RISMedia Survey: 87 Percent See Zillow’s Brokerage Move as ‘Negative’ for the Industry, Brokers Respond to Creation of Zillow Homes

October 28, 2020

ACME’s Courtney Poulos comments on Zillow’s brokerage Zillow Homes.

“The Zillow announcement is predictable, even though they have been saying for years that they wouldn’t become a brokerage. What it reveals to me is how, nationwide, our MLSs have put handcuffs on agents, not allowing them to put their contact information or branded virtual tours out to the public, and leaving room for companies like Zillow to build their empire on the backs of our listings. Zillow is no more a threat than our inflexible institutions allow it to be. The National Association of REALTORS® and our MLSs need to put the power back in the hands of the agents to compete effectively in a tech and data-driven reality. For sure we will be pulling our new construction advertising [from Zillow]. Agents will have to make their own assessments as to the quality of leads they are still receiving and paying Zillow for, of course. I support the freedom of the agent to find multiple streams of businesses.” — Courtney Poulos, Broker/Owner, ACME real Estate