating copy/paste and manual data entry. The product is designed as an MLS member benefit rather than a direct-to-agent SaaS. MetroList is the first MLS to officially launch MLS Pipeline on its dashboard. Links Contact Marcus Brown: marcus@mlspipeline.com Phone: 208-340-9600 Sponsors — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. – 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:
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Inside Editora: Julie Drazen’s No-Fluff Approach to Real Estate Video
01/27/2026
Inside Editora: Julie Drazen’s No-Fluff Approach to Real Estate Video
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson sits down with Julie Drazen, founder of Editora, to talk about her background in film and commercial editing and how that experience led to building a fast, opinionated video-editing platform for real estate agents. Julie explains how Editora uses AI as a behind-the-scenes tool (not a replacement for craft), why simplicity and taste matter in listing videos, and how the product is designed to save agents time while keeping branding consistent across brokerages. Key Takeaways Julie’s career in commercial editing and documentary filmmaking shaped Editora’s focus on storytelling, pacing, and taste. Editora automates listing videos from professional photos, handling shot selection, order, scripts, and voiceover with AI assistance. The platform prioritizes simplicity: fewer choices, consistent branding, and no flashy transitions or gimmicks. Agents can create videos quickly on desktop or mobile, including status updates like “just listed,” “under contract,” and “sold.” Pricing tiers launch February 1, with a free first listing video and scalable options for solo agents, teams, and brokerages. Links Contact Julie: julie@editora.ai Sponsors — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. – 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:
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Remine, Refocused with Joe Kazzoun, CEO of Remine.
12/13/2025
Remine, Refocused with Joe Kazzoun, CEO of Remine.
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson sits down with Joe Kazzoun, CEO of Remine, for a wide-ranging conversation on real estate technology, forms, MLS dynamics, and Remine’s path forward under new ownership. Joe walks through his career across brokerage tech, transaction management, and proptech, then digs into lessons learned from Instanet, Lone Wolf, Dotloop/Zillow, and his return to Remine. The discussion focuses on software bloat, member benefits vs. direct sales, and how Remine is simplifying its product strategy to regain stability and growth. Key Takeaways Joe Kazzoun’s career arc spans brokerage tech, transaction management, and proptech leadership, shaping his pragmatic view of software in organized real estate. The forms and transaction management market became fragmented due to MLSs seeking control over technology choices rather than relying solely on association member benefits. Dotloop’s success highlighted the power of direct-to-agent sales, strong customer support, and simplicity over feature overload. Software bloat—especially in MLS environments driven by committee decisions—often hurts usability more than it helps adoption. Remine struggled under MLS ownership due to governance complexity and delayed cost-cutting, leading to a public sale process. Remine’s acquisition by Place (Ben Kinney & Chris Suarez) stabilized the company, reduced redundancy, and moved it toward break-even. Going forward, Remine is focusing on clarity: prospecting, public record/tax data, simple MLS search, and Docs+—not trying to be everything at once. Remine is re-positioning its tax and public records tools as a standalone value for MLSs, alongside continued sales to MLSs, associations, and directly to agents and teams. Links: Email: Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Running a home grown MLS with Annie Ives
12/02/2025
Running a home grown MLS with Annie Ives
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: Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Getting rid of the grey with Amy Gorce of REdistribute
11/10/2025
Getting rid of the grey with Amy Gorce of REdistribute
This Listing Bits episode is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson sits down with industry veteran Amy Gorce of REdistribute to clarify what REdistribute actually does, how it differs from display-focused data platforms, and why MLSs should care about the exploding gray-market use of MLS data. Amy breaks down the institutional-buyer use cases, explains how gray-market pipelines emerged, and outlines why MLS participation directly impacts valuation accuracy, AVMs, risk modeling, and overall market health. Key Takeaways • REdistribute is not a display vendor. Their data is used solely for institutional-grade analytics, AVMs, risk modeling, and portfolio management—never for consumer-facing listing display.  • Owned by MLSs, built for MLSs. The operating agreement limits eligible purchasers and prevents MLSs or brokers from using the data for competitive display products.  • The gray market is real and accelerating. Companies scrape, partner with brokers, or purchase unclear data sources to fuel AVMs and risk tools—often without MLS compensation. REdistribute is actively converting gray-market users.  • AI is making the problem bigger. Scraping tools, automated ingestion, and LLM training pipelines are proliferating. REdistribute is building an MCP server to support AI-specific use cases in a controlled and compliant way.  • Coverage, not demand, is the bottleneck. Institutional buyers are ready, but MLS participation is still below critical mass (~55–60% coverage). More MLSs joining closes the gap and increases revenue potential.  • Economics vary by use case. AVM licensing generates significantly higher value than simple match-and-append use cases—creating real opportunities for meaningful revenue distribution back to MLSs and brokers.  • Joining is simple. MLSs sign a license agreement and can be onboarded in roughly two weeks, with quarterly revenue distributions.  Links • Contact Sponsors - Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Live from Toronto with Michael Wurzer, CEO of FBS
10/13/2025
Live from Toronto with Michael Wurzer, CEO of FBS
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 – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Andy Taylor and Greg Fischer of RetroRate - Assumable loan discovery
09/29/2025
Andy Taylor and Greg Fischer of RetroRate - Assumable loan discovery
Overview Greg Robertson sits down with Andy Taylor and Greg Fischer from RetroRate to discuss assumable loans and their potential to reshape real estate transactions. They explore the history and career paths of both founders, the challenges of discoverability in MLSs, and how RetroRate aims to make assumable loans more visible and accessible for agents, buyers, and sellers. Key Takeaways Backgrounds of the founders: Andy Taylor: From gaming at EA, to Apple, to Redfin, to startups like Approved and Credit Karma. Greg Fischer: From brokerage and realtor.com to innovative consumer tools like Doorsteps and Doorsteps Swipe. RetroRate’s mission: Helps real estate professionals identify and transact on assumable loans. Assumable loans can drastically reduce monthly payments compared to current market rates. Market potential: 22–25% of homes on the market have an assumable loan, yet less than 1% are marketed that way. Properly marketed assumable loans can increase sale prices and attract more buyers. Challenges: Discoverability in MLSs—fields exist but are often unused or misunderstood. Educating agents and consumers on how assumables work. Equity gaps require creative solutions (cash, piggyback loans, or policy changes). Tools & partnerships: RetroRate offers an agent-facing platform, MLS integrations, and a Chrome extension (“RetroRate VHS”) to overlay assumable loan info on Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com. Engaging with MLSs and realtor organizations to standardize data fields and improve adoption. Call to action: MLSs, brokers, and agents should connect with RetroRate to make assumable loans more visible and usable for clients. Links Contact: andy@retrorate.com | Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Rich LaRue of Homesmart
09/01/2025
Rich LaRue of Homesmart
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 Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Revive co-founder, Dalip Jaggi, shares his journey
09/01/2025
Revive co-founder, Dalip Jaggi, shares his journey
In this episode of the Listing Bits Podcast, Greg Robertson sits down with Dalip Jaggi, co-founder of Revive, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and how Revive is helping homeowners maximize the value of their properties. Dalip shares how his early background in tech led him to real estate, the challenges and lessons of scaling a business, and Revive’s unique approach to empowering homeowners through renovation and financial solutions. Key Takeaways Dalip’s background: from web development and running an agency to launching Revive. Early exposure to real estate tech through working with “Rich Uncles” and scaling investment platforms. Why Dalip sold his agency and shifted focus to solving one problem deeply. Revive’s mission: helping homeowners build wealth through smarter real estate decisions. Flagship program: Renovate to Sell, which funds and manages home renovations to maximize sale price. Additional equity-extraction program for homeowners needing faster liquidity. Difference between Revive and competitors like Plunk and Curbio: Revive acts as a third-party facilitator, not a general contractor, offering oversight, funding, and design support. Challenges and opportunities of scaling in California versus national expansion. Importance of focusing deeply in one market before expanding. Connect with Dalip Instagram: Dalip Jaggi Instagram: Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by:
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RentSpree, housing, and Michael Lucarelli's journey to proptech success.
07/31/2025
RentSpree, housing, and Michael Lucarelli's journey to proptech success.
