Zillow was developed as an online real estate search engine that was incorporated in 2004. It was created by Rich Barton and Lloyd Bring, former Microsoft gurus who were key in the development of the Expedia website. Spencer Rascoff serves as the company CEO. The company has data on over 110 million homes in the United States, in addition to the 2 million that are currently listed on the website for sale. The site offers value estimates on homes, gives key data on how the price of a home will change over a given timespan, gives aerial views of homes and helps customers find data on similar homes that exist in the same search area. The website accesses basic public data on a home and also gives information on the square footage and number of bedrooms listed in a home. If a home has a recently added feature, such as a renovation, this information is also tracked on the website for the home. Zillow also has API integration and developers can also network Zillow's search feature into websites developed for other realtors. Zillow has a unique functionality that is not found on many realtor websites. The "Make Me Move" feature is a great way to get a pre-market price on the home out there. One of the nice features of the Zillow website is the rental search feature, which was launched in 2009. The website doesn't list as many rentals as homes, but this helps renters find an affordable website. Zillow is also used to power other key real estate search paradigms, such as AOL Real Estate and MSN Real Estate, in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Zillow also was one of the first companies in the industry to begin using apps to access its real estate search database. Here is a list of apps available and the dates that they were launched:

April 2009, iPhone app
March 2010, Android app
April 2010, iPad app
March 2011, Blackberry app
July 2012, Windows phone app
November 2013, Windows 8.1 app.

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The Good

Search functionality
Apps

The first thing that we noticed about the Zillow website was its functionality. We liked the number of listings that we saw available. The search feature is also easy to use. Site users can do multiple types of searches. It is possible to search by address, state, map, type of home, rental or home purchase, the number of bedrooms in a home, and other search criteria. It also includes a "Make Me Move" price, where customers can see new homes that are just starting to enter the market. Another thing that we liked about the website was the feature that lets users see factors that increase a home's values. Price valuation increases in a home can be projected for a 5- or 10-year timespan. Also, the site lists recent renovations to a home that may also increase its price. We also liked the number of apps available for Zillow. When we looked at apps in the industry, many of the apps were only geared for the iPhone. We saw apps available for the iPad and Google tablets as well. The Zillow app is very flexible to use on the Windows 8.1 phone, a major plus in our opinion, given the Zillow functionality of the MSN Real Estate website. We found that the Zillow "Zestimate" was also accurate. We looked at homes on the website and then checked these prices with real estate websites and other listings. The Zestimate feature allows users to see a price that is projected based on several factors, including prices of homes that are also going in the same search area. Zestimate, however, is not always accurate. One of the problems that we found with "Zestimates" was that the price accuracy varies by location and current offers if buyers are negotiating for the home.

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The Bad

Customer support
Zestimate accuracy

One of the things we noticed right away was the lack of support available for the Zillow website. They don't offer a toll-free number for customers to call in. There is also no live chat app for customers who are looking for information about a particular home. Another problem that we found with Zillow was that the Zestimate and home prices listed on the website was not always accurate. We found that a homeowner who rented had lost income on a property because the property was incorrectly listed as being "in foreclosure." The client asked to receive funds to help compensate for their losses, but Zillow responded by saying that their information is received from third-party sources. We found that the pricing critiques of the website hinged on the following factors:

Some data used to compile the Zillow price estimate can be as old as twenty years and is based on old bank data, public data, and sales transactions.
Only 65% of Zillow's listing stock can be considered "accurate," according to Fortune magazine.
Real estate agents and brokers are more likely to know the most up-to-date and factual information about a home that is listed for sale.

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The Bottom Line

Overall, we would recommend Zillow as a website for listing your home or looking for a new home. Here is what we liked about Zillow's website:

Accurate data, for the most part, that is compiled from trustworthy and up-to-date public sources.
The "Zestimate" price that is listed for homes.
The search functionality of the website.
The ability for site users to ask real estate questions in a public forum.
The map feature and aerial views offered for homes.
Price valuation information for a home that is listed in timespan intervals.
Rental listings that are almost as extensive as sales listings.

We saw a pattern of complaints such as occasional inaccurate price information for a new home. Some landlords lost money due to homes being listed as "in foreclosure" on the website when they were in fact not. Also, we had concerns with some property information on the website, especially bank data, as being as much as two decades old. Even though Zillow gets its information from third-party sources, more supervision of the data is needed to ensure its accuracy.

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User Reviews

Star Rating

4.4

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1,036 Reviews

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58%

4 grade

28%

3 grade

10%

2 grade

1 grade

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Michelle Thomas Anaheim, CA

Zillow is my favorite site when looking up the price of homes in areas I search for homes. This site is valuable for searching homes for sale across the US. I have helped friends to find new homes in Washington and Nevada. Overall you will find every thing you need to know about a home you own or are looking to purchase. Zillow is a definitely a 5 star site.

