What’s Going On Between Zillow, Compass, and Homes.com? A Quick Overview for Realtors

April 17, 2025  •  Leave a Comment

The real estate tech world is heating up, and three major players—Zillow, Compass, and Homes.com—are making headlines. If you're a realtor trying to keep up with the shifts in the online listing landscape, here's a quick breakdown of what’s going on and what it could mean for your business.

Zillow: Still the Giant, But Feeling the Pressure

Zillow remains the most visited real estate platform in the U.S., but its dominance is being challenged. After launching its new Listing Showcase product (premium listings with enhanced visuals and branding), Zillow is doubling down on monetizing listings by charging agents for higher visibility. Some agents appreciate the exposure; others are skeptical of the rising costs and Zillow’s control over leads.

Compass: Pivoting from Brokerage to Tech Platform?

Compass, a major real estate brokerage, has long branded itself as a tech-forward company. Recently, however, it’s been caught in the middle of ongoing lawsuits and financial scrutiny. Despite turbulence, Compass continues to invest in its proprietary tools and agent marketing platform. It's positioning itself as a competitor to Zillow not by owning the portal space, but by offering agents a high-end, in-house alternative to generate leads and manage listings.

Homes.com: The Underdog Making Big Moves

Backed by CoStar Group (a commercial real estate giant), Homes.com has emerged as Zillow’s most vocal challenger. With a “your listing, your lead” philosophy, Homes.com is winning favor among agents by promising to send all inquiries directly to the listing agent without selling the lead to competitors. They’re investing heavily in marketing, touting themselves as a pro-agent alternative—and it’s gaining traction.

What This Means for Realtors

  • Zillow still commands the most traffic, but expect more costs and competition for leads.

  • Compass is building tools for agents who want to market and manage listings internally.

  • Homes.com is betting big on agent-friendly practices and transparent lead handling.

How Berridge Media Can Help

No matter where you choose to list, stunning visuals are the common denominator for success. Berridge Media offers professional photography, video, drone media, floorplans, and 3D virtual tours that make your listings stand out—on Zillow, Homes.com, Compass, and beyond.

📩 Want to future-proof your marketing? Contact us today to elevate your listing strategy with media that sells.


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