In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg break down the latest in the ongoing battle over NAR’s three-way agreement and how Phoenix Realtors’ recent compromise with NAR might reshape the industry. They explore whether this is a true win for NAR or just the beginning of a major shift, debating the rise of the “Freedom Plan” and how it could spread across the country. With bold predictions, deep industry insights, and a fair amount of sarcasm, this episode is a must-listen for anyone keeping an eye on real estate governance.
Key Takeaways
• Phoenix Realtors’ “Compromise”: Did they cave to NAR, or did they find a way to rewrite the rules on their own terms?
• The Freedom Plan vs. Realtor Membership: How the rebranded “Non-Member MLS Access” could be the start of a larger movement.
• Will Other Associations Follow?: If Phoenix can do it, why wouldn’t Scottsdale and other local associations jump on board?
• State Associations’ Next Move: Will Arizona Realtors create their own version of the Freedom Plan to retain members?
• Is the Three-Way Agreement Dead?: Rob argues that this move could mark the beginning of the end for NAR’s traditional membership structure
Inman News: NAR, Phoenix Realtors settle fight over MLS Choice
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Overview
In this special live episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg broadcast from the Virtual MLS Summit, where they tackle one of the biggest questions in real estate today: What does “cooperation” mean in a post-settlement world? They explore how the industry’s shift away from compensation impacts the role of MLSs, debate the long-standing relationship between brokerages and associations, and challenge whether MLSs should truly be considered “broker cooperatives.” This episode is packed with bold insights, historical context, and plenty of Rob vs. Greg fireworks.
Key Takeaways
• The Evolution of Cooperation: With compensation no longer tied to MLS participation, what does cooperation actually mean now?
• MLS Governance and Broker Control: If MLSs are broker cooperatives, why are associations still making the rules?
• The Fiduciary Duty Dilemma: Can cooperation exist when agents owe full fiduciary duties to their clients?
• The Government’s Potential Role: If the industry doesn’t self-regulate effectively, will federal regulators step in and take over?
• Lessons from Global Real Estate: Why other countries envy the U.S. MLS system—and what we risk losing if we dismantle it.
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In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg dive into one of the most heated debates yet—was NAR’s fight for survival a necessary battle, or did it do more harm than good? They analyze the fallout from the settlement, discuss the rise of leaders like Michelle Harrington who are ditching corporate-speak for real talk, and debate whether NAR should have surrendered years ago to avoid the lawsuits entirely.
Key Takeaways
• Michelle Harrington’s Blunt Truths: The First Team CEO calls the settlement “bulls***,” and Rob and Greg love her authenticity.
• Corporate-Speak vs. Real Talk: Why real estate leaders should ditch the PR fluff and embrace straight-shooting communication.
• The $2 Billion Club Controversy: Why independent brokerages feel abandoned and how the settlement exposed them to legal threats.
• Should NAR Have Surrendered in 2018? Rob argues they could have avoided everything if they had just given in earlier. Greg pushes back.
• Zombie Members or Hostages? Rob says NAR fought to protect dues from disengaged agents. Greg insists they were an opportunity, not a liability.
Inman story on FirstTeam CEO, Michelle Harrington; "A broker left out of NAR settlement gets candid: 'I'm still pissed'"
Todd Carpenter's LinkedIn post on "Zombie members vs. Super members"
Rob Substack, "Between Black Pill and White Pill"
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In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg recap Greg’s recent MLS Reset conference and dive into key industry insights. They discuss governance reform, competition between MLSs, data sharing agreements, and bold ideas for innovation in the real estate world. From pitch battles for tech innovation to thought-provoking commentary on leadership, this episode offers plenty of takeaways for industry professionals.
Key Takeaways
• MLS Reset Conference Recap: Greg shares highlights, including impactful presentations by Brian Boero, Michael Wurzer, and Curt Beardsley, Ben Graboske, who challenged the industry to embrace optimism.
• Governance Reform: Rob emphasizes the importance of reducing board sizes and increasing nimbleness
• Data Sharing and Competition: Rob and Greg debate whether MLSs should compete on services, price, and tech while maintaining data-sharing agreements.
• Source MLS Branding: A conversation on Michael Wurzer’s Source MLS concept as a trusted, transparent data brand.
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