The FTC Lost the Motion. Then Zillow and Redfin Settled.

The government did not get its early advantage. Instead, the parties found a way to keep the efficiencies of the partnership while bringing Redfin back as a competitor.

The Zillow–Redfin antitrust case was supposed to go to trial on August 24.

It never got there.

On the day the bench trial was scheduled to begin, the FTC, five states, Zillow, and Redfin announced a settlement. Under the proposed court order, Redfin will rebuild its independent rental-advertising business.

But the Zillow–Redfin syndication partnership, whi…