REpod

About REpod

REpod is a candid look at the real operational challenges shaping real estate technology today. Built for MLS executives, association leaders, vendors and industry operators, the show cuts through hype to explore what’s broken, what’s misunderstood, and where real opportunity exists. These are honest conversations about data, systems, and progress; with optimism, curiosity, and a belief that the industry can work better than it does today.

Publisher

REcore

Category

technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Mar 2026

Latest episode

25 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Sept 2026

   EP10: Greg Robertson on CMAs, AI, and Agent Trust

   More data was supposed to make the CMA less important. Instead, 89.6% of surveyed real estate professionals say it’s becoming more relevant. Greg Robertson admits he once thought the opposite: “I thought, well, shit, the CMA is dead.” Clearly, something didn’t go as planned. On REpod, host Katie Smithson and Greg explore why that shift is happening. Sellers now have Zillow, AVMs, ChatGPT, old neighborhood sales, and probably a number they already like. So what exactly is the agent bringing to the table that another valuation tool can’t? Greg has a strong opinion about where CMA technology may be getting distracted. Better comps and faster reports sound useful, but he keeps coming back to a different problem: “It’s the persuasion… that is the factor.” And that raises a much bigger question about what a listing presentation is actually supposed to accomplish. AI only makes that question more interesting. AI can help an agent do surprisingly well, but local knowledge, MLS data, and simple human observation still matter a lot. As Katie puts it: “AI can’t smell the cat or hear the dog barking.” Here are the key takeaways: (4:45) Why CMAs Are More Relevant (5:30) Zillow Didn’t Kill the CMA (7:38) The Pricing vs. Persuasion Problem (10:21) Preparing for the Zillow Question (11:54) Using AI Before the Listing Meeting (15:01) AI, MLS Data, and Trust (17:42 Why Three-Minute CMAs Fall Short (22:52) Building Trust in Real Estate (24:48) Candor, Mistakes, and Industry Commentary So is the CMA really about finding the right price anymore, or is the industry asking it to do something much bigger? Listen to the full REcore conversation with Katie Smithson and Greg Robertson to hear where that argument goes. About Greg Robertson Greg Robertson is a longtime real estate technology entrepreneur, author, and industry commentator with more than three decades of experience. His work has included Cloud CMA, Vendor Alley, Listing Bits, and The Art of the CMA. His focus spans real estate technology, MLS data, agent tools, listing presentations, and the broader industry. Connect with Greg: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/grobertson/) About Katie Smithson Katie Smithson is a long-time veteran of the real estate industry with a history of MLS relationship management and product innovation. In her most recent role, Katie was Chief Revenue Officer for California Regional MLS (CRMLS), directing revenue operations and ensuring proper communication and collaboration between all of CRMLS’s revenue-generating departments. In addition, she has also served as a NAR REACH mentor, board member for the Council of MLS with a CMLX 1 certification, and RESO Board Secretary. Connect with Katie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/) Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and features opinions, perspectives, and candid discussions about real estate technology and the broader industry. It is not intended as legal, financial, business, or other professional advice. Listeners should consult qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

2. 

   12 Sept 2026

   EP09: When Should an MLS Build Its Own Software?

