Zillow

Affordability is improving without relying on falling home prices… and that’s exactly what the market needs. Top takeaways  Buyers: Mortgage payments are easing ($177 below their peak), and affordability is improving in nearly every major metro. Sellers: Buyer budgets are loosening gradually. With modest price growth ahead, realistic pricing is key. Real estate professionals: This is a small-wins market driven by rates, incomes and monthly costs. Clear guidance and expectation-setting matter. The full market snapshot: https://lnkd.in/gyu2zjCR 

A lot of the conversation around AI misses the point. The real opportunity is using technology to give agents time back: time to focus on relationships and the moments that actually matter in a transaction. As our VP of Product Cameron Swiggett said in an interview with Inman, the goal is to “elevate the agent… so that they have the time to go do the human stuff.” That idea guides how we think about agent productivity at Zillow. When technology reduces friction instead of adding it, agents can stay focused on helping more and more people get home every day. Read more: https://zlw.re/4qoDctM

Join us LIVE on January 22, 2026 at 10 a.m. PT for an exclusive, hands-on workshop with the team behind ChatGPT at OpenAI, built specifically for real estate professionals. This isn’t another webinar. It’s a rare opportunity to learn directly from the people shaping the future of AI and discover how smart prompt engineering can transform how you market, generate leads, and work day to day. What you’ll walk away with: • Ready-to-use ChatGPT prompts created by OpenAI • Practical strategies for marketing, lead generation, and productivity • Expert insight into what makes prompts actually work Spots are filling fast, so register now and stay ahead of the curve. https://zlw.re/4pE8wU9

As Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaches, we’re reminded that it’s a day of reflection. And a call to action. Meaningful change happens when we act with purpose, not just today, but all year long. That’s why we encourage employees to get involved in the ways that matter most to them, whether through service, civic engagement or simply showing up for the people and places around them. At Zillow, the way we work makes that possible. In Cloud HQ, employees are able to do meaningful, high-impact work while staying rooted in their communities. Here are some of those stories:

In case you missed our 2026 housing market outlook, the BiggerPockets Podcast took a deep dive into our 10 predictions: Our rental take: The lifestyle renter will emerge as a force For an increasing number of Americans, renting is a deliberate choice — one that supports mobility, reduces home maintenance burdens and better aligns with their lifestyle. Nearly 3 in 5 renters say they plan to keep renting in 2026. Host Dave Meyer’s commentary: “I do agree with this idea that lifestyle renters will emerge as a force. I think there are going to be people who choose to rent indefinitely.” Our for-sale take: Home values will rise modestly Improving affordability and steady demand, combined with easing mortgage costs, are expected to keep buyers engaged and support modest price growth across many regions. Dave Meyer’s commentary: “It [the housing market] is coming back closer to balanced.” 🎧 Take a listen for yourself: https://lnkd.in/gSwQG4VU 

🔥Plot twist! There’s a new hottest housing market for 2026. Hartford, CT, officially takes the top spot, knocking out Buffalo, NY — the hottest market the past two years! Homes are moving fast, price cuts are staying rare and strong price growth is ahead. 👇Watch the video below to see which metros made the top 5!

“Zillow, find me 2-bedroom homes near great coffee and a dog park.” The Zillow app in ChatGPT lets you describe what you’re looking for: budget, bedrooms, the vibe of the neighborhood, and see real homes that match. When you’re ready, you can jump into the full Zillow experience to book a tour or message an agent. See how conversational home search is reshaping the home shopping experience. 

“Slow Horses” (the Mick Herron book that’s now an Apple TV series) has a line in the foreword: “The larger an organization becomes, the more dysfunctional it gets.” I had to reread that a few times given it was so out of context for the type of book and, while not a new idea in any way, it landed with me. Zillow Rentals has a lot of momentum right now. We’re scaling quickly and have hundreds of incredible people dedicated to building this business. That kind of growth is exciting. Scale doesn’t have to mean friction, slower decision making or the setting for “this is just how big companies work”. If anything, it should push us to get better and keep trying things and raising the bar as we grow. What is ahead remains way way bigger than what has already been accomplished and, while we’re way outside of the ‘Happy New Year’ window, there’s something about early January decision making that feeds the excitement for what is upcoming. Ok, also, working through a few books at the moment, but always open to can’t miss recommendations!