What happens when MLS collides with Big Tech? This isn’t just an industry drama, it’s a fight over who controls the future of real estate. In this episode of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered, former Realtor.com and Bright MLS executive Amit Kulkarni breaks down what MLS vs. Big Tech really means for agents, brokerages, and consumers.
He discusses the moves by Compass, Rocket, and Redfin, why data, not just listings, can be the real battleground, and how AI can accelerate all the pressure points that are already established within the industry.
If you want to understand where real estate is going next, this episode is for you.
highlights
Kulkarni dives into the power struggles currently shaping real estate, where platforms, MLS organizations, brokerages, and Wall Street-backed players are all vying for influence.
Find out why the Compass, Rocket, and Redfin trades (and moves like them) signal bigger changes. Companies with huge capital don’t think about each transaction. They think about ecosystems. Data, distribution, and lifetime customer value. And that changes everything about how real estate competes.
But this conversation goes beyond the headlines.
Kulkarni explains why MLS vs. Big Tech becomes dangerous if MLS becomes fragmented, data standards are inconsistent, and leadership avoids difficult decisions.
He also delves into AI. We also look at why AI is still in its infancy, why it’s being integrated into workflows, and why the agents and organizations that adapt the quickest will have an unfair advantage.
Learn:
Why Compass, Rocket, and Redfin’s moves matter Why fragmentation creates transparency and risk for consumers What will AI change (and what won’t) Why it’s a terrible time to be average and a great time to be exceptional
This episode is essential if you want to understand what happens next.
Connect with Amit Kulkarni on LinkedIn.
Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered is currently available exclusively on Inman. Enjoy agent and team-focused content every Monday and leadership interviews every Wednesday. Listen on Apple or Spotify.
James Dwiggins is co-CEO of NextHome, Inc. and co-host of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered.
Keith Robinson is co-CEO of NextHome, Inc. and co-host of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered.
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