From 'Raise the Bar' to 'Lower the Stakes': Real Estate's Consistency Problem

From 'Raise the Bar' to 'Lower the Stakes': Real Estate's Consistency Problem

Author: Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson December 3, 2025 Duration: 58:13

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

Overview

Rob and Greg break down the newest developments in NAR governance, the fallout from the failed referral-fee disclosure vote, and the rapid moves by industry players like eXp and CAR to implement their own transparency standards. They also examine broader structural questions: Should MLSs raise the bar? Is the NAR brand salvageable? The conversation then turns to Zillow's decision to remove climate-risk scores, shifting public sentiment, and the growing political and economic pressures facing housing, affordability, and real estate professionals. 

Key Takeaways

  • NAR's proposed change to the Code of Ethics regarding referral-fee disclosure failed—not at the board level, but at the delegate body, highlighting severe governance issues. 

  • eXp and the California Association of REALTORS® are moving ahead with their own transparency and disclosure updates, signaling a break from NAR's direction. 

  • The discussion raises whether MLSs should (or realistically can) "raise the bar," with Rob arguing it could undermine the MLS value proposition. 

  • Greg and Rob note that weakened enforcement and membership incentives make it difficult for NAR to rebuild the Realtor brand without major structural reform. 

  • Zillow has removed on-site climate risk scores after industry pushback, which Rob frames as Zillow aligning with shifting consumer and cultural sentiment. 

  • The hosts raise concerns about affordability, generational frustration, and political volatility—warning that real estate professionals must better understand and respond to consumer mood.

 

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


Industry Relations is a weekly conversation hosted by Rob Hahn, also known as The Notorious ROB, and Greg Robertson. It operates at a unique crossroads, examining where the business of real estate collides with and is reshaped by new technology. This isn't a surface-level tech review; the discussion comes from an insider's perspective, built on years of direct experience within the field. Each episode delves into the practical implications of software platforms, shifting market data, and emerging business models that are actively changing how properties are bought, sold, and managed. The hosts analyze trends, debate strategies, and often challenge conventional wisdom, providing a nuanced look at the forces driving change. Listening to this podcast offers a deeper understanding of the operational and entrepreneurial challenges faced by professionals navigating this evolving landscape. You'll hear specific case studies, evaluations of new tools, and forward-looking predictions about what's next for the industry. The tone is direct and informed, reflecting the hosts' deep background, making it essential for anyone invested in the future of real estate as a business. Tune in for thoughtful, weekly analysis that goes beyond the headlines.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Industry Relations
Podcast Episodes
Zillow's win sends Compass spinning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:29
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg go live to break down major news shaking real estate tech: a judge rules decisively in Zillow's favor against Compass…
Jack Miller on Lists, Trends, Marketplaces and CoStar. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:35
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg are joined by Jack Miller (President & CEO of T3 Sixty) for a wide-ranging discussion on the SP 200, changes to T3's…
Can You Regulate "Public Marketing"? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:10
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg open the episode by honoring Glenn Kelman's retirement from Redfin, reflecting on his leadership style, industry impa…
Compass Closes, CoStar Cuts, TAN Stirs the Pot. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:05
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg dive into a packed week in real estate: the Compass–Anywhere deal officially closes, CoStar announces major spending…
What if the MLS Becomes Optional? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:58
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into the implications of a future where exclusive listings become the industry norm. They explo…
Forecast 2026: Mortgage Rates, MLS Wars, and Industry Consolidations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:27
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson close out the year with their annual predictions episode. They debate where housing transactions, inte…
2025 in the Rearview: Who Got It Right? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:54
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson close out the year by revisiting their 2024 predictions and grading how they actually turned out. From…
Who Runs Bartertown? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:52
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson dig into the escalating conflict between Zillow and MRED over private listing networks (PLNs), IDX rul…
How Much Transparency Is Too Much? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:24
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into the recurring issue of embezzlement and financial mismanagement within small Realtor assoc…
Compass and Zillow Play Chicken [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:04
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into the newly surfaced Zillow–Compass court documents, a leaked Zillow strategy plan, and Mike…