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Listing Bits

Listing Bits

Greg Robertson

104 episodesENExplicit

Show overview

Listing Bits has been publishing since 2017, and across the 9 years since has built a catalogue of 104 episodes. That works out to roughly 70 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.

Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 34 min and 47 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. The publisher flags most episodes as explicit, so expect adult themes or strong language throughout. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 weeks ago, with 9 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2018, with 16 episodes published. Published by Greg Robertson.

Episodes
104
Running
2017–2026 · 9y
Median length
42 min
Cadence
Monthly

From the publisher

Greg Robertson, co-founder of W+R Studios and publisher of Vendor Alley, talks real estate tech with the people who are shaping it.

Latest Episodes

View all 104 episodes

Katrina Romatowski: Rethinking Homeownership for the Next Generation with reSpace

May 28, 202645 min

Fixing Home Affordability One Room at a Time With Atticus LeBlanc of PadSplit

May 28, 202648 min

Brian Boero on Storytelling, Signal, and What Comes Next for MLS

May 8, 202651 min

From Pixels to Property Intelligence with Dominik Pogorzelski

Apr 27, 202641 min

Brian Tepfer: How PropStream Turns Data Into Deals

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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 Jessica Richardson (PropStream) Brian (PropStream CEO)

Apr 10, 202653 min

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 Rent the Runway (mentioned for conference attire) Renew (Real Estate Network of Empowered Women) – upcoming events and information Sponsors Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. Giant Steps Job Board – 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: Sunbound Studios

Mar 31, 202635 min

Rethinking Ownership: Brett Humphrey on Co-Owning Homes

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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 – [email protected] General inquiries – [email protected] Sponsors Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. Giant Steps Job Board – 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: Sunbound Studios

Mar 13, 202638 min

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: [email protected] Phone: 208-340-9600 Sponsors Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. Giant Steps Job Board – 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: Sunbound Studios

Feb 13, 202640 min

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 Editora AppStore Link Julie's LinkedIn Contact Julie: [email protected] Sponsors Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. Giant Steps Job Board – 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: Sunbound Studios

Jan 27, 202638 min

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: LinkedIn Email: [email protected] Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Dec 13, 20251h 3m

Running a home grown MLS with Annie Ives

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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: Vesta Plus – Request a demo Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Dec 2, 202542 min

Getting rid of the grey with Amy Gorce of REdistribute

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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 • The Market Value of Listing Data—and the Cost of the Grey Market - White Paper Contact Amy Gorce Allison Duggins Sponsors Trackxi - Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Nov 10, 202545 min

Live from Toronto with Michael Wurzer, CEO of FBS

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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 Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Oct 13, 202559 min

Andy Taylor and Greg Fischer of RetroRate - Assumable loan discovery

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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 RetroRate Contact: [email protected] | [email protected] Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Sep 29, 202540 min

Rich LaRue of Homesmart

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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 LinkedIn Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Sep 1, 202548 min

Revive co-founder, Dalip Jaggi, shares his journey

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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 Revive Real Estate Instagram: @revive.realestate Dalip Jaggi Instagram: @dalipjaggi Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Sep 1, 202542 min

RentSpree, housing, and Michael Lucarelli's journey to proptech success.

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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 RentSpree LinkedIn RentEdge Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Jul 31, 202550 min

AI and compliance with Todd Carpenter of Styldod

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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 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn Links: Reimagine Styldod Our Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

Jun 30, 202541 min

Meet Ben Kinney, the new owner of Remine

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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 https://place.com Active Rain https://activerain.com 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 - https://www.wavgroup.com/2025/04/22/meet-ben-kinney-and-chris-suarez-of-place-new-owners-of-remine/ Our Sponsors Trackxi – Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software Giant Steps Job Board – Where ORE gets hired Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios

May 6, 202551 min

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-Six-Day War • 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 Southern California Homes & Estates, 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 • Checkmate™: 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: [email protected] • Compliance tool: Checkmate™, powered by VestaPlus • The MLS Summit Event: Annual event hosted by The MLS™

Apr 24, 202541 min
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