Zillow Fights Back

From Business Insider:

The Zillow Blacklist is officially here

Pretty much every potential homebuyer looks for houses on the internet, scouring listings for the right facade and envisioning their couch in glossy photos of empty living rooms. A lot of the time, that digital touring pays off: The National Association of Realtors recently found that about half of purchasers end up finding the winning property online. For many house hunters, the never-ending cyberquest for that dream home includes a stop (or many) at Zillow.

If you count yourself among the 221 million monthly visitors who scan Zillow or one of its affiliated portals, like Trulia, you probably won’t notice any change in your home-scrolling habit on June 30. But it’s an important date for the biggest name in home search. Behind the scenes, Zillow is using its vast machinery to fight a battle that could determine where you find your next house — and whether it even appears on Zillow at all.

Starting Monday, Zillow will be banning home listings that have been marketed publicly by a real estate agent — which includes everything from planting a for-sale sign in the front yard to posting on Facebook — without being shared in the local databases that feed home listings to the rest of the real estate industry, including Zillow and other search websites, within one business day. The move is part of a broader fight over “exclusive inventory” or “hidden homes” — basically, properties advertised in some places but not others. In an attempt to seize more control over their listings, agents at some real estate brokerages have been advertising homes in internal databases or posting them only on their own websites, out of reach of the search portals.

While the fight has been going on for a few years, things have recently turned especially ugly. Compass, the largest real estate brokerage in the US by sales volume, sued Zillow in federal court last week over the new blacklist, and industry execs have spent months trading barbs via social media, speeches, and email blasts that reached thousands of agents across the country.

The back-and-forth leaves homebuyers and sellers in a weird spot. I’ve spent months talking to people around the industry about the hidden listings issue, and I’m left with one big conclusion: If you decide to hire an agent (which most people do), you should go into that relationship with open eyes. The rules of the game are changing. Consumers need to make sure they know exactly what they’re getting from their agents and how much they’ll be paying for those services. Buyers’ agents should also be able to explain how they’ll navigate a shifting landscape in which some listings may become harder to find.

Big companies are squabbling because they need your clicks, your home listings, and, ultimately, the commission checks that flow from your deal. Whether you’re a buyer or seller, your business is especially valuable right now. It can be daunting, but the upheaval may be advantageous if you play your next home transaction correctly.

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73 Responses to Zillow Fights Back

  1. Dark Phoenix says:

    First

  2. Cornholio says:

    Cornholio

  3. Dark Phoenix says:

    Alligator Alcatraz. Or others call it Alligator Auschwitz.

    Quote from a commenter:
    “It’s surrounded by dangerous wildlife and unforgiving terrain”. What a weird thing to say with a creepy, giddy little smile.

    I guess this is who America voted for.

    I’d imagine this blond freak would kick up her cankels up, grab some popcorn, and enjoy watching some young Mexican girl getting eaten by an alligator.

    Enjoy your choice.

  4. Chicago says:

    Link?

  5. White Trash Eddie says:

    Starting Monday, Zillow will be banning home listings that have been marketed publicly by a real estate agent — which includes everything from planting a for-sale sign in the front yard to posting on Facebook — without being shared in the local databases that feed home listings to the rest of the real estate industry, including Zillow and other search websites, within one business day. The move is part of a broader fight over “exclusive inventory” or “hidden homes” — basically, properties advertised in some places but not others. In an attempt to seize more control over their listings, agents at some real estate brokerages have been advertising homes in internal databases or posting them only on their own websites, out of reach of the search portals.

    So the industry is squabbling over scraps. Baby needs shoes and there’s no way Bubbles is going to steal my listing!

  6. Very Stable Genius says:

    Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky voted to join Democrats in a quixotic proposal to deny the White House Office of Management and Budget of operating funds. Russell Vought, head of the O.M.B., has angered some senators with his claims that the White House has the final word on spending.

    Paul is a firm no against the underlying bill because it increases the federal debt ceiling by $5 trilllion, Collins is leaning no because of Medicaid cuts and Republican leaders are bending over backwards to try to turn a reluctant Murkowski into a yes.

  7. Very Stable Genius says:

    🇺🇸 ELON: AMERICA IS GOING BANKRUPT QUICKLY, BUT EVERYONE IS WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD

    “America is going bankrupt extremely quickly, but everyone seems to be whistling past the graveyard.