1 week ago

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Judy Las Vegas, NV

I love this site. I can look up the value of my home and compare it to others my area. I can add amenities that my home has. I like to look up home values in other states to which I might be looking to move. I can track home value increases and decreases. I can see where local schools are. There is just so much informationavailable.

3 days ago

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Chris G

I love their search features! Go by zip code or draw a circle around the area you want a house in. This allows more freedom to find less populated or more populated areas. Another fantastic feature is giving the history of the property. How many times it has been on the market, the last time it was sold, for how much etc. So when someone buys a piece of land for $15k 6 months ago and are now trying to sell it for 200k, you have more bargaining room - or can just run! It also has information if the land was harvested for the trees, then replanted with cheap pine. (A healthy woodland has various types of trees. All pine says it has already been strippe d of anything valuable). They can be a little generous in estimating your homes value, but it's not too far off. Their search features can't be beat! I tried a few.

2 weeks ago

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Debra Fort Lauderdale, FL

I can always count on Zillow for ease of use and help with a sale or rent. I bought my apartment a few years ago and would never have found it If the seller had posted on Zillow and I had not looked!. My daughter just rented a home after selling her home and used Zillow. Super easy to use and we are always successful! Keep up the great work Zillow!

3 weeks ago

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Devin Regensburger

I like that Zillow provides so much information on properties. It helped me find my current house and I'll use it again when I decide to move. The estimated monthly cost is also very helpful!

1 week ago

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Kelsey T.L. Lansing, MI

I've been using Zillow for a while now, and I must say it's a fantastic resource for both homebuyers and sellers. While it's not perfect, there are many aspects of Zillow that I truly appreciate. Zillow's user-friendly interface makes it easy to search for homes in your desired area. The filters are incredibly helpful, allowing you to narrow down your options by price range, property type, and various other criteria. I've found this feature especially useful in my home search. Another aspect I find valuable is the wealth of information available for each listing. You can view detailed property descriptions, high-quality photos, and even take virtual tours. This helps you get a better sense of a property before deciding to visit it in person. Another aspect that I've appreciated is the "Zestimate" tool. This has proven to be very helpful when assessing the value of a home, and in our experience, it's been very accurate. Our house's appraisal came in at the exact Zestimate. However, this was not accurate for our friends in the same home-buying process. It may depend on the location of the home. Overall, Zillow is a reliable platform for real estate research, and it has been a valuable tool in our homebuying journey. With a few minor improvements and more accurate data, it could easily earn a solid five-star rating.

1 month ago

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Tyrone Walton Atlanta, GA

I was on the house hunt for several months on my own but a close veteran buddy ask me have I ever heard of Zillow I said no but looked it up and I was hooked. The website made it easy and brought all the properties to me with just a click. The site is so user friendly and to my surprise very current on what you see on the site and what you see when you visit the property. I highly recommend Zillow to all future homeowners. Allow Zillow to put you in your dream home.

2 months ago

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Deborah Dyer Hendersonville, TN

We have used Zillow in the past when we were considering a move from one city to another. The Real estate Agent I worked with was very personable, professional and extremely knowledgeable in her line of work. We informed her what our interests were in what our next house would have to have, in order to please us. From that first day, she worked rapidly emailing me daily several pictures and information on at least 6-10 houses she thought we would like within our price range. She performed market values of the homes that had sold within our neighborhood and surrounding areas comparing them with the price we had decided to sell our home for. Unfortunately, due to an Unexpectedly and quite involved health issue, we were not able to move at the time we had hoped. However, she kept in touch with us, even mailing me a beautiful ‘Thinking of you’ card which I thought was very nice. I still receive quotes for our home as the home market continues to go up and down. We will use her again someday if and when we decide to move.

5 months ago

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Amber Newman Mobile, AL

I love that you can search houses and that they have pics to go along and detailed description of what the house has.

5 days ago

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Jayashree Tatavarti Brisbane, QLD

Love this site. I have been using them to buy new home, to check my home market value etc. I feel they are very close to the real value in my opinion and experience.

4 weeks ago

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Elinés Avilés

Overall the page is very manageable, but sometimes I get lost. I don't know if it is because of the area I am looking for, but it tends to send me other area codes instead of the one I am using. I have to go back and put the zip code or name of the town a lot of times, so that I can keep seeing the houses at the area I am looking for. But overall the page is very user friendly and can get you different houses in a variety of prices. Just need some adjust.

2 months ago

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Ann Carson Glenolden, PA

Very easy app to use, get notifications almost daily on new listings, can also designate certain areas, have been using Zillow for the past 3 years. Gives a lot of great information on listings, especially neighborhoods, schools, shopping.

