The Private Listing Debate Is Over

One of the top journalists in real estate media, Andrea Brambila, interviewed Kamini Lane, President and CEO of Coldwell Banker Realty, and published an article yesterday on Real Estate News. The title is “Coldwell Banker CEO denies ‘reversing course’ on private listings.”

The interview was made necessary, apparently, by Compass calling out Coldwell Banker accusing them of “reversing course.” Lane disputes that claim:

But Lane maintains that her stance — and that of Coldwell Banker Realty — has been consistent: It is the fiduciary duty of real estate professionals to do what is in the best interest of the consumer, and for the vast majority of sellers, maximum exposure on the multiple listing service will result in maximum value.

"It's not something that I made up, and it's not something that anyone in our industry can change," Lane told Real Estate News.

We’ll get into the details a bit, but here’s the thing: the private listings debate is now all over, but the shouting. The fat lady hasn’t sung, but she is clearing her throat.

I have long maintained both privately and publicly that Compass and Howard Hanna, as large and influential as they are, will not be the tipping point. They would need to recruit some other large companies to join them to tip things over from “everything is public” to “some things are private.”

Anywhere has always been the key player. Anywhere has long been the standard bearer for the brokerage industry, and whichever way Anywhere goes, everyone else will follow.

Well, we now know which way Anywhere is going. Yes, I know they will dispute this and claim that their stance has not changed at all since CEO Ryan Schneider has said back in 2024 that Anywhere is ready to flip the switch even if they are against private listings.

But hey, actions speak louder than words, and Anywhere’s actions here are the sound of Brunnhilde clearing her throat in the wings. Let’s look at some details, and ask some questions, shall we?