Judge orders MRED to restore Zillow home listings

May 23, 2026 - 05:59

A federal judge has ordered the Midwest Real Estate Data LLC (MRED) to restore Zillow's access to home listings in the Chicago area, temporarily ending a dispute over the use of private property data. The ruling comes after MRED, a major multiple listing service, cut off Zillow's feed of for-sale homes, arguing that the company was improperly using the information to power its online marketplace.

The legal fight centers on whether MRED can restrict how Zillow displays listing data, including details on homes that are not publicly advertised. Zillow had sued MRED, claiming the move violated antitrust laws and harmed consumers by reducing the number of available properties on its platform. The judge sided with Zillow, issuing a preliminary injunction that forces MRED to resume sharing the data while the case proceeds.

In his order, the judge noted that MRED's actions could unfairly limit competition in the online real estate space. Zillow's attorney praised the decision, saying it ensures home shoppers in the region can see a full picture of the market. MRED has not commented on whether it will appeal, but the ruling is a temporary win for the real estate giant.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between traditional listing services and tech-driven platforms. For now, Chicago-area sellers and buyers can once again find their homes on Zillow, though the broader legal battle over data control is far from over.