Changes to For Sale Searches on Zillow and Trulia

Let me first say that there really is no substitute for a great REALTOR.  Much the same for a Mortgage Loan Officer.  The skills and experience to navigate the obstacles of a home sale and loan closing are paramount to a great experience.

In tough times we need to think out of the box.  So let’s talk about the top ways homes for sale are marketed.

• MLS - this is THE marketplace for home sales listings - Yet many homes are being sold before they even get an updated listing on the MLS
• Realtor.com - Used to show us everyday folks MLS listings and the use of the MAP feature is excellent to see where the for sale property is - it can be slow and somewhat dated.  In other words you can find a property and call about it and it may actually have been off the market for a few days.  There seems to be a lag in updating the status of the homes listed
• Word of Mouth - this is where a great realtor will have their finger on the pulse of the area that they target.  They know someone is coming to market and are able to arrange a sales presentation or showing prior to market
• ZILLOW and TRULIA

Zillow and Trulia are essentially one and the same since Zillow Group acquired Trulia.  If you post on Zillow, it will also show on Trulia and vice versa.

Similar to MLOs, both Zillow and Trulia owe much of their success to Realtors.  Recently they added a feature that shows that support, but if you are not paying attention, you could miss it and miss some wonderful homes for sale.

When you look a home up on Zillow or Trulia, you can get a list or you can get a Map of properties for sale.  Once you add an area or zip code, you will get a list and a map.  The DEFAULT screen only shows REALTOR listings - makes sense due to the reliance on the realtor business.  Pay attention here:

YOU WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SEE THE COMING SOON OR FOR SALE BY OWNER PROPERTIES.

Go to the “Buy” Tab and click on “For Sale By Owner and Coming Soon” tabs.   You will see options not represented on the default screens of Realtor.com, Zillow,  Trulia or on any personalized realtor website that has a search function

On the Map View on Zillow and Trulia TOGGLE to Other Listings ( or OTHER) to see these FSBOs and Coming Soon Properties

See the Screenshots of Zillow and Trulia below

Most FSBOs are participating with Buyer’s Agents so you will get commissions for your Realtor partners but make sure that they ask to know for sure.

We love all of our Referral Partners at Innovative Mortgage, none more than our Realtors.  It is just as frustrating for realtors to show a bunch of properties and not win the contract.  If you find a home for your clients, your realtor partners will always be grateful.

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