4: Data Wars: Reffkin, Zillow, and the Fight for Real Estate’s Soul

In this week’s episode of The Clean Close, Courtney Poulos breaks down the biggest real estate data battles shaking the industry. From Compass CEO Robert Reffkin’s showdown with CRMLS to Zillow’s aggressive new lead policies, Matterport’s quiet exit, and OpenAI’s new Atlas browser — this episode explores what happens when technology platforms blur the line between partnership and control.

We’re diving into:

• 🧾 Reffkin vs. CRMLS – Is it a fight for independence or a clash of philosophies?
  
  
• 💬 Zillow’s new Follow Up Boss (FUB) policy – Are they now calling your leads?
  
  
• ⚖️ SCOTUS ends the REX vs. Zillow/NAR battle – What it means for disruptors.
  
  
• 🏠 Zillow drops Matterport tours – Closing its ecosystem.
  
  
• 🤖 ChatGPT Atlas browser launch – The AI tool that might know too much.
  
  
• 💸 California real estate fraud scandal – Developers charged in a $50M homelessness fund scheme.
  
  
• 💡 Leadership gap or tech revolution? – How AI is redefining power in real estate.
  
  

Mentioned Sources (Full Links):

• Inman: https://www.inman.com/2025/10/16/robert-reffkin-pokes-at-crmls-policy-crmls-ceo-pushes-back/
  
  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP4n8d3CVVu/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D
  
  
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJgz1X6ThOY
  
  
• Real Estate News: https://www.realestatenews.com/2025/10/22/zillows-chatgpt-integration-forces-industry-reckoning
  
  
• The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/10/22/chatgpt-atlas-browser/
  
  
• Fox Business: https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/california-homeless-crisis-doj-accuses-real-estate-developers-50m-funding-fraud
  
  
• DOJ Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/beverly-hills-man-arrested-brentwood-man-charged-separate-criminal-cases-linked-fraud
  
  
• Recruit & Retain Agents (FUB TOS Overview): https://www.recruitandretainagents.com/try/foundations/fub-tos-update-overview?mcp_token=eyJwaWQiOjExOTE3MzIsInNpZCI6MTIzOTAwNjIsImF4IjoiYzUxNDdiNjhiZDI2NGYyZGU5ZDUwMmVjMzMxMmExNDkiLCJ0cyI6MTc2MDkwOTUwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzYzMzI4NzAwfQ.HGKRl0jZcJ7IxjvNNMoebzWEK3rAI6FWraJRgWtt83M