Who Runs Bartertown?

The Industry Relations Podcast is now available on your favorite podcast player! Overview Rob Hahn and Greg Robertson dig into the escalating conflict between Zillow and MRED over private listing networks (PLNs), IDX rules, and Zillow's Listing Access Standards (ZLAS). What starts as a dispute over listing visibility quickly becomes a deeper conversation about power: who ultimately controls listing data—the MLS or the portal? The episode explores MRED's emails to brokers, Zillow's outreach for direct feeds, potential January disruptions, and why this fight could set a precedent for MLS–portal relationships nationwide.  Key Takeaways Zillow and MRED are on a collision course over whether Zillow can selectively exclude PLN listings while still receiving IDX feeds.  MRED argues selective exclusion violates its IDX rules; Zillow argues it owes transparency to sellers and consistency to its standards.  Emails suggest Zillow may pursue direct broker feeds, potentially bypassing the MLS if access is cut off.  The dispute is less about private listings themselves and more about control—"who runs Barter Town."  Outcomes range from MLS dominance, to Zillow dominance, to a hard-to-define compromise—with major implications for brokers, sellers, and other MLSs. Links Zillow stalemate with Chicago's MLS looks like it's coming to a head Mad Max Clip   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