1 month ago

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Kelsey Conner Wilmington, NC

We found our first home using Zillow, and the Zestimate was pretty accurate. We preferred it over our realtor's platform. We enjoy the ease of the functionality of the website, and will use it next time we buy a home.

1 month ago

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Russ Hamstring Lake Havasu City, AZ

I always use Zillow's free services when I'm looking to buy a home. The information they provide is honest and to the point. It's a great tool to use if looking for home values in a certain area or to see your home's value. They show you a map with values. It's just great.

3 months ago

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Joe Tucci New Hyde Park, NY

Zillow makes searching for a new home easy. I love the map search! Zillow gives you an estimate or comp what the home should cost in the area. I still go on this site to see what homes just got listed and area comps for homes like mine.

2 months ago

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Matthew Houston, TX

Best site when it comes to looking for and then purchasing a new home. I was a first time homebuyer and I religiously used this couples with the help of my realtor to buy my first home. Has so many homes on it, everyone uses it, site is incredibly easy to use.

2 months ago

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C. Ward Lutherville-Timonium, MD

I like the details of the property however doesn’t detail the type of sale such as foreclosure or short sale

5 days ago

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Sierra Jo Smith Pomeroy, WA

Zillow.com is the go-to website for real estate. With a user-friendly interface, robust search functionality, and a vast database of listings, it revolutionizes the way we navigate the housing market. The site provides comprehensive property details, including price history, amenities, and neighborhood data, allowing informed decision-making. Innovative tools like the interactive map view and "Zestimate" feature enhance the home search experience. Zillow's mortgage calculator simplifies financial planning. Whether you're a buyer, seller, or enthusiast, Zillow.com is an invaluable resource for all your real estate needs.

5 months ago

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Brooke Harris Tuscaloosa, AL

Easy to use to browse homes and keeps the homes listed up to date with pictures! A lot of sales people start messaging you if you hit contact.

1 month ago

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Sonya Parker Mesa, AZ

Zillow is always behind and often have outdated information on housing listings. Houses are either sold or off the market by the time Zillow lists them. Not a reliable for homebuying shoppers.

2 weeks ago

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Greatness Las Vegas, NV

I've been working with this guys shortly, but the time I've been with them they make sure all needs and concerns of mine are met. And they work with me to help reach my future goals that I need.

3 weeks ago

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David Hall Salt Lake City, UT

I have never purchased a home through Zillow. But I have looked up my home's value and then had it professionally appraised twice. Both times, Zillow was spot on.

1 month ago

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Guy Honolulu, HI

Overall Zillow is pretty good, used it to look for houses then pass on the info to our realtor to check if the place was still available or if any offers were submitted

1 month ago Edited October 24, 2023

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Eric K New York, NY

Zillow is my go to site for real estate searches. I can be sure that new listings are included immediately and it is a good site for researching the market.

1 month ago

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Halle Carl Carson City, NV

Best place to look for new to you homes and check on your property as well! Love them! Details of listings are clear and consider. App is easy to navigate

1 month ago Edited October 25, 2023

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Tina Porter Montgomery, AL

I use Zillow because it provides geographical views. It has potential calculations for down payments and monthly payments, It is very detailed and it also allows you to customize your search. I couldn't find anything wrong with the site.

2 months ago

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Gary Haynes Ford City, PA

It's convenient to look for houses for sale and how much taxes are in specific areas. Zillow tells you almost everything you need to know about the house even down to the amount of finance and estimated monthly payment.

2 months ago

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Reb R

Pretty simple to use website. I love that they have satellite maps in addition to regular maps. Lately isn’t he current market it seems as if properties are undervalued. We had our home appraised recently and the Zillow estimate was $130,000 under what the appraisal was.

2 months ago

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Reem Haddad Houston, TX

Zillow has been an amazing site to use to find a home, whether to rent or buy. I currently reside in a home I found off Zillow. Amazing agents and easy to use. The process with them has been amazing!

2 months ago

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Jeri Bryant

Zillow always been the go to in the industry. They regularly release new products and updates that reflect their commitment to staying ahead of the curve. I go to them first to see what new on the market and if I need to put an offer in.

2 months ago Edited September 15, 2023

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Joseph Faenza Washington, DC

Zillow is a great resource when I was searching for my last home. I like how you can takeoff the boundary part of the map and keep searching all around the country if need be. Their zestimate is also a great option if you want to know what your current house is roughly worth.

4 months ago Edited August 7, 2023

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Missions Dallas, TX

I like the way Zillow covers the different cities in the states they are advertising. The information pages and pictures of properties are very detailed. Use them all the time while considering relocation. They send out to many emails. Need to receive information only on the requested types of properties if need to be alerted by a certain location or property.

