"When I read about the new class-action lawsuit accusing Zillow of misleading consumers through its Flex and Premier Agent programs, it made me think. The lawsuit claims Zillow's Contact Agent button gives buyers the impression they're reaching the listing agent when they're actually being connected to a buyer's agent who either pays Zillow or shares a referral fee, often around 35% to 40% depending on the closing price."
"I'm not an attorney, but it is safe to say buyers assume that if they're on Zillow looking at a property, clicking Contact Agent means they're probably contacting the person who listed the property. It's not an unreasonable assumption. From a business standpoint, Zillow's model is designed to make Zillow money. From a transparency standpoint, again, I'm not an attorney, but it's questionable. The larger issue; however, isn't just about Zillow it's about how the buyer agency system is evolving after the NAR settlement."
A former Dayton, Ohio real estate team reports being a top-performing Zillow Flex partner that closes a significant number of Flex deals monthly. The team understands Flex's advantages, drawbacks and fine print and has firsthand experience receiving leads routed through Zillow's Contact Agent button. A class-action lawsuit alleges Zillow misleads consumers by making buyers think they contact listing agents when leads actually reach buyer's agents who pay Zillow or share referral fees often around 35–40%. Buyers frequently react with surprise upon learning their contacted agent does not represent the seller and typically want clear, accurate information, quick access and trust. The Realtor Code of Ethics is taken seriously by the team, and concerns focus on Zillow's interface and algorithms creating confusion alongside broader transparency questions after the NAR settlement.
Read at www.housingwire.com
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