Zillow Survey Reveals Agents Agree Independent Representation Benefits Buyers, Despite Financial Incentives Against It
A new Zillow survey shows that real estate agents overwhelmingly agree independent representation and access to all listings benefit buyers. However, many do not see these practices as beneficial for themselves due to financial incentives tied to alternatives like dual agency or private listing networks. The data highlights a structural tension in the industry: while 88% of agents say independent representation is good for buyers, only 61% believe it benefits them personally. This discrepancy suggests that some may prioritize their own interests over those of clients by pushing practices such as dual agency, where one agent represents both buyer and seller — potentially leading to conflicts of interest. Zillow's research also found sellers who used the same agent for buying and selling lost an average of $2,165 per home in combined losses totaling $1.49 billion over three years.
Topics: buyer representation private listing networks real estate agents Zillow survey