Realtor.com & the Battle Over Listings, Exposure and Transparency with Damian Eales

A new collaboration between Realtor.com and Zillow is changing how listings are shared—and raising bigger questions about where the industry is headed. In this episode, NAR CMCO Bennett Richardson talks with Damien Eales, CEO of Realtor.com, about why two major portals are now collaborating and what it means for agents, brokers, and MLSs. They break down the growing divide between open marketplaces and private listing networks—and why that choice directly impacts exposure, competition, and seller outcomes. You'll hear: Why listing visibility is becoming a competitive advantage The real risk behind private listing networks How pre-market listings should be used without limiting exposure What Realtor.com Plus means for agent control and client relationships Bottom line: More exposure leads to more buyers, more offers, and better outcomes—but only if agents lean into transparency instead of restricting access.