   MLSs have more options than ever to build their own technology. The harder question is whether they should. As Brad Bjelke, CEO of UtahRealEstate.com, puts it, “we can't be everything to everybody.” And in an industry where one software decision can affect data, vendors, workflows, and thousands of members, knowing where to build may matter just as much as knowing how. On REpod, host Katie Smithson sits down with Brad to look at that question from someone who has lived both sides of it. Brad has worked as an MLS technology vendor, helped launch MLS Align, and now leads UtahRealEstate.com, where homegrown software is part of the operating model. His perspective is refreshingly practical: start with the problem, not the product. That philosophy has produced everything from shared APIs and showing technology to a way for governments and researchers to access approved MLS data without being handed an MLS login. Some of those internal solutions stayed internal. Others became products that MLSs across the country now use. But Brad is also wary of the idea that every MLS should become a software company. “People sometimes forget how deep the MLS is.” Building may be cheaper and faster today, but security, integrations, data dependencies, support, and member experience make the stakes much higher than simply shipping code. Here are the key takeaways: (1:28) Build, buy, or own the MLS product layer? (5:18) Shared software gaps and the start of MLS Align (6:48) The API push that moved MLS data beyond RETS (8:24) Building showing software around an MLS need (11:23) Controlled MLS data access for research and government (13:21) Turning an internal solution into a vendor product (15:04) Why MLS technology conversions are so hard (17:19) The build-vs-buy rule: know your lane (19:38) Easier data access, niche vendors, and AI tooling (20:24) Consolidation, security, and who can safely build (23:05) Solve the problem first, then choose build or buy So where should MLSs own the technology? Where are vendors better equipped to fill the gap? And as easier data access creates room for smaller, more specialized real estate tools, could collaboration become more important than either building or buying alone? Tune in as Katie and Brad put that build, buy, or partner question to the test. About Brad Bjelke Brad Bjelke is CEO of UtahRealEstate.com, an MLS that builds much of its core technology in-house. His background spans both the vendor and MLS sides of real estate technology: he previously worked as an MLS technology vendor and served as VP and general counsel for CRMLS. Brad also helped with the creation of MLS Align, a collaboration among MLSs that has developed shared technology including API and showing solutions. His experience gives him a hands-on perspective on MLS software development, data access, build-versus-buy decisions, vendor relationships, and bringing internally developed products to other markets. Connect with Brad: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/UtahRealEstateMLS/) About Katie Smithson Katie Smithson is a long-time veteran of the real estate industry with a history of MLS relationship management and product innovation. In her most recent role, Katie was Chief Revenue Officer for California Regional MLS (CRMLS), directing revenue operations and ensuring proper communication and collaboration between all of CRMLS’s revenue-generating departments. In addition, she has also served as a NAR REACH mentor, board member for the Council of MLS with a CMLX 1 certification, and RESO Board Secretary. Connect with Katie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/) Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and features opinions, perspectives, and candid discussions about real estate technology and the broader industry. It is not intended as legal, financial, business, or other professional advice. Listeners should consult qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

3. 

   21 Aug 2026

   Project NexusRE: Inside the Vision with Art Carter & Tim Dane

   Real estate has already learned what happens when the toothpaste gets out of the tube. Katie Smithson brings up that analogy when talking about Zillow, data, and why the industry may not want to repeat the same pattern with AI. Because once the technology moves faster than the rules around it, getting control back becomes a very different problem. On this episode of REcore, Katie sits down with Art Carter and Tim Dain to talk about Project NexusRE, an effort to rethink the infrastructure behind MLS data before AI starts making those decisions for the industry. It’s not about stopping AI. It’s about building an environment where MLSs, brokers, agents, and vendors actually know the rules of engagement. One of the wildest moments comes when Art asks Claude how to get CRMLS data. One answer: license it properly. Another: use a Chrome plugin. That’s the problem in a nutshell. When access becomes that easy, protecting the interests of brokers, MLSs, and the people behind the data becomes a much bigger conversation. So what should an MLS actually be able to control? Can brokers decide where their data goes? Can the industry track individual fields, manage vendor access, reduce replication, and apply rules consistently across AI tools? Project NexusRE is essentially asking how much more visibility and control the industry could have if those capabilities were built into the infrastructure itself. Here are the key takeaways: (02:40) Why Project NexusRE Exists (04:58) AI Agents vs. Human Real Estate Expertise (07:48) Who Controls MLS Data Once It Leaves? (10:36) Building One Governance Layer for MLS Data (15:00) Tracking Every MLS Data Field (16:39) Rethinking MLS Pricing for Machine-Scale Usage (18:58) Can Data Replication Finally Be Reduced? (22:09) Broker Controls NexusRE Wants to Build (25:36) Could IDX Become More Broker-Directed? (27:54) Claude Exposes the AI Data Access Problem (29:54) Why MLS Infrastructure Should Stay Industry-Owned Tim sums up the bigger idea with one line: “I firmly believe the industry should own that side of the business.” And he’s equally candid about the industry itself: “This industry loves to talk about collaboration, and then it likes to go into its little fiefdoms and do things separately.” This episode asks what might happen if, this time, real estate actually builds the next layer together. Tune in now! About Tim Dain Tim Dain is CEO of NorthstarMLS and one of the originators of Project NexusRE. The project grew from a bigger question: if the MLS were rebuilt today, what should change for an AI-driven world? Northstar initially committed $2 million to pursue the idea, which has since expanded into a broader industry effort focused on data governance, broker control, MLS economics, and infrastructure ownership. Connect with Tim: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdain/) About Art Carter Art Carter is the CEO of California Regional MLS and a founder of REcore. Since 2005, Art has helped lead CRMLS through its growth and has been involved in broader industry conversations around MLS data, infrastructure, and broker needs. Connect with Art: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-carter-150103b/) About Katie Smithson Katie Smithson is a long-time veteran of the real estate industry with a history of MLS relationship management and product innovation. In her most recent role, Katie was Chief Revenue Officer for California Regional MLS (CRMLS), directing revenue operations and ensuring proper communication and collaboration between all of CRMLS’s revenue-generating departments. In addition, she has also served as a NAR REACH mentor, board member for the Council of MLS with a CMLX 1 certification, and RESO Board Secretary. Connect with Katie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/)

