Influencing the Future: Insights from 2 of Real Estate's Most Powerful Voices

If you've spent any time reading our broker and MLS channels, you undoubtedly recognize the name "WAV Group." They're not only the dominant voice on those channels, but the founders of WAV Group are also the founders of RE Technology.

Every year, we look forward to seeing the names of WAV Group partners Marilyn Wilson and Victor Lund appear on lists of the industry's most powerful and influential. In December, the duo was named to RISMedia's 2019 Real Estate Newsmakers list (see here and here). And just this month, Marilyn and Victor were listed on the 2019 Swanepoel Power 200, a comprehensive list of the most powerful people in the residential real estate industry.

These accolades come as no surprise to anyone who pays close attention to the industry--WAV Group consults on major projects that impact the future of real estate, like the Broker Public Portal, RESO, and more. The company has been a driving force in pushing the industry to adapt to changing consumer expectations spurred by technology.

To give you a better idea of WAV Group's influential thought leadership, we've rounded up a sampling of their best articles from the past year. For a deep dive into broker technology, check out article #7 on the list below. For posts with an editorial/thought experiment bent, try articles #3, #4, and #6. Looking for data related content? Try #9 and #10.

1. 10 Reasons Why the MLS Is the Ultimate Real Estate Marketing Network
The same agents that are happy to spend thousands on outside marketing services like online portals ALSO belong to their local MLS. In most cases, they are spending well UNDER $100 a month for their MLS and receiving a variety of services that, if bought individually would cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Here's why MLSs are the BEST marketing network that exists in our industry today.

2. No Image, No Active Listing... PERIOD!
In this day and age, it is ridiculous to be on a property site and see active listings with no images included. If we want to give sellers the marketing exposure their property deserves--and buyers the shopping experience they require--then it's time to get us past this problem once and for all!

3. What If We Replaced NAR Directors with Randomly Selected REALTORS?
This is a whimsical article. Don't take it too seriously, but take a moment to think about this question with me. What if the question, "Do you think that the NAR Board of Directors is functioning well?" was posed to Realtors? How many hands would go up? A majority? This article explores whether the NAR board is too large, or a good demographic representation of Realtors as a while, and whether selecting Realtors at random for the board would be a good idea.

4. We Need a 'Common App' for Data Feed Approvals
Sometimes it's a lot easier to look at another industry for a relevant analogy to help us forge the path to innovation in our industry. Today, we're going to look at the college application process, which uses an incredible application system called "Common App." Instead of submitting individual applications across the country, your student can now apply to multiple colleges from one central system. What if we applied this model to real estate to make it simpler for companies looking for data feeds in multiple markets?

5. Real Estate Must Fix the Problems with Photography
When our industry markets a home for sale, we do not think at all about the privacy of the homebuyer who will take possession of the home. If our industry really cares about home ownership, it will take on this issue. The fix is easy. Create an industry policy that does not syndicate anything other than the exterior of sold or withdrawn properties. As an industry, we should also insist that interior photos are removed from portals. Let's step up and do the right thing and give homebuyers their privacy!

6. Why Are MLSs Making It SO Hard to Innovate?
Our industry needs to find meaningful ways to support new thinking and innovation. I recently put myself in the shoes of a start-up and found out just how difficult it REALLY is to leverage MLS information. We need to make it easier for tech companies to get the basic information they need to leverage the data that brokers and their agents have spent countless hours gathering. I believe that every MLS has the responsibility to support all of the tech companies that are trying to do the right thing for brokers. After all, brokers are YOUR clients too!

7. Crye-Leike Integrates CRM, Transaction Management, and Accounting
A few years ago, Crye-Leike embarked on a program to select a transaction management solution and tie it into their accounting system and CRM system. The result is among the most sophisticated and effective solutions deployed anywhere in the nation. Here's a closer look.

8. Compass Is Really a Branding Agency for Agents
If you attended the Inman Connect San Francisco conference this year, you could not escape the Compass Diamond Sponsorship of the event. The big reveal for me was the big agent branding board that Compass set up. The board showed how the marketing department at Compass sits down with each agent to understand their brand. Once they understand the agent, they build a brand around the agent that cascades onto their agent marketing. This is how Compass is disrupting real estate brokerages today.

9. MFRMLS Removes Non-Standard Data in Native MLS
Very few people understand the difference between the data that is in the native database of an MLS and the data that is shipped out of an MLS. RESO has created a Data Dictionary of fields and field enumerations for data being shared with brokers and technology providers. The native data in the MLS—the data that the broker's agent enters into the MLS system—is custom to every MLS. Not anymore! MFRMLS is among the first MLSs in the country to adopt the same RESO language in their native MLS. Here's why this is important.

10. Upstream Fixes Many Problems, Not Just One
MLSs, brokerages, franchises, REALTOR associations, and technology firms face pain caused by the lack of connection between the systems and applications that agents and consumers need. Upstream aims to deliver a better data management foundation for the data that brokers are entrusted for safe handling. Learn more in this article.