Zillow is a joke: Realtors and agents can manipulate it

The secret of how realtors use Zillow to manipulate their clients and sell homes

Yes, it is possible to manipulate Zillow values and increase the value of your home. If you are unsure about what Zillow is about, we discuss more about it in this article.

What is Zillow?

Zillow is a fully-featured real estate app for homebuyers, renters, and sellers. You can explore millions of homes and flats for sale or rent using its robust search filters accessible from the search page.

Listings may contain everything from 3D walkthroughs to publicly accessible tax data. If you locate a home that grabs your attention, the app allows you to contact the owner or listing agent. When you’re ready to select a real estate agent to help you purchase or sell a house, you can use Zillow’s realtor directory to explore local agents and read authentic reviews. In addition, the app’s mortgage capabilities make it simple to estimate your monthly payments and locate a lender.

Additionally, the Zillow app allows homeowners to rent or sell their properties. The My Home option enables you to locate and claim your property, view comparable in the area, determine your home’s estimated worth, and make a sale or rental ads. Creating a Zillow listing is free, and potential buyers or renters can contact the seller using the platform.

Zillow Features

Zillow is one of the most sophisticated real estate platforms. It comes with many features that make it unique. These features include:

Listing Indication

A seller or buyer can submit properties onto the listing service of Zillow. The property can then be visible through other syndicated listings.

Listing management portal

You can manage listing details through Zillow’s agent portal. The details you might require to list include photos of the property, features of the home, and any other fixtures.

Agent profiles

Zillow provides professional profiles of brokerage or agents who provide services in specific areas that one might need.

Premium listings and profiles

Users can pay for premium listings to increase the exposure of properties, making it easy for people to contact them and inquire.

Website Integration

Zillow incorporates widgets that allow one to share listing data, RSS feeds, badges, and market monitoring tools on their websites.

CMA tools

The platform allows users to use comparative market analyses to make real estate listings that they can share with the clients.

Mortgage calculator

The platform provides a simple mortgage calculator that agents can use to determine the purchasing ability of potential buyers. Additionally, they recommend budget limits for the property.

MLS Integration

The MLS feeds from the app allow you to automatically update the syndicated listings to make sure that the information you get on the app is accurate and up to date.

Advertising and marketing tools

Zillow allows users to list services on websites, mobile apps, and email newsletters. You can take advantage of their advertising networks and improve your reach on the listing services.

How realtors manipulate Zillow

Reports suggest that Zestimate, one of Zillow’s most popular free products, could be used for manipulation. Zestimates are calculated using a proprietary system that brokers and homeowners can exploit to inflate the worth of the vast majority of houses on Zillow.

Public records information such as surrounding housing transactions and the registered land area of a home are included in Zestimate. This information applies to homebuyers and is largely correct. Nonetheless, Zillow permits and even encourages homeowners to provide unverified data about their homes, and the information is used then to calculate the estimates. Some realtors will urge homeowners to enter incorrect information on Zillow in the expectation that it might be used to induce homebuyers to overpay for a property.

Zillow does not reveal how its Zestimates are calculated. This lack of transparency is concerning since it renders the process susceptible to manipulation.

Still, Zillow’s app is widely regarded as the best real estate app because of its wide range of functionality. It contains one of the most comprehensive databases of available properties, including Zillow-owned properties. Its efficient features include the option to share a potential property with your spouse or roommate, as well as the rapid application process for tenants. The application meets practically all of the user’s needs. Additionally, the app is free to use unless you want to subscribe to their premium options.