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 Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by:
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AI and compliance with Todd Carpenter of Styldod
06/30/2025
AI and compliance with Todd Carpenter of Styldod
In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson sits down with Todd Carpenter, SVP of Industry Relations at Styldod, to talk about the evolution of real estate technology—from mortgage lead gen to photo AI. They dive deep into how Styldod uses artificial intelligence to help agents with virtual staging, automate compliance workflows, and extract property data directly from listing photos. Todd also shares his career journey through early online mortgage startups, NAR, and RE.net culture to where he is today—working on AI-powered tools designed to modernize listing input and photo compliance for MLSs. Key Takeaways Career Journey – Todd shares his path from growing up in real estate, to working in mortgage tech, to leading social media strategy at NAR, and now serving at Styldod. Photo Compliance and Automation – Styldod’s AI can detect and automatically correct issues like branding, people, pets, or license plates in listing photos based on MLS rules. Data Extraction from Photos – The AI identifies room types, finishes, and furniture to help pre-populate listing details and property descriptions. AI-Powered Listing Input – Discussion on how AI can assist in streamlining listing input and future MLS integrations without replacing MLS platforms themselves. Visual Staging and Marketing Add-ons – Styldod enables decluttering, virtual staging, and style customization through a seamless workflow integrated into MLS photo upload processes. Product and Pricing Models – Overview of different pricing approaches for MLSs, agents, and brokers—either as direct charges or revenue-share options. Reimagine.AI – Styldod’s consumer-facing product with over 2 million users, offering swipe-based before-and-after image tools. AI Search and Industry Disruption – Todd and Greg speculate on how on-device AI and generative agents may reshape search, SEO, and real estate monetization in the future Contact Todd Links: Our Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Meet Ben Kinney, the new owner of Remine
05/06/2025
Meet Ben Kinney, the new owner of Remine
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 Active Rain 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 - Our Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by:
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The Amazing Annie Ives
04/24/2025
The Amazing Annie Ives
🎙️ Listing Bits Episode: The Amazing Annie Ives Host: Greg Robertson Guest: Annie Ives, CEO of The MLS™ / VestaPlus Duration: ~40 min 👋 Episode Summary: In this episode, Greg sits down with Annie Ives, a true titan in the world of organized real estate. From her early days immigrating from Tunisia to building and reviving one of the most resilient MLS organizations in the country, Annie shares her personal and professional journey with candor, humor, and a hint of rebellion. They cover everything from her humble beginnings in Los Angeles, to taking down not one but two formidable adversaries (a rogue MLS and the LA Times), and ultimately building a fully-fledged MLS software company from the ground up — all while raising a family and earning her MBA. 🧩 Key Topics Covered: • Annie’s Origins: Born in Tunisia, moved to LA in 1967 post- • First Jobs in the U.S.: Nanny, Bank of America check processor • Finding Her Calling: Started in accounting for CLAW (Combined L.A. Westside MLS) in 1993 • The CLS Uprising: How Annie resurrected CLAW after a broker-led exodus and competition from the breakaway “CLS” • Publishing Power Move: Took on LA Times and launched , which remains a staple in the market • Building VestaPlus: Tired of relying on vendors, Annie led the charge to build a proprietary MLS platform — now adopted beyond their core market • : Her team’s AI-driven compliance tool making waves across the MLS industry • Team Philosophy: Why taking risks, building a strong team, and staying scrappy still matters 📌 Resources & Mentions: • The MLS™ / VestaPlus: • Contact Annie: annie.ives@themls.com • Compliance tool: ™, powered by VestaPlus • : Annual event hosted by The MLS™
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Brian Donnellan and the future of cooperation
03/28/2025
Brian Donnellan and the future of cooperation
🎙️ 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 – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where Proptech gets hired Production and editing services by:
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A floor plan with every listing
03/13/2025
A floor plan with every listing
In this episode of Listing Bits, Greg Robertson is joined by Megan McFarlane from New Mexico MLS and Jeff Allen from CubiCasa to discuss the growing importance of floor plans in real estate listings. They dive into why New Mexico MLS has taken the bold step of requiring floor plans on every listing, how technology like CubiCasa is making this easier, and the industry-wide momentum pushing for more complete and transparent listing content. Key Takeaways • New Mexico MLS’s Bold Move: Why they made floor plans mandatory and how it enhances listing accuracy and consumer experience. • The Tech That’s Changing the Game: How CubiCasa and other solutions make floor plans more accessible for agents and MLSs. • Overcoming Pushback: Addressing concerns about liability, data privacy, and adoption challenges. • Consumer Demand is Clear: NAR research shows floor plans are the #1 most requested listing feature. • Global Trends in Real Estate: Why countries like Finland and Australia have already made floor plans standard—and why the U.S. is catching up. • The Future of MLS Compliance: How MLSs are using AI and automation to enforce floor plan requirements. Links & Resources New Mexico MLS to require floor plans on all listings MLS Floor Plan Requirement Programs: FAQ 2025 CMLS Presentation Clip Our Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where Proptech gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Building Real Estate Technology: The Story of Real Geeks with Kevin McCarthy
