What would happen if Zillow started to compete against MLS and tell agents to use it as the primary source of data? This sounds like it would deprive Redfin of one of its main advantages (direct MLS access) by circumventing the problem entirely, and also provide Zillow the opportunity to charge for API access to that data feed, which other developers could build their own apps against, further obsoleting the disjointed MLS system. If they already have 80% of real estate agents double-entering the data, they should be able to find a way to get them to say "We don't need that stinky old MLS anyway".
Is there any reason this couldn't or shouldn't happen? It sounds like maybe there is some regulation that involves MLS that might make this difficult.
Is there any reason this couldn't or shouldn't happen? It sounds like maybe there is some regulation that involves MLS that might make this difficult.