Move, Inc. Moves Into Mortgages

Move (NASDAQ: MOVE) has just launched MortgageMatch.com — a consumer-facing application that Move spokespersons say is the most important thing they’ve done since… well, acquiring ListHub. I’m writing this while sitting on the webinar/teleconference where they’re unveiling it, so… my thoughts are likely to be somewhat scattered. Once the announcement is made, and a few … Read more

[7DS] If By “Reinvent” One Means “Imitate”, I Agree

[Original post at 7DSassociates.com] There is a fascinating post on Find It Fill It blog (looks to me like this is a commercial real estate brokerage of some sort) about how Loopnet’s “crowdsourcing” model will reinvent commercial real estate as we know it: This is like aiming a cannon to your competition that’s holding a … Read more

[7DS] If By "Reinvent" One Means "Imitate", I Agree

[Original post at 7DSassociates.com] There is a fascinating post on Find It Fill It blog (looks to me like this is a commercial real estate brokerage of some sort) about how Loopnet’s “crowdsourcing” model will reinvent commercial real estate as we know it: This is like aiming a cannon to your competition that’s holding a … Read more

Move, ListHub, and Syndication Quality Assurance

Back in September, when Move, Inc. (which operates Realtor.com, among other units) acquired ListHub, the leading syndicator of listings, there were a number of opinions and speculations on why Move would buy a syndicator of all things.  Given that Move gets a direct feed of all MLS listings under the NAR Operating Agreement, it didn’t … Read more

Seven Big Questions: The MLS Edition

I’m honored to be asked to give the closing remarks at the Council of MLS conference in Chicago this year at the end of September/early October.  Since I’m supposed to be wrapping up the discussions of those few days, I can’t actually prepare anything ahead of time.  But I can sort of cheat by putting … Read more

AgentHarvest: The Start of Something?

Recently, I ran across a hilarious little parody website called ReallyRottenRealty.com.  The site exposes some of the more compellingly awful business practices of some brokers and agents out there.  Check it out, and be prepared to laugh while grimacing. Turns out, the website is a marketing vehicle for a company called AgentHarvest, based in Dallas, … Read more

Speed and Ease of Communications: Critique & Suggestions

In the comments to this post, I’m getting some rather interesting thoughts from a variety of real estate agents and brokers.  The question I asked was, “Why should I, as a consumer, care if you’re tech-savvy or not?”  The most popular answer was along the lines of, “Because tech-savvy agents have speed and ease of … Read more