Yesterday Inman News announced the addition of David Stein as their new GM. Stein has more than 16 years experience with more than 16 years experience with startups and the web. 

Prior to this position with Inman, Stein worked with Inman News founder and publisher Brad Inman at HomeGain and Turn Here. Stein was also VP of real estate at Reply Inc., according to this Inman News post. Also, Stein had this to offer on the new position:

“I’m excited to join one of the most trusted brands in real estate, and work again with Brad.”

Looking past the Inman release, Stein’s recommendations are stellar where managing expertise is concerned. Peter Christy, Sr. Director of Technology & Development at SmartShoot, offered this via Stein’s LinkedIn profile:

“David has a unique ability to manage both upwards and downwards. In the six years that I have worked with him and for him, I have been continually impressed with his steady focus on company objectives while simultaneously ensuring that individual team members opinions and input are not ignored.”

Stein graduated from the California State University-Fullerton – College of Business and Economics, with a BA in Entrepreneurial Management.

Is there only one, or more than one solution?

This latest news from Market Leader speaks of linking Internet Data Exchange (IDX) feeds that list some 1.6 million properties with selected agents within the company’s matrix (network) to take advantage of exclusive leads and customer relationship features. At least this is the report from Inman News we read. That article goes on to reflect however, a much bigger story, one of territorial end-fighting and splitting of hairs even.

The company that bought RealEstate.com versus the other side of the Internet sales aisle, and all those accustomed to MLS listings and the current online listing model on the other. At issue is basically the what the National Association of Realtors allows as far as these feeds are concerned. RealEstate.com basically forces the issue of “how” IDX listings get listed, with ads or without, with lead generation forms or without, and so on. More critically though, the fact that brokers cannot “opt out” of being listed on RealEstate.com as is the case with Trulia and Zillow, this is the real rub.

To break this all down, an agency that has listings in a particular MLS, Multiple Listing Service Property Information Network Inc. (MLSPIN) is the Inman use case, is forced to show their listing via RealEstate.com by virtue of being in the MLS basically. In a very real way what Market Leader accomplishes here is a sort of game changing control dynamic, one that actually polarizes the real estate pro market too.

It all boils down to a somewhat controversial bout between real estate franchisers, who won a bid to the NAR to display the IDX listings of affiliated brokerages that was later rescinded when complaints flourished, and brokerages like HomeServices of America Inc.  When all is said and done Market Leader, or any online real estate player, is in the game to push product. In the case of Market Leader, services like their websites for brokers, positioning and feedback from and on key sites like RealEstate.com, PPC campaigns, and other marketing offerings. Ian Morris’s (video above) company has just about every end covered when it comes to sales leads.

Whether or not agents, buyers, and sellers find Market Leader’s tactics with favor or not is not at issue for the moment, what seems more important is the pulling at straws that takes place within the industry. A technicality here, an uncrossed “t” there, when the housing market is still suffering its most crippling blow ever. One has to marvel at the big game being played for position. But then, that’s what business is about, right? One thing you have to give Market Leader a lot of credit for is bringing RealEstate.com down to the local level. Not many big time players have done this well.

More on real visibility as the story grows. Oh, and Market Leader, if you really want more solutions for leads… mail me.

RealEstate.com Atlanta site – Market Leader has done this right

Oh. One hint too, don’t profess Pinterest, G+, Twitter, Facebook or any expertise you are not entrenched in. Now Inman News? They have Pinterest down.

The deal, announced on Tuesday, is expected to be wrapped up by the end of the second quarter, IBM announced.

IBM shares reacted well to news of the acquisition. Image courtesy of llatech.com

In a statement by IBM, the computer giant said that in acquiring the Las Vegas based Tririga Inc., it would be able to accelerate its program for smarter buildings, which utilize technology in order to cut down on printing and save on energy.

IMB was most interested in Tririga’s software products, as they are well known as some of the best available on the market for helping organizations to optimize the use of buildings. Tririga’s best known software assists organizations in making long-term planning decisions about real estate, while another popular program in their suite is able to evaluate the condition of a building, so that the owners can prioritize where and when upgrades need to be made.

Tririga's software is able to vastly improve building efficiency. Image courtesy of http://sites.google.com

Other Tririga programs include applications that can monitor the environmental impact buildings have on their surroundings, allowing for the owners to identify problem systems and improve them before too much damage is done.

No jobs are thought to be affected by this acquisition. Instead, Tririga and its 200 employees will be swallowed up by the IBM Global Business Services and IBM Tivoli Software divisions.

Tririga will become part of the IBM empire. Image courtesy of info.tririga.com

The move was also well received by stock market investors, with IBM shares appreciating in value by 10 cents on Tuesday afternoon, rising to $157.78 by yesterday’s close.