Episode Details
Back to EpisodesIs Zillow Practicing Real Estate Without a License? The Line Every Agent Needs to See
Description
Zillow now tells buyers how much to offer on a home. At what point does a real estate platform cross the line into practicing real estate without a license — and what does that mean for your agency relationship with your client?
In this episode, Gary Pickren examines Zillow's Offer Insights tool and other buyer-facing guidance features through the lens of South Carolina real estate law. This is a question every SC real estate agent and buyer's agent needs to understand: when does platform advice become brokerage advice, and who's liable when a buyer follows it?
What's covered:
- South Carolina agency law explained — the critical difference between a customer and a client
- Whether a licensed brokerage like Zillow can legally influence buyer offers without a written agency agreement in place
- How Zillow's platform tools could legally interfere with your existing buyer agency agreement
- What South Carolina real estate agents should be telling buyers about third-party platforms before they start browsing
This is a legal question that's going to define agent-client relationships for years. Know where the line is before your buyer crosses it on Zillow.
Don't forget to like us and share us!
Gary
* Gary serves on the South Carolina Real Estate Commission as a Commissioner. The opinions expressed herein are his opinions and are not necessarily the opinions of the SC Real Estate Commission. This podcast is not to be considered legal advice. Please consult an attorney in your area.