4. 

   31 Jul 2026

   EP07: Survival Is Not the Same as Relevance

   The MLS industry is being pushed into decisions it can no longer delay. Katie Smithson sits down with Amy Gorce for a conversation about what is changing, what is no longer working, and why the choices MLS leaders make now will shape what comes next. With almost three decades across MLS leadership, technology, policy, consulting, and data, Amy has seen the industry through more than one major shift. This one feels different. “It definitely feels different this time, just given both the scale and complexity of the change.” Brokerages are consolidating, technology risk is growing, and MLSs are carrying more responsibility than before. Relying on mandates, vendors, and old operating models is no longer enough. Amy puts it plainly. “I feel like that model is dead.” Scale, independence, and collaboration sit at the center of the conversation, especially as more organizations face risks their current structure may not be built to handle. Amy is not saying every MLS needs to merge, but she is asking the industry to think much bigger about what working together should look like. “The consolidation topic cannot just be a merger topic. It has to be a more collaborative discussion.” Here are the key takeaways: (2:18) Building a career across MLS, data, and technology (7:39) The next generation of the MLS is already here (11:29) Who owns the risk when systems fail? (13:42) The numbers behind MLS consolidation (16:06) Showing consumers what real estate professionals do (16:45) Why MLS infrastructure matters beyond listings (22:08) Challenging the old definition of cooperation (25:28) Better MLS decisions start in the local market This episode opens up a much larger view of the MLS and the role it plays in pricing, lending, appraisals, insurance, and the flow of real estate data. For anyone working in or around the MLS space, this is the kind of conversation that brings the real pressure points into focus. Listen in for Amy’s take on what needs to change, what the industry cannot afford to lose, and why the next version of the MLS is already being decided. And there is one more reason to stay through the end. Amy and Katie reveal a limited-time way to save $100 on your MLS Reset ticket at mlsreset.com, available only through the end of August. About Amy Gorce With nearly three decades in real estate and MLS leadership, Amy Gorce serves as Interim CEO of the Council of Multiple Listing Services. She is also CEO of REdistribute and CEO and Managing Partner of PRESTA Team Consulting. Her background includes leading Intermountain MLS, co-founding Clareity, and working in executive roles at CoreLogic. Today, Amy focuses on MLS strategy, data, technology, policy, and business development. Connect with Amy: LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/in/amygorce) http://linkedin.com/in/amygorce About Katie Smithson Katie Smithson is a long-time veteran of the real estate industry with a history of MLS relationship management and product innovation. In her most recent role, Katie was Chief Revenue Officer for California Regional MLS (CRMLS), directing revenue operations and ensuring proper communication and collaboration between all of CRMLS’s revenue-generating departments. In addition, she has also served as a NAR REACH mentor, board member for the Council of MLS with a CMLX 1 certification, and RESO Board Secretary. Connect with Katie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/)https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/ Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and features opinions, perspectives, and candid discussions about real estate technology and the broader industry. It is not intended as legal, financial, business, or other professional advice. Listeners should consult qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

5. 

