A newly filed class action lawsuit accuses Rocket Mortgage and its affiliated companies of steering homebuyers toward Rocket loans in ways that may have violated federal law and increased costs for consumers.
According to the complaint, Rocket used its Rocket Homes referral network to pressure real estate agents to direct buyers to Rocket Mortgage. Agents who complied were rewarded with more leads. Agents who did not risked losing business. A CFPB investigation found that buyers who came through Rocket’s referral network often paid higher interest rates and fees than buyers who did not.
Agents participating in the program were subject to Rocket’s so called “Preserve and Protect” policy. That policy required agents to protect Rocket’s relationship with the client, which in practice meant avoiding discussion of other lenders. Even when another lender offered better terms or access to down payment assistance, agents were discouraged from bringing it up. Rocket tracked how often agents successfully sent clients to Rocket Mortgage and used those metrics to determine future referrals.
The lawsuit also alleges that this behavior continued after Rocket acquired Redfin in 2025. Redfin agents are allegedly rewarded with better lead flow when they send business to Rocket Mortgage. Buyers using the Redfin platform may believe they are being given choices, when in reality they are being directed toward a single lender without meaningful comparison.
Offering multiple services under one roof is not illegal. Tying agent income and lead flow to steering buyers toward a specific lender is another story. When that steering results in higher costs for consumers and limits their options, it raises serious questions about fiduciary duty and compliance with RESPA.
This case is in its early stages, but the allegations line up closely with what the CFPB spent years investigating. If the claims hold up, this will not be a small or isolated issue.