What is the RealTracs vs. Zillow dispute about?

RealTracs, the Nashville area MLS operator, accused Zillow of violating their data policies by withholding listings that were being privately shopped before going public. RealTracs also argued that agents create listing data and Zillow profits from it without compensating them. They gave Zillow a June 8th deadline to reach an agreement or lose access to Nashville area listings.

Who is Kate Goeringer?

Kate Goeringer is a REALTOR with Brick Realty who has been serving buyers and sellers in Greater Williamson County, Tennessee for more than 20 years. She was interviewed by WSMV Channel 4 and News Channel 5 about the RealTracs vs. Zillow dispute.

Will my home still appear on Zillow if I list it?

That depends on how the dispute between RealTracs and Zillow resolves. Redfin and Homes.com both agreed to RealTracs' new policies, so listings continue to appear on those sites. Sellers can also request a workaround to keep their listing on Zillow. Your REALTOR can advise you on the current status.

What are off-market listings and why do they matter?

Off-market or coming soon listings are properties that are being shown to select buyers before being broadly listed on the MLS. RealTracs' dispute with Zillow partly centered on Zillow not posting these listings. For buyers, this is why working with a local agent who has MLS access is important.

How does this affect buyers coming from out of state?

Many out-of-state buyers start their search on Zillow before contacting an agent. If Nashville listings go dark on Zillow, those buyers may not see available homes or may see outdated information. Working with a local REALTOR who has direct MLS access ensures you see accurate, real-time listings.

Nashville Listings vs. Zillow: Franklin REALTOR Kate Goeringer Speaks Out on WSMV Channel 4 | Kate Goeringer

UPDATE — June 8, 2026: The June 8th deadline has passed and Zillow's data feed remains active. RealTracs initially cut off the feed on June 1st, then extended the license to June 8th. As of tonight, the two sides are continuing to negotiate new terms. Nashville listings are still visible on Zillow for now — we will update this post as the situation develops.

Watch the full story on WSMV Channel 4

Franklin REALTOR Kate Goeringer on WSMV Channel 4: The Fight Over Nashville Listings

Kate Goeringer, a Franklin REALTOR with over 20 years of experience in Greater Williamson County, was interviewed by WSMV Channel 4 reporter Diana Rocco about a dispute that had the Nashville real estate market on edge.

RealTracs, the company that runs the Nashville area MLS, gave Zillow a deadline of June 8th to reach an agreement over listing data access. If no deal was reached, Zillow would be frozen out of the Nashville market.

The Core of the Dispute

Both sides accused the other of violating their policies, but the fight came down to two things: who controls listing data, and who profits from it.

RealTracs accused Zillow of violating their policies by not posting listings that were being privately shopped to select groups before being made broadly available on the MLS. These are sometimes called "off-market" or "coming soon" listings, and RealTracs argued that Zillow was selectively withholding them from the public.

RealTracs also raised the issue of broker compensation. Agents spend significant time and effort inputting accurate, detailed listing information into the MLS. Zillow then takes that data and uses it to generate advertising revenue, without compensating the agents who created it.

What Kate Said

Kate has been working in Greater Williamson County real estate for more than 20 years and has a clear view of how buyers and sellers actually use these platforms.

"The majority of buyers and sellers out there, let's be honest, are on Zillow."

She acknowledged that the dispute could hurt people on both sides of a transaction: "That is going to affect not only the people who live here and the sellers who are trying to sell their house, but also the buyers who are coming in from out of state."

Her priority as an agent has always been maximum exposure: "Our main goal is to have your house in front of as many people as possible, so then that way all the eyes are on it."

On the data ownership issue: "The information that we put into the MLS as agents is our information, and Zillow is coming in and trying to resell it." When asked if agents are compensated for that, she was direct: "We are not compensated for that at all."

What Zillow Said

In a statement, Zillow said: "Our goal is to come to a resolution while still maintaining an open, transparent market. We will continue to post any listing that is broadly available to all buyers at the same time."

What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

If you are buying or selling in Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Nolensville, or anywhere in Williamson County, this dispute is a reminder that no single platform tells the whole story.

Zillow is a starting point for many buyers, but the MLS is where listings live first. Working with a local REALTOR who has direct MLS access means you see homes the moment they are available, not hours or days later after the data flows through to consumer sites.

For sellers, your agent controls how and where your listing appears. Kate works to get every listing in front of as many qualified buyers as possible, across every platform that serves the Middle Tennessee market.

The Bigger Picture

This dispute is part of a broader national conversation about who owns real estate data and who profits from it. Nashville was not the first market to face this. A similar standoff happened in Chicago, where a judge eventually ordered Zillow's access restored.

The June 8th deadline put pressure on both sides to negotiate. The outcome of that negotiation will shape how Nashville area listings are distributed online for years to come.

If you have questions about what this means for your home search or your plans to sell, Kate is happy to talk through it.

Nashville Listings vs. Zillow: Franklin REALTOR Kate Goeringer Speaks Out on WSMV Channel 4

TL;DR: The quick summary