The Next Generation of Home Search: Moving Past Zillow

[Harvey Gill]

The way we search for real estate is evolving beyond the typical process on Zillow, which usually involves searching a city and applying filters. Now, we can articulate complex needs through descriptive queries like: "Find 3-bed homes priced around $1.3 million near USC in Southern California," or "Locate San Diego properties under $1.2 million that include a basement with its entrance." This returns specific addresses to view and potentially enables further interaction with follow-up questions, mimicking the guidance received from a realtor more closely than Zillow's filter-based system.

This is similar to how we search on Google and use ChatGPT. It is also how we describe ourselves to our realtor or friends when we need guidance.

Moreover, some investors would like to search based on markets rather than look for a specific property. They can search about a market and receive an answer instantly rather than looking at graphs or viewing countless real estate data sites. As investors are viewing properties there will be a chatbot that they can answer questions such as what are the rent comparables, and how is the neighborhood like all in one platform.

This is what the future of home search will be as the technology advances.