   29 Jun 2026

   EP06: Buyer Demand Has No Home: The MLS Gap Nobody Is Talking About

   Here is a confession you do not expect to hear from the person running an MLS. Angie Baker is Vice President of MIBOR's Broker Listing Cooperative, and she will tell you flat out that she has no idea how her own agents are searching for homes. "It's completely locked away," she says. Sit with that for a second, because the whole episode unfolds from it. Katie Smithson and Angie have known each other a long time and are picking at a problem nobody else seems to be naming. Angie has done it all since 2005: MLS staff, trainer, broker, agent, and that history is exactly why this admission carries weight. She is not on the outside looking in. She is on the inside, realizing the inside cannot see what it most needs to see. So she sets out to fix it, and that is where it gets good. There is the data that portals collect, and then there is the data agents are quietly sitting on, the stuff that comes from real conversations with real buyers. Her point is that the MLS has spent decades perfecting the supply side, the listings, while demand still lives in scattered texts, calls, and saved searches. Angie has a sharp take on why one kind of data is worth far more than the other, and once she lays it out, you start to see the whole marketplace differently. There is also a change MIBOR made that started as one small idea and ended up surfacing things people had been hiding for years. They call it collaborative closing, and it pulls the buyer's agent into the part of the deal they actually know firsthand. It caught agents off guard. It caught Angie off guard. And the biggest benefit was not even the one she built it for. You will want to hear how that one plays out. Here are the key takeaways: (4:11) Why the MLS can’t only be about listings (6:48) The closing data problem hiding in plain sight (9:36) How collaborative closing creates the handoff (11:32) Giving buyer agents ownership in the record (16:27) Catching mistakes before they become complaints (23:00) The buyer demand data MLSs still can’t see (27:26) Why agent searches reveal real buyer needs (35:03) Keeping the MLS focused on the marketplace (38:33) Bringing buyer intent into the MLS workflow If you work anywhere near this space, this is the conversation to catch early, before the rest of the industry figures out what Angie already has. Press play and hear where she thinks the whole marketplace goes next. About Angie Baker Angie Baker is the Vice President of BLC® at MIBOR, where she supports member technology, training, policy, data integrity, and member experience. She has worked in the MLS industry since 2004, with experience across technology, training, brokerage, and agent support. Before her current role, Angie also worked as a REALTOR® in West Virginia, giving her a direct understanding of agent workflows. Her work focuses on using MLS technology to support brokers, agents, and the marketplace. Connect with Angie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-baker-60875265/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-baker-60875265/ About Katie Smithson Katie Smithson is a long-time veteran of the real estate industry with a history of MLS relationship management and product innovation. In her most recent role, Katie was Chief Revenue Officer for California Regional MLS (CRMLS), directing revenue operations and ensuring proper communication and collaboration between all of CRMLS’s revenue-generating departments. In addition, she has also served as a NAR REACH mentor, board member for the Council of MLS with a CMLX 1 certification, and RESO Board Secretary. Connect with Katie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/ Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and features opinions, perspectives, and candid discussions about real estate technology and the broader industry. It is not intended as legal, financial, business, or other professional advice. Listeners should consult qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

6. 

