Episodios

  • 6: Zillow + Compass Show Their Moves, NAR’s Dilemma & Brokerages Gone Wild!

    6: Zillow + Compass Show Their Moves, NAR’s Dilemma & Brokerages Gone Wild!
    Nov 9 2025
    The real estate industry is in full-blown drama mode.

    This week on The Clean Close:
    Compass calls out Zillow for “quashing competition.”
    Zillow fires back at Chicago’s Private Listing Network.
    A bold op-ed says NAR membership should finally be optional.
    A watchdog claims commissions aren’t dropping fast enough.

    From lawsuits to loyalty traps, this episode breaks down what’s really happening behind the headlines.

    🧾 HEADLINES
    1️⃣ Compass vs. Zillow – The Portal War Heats Up
    Compass says Zillow’s private-listing ban shuts independents out of the market. Is it competition—or control?
    2️⃣ Zillow vs. Private Listing Networks
    Zillow calls Chicago’s “Private Listing Network” a “hidden listing scheme.” Cue the debate over transparency, fairness, and antitrust.
    3️⃣ Should NAR Membership Be Optional?
    A fiery op-ed argues agents should choose to join NAR, not be forced. Voluntary membership could rebuild trust, improve transparency, and end “broker billing” mandates.
    4️⃣ Commissions Under Fire
    A federal report claims buyers can’t negotiate fees—but critics say the system’s misunderstood. Expertise still has value, and “standard rates” aren’t price-fixing.

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    “The market is always good for someone.”
    Opportunity never dies—it just migrates.
    For sponsorship and guest suggestions, DM instagram.com/thecleanclose!

    Links:

    https://therealdeal.com/national/2025/11/03/compass-claims-zillows-listing-policy-quashed-competition/

    https://www.inman.com/2025/10/31/compass-targets-zillows-warnings-to-agents-in-new-brief/

    https://www.inman.com/2025/11/04/nar-membership-must-be-a-choice-for-agents-brokers-consumers/

    https://www.inman.com/2025/11/04/share-of-first-time-homebuyers-falls-to-lowest-point-ever/

    https://www.inman.com/2025/11/03/zillow-calls-chicagos-private-listing-network-a-hidden-listing-scheme/

    https://www.inman.com/2025/11/03/its-difficult-for-buyers-to-negotiate-lower-commission-rates-watchdog-says/
    Más Menos
    51 m
  • 5: The Great Real Estate Reset: Mergers, Models, the Road Ahead

    5: The Great Real Estate Reset: Mergers, Models, the Road Ahead
    Nov 2 2025
    The real estate industry is at a crossroads — and we’re diving straight into the chaos.

    Redfin gets pulled into a legal battle between Zillow and Compass.
    Compass merges with Anywhere Real Estate in a move shaking the brokerage world.
    The National Association of Realtors faces open rebellion from its own members.
    And new players like Housewell are rewriting the rules of what a brokerage even is.

    In this episode, The Clean Close host takes on the biggest headlines shaking real estate — and sits down with:
    🏠 Parker Bryant, CEO & Founder of Housewell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parker-bryant-680b3217a/
    💼 Jeff Biebuyck, Team Lead of Compass’s Frontgate Real Estate: https://www.instagram.com/frontgate.realestate/

    They go head-to-head on:

    ⚔️ The “Portal Wars” — Zillow, Redfin, Compass, and the fight for control of data and consumers

    🏢 The Compass + Anywhere merger: consolidation or desperation?

    🤝 The NAR trust crisis and what it means for agents

    💡 Whether innovation or legacy power will shape the brokerage of the future

    Plus: a breaking news update on mortgage rates and Jerome Powell’s “iffy” rate cut warning.

    Subscribe for more fearless real estate talk.
    #RealEstatePodcast #Zillow #Compass #Redfin #NAR #BrokerageReset #TheCleanClose #ParkerBryant #Housewell #FrontgateRealEstate #JeromePowell #mortgagerates

    https://www.housingwire.com/articles/redfin-pulled-into-the-fray-as-zillow-compass-fight-over-witness/

    https://parker997.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web

    https://www.inman.com/2025/10/28/robert-reffkin-my-commitments-to-anywheres-brands/

    https://www.realestatenews.com/2025/10/25/new-broker-group-demands-accountability-from-nar

    https://www.realestatenews.com/2025/10/27/brokers-to-nar-fix-these-6-core-areas-to-restore-trust

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQUuRjTEQii/

    https://www.inman.com/2015/03/20/zillow-makes-formal-pledge-not-to-be-a-brokerage-mls/

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPenRlTkeXJ/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
    Más Menos
    57 m
  • 4: Data Wars: Reffkin, Zillow, and the Fight for Real Estate’s Soul

    4: Data Wars: Reffkin, Zillow, and the Fight for Real Estate’s Soul
    Oct 24 2025
    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
    Más Menos
    42 m
  • 3: Lawsuits, Settlements, and Inman Interim Editorial Director Jim Dalrymple Joins!

