Operating on a backbone of advanced Technology, our Customers are always first. We foster Cooperation, Collaboration, and Communication to deliver timely, accurate, efficient, and meaningful data, products and services. We empower our customers to achieve high levels of productivity and professionalism.


A Year of Transformation and Resilience!
Garry Marsoubian, President & CEO

Happy New Year to everyone in the MLS Now marketplace! 

With the close of 2024, it is the perfect moment to reflect on what has been a truly transformative year for our industry. The landscape of real estate has faced significant changes, with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) settlement and various lawsuits reshaping the way we think about our roles, responsibilities, and relationships. These events brought about vital discussions, including potential changes to additional NAR MLS Policies, challenging us to adapt and innovate.

Through it all, our industry has invariably demonstrated remarkable resilience. Together, we have navigated complex issues, embraced change, and reaffirmed our shared commitment to professionalism and collaboration. At MLS Now, we have taken these challenges as opportunities to grow and to better serve you, our valued customers, and shareholders. 

Our Commitment to Support Through Change 

In 2024, we doubled down on our promise to be your steadfast partner during times of disruption. Our focus has been on providing the highest level of "white glove" service to ensure that you can thrive, no matter the obstacles. Looking ahead to 2025, we remain unwavering in this commitment. 

We are excited about the future and are dedicated to equipping you with world-class, innovative technology that forms the backbone of your success. As new ways of cooperation emerge, we pledge to provide frequent and clear communication and foster collaboration across all facets of our network. 

Strengthening Relationships and Building New Partnerships 

As we embrace the future, we remain focused on deepening our relationships with shareholders, brokers, and agents, while also fostering alliances with new partners and reestablishing older connections. By expanding our network of cooperation, we aim to create a stronger, more innovative foundation for all stakeholders. 

Looking Ahead 

For 2025, we are energized by the opportunities that lie ahead. Our mission is to be your trusted partner in navigating change and driving progress. Your success remains at the heart of everything we do. Thank you for your trust, resilience, and collaboration throughout the past year. On behalf of the entire MLS Now team and our Board of Directors, I wish you continued success in 2025, and I look forward to working with each of you as we embark on this next chapter together. 

Our team wishes you, your organizations, and your families a prosperous new year.

Garry Marsoubian, President & CEO

TalkToGarry@mlsnow.com

 


Dispelling Myths About Real Estate Commission

In today’s real estate landscape, myths and misinformation about buyer agency compensation continue to circulate, fueled by various sources. These narratives often misrepresent the essential role real estate professionals play in helping individuals and families achieve the American dream of homeownership. Our buyer agency compensation study addresses these misconceptions by analyzing years of data, offering clear insights and practical takeaways that demonstrate the value of your services. 

This study is more than just a resource—it’s a tool designed to empower you. By leveraging the findings, you can confidently articulate your worth, provide clarity in negotiations, and address questions from clients with transparency and professionalism. We are steadfast in our commitment to supporting you through industry changes, equipping you with the resources to succeed in the present and prepare for the future. Together, we can ensure your value is recognized and continue to build trust in a rapidly evolving market.

Below is a highlight from the Full Report which can be found HERE. You will need to login to view the Full Report


AI speaking about AI as it relates to Real Estate
MLS Now

This article was generated using an AI tool to explore the profound impact of artificial intelligence on the real estate industry. We took a second step after the article was generated to leverage another AI-powered tool to transform this article into a dynamic podcast interview, illustrating how AI can seamlessly shift between content formats. This revolution underscores AI's transformative potential, but it also demands pragmatism, logical application, and unwavering ethical considerations. In real estate, where trust, reputation, and relationships remain paramount, the human touch will always hold irreplaceable value. Success in this evolving landscape requires more than just acceptance of change; it calls for proactive growth. By evolving your skills, adopting cutting-edge technology, and adapting to this new world order, you can thrive—not just survive—in a future shaped by AI.

Please read the article below and then listen to the podcast which was created by feeding the AI Generated article into a second Generative AI tool (Google Notebook LM).

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article were created by a Generative AI tool and may not reflect the opinions or positions of MLS Now.

-Garry Marsoubian

The Impact of AI on the Real Estate Market: Transforming the Industry

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the landscape of various industries, and real estate is no exception. The introduction of AI technologies is reshaping how properties are valued, bought, sold, managed, and even financed. By enhancing decision-making, optimizing operations, and providing more personalized experiences for both buyers and sellers, AI is poised to revolutionize the real estate market. This article explores how AI is making an impact on the real estate sector and what the future holds for this transformation.

One of the most significant contributions of AI to the real estate industry is in the area of property valuation. Traditionally, property appraisers and real estate agents relied on market trends, comparables, and subjective judgment to assess a property's value. However, AI has introduced a more data-driven approach to this process.

AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of historical data, including recent sales, economic indicators, neighborhood trends, and even social sentiment, to provide real-time and highly accurate property valuations. By incorporating machine learning, AI models continuously improve as they process more data, allowing for more precise and up-to-date valuations that reflect current market conditions.

