REALCOMP

From Page 3 e letter from Livernois says GMAR will “o er a robust MLS product and experience as of January 1, 2024, and a smooth and seamless transition in all respects.” But it o ered no details on how it will meet its members needs.

Realcomp executives declined to comment for this report.

Local residential real estate executives say that at the moment they expect business as usual as it relates to the two organizations and their members and users, but more news should emerge as the year goes on.

“It’s something to keep an eye on and it’s certainly bound to catch some people’s attention,” said Jeanette Schneider, president of Re/Max of Southeastern Michigan, which has nearly 900 Realtors in the area. “I’d suspect we’re months away from lots of decisions being made.”

Schneider added that even once those decisions are made, she expects no changes for buyers.

Similarly, the overall e ect of the split — should the parties decide to go through with it — is likely to be minimal and akin to a large company changing software vendors, according to Dan Elsea, president of Real Estate One, the state’s largest residential real estate brokerage rm based in South eld.

Elsea said he is a member of multiple real estate boards and can get a subscription to Realcomp through any of those memberships. Should GMAR and its members move on from Realcomp, he said he expects many agents would simply have multiple board memberships.

“Day-to-day for agents, I don’t see it as a big issue,” Elsea said.

While acknowledging MLS access is ty of Businesses, has also earned Beard nominations two years in a row.

Speaking during a Feb. 17 TED Talk at the University of Michigan focused on “glitches” — sudden and unexpected changes one encounters every now and then — Kim said she wasn’t supposed to be in the U.S.

“Being here wasn’t a part of my plan,” said Kim, a University of Michigan graduate and Ann Arbor resident.

“My passion for Korean food has allowed me to share my culture with other people. Food is universal, but each dish tells a unique story based on the ingredients and the people who prepare the food. My decision to immigrate to the U.S. from Seoul was the glitch that started the journey that culminated in the creation of Miss Kim. I dreamed that Michigan would be one of the regions of Korean food.”

Kim told Crain’s that the diversity on display in this year’s James Beard nominations is great to see.

“It’s wonderful that more diverse people — immigrants, women, non-Chicago chefs — are getting more nominations,” Kim said. “ at’s how it should be. We make great food. We just didn’t have as much privilege or the platform for it. It’s great the (Beard judges) recognize that more than before.”

Good problem to have

e recognitions also bring a boost in business. e weekend following the Beard announcement, Casa Amado had to close early one night because it ran out of food. at Saturday, people were waiting before it opened and by 6:30-7 they just couldn’t make any more food, Lopez said.

as another multiple listing service company in metro Detroit, with its user base primarily in the Macomb County area.

Executives with MiRealSource declined to comment for this report.

Realcomp members

Realcomp consists of eight Realtor boards from around Southeast Michigan. GMAR said it intends to drop out by the end of the year:

 Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors

 Dearborn Board of Realtors

 Detroit Association of Realtors

 Eastern Thumb Association of Realtors

 Grosse Pointe Board of Realtors

 Livingston Association of Realtors

 Lapeer and Upper Thumb Association of Realtors

 North Oakland County Board of Realtors a “core portion” of any agent’s business, there are a handful of options for GMAR’s agents, which account for about 70 percent of Realcomp’s users, according to Nathan Boji, president of GMAR and o ce manager for Re/Max Classic in Farmington Hills.

Among those options would be ending their a liation with GMAR and joining other realty boards that continue to work with Realcomp, or continuing to work with GMAR and whatever MLS option it o ers.

Schneider pointed out that Shelby Township-based MiRealSource serves

A letter sent to Realcomp subscribers earlier this month by CEO Karen Kage and obtained by Crain’s said current members of GMAR would “need to apply for services” with one of seven other realty boards operating around metro Detroit to continue using the organization’s services. ose boards include the Grosse Pointe Board of Realtors, Livingston County Association of Realtors and the North Oakland County Board of Realtors.

Messages sent by Crain’s to the other realty boards seeking comment were not returned.

Boji, in an interview with Crain’s, said conversations between the GMAR and Realcomp are ongoing and con rmed that the association will maintain its ownership status of Realcomp at least through the end of the year.

He declined to address any of the differing opinions between the two groups that led to the decision to split. e “decision was not made in haste,” Boji said of GMAR’s decision to leave Realcomp.

Similar to Schneider, Boji said any speci cs on what the split may mean and how it will a ect GMAR agents or Realcomp and its operations will be determined in the coming weeks and months.

However, there are some general goals the group hopes to achieve with the split, Boji said.

“Realtors may have more options for tools they use in their business everyday,” he said. “ e goal is to make sure everyone has the best service to conduct their business.”

Contact: nmanes@crain.com; (313) 446-1626; @nickrmanes

“It’s good for business, but we still want to give people a good experience. Sometimes when you’re that busy, you don’t have time to give everybody the best experience you want to give them,” he said. “Honestly, I think the food is secondary when you run a restaurant. Treating people well should be your rst priority.”

Business has spiked for Baobab Fare, too. Even more so than asking about speci c dishes, customers now ask about the owners.

“People are asking about our culture, about East Africa, about Burundi,” Mamba said. “People want to know about us — what brought us here. at’s been our goal since day one. We’ve wanted to tell that story. We want people to enjoy our food, but we want them to know where it comes from, why we make it.”

If you can make it here …

Lopez said his father planting his own ag showed him anything is possible as an immigrant in America. Like the Baobab Fare owners, the chef is working to show customers Mexico’s cuisine is more than tacos.

While tacos are a featured item on the Casa Amado menu, a monthly dinner club, De Noche, o ers a variety of Mexican cuisine.

“I think the American palate is opening up. You know, Mexican food is not just tacos,” Lopez said. “ e special dinners have complex things — sauces and things like that. You learn that the food on the west coast of Mexico is way di erent than in central Mexico. It’s just like barbecue here. It’s di erent in Texas, St. Louis, Kansas City. Tex Mex has been around awhile. I like Tex Mex but I’m glad to see people, small business owners, cooking to show more of their personality and where they’re from.”

Mamba says the variety of authentic, ethnic food in Detroit has grown by leaps and bounds. at growth is being aided by local restaurateurs like Lopez, Kim, Mamba and Nijimbere.

“ ese are people who live in the city, who care about the city, which is very important,” Mamba said. “ at’s something to be proud of for any immigrant looking to open a business in the United States.

“Coming to this country is a huge risk, but it gives you an opportunity because there are a lot of people from your home country who wish they could be in your position. at’s what helps you stay focused.”

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