    The Defense Department budget is a trillion dollars a year.

  8. VSG says:

    Maga increasing debt cealing by 5 TRILLION

    Fiscally conservative 🤣

  9. Libturd says:

    It’s for the children. The debt.

  10. ExLAX says:

    I heard it was for the rich folk .

  11. VSG says:

    Elon Musk blasted a U.S. Senate bill raising the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, calling it “insane spending” by a “Porky Pig Party” in a June 30, 2025, X post.

    The bill, extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and boosting military and border funds, could add $2.5 trillion to the $36.2 trillion national debt, per CBO estimates.

  12. VSG says:

    Radicalized rightwingers are very loud about pronouns but
    have nothing to say about Magas greatest increase of national debt ever.

  13. Juice Box says:

    Tax increases won’t come close to closing the deficit.

    Grandma needs to lose some benefits too, otherwise her grandkids will be collecting their inheritance early by putting a pillow over her head.

  14. Juice Box says:

    Saved myself a few bucks this week. My station wagon was blowing hot air on the drivers side and cool air on the passenger side. Ripped apart the dashboard and replaced the air blend door actuator a $17 part. Also picked up a can of R-134A for $10 and topped the low side pressure of my A/C up to 36 PSI now.

    All in $27. A range of scientific measures for assessing temperatures are available and I would say colder than a witches tit would be appropriate for my station wagon’s A/C as temp at the vent was registering about 37F.

    I need to keep my sled running for a while longer, 12 years old and 180,000 miles. It’s a tank and my son will be driving early next year…..

  15. Juice Box says:

    Speaking of measurements.

    Congressional Budget Office projects the “tax cuts” known actually as no “tax increases” in the Finance Committee’s section of the bill would increase deficits by not more than $1.5 trillion between 2025-34 and would not increase on-budget deficits after 2034. This is using the “current policy” measurement for the baseline.

    If the measurement used was “current law” it would add an estimated $3.5 trillion to federal deficits between 2025-34 and would add to deficits after 2034.

    All depends on how you measure…again the definition itself….. “current law” and “current policy” is quirky as the laws and the policies change all the time.

    Either way no sides Red or Blue want to propose budget cuts to those line items they favor. As I have explained before, the system is rigged. Impounding funds, cancelling spending, cutting waste etc it’s all impossible under current laws. A congressional rescission? Also impossible to do cancel any previously appropriated money. Nah we aren’t going to vote on that. It all must be spent even if it is for a bridge to nowhere.

    This is no way to run a business or a household but we do run our country like this.

    I am with Elon on this one, we need a third or even fourth party to even things out. The Red and Blue teams are too fat and lazy to do anything to cut the deficits and massive debt our children and grandchildren may end up murdering us for….

  16. Dark Phoenix says:

    I am with Elon on this one, we need a third or even fourth party to even things out. The Red and Blue teams are too fat and lazy to do anything to cut the deficits and massive debt our children and grandchildren may end up murdering us for….

    I second this.

  17. VSG says:

    Maga will never allow it.
    Oligarchy and Democracy don’t get along

    Dark Phoenix says:
    July 1, 2025 at 10:31 am
    I am with Elon on this one, we need a third or even fourth party to even things out. The Red and Blue teams are too fat and lazy to do anything to cut the deficits and massive debt our children and grandchildren may end up murdering us for….

    I second this.

  18. Dark Phoenix says:

    Trump is doing God’s work.

    Once you bankrupt them, you can steal their property.

    One after another the dominoes will fall, and Trump and Friends will collect the chips.

    Soon to follow:
    Bankruptcies.
    Car Repos.
    Credit card defaults
    Jingle Mail.

    It will start from the bottom up. But the middle class is the main target, add the lack of jobs due to AI.
    The perfect storm to eliminate those you feel are “inferior.”

  19. Dark Phoenix says:

    Democraps won’t allow it either. They are both wolves, MAGA just doesn’t wear a Mary Poppin’s costume while they commit their acts.
    If you have children, prepare to find a new home outside of this growing turdfest.

    VSG says:
    July 1, 2025 at 10:37 am
    Maga will never allow it.
    Oligarchy and Democracy don’t get along

  20. Dark Phoenix says:

    You silly families. Did you really think the court system in America works like on television? Or at all?

    Sorry people, it’s a legal system, not a justice system.

