A New Era of Potential Powers in the Real Estate Market
If the real estate industry were a chessboard, the last 18 months have seen a flurry of moves that completely changed the traditional makeup of the game. The National Association of Realtors (NAR), the long-standing gatekeeper of MLS participation and agent policy, is suddenly facing new challengers from every angle, and not all of them are playing by the same rules.
On one side, thereโs Zillow, the tech giant that turned listings into leads and data into dollars. On the other, Compass, the flashy, venture-backed brokerage thatโs not just competing for agents but redefining how listings are marketed and controlled.
And right in the middle? Every independent agent and broker trying to figure out where they fit in this new world.
NAR: The Old Guard Under Pressure
For decades, NAR has been the central force in organized real estate. If you wanted MLS access, you had to join NAR. If you wanted exposure, you followed its rules. But the last few years have exposed cracks in that model.
Between lawsuits over commission transparency, battles over listing data, and growing frustration with mandatory membership, NARโs dominance no longer feels like an absolute certainty. The Clear Cooperation Policy, which forces agents to submit listings to the MLS within one business day of public marketing, sparked a ton of backlash from real estate agents and brokers who felt it limited their overall flexibility and innovation (which you kinda need to have in such a saturated profession).
Add to that a shifting legal landscape, with class-action settlements and DOJ scrutiny, and itโs clear the days of unquestioned authority are over.
Even NARโs most loyal members now admit: the industry is moving beyond one-size-fits-all governance.
Zillow: The Real Estate Portal Powerhouse
While NAR built its empire through regulation and membership dues, Zillow built its dominance through consumer attention. For millions of buyers and sellers, Zillow is real estate, the first stop for browsing homes, estimating prices, and finding agents.
But Zillowโs grip is slipping, even with the acquisition of Redfin.
Agents are increasingly aware that paying for placement doesnโt guarantee quality leads. Zillowโs algorithms favor those who pay the most, not necessarily those who serve their clients best. Meanwhile, consumers have grown skeptical of โPremier Agentโ branding and inflated Zestimates.
In the age of AI and direct MLS feeds, agents are asking:
Why give up control (and a cut of every lead) when I can own my own data and direct my own traffic?
Compass: The Newest “Disruptor” with a Mission
Enter Compass, led by CEO Robert Reffkin, who has made it clear he intends to break away from the traditional system entirely.
On the companyโs recent Q3 earnings call, Reffkin didnโt mince words. He accused MLSs of being โmonopoliesโ that force agents to hand over listings under threat of fines, only to resell that data to dozens of third parties. His message was clear: Compass wants to empower agents, not funnel them into someone elseโs platform.
Itโs a smart narrative to promote and play (even if they only recently decided to take the route of “distruptor”). Agents are tired of playing by rules designed decades ago. They want flexibility, privacy options, and a sense of ownership. Compassโs โPrivate Exclusivesโ marketing strategy, which lets sellers list properties off-market to select buyers before going public, taps right into that sentiment.
But thereโs tension, too. Compassโs critics argue that private listings reduce transparency and disadvantage buyers (which will ultimately lead to an even tougher narrative for Compass to overcome in the future). Others worry that Compassโs growing size, especially after its proposed acquisition of Anywhere, could make it the very kind of โmonopolyโ Reffkin claims to oppose.
Why This Triangle Matters
At its core, this isnโt just about three companies fighting for market share. Itโs about who controls the flow of listings, leads, and leverage in modern real estate.
- NAR represents regulation and legacy systems.
- Zillow represents consumer control through data aggregation.
- Compass represents the broker-led rebellion, a belief that agents should own their data and destiny.
Each is trying to convince agents that their model serves them best. But hereโs the truth:
Agents donโt need any of them to succeed.
The Rise of Independent MLS Models (True Disruptors)
Independent, nationwide MLSs like MyState MLS are quietly becoming the most agent-friendly real estate MLS alternative in this new power struggle.
Unlike NAR-affiliated MLSs, MyState MLS lets you:
- List across state lines without joining multiple associations.
- Retain ownership of your listing data, including your photos, descriptions, and leads.
- Syndicate to major portals and platforms on your own terms.
- Choose whether your listings are private or public, with full control over visibility.
In short, MyState MLS offers what Compass is promising, without the corporate overhead, lawsuits, or exclusivity contracts. When Reffkin says agents are looking for โchoice over control,โ heโs right. But that choice already exists for agents who join an MLS that prioritizes freedom, not policy.
AI, ChatGPT, and the Next Shift
Interestingly, Reffkin also revealed that ChatGPT is organically recommending Compass agents in search results, proof that AI may be reshaping discovery faster than portals can adapt. Thatโs ultimately gonna be a game-changer, but we’re not entirely sure how just yet.
If consumers start asking AI where to find top agents, the advantage wonโt belong to whoever pays Zillow, itโll belong to whoever has the best data and visibility.
Thatโs another reason independent MLS platforms have an edge: their data isnโt hidden behind NAR rules or paywalls. Itโs structured, open, and optimized for modern search technologies.
When the next evolution of home search comes, agents who own their data, not lease it, will win.
What This Means for Agents Right Now
The smartest agents are watching this power struggle and realizing one thing: you donโt have to pick a side, you just have to pick yourself.
- You can stay plugged into the MLS ecosystem without being locked into it.
- You can generate leads without giving your listings to portals that sell them back to you.
- You can work with nationwide buyers and sellers, even across state lines, without extra memberships or restrictions.
Thatโs what the future of real estate looks like. Thatโs what MyState MLS was built for (by agents and brokers that know what they truly need for the current and future real estate markets).
Overall Realignment
The power triangle of NAR, Zillow, and Compass is less about rivalry and more about realignment. Each is trying to define who controls the agentโconsumer relationship. But as these giants fight over platforms, lawsuits, and policies, independent professionals are quietly finding freedom through smarter MLS options. If youโre ready to control your listings, your leads, and your future, you donโt have to wait for the next big merger or court ruling. You can sign up today for a better MLS solution.
Join MyState MLS and experience what โchoice over controlโ really means.
