This Isn’t About Consumers - The Fight That's Splitting Real Estate

I really had no intention to post about the Clear Cooperation Policy fight two weeks in a row, but there are more major developments that we simply can’t ignore.

Just in case you blinked and missed last week, here is what happened:

• Redfin joined Zillow in banning publicly marketed off-MLS listings

• eXp Realty and NextHome supported Zillow’s move, committing to MLS-first marketing practices

Whether good or bad, it looks like finally our industry has a united stance on something.

Oh wait…

• Andy Florance, the CEO of CoStar Group and Homes.com, came out with his opinion on Zillow’s move, calling it "an incredible move of audacity and a pure power play of epic proportions.”

• Homes.com, Florance told the agents, would happily welcome any listings scorned by Zillow

Time to choose sides (again)

So let’s put unity on hold for now; it’s time to take sides.

Just like with every other topic, it’s causing a massive division within the industry.

Are you with us or against us?

Both sides are screaming out of their lungs: “We fight for consumers!!!”

Consumers are not stupid, nor are they blind.

They can clearly see nobody is fighting for them.

Everybody is fighting for the market share.

Unfortunately, this public fight exposes the ongoing division.

If anything, it undermines consumers’ trust in the industry.

This dogfight ultimately hurts the consumer.

What does it mean for consumers?

For the average American looking to enter the housing market, these new developments will bring confusion and frustration rather than clarity.

Sellers might not fully understand what they're agreeing to when they choose a limited marketing approach and will be unpleasantly surprised when they discover their listing has been excluded from platforms like Zillow.

Buyers, meanwhile, may have to navigate multiple websites just to see what’s available, potentially missing out on their ideal home in the process.

Please don’t tell me it would be beneficial for consumers to go to 10 different websites to see 10 different sets of inventory.

Unlike most of you reading this, I have firsthand experience buying and selling homes in Europe, where there are no consolidated search portals like Zillow or MLS.

Even seasoned real estate executives are struggling to make sense of it all, so it’s no surprise that everyday buyers and sellers, who only go through this process a few times in their lives, will get it wrong.

And then what? You guessed it - more class action lawsuits.

What’s next

Unlike any other industry, in real estate, agents HAVE TO collaborate to get deals done.

Despite all the divisions, agents on both sides of the transaction will always be united by one goal: to get the closing over the line.

Focus on what you can control - upskill your agents to outcompete everyone else in the market. This will future-proof your business.

If you need help elevating your agents’ performance, let’s chat - Agently.com