• 3: Lawsuits, Settlements, and Inman Interim Editorial Director Jim Dalrymple Joins!
    Oct 11 2025
    1️⃣ Compass Ordered to Hand Over Anywhere Deal Docs to Zillow
    A court orders Compass to produce internal documents about its acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate.

    2️⃣ Zillow is now an app inside ChatGPT!

    3️⃣ Five More Settlements Granted Preliminary Approval in Gibson Case
    Judges grant preliminary approval for another wave of commission settlements — continuing the billion-dollar reshaping of agent compensation.

    4️⃣ FTC Lawsuit Paused, but Five States Join In Against Zillow & Redfin
    Even as the FTC’s lawsuit is paused by the federal shutdown, Arizona, Connecticut, New York, Virginia, and Washington step in with their own filings over the same syndication deal.

    5️⃣ FICO Launches Direct Credit Score Licensing Program
    FICO cuts out the credit bureaus, offering lenders direct access at lower rates — a potential shake-up in mortgage costs.

    💡 Tech Corner
    Perplexity launches ‘Comet,’ an AI-powered browser
    Real-time research that summarizes pages as you browse — fast, transparent, but raising new questions about sameness in digital storytelling.

    https://www.perplexity.ai/comet

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    If you have a product you think would be great for our audience, send over an email to hello@acme-re.com.

    Thank you for watching!
    xx,
    Courtney
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    50 mins
  • 2: From FTC vs Zillow to Rocket’s $14B Acquisition: What It Means for Boutique Real Estate
    Oct 9 2025
    This week, the real estate industry is buzzing with headlines: the FTC sues Zillow and Redfin over a $100 million rental syndication deal, NAR’s president urges Realtors to “remember who we serve,” Zillow and CoStar battle over copyright, MLS PIN secures final settlement approval in the Nosalek case, and Rocket completes its $14.2 billion acquisition of Mr. Cooper Group — instantly becoming the nation’s largest mortgage lender and servicer.

    In this episode of The Clean Close, host Courtney Poulos breaks down what these stories mean for agents, consumers, and the industry’s future. Then, she’s joined by Vanessa Bergmark, CEO of Red Oak Realty, who shares how boutique firms can thrive amidst lawsuits, megamergers, and uncertainty. Vanessa offers a clear-eyed look at where brokerages are headed, and why smaller firms may hold the advantage in the next decade.

    Finally, the episode wraps with a spotlight on HouseCanary, an AI tool providing sharp market analytics and valuations to help boutique firms compete with industry giants.

    Guest Bio:
    Vanessa Bergmark is the CEO and Owner of Red Oak Realty, a Bay Area boutique brokerage recognized for its culture-driven approach, community engagement, and agent-first philosophy. She is a sought-after voice on the future of real estate, offering a clear perspective on how boutique firms can compete and thrive in an industry dominated by giants.

    Resources & Links:
    Connect with Vanessa Bergmark on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-bergmark-4396ab)
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    57 mins