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 Kevin McCarthy

Real Geeks - Tools Tailored to Your Ambitions

 

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired

 

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

 

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: 

Carlos Grass, Co-Founder of Amplify and CEO of Stratus Data Systems

Paul Hethmon, Co-Founder of Amplify

Visit Amplify at ampsystems.us

Download Amplify's new White Paper: Adapting to the post DOJ ruling

Our Sponsors

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board – Where Proptech gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

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 LInkedIN

 

Find out more about Pacaso

• Learn more about Pacaso: Pacaso.com

• Explore Regulation A investment opportunities with Pacaso.

 

Our Sponsors

Trackxi - Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board - Where Proptech gets hired

 

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

 

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 website

Maggie's Insta

Greg's website

Our Sponsors

Trackxi - Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board - Where Proptech gets hired

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

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 LinkedIn

Greg's website

 

Find out more about Cheere

Cherre.com - Follow your Data

 

Our Sponsors

Trackxi - Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracking Software

Giant Steps Job Board - Where Proptech gets hired

 

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

 

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 here.

To connect with Dan check out his LinkedIn profile.

 

 

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 Scott

Check out Tether RE

Our Sponsor:

Trackxi – Real Estate’s #1 Deal Tracker

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

I hope you enjoy this great conversation with the co-founders of HŌM, Jeff Zakrzewski and Nhan Vo.

In a wide ranging conversation we discuss their orgin story.  Where they came up for the idea of their app and the struggles of going to market with a real estate software solution.

If you are new vendor getting in to the space, an MLS exec, or franchisor professional its worth a listen. 

HŌM is a well designed app that is doing a lot of interesting things with data and collaboration with some great people behind it.

Join us!

 

Find out more about the HŌM experience

homagent.com | myhom.ai

 

Reach Out:

Connect with Jeff

Connect with Vo

 

Our Sponsor:

Trackxi - Real Estate's #1 Deal Tracker

 

Production and editing services by:

Sunbound Studios

"Hotel California", is one of the phrases people attribute to the organized real estate industry, "you can can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave". Kelly Robinson is an industry pioneer in that she co-founded a software company, Realty Plus Online, that created one of the first web-based MLS systems. In my conversation with Kelly we talked about the old days, her journey, and what brings her back to organized real estate game. It's a fun conversation between old friends and talks about the challenges of the MLS vendor business.

The verdict against NAR in the Sitzer lawsuit has organized real estate up in arms.

But Michael Lissack thinks the decision is the best thing to happen to the industry in 100 years.

In fact, he sees the trade association as a criminal enterprise with little value beyond MLS access.

Michael is Managing Broker for The Virtual Realty Group, a 100% commission brokerage that operates in 12 states. 

On this episode of Listing Bits, Michael joins Greg to discuss the real issue behind the lawsuits against NAR and describe what he would do to make buyer’s agent commission negotiable.

Michael explains why it’s necessary to decouple the MLS from NAR membership and how that would likely lead to bankruptcy for the trade association.

Listen in for Michael’s provocative take on why associations don’t deserve a way forward in a world where MLS access is open to anyone with a real estate license.

 

What’s Discussed:  

The real issue behind the lawsuits against NAR and several real estate brokerages

What Michael would do to make buyer’s agent commission negotiable

Why the DOJ takes issue with mandatory membership in NAR for MLS access

How decoupling the MLS from NAR would impact everyday REALTORS

What decoupling the MLS from NAR membership would do to the trade association (and what NAR might do to demonstrate its value and rebuild)

What it would take to decouple local, state and NAR membership

Why Michael believes a real estate license should be the only requirement for MLS access

Running MLSs as not-for-profit organizations vs. for-profit entities

Greg’s thoughts on providing a way forward for associations by compensating them for the work of building the MLS

Why bankruptcy might be apt for associations who don’t provide value beyond MLS access

 

Connect with Michael Lissack:

Michael.Travel

Michael on LinkedIn

 

Resources:

Sitzer v. NAR

Michael’s LinkedIn Post

 

Our Sponsors:

Trackxi

In 2020 Ben knew they needed to make a change.  So he went to the Black Knight board and made a pitch, “give me the resources to build a modern MLS system”.  To his surprise, they said yes. Now, 3 years later, that dream has been realized.

His dream was a mobile-first MLS platform that understands the history of how MLS platforms operate but offers a modern user experience.

That’s exactly what Ben Graboske and Lucie Fortier are working on, and their new product, Paragon Connect, is ready for its close up.

Ben is President of Data & Analytics and Lucie is Executive Vice President of MLS Solutions at Intercontinental Exchange or ICE, the financial services firm that bought Black Knight in September 2023.

On this episode of Listing Bits, Ben and Lucie join Greg to discuss ICE’s history of digitizing complex transactions and explain why its acquisition of Black Knight makes sense.

Lucie shares her motivation for joining the team at Intercontinental Exchange, and Ben describes how ICE’s resources benefit his department in the development of Paragon Connect.

Listen in to understand what differentiates Paragon Connect from other MLS vendors and learn how it simplifies the agent experience by providing an entire MLS platform on both a responsive and native app.

 

What’s Discussed:  

 

ICE’s history of digitizing complicated transactions and why its acquisition of Black Knight makes sense

How being an MLS vendor supports ICE’s vision for making mortgages easier

Lucie’s journey to joining the ICE team and how technology drives her career decisions

What features differentiate Paragon Connect from other MLS vendors

Why Ben’s team decided not to change Paragon’s name (despite offering an entirely new experience)

How Paragon Connect provides an entire MLS platform in a native app experience

The talented team of designers behind Paragon Connect

How Ben’s team benefits from ICE’s data assets and information security

Lucie’s approach to transitioning existing users to Paragon Connect

How Paragon is introducing a consumer app in Q1 of 2024

Why the rules around marketing to members need to change in an MLS system-of-choice model

What makes Paragon Connect ‘the MLS platform of the future’

 

Connect with Ben Graboske & Lucie Fortier:

Intercontinental Exchange

Ben on LinkedIn

Lucie on LinkedIn

Email [email protected] 

 

Resources:

ICE Acquisition of Black Knight

Paragon Connect Demo

Damien Huze on Listing Bits EP85

Paragon Connect on Vendor Alley

 

Our Sponsors:

Trackxi