Industry Relations · Wednesday · 1 hr 3 min

ListHub 2.0?

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg break down Open Real Estate (ORE), a new initiative from eXp, Real, RE/MAX, Keller Williams, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices to build a broker-run listing cooperative. They debate whether ORE is a national MLS or a syndication platform, whether a Q1 2027 launch is realistic, and what ORE could mean for MLSs, Compass, and government regulation of the industry. Key Takeaways ORE aims to prevent inventory fragmentation driven by Compass's private listing strategy. Greg gives ORE a one-out-of-ten chance of success but thinks MLSs and portals should help anyway. Rob says mandatory submission plus cooperation makes ORE a national MLS, whatever it's called. Greg sees ORE as closer to ListHub 2.0, a data feed that works alongside MLSs. Rob asks why ORE doesn't just buy ListHub from Realtor.com instead of building from scratch. Neither host believes ORE can launch by Q1 2027 with RFPs only now going out. ORE's early principles include submission within one business day and public or participant-only listing options. ORE could become the industry's new rulemaker, giving MLSs cover against Compass. Pricing like a dollar per listing could push smaller MLSs toward consolidation. Greg credits ORE for bringing a solution to the table instead of filing lawsuits. Greg wonders if ORE gives Robert Reffkin a face-saving way out of his fight with MLSs. Rob argues ORE's real goal is removing inventory as a way for brokerages to compete for agents. Rob warns that ORE's consumer-protection rhetoric could invite government regulation of the MLS. In 2004 congressional testimony, industry leaders defended the MLS as a private broker-to-broker cooperative. Links Vendor Alley: Upstream 2.0? Not Quite. Inman: KW, AGNT, HomeServices of America, Real REMAX fight private listing with new collaboration BAM (Video) : REAL, eXp, Keller Williams & Berkshire Hathaway Announce Historic Team Up Notorious POD (Video): Reaction Video - Open Real Estate Are you an MLS Exec going to NAR NXT? Book a meeting with Greg/Giant Steps Connect with Rob and Greg Rob's Website Greg's Website Watch us on YouTube Our Sponsors: Cotality Notorious VIP The Giant Steps Job Board Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios

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The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player!

Overview

Rob and Greg break down Open Real Estate (ORE), a new initiative from eXp, Real, RE/MAX, Keller Williams, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices to build a broker-run listing cooperative. They debate whether ORE is a national MLS or a syndication platform, whether a Q1 2027 launch is realistic, and what ORE could mean for MLSs, Compass, and government regulation of the industry.

Key Takeaways

ORE aims to prevent inventory fragmentation driven by Compass's private listing strategy.
Greg gives ORE a one-out-of-ten chance of success but thinks MLSs and portals should help anyway.
Rob says mandatory submission plus cooperation makes ORE a national MLS, whatever it's called.
Greg sees ORE as closer to ListHub 2.0, a data feed that works alongside MLSs.
Rob asks why ORE doesn't just buy ListHub from Realtor.com instead of building from scratch.
Neither host believes ORE can launch by Q1 2027 with RFPs only now going out.
ORE's early principles include submission within one business day and public or participant-only listing options.
ORE could become the industry's new rulemaker, giving MLSs cover against Compass.
Pricing like a dollar per listing could push smaller MLSs toward consolidation.
Greg credits ORE for bringing a solution to the table instead of filing lawsuits.
Greg wonders if ORE gives Robert Reffkin a face-saving way out of his fight with MLSs.
Rob argues ORE's real goal is removing inventory as a way for brokerages to compete for agents.
Rob warns that ORE's consumer-protection rhetoric could invite government regulation of the MLS.
In 2004 congressional testimony, industry leaders defended the MLS as a private broker-to-broker cooperative.