3 months ago

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Susan Ballard Pearland, TX

I really enjoy that I can look up home values for any place I want to consider moving to. It's fun while on vacation to search for homes in the area I'm visiting. I also appreciate the ongoing updates to my own home value so I am informed as to what the market looks like. Great job Zillow!

3 months ago

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Mark Sanford Comfort, TX

Zillow is very user friendly and easy to search and browse listings I am interested in. Have purchased an "investment " home through Zillow and the agent was great! The agent was diligent in setting up appointments to view each home, was courteous and on time for each meeting and provided me with very helpful information.

3 months ago

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C B La Puente, CA

Zillow helped me find homes for rent at affordable prices! This is my first site to use whenever I’m apartment/house searching. It’s very easy to use and helps you find homes anywhere. You also get notified for new locations and you’re able to contact the agents if interested in homes.

3 months ago Edited August 10, 2023

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Margaret Pahrump, NV

Has all listings, even from listings no longer on the market

1 day ago

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Clela Finn Schertz, TX

I don’t know if I would have found my home if not for Zillow. We were spending every weekend viewing homes that my realtor brought up and it was a true bidding war. One day after viewing several, feeling frustrated and a bit defeated, I saw an ad on Facebook for Zillow, and I downloaded the app. I saw several homes that were along the lines of what we wanted and two that allowed self viewing. We fell in love with the first and called the realtor and made the offer that day. Still love the home and can’t say enough how much I appreciated Zillows services.

4 months ago

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Sherran Nutson Atlanta, GA

I use Zillow to check property value of my home and other homes in my area. I check Zillow to find properties in my area that are for sale and have a lake on the property. I use Zillow to find out how much homes sold for in my area. I love Zillow it's a one-stop-real estate shop. I'm about to find out just about anything on Zillow when it comes to real estate.

4 months ago

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Ilspbeth Bruce

I have been using Zillow for years and just love it! It is a fantantic tool has everyting neat and organized, very user friendly. All of the tools like the payment calculator are wonderful and its great to not have to go between diferent sites and apps to get everything that you need. We were out looking at properties over the weekend and where we were looking the cell service is VERY limited but with Zillow i was able to go thru and add the 8 properties we wanted to see all in a row and in line with the best routes to get to each and the quickest ways to get from one to the other and send all of that information from my pc at home to my phone so that no matter if i had cell service or not we could see exactly where we were going. It was a great day and we say everything that we wanted. Zillow is what i will always use!!!!

8 months ago

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Eric Fishman CA

One of my favorite sites to follow trends and all that’s happening in my area with regard to real estate. Very well laid out site and informative.

1 month ago

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Kerry Bachmann Cheyenne, WY

I LOVE Zillow! It’s exciting to see all the home listings and comparisons. They offer sound advice for budgeting and calculating my finances too!

1 month ago

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Linda Steber Green Bay, WI

User friendly. Zillow's listings are complete with great pictures and they seem to keep things well updated. I have used Zillow often.

1 month ago

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James Galarza Hot Springs, AR

The web site identifying real estate for sale was good. The maps that were involved helped a lot, as well as the breakdown of the different information that is attached with the real estate.

2 months ago

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J Adams Charlotte, NC

Zillow was very helpful when I was searching for a new house in an area I had just moved to. Also, the information provided on the website is very helpful when comparing houses in different neighborhoods.

2 months ago

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Debra Sumter, SC

They showed me a large selection of the areas I was interested in, helping me narrow down where I moved to. It is a great tool to use to try and learn an area.

2 months ago

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Kandra Gunter Miami, FL

I love that this site is user-friendly as well as provide ways for sellers to post properties in addition to searching for some. I highly recommend this site!

2 months ago

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Cynthia Green Markham, IL

Zillow gives me lots of options. I was looking to find an apartment, I put in the # of rooms and bathrooms that I wanted and plenty of options were available in my price range and area.

3 months ago

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K.I.W. Lawrence, KS

This website can be useful for certain things, like studying how the housing market can be manipulated. They have access to user data which gives them inside insights into which properties to buy. Their algorithm and home-flipping strategies are unethical and play a part in making homes unaffordable and screwing us all when it comes to accessible housing.

3 months ago

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KmanAuto

Great for searching local area. Previously I was also able to list my home for sale by owner, which they have since removed the option to do so. Also, opened the app once while on a road trip to see the home prices in the city/state we were traveling through. I never saved any search or anything, now the app constantly is trying to get me to purchase homes 6 states over, and I cannot find any way to disable this. Lastly, Zestimates are insanely inaccurate.

3 months ago

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Sharla Van de Vyver Washington, MI

We have listed a home and successfully sold it by owner on Zillow. We have also purchased a home we found through Zillow. Zillow made it easy to find exactly what we were looking for with their filters and saved search options.

4 months ago

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