The AI & Lead Control Battles Reshaping Mortgage & Real Estate

Who Really Owns the Lead?

There’s been a lot of movement in the mortgage and real estate space lately—and not all of it is great for consumers.

In this episode of Today in Mortgages, we dig into a recent National Mortgage Professional article covering the growing conflict between Zillow and Compass, and why it raises much bigger questions about the future of lead distribution.

The core issue?
Large platforms are racing to own the entire transaction—from search to agent to lender—by building closed ecosystems that quietly eliminate choice.

Rich Jefferson joins us to explain:

• Why some companies are pulling listings from the MLS

• How consumers get “locked in” without realizing it

• What vertical integration does to accountability

• Why independent agents and lenders still matter

• How AI will elevate great professionals—not replace them

Real estate and mortgages have always worked best when specialists hold each other accountable. When everything lives under one roof, service suffers—and consumers pay the price.

At Network Funding, our approach is different.
We believe technology should support relationships, not replace them.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now and stay ahead of where the industry is going.

Today in mortgages is produced by Network Funding, LP, which is an equal housing lender, NMLS# 2297.

The content of this program is meant to be a commentary on mortgage and real estate news and any discussion of rates and or products should not be taken as individual mortgage or home buying advice or pricing estimates, and any commentary on this show is should not be considered a promise to make a loan. All applicants for a loan must qualify and you should consult a professional regarding your individual loan scenarios for your financial situation. Visit our website at nflp.com/licenses for all state licensing and other legal information.