11/20/2024
Building Real Estate Technology: The Story of Real Geeks with Kevin McCarthy
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 Our Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where Proptech gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Listing Bits Podcast: The Front-endless MLS System with Carlos Grass and Paul Hethmon of Amplify
11/06/2024
Listing Bits Podcast: The Front-endless MLS System with Carlos Grass and Paul Hethmon of Amplify
Overview: Greg Robertson sits down with Carlos Grass and Paul Hethmon, co-founders of Amplify, to discuss their innovative “front-endless” MLS backend platform. This episode highlights Amplify’s unique approach to creating a flexible, adaptable MLS backend designed to empower MLSs with greater control and cutting-edge technology. Key Takeaways: 1. Amplify’s Mission and Flexibility: • Amplify offers a decoupled backend solution that allows MLSs to use multiple frontends, enabling greater customization, data control, and integration with new technologies. 2. Innovative Technology Integration: • The platform features advanced capabilities like natural language processing and machine learning, allowing users to search MLS data through voice or natural language, while also automating content creation such as audio descriptions and marketing videos. 3. Real-Time Changes and Responsiveness: • Amplify’s backend allows MLSs to make updates and add fields in real-time, drastically improving adaptability and response time compared to traditional MLS systems. 4. A New Vision for MLS Accessibility: • Amplify enables MLSs to extend data access to a broader network, including appraisers, attorneys, and financial institutions, fostering a more collaborative ecosystem. Reach Out: , Co-Founder of Amplify and CEO of Stratus Data Systems , Co-Founder of Amplify Visit Amplify at Download Amplify's new White Paper: Our Sponsors – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software – Where Proptech gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Listing Bits Podcast: Austin Allison, CEO of Pacaso
10/29/2024
Listing Bits Podcast: Austin Allison, CEO of Pacaso
Overview: In this episode, Greg Robertson chats with Austin Allison, CEO of Pacaso, about his entrepreneurial journey in real estate, starting with Dotloop and transitioning to his current venture, Pacaso. The discussion covers lessons learned from his early career, how Pacaso is revolutionizing second home ownership, and insights into raising capital through innovative approaches like Regulation A. Key Takeaways: 1. Austin’s Journey in Real Estate: • Austin Allison started his real estate career early, getting his license at 18. His early experiences selling homes during college inspired him to create Dotloop, which he later sold to Zillow. • The entrepreneurial lessons from Dotloop, including navigating challenging markets and working with large real estate brands like Keller Williams, set the foundation for his future ventures. 2. The Birth of Pacaso: • After selling Dotloop, Austin co-founded Pacaso, a platform aimed at democratizing second home ownership by enabling people to co-own luxury homes. The idea stemmed from his own experience of buying a second home and realizing most vacation homes sit unused for much of the year. • Pacaso allows people to purchase a share of a vacation home, creating more efficient and accessible ways to own luxury properties. 3. The Challenges of Scaling a Startup: • Pacaso had rapid growth, especially during the early days of the pandemic when people sought second homes, but faced new challenges in 2023 due to rising interest rates and a cooling real estate market. • The company has refocused on profitability and expanding its market presence globally, with operations in the U.S., Europe, and Mexico. 4. Innovative Fundraising through Regulation A: • Pacaso recently explored raising capital through Regulation A, a public fundraising method that allows retail investors to buy into private companies. This method democratizes access to investment opportunities typically reserved for institutional investors. • Austin believes this approach aligns with Pacaso’s mission of making second home ownership more accessible and also raises brand awareness by turning investors into advocates. 5. Future of Pacaso and Second Home Ownership: • Pacaso aims to continue expanding its product offerings and entering new markets. While the current focus is on high-net-worth individuals, Austin envisions future opportunities to lower the entry point for ownership, making the Pacaso model more accessible to a broader audience. • Austin emphasizes the long-term potential of Pacaso and the importance of scaling the business carefully to meet the demands of a large, untapped market. Reach Out: Austin on Find out more about Pacaso • Learn more about Pacaso: • opportunities with Pacaso. Our Sponsors - Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software - Where Proptech gets hired Production and editing services by:
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A working agent’s perspective on the current state of organized real estate- Maggie Etheridge, REALTOR.
