Antitrust Overreach Comes for Zillow

The FTC and five states filed a settlement requiring Zillow and Redfin to unwind a $100M deal where Zillow paid Redfin to exit the multifamily rental marketplace. The agreement, deemed anticompetitive, involved Redfin transferring customers and employees to Zillow and agreeing not to compete for up to nine years. The settlement mandates Redfin to rebuild its marketplace and imposes restrictions on Zillow to facilitate competition.

Zillow Group and Redfin Corp. settled with the FTC and NY AG, ending an agreement that restricted competition in apartment rental advertising. Redfin must rebuild its business, and both companies must pay $2 million. The settlement aims to restore competition and lower costs for renters and landlords.

Zillow paid Redfin $100M in 2025, leading Redfin to exit the apartment advertising business. The FTC filed a settlement in 2026, alleging the deal was anticompetitive. The FTC claims Zillow paid to reduce competition, while Zillow and Redfin argue it was pro-consumer. The settlement requires Redfin to relaunch its own business within six months. The FTC estimates Zillow customers paid 14.5% more per listing after Redfin's exit.

Zillow settled US antitrust claims over a 2025 deal where it paid Redfin $100M to stop competing in apartment rental listings. The FTC and five states alleged the agreement reduced competition, increased landlord costs, and affected listing quality. Under the settlement, Redfin must resume its rental business within six months while continuing to display Zillow ads. Zillow and Redfin both welcomed the agreement, which allows their partnership to continue through 2030.

CoStar completed an $800m acquisition of Zonda, expanding into residential construction data. Zillow's Zestimate has median error rates of 1.8% for listed homes and 7.2% for off-market homes. Zillow faced a $881m pre-tax loss in its Homes division and an FTC settlement over a deal with Redfin. NAR settled litigation and amended MLS rules, but data access remains contested. Tech giants plan significant data center investments, with location priorities shifting.

Zillow and Redfin settled FTC allegations over a $100M deal to halt rental listing competition. The FTC claimed the agreement raised costs for landlords and reduced listing quality. Redfin will resume rental ads within six months but can keep Zillow ads. Both companies and involved states called the settlement a victory.