Compass sues Northwest MLS, pulling Windermere along for a ride
“The 39-page suit in federal court claims the MLS serving 2,500 member offices in Washington and Oregon has “no meaningful competitors,” and that, as a broker-owned multiple listing service, its Seattle-area brokerage owners with controlling stakes have an interest in limiting competition from new entrants.”
Be careful what you wish for Robert.
Compass Exclusive Almost Became a $100K Mistake
“But the longer I sat with it the less happy I was. If only two people saw it and we hit this magic number, what if 50 people saw it?
Turns out, the buyer had the same doubts. Is it really worth this much? There are no comps… They backed out. And I felt oddly relieved.
We published on the MLS and Zillow.
Six days later we had an offer $100,000 above our magic number.”
Still perplexed how Compass agents are cool with this strategy.
NWMLS shuts off Compass’ IDX feed amid private listing conflict
“The IDX suspension is only the latest chapter in an ongoing saga involving the country’s largest brokerage by sales volume and a powerful independent multiple listing service. The conflict began in late March when Compass CEO Robert Reffkin criticized NWMLS, describing it on Instagram as uniquely restrictive. Reffkin’s comments stemmed from Compass’ efforts to expand the listings it markets privately before posting them to an MLS.”
I gotta wonder how many Compass agents think this feud is productive.
Obi Jacobi, co-president of Windermere, Why private listing networks are a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’
“While we clearly have a very long way to go, our industry has made great efforts to move toward fairness and transparency, and I am proud of the fact that my dad, John Jacobi — founder of Windermere Real Estate — and his fellow real estate leaders in the Seattle area were instrumental in helping to eliminate such tactics by cooperating with each other to share real-time listing information. In fact, our region was the first in the country to do so via the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.”
Leo Pareja, CEO of eXp, America’s real estate advantage is under siege
“That’s the road we’re heading down. And if we don’t course-correct now, we are going to financially harm sellers and rob buyers, especially those from historically underserved communities, of the chance to build generational wealth through homeownership.”
Leadership.
If a listing is online, it should be online everywhere: Zillow’s new listing access standards
“Consumers should not have to wonder whether the home that might be perfect for them is hidden behind a gate they didn’t know existed. And agents shouldn’t have to jump through hoops just to show their clients all the homes available to buy.
Zillow was founded on the principle of free and fair access to real estate information and listings and we have not wavered in that commitment. We are the most trusted consumer brand in real estate, with the largest audience of movers who expect to see all the publicly available listings on Zillow. We have a responsibility to deliver what consumers demand and deserve. We will continue to advocate for the best interests of consumers, as we always have. “
Zillow sounds like the Dad who… just about had enough of this bullshit. And I’m here for it!
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In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg break down three major real estate bombshells—the rumored Compass acquisition of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS), the Redfin-Rocket merger, and the potential shake-up of NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP). They discuss whether Compass is actually in talks with BHHS or if this is just Wall Street speculation, how Redfin and Rocket could disrupt the brokerage model, and why NAR might be making CCP optional to dodge legal liability.
Key Takeaways
• Compass x BHHS Rumors: Wall Street Journal reported that Compass was acquiring BHHS—but BHHS CEO Gino Blefari strongly denied it. So what’s the truth?
• The Redfin-Rocket Power Move: Why Rocket’s mortgage empire could turn Redfin into Zillow’s biggest competitor—and how Respa exemptions give them an edge.
• NAR’s CCP Shake-Up: Is NAR making CCP optional just to shift legal liability onto MLSs? Rob and Greg debate whether this is NAR’s “race to irrelevance.”
• Does Warren Buffett Want Out of Real Estate?: If BHHS is actually up for sale, what does that say about the future of traditional brokerages?
• How the MLS Landscape Could Change: If MLSs get to decide CCP for themselves, will we see regional MLS battles over compliance and cooperation?
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CCP and Office Exclusives from the perspective of product execution
“If we head toward a more fragmented model where brokerages run their own exclusive listings, data quality has to be priority number one. The current MLS system, for all its quirks, has driven huge advances in data sharing and usability. Ditching that without a solid replacement could spell chaos—and consumers, who’ve gotten used to reliable info, would be the first to lose it.
It all sounds great on paper: We’re a large brokerage, we have tons of listings, and people will come to us because of our inventory. But in 2025, there’s a basic expectation for client user experience that sets a very high bar, and frustrated clients are the last thing you want!”
Andrea Badino, VP of product and design at Zenlist, has some great points here. In a world where listings are everywhere but the MLS, what happens? With a decision on CCP looming it’s important to consider all the consequences.
In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg dive into the controversy surrounding dual agency, private networks, and the MLS’s role in protecting small brokers. They break down the industry’s long-standing acceptance of brokerage-level dual agency while questioning why teams are getting a pass. Plus, they debate whether Compass’s push to double-end deals is just standard brokerage strategy—or an attempt to reshape the industry. If you want unfiltered takes on where real estate is headed, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways
• Is Brokerage Dual Agency Bad? Rob argues that the industry has historically supported it—so why the sudden outrage?
• The Compass Controversy: Greg and Rob discuss whether Compass is playing the same game as everyone else or trying to blow up the MLS for its own benefit.
• The Team Dual Agency Dilemma: Should teams be held to a different standard? Rob questions why brokerages get a pass but teams don’t.
• MLS Protection for Small Brokers: Rob suggests the MLS has always been designed to protect smaller brokerages—should that continue?
• The Future of Private Listings: If brokers create exclusive networks, will they face lawsuits—or is that just scare tactics?
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