Walking Dead

Walking Dead

Author: Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson September 23, 2026 Duration: 1:03:35

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player!

Overview

The court has denied Zillow's motion for a preliminary injunction against MRED, and the case now moves to arbitration. Rob stands by calling the ruling a "fatality" for Zillow's Listing Access Standards. Greg argues the fight is far from over and points to PLS v. NAR, which came back after a string of losses. The hosts also debate whether other MLSs will follow MRED's lead, whether a national MLS can handle compliance, and what Zillow does next.

Key Takeaways

  • The court denied Zillow's preliminary injunction against MRED and sent the dispute to arbitration.
  • Rob calls the ruling a "fatality" for Zillow's Listing Access Standards; Greg says nothing Zillow argued was proven wrong.
  • Greg cites PLS v. NAR (2020–2025) as proof that "dead" cases can come back.
  • Rob credits the DOJ's intervention for PLS's appellate win and notes that the DOJ also shaped this judge's opinion.
  • The judge treated MRED's policy update as a clarification, not a new rule.
  • Rob expects MLSs that paused similar rules during the lawsuit to move forward now.
  • The court called MRED going national pro-competitive, which Rob says introduces real MLS competition.
  • Greg questions how Compass listings were rushed onto MRED and whether that data is kept accurate.
  • The hosts debate whether a national MLS can do compliance when most enforcement relies on local member reports.
  • Greg points to Metrolist as evidence that MLSs already compete; Rob says every MLS is still a local monopoly.
  • Rob's thought experiment: if Zillow required direct listing entry, would 96% of listings still show up there?
  • Greg estimates only about 50% would, and says Zillow will work within the system rather than blow it up.
  • Zillow is already testing a new angle, with previews shared with Realtor.com and RealScout.
  • Rob points out that Zillow itself called private listings an existential threat, citing Howard Hanna and Real as brokerages following Compass.
  • The Hagens Berman buyer-side inquiry gets a brief debate, including whether sellers are the more likely plaintiffs.
  • Greg will debate the MLS's pro-consumer case on stage at CMLS.

Connect with Rob and Greg

Rob's Website 

Greg's Website 

 

Watch us on YouTube

 

Our Sponsors:

Cotality 

Notorious VIP

The Giant Steps Job Board 

 

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: 50

Industry Relations
Podcast Episodes
Compass and Zillow Play Chicken [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:04
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into the newly surfaced Zillow–Compass court documents, a leaked Zillow strategy plan, and Mike…
MLS Emancipation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:27
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg break down what happened at NAR NXT in Houston — from the empty expo floor to major MLS–Association policy changes. G…
NAR NXT Grab Bag [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:57
The Listing Bits Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg dig into expectations for the NAR Annual Conference, MLS attendance patterns, and broader industry sentiment heading into 2…
Mutual customer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:27
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg discuss Zillow's recent privacy policy changes to Follow Up Boss and the growing debate around data use and agent tru…
Organized Real Estate's GTM problem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:57
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg dive into Sean Frank's Inman article, "NAR and the Real Estate Industry's Relevance Problem." They discuss how outdat…
When Fine Print Hits the Fan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:23
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview In this episode, Rob and Greg dive into the controversy surrounding CRMLS's End User License Agreement (EULA) and the debate over…
ZGPT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:23
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob and Greg dive into the recent OpenAI Developers Conference announcement showcasing Zillow's integration into ChatGPT. They bre…
How will the portals respond to the Compass-Anywhere deal? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:14
The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! This special crossover episode brings together James and Keith from Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered with Rob and Greg from Industry Relatio…