It Would Be Nice to Have a Central Clearinghouse for RE Bar Camps

[Because Teri Lussier hath commanded me to do this post, and her wish is my command.] RE Bar Camps are one of the fastest growing events in the real estate industry.  What the hell is a RE Bar Camp? Well, start here.  The first one was put together by Andy Kaufman, Brad Coy, Mike Price, … Read more

Be the Virus, Todd (Three Thoughts on NAR Social Media Manager)

“Forward, the Light Brigade!” Was there a man dismay’d? Not tho’ the soldier knew Someone had blunder’d: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. – Alfred Lord Tennyson, Charge of the Light Brigade Todd Carpenter (@tcar on … Read more

Lessons from Counterinsurgency, Part 2: Petraeus on Local

In part 1 of this series, we discussed Information Operations and the importance of integrity in counterinsurgency strategy.  I took lessons from the U.S. Military, and the author of those doctrines Gen. David Petraeus, and applied them to the real estate industry.  In this installment, I’d like to take a look at another key principle … Read more

Lessons from Counterinsurgency Pt. 1: Petraeus on Integrity

It may be completely inappropriate to compare the life-and-death work of our military in Afghanistan to the buying and selling of real estate ensconced in our safety… but I could not help but read this with interest: We also must strive to be first with the truth. We need to beat the insurgents and extremists … Read more

In Which I Defend Realogy, Yet Again (It IS Fun!)

In the comments section of my post on Alex Perriello’s confidence in denying a bankruptcy for Realogy, a commenter by name of “Still Don’t Agree” raises several very interesting points.  And because SDA wasn’t a raving lunatic, but apparently a very smart, very logical, and a calm & measured commentator, I thought it worth using … Read more

The One Site to Rule Them All

Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul. One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them. Twitter, some say, is a useless waste of time.  That’s often true.  But then, sometimes, it’s really kinda fun and … Read more

Redfin Transforms: The End of the Beginning?

Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end.  But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning. – Sir Winston Churchill . One of the true pioneers of the new generation of real estate companies, Redfin, has launched a new partner program: Redfin released a sprawling, glorious update … Read more

Vote: The NROB "Best American Band of Past 20 Years" Poll

We interrupt the regularly scheduled program of heavy-duty, two-thousand word discussions about the real estate industry to bring you this light-hearted fun segment on music! A couple of weeks ago, I asked realestistas about their choice for the “Best American Band of the Past 20 Years”.  I got four submissions, and since I also wanted … Read more