HousingWire Daily Brooklee Han on why the FTC is targeting Zillow and Redfin’s rental deal
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Oct 3, 2025 Brooklee Han, a Senior Real Estate Reporter at HousingWire, dives into the FTC's recent lawsuit against Zillow and Redfin over their controversial rental deal. She sheds light on the $100M syndication deal and the alleged antitrust issues surrounding it. Brooklee discusses which rental listings are under scrutiny and the implications of multiple states joining the lawsuit. The conversation also touches on the broader regulatory focus on real estate practices and how competition is driving innovation within the industry.
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FTC Says Zillow Bought Out Redfin's Rental Business
- The FTC alleges Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to exit rental advertising and transferred employees and data to Zillow.
- That arrangement may qualify as a horizontal deal and triggers Sherman Act and Clayton Act scrutiny.
Dual Antitrust Claims Strengthen Enforcement Options
- The FTC framed claims under Section 1 of the Sherman Act and Section 7 of the Clayton Act to cover both concerted conduct and acquisition effects.
- Using both statutes gives regulators multiple legal pathways if one theory is weaker.
Bipartisan State Action Backing The FTC Case
- Five state attorneys general filed an identical suit alongside the FTC, including a Republican AG in Virginia.
- Bipartisan state involvement signals stronger political and legal momentum against the deal.