Power struggle in real estate reveals how access and equity are shaped.
A new standard in real estate transparency is being quietly drawn. Zillow, a name synonymous with home search, has introduced new listing guidelines meant to curb the increasingly controversial practice of “off-market” properties—homes marketed privately before the public ever gets a fair look. Keep in mind 36,000 people visit Zillow on a daily basis. This initiative, though framed as progress, also reveals something deeper: what happens when too much influence is placed in the hands of a single platform.
EXp Realty, a major brokerage, has become the first to publicly align with Zillow’s new rules, committing to share listings with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) within one day of marketing them. In theory, this ensures that listings reach the widest possible audience and promotes fair access for buyers and their agents. It adheres to the National Association of Realtors’ “Clear Cooperation” policy—intended to level the playing field, foster competition, and protect the consumer.
All of this sounds reasonable. Even admirable. And to be fair, there’s truth in that.
Editor’s Note:
At Kogos Chronicles, we believe real estate is more than numbers and contracts—it’s a reflection of access, equity, and how power is distributed. We’ll continue to explore the stories behind the headlines, always asking: Who does this serve? And what does it mean for the future of New York real estate?
But we must also remain clear-eyed about the landscape: transparency should never be contingent on the policies of a single corporation. When the flow of information—and access to opportunity—is centralized, equity becomes fragile. Zillow’s move may improve visibility, but it also amplifies its role as gatekeeper in an industry already grappling with power imbalances.
This is a moment to take stock. It’s not just about listings—it’s about who controls the market, who benefits from access, and who quietly gets left behind.
Real estate should not be a closed loop for the few. We should all expect—and demand—a system where buyers and sellers operate on equal footing, where agents are empowered by open information, and where platforms serve the people, not the other way around.
So while we acknowledge this step forward, let’s remember: true transparency requires collective effort—not just new rules from the top. It’s up to brokerages, MLSs, and technology platforms alike to safeguard access and uphold the integrity of the market.
Because when we get it right, the dream of homeownership doesn’t just exist on screen—it becomes something everyone has a fair shot at living.
Another chapter unfolds in the evolving tug-of-war over who controls real estate access in America. Compass has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Zillow, alleging that the platform’s threats to block certain listings from its site cross a legal line. While headlines may focus on corporate clashes and courtroom drama, the real story is what this means for buyers, sellers, and the everyday market participant.
What began as a debate over listing transparency has turned into a broader battle—fought over email, social media, and now in the courts. And while Compass and Zillow are the names at the center, nearly every brokerage, agent, and client has something at stake in the outcome.
Zillow’s stated goal is to eliminate "hidden" or off-market listings in favor of broader access. But like many good intentions, the execution carries risks. In its effort to clean up the system, the policy could unintentionally drive more properties underground—limiting visibility, reducing options, and fragmenting access for both buyers and agents. Sellers, too, could be impacted, particularly if their listing runs afoul of shifting platform rules and becomes essentially invisible to the public.
The truth is, most consumers don’t have time to follow industry politics. But they should care when those decisions quietly reshape how (and whether) they can find or sell a home.
When power is consolidated, choice is constrained—and the dream of homeownership becomes that much harder to access. In closing, at Kogos Chronicles, we believe the best course of action is to be informed and work with your agent of choice, not one chosen for you.
