We have breaking news on the housing front now. Diana Ol with the details. Hey D. Hey Scott.Yeah, the Federal Trade Commission just announced it is suing Zillow and Redfin over what it alleges is an unlawful agreement that eliminates Redfin as a competitor in the market for advertising rental homes on internet listing services. That's ILSS. That's like the MLS for rentals as opposed for home buying, the websites renters use to find listings.Now, Redin and Zillow operate two of the largest rental ILS network ...

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing Zillow and Redfin for allegedly conspiring to reduce competition in the online multifamily rental listing market, violating federal antitrust laws [1][2]. Summary by Sections Allegations of Antitrust Violations - The FTC claims that Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to re-host Zillow's multifamily rental listings on Redfin's platforms, which constitutes a violation of antitrust laws [2]. - Redfin agreed to terminate contracts with its existing advertising customers and assist Zillow in acquiring that business, committing to stay out of the multifamily advertising market for up to nine years [3]. Impact on Employment and Market Structure - Following the agreement, Redfin reportedly fired hundreds of employees and then helped Zillow selectively rehire many of them [4]. - The arrangement has led to a situation where Redfin's platforms became virtually identical to Zillow's, reducing competition in the market [3]. Market Reaction and Statements - Following the FTC's announcement, shares of Zillow and Redfin's parent company, Rocket Companies, experienced a sharp decline in afternoon trading [5]. - A Zillow spokesperson defended the partnership, stating it benefits both renters and property managers by expanding access to multifamily listings [6]. Legal Actions and Potential Outcomes - The FTC's lawsuit aims to unwind the agreement and may involve requirements for divestitures or restructuring to restore competition in the rental advertising market [7].

Zillow allegedly paid Redfin $100 million to stop competing against it in online apartment rental listings, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said in a lawsuit on Tuesday against the online real estat... ...

This story originally appeared on Real Estate News. ...

The idea of home ownership feels like an increasingly impossible goal for many young Americans — especially those dealing with debt, a dwindling job market and a national housing affordability crisis. A new report from real estate brokerage Redfin, however, could bolster home ownership hopes [1]. The report showed that active U.S. home listings experienced their biggest drop since 2023 in August, falling 1.4% from July. New listings also dropped 1.1% month-over-month, and almost 3% year-over-year. That’ ...

There’s recently been a little bit of breathing room in the U.S. housing market as mortgage rates have slightly declined and home price increases have started to steady. But both buyers and sellers are still cautious. Fewer homeowners are putting their homes on the market: Active listings fell 1.4% in August, which represents the biggest monthly decline since 2023, according to a Monday report from Redfin. “High housing costs and economic jitters have rattled buyers, and that unease has spilled over to s ...

Core Insights - Approximately 48% of newly built apartments completed in Q1 2025 were rented within three months, indicating a slight increase from 47% in Q4 2024 and 46% in Q3 2024 [1] Group 1 - The data is based on an analysis by Redfin, utilizing the U.S. Census Bureau's seasonally adjusted absorption rate for unfurnished, unsubsidized, privately financed rental apartments [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted revenue reached $1,340,000,000, exceeding the high end of guidance and achieving 9% year-over-year growth [7][32] - Net rate lock volume increased by 13% year-over-year, exceeding $28,000,000,000 [32] - Adjusted EBITDA was $172,000,000, representing a 13% margin, with adjusted diluted EPS at $0.04 [7][32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Home equity loan volume nearly doubled year-over-year, hitting a new record for units and volume [11] - Refinance volume showed strong growth quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, particularly benefiting from a brief dip in the thirty-year mortgage rate to 6.6% [11][33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - June existing home sales were 2.7% lower than May, and over 20% below pre-pandemic levels, indicating a challenging housing market [8] - Home price growth is moderating, with signs of softening prices in several major U.S. metro areas, suggesting a gradual market shift in favor of buyers [34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on integrating Redfin and Mr. Cooper to enhance its homeownership platform, aiming for a simpler, faster, and more affordable experience [27][26] - The acquisition of Redfin is expected to create significant synergies, with anticipated total synergies of $200,000,000, including $140,000,000 in expenses and $60,000,000 in revenue [36][82] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for the summer home buying season, expecting it to extend beyond the traditional Labor Day slowdown [43] - The company is focused on operational efficiency and has taken steps to streamline operations, including shutting down Rocket Mortgage Canada and the Rocket Visa Signature Card program [41][42] Other Important Information - The company reported a strong capital position with $6,000,000,000 in available cash and $7,600,000,000 in mortgage servicing rights, totaling $13,600,000,000 in balance sheet value [40] - The company is building an integrated homeownership platform that leverages AI to enhance client experiences and operational efficiency [28][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for 3Q and cost run rate - Management indicated that the home buying season is expected to extend, with a guidance increase of 6% year-over-year [54][58] Question: Thoughts on Redfin integration and synergy guidance - Management expressed excitement about the integration with Redfin, highlighting early positive results and a strong cultural fit [82][80] Question: Update on Mr. Cooper transaction and synergy expectations - Management confirmed that the Mr. Cooper transaction is on track for a Q4 close, with increasing conviction in synergy numbers [102][103] Question: Market share growth and MSR acquisitions - Management noted a significant decrease in overall transfers in the market, indicating a cautious approach to MSR acquisitions while waiting for the deal to close [110]

Core Insights - The wildfires in Los Angeles in January caused property losses exceeding $51.7 billion, affecting approximately 11,000 residential properties [1] - The analysis was based on data provided by the Los Angeles City Council, which included a list of 11,125 residential parcels surveyed by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety after the fires [1] - The majority of the affected properties were impacted by the Palisades fire, and the analysis did not include losses from the Eaton fire in the Altadena suburb, indicating that the total losses could be significantly higher than $51.7 billion [1] - The average pre-fire valuation of the affected homes was approximately $3.7 million, with nearly 100 properties valued over $20 million prior to the fires [1]

Core Insights - Rocket Companies has completed the acquisition of Redfin, combining the largest mortgage lender with the most-visited real estate brokerage website [1][2] - The integration aims to enhance the homeownership experience by offering clients significant savings through the newly introduced Rocket Preferred Pricing [2][4] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition of Redfin by Rocket Companies is expected to bridge the gap between the American Dream of homeownership and reality [4] - Redfin has adopted a new brand identity, "Redfin Powered by Rocket," to unify the homebuying experience [3] Group 2: Rocket Preferred Pricing - Rocket Preferred Pricing offers qualified clients a one percentage point reduction in their interest rate for the first year or a lender credit up to $6,000 when financing through Rocket Mortgage and purchasing a home listed by a Redfin agent [2][3] - This pricing is available for conventional, FHA, or VA loans [3] Group 3: Organizational Changes - Rocket Companies has simplified its organizational structure by collapsing its "Up-C" structure, reducing the classes of common stock from four to two [6][7] - This simplification enhances equity liquidity and improves the company's ability to use its common stock for acquisitions [8] Group 4: Company Overview - Rocket Companies, founded in 1985, operates a fintech platform that includes various businesses such as Rocket Mortgage and Rocket Homes [9] - The company is recognized for exceptional client experiences, having ranked 1 in client satisfaction for primary mortgage origination and servicing by J.D. Power 22 times [10]