Zillow is bringing an integrated home-buying experience to life in select areas we call enhanced markets. In these markets, we are laying the foundation for customers who come to Zillow to be able to easily move through a traditionally complicated process in a more intuitive and seamless way with the expert guidance of Premier Agent partners and Zillow Home Loans loan officers.
Financing: A critical first step for buyers
We are starting with tackling the biggest hurdle for home buyers: financing. Understanding financing options is a critical first step for home buyers. Nearly 80% of homes purchased are financed with a mortgage3, and shopping for a mortgage is the starting point for about 40% of all home buyers4.
Empowering buyers with integrated financing
With integrated financing, we are weaving together all the crucial components buyers need to successfully finance their next home.Buyers can easily request financing information online and use resources, such as an affordability calculator, to learn more about what their potential monthly mortgage payment may be as they begin to set a budget. They can also seek pre-approval for financing and receive consistent, timely updates on where they are in the process.
Simplifying touring
We are also simplifying other parts of the process, including touring in enhanced markets and beyond with Real-Time Touring. In approximately 90 markets nationwide, buyers have access to Real-Time Touring, which makes booking a home tour for a day and time convenient to the buyer, agent and homeowner almost as easy as making an online restaurant reservation.
A seamless experience for more buyers and partners
This experience is available in thirteen enhanced markets and will expand to six new enhanced markets at the end of May. Over the course of the year, we will launch more enhanced markets as we work toward our goal of 40 markets by the end of 2024. These six new markets include: Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Current active markets are: Los Angeles Sacramento, San Diego, Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta, Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham, Las Vegas, Orlando, Riverside and Portland, Oregon.
32022 Profile of Homebuyers and Sellers, per the National Association of REALTORS®
4Zillow internal estimates
*This blog post contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, statements regarding our roll-out of enhanced markets. Statements containing words such as “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “will,” “projections,” “continue,” “work toward,” “opportunity,” “would,” “could,” “strive,” “target,” “commit,” or similar expressions constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made based on information currently available to management, and although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee these results. Differences in Zillow Group’s actual results from those described in these forward-looking statements may result from actions taken by us as well as from risks and uncertainties beyond our control. For more information about potential factors that could affect our business and financial results, please review the “Risk Factors” described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in Zillow Group’s other filings with the SEC. Except as may be required by law, we do not intend, and undertake no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances.