Hi, I’m Matthew!
Life, the people in it and the world we’ve created together are all amazing to me. I want to know everything about everything I long to be swallowed up in a good story and my desire for adventure is unceasing. I’m a watcher of 80s movies and listener or 90s music (especially if it’s on vinyl.) And at all other times I love helping people, from changing tires on the side of the road to helping them map a successful business, I love being a supporting character in another’s story. This site is a host to my sometimes structured, sometimes chaotic, sometimes self-indulgent, and sometimes self-deprecating thoughts, ideas, and lessons. I hope you find something of value here.
Recent Articles
The MLS is Dead; Long Live The MLS: An Open Letter to Leaders
It’s Time to Redefine the Value of the MLS To MLS leaders across the country, I’m writing this from a place of respect for what the MLS has been, and a firm belief in what it still has the potential to become. The Multiple Listing Service has long served as a...
What About That Google Home Ads Testing?
Google Is Testing Homes-For-Sale Ads. What If This Changes Real Estate Search? I want to be clear that this is a “what-if” post. It’s early, it’s limited, and nothing is guaranteed. But it’s worth watching. Especially if you care about how buyers find homes. And how...
From SEO to “Seen by AI”: How to Become the Agent Chatbots Recommend
For AI resources for agents, visit matthewrathbun.com/ai For years, I have worked hard to create content that appeases the Google-gods so that consumers and potential clients could find me as an authority on a given topic. And for a very long time, it worked. I ranked...
5 Places Where Real Estate Agents Can Learn Computer Skills—For Free
Let’s be honest—real estate is a relationship business, not a coding competition. But in today’s world, knowing how to handle basic computer tasks isn’t optional anymore. Whether it’s creating a listing flyer, managing your inbox, or navigating your brokerage’s cloud...
Deed Fraud in Real Estate: How Scammers Are Stealing Land—and What The Industry Needs To Do To Stop It
Fraudsters Picking the Wrong Target Last week I received a call from an agent in my firm. She had a seller reach out to her from Zillow and ask her to help him sell a piece of land. She briefly spoke to the seller and decided that the property wasn't in her area of...
How I Use ChatGPT to Create a CMA That’s Faster, Smarter, and a Lot Less Stressful
You know, as real estate agents, we’ve all been there — staring at a property, trying to find the right comps, making pricing adjustments, and thinking “there has got to be a better way.” Whether you’re about to list a home or helping a buyer craft a smart offer,...