Industry Relations

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg tackle the thorny question of who should have access to real estate listing data. Prompted by a Wired article about college students using Zillow to assess classmates’ wealth, Rob argues that the real estate industry should move some listing details—like interior photos and price history—behind a broker-consumer relationship. Greg pushes back, defending the value of open data and the impossibility of cleanly separating legitimate buyers from “random voyeurs.” The conversation dives deep into VOW rules, privacy, and what it means to be a consumer in 2025. Key Takeaways * Prompt for the Episode – A Wired article reveals that young people are using Zillow to snoop on classmates’ family wealth, raising privacy questions. * Rob’s Proposal – Rob suggests moving data like days on market, interior photos, and price change history to the VOW feed instead of IDX. * VOW vs. IDX – They revisit the 2006 DOJ/NAR settlement that created Virtual Office Websites and debate whether its definitions still work in 2025. * Who Is a “Legitimate” Consumer? – Rob proposes that anyone willing to speak to an agent qualifies, while Greg argues that even dreamers browsing for years could be future buyers. * Advertising vs. Research Data – They attempt to draw a distinction between marketing information meant to attract interest and data meant to inform a buyer’s decision. * Barriers and Incentives – Greg warns that placing obstacles in front of consumers—even just requiring a lead form—might diminish site traffic and engagement. * Portals and Traffic Obsession – Discussion of how Zillow, Realtor.com, and Homes.com measure success by traffic volume, and why reducing public data might not align with their incentives. * Consumer Privacy vs. Industry Benefit – Rob argues that the industry has no obligation to serve voyeurs, while Greg questions whether we can—or should—attempt to limit access. * A Potential VOW Framework – The episode closes with a thought experiment: Should consumers need to name an agent (or form a relationship) before accessing detailed listing info?   Links Wired Article [https://www.wired.com/story/people-are-using-zillow-to-search-their-friends-homes-prices-and-find-out-whos-secretly-rich/]  SNL Zillow Skit Reference [https://youtu.be/yEfsaXDX0UQ?si=uE31YG_itTBCdZOv] Inman Connect Proptech Pre-Party  [https://www.vendoralley.com/2025/07/14/inman-connect-proptech-pre-party/]   Connect with Rob and Greg Rob’s Website [https://notoriousrob.substack.com/]  Greg’s Website [https://www.vendoralley.com/about-2/]    Watch us on YouTube [https://youtu.be/kI7B02KdN_w?si=iZ_EfLz2f0zkQ4uF]   Our Sponsors: Cotality [https://www.cotality.com/]  Notorious VIP [https://notoriousrob.substack.com/] The Giant Steps Job Board [https://vendoralley.jobboard.io/]    Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios [https://www.sunboundstudios.com/]

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg unpack the lawsuit Compass filed against Zillow over its ZLAS (Zillow Listing Agreement Standard) policy. They debate the strength of Compass’s legal claims, the language cited in the complaint, and what the alleged behind-the-scenes meetings reveal about Zillow’s influence in the real estate industry. Rob argues that Zillow is exercising monopoly power—even if it’s not illegal—while Greg pushes back on whether that power is absolute or harmful. Key Takeaways * Compass Lawsuit Against Zillow – Compass has sued Zillow over ZLAS, and Rob and Greg break down what the complaint says, especially around alleged comments from Zillow executives. * Redfin’s Role in the Lawsuit – The lawsuit describes a phone call between Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman and Compass’s Robert Reffkin, which raises questions about Redfin’s alignment or neutrality. * Allegations from the Zillow Meeting – The complaint claims Zillow executives said they would “not allow” Compass to have listings that aren’t on Zillow. Rob questions how MLSs will interpret that language. * Zillow’s Relationship to MLSs – Rob and Greg debate whether Zillow is stepping into a policy-making role that could create long-term tension with MLSs. * Monopoly vs. Illegal Monopoly – Rob insists Zillow is a monopoly in terms of influence, while Greg questions whether that matters if they haven’t broken any laws. * Private Listing Networks as Leverage – Rob suggests that large brokerages should consider creating private listing networks to provoke offers or concessions from Zillow. * MLS and NAR Dynamics – The conversation revisits the lack of MLS policy leadership from NAR and whether groups like CMLS can step up in its place. * Consumer Perception of Real Estate – Greg ends by cautioning that all this infighting could be harmful to public trust, as evidenced by critical reader comments in mainstream news outlets. Connect with Rob and Greg Rob’s Website [https://notoriousrob.substack.com/]  Greg’s Website [https://www.vendoralley.com/about-2/]    Watch us on YouTube [https://youtu.be/_cpicN_lMtk]   Our Sponsors: Cotality [https://www.cotality.com/]  Notorious VIP [https://notoriousrob.substack.com/] The Giant Steps Job Board [https://vendoralley.jobboard.io/]    Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios [https://www.sunboundstudios.com/]

