This week on The Download, check in with industry thought leaders about Compass’ new deal with Rocket, Redfin’s parent company.
Real estate professionals are increasingly split into two camps. There are those who like what Robert Refkin does and says about “business as usual” real estate, and those who don’t. Now that a new deal has been announced between Compass International Holdings and Rocket Companies, there’s even more buzz.
Today, I’d like to go back to the beginning of the deal announcement and look at some of the opinion pieces that have flooded Inman’s inbox since then.
Near the end of February, Robert Refkin sent an email to Compass agents announcing a new three-year partnership with Rocket Companies to display upcoming listings and, ultimately, Compass’ private and exclusive listings on Redfin. These properties do not have days on market, price history, or estimated home value, as they do when listed on the MLS or MLS-affiliated portals, Zillow, or Realtor.com.
“This partnership ends the restrictions that MLS has placed on agents and sellers in how they sell homes,” Levkin said on a conference call with investors after the company’s fourth-quarter 2025 results. “When they’re restricting agents and home sellers, they’re going to be restricting Rocket as well.”
Like the Anywhere merger, the deal sparked a storm of commentary from both supporters and opponents of the deal. While some see this as a continuation of Compass’s “war” against organized real estate, others are grabbing their popcorn to see what the brokerage giant does next.
Compass is rethinking how inventory reaches consumers, and it’s long overdue
The future of real estate belongs to those who are willing to evolve their infrastructure, not just their messaging, writes Compass team leader Angela Morsa.
“Full transparency is the most powerful mechanism for serving buyers and sellers”: Jacobi, Windermere alumnus
Co-presidents of Windermere Real Estate wrote that consumers should not become “guinea pigs” for strategies that may not benefit them.
Attacking MLS: How Compass and Redfin’s deal threatens the public market
This is more than just a competitive advantage. It’s about market openness and transparency, writes America Foy.
Compass just declared independence from MLS, bringing Redfin and Rocket with it.
What does the new partnership mean and how will it impact the overall real estate market? Coldwell Banker luxury agent Kara Amer also joins us.
The Download is a column where Inman’s Christy Murdock takes a deep dive into last week’s most read articles to give you what you need to face Monday head-on.
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