Zillow Intensifies Conflict with Compass Over Pocket Listings in Bay Area

June 9, 2025 - 04:55

The war between home brokerage Compass and Zillow is heating up, with the real estate website moving to ban some of Compass’ Bay Area listings. This escalation comes as Zillow aims to enforce its new policy against pocket listings, a practice where properties are sold without being publicly listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

Compass has been a significant player in the pocket listing market, which has drawn criticism for limiting transparency in the real estate market. Zillow's decision to prohibit these listings is seen as a direct challenge to Compass, which has built a substantial business model around them.

The ban is expected to impact a considerable number of transactions in the Bay Area, where the demand for housing remains high. As both companies navigate this contentious landscape, the outcome of this conflict could have lasting implications for how properties are bought and sold in the region. The real estate community is closely watching to see how this rivalry unfolds in the coming months.