Consumer Groups Ask Ftc And Doj To Probe Compass Mls Deals

A coalition of consumer, housing and civil rights organizations is asking federal regulators to investigate Compass International Holdings’s new agreements with multiple listing services (MLS), arguing the deals expand off-MLS “pocket listing” networks that harm competition and fair housing, according to a July 1 letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ).

A group of advocacy organizations led by the Consumer Federation of America sent a letter Tuesday to FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson and Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, urging the agencies to open an investigation into a set of recently announced data and access agreements between Compass and several MLSs.

The groups argue the arrangements appear designed to bolster private or “off-market” listing networks that keep homes out of traditional public MLS distribution during key marketing periods. They say that structure reduces transparency for buyers and sellers, weakens price competition and can create steering incentives that favor large brokerages and their agents.

In April 2026, Compass reached a deal with Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) to expand MRED’s Private Listing Network nationwide, according to the letter, citing public reporting. Subsequent arrangements have reportedly been struck with Bright MLS, Realtracs and MLS/CLAW.

Private listing systems allow homes to be marketed to a limited pool of agents and buyers rather than broadly across MLSs and public portals. The letter notes that such listings often circulate within a brokerage first, giving the listing firm a better chance to represent both buyer and seller on the same transaction. The advocacy groups contend that while this can increase revenue and market share for large firms, sellers may realize lower sale prices and many buyers may never see available homes, a concern in a low-inventory market.

Civil rights concerns raised

The signatories also raise civil rights concerns, pointing to Zillow research on MRED’s existing Private Listing Network in the Chicago metro that found homes in majority-white neighborhoods were disproportionately marketed through private channels compared with homes in majority non-white areas. They warn that limiting who can see listings may lead to selective exclusion of protected classes and “digital redlining” if not addressed. Zillow, who put together the study, is currently suing MRED and Compass over an alleged antitrust conspiracy to withdraw MRED’s listing feed from Zillow. 

The organizations frame the Compass-MLS deals against what they describe as the brokerage’s growing market power. Compass completed its acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. in January 2026, combining two large national brokerages in a merger that had already attracted scrutiny from some lawmakers. The letter notes that Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden previously raised antitrust concerns about the deal, and a subsequent letter from Warren, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and others questioned its approval process.

The letter concludes by urging federal enforcers to ensure that dominant firms do not use consolidation and exclusive listing practices to “monopolize access to the American Dream” at a time of severe housing unaffordability. It is signed by the Consumer Federation of America, American Economic Liberties Project, Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund, Consumer Action, Demand Progress Education Fund, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), Rise Economy and Woodstock Institute.

Compass did not immediately return HousingWire’s request for comment on the letter.

This article was written by Brooklee Han and generated with the assistance of HousingWire Automation, then reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication.