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Comment by MikeKusold | Hacker News Reader

When I was looking for a condo this past summer, I used RedFin. Since RedFin ties into MSLs (basically a list that all realtors use), I knew about listing before my agent could email me about them.

I highly recommend it, even if you have a non-RedFin agent.

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Zillow used to tie into MLSs but their access was cut in most areas (as described in the article) due to a dispute. Used to be an awesome resource, now it's a ghost town.

Would think it's only a matter of time before realtor.com shuts down similar sites like RedFin.

Redfin is a brokerage and thus has full access to the MLS. I'm not sure anyone can shut off Redfin's access so easily because of this?

Ah good info, thanks.

Which is also why they have very spotty coverage; if they're not a licensed broker in your area, they have zero listings.

To be precise on this: Redfin covers 75+ metro markets and the vast majority of the United States by population. "Spotty" is fairly inaccurate if your intent is to describe the % of the population that can use Redfin to find a home.

(I work at Redfin).

I know that vast majority by population will cover a lot of where people are buying in the US. But when you're looking at areas outside of those population centers, then sparse could apply

Sparse coverage in sparsly populated locations.

For example, Redfin does not cover my home town, nor any of the Eastern CT cities I put in the search box, so for my parents selling their house, or anyone looking to buy in that area, it's not useful.

Maybe I was searching it wrong?

Some time in the last 6 months you added Portland Maine, but you didn't have coverage for me while I was searching for houses.

I think "spotty" is fair, though I root for your company and hope the coverage becomes universal.

I worked at Redfin. MLS is an agreement between all of the brokerages to share their listings. As long as Redfin has a real estate office in the region then they will have access to the local MLS.

On the other hand, Zillow requires agents to manually upload listings.

This is why Zillow is nationwide and Redfin is limited to a (growing) list of cities.

Realtor.com is more like Redfin in that it's owned by a third party, but it does have the blessing of Realtors to get all of the MLS information.

"realtor.com shuts down similar sites like RedFin"

Realtor.com cannot shut down redfin

I think you're misinformed. They used to get listings via list hub. But their new owner Rupert Murdoch chose to freeze out Zillow. Now z has forged direct mls deals for most of the markets. I'm curious where you're looking that it's a ghost town?

Realtor.com has no leverage over anybody.

MLS --> Multiple Listing Service

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