The Struggle is Real

The Struggle is Real

Author: Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson May 20, 2026 Duration: 1:04:57

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

Overview

This episode starts with Greg discussing Giant Steps' new MLS channel guidebook and the growing difficulty vendors face navigating organized real estate. Rob and Greg unpack how MLS relationships, site licenses, and enterprise deals have changed, why vendor distribution is getting harder, and how AI could completely reshape SaaS and real estate technology business models. The conversation then shifts into AI as "labor" rather than just software, token-based economics, infrastructure wars between Zillow, Compass, and the MLS ecosystem, and how the fallout from Sitzer/Burnett continues to reshape the industry. They also debate BLX, MLS cooperation, and whether MLSs are behaving more like governments than businesses.

Key Takeaways

  • Greg explains why MLS site-license deals are becoming rarer and why vendors increasingly need direct-to-agent strategies.
  • Rob compares MLSs to government bureaucracies and argues vendors often need "lobbyists" to navigate the system.
  • Discussion on AI shifting from a SaaS tool to a labor replacement model powered by compute and tokens.
  • Rob and Greg explore how Zillow, Compass, and MLSs are competing to become the core infrastructure layer of real estate.
  • Debate over whether BLX strengthens MLS cooperation or creates a path around traditional MLS systems.
  • The long-term ripple effects of Sitzer/Burnett continue to reshape technology, brokerage, and listing distribution strategies.

Links

The MLS Channel Field Guide - From 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


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
What Happens When Zillow Stops Playing Nice? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:10
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg revisits his "Poking the Bear" article and argues that the industry may be underestimating what happens if Zillow is pushed i…
There and back again, the IDX debate continues. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:04
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg dive into a major discussion about IDX, MLS rules, private listings, and whether MLSs should still control listing di…
BLX, Zillow, MRED, and Fight for Control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:39
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg react to Cotality's launch of BLX, a new broker-focused listing input platform that immediately sparks debate over wh…
The Game of Chicken: MLS Style [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:09
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg previews his ICE keynote, "What If We're Wrong?", challenging core MLS assumptions around data ownership, cooperation, and co…
Acquisitions, Alliances & the Aftershocks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:10
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg break down the major industry-shaking news of the week: Real Brokerage acquiring RE/MAX, and what that means for brok…
MLS Mega Merger and Boomers vs. First Time Home Buyers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:46
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg discuss a major MLS merger in South Florida, creating one of the largest MLSs in the country and what it signals for…
IDX: The Original Sin? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:50
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg break down NAR's latest settlement move, Zillow's shift toward pre-marketing, and what it all means for the industry.…
Cooperation: It's Hard To Tell the Poison From the Cure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:27
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg discuss Northwest MLS countersuing Compass and the broader implications for private listings, cooperation, and MLS ru…
Previews, Portals, and the Shift in Listing Control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:20
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg revisit the fallout from their conversation with Andy, focusing on the rapid shift toward "coming soon" and preview l…
Begun the pre-marketing wars have [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:20
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview This episode features Andy Woolley (Homes.com) joining Rob and Greg to break down a wave of rapid industry changes driven by new a…