For buyers, sellers, and investors, AI provides a valuable tool to make more informed decisions about property pricing, potentially reducing the risk of overpaying or underselling a property. Real estate professionals also benefit from AI's ability to streamline the valuation process and offer more competitive pricing strategies.

AI's ability to analyze and predict future market trends is one of its most powerful tools for real estate investors. Predictive analytics powered by AI can forecast property price movements, rental yields, and investment opportunities by analyzing various data points like local economic trends, infrastructure projects, population growth, and even climate change risks.

For example, AI can identify emerging neighborhoods where property values are expected to rise based on factors such as gentrification, new public transportation routes, or commercial development. This allows investors to make more strategic decisions, buying properties in areas that are likely to appreciate in the near future.

Beyond individual properties, AI models can help investors optimize their entire portfolio. By analyzing market trends and historical data, AI can suggest adjustments to portfolios, helping investors balance risk and return more effectively.

Property management is another area where AI is making a significant impact. AI-powered solutions are streamlining operations, automating routine tasks, and enhancing tenant experiences. For example, AI systems can monitor building systems (like HVAC, security, and lighting) in real-time, predicting maintenance needs and preventing costly repairs through predictive maintenance.

Smart buildings equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors can optimize energy consumption by adjusting heating, cooling, and lighting based on real-time data, helping to reduce operating costs. For tenants, AI-driven platforms can facilitate communication with property managers, enabling faster responses to maintenance requests, lease inquiries, or general questions.

In the rental market, AI can also help property managers potentially optimize pricing. Machine learning algorithms can adjust rent based on factors like demand, competitor pricing, and even seasonal fluctuations, ensuring that properties remain competitively priced while maximizing revenue potential.

Real estate marketing has also been transformed by AI, which has the potential to be more personalized and efficient outreach to potential buyers or renters. AI-powered platforms can analyze consumer behavior, browsing history, and preferences to recommend properties that best fit individual needs.

For example, AI algorithms can suggest properties to buyers based on their past interactions or search criteria, while automated tools can create personalized marketing campaigns that target specific demographics with tailored messages. These technologies make it easier for buyers to find the right property and for sellers to reach the most relevant audience.

Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) technologies, powered by AI, are enhancing property viewings by allowing potential buyers to take immersive tours of properties remotely. AI can also assist in generating high-quality property listings, including automatically improving photos, creating floorplans, and even staging homes digitally.

AI is also making waves in real estate financing, particularly in the area of lending and underwriting. Traditional mortgage approval processes often rely on credit scores and static financial models. AI, on the other hand, uses more sophisticated models that can take into account a wider range of factors—such as income patterns, spending behavior, and even social data—to assess the creditworthiness of potential borrowers.

Machine learning algorithms can quickly analyze large volumes of data to assess the risk of lending to a borrower, allowing for faster approvals and potentially reducing the cost of financing. This has the potential to make homeownership more accessible to a broader population, especially for those who may have been excluded from traditional credit evaluation methods.

Furthermore, AI can assist investors in securing financing by analyzing which lending options offer the best rates and terms based on their financial profiles. This not only saves time but also helps investors maximize their returns by securing the most favorable financing terms available.

While AI offers numerous benefits to the real estate market, its implementation raises important questions related to regulation, fairness, and transparency. The use of AI in property valuation, investment decisions, and financing relies on massive datasets, which often include personal, financial, and demographic information.

Data privacy and protection will be a growing concern as more sensitive information is processed by AI systems. In addition, there is the potential for AI algorithms to inadvertently reinforce biases if they are not properly designed or monitored. For example, algorithms that predict home values or creditworthiness could be skewed by historical biases, leading to unfair outcomes for certain groups. AI is also helping with auditing and compliance with listing and media as it relates to various rules and regulations.

To address these challenges, regulatory frameworks must evolve to ensure that AI in real estate is used ethically and transparently. Policymakers will need to establish guidelines for data usage, algorithmic accountability, and consumer protection.

While the benefits of AI in real estate are clear, its adoption is not without challenges. Real estate professionals may face a learning curve when integrating AI technologies into their existing workflows, and the initial investment in AI tools can be costly.

Moreover, as AI systems become more sophisticated, there will be a need for constant updates and maintenance to ensure that algorithms remain accurate and relevant to changing market conditions. Data privacy concerns and regulatory issues will also need to be addressed to ensure that AI's role in real estate is both effective and fair.

Despite these hurdles, the future of AI in the real estate market is promising. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is likely that it will become an indispensable tool for real estate professionals, investors, and consumers alike. With continued advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, and automation, the potential for AI to improve efficiency, transparency, and decision-making in real estate is vast.

Conclusion

AI is undeniably reshaping the real estate market in profound ways. From enhancing property valuations and streamlining property management to providing predictive analytics for investments and transforming financing, AI offers significant opportunities for all stakeholders in the industry. However, as with any disruptive technology, challenges related to ethics, data privacy, and regulation must be addressed to ensure its positive impact. As AI continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly play an increasingly central role in shaping the future of real estate.


