Zillow Survey Reveals Sellers Prefer Broad Exposure Over Private Listings
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 50 minutes ago
0mins
Should l Buy Z?
Source: PRnewswire
- Seller Preference: A recent Zillow survey indicates that 61% of soon-to-be sellers believe broad online exposure yields better sales outcomes, contrasting sharply with the push for private listing networks by some brokers, highlighting a clear preference for public market options among sellers.
- Limitations of Private Networks: Private listing networks restrict visibility to buyers associated with the same brokerage as the seller, limiting competition and potentially leaving money on the table, while Zillow advocates for public pre-marketing to maximize seller exposure.
- Strong Buyer Demand: The survey reveals that 88% of Americans are interested in viewing pre-marketed homes online, with 52% of buyers valuing the extra time to research neighborhoods and 41% wanting more time for financing pre-qualification, reflecting a market demand for transparency.
- Zillow's Market Strategy: Zillow's introduction of Zillow Preview, in collaboration with Realtor.com, aims to significantly expand property visibility, providing sellers with maximum early exposure and real-time data, ensuring they can work with trusted agents to enhance transaction success rates.
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Analyst Views on Z
Wall Street analysts forecast Z stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 37.370
Low
70.00
Averages
87.40
High
100.00
Current: 37.370
Low
70.00
Averages
87.40
High
100.00
About Z
Zillow Group, Inc. helps people find and get the home they want by connecting them with digital solutions, dedicated partners and agents, and buying, selling, financing, and renting experiences. The Company’s affiliates, subsidiaries, and brands include Zillow, Zillow Premier Agent, Zillow Home Loans, Zillow Rentals, Trulia, Out East, StreetEasy, HotPads, ShowingTime+, Spruce, and Follow Up Boss. It helps renters, buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals across all their residential real estate needs through its housing super app, which serves as an ecosystem of connected solutions for the tasks and services related to moving. It provides integrated transaction experience for movers through Zillow, its network of partners, its affiliated brands, and through a comprehensive suite of marketing software and technology solutions for the real estate industry, including ShowingTime+, Follow Up Boss and Spruce. It offers multifamily property managers a variety of advertising products.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
- Seller Preference Survey: A recent Zillow survey reveals that 61% of soon-to-be sellers believe broad online exposure yields better sales outcomes, indicating a strong resistance to traditional private networks and a market demand for transparency.
- Importance of Pre-Marketing: 85% of sellers express a preference for agents who can pre-market their homes to a broad audience, enhancing agents' competitive edge while providing sellers with a larger potential buyer pool.
- Market Response: The survey indicates that 84% of Americans believe early online exposure helps reach more buyers, and 82% think it accelerates home sales, reflecting widespread market recognition of pre-marketing's benefits, potentially driving industry transformation.
- Zillow's Strategic Response: Zillow has launched Zillow Preview, aiming to expand property visibility through collaboration with Realtor.com, ensuring sellers can access the largest potential buyer audience before their listings officially go live, thereby enhancing sales effectiveness.
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- Seller Preference: A recent Zillow survey indicates that 61% of soon-to-be sellers believe broad online exposure yields better sales outcomes, contrasting sharply with the push for private listing networks by some brokers, highlighting a clear preference for public market options among sellers.
- Limitations of Private Networks: Private listing networks restrict visibility to buyers associated with the same brokerage as the seller, limiting competition and potentially leaving money on the table, while Zillow advocates for public pre-marketing to maximize seller exposure.
- Strong Buyer Demand: The survey reveals that 88% of Americans are interested in viewing pre-marketed homes online, with 52% of buyers valuing the extra time to research neighborhoods and 41% wanting more time for financing pre-qualification, reflecting a market demand for transparency.
- Zillow's Market Strategy: Zillow's introduction of Zillow Preview, in collaboration with Realtor.com, aims to significantly expand property visibility, providing sellers with maximum early exposure and real-time data, ensuring they can work with trusted agents to enhance transaction success rates.
See More
- Legal Investigation Launched: Bragar Eagel & Squire is investigating whether Zillow has violated federal securities laws, potentially impacting investor rights and indicating significant legal risks for the company.
- Revenue Recognition Issues: On March 5, 2024, Spruce Point Capital released a report alleging premature revenue recognition in Zillow's Flex model, causing a 4.97% drop in stock price, reflecting market concerns over the company's financial transparency.
- Antitrust Lawsuit Impact: On September 30, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission sued Zillow for an unlawful agreement with Redfin, leading to a 4.63% decline in stock price, highlighting the legal challenges the company faces in a competitive market.
- Investor Rights Protection: Bragar Eagel & Squire encourages affected investors to contact their attorneys to understand their legal rights and potential claims, demonstrating the firm's proactive approach to safeguarding investor interests.
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- 30-Year Fixed Rate Decline: According to Zillow, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell by 7 basis points to 6.27%, which may stimulate demand among homebuyers, particularly in a market where overall rates are slightly elevated.
- 15-Year Fixed Rate Increase: In contrast, the 15-year fixed loan rate rose by 5 basis points to 5.72%, potentially influencing borrowers who wish to pay off their loans quickly, leading them to weigh their options between loan terms and rates.
- 20-Year Fixed Rate Slight Drop: The 20-year fixed loan rate decreased by 2 basis points to 6.17%, which may attract borrowers looking to pay off their loans in a shorter timeframe, despite the overall high-rate environment.
- Refinance Rate Overview: The current 30-year fixed refinance rate stands at 6.28%, slightly higher than purchase loan rates, indicating that the refinancing market still faces challenges, and borrowers may need to carefully assess the cost-effectiveness of refinancing.
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- Securities Fraud Investigation: Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims against Zillow and its executives for potential securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, aiming to protect investor rights and possibly initiate a class action.
- Revenue Recognition Issues: On March 5, 2024, Spruce Point Capital released a report alleging premature revenue recognition in Zillow's Flex model, causing the stock to drop 4.97% to $54.49 on that day.
- FTC Lawsuit Impact: On September 30, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission sued Zillow and Redfin over an unlawful agreement, leading to a 4.63% decline in Zillow's stock price to $73.48 on October 1, 2025.
- Legal Background: Pomerantz LLP is a premier firm in securities and antitrust class litigation, established over 85 years ago, dedicated to fighting for victims of securities fraud and has recovered millions in damages for class members.
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- Revenue Recognition Controversy: On March 5, 2024, Spruce Point Capital released a report alleging premature revenue recognition issues in Zillow's Flex model, causing shares to drop approximately 5% from $57.34 to $54.49 between March 4 and May 5, 2024, reflecting investor concerns over financial transparency.
- Antitrust Lawsuit Impact: On September 30, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission sued Zillow and Redfin for an unlawful agreement, leading to a 5% decline in Zillow's stock price from $77.05 to $73.48, indicating market skepticism regarding its competitive strategies.
- Legal Costs Drag: On February 10, 2026, Zillow announced Q4 2024 earnings, with CFO stating legal expenses exceeded expectations, resulting in a 180 basis point margin drag, causing shares to plummet approximately 17% from $54.71 to $45.66, highlighting the direct impact of legal risks on financial health.
- Ongoing Investigation Status: No lawsuit has been filed against Zillow yet, and the ongoing investigation may reveal potential violations of federal securities laws, which could significantly affect the company's future operations and stock price, prompting investors to closely monitor developments.
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