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this special episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg take a break from real estate to talk about one of their shared passions: music. They explore the most transformative artists and bands across genres from the 70s through today. Their conversation dives deep into the cultural impact of acts like Nirvana, Depeche Mode, NWA, and Metallica, and whether artists like Kanye West, Jay-Z, or Eminem changed the landscape or simply excelled within it. Key Takeaways * What Makes an Artist Transformative – Rob and Greg define “transformative” as artists who changed culture or shifted their genre’s direction. * Rock, Pop, and Hair Metal – From The Police and Joy Division to Motley Crue and Metallica, they debate which bands truly left a mark. * New Wave and Synth Pop – A back-and-forth on whether bands like Depeche Mode, Erasure, and Eurythmics defined the New Wave era. * The Rise of Hip-Hop – Analysis of Public Enemy, NWA, and Biggie’s role in changing rap’s tone—from political to gangsta to materialistic. * Female Singers and Torch Artists – Greg shares his appreciation for female vocalists, from Tori Amos and Natalie Merchant to Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin. * Jazz, EDM, and Modern Music – A look at how genres like jazz and electronica evolved—and why Rob thinks music hasn’t really changed since the 2000s. * Cultural Identity and Music in High School – Reflections on how music once defined high school social groups and why today’s digital world may be missing that connection.   Connect with Rob and Greg Rob’s Website [https://notoriousrob.substack.com/]  Greg’s Website [https://www.vendoralley.com/about-2/]    Watch us on YouTube [https://youtu.be/kI7B02KdN_w?si=iZ_EfLz2f0zkQ4uF]   Our Sponsors: Cotality [https://www.cotality.com/]  Notorious VIP [https://notoriousrob.substack.com/] The Giant Steps Job Board [https://vendoralley.jobboard.io/]    Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios [https://www.sunboundstudios.com/]

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg reflect on a recent panel discussion hosted by the Orange County Association of REALTORS®. They discuss the incentives that drive agent and broker behavior, the value and vulnerabilities of the MLS in a post-settlement world, and the broader structural changes facing the real estate industry. The first half of the conversation also includes a candid exchange on trades as a career path and the shifting economic landscape for young adults. Key Takeaways   * MLS Incentive Structures – A deep dive into how policy changes have affected the incentive for brokers to remain in the MLS, especially with the decline of enforceable compensation. * Broker Power and Consolidation – Why the largest brokerages may now have more incentive to operate independently of the MLS and what that means for smaller firms. * Agent-Level Impact – Rob and Greg question whether large-scale policy debates truly affect everyday agents and argue that most industry drama doesn’t change the work agents do. * Panel Highlights – Reflections on a live panel with James Dwiggins and Ed Zorn, including audience reactions and a question: “What would you do if you ran NAR?” * Compensation and Enforcement Post-Settlement – Analysis of how buyer-agent compensation continues through informal agreements and social norms, despite changes to MLS rules. * Trades and Career Advice – A wide-ranging discussion on whether young people should consider skilled trades as an alternative to traditional college paths. Connect with Rob and Greg Rob’s Website [https://notoriousrob.substack.com/]  Greg’s Website [https://www.vendoralley.com/about-2/]  Watch us on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/kI7B02KdN_w?si=iZ_EfLz2f0zkQ4uF] Our Sponsors: Cotality [https://www.cotality.com/]  Notorious VIP [https://notoriousrob.substack.com/] The Giant Steps Job Board [https://vendoralley.jobboard.io/]    Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios [https://www.sunboundstudios.com/]

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg recap the 2025 NAR Midyear Meetings in Washington, D.C., discussing key industry developments, MLS policy changes, and behind-the-scenes dynamics. Topics include the repeal of the commingling ban, updates to NAR’s controversial 10-5 speech policy, and ongoing MLS consolidation. They also cover vendor presence, association politics, and speculation around leadership changes in CMLS.   Key Takeaways   * Compass “Protest” at Midyear – Greg recounts organizing a publicity stunt in front of Compass’s hotel to promote Tuesday.com  * Repeal of Co-mingling Ban – Discussion on how NAR’s removal of the commingling restriction could impact listing syndication and MLS relevance. * 10-5 Policy Changes – Rob and Greg unpack the revision of NAR’s hate speech rule, its political implications, and the proposal for a “conduct unbecoming” clause. * MLS Consolidation – A growing theme from the meetings was consolidation, with T3 data showing Bright MLS now leading in subscriber count. * CMLS Leadership Transition – With Denee Evans stepping down, the episode explores possible successors and whether CMLS and RESO should consider a merger. * Policy Governance Shifts – Signs point to NAR possibly stepping back from MLS policy-making, sparking conversation about which organization might take that role. * Vendor and Trade Show Insights – Observations about reduced vendor presence and the challenges for newer tech companies trying to break into the space. * Affordability and Market Outlook – Brief discussion on macro issues like tariffs, political shifts, and whether the real estate market is moving toward a buyer’s market. LInks Rally for the MLS (video) [https://x.com/gregrobertson/status/1932584453622411723] ZillowGate Van [https://www.vendoralley.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG_1158-scaled.jpeg]   Connect with Rob and Greg Rob’s Website https://notoriousrob.substack.com/ [https://notoriousrob.substack.com/] Greg’s Website https://www.vendoralley.com/about-2/ [https://www.vendoralley.com/about-2/] Watch us on YouTube [https://youtu.be/1sl3Z3jJZl8] Our Sponsors: Cotality https://www.cotality.com/ [https://www.cotality.com/] Notorious VIP https://notoriousrob.substack.com [https://notoriousrob.substack.com/] The Giant Steps Job Board https://vendoralley.jobboard.io/ [https://vendoralley.jobboard.io/]   Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios [https://www.sunboundstudios.com/]