Key facts
- StreetEasy is enforcing a policy requiring listings to be published on the same day they are publicly marketed.
- Agents violating the policy for a third time will have listings removed from StreetEasy and its associated portals.
- Compass is directing consumers to its website to view listings not available on StreetEasy.
- StreetEasy's updated policy mirrors Zillow's Listing Access Standards Policy unveiled in March 2025.
- Compass claims its marketing strategy still allows visibility to all agents through REBNY's Residential Listing Service.
- StreetEasy's Experts program now includes a participation cap to manage agent representation from single companies.
New York City homebuyers are facing fragmented listing information due to a dispute between StreetEasy, the Zillow-owned residential real estate portal, and brokerage firm Compass. StreetEasy began enforcing an updated Listings Quality Policy that requires properties to be listed on its platform on the same calendar day they are publicly marketed by their exclusive agent. Violations could lead to agents being removed from the platform and losing eligibility for StreetEasy Experts.
Compass, along with its international holdings brands like Corcoran, has responded by advertising that consumers can find thousands of homes not listed on StreetEasy by visiting their own websites. This move comes after StreetEasy introduced changes to its Experts program, including a participation cap that limits the number of agents from a single company.
Real estate agents and industry leaders express concern over the impact on consumers. Jessica Chestler, a Douglas Elliman agent, noted that while top agents may benefit from knowing where to find inventory, consumers are caught in the middle with reduced visibility. Marwan Ayad, an agent at Howard Hanna NYC, believes this fragmentation will not improve affordability in an already challenging inventory market. Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens, views Compass's decision to move inventory to "participants only" status as an abuse of the system, while also stating StreetEasy's policy may conflict with REBNY rules. Peter Zaitzeff, an agent at SERHANT., acknowledged StreetEasy's dominance in the NYC market, making it difficult for agents to ignore its policies.