Detailed Summary of "Can't Stop Scrolling on Zillow? You’re Not Alone" Episode
Podcast Title: Post Reports
Host/Author: The Washington Post
Episode Title: Can't Stop Scrolling on Zillow? You’re Not Alone
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Hosts: Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi
Guest: Rachel Kurzius, Real Estate Reporter
Introduction: The Zillow Phenomenon
In this episode of Post Reports, hosts Elahe Izadi and Rachel Kurzius delve into the pervasive influence of Zillow, a leading real estate platform that has effectively become a dominant player in the housing market landscape. The conversation explores why millions are captivated by browsing home listings, even when they have no immediate plans to purchase a property.
Elahe Izadi sets the stage by sharing her personal habit of obsessively checking house listings on Zillow, highlighting how even properties far beyond her financial reach still capture her attention:
"It's $3.995 million." ([00:42])
Rachel Kurzius, who writes about homes for The Post, acknowledges the widespread obsession:
"I can't tell you how many of these video tours I have watched in my spare moments." ([01:32])
The Rise and Dominance of Zillow
Rachel explains Zillow's evolution from a simple real estate database to a powerhouse in the housing market. She differentiates Zillow from other platforms like Redfin, emphasizing that while Zillow primarily offers comprehensive real estate information, Redfin operates as a brokerage with a distinct business model focused on salaried agents rather than commission-based ones.
"Zillow is basically a tech company that provides real estate information." ([06:08])
"Redfin is actually a brokerage... offering very different business propositions." ([05:25])
The conversation highlights Zillow's substantial web traffic, positioning it among the top websites in the United States:
"There are 2.4 billion visits to its site." ([09:58])
"By unique visitors, Zillow ranks about 15 in the United States in terms of traffic." ([10:32])
Legal Challenges: Compass vs. Zillow
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around a recent lawsuit filed by Compass, a major brokerage, against Zillow. Compass alleges that Zillow maintains a monopolistic hold over the real estate information market, violating antitrust laws by restricting brokers from privately listing homes without immediately posting them on Zillow.
"Compass is suing Zillow, and they're calling Zillow a monopoly." ([06:42])
Compass aims to establish a network for exclusive, off-market listings—properties not typically available on MLS or Zillow—to offer clients a sense of exclusivity and control over their listings. Zillow, however, counters by insisting that their mandate is to maintain a transparent and fair marketplace.
"If you don't put a listing on Zillow within 24 hours, you're banned, you're blocked." ([07:52])
Transformation of the Real Estate Agent Role
The advent of Zillow and similar platforms has significantly altered the traditional role of real estate agents. Previously, agents were the primary source for finding and touring homes. Now, buyers have unprecedented access to listings and information, enabling them to perform much of the preliminary research independently.
"The role of the real estate agent has changed. It used to be you've relied on your agent to find homes... Now home buyers can do that on their own." ([09:38])
This shift has implications for how agents interact with clients and conduct business, pushing them to adapt to a more technology-driven environment.
User Demographics and Engagement
Rachel categorizes Zillow users into several groups:
- House Hunters: Individuals actively seeking to buy a home.
- Homeowners: People monitoring the housing market to assess their property's value or stay informed about neighborhood trends.
- Casual Browsers: Users who engage in Zillow browsing as a form of window shopping, often for inspiration or out of curiosity.
She notes that the majority of Zillow's traffic does not translate directly into home purchases, with the platform receiving about 2.4 billion visits in Q1 2025 compared to approximately 4 million homes sold in the U.S. last year.
"Most of the time when people are looking at Zillow, they're not buying homes, they're just looking." ([09:58])
The Psychology Behind Zillow Addiction
The hosts explore the deeper psychological reasons why individuals who aren't actively in the market for a home still spend significant time on platforms like Zillow. Rachel references research suggesting that humans have an innate desire for "dirt" or inside information, which aids in community understanding and social norm enforcement.
"We've developed this interest over time because it allows our communities to better understand each other." ([17:26])
Moreover, Zillow offers a guilt-free form of voyeurism, allowing users to explore affluent lifestyles and dream homes without the ethical concerns associated with celebrity gossip or invasive privacy breaches.
"It's voyeurism without the guilt." ([12:42])
However, this behavior can also lead to unrealistic expectations and feelings of inadequacy, especially among younger generations facing significant barriers to homeownership.
"So much of the Internet makes us feel bad about our own circumstances." ([19:39])
Generational Challenges in Home Buying
Elahe brings attention to the stark contrast between current generations, particularly millennials and Gen Z, and older generations regarding homeownership. The high costs and competitive markets have made purchasing a home increasingly unattainable for younger individuals, who often turn to Zillow as a means of vicarious browsing rather than actual house hunting.
"It's just a fun thing to do... knowing that that's just not in my budget." ([18:52])
This phenomenon underscores the broader economic and social challenges faced by younger populations in achieving traditional milestones like homeownership.
Navigating Real Estate Listings: Spotting Red Flags
Towards the end of the episode, Rachel offers practical advice for listeners interested in using real estate platforms more discerningly. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the euphemistic language often used in listings, which can sometimes mask underlying issues with properties. Terms like "cozy" may indicate smaller spaces, while "as is" could suggest significant problems requiring repairs.
"If they say as is, that's like, there's probably something seriously wrong with this home." ([21:20])
She also cautions that online listings can be misleading due to staging and photography tricks, drawing parallels to online dating where profiles may not accurately represent reality.
"It's like online dating and then meeting someone in person... your expectations are totally off." ([22:35])
Rachel's key takeaway is the necessity of visiting properties in person to gain an accurate understanding of their condition and suitability.
"If you are genuinely interested in looking at a home, like, you gotta go in person." ([22:35])
Conclusion: The Dual Nature of Real Estate Platforms
The episode concludes by acknowledging the dual aspects of platforms like Zillow. On one hand, they democratize access to real estate information and inspire users with design ideas. On the other, they can perpetuate unrealistic aspirations and contribute to feelings of discontent among those unable to enter the housing market.
Elahe Izadi wraps up the discussion by appreciating Rachel's insights and emphasizing the importance of critically engaging with these platforms.
"Well, Rachel, thank you so much for joining and sharing all this with me. I really appreciate it." ([23:22])
Notable Quotes:
- "Zillow has become what people think about when they're thinking about home listings." – Rachel Kurzius ([06:08])
- "It's voyeurism without the guilt." – Rachel Kurzius ([12:42])
- "If you are genuinely interested in looking at a home, like, you gotta go in person." – Rachel Kurzius ([22:35])
This episode of Post Reports provides a comprehensive look into how Zillow has transformed not just the real estate industry but also the behaviors and expectations of the general public. By blending expert reporting with relatable anecdotes, Elahe Izadi and Rachel Kurzius offer listeners valuable insights into the intersection of technology, psychology, and the ever-evolving housing market.