W
indermere Co-President OB Jacobi is unapologetic about his stance on pre-marketing and private listings, dismissing Compass' approach as a "dirty" tactic to control the market. In an exclusive interview with Real Estate News, Jacobi emphasized that Windermere's commitment to transparency and fairness in real estate transactions will not be compromised.
"We're not going to play by Compass' rules," Jacobi said firmly. "If they want to double-end deals through pre-marketing, that's their prerogative. But we'll stick to what works: putting listings on the MLS within 24 hours."
Jacobi believes that pre-marketing is a thinly veiled attempt to manipulate market data and create an unfair advantage for Compass agents. He points out that the real estate industry has a history of inequities, including steering and redlining, which Windermere is actively working to address through its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
"Our DEI efforts are about acknowledging past wrongs and making amends," Jacobi explained. "We're not just paying lip service to the idea; we're taking concrete steps to support down payment assistance programs, educate agents on industry history, and promote diversity within our own ranks."
Windermere's commitment to transparency is rooted in its leadership's understanding of the market dynamics at play. Jacobi sees Compass' aggressive push into Seattle as a desperate attempt to disrupt Windermere's dominance in the region.
"Compass is trying to control the narrative," Jacobi said, "but we're not going to let them dictate how we do business. We'll keep doing what works for our agents and clients: putting listings on the MLS where they belong."
As the battle for market share intensifies, Windermere remains resolute in its commitment to fairness and transparency. While Compass may be trying to rewrite the rules of real estate, Jacobi is confident that Windermere's approach will ultimately prevail.
"We're not going to let Compass' tactics undermine our values," Jacobi said. "We'll keep fighting for what's right, even if it means going against the grain."