09/26/2024
A working agent’s perspective on the current state of organized real estate- Maggie Etheridge, REALTOR.
I sat down with a long-time friend and former business partner, Maggie Etheridge. Maggie was one of my co-founders at IRIS, a real estate software company we started back in 1992. She is a second-generation real estate agent. Maggie’s mom, Martie, was the inspiration for starting a software company focused on real estate and is likely the reason I have a career today. This episode began from a series of texts between Maggie and me about her thoughts on NAR, the lawsuits, exclusive listings, and what the pundits are getting wrong. It was a great conversation and a huge reality check for me, making me rethink some of my previous assumptions. It was a discussion that could have gone on for hours; somehow, I think we’ll have to have her on as a guest again. Reach Out: Maggie’s Maggie's Greg's Our Sponsors - Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software - Where Proptech gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Real estate data, myths and cowboy boots with Kevin Shtofman of Cherre
09/16/2024
Real estate data, myths and cowboy boots with Kevin Shtofman of Cherre
Listing Bits is back with a great guest, Kevin Shtofman, Global Head of Innovation at Cherre. Cherre is a global real estate data management platform. Kevin is from Texas and comes from a very entrepreneurial family that owned retail stores selling western wear, including honest-to-goodness cowboy boots! Yee-haw! Kevin talks about his journey from Wall Street back to Dallas and Cherre. It’s a great conversation where we dive into the breadth of real estate data available now, housing affordability, real estate myths, and the changing vendor landscape. Kevin is a super smart guy, and I found this conversation very insightful—I know you will too. Reach Out: Kevin on Greg's Find out more about Cheere - Follow your Data Our Sponsors - Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software - Where Proptech gets hired Production and editing services by:
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Dan Fortin of Lone Wolf Technologies on designing a proper Foundation
07/24/2024
Dan Fortin of Lone Wolf Technologies on designing a proper Foundation
Dan Fortin was one of my favorite people I met working at Lone Wolf. He came over from the Instanet acquisition and has had a front-row seat to see big changes in the industry. From Lone Wolf acquiring 8 companies, 5 of them in less than 9 months, to the challenges of being a forms company during COVID when everyone wanted a specific form, and they wanted it NOW! Sounds familiar, eh? We discuss Dan's background, the lessons he's learned over the 10 years, and how taking a data-driven approach to making decisions has helped him during his career. We also get to talk about Lone Wolf's recent announcement on its newest platform, Foundation, and the tremendous amount of work that took. We also delve into product, design, and what the future holds for Lone Wolf. For more about Lone Wolf Foundation please visit . To connect with Dan check out his LinkedIn .
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Listing Bits Episode 91: Tether RE, keeping Agents Safe
04/25/2024
Listing Bits Episode 91: Tether RE, keeping Agents Safe
What do Willie Nelson and keeping real estate agents safe have in common? You will have to listen to this great conversation with Tether RE founder Scott Martin to find out. Did you know that in 2020 60,000 real estate agents reported being victims of assault, sexual abuse, robbery or were murdered in the US? In 2023 over 75,000 real estate agents reported being victim of a crime. And there are a ton of more incidents that go unreported. In this wide ranging conversation with Scott Martin, a serial entrepreneur, we talk about where the idea came from, and the journey that got Scott here. Trust me, it's a wild ride! Join us for fun and entertaining conversation. Reach Out: Connect with Check out Our Sponsor: Production and editing services by:
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