Be Careful What You Wish For

Be Careful What You Wish For

Author: Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson May 14, 2025 Duration: 52:58

In this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg examine CoStar's recent announcement that Homes.com will boost listings banned on Zillow. They discuss whether this strategy is aimed at consumers or brokers, and whether it signals a broader battle for power in the real estate portal space. They also explore the potential implications of a proposed Illinois bill that would require public listing access by law, and debate what government involvement could mean for MLSs, agents, and listing distribution.

 

Watch us on YouTube!

 

Links:

Homes.com will 'boost' listings that are banned on Zillow: Florance

Don't Bring a Knife to a Gun Fight

 

Key Takeaways

 

  • Homes.com vs. Zillow – Discussion of CoStar's strategy to position Homes.com as a portal that accepts listings excluded by Zillow and what it means for brokers.

  • Do Consumers Use Multiple Portals? – Rob explores whether buyers actually use more than one or two listing sites, and what that means for listing visibility.

  • Government Involvement in Listing Policy – Analysis of an Illinois bill proposing mandatory public access for listings and the role of Zillow and NAHREP in backing it.

  • Public Utility Debate for MLSs – Exploration of whether MLSs could be redefined as public utilities under new regulations.

  • Housing Affordability and Political Risks – Rob and Greg discuss how affordability pressures and political narratives could shift public perception of agents, landlords, and listing control.

  • Shifting to a Buyer's Market – Discussion of early signs that certain areas are flipping to buyer-favorable conditions and how that could affect pocket listings and strategy.

 


Connect with Rob and Greg

Rob's Website https://notoriousrob.substack.com/

Greg's Website https://www.vendoralley.com/about-2/

Our Sponsors:

Cotality https://www.cotality.com/

Notorious VIP https://notoriousrob.substack.com

The Giant Steps Job Board https://vendoralley.jobboard.io/

 

Production and Editing Services by Sunbound Studios 


Industry Relations is a weekly conversation hosted by Rob Hahn, also known as The Notorious ROB, and Greg Robertson. It operates at a unique crossroads, examining where the business of real estate collides with and is reshaped by new technology. This isn't a surface-level tech review; the discussion comes from an insider's perspective, built on years of direct experience within the field. Each episode delves into the practical implications of software platforms, shifting market data, and emerging business models that are actively changing how properties are bought, sold, and managed. The hosts analyze trends, debate strategies, and often challenge conventional wisdom, providing a nuanced look at the forces driving change. Listening to this podcast offers a deeper understanding of the operational and entrepreneurial challenges faced by professionals navigating this evolving landscape. You'll hear specific case studies, evaluations of new tools, and forward-looking predictions about what's next for the industry. The tone is direct and informed, reflecting the hosts' deep background, making it essential for anyone invested in the future of real estate as a business. Tune in for thoughtful, weekly analysis that goes beyond the headlines.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Industry Relations
Podcast Episodes
What Happens When Zillow Stops Playing Nice? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:10
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg revisits his "Poking the Bear" article and argues that the industry may be underestimating what happens if Zillow is pushed i…
There and back again, the IDX debate continues. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:04
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg dive into a major discussion about IDX, MLS rules, private listings, and whether MLSs should still control listing di…
The Struggle is Real [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:57
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview This episode starts with Greg discussing Giant Steps' new MLS channel guidebook and the growing difficulty vendors face navigating…
BLX, Zillow, MRED, and Fight for Control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:39
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg react to Cotality's launch of BLX, a new broker-focused listing input platform that immediately sparks debate over wh…
The Game of Chicken: MLS Style [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:09
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Greg previews his ICE keynote, "What If We're Wrong?", challenging core MLS assumptions around data ownership, cooperation, and co…
Acquisitions, Alliances & the Aftershocks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:10
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg break down the major industry-shaking news of the week: Real Brokerage acquiring RE/MAX, and what that means for brok…
MLS Mega Merger and Boomers vs. First Time Home Buyers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:46
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg discuss a major MLS merger in South Florida, creating one of the largest MLSs in the country and what it signals for…
IDX: The Original Sin? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:50
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg break down NAR's latest settlement move, Zillow's shift toward pre-marketing, and what it all means for the industry.…
Cooperation: It's Hard To Tell the Poison From the Cure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:27
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg discuss Northwest MLS countersuing Compass and the broader implications for private listings, cooperation, and MLS ru…
Previews, Portals, and the Shift in Listing Control [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:20
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg revisit the fallout from their conversation with Andy, focusing on the rapid shift toward "coming soon" and preview l…