   29 May 2026

   EP05: What It Actually Takes to Move an MLS

   Everyone says MLSs move too slowly, but this episode asks the better question. What actually has to happen before an MLS can make a big change, and who has to live with the results once that change is made? Because if you are a broker, agent, vendor, MLS leader, or anyone working in the industry, these decisions are not just headlines. They affect the tools you use, the data you trust, the support you receive, and the way your business runs every day. Katie Smithson sits down with Chad Jacobson, CEO of PrimeMLS, for a conversation that gets into the pressure behind those decisions. Brokers want systems that work. Members want clear answers. Staff have to support every change. Vendors bring new ideas. And somewhere in the middle, the MLS has to make the call. Chad has seen this from more than one side, and that is what makes the conversation land. He has been the practitioner using the system, the person in the boardroom, and now the leader guiding PrimeMLS through a major move. “Whatever governance model is overriding the organization is going to influence how quickly you can adapt to changes.” That major move is where things get even more interesting. PrimeMLS is standing up a second MLS system, but Chad is clear about what this is and what it is not. “This is not a conversion. This is another choice.” It is a simple line, but it opens up a bigger conversation about data, vendors, growth, and what real choice can look like for members. Here are the key takeaways: (2:23) From telecom to real estate (5:16) Why MLS change takes time (7:44) Why a second system was built (8:59) What true system choice looks like (12:11) Why brokers fear conversions (15:03) Choice without market fragmentation (19:46) New platforms and staff growth (21:39) The MLS education gap (23:22) Why MLSs cannot rush decisions (25:49) Responsible pace over fast change (26:12) One small change can break everything This episode gives you the side of MLS change people do not always hear. Not the slow version. Not the shiny version. The real one. Tune in for a conversation about what it takes to move carefully, serve different needs, and still keep the industry moving forward. About Chad Jacobson Chad Jacobson is the CEO of Prime MLS. He began his career in telecommunications before moving into real estate and MLS leadership. His work now focuses on MLS governance, system choice, data independence, and serving brokers and members through technology decisions. Connect with Chad: LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/in/chadjaco) About Katie Smithson Katie Smithson is a long-time veteran of the real estate industry with a history of MLS relationship management and product innovation. In her most recent role, Katie was Chief Revenue Officer for California Regional MLS (CRMLS), directing revenue operations and ensuring proper communication and collaboration between all of CRMLS’s revenue-generating departments. In addition, she has also served as a NAR REACH mentor, board member for the Council of MLS with a CMLX 1 certification, and RESO Board Secretary. Connect with Katie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/) Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and features opinions, perspectives, and candid discussions about real estate technology and the broader industry. It is not intended as legal, financial, business, or other professional advice. Listeners should consult qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

7. 

   15 May 2026

   EP04: AI Meets MLS: Turning Knowledge Into Answers

   MLS support teams are drowning in documents, and their members can tell! Questions are answered differently each time they are asked. Justin Lundy and Shannon Baird decided this is a problem worth solving, and this episode walks you through exactly how AI should and should not be used with your MLS. Katie Smithson welcomes Justin Lundy and Shannon Baird from Lundy for a conversation about AI, support, and the growing pressure MLSs face when answers are buried across too many documents and systems. Justin's mother-in-law was losing her vision, and that pushed him to think about access, search, and information in a way most people never have to. "I actually was just trying to solve a problem that was close to me." What came out of that is now one of the more interesting AI tools operating inside the MLS space. From there, Katie touches the MLS side of the business. If you have ever tried to get a straight answer out of a system that was not built to give one, this part of the conversation is going to feel very familiar. Shannon gets into the documentation chaos most MLS teams are quietly managing every day, and Justin puts the member side of it simply. "I could call three times with the same question and get three different answers." Navigator is what they built to fix that! It answers from your documents, cites its sources, and when it does not have the answer, it hands it off to a real person without dropping the conversation. “If it’s not in the documents, it’ll say it doesn’t know.” Here are the key takeaways: (1:35) The personal reason Lundy started (3:16) How Lundy moved from spreadsheets to AI (5:07) Why MLS documentation breaks down (7:26) The support problem that led to Navigator (12:08) AI as support, not replacement (14:52) Finding documentation gaps before members do (18:17) Why the REcore and Navigator fit makes sense (22:54) Voice AI beyond simple commands (26:10) Nora and the push toward secure AI workflows AI is already in the hands of your members, and most of it has not been vetted by anyone. Justin names exactly what that means for MLS organizations, and the timeline is not years - it is months. This episode is where to start. Come join the conversation! About Justin Lundy and Shannon Baird Justin Lundy is the CEO and Founder of Lundy, Inc. and a former real estate agent who now builds AI and voice tools for the real estate industry. He started the company after seeing a gap in how people access housing information, which later grew into products for MLSs, associations, and support teams. His work focuses on making real estate data easier to use and turning industry problems into practical tools. Shannon Baird is the Director of Operations at Lundy. Before joining the company, she worked in public education as a science teacher and middle school administrator. At Lundy, she works closely with MLS customers, onboarding, and the operational side of tools built to improve access, support, and documentation. Connect with Justin Lundy and Shannon Baird: www.getlundy.io Justin Lundy - LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-lundy-792a6813a) Shannon Baird - LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-baird-2588aa141) About Katie Smithson Katie Smithson is a long-time veteran of the real estate industry with a history of MLS relationship management and product innovation. In her most recent role, Katie was Chief Revenue Officer for California Regional MLS (CRMLS), directing revenue operations and ensuring proper communication and collaboration between all of CRMLS’s revenue-generating departments. In addition, she has also served as a NAR REACH mentor, board member for the Council of MLS with a CMLX 1 certification, and RESO Board Secretary. Connect with Katie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/) Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and features opinions, perspectives, and candid discussions about real estate technology and the broader industry. It is not intended as legal, financial, business, or other professional advice. Listeners should consult qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

