By Courtney Orlando, Courtney Orlando Group | Compass Real Estate

In a year marked by major real estate shifts, a new battle has taken center stage — and veteran Realtor Courtney Orlando is speaking out. The issue? Zillow’s new policy, which many agents believe threatens seller flexibility and consumer choice.

At the heart of the controversy is a federal antitrust lawsuit filed by Compass CEO Robert Reffkin, alleging that Zillow is abusing its market power by requiring all listings to appear on its platform the moment they are publicly marketed. For Reffkin — and for agents like Courtney Orlando — the stakes are high, and the principle is simple: freedom and fairness in how homes are marketed.

“This isn’t about platforms or profits,” says Orlando. “This is about protecting our clients’ right to choose how and when their home hits the market.”

Courtney Orlando has been in real estate since 2002, serving buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants across 11 counties in New Jersey. She’s a 2024 Platinum Award Winner, a RealTrends Verified Honoree, and one of the most trusted leaders in the NJ market.

She believes in Compass’s three-phase listing strategy: first, private exposure to Compass agents and their buyers; second, listing on Compass.com; and finally, syndication to public portals like the MLS and Zillow. This measured approach helps sellers test pricing, fine-tune strategy, and enter the broader market with confidence.

But Zillow’s June 30 policy shift would eliminate that flexibility — potentially disadvantaging sellers in favor of platform dominance.

“We’re not keeping homes secret,” says Orlando. “We’re creating a smarter, more strategic launch.”

The lawsuit isn’t just a legal move — it’s a declaration that agents, not tech giants, should control how real estate is practiced. It’s about ensuring that clients remain the priority, not the algorithm.

At Compass’s 2025 Retreat in Denver, Reffkin called the lawsuit “a fight between right and wrong.” Orlando agrees — and she’s proud to be part of that fight.

“Real estate is deeply personal,” she says. “No two sellers are alike. That’s why choice and flexibility must be protected — for our clients, our profession, and the future of real estate itself.”

 

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