Compass digs in heels on ‘seller choice’ amid legal wrangling
The brokerage continues to position office exclusives as pro-consumer, but declined to elaborate on what it hopes to gain through its lawsuit against NWMLS.
April 30, 2025
AJ LaTrace
AJ has covered real estate for the last decade as a reporter and editor for publications including Vox Media's Curbed, Chicago magazine and Business Insider. At Business Insider, AJ led the brand's coverage of how everyday people invest in real estate as a means of gaining financial independence, and he reported on big-picture trends and pain points in the broader U.S. real estate market. AJ is based in Chicago, where he also moonlights as a small-time landlord.
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- Agent optimism unwavering as the market exceeds expectationsConsumers may be increasingly concerned about the economy, but agents in Real’s latest survey are largely feeling positive as they see buyers gain leverage.April 24, 2025
- Morality, trust and legal risk: eXp’s CEO on private listings“As a leader, you have to draw a line,” Leo Pareja said of his opposition to the trend, adding that agents who push sellers to list off-MLS could face lawsuits.April 23, 2025
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- NWMLS hits back at Compass, suspends — then reinstates — IDX feedThe ongoing feud between the brokerage giant and the Seattle-based MLS over private listings escalated this week. Will the current truce hold?Updated April 17, 2025
- New eXp disclosure form warns sellers of pre-marketing risks“Anytime we limit access, it limits opportunities,” an eXp exec said during a livestream highlighting ethical issues with the push into private inventory.April 16, 2025
- Windermere exec slams Compass over 'dirty' tactics“We're gonna kick their ass and we're going to do it without a private listing network,” Windermere Co-President OB Jacobi said about competing with Compass.April 10, 2025
- CoStar reshapes board, sharpening focus on Homes.com successThe moves, part of a deal with investors, also include the creation of a special committee to review brand investments and international expansion plans.April 8, 2025
- Realtor.com, CoStar agree to dismiss trade secrets lawsuitCoStar CEO calls suit a “nasty PR stunt” with “innocent victims” as Realtor.com affirms “unwavering and uncompromising” pledge to defend intellectual property.Updated April 7, 2025
- Private listings push opens the door to discriminationNAREB’s Dr. Courtney Johnson Rose tells Real Estate News independent brokers and consumers will “suffer” if efforts to bolster private listing channels persist.April 7, 2025
- How Compass staged its pre-marketing blitz in SeattleBrokerage leadership coordinated a private listings push in the region despite MLS rules restricting pre-marketing — and the risk of steep fines for agents.April 4, 2025
- New data: Private listings offer ‘no benefits to sellers’Though the number of office exclusives is rising, a new report from Bright MLS found no financial advantage to pre-marketing a home off the MLS.April 3, 2025
- Brokerages have 3 options after Clear Cooperation decisionWith NAR opting to keep the CCP with a “delayed marketing” alternative, industry leaders say firms should prepare their “counter move” to stay competitive.April 1, 2025
- NWMLS responds to Compass, blasts efforts to ‘gatekeep’ listingsCountering criticism from Compass’ Robert Reffkin, the CEO of the Washington-based MLS said private networks are designed to benefit brokerages, not consumers.March 31, 2025
- Windermere and Compass spar over Clear CooperationLeaders of the two brokerages traded barbs over private listings, hurling accusations of anticompetitiveness, self-interest and efforts to double-end deals.March 27, 2025
- Do private listing networks impact certain buyers — or markets?If fewer listings are publicly accessible, first-timers and buyers in areas where PLN-friendly brokerages dominate could face more challenges.March 26, 2025
- ‘Future class-action’ or ‘expanding choice’? Leaders on CCP newsThe real estate industry had mixed reactions to NAR’s decision to keep Clear Cooperation and add a policy that allows sellers to delay marketing via IDX.Updated March 26, 2025
- DOJ calls out ‘misleading’ claims about its take on Clear CooperationDespite what “industry participants” have said, the Department of Justice clarified that it “has not taken a position” on whether CCP is anticompetitive.Updated March 19, 2025
