Santanu Barua from VestaPlus: Why your Next MLS Won't Look Like Today's

The Listing Bits podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg Robertson talks with Santanu Barua, CTO of Vesta Plus, the tech platform owned by the Combined LA/Westside MLS (CLAW), about his path into MLS tech, the Checkmate compliance product, and VestaPlus's approach to AI and MCP servers. Key Takeaways Vesta Plus is a wholly owned subsidiary of CLAW, licensing its homegrown MLS tech to other MLSs since 2018 Santanu's path: EE/CS at University of Houston → mortgage tech at Countrywide (2001–06) → MLS technology since 2006 Checkmate, born from a talk with former CLAW COO Gigi Marina, catches violations input rules can't (bad remarks, photo violations via computer vision) and automates follow-up Products are built modular/extensible so tools like Checkmate can later be sold to other MLSs Vesta Plus has its own MCP server, launching soon to members — part of the "headless MLS" trend (Flex MLS/FBS also offers this) Data access runs through a controlled API layer, not direct database access, for security Greg pitches a "16 core fields + AI chat for everything else" MLS interface idea They discuss a possible marketplace for member-built AI tools, like custom GPTs New public-facing site (in development ~6 months) will let the public search agents and listings, with agents controlling how much history/testimonials they show Santanu's AI philosophy: build deliberately on existing data strengths, prioritize security over speed Contact Santanu: [email protected] Sponsors Aligned Showings — MLS-owned showing software built to simplify scheduling, improve communication, and keep MLS data where it belongs. Giant Steps Job Board – Built for organized real estate and PropTech, not generic tech bros and recruiters who don't know what an MLS is. Production and editing services by: Sunbound Studios