Zillow Under Fire by Vermont-based For-Sale-By-Owner Platform, Picket Fence

Zillow is on the hot seat again, this time with a real estate website based out of Vermont. Picket Fence is suing the real estate giant, claiming it violated antitrust law. The lawsuit states that Picket Fence accuses Zillow’s Vermont operations is costing millions in lost revenue. 

Picket Fence is a for-sale-by-owner platform looking to cut out the need for an agent when it comes to the home hunting journey. 

The court document claims Zillow’s competition in the state has taken away key attention from Picket Fence, costing the company millions in lost revenue. The lawsuit alleges that Zillow violated “state and federal consumer and antitrust laws” along with a number of Vermont-centric laws. The document also claims that Zillow’s operation in Vermont damages FSBO services like Picket Fence. 

Zillow has been accused of various legalities within the last year, most notably, accusations against its Zestimates and copyright infringement accusations pertaining to its Trulia brand. 

Being on top comes with downsides. Experts are predicting this isn’t the last time a smaller real estate company will aim its ire at a company like Zillow and the aggressive competition it brings.