    The family of Kaylee Goncalves was quick to condemn the agreement, declaring on Facebook that the State of Idaho ‘failed us’ as they hit out at prosecutors for failing to notify them that a plea deal was going through.

    ‘We weren’t even called about the plea; we received an email with a letter attached,’ family members said in a statement. ‘That’s how Latah County’s Prosecutor’s Office treats murder victims’ families.

    ‘Adding insult to injury, they’re rushing the plea, giving families just one day to coordinate and appear at the courthouse for a plea on July 2.’

    Steven Goncalves, Kaylee’s father, is urging the judge overseeing the case to reject the plea deal.

  21. Very Stable Genius says:

    Maga is increasing deficit and raising debt ceiling by TRILLIONS.
    Democrats are trying to stop them

    And the pronoun-aware rightwinger calls himself fiscally conservative

    Dark Phoenix says:
    July 1, 2025 at 10:40 am
    Democraps won’t allow it either. They are both wolves, MAGA just doesn’t wear a Mary Poppin’s costume while they commit their acts.
    If you have children, prepare to find a new home outside of this growing turdfest.

    VSG says:
    July 1, 2025 at 10:37 am
    Maga will never allow it.
    Oligarchy and Democracy don’t get along

  22. Very Stable Genius says:

    It is obscene to give tax breaks to the top 1% by throwing more than 16 million people off health care, cutting nutrition for hungry kids and making it harder for working class young people to go to college.

    That is exactly what Trump’s budget reconciliation bill does.

    -Bernie

  23. Dark Phoenix says:

    it’s only obscene if you’re not in the one percent.

    don’t hate the playa, hate the game

  24. Libturd says:

    Boom!

    After 27 years, I was let go this morning.

    Thanks Donald. Both Gator and I are out of work. Fun!

    I think we’ll go on a few free cruises before I find one of those great new manufacturing jobs that are supposed to be picking up everywhere.

  25. Hold my beer says:

    Libturd

    That sucks man. Sorry to hear that

  26. VSG says:

    Libturd, sorry to hear that.

    MAGAs fault for sure. They care more about pronouns than the budget deficit.
    The good news is that billionaires will have more tax cuts

  27. Libturd says:

    We’ll be alright. Worst case scenario, I’ll get a job at Costco. I can use the exercise for sure.

  28. Juice Box says:

    Wow Lib sorry to hear that news. 27 years a long run for sure especailly in commercial printing.

    It’s been five years now since I was let go after nearly 20 years. Excutives had their heads up their asses and issued way too much debt and Covid did the company in. There was not much in reserve for that a rainy day, burned thru a billion in cash and credit lines and before we knew it bankrupt and kaput. I don’t blame the govenment or the chinese. I saw it coming, this was before Covid as comapany was off the track for long term growth and sustainability. I probably stayed a bit too long but that is the dream right work stability etc?

    The younger generation bounces around from company to company today almost without a care…I really have no desire for that even if it means a nice increase in pay or another step up the ladder. I prefer some stability. Company I am at now is on the constant track of reinventing and pivoting as well. Stability for five years even? I am not so sure. I may jump before the lower decks flood.

    I hope you and your wife bounce back to gainful employment soon. We need as many taxpayers as we can get.

  29. RentL0rd says:

    Lib, I heard prompt engineering is the future Lib.

    As a young man with a just born in the house, I learnt that corporations have no values. I was a valuable consultant bringing in big money for the company when they got acquired and let me go. That was 24 years ago. Since then my wife and I always had a plan b and a plan c.

    It may hurt in the short term but I am sure you will find something you enjoy soon enough.

  30. RentL0rd says:

    I was kidding about prompt engineering, in case my sarcasm (of the new admin) didnt come across

  31. Juice Box says:

    VSG – I see the DNC updated their talking points memo to 16 million. They put out their test tweet last week as 10 million wasn’t getting any clicks.

    They all (Dems and Repubs) want to go home for July 4th. This is paramount above and beyond fixing our spending and taxing issues.

    We should send them all home permananly. This “budget” process if forever broken otherwise.

  32. RentL0rd says:

    I am glad there was a bipartisan support to prevent states from issuing blocks to AI at the state level for 10 years. For such a nascent tech to have such heavy handedness is uncalled for.

  33. RentL0rd says:


    “Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,”

    “No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE,” Trump added. “Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”

    What a classy relationship!