    3: Lawsuits, Settlements, and Inman Interim Editorial Director Jim Dalrymple Joins!
    Oct 11 2025
    1️⃣ Compass Ordered to Hand Over Anywhere Deal Docs to Zillow
    A court orders Compass to produce internal documents about its acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate.

    2️⃣ Zillow is now an app inside ChatGPT!

    3️⃣ Five More Settlements Granted Preliminary Approval in Gibson Case
    Judges grant preliminary approval for another wave of commission settlements — continuing the billion-dollar reshaping of agent compensation.

    4️⃣ FTC Lawsuit Paused, but Five States Join In Against Zillow & Redfin
    Even as the FTC’s lawsuit is paused by the federal shutdown, Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, and Washington step in with their own filings over the same syndication deal.

    5️⃣ FICO Launches Direct Credit Score Licensing Program
    FICO cuts out the credit bureaus, offering lenders direct access at lower rates — a potential shake-up in mortgage costs.

    💡 Tech Corner
    Perplexity launches ‘Comet,’ an AI-powered browser
    Real-time research that summarizes pages as you browse — fast, transparent, but raising new questions about sameness in digital storytelling.

    https://www.perplexity.ai/comet

    --------
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    Thank you for watching!
    xx,
    Courtney
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    50 m
  • 2: From FTC vs Zillow to Rocket’s $14B Acquisition: What It Means for Boutique Real Estate

    2: From FTC vs Zillow to Rocket’s $14B Acquisition: What It Means for Boutique Real Estate
    Oct 9 2025
    This week, the real estate industry is buzzing with headlines: the FTC sues Zillow and Redfin over a $100 million rental syndication deal, NAR’s president urges Realtors to “remember who we serve,” Zillow and CoStar battle over copyright, MLS PIN secures final settlement approval in the Nosalek case, and Rocket completes its $14.2 billion acquisition of Mr. Cooper Group — instantly becoming the nation’s largest mortgage lender and servicer.

    In this episode of The Clean Close, host Courtney Poulos breaks down what these stories mean for agents, consumers, and the industry’s future. Then, she’s joined by Vanessa Bergmark, CEO of Red Oak Realty, who shares how boutique firms can thrive amidst lawsuits, megamergers, and uncertainty. Vanessa offers a clear-eyed look at where brokerages are headed, and why smaller firms may hold the advantage in the next decade.

    Finally, the episode wraps with a spotlight on HouseCanary, an AI tool providing sharp market analytics and valuations to help boutique firms compete with industry giants.

    Guest Bio:
    Vanessa Bergmark is the CEO and Owner of Red Oak Realty, a Bay Area boutique brokerage recognized for its culture-driven approach, community engagement, and agent-first philosophy. She is a sought-after voice on the future of real estate, offering a clear perspective on how boutique firms can compete and thrive in an industry dominated by giants.

    Resources & Links:
    Connect with Vanessa Bergmark on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-bergmark-4396ab)
    Más Menos
    57 m
  • 1: Real Estate Shake-Up: Zillow in Court & Compass Anywhere Acquisition Shake Up the Industry

    1: Real Estate Shake-Up: Zillow in Court & Compass Anywhere Acquisition Shake Up the Industry
    Oct 2 2025
    Two massive headlines are shaking up real estate right now:

    1️⃣ Zillow is being sued over its Flex program — accused of steering buyers, hiding referral fees, and inflating commissions.
    2️⃣ Compass + Anywhere announced a $10B merger, combining 340,000 agents across 120 countries into one of the largest brokerage networks in history.

    In this episode, Courtney Poulos breaks down what the lawsuit really alleges, what the merger means for agents and consumers, and shares real reactions from industry leaders like James Dwiggins and Eric Johnson. Quick note that references to "new rules on August 17" refer to the NAR rules that took effect August 17, 2024!

    Finally, we wrap with a quick review of Fyxer.ai, an AI executive assistant that could save you hours of admin time every week.

    📌 What You’ll Learn
    Why the new Zillow lawsuit could reshape lead generation and commissions

    How the Compass + Anywhere merger may impact agents, brands, and consumers

    Why some Anywhere agents say they’ll leave — and why some see this as a consumer win

    How AI tools like Fyxer.ai can help agents reclaim their time

    🔗 Links & Resources
    Inman article on the Zillow lawsuit: https://www.inman.com/2025/09/19/zillow-sued-over-allegedly-deceptive-flex-agent-tactics/

    👩‍💼 About Courtney
    Courtney Poulos is a top real estate broker, author, coach, and speaker. She helps agents and brokerages stay ahead of industry shifts with sharp insights and practical strategies.

    👉 Subscribe for more real estate news, AI tools, and coaching insights every week!
    👍 Like this video if you found it valuable, and drop your thoughts in the comments: Do you think the Compass/Anywhere merger is good for agents — or a culture clash waiting to happen?
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    35 m