8. 

   17 Apr 2026

   EP03: The Data Licensing Wake-Up Call for MLSs

   There is a lot happening behind the scenes in real estate right now, and most of it starts with data. Who controls it, who uses it, and who actually benefits from it have become much bigger questions than they used to be. Katie Smithson talks with Edward Zorn about a part of the business that usually stays in the background. What starts with data licensing quickly opens into a sharper discussion about ownership, protection, and why so many of the rules that still shape this space were built for a very different version of the internet. Ed looks back at how the industry handled the early internet and how some of those assumptions completely missed the mark. “Not only was it wrong, but it was also the exact opposite of what actually happened.” The conversation then moves on to how listing data is being used now, where the real risk lies, and why AI has raised the stakes even more. Ed is clear that the issue is no longer just access. “The theft now comes through the data feeds.” He also says, “The photographs are the holy grail of protecting the data.” From there, the episode turns to what MLS leaders need to do now, especially regarding ownership, rules, and protecting the value of the data. Here are the key takeaways: (5:25) Updating IDX rules for the AI era (10:52) Cooperation, consumer harm, and old industry habits (11:51) What better data stewardship actually looks like (15:01) Copyright as a real answer to AI scraping (19:48) How REcore helps protect broker content (21:20) The MLS advantage in spotting data misuse (24:50) What happens when a licensee breaks the rules (29:31) Why old MLS licensing systems are falling behind (33:50) A bigger data vision for brokers and vendors (36:32) Modernize now or lose control of the data If you like episodes that feel current, sharp, and a little more inside than expected, this one is worth your time. Tune in for a conversation about data that says a lot more. About Edward Zorn Edward Zorn is Vice President and General Counsel at California Regional MLS. He oversees legal matters across the business and supports company strategy and operations. He has worked in real estate law for more than 30 years and has also worked as a broker. Connect with Edward: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardzorn/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardzorn/ About Katie Smithson Katie Smithson is a long-time veteran of the real estate industry with a history of MLS relationship management and product innovation. In her most recent role, Katie was Chief Revenue Officer for California Regional MLS (CRMLS), directing revenue operations and ensuring proper communication and collaboration between all of CRMLS’s revenue-generating departments. In addition, she has also served as a NAR REACH mentor, board member for the Council of MLS with a CMLX 1 certification, and RESO Board Secretary. Connect with Katie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/ Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and features opinions, perspectives, and candid discussions about real estate technology and the broader industry. It is not intended as legal, financial, business, or other professional advice. Listeners should consult qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

9. 

