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edfin President and CEO Glenn Kelman expressed relief that the company was acquired by Rocket, rather than another firm. In an interview with the Puget Sound Business Journal, Kelman stated that if Redfin had been sold to a different company, it would have essentially lost its core identity. The acquiring company would have likely taken the website but left behind other essential components.

    Kelman revealed that negotiations with Rocket began in November and gained momentum after the holidays. He was drawn to the idea of combining Rocket's financial data with Redfin's home search capabilities to provide more comprehensive suggestions for customers.

    The $1.75 billion sale has been met with initial approval from investors, with Redfin's stock nearly doubling over three days. However, Rocket's stock initially dropped before recovering. The acquisition is expected to have a significant impact on the real estate industry, allowing Rocket and Redfin to offer an integrated network of services that could rival Zillow's "super app" strategy.

    Zillow appears unfazed by the increased competition, stating that further investment in connection, technology, and transparency benefits consumers and the industry as a whole. The company remains committed to delivering a seamless experience for renters, buyers, sellers, and professionals through its products, services, and partnerships.