A recent federal court ruling involving Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) and Zillow could have implications for how buyers and sellers access real estate information.
On September 15, a federal judge denied Zillow’s request for a preliminary injunction against MRED and lifted an earlier order requiring MRED to restore certain listing feeds. The underlying dispute is continuing through private arbitration.
So, what does this mean for you as a buyer or seller?
What Buyers Should Know
Real estate websites and portals can be useful tools for discovering homes, but they don't always tell the complete story.
Your Realtor® has access to MLS information, market data, property history, showing information, and other resources that can provide important context beyond what appears on a public website.
The takeaway: Don't rely solely on an online portal when making decisions about a home. Your Realtor® can help you interpret the information, identify opportunities, and guide you through the transaction.
What Sellers Should Know
When you hire a Realtor®, you're hiring more than someone to put your property into the MLS.
Your agent's role includes developing the pricing strategy, preparing the property, creating marketing exposure, communicating with potential buyers and agents, negotiating offers, and managing the transaction from contract through closing.
Changes in how third-party websites access or display listing information reinforce the importance of having a marketing strategy that doesn't depend on one website or platform.
Your Realtor® Relationship Matters
Technology has changed the way consumers search for real estate—but it hasn't changed the value of professional advice and personal relationships.
Websites can show you a house.
A Realtor® helps you understand the market, evaluate the opportunity, negotiate the terms, and navigate the process.
The MRED-Zillow dispute is still developing, but one thing remains constant: the best real estate decisions are made with accurate information, professional guidance, and a Realtor® who puts your interests first.
As a Chicagoland Realtor® with more than 42 years of experience, I believe technology should enhance the client experience—not replace the relationship.
When you're buying or selling, you deserve both: the technology to find opportunities and the experience to know what to do with them.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. The MRED-Zillow litigation remains ongoing and may continue to develop.
