Zillow started out as a listing portal or syndication site. But the company has evolved to become… Well, we’re actually not sure what to call it anymore. Perhaps ‘the Amazon of real estate’ is most appropriate. And on September 23, 2020, the company announced that it’s hiring employee-agents to streamline the iBuyer process. So, if Zillow is a brokerage now, what does that mean for the industry?
On this episode of the podcast, Rob and Greg are discussing Zillow’s decision to take its iBuyer operations in-house and how that move will impact other aspects of organized real estate. Our hosts explore how MLSs might respond to having Zillow as members and describe how access to MLS data could change the consumer experience on the Zillow site.
Rob and Greg go on to consider the impact of Zillow being part of NAR and state and local associations, weighing in on how their participation can be seen as a win for the industry. Listen in for insight on how Zillow’s announcement demonstrates their commitment to becoming an iBuyer-brokerage and learn how Zillow entering the system might lead to an improvement for everyone—or a ‘horror show.’
What’s Discussed:
The evolution of listing portals into brokerage and iBuyer hybrid models
How Rob and Greg define brokerages differently
Zillow’s decision to use employee-agents to bring its iBuyer operations in-house
How MLSs are likely to respond to having Zillow as members
Rob’s theory on how Zillow might reposition its Industry Relations team
The potential impact of Zillow being part of NAR as well as state and local associations
How to access to MLS IDX data and VOW rules could transform the consumer experience on Zillow
The leverage Zillow has in getting information from smaller MLSs
What makes Zillow’s shift a WIN for humans (and organized real estate)
Connect with Rob and Greg:
Resources:
Opendoor vs. Zillow on Industry Relations EP050
CLAW’s Delay to Syndication Feeds
REALTOR Political Action Committee
NAR’s Rules on Virtual Office Website
The 2008 DOJ-NAR Settlement Agreement
‘It’s a Good Life’ Episode of Twilight Zone
‘A Trifecta! NAR Sued Again Over Buyer-Broker Commissions’ in The Real Deal
Thomas Jefferson’s Quote on Change in Laws and Institutions
Our Sponsors:
Opendoor recently announced a merger with special purpose acquisition company (or SPAC) Social Capital, a venture fund headed by rockstar VC Chamath Palihapitiya. This partnership puts the pioneering iBuyer on the same playing field with Zillow. And the battle between the two will be epic.
On this episode of Industry Relations, Rob and Greg are discussing what the competition between Opendoor and Zillow means for consumers, real estate agents, and the industry in general. Rob explains Zillow’s advantages in terms of customer acquisition and monetizing seller leads, and Greg describes Opendoor’s leverage when it comes to operational excellence (otherwise known as ‘eating BPS for breakfast’).
Rob and Greg go on to consider how Opendoor might catch up with Zillow when it comes to lead flow, either through an additional acquisition or by working with the industry. Listen in for insight around how this battle of the market-makers will make it easier to buy and sell houses and lower transaction costs—and how that will impact the real estate industry as a whole.
What’s Discussed:
The benefits of a merger between Social Capital and Opendoor
What competition between Opendoor and Zillow means for consumers
Zillow’s advantage in terms of consumer audience and monetizing seller leads
Opendoor’s advantage when it comes to operational excellence
Rob’s prediction that Social Capital might also acquire either Redfin or Realtor.com
How Opendoor might work with the industry to generate lead flow
How competition between Opendoor and Zillow is likely to impact real estate as a whole
--Easier to buy and sell houses (mobility)
--Much lower transaction costs
How MLSs might change if transactions double while commissions are cut in half
Greg’s take on why it’s a great time to be a real estate agent
Connect with Rob and Greg:
Email gregrobertson@gmail.com
Resources:
‘Yelp: Nearly 16,000 Restaurants Have Permanently Closed Due to COVID’ in QSR
Opendoor’s Merger with Social Capital
Rob’s 2014 Blog Post on Opendoor
Stratechery’s Interview with Rich Barton
Social Capital’s 2019 Investor Letter
Opendoor’s September 2020 Investor Presentation
Rob’s Thought Experiment on Real Estate Agents & Productivity
The Art of the CMA by Greg Robertson
Our Sponsors: