December 2017


WAV Group Newsletter
By Kevin Hawkins

WAV Group and other consumer research have consistently shown that buyers want neighborhood expertise above all else. It's more important to consumers than an agent’s ability to negotiate or communicate. It’s often even more important to consumers than trust. So you would think that the most common agent business model would be designed to exploit that opportunity, right? But you would be wrong.
By Victor Lund

MLS and Association consolidation has delivered a path to solve many problems for Realtors® and brokers operating in markets where there is overlapping market disorder. With the exception of the San Francisco Bay Area, most large NFL cities have removed the need for Realtors® and brokers to subscribe to multiple MLSs, pay duplicate fees for MLS services, and manage listings in multiple systems. There are plenty of markets that should continue to pursue consolidation discussions, but by and large, the MLS industry is on the right track and that is cause for celebration.
By Marilyn Wilson

This year, I am proud to say that through our member satisfaction survey efforts with our MLS partners, we have been able to survey over 250,000 real estate agents and brokers. We have learned a lot about where the real perceived value of an MLS is derived.
By Victor Lund

WAV Group would like to congratulate Inside Real Estate and BrokerSumo. Inside Real Estate acquired BrokerSumo in an all cash transaction today. Both real estate technology firms are clients of both WAV Group and RE Technology. WAV Group is highly impressed by the quality of the Inside Real Estate core product, kvCORE . Inside Real Estate acquired Kunversion last year and has expanded the platform beyond team to a full broker suite.
By Victor Lund

Twitter for real estate is a curious strategy. There was quite a bit of discussion about Twitter in some of the Facebook groups that I am in. #thatsfunny. In all seriousness, when WAV Group evaluates the effectiveness of social media marketing and advertising (those are two different things), the numbers prove out that Facebook is far more effective in every matrix of reporting. The data suggests that Facebook is core, Twitter is niche.
By Marilyn Wilson

I am SO happy to announce that Jason Sanchez has been promoted to CEO of the Greater El Paso Association of REALTORS(R). We have worked with Jason for years. He is one of the most progressive and thoughtful leaders I have met in our industry. He has a humility blended with a passion for our industry that makes him a GREAT leader! I absolutely can’t wait to see how GEPAR will continue to evolve with his Jason’s energy!
By Victor Lund

The Houston Association of REALTORS® has long held the honor of celebrating success at the top of the MLS consumer facing website leaderboard. WAV Group has referenced this center of excellence in countless writings, research reports, and planning sessions. We turn once again to this well operated company to exhibit an example of how they are continuing to progress.
By Kevin Hawkins

No, my house has not been featured on “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” My thousands of lights are neither programmed nor synchronized to holiday music. The International Space Station can’t see my Bainbridge Island, Washington home from orbit.