[VIP] Zillow, Q3/2019: Not a Test, But a Test Kitchen

Back in Q2, I titled my analysis of Zillow’s earnings, “Going All In” and wrote: When Rich Barton took (back) over as CEO of Zillow earlier this year, I wrote a Red Dot and titled it, “The Return of the King.” I didn’t realize then that the king was not just a fighter, but a … Read more

[VIP] RE/MAX Q3, 2019: Don’t Look Back

RE/MAX reported Q3 earnings on Halloween, and I can’t help but think there was a lot more trick than treat in its Q3 results. Yes, RE/MAX remains fundamentally healthy and it has some advantages over its main competitors, especially the other publicly reporting franchise company, Realogy, but there were a lot more walking dead in … Read more

The Innate Value of the MLS? Thinking Through a Podcast from Austin Board of REALTORS

Emily Chenevert, the CEO of Austin Board of REALTORS and its MLS, ACTRIS, is one of my favorite people in the industry. We have known each other for years now from when she served as the Government Affairs Director for ABOR, and even then, I knew she was destined for greatness. Emily is smart as … Read more

The Notorious Interview: Bill Fowler, Compass

A different Interview episode than normal, I speak with Bill Fowler, Sr. Director of Industry Relations for Compass, the tech-brokerage who has been making all kinds of waves in recent years. Normally, I like to use the Interview to introduce people and companies that most of you don’t know about, who are doing interesting things … Read more

[VIP] Zillow Unlock Event: Stages of Grief

Zillow’s big event for its IMT segment — Premier Agents, Rentals and New Construction — just concluded in my (new) hometown of Las Vegas. I attended Tuesday as a member of the press, because when the United States Department of Justice calls you a “trade publication” who am I to disagree? So first, let me … Read more

[VIP] The Notorious Interview: Mike Maher, Houwzer

Hot on the heels of the Alex Doubet interview, I’m pleased to give you all an interview with the CEO of yet another innovative W-2 brokerage. Mike Maher is the Co-Founder & CEO of Houwzer, a W-2 based flat listing fee brokerage based in Philadelphia with operations in the Philly Metro and Washington DC Metro … Read more

MLS Path Forward: Further Thoughts

Those of you who attended the CMLS annual conference in Salt Lake City have already heard the presentation that David Charron and I did at the close of Thursday. Hopefully, many of you downloaded the free white paper that we released and have or will read through our ideas there. If you did not attend … Read more

[VIP] The Notorious Interview: Alex Doubet, Door

Today’s Notorious Interview is of a super-interesting, super-smart guy many of you probably have never heard of. His name is Alex Doubet, and he is the founder and CEO of Door, a unique brokerage based in Dallas. He is also a VIP Subscriber and a longtime reader of Notorious. Door is an interesting brokerage that … Read more