  34. Juice Box says:

    Rent- You missed the best part.

    Trump says he’ll ‘look’ at deporting Musk…..

  35. 3b says:

    Lib: Sorry to hear that, a lot happened in the economy during that 27 years. All the best going forward.

  36. Libturd says:

    You can say that again. We’ll be fine. I make a lot off of my investments. Of course, now I have to be way more careful with them, but I have 6 months to figure it out.

  37. 3b says:

    Lib: Did you at least get a decent severance package after 27 years? I am sure you and Gator will be able to figure things out going forward.

  38. Juice Box says:

    Rent – You are incorrect. They voted 99-1 this morning to remove any federal regulation of AI. They removed the controversial 10-year moratorium on state regulation. States can regulate AI and do.

    Colorado AI Act for example.

  39. Libturd says:

    Not the greatest severance. But not the worst.

  40. 3b says:

    In an effort to do their part to cut expenditures, the British royal family will eliminate
    the royal train effective in 2027, as reported by the WSJ.

  41. RentL0rd says:

    1:20.. Juice you are right. I mangled the sentence and it camenout as the opposite. That states can regulate is what I meant to say. It would be quite bad if individual states couldn’t.

  42. Very Stable Genius says:

    “ Republicans passed through the Senate on Tuesday stands apart in its harm to the budget, analysts say.
    Not only did an initial analysis show it adding at least $3.3 trillion to the nation’s debt over the next 10 years — making it among the most expensive bills in a generation — but it would also reduce the amount of tax revenue the country collects for decades.

    Such a shortfall could begin a seismic shift in the nation’s fiscal trajectory and raise the risk of a debt crisis.”

  43. Very Stable Genius says:

    Show me your country’s budget and I’ll show you your county’s character.

    Senator Raphael Warnock: …”a budget is not just a fiscal document, a budget is a moral document.”

  44. VSG says:

    Zohran Mamdani opposes MAGAs massive spending. Increasing the federal deficit is irresponsible

  45. RentL0rd says:

    VSG, the double whammy is that with the raise in tariffs is also going to hurt GDP, and higher risk of a debt crisis.

    This is like termites in the foundation that MAGA seems to ignore

  46. Juice Box says:

    Everyone gets a pony.

    Today the Senate reversed cource and put back in the $40,000 SALT CAP.

  47. RentL0rd says:

    As much as I dislike Musk, this may be the moment to grab for Amerika.

    Musk proposes a new party.

    https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-election-massie-a690566ca5140ca47cb7a993d41774e4

    We need a new party to oppose the MAGA party.

  48. Chicago says:

    Wow. That is quite a quote. Easy to say. Impossible to reconcile given his espoused views. This comment speaks volumes about his character. To be clear, I have a thread bear knowledge of him.

    VSG says:
    July 1, 2025 at 2:04 pm
    Zohran Mamdani opposes MAGAs massive spending. Increasing the federal deficit is irresponsible

  49. VSG says:

    Poorly educated isn’t aware of MAGas fiscal irresponsibility

    They just be watching Fox news

  50. Chicago says:

    I will repeat, easy to say.

    Debt crisis could rise from 0.05% to 0.06%.

    I agree. It raises this risk of a debt crisis.

    So the fuck what?

    Factually irrefutable, but essentially worthless.

    Very Stable Genius says:
    July 1, 2025 at 1:59 pm
    and raise the risk of a debt crisis.”

  51. Chicago says:

    Agreed.

    VSG says:
    July 1, 2025 at 4:01 pm
    Poorly educated isn’t aware of MAGas fiscal irresponsibility

    They just be watching Fox news

  52. Chicago says:

    Stu: Fuck. I read the thread backward today.

    Anything you need.

    I am on the beach this week, but let me know how I can help.

    Fuck them. Idiots.

  53. BRT says:

    Lib,

    sorry to hear that. I’ve seen it in the school system. An employee of 30 years puts in retirement papers and the people at the top are just like “ok, bye”. They don’t care.

  54. RentL0rd says:

    >> So the fuck what?

    ? Seriously Chi?

    The average guy will not be able to afford anything any more – no cars, no homes, and no phones and no govt services.

    Borrowing costs off the roof, more stock market ups and downs and a potential crash.

    Enjoy the beach while you can.

