Former Zillow execs talk startups, AI and a ‘discouraging’ trend
Buyers are still struggling with the housing affordability crisis — which the debate over private listings ignores, according to one former Zillow leader.
May 16, 2026
Industry News
The trends, shifts and services affecting the industry as a whole.
- Rocket sues UWM for putting a ‘bounty’ on Mr. Cooper loansThe mortgage giant claims that UWM tried to win back thousands of loans purchased in 2024 by Mr. Cooper, costing the company millions.May 14, 2026
- Zillow looks to bypass MRED with direct feedIn the wake of alleged threats by the Chicago-area MLS to cut off listing feed access, Zillow sued MRED and is now pitching a listing alternative to brokers.May 14, 2026
- Homie takes ‘conspiracy’ argument to appeals courtIn making its case against NAR, Anywhere, REMAX and HSoA, the flat-fee brokerage claimed Realtors conspired to boycott the firm due to its low commission rates.May 14, 2026
More in Industry
- Lone Wolf shakes up leadership team; United names regional VPThe software company has appointed a new CTO, chief innovation officer and chief customer officer, while David Bohm joins United’s operations in Philadelphia.May 14, 2026
- Compass amplifies reach in deal with nation’s largest MLSThe brokerage has significantly increased its listings exposure in recent weeks through MLS collaborations, with Bright its biggest partner to date.May 13, 2026
- New era at the Fed begins as Kevin Warsh confirmed as chairThe Senate voted 54-45 to confirm the former Fed governor’s nomination. He will succeed Jerome Powell, whose term as chair ends May 15.May 13, 2026
- Beyond the noise: What brokers should expect from an MLSThe industry is evolving, and brokers are making key decisions about listings, data and technology. MLSs must work to improve a broker’s business, not limit it.May 13, 2026
- Zillow sues Compass, MRED over ‘collusion’ to hide listingsThe portal alleges it was coerced into abandoning its listing standards in Chicagoland due to a partnership-driven “monopoly” and “group boycott” in the region.May 12, 2026
- The MLS is not a product. It’s infrastructure.The industry is losing sight of what the MLS was created to do. To restore trust, the trend of MLS politicization must end.May 12, 2026
- Realtor.com has nearly a third of the market, CEO saysThe search portal touted strong traffic numbers alongside steady revenue growth, highlighting improved product sales and its recent Zillow listings partnership.May 11, 2026
- ‘Faster’ is Opendoor’s ‘moral imperative’ as revenue fallsCEO Kaz Nejatian says the company is focused on speed, but “proof will take more time.” Meanwhile, fellow iBuyer Offerpad reported even bigger revenue declines.May 7, 2026
- Rocket confident of ‘ability to outperform’ in down marketBorrower demand remains high, Rocket reported, and investments in AI will help it “take even more ground when the market improves,” CEO Varun Krishna said.May 7, 2026
- A CEO transition at HSF Affiliates; Compass exec promotedJason Waugh to take the helm at HSF Affiliates in 2027. Plus, a new leader at Coldwell Banker Affiliates; Compass names president of integrated services; more.Updated May 8, 2026
- Revenue jumps 18% as Zillow touts ‘indispensable’ platformRentals and mortgages fueled the 18% gain, with tech as the linchpin. “We are rapidly becoming an AI-native company,” Zillow’s CEO said.May 6, 2026
- The MLS/CLAW partners with Compass, revises its IDX policyThe MLS, which is joining forces with the brokerage giant, will allow agents to pre-market listings to members only — without syndication to third-party sites.May 6, 2026
- Zillow, Realtor.com joining forces on ‘Preview’ listingsLess than two months after the portals launched competing pre-market listings programs, the search giants have now agreed to collaborate on listing display.May 5, 2026
- Real estate’s most ‘loyal customer’ — and how to win them overYoung Latinos are a large (and growing) homebuying demographic, and agents who serve them well will “have a customer for life,” says NAHREP CEO Gary Acosta.May 4, 2026
- HUD accuses NAR of ‘misguided advice’ in letter to agentsThe letter outlines “the proper understanding of steering” under the Fair Housing Act. Plus, Biden-era energy policy tossed; DOJ to seek appeal in Fed probe.May 1, 2026
- CMLS CEO to depart; Compass names people leader; new CEO at BuffiniDenee Evans steps down on May 31. Plus, Anywhere's Tanya Reu-Narvaez retains C-suite role at Compass International Holdings; Darin Dawson now CEO at Buffini.May 1, 2026
- Judge denies request to halt NAR settlement in TuccoriThe deal can proceed, at least for now, though a similar request is with an appeals court. Plus, three Batton defendants respond to an amended complaint.April 30, 2026
- Fed keeps rates frozen as Powell prepares for leadership handoffIn what may be his final press conference as Fed chair, Jerome Powell urged support for a central bank “free of political influence.”April 29, 2026
- Batton plaintiffs move to block NAR deal in commissions caseNAR’s $52 million settlement in a related case is “a prototypical reverse auction,” according to an April 28 preliminary injunction request.April 29, 2026
- CoStar beats revenue forecast amid ‘drumbeat of negative coverage’In its 60th consecutive quarter of double-digit revenue growth, CoStar reported a 23% jump in revenue in Q1, bolstering projections for the rest of the year.April 28, 2026
