Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams is content director for RISMedia Premier.

Posts by Jesse Williams

Compass Drops Lawsuit Against Zillow After Portal Updates Rules

Just under nine months after filing a bombshell lawsuit against Zillow, Compass is dropping its legal challenge after the portal quietly modified its “Listing Access Standards” yesterday. The lawsuit had claimed that Zillow conspired with fellow portal Redfin to prevent Compass from implementing its “three-phased marketing plan” that involves a private listing phase. Last April,…

Zillow

Zillow Jumps Into Premarketing With Exclusive Listing Partnerships

It was April of 2025 that portal behemoth Zillow announced its “listing access standards,” taking a hard stance against so-called “selective access” to listings. As some brokerages—most notably Compass—pushed for “private exclusive” marketing plans, Zillow argued that properties for sale should be listed everywhere. Just under a year later, the company has joined what has…

Hanna

Howard Hanna Launches ‘Strategic Listing’ Model, but Vows to Work ‘Within the Rules’

Above, Howard “Hoby” Hanna Amid the broader—and increasingly complex—debate over private listings, one of the more independent-minded independent brokerages announced this week that it is launching its own private network as a “strategic initiative,” balancing the demand for so-called “seller choice” with MLS policies the company has previously criticized. HannaList, announced this week by Howard…

compass

The Compass-Redfin Deal Dominated the Headlines. What Changes for Buyers, Sellers or Agents?

Editor’s note: This is part two of a two-part story examining the impact of the Redfin-Compass deal. Read part one here. “Real estate isn’t a transaction. It’s a process.” Those words, from Compass CEO Robert Reffkin on the company’s recent earnings call, were in response to a question about how Compass agents can communicate value…

court

Court Report: Anywhere Defends Settlement ‘End Run;’ Compass Alleges Local MLS Monopoly

Editor’s note: The COURT REPORT is RISMedia’s weekly look at current and upcoming lawsuits, investigations and other legal developments around real estate. After defeat in Zillow injunction, Compass wants judge to distinguish MLS power In two major legal battles over private listings, Compass is seemingly seeking to draw a distinction between listing service market power…