I understand that, I'm not suggesting it's a scam or anything (though typically in the US a home seller pays 3% to the buyers agent and 3% to the sellers agent). I'm saying when Bloomberg exclaims "Zillow is selling homes at a loss!" they're missing the point of the strategy. As long as the price they sell for still exceeds the fees they take, it's a profitable move.
Also many of these transactions do not involve traditional brokerages whatsoever. People sell their homes directly to Zillow and other people buy the homes directly from Zillow.
Also many of these transactions do not involve traditional brokerages whatsoever. People sell their homes directly to Zillow and other people buy the homes directly from Zillow.