MLS NOW Members – We appreciate you!
A Note from the Data Integrity & Accuracy Department

The MLS Data Integrity & Accuracy Department (previously known as Compliance & Quality Assurance) would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to our members for your willingness, patience, and cooperation in adapting to the changes in our industry. These changes impact your daily operations within the MLS as well as your sales and purchase activities. We truly value your efforts and recognize that you play a crucial role in helping countless individuals and families achieve the American Dream. We are here to support you as we navigate the changes ahead. 

We recognize that these challenges can be considerable, especially as you work to comply with new NAR MLS Policies while also meeting your clients' needs. With this in mind, MLS leadership has decided not to impose any fees for mistakes related to the new NAR Settlement Policies. Furthermore, the Data Integrity & Accuracy Department will remove any language from your listings that does not comply with the updated requirements until February 1. 

These new policies have been in place since August 2024, we believe it is now time to transfer the responsibility to you. Effective February 1, 2025, you will be responsible for ensuring that your listings comply with MLS policies. The Compliance Department will no longer remove information from your listings that does not meet these standards. Instead, we will send you an email request prompting you to take corrective action. 

We are always here to assist you. If you have any questions or need guidance in correcting your listing information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. 

Once again, we appreciate your continued support and cooperation in maintaining the accuracy of our MLS database.


Education & Customer Service  

We are pleased to announce that MLS Now has introduced a new automated Chat Bot, which is available to support you 24/7. This solution is AI driven and will be trained and also learn for continual improvement as you use it. 

  • How to Access: Simply click the orange button on the right side of the dashboard when logging in to Matrix and then  locate the Chat Bot at the bottom right of the page that loads. Type in your question, and the Chat Bot will support you with your Matrix-related questions! 

Speaking of support, here are some facts and figures from our Education and Customer Service Department for 2024: 

  • 192 classes were conducted live and via Zoom with 1,111 in attendance. Many of these classes were offered for CEU credit. 
  • MLS Now's in-house Help Desk logged 7,153 phone calls during 2024, with about 97% of those calls having a first-call resolution. 
  • Each Account Executive is assigned a service area that they are responsible to visit on a regular basis. Our AEs conducted 839 office visits with 2,906 members in attendance. 
  • In addition to our classes, 1,454 members were trained by viewing our Introduction to MLS video. We also had 1,205 members trained on the input portion of the system by using the Input video. 

These tools and our talented educators are here to ensure you get the support you need, anytime you need it. We’re committed to enhancing your experience with MLS Now and helping you succeed.


MLS Now Class Schedule


Edit Your Listings on the Go 
MLS-Touch

When your seller wants to reduce the price on their listing, you should be able to make that time-sensitive change right on the spot, not hours later when you're back at your desk. With MLS-Touch you can update Prices or Public/Private Remarks in seconds and the changes instantly update in the MLS. Download the MLS Touch app in your device's app store and sign in with your credentials!

Disclaimer: Only those that have been granted edit permissions from their Broker and completed the Listing Input class will have access to edit listings in the app.


New Vendor - CubiCasa


Elevate Your Marketing with InstaView: Available for All MLS Now Listings

We are excited to introduce you to the NEW InstaView by Property Panorama. InstaView is designed to save you time and money, while delivering professional content to enhance your marketing strategy!

Why InstaView?

InstaView is a comprehensive digital marketing solution tailored for real estate professionals. Here's how InstaView can help you stand out in the competitive market:

  • Stunning Virtual Tours: Engage potential buyers with fully automated virtual tours.
  • Eye-Catching Flyers: Easily create beautiful, customizable flyers to highlight your
    properties.
  • Engaging Videos: Capture the attention of buyers with high-quality video content.
  • Integrated Social Media Syndication: Reach a broader audience by seamlessly syndicating your listings across multiple social media platforms.
  • Local Data Integration: Provide valuable local insights to potential buyers right from your listings.
  • Custom Branding: Enhance your listings with your unique branding to create a lasting impression.

What's New?

  • Fully Redesigned Viewer: Your tours are more engaging than ever before with a brand new look and feel on all devices. 
  • New Members Area: Accessing your account and your marketing tools is easier than ever! Log in to your account today and take the tour! 
  • Neighborhood Insights: You can now add live local content and demographics to all of your listings.  

Benefits of Using InstaView: 

  • Increase Visibility: With InstaView, your listings are showcased in the best possible light, attracting more potential buyers. 
  • Save Time: InstaView is fully automated, which means your tours are automatically created and updated every hour, 24/7. 
  • Drive Engagement: Stand out from the competition with visually appealing and interactive marketing materials.

How to Access Your Account:

Log into Your MLS Now Account and click Property Panorama

Need Help?

If you have any questions or need assistance getting started with InstaView, you can contact Property Panorama directly via phone, email, or live chat at: www.PropertyPanorama.com/contact


MLS Now Market Stats