  55. RentL0rd says:

    Anyone following the Kohberger case? It’s chilling.. and the way he was caught so far from the crime itself was something

    https://kval.com/news/nation-world/kohberger-to-accept-plea-agreement-avoiding-the-death-penalty

  56. Fabius Maximus says:

    Lib, sorry to hear. Keep an watch on my old company career page, they are usually hiring for your skill set. They have an office in Glendale CA they run check and other printing through. That might suit a 2 day in office commute from Vegas.

    Did you get a NY or NJ Severance Package. One good thing Murphy did was push through mandatory severance for long time workers.

  57. BRT says:

    the debt crisis has been baked into the endgame of this country since 2008 but you guys only pretend to care when your team ain’t at bat. There’s no way out other than revving up the printing presses in high gear. That’s what governments always resort to. The whole “grow the economy faster than the debt” has never happened. The charade has lasted longer than any rational mind would expect.

  58. VSG says:

    Republican Bill Puts Nation on New, More Perilous Fiscal Path.

    The Republican bill goes beyond simply extending existing tax cuts and also introduces several new ones.

    Among the most expensive pieces of legislation in years, the Republican legislation could reshape the country’s finances for a generation.

    By Andrew Duehren
    Reporting from Washington
    July 1, 2025, 12:06 p.m.

  59. VSG says:

    You called yourself Fiscally Conservative.

    You are the hypocrite. You stop the charade

  60. RentL0rd says:

    BRT @ 4:53 –

    The whole “grow the economy faster than the debt” has never happened. The charade has lasted longer than any rational mind would expect.

    The problem is that we are doing this at at time when the economy is also taking because of the policies. It’s like getting fucked in both holes – without the pleasure.

  61. RentL0rd says:

    *tanking

  62. No One says:

    Rentlord takes pleasure in getting fucked in which two holes?

  63. ExLAX says:

    Ouch. Really sorry Stu that is a bundle of suck.

  64. ExLAX says:

    Heckuva year

  65. RentL0rd says:

    “No One” has 2 holes.

  66. RentL0rd says:

    But I agree that was a poor attempt to make light of a serious situation. For those not paying attention to the real details –

    Hopefully the democrats will succeed in blocking it in the house

    1. Extension of 2017 Trump Tax Cuts
    Individual and corporate tax rates remain permanently lower.
    2. No Taxes on Tips and Overtime Pay
    New above-the-line deduction for:
    • Tips
    • Overtime pay
    • Auto loan interest
    • Capped at $25,000, phased out for income over $150,000 (individual) / $300,000 (joint).
    • Expires in 2028.
    3. Additional Senior Deduction
    • Americans 65 and older can deduct an extra $6,000, subject to income phase-outs.
    4. Child Tax Credit Increase
    • Increased to $2,500 per child, with a gradual reduction to $2,000 after 2028.
    5. State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction Cap Raised
    • Increased from $10,000 to $40,000 through 2029.

  67. Libturd says:

    Thanks all.

    Got severance. About a year ago, they realigned my team away from the division we were part of since the beginning. The new division had no clue as to what we did nor had any loyalty. I’m sure they’ll need me to consult. Of course, they will have to pay. Lots of opportunities out there for someone with my knowledge and management skillset. Especially in regards to automation. I’ll keep you all abreast. I will not waste much time on this. If I take my best worker with me, I would suggest you short the U.S. division. She is THAT tangibly valuable.

  68. Dark Phoenix says:

    Lib.

    Sorry. You didn’t deserve that.

  69. Dark Phoenix says:

    The fruit is rotting in the fields.

    Trump conceded in a post on his Truth Social account this month that Ice raids on farm workers – and also hotel workers – were “taking very good, longtime workers away” from those sectors, “with those jobs being almost impossible to replace”.Trump later told reporters: “Our farmers are being hurt badly. They have very good workers.” He added: “They’re not citizens, but they’ve turned out to be great.”

    He pledged to issue an order to address the impact, but no policy change has yet been enacted.

    Trump had always stood up for farmers, said a White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, in response to a request for comment on the impact of the Ice raids to farms.

  70. 1987 Condo says:

    Sorry to hear Stu. Good luck, you are better prepared than most.

    P.S. Cali Painting worked out, thx, took a month given rain……..

  71. ExLAX says:

    Watching this slow motion train wreck this Trump’s second term is painful.

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