August 27, 2025
The housing market is in a tough spot. Prices are sky-high, mortgage rates have sidelined many buyers, and homeowners who locked in low rates are hesitant to sell. Last year, home sales hit a 30-year low. But despite all that, one thing hasn’t changed: people are still Zillow surfing.
Zillow’s CEO, Jeremy Wacksman, knows this better than anyone. Each month, nearly 230 million people visit Zillow—not necessarily to buy, but to dream, scroll, and plan. And while the market may be at a standstill, Zillow’s business is far from frozen. Their revenue jumped by double digits recently, and the stock is up over 60% from last year.
As a realtor, this tells me one thing: buyers and sellers are still out there. They may be on the sidelines, but they’re actively watching, learning, and waiting for their moment.
Zillow’s evolving into a “super app” that aims to simplify the buying and selling process, making it feel as seamless as booking an Airbnb or ordering an Uber. This is where the future of real estate is headed—making transactions smoother, faster, and more digital.
But Zillow’s aggressive moves aren’t without controversy. Their rule requiring all listings to appear on Zillow within 24 hours has sparked a lawsuit from Compass, claiming it limits competition.
Whether you’re for or against their approach, it’s clear Zillow is betting big on transparency and broad exposure for listings. For sellers, this could mean more eyes on your property. For agents, it means we need to adapt to an environment where buyers expect instant access to information.
One of the standout tools Zillow is pushing is “Zillow Showcase” — interactive listings with 3D walkthroughs and AI-generated floor plans. As a realtor, I see this as a game-changer. Buyers spend more time on these listings, which means homes sell faster. If you’re not leveraging high-quality visuals and virtual tours, you’re already behind.
Wacksman also acknowledges a hard truth: we’re not just in an affordability crisis; we’re in an availability crisis. The real issue isn’t just high rates—it’s the lack of inventory. We’ve been under-building for over a decade, and unless supply catches up with demand, prices will remain elevated.
Even if the transaction volume is down, Zillow’s traffic shows people are still planning for their next move. As realtors, this is our cue: stay visible, stay prepared, and meet clients where they are—online, dreaming, and scrolling.
The market may feel frozen, but buyers and sellers are still browsing, planning, and waiting for the right moment. It’s up to us as agents to make sure we’re ready when they’re ready to act.
Disclaimer: This content is meant for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as financial, tax, legal, or insurance advice.
