A well capitalized brokerage underwriting a single MLS’s national footprint challenges the geographic MLS model that has organized this industry for a century. Every regional MLS should be discussing what that means for its market, its Participants and Subscribers, and its future.
More importantly, brokerages should review their training programs to caution agents regarding what can be said and what should be avoided in advising buyers as to steps in the loan process – in short, what are the RED FLAGS.
One of the sneakiest parts of early stage Alzheimer’s is how ordinary envelopes turn into panic. This week’s Letter from Tim starts with a property tax bill, a very real moment of “Did I forget something huge,” and turns into a practical guide to decoding what that bill actually means if you have a mortgage. Dementia or not, this one hits a lot of kitchen tables.
Whatever the resolution, the case is poised to reshape how online real estate platforms compete—and cooperate—in the years ahead.
The Compass acquisition of Anywhere could be a “Big Deal” for Associations, MLSs, and other brokerage models.
That same mindset—the gardener’s patience, the musician’s persistence—is what I carry into my teaching, my writing, my work with real estate professionals. The through line is always cultivation: time, care, presence. It’s something I won’t give up.
After more than 15 years of visionary leadership, Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS, announced she will step down from her role in Q1 2026.
This requires a fundamental shift in how we think about professional value. It’s no longer about what you know that others don’t—it’s about how effectively you can apply that knowledge to serve others.
We already know sellers tend to price their homes on emotion, not logic. Logic is what we use to bring sellers back to reality. It’s how we remind them that they are entitled to their own opinion, but they are not entitled to their own facts. The vast majority of sellers understand that buyers determine market value.
If as an industry, we took the same time and effort we dedicate to debating Clear Cooperation and instead directed it at influencing lawmakers to solve the genuine problem of housing supply – the communities we serve would be immeasurably better off – and so would we. It is time we shift the conversation – and fix what’s actually broken.
Industry Crossroads™ is built on the belief that the residential real estate industry benefits when informed professionals are willing to think critically, challenge assumptions, and engage respectfully with competing idea. Our goal is not simply to report events, but to elevate the conversation.
What’s the best software? The software you use!
First-party data monetization is expected to expand, potentially driving a new era for the MLS industry—often referred to as “MLS 6.0,” where data will become a primary revenue driver.
