top of page

Zillow Search Setup

Updated: 3 days ago

In this article I wanted to dive into the question of whether or not you should use Zillow (or other public websites) instead of a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) search with an agent & how to go about that with Zillow if you wanted to start there. Getting a targeted search is important to saving you time in searching, and time saved is critical since it's much easier to be burned out in a search that's not expertly put together. Burn out can lead to not being on top of things when the right property becomes available, which can mean another person seeing it, making an offer, and getting under contract before you (sometimes <12 hrs after it hits the market).


Image here & many others courtesy Zillow


Where Public Websites Fall Short:

Reduced Accuracy

Reduced Options for Searching

Reduced Details/Features on Property

Flood Zones

Lag Time


Where Public Websites are Helpful:

For Sale by Owner Properties - #1 Reason to Have 1 or More Separate Searches from Public Websites Going to Supplement MLS Search

MLS Search Issues: Acreage