Settlement Shake-Up: National Association of Realtors' $418M Agreement Reshapes Real Estate Dynamics
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 18 2024
0mins
Should l Buy Z?
Source: Benzinga
NAR's $418M settlement alters real estate dynamics, allowing negotiations on buyside commissions & requiring written agreements with buyers.
Zillow and Redfin may see revenue impact from regulatory changes but are poised to thrive with tech innovation in real estate.
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Analyst Views on Z
Wall Street analysts forecast Z stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 44.500
Low
70.00
Averages
87.40
High
100.00
Current: 44.500
Low
70.00
Averages
87.40
High
100.00
About Z
Zillow Group, Inc. helps people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, dedicated partners and agents, and buying, selling, financing, and renting experiences. The Company’s affiliates, subsidiaries, and brands include Zillow, Zillow Premier Agent, Zillow Home Loans, Zillow Rentals, Trulia, Out East, StreetEasy, HotPads, ShowingTime+, Spruce, and Follow Up Boss. It helps renters, buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals across all their residential real estate needs through its housing super app, which serves as an ecosystem of connected solutions for the tasks and services related to moving. It provides integrated transaction experience for movers through Zillow, its network of partners, its affiliated brands, and through a comprehensive suite of marketing software and technology solutions for the real estate industry, including ShowingTime+, Follow Up Boss and Spruce. It offers multifamily property managers a variety of advertising products.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Rate Trends: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has decreased to 6.05%, down five basis points from last week, indicating a potential market recovery, although it has not yet dipped below 6% while shorter-term fixed rates have fallen below this threshold.
- Short-Term Loan Benefits: The 20-year fixed loan rate has dropped from 6.05% to 5.81%, and the 15-year fixed loan remains at 5.56%, providing homebuyers with more options that could stimulate demand during the spring buying season.
- Refinance Rates: The current 30-year fixed refinance rate stands at 6.09%, slightly higher than purchase loan rates, reflecting increased competition in the refinance market, prompting buyers to choose wisely to minimize long-term costs.
- Market Outlook: Despite the recent decline in mortgage rates, forecasts suggest that the 30-year fixed rate will hover around 6.30% through 2026, indicating a cautiously optimistic sentiment regarding future interest rates in the market.
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- Rate Fluctuations: According to Zillow, the current 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.09%, which has increased by 7 basis points from last week, indicating a slight rise that could affect borrowing costs and market activity for potential homebuyers.
- Refinance Rates: The 30-year fixed refinance rate stands at 6.14%, reflecting an increase from the previous week, which suggests heightened sensitivity in the market to refinance demand, potentially leading to greater financial pressure on borrowers.
- Market Trends: Despite escalating tensions in the Middle East, mortgage rates remain lower than they were a year ago, indicating a degree of stability in the market, and homebuyers should weigh the relative advantages of current rates when making decisions.
- Timing for Home Purchase: The current market presents a relatively favorable time to buy a home, as prices have not surged like they did during the pandemic peak, and with slightly rising rates, buyers should make informed decisions based on their personal circumstances.
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- Securities Claims Investigation: The Rosen Law Firm is investigating potential securities claims against Zillow Group (NASDAQ: Z, ZG) due to allegations of misleading business information, aiming to protect investor rights and seek compensation.
- Class Action Preparation: If you purchased Zillow securities, you may be entitled to compensation without any out-of-pocket fees through a contingency fee arrangement, as the Rosen Law Firm prepares a class action to recover investor losses.
- FTC Lawsuit Impact: On September 30, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission sued Zillow and Redfin over an illegal agreement to suppress rental advertising competition, resulting in a 4.6% drop in Zillow's Class C stock on October 1, 2025.
- Law Firm Reputation: The Rosen Law Firm focuses on securities class actions and has recovered over $438 million for investors in 2019 alone, being ranked first by ISS Securities Class Action Services in 2017, demonstrating its strong capabilities and experience in this field.
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- Current Mortgage Rates: According to Zillow, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is now 6.10%, up one basis point from yesterday, while the 15-year fixed rate has increased to 5.56%, indicating that borrowing costs remain relatively stable despite market turbulence.
- Refinance Rate Overview: The latest data shows that the 30-year fixed refinance rate is at 6.13%, and the 15-year fixed refinance rate is at 5.60%, which may influence borrowers' refinancing decisions, especially in the current economic climate.
- Factors Affecting Rates: Mortgage rates are influenced by various factors, including borrowers' credit scores and debt-to-income ratios; if borrowers can improve their credit scores or reduce debt, they may secure lower rates, thereby reducing long-term borrowing costs.
- Market Trend Analysis: Although current mortgage rates are higher than historical lows, experts suggest that refinancing may be wise when new rates are 1% to 2% lower than existing rates, which will impact future borrowing behavior and market liquidity.
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- Home Price Forecast: Zillow's latest forecast indicates a 0.3% increase in home prices for 2023, which, despite being a downgrade from last month, still offers homeowners some asset appreciation opportunities when extracting home value.
- Rising HELOC Rates: According to Curinos, the average adjustable-rate HELOC has risen to 7.24%, an increase of four basis points from last month, reflecting higher borrowing costs that may influence borrowers' financing decisions.
- Fixed-Rate Loan Changes: The national average rate for fixed-rate home equity loans stands at 7.37%, down 10 basis points from last month; however, borrowers need to remain vigilant about market fluctuations to lock in favorable rates at the right time.
- Borrowing Choice Analysis: The choice between a HELOC and a home equity loan depends on how the funds will be used, with HELOCs offering flexible withdrawals but potentially facing higher initial draw requirements, while home equity loans provide a lump sum, suitable for borrowers needing substantial funds.
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- Securities Claims Investigation: Rosen Law Firm announces an investigation into potential securities claims against Zillow Group due to allegations of issuing materially misleading business information, indicating that shareholders may be entitled to compensation.
- Class Action Preparation: The firm is preparing a class action to seek recovery for investor losses without any upfront costs, demonstrating a commitment to protecting investor rights and interests.
- FTC Lawsuit Impact: On September 30, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission sued Zillow and Redfin over an illegal agreement to suppress rental advertising competition, resulting in a 4.6% drop in Zillow's Class C stock on October 1, 2025, highlighting concerns about the company's compliance.
- Firm Reputation: Rosen Law Firm is recognized for its successful track record in securities class actions, having recovered over $438 million for investors in 2019 alone, underscoring its leadership position and strong support for shareholders.
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