Photo by Rami Al-zayat on Unsplash
Zillow has long been known as a popular real estate platform, but recent developments suggest that it may be on its way to becoming the first super app for all things housing. This is exciting news for anyone interested in renting, buying, or selling a home and those simply interested in following the latest trends in the real estate market.
One of the key reasons it is well-positioned to become a super app for housing is its breadth of services. In addition to its core real estate search function, Zillow also provides a range of related services, such as mortgage and rental search, property management tools, and even home renovation and design resources. Users can turn to Zillow for all their housing needs rather than relying on multiple apps or services.
Another advantage is the sheer scale of its user base. With more than 200 million monthly visitors, Zillow has a huge audience of renters, buyers, and sellers and those simply interested in browsing listings or learning more about the housing market. This provides unparalleled access to data and insights about the real estate market, which could be used to create even more robust and useful tools for users.
Perhaps the super app’s most exciting aspect is how it could leverage new technologies to create even more innovative and personalized services. For example, they have already begun experimenting with virtual reality and augmented reality features that allow users to view homes in 3D or even “walk” through a home before visiting it in person. As these technologies evolve, it’s easy to imagine Zillow becoming an even more powerful and engaging tool for users including owners and operators.
Imagine if Zillow created a full-stack property management platform and gave it away for free to property owners and operators.
Of course, there are also potential drawbacks to the rise of a super app like Zillow. Some critics have raised concerns about the company’s increasing dominance over the real estate market and the potential for bias or inaccuracies in its automated valuation models. Others worry that it’s sheer volume of data could be used in ways that compromise user privacy or security.
Despite these concerns, it’s clear that Zillow is well on its way to becoming a super app for all things housing. With its comprehensive suite of services, massive user base, and willingness to embrace new technologies, Zillow is poised to transform how we think about buying, selling, and managing our homes. Zillow’s ongoing evolution is worth watching whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned real estate investor, or a large owner or operator. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the idea of a Super Property Management System fueled by Zillow.
If this happens, sign me up.