Zillow, ChatGPT, and the Future of Real Estate: What Agents Need to Know Now
The real estate industry is used to new apps and portals—but Zillow’s decision to launch a full real estate app inside ChatGPT is a different kind of shift. It blends Zillow’s massive listing database with conversational AI, letting consumers “talk” through their home search instead of just clicking filters.
In this episode ofThe Real Estate Show with Pat Lopez, Pat sits down with Chris Somers (CEO, The Somers Team – KW Empower) to unpack what this means for agents, MLSs like Bright, and the Compass vs. Zillow lawsuit that could reshape how listings get distributed.
🎧 Prefer to watch the full conversation?
Watch the episode here:Zillow, ChatGPT & MLS: What Agents Must Know Now.
1️⃣ How Zillow + ChatGPT Changes the Way Buyers Search
ChatGPT is not just another search bar. With Zillow’s new app, buyers can describe what they want in plain language and get listings plus context back in a single conversation.
Instead of typing “3‑bedroom home in Philadelphia,” a buyer can ask:
“Which homes are best for a big dog, with a fenced yard and a park within walking distance?”
“Which of these listings is the best value per square foot, given my budget?”
Zillow’s ChatGPT experience can then surface relevant homes, highlight details, and link directly back to Zillow—without the buyer ever leaving the chat window.
What this means for agents:
Consumers will show up more informed, with AI‑generated shortlists and scenarios already in hand.
Your value shifts from “I have the data” to “I know how to interpret and stress‑test the data, negotiate, and protect you.”
You can (and should) use the same tools: run your own listings and buyer criteria through ChatGPT + Zillow to spot value, lifestyle fit, and potential issues faster.
Pat and Chris agree on the bottom line: the agents who lean into AI as a co‑pilot will look sharper; the ones who ignore it will look dated.
🔗 See real examples of how Chris uses Zillow and AI in his business in the full episode:Watch on YouTube.
2️⃣ Is ChatGPT Putting Pressure on MLSs Like Bright MLS?
A big question Pat raises is whether AI‑driven search exposes gaps in MLS systems. If ChatGPT can tell a buyer which home is “best for a dog” or “closest to a park with a yard,” does that make MLS search feel outdated?
Chris points out that Bright MLS has already added extensive search fields and continues to roll out new tools and policy updates to give agents more flexibility and clarity.
Still, AI raises expectations from:
“What features does this property have?”
To: “Who is this property best for, and why?”
Why MLSs still matter:
Cooperation, compensation, and compliance rules still run through the MLS, not consumer portals or AI.
Showings, status changes, and accurate data updates still start in the MLS and syndicate outward.
The real story from the episode: MLSs, portals, and agents are not enemies; they’re parts of the same ecosystem. Zillow draws consumers; Bright and other MLSs power the backbone agents actually work on; agents tie it all together for clients.
🎥 Pat and Chris dig into Bright MLS vs. portals around the 3–7 minute mark—watch that segment here:Zillow, ChatGPT & MLS: What Agents Must Know Now.
3️⃣ What’s Really at Stake in the Compass vs. Zillow Lawsuit?
In the second half of the episode, Pat pivots to one of 2025’s biggest real‑estate headlines: the Compass vs. Zillow lawsuit over listing access and “Coming Soon” inventory.
Here is the core tension:
Compass’ position:Zillow’s Listing Access Standards create a “joint boycott” that punishes brokerages for how they market listings, especially if they hold homes in internal “coming soon” programs before going to the MLS or portals.
Zillow’s position:As a private platform, Zillow argues it can decide what appears on its site, and that consumers should be able to see publicly marketed homes in one place instead of chasing fragmented, broker‑only feeds.
Chris highlights two practical risks and realities for working agents:
From a seller’s perspective, limiting exposure on the largest home‑search portal can be hard to justify—especially in markets where one site dominates buyer attention.
For teams heavily reliant on Zillow Flex, any move that strains the relationship with Zillow can put a huge chunk of their pipeline at risk, potentially pushing them to change brokerages.
The court has heard Compass’s request for a preliminary injunction; now the judge is weighing whether to temporarily block Zillow’s policy while the case moves forward toward a full trial.
Pat’s read—with plenty of nuance—is that this could end up being “much to do about nothing” for most everyday agents, unless one side makes a drastic move like pulling a large chunk of listings from the MLS or from Zillow.
🧑⚖️ Want the lawsuit explained in plain language?
Skip to the mid‑episode breakdown in the YouTube video:Watch the Compass vs. Zillow segment.
The Bigger Picture: How Agents Can Stay Ahead
Underneath the AI talk and lawsuit drama, this episode is really about staying relevant in a market where technology, policy, and consumer expectations are all shifting fast.
Key moves Pat and Chris suggest—explicitly and between the lines:
Treat AI as a teammate, not a threat.Learn how to use ChatGPT, the Zillow app, and MLS tools together to give better advice and faster insights.
Protect your pipeline.Do not let a single portal, lead‑source, or brokerage policy control 50% of your business. Build multiple channels: past clients, referrals, organic content, and smart use of platforms like Zillow.
Stay informed—without drowning in noise.Skip the rumor‑filled “mastermind” threads and lean on trusted local leaders, broker resources, and long‑form conversations like this one to understand what actually matters.
As Chris puts it, the agents who will win are the ones who stay innovative, stay relevant, and keep learning—even as “more will be revealed” with AI, lawsuits, and new policies.
▶️ Ready to go deeper and hear the full back‑and‑forth?
Watch the full episode on YouTube:Zillow, ChatGPT & MLS: What Agents Must Know Nowand hit subscribe to stay ahead of the next wave of changes
