Takeaways from the RESO Fall Conference
By Mitch Walker
As Director of Product Management at IRES MLS, I recently attended the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) Fall Conference, a gathering focused on how data standards are shaping the present and future of real estate. The message was clear: when systems speak the same language everyone wins, from agents to appraisers to clients.
What is RESO?
RESO is an organization that provides data standards and processes to create efficiencies for all real estate participants.
Why Do Data Standards Matter?
Good data drives confident decisions. RESO’s work to standardize how MLSs and vendors share information ensures that tools connect smoothly and data remains accurate and consistent. It also helps bring down the cost of the tools you use. Standards mean that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time there’s a need for a new tool.
For IRES subscribers, this means:
- More reliable analytics and reporting
- Easier integration between the systems you already use
- Easier implementation of systems that you’ll adopt in the future
- Less time fixing errors and more time serving clients
Simply put, standards turn data into a true business advantage.
Helping Brokerages Deliver More Value
The average brokerage uses about a dozen different software tools, which often creates isolated systems that run independently – and that slows things down. RESO standards can make those tools interoperable, allowing them to communicate seamlessly and helping data flow freely. This in turn reduces errors, improves efficiency and makes it easier to adopt or switch technology. Of course, this requires the tools to use MLS data.
The Expanding Role of Data Beyond Listings
The conference also explored how standardized data and new technology are impacting broader segments of the housing ecosystem:
- New Construction Tech (ConTech): Robotics and modular construction are helping address a nationwide labor shortage. Meanwhile, augmented reality and “digital twin” technologies are improving safety and efficiency on job sites.
- AgeTech and IoT: Smart-home sensors and health data integrations are empowering seniors to live independently for longer, another example of how real estate and technology are converging.
- Rentals: With one-third of U.S. households now renting and the average first-time buyer age rising to 38, RESO is prioritizing rental data standards to ensure agents can capture the right fields without overwhelming input requirements.
Why Does this Matter for IRES?
By staying closely involved with RESO, IRES ensures our data remains clean, structured and connected to the broader real estate ecosystem. That ongoing collaboration helps us continue to deliver tools and insights that make your work more efficient and informed.
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