   3 Apr 2026

   EP02: The Data Is Clear: Why MLS Listings Still Win

   RealReports has been digging into one of the biggest questions in real estate - what actually happens when a home is listed off the MLS instead of on it? Katie Smithson brings James Rogers into the conversation to talk through the research, where it started, and why the numbers are getting attention. James explains that the work began with MLS partners who wanted a data-driven answer instead of another industry argument. He gets into how the study was built, why they started with public record data, and how they cleaned out transactions that were never meant for the open market in the first place. The conversation keeps coming back to the seller. In one market they looked at, homes listed on the MLS sold a little over 13% higher than those sold off MLS, which came out to about $51,000 more per transaction. Katie also brings in the broader market picture, from San Francisco to North Carolina, where similar patterns started showing up again. James does not just talk about money left on the table. He also gets into the bigger tension underneath all of it. “I’ve personally yet to see an actual study proving the opposite.” Here are the key takeaways: (2:55) Why RealReports took on the private listings debate (8:00) Why MLS exposure needs real data behind it (9:17) Letting data shape the market conversation (11:29) Looking past outliers to see the real pattern (13:54) The $51,000 question for sellers (15:31) From one transaction to $406 million left behind (19:06) Turning local findings into a national message (21:04) Getting MLS data in front of consumers (23:11) The RealReports approach: listen first Consumer value, brokerage incentive, and national scale all start to come into view by the end of this episode. Tune in for a conversation about listings, data, and who really benefits when exposure gets smaller. About James Rogers James Rogers is the CEO and co-founder of RealReports. He works with MLS partners on real estate data and market analysis. His work focuses on helping the industry use data to answer important questions around listings, seller value, and consumer impact. Connect with James: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrogers10) https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrogers10 About Katie Smithson Katie Smithson is a long-time veteran of the real estate industry with a history of MLS relationship management and product innovation. In her most recent role, Katie was Chief Revenue Officer for California Regional MLS (CRMLS), directing revenue operations and ensuring proper communication and collaboration between all of CRMLS’s revenue-generating departments. In addition, she has also served as a NAR REACH mentor, board member for the Council of MLS with a CMLX 1 certification, and RESO Board Secretary. Connect with Katie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/ Disclaimer This podcast is for informational purposes only and features opinions, perspectives, and candid discussions about real estate technology and the broader industry. It is not intended as legal, financial, business, or other professional advice. Listeners should consult qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

10. 

    17 Mar 2026

    EP01: For the Industry, By the Industry

    Some conversations do more than introduce a guest. They open the door to a bigger story. Welcome to the first episode of REpod, where Katie Smithson sits down with Art Carter for a conversation about the MLS world, who gets to shape it, and why this matters more than ever. Art talks about why so many industry conversations miss the mark and why he wanted a space that speaks from the MLS side out. “There’s really no voice out there talking from the MLS out,” he says. That idea gives the whole episode its pull, especially as he starts getting into the parts of the business most people never see. Katie keeps it moving as the conversation shifts into REcore, how it came to be, and why ownership and trust keep coming up. Art is clear about what he believes matters. “It is owned by MLSs, for MLSs, and will remain that way.” It is a simple line, but it says a lot about where this conversation goes. One of the best parts of the episode is when they stop talking about products and start talking about people. Brokers, MLSs, and the gap that still sits between them. “We may be different sides of the coin, but it’s the same coin,” Art says. It is one of those lines that lands because it feels bigger than the moment. Here are the key takeaways: (2:27) Why the MLS voice has been missing (5:00) Bringing brokers, vendors, and MLSs into one conversation (7:18) The push to own the MLS data experience (14:06) Building for the industry, not for a quick exit (17:24) Repairing trust between brokers and MLSs (20:00) Why AI needs real industry governance There is also a bigger thread running through this episode about trust, partnership, and what the industry risks if those things keep slipping. If you like conversations that feel honest, current, and a little more inside than expected, this one is worth your time. Tune in for a first episode that starts with one guest and ends up saying a lot more. About Art Carter Art Carter is a founder of REcore and has served as the CEO of California Regional MLS, Inc. (CRMLS) since 2005. Carter oversees the strategic direction of the organization and serves over 100,000 users. He has also previously served as COO of the Pacific West Association of REALTORS®. Carter is a tenacious advocate for brokers who leads initiatives for MLS data sharing in California and beyond. Connect with Art: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-carter-150103b/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-carter-150103b/ About Katie Smithson Katie Smithson is serving as CRO of REcore and is a long-time veteran of the real estate industry with a history of MLS relationship management and product innovation. In her most recent role, Katie was Chief Revenue Officer for California Regional MLS (CRMLS), directing revenue operations and ensuring proper communication and collaboration between all of CRMLS’s revenue-generating departments. In addition, she has also served as a NAR REACH mentor, board member for the Council of MLS with a CMLX 1 certification, and RESO Board Secretary. Connect with Katie: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/) https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemsmithson/

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