How to Search for Homes for Sale or Rentals on Zillow

Zillow is a real estate marketplace where you can search millions of for-sale and rental listings, compare Zestimate® home values, and connect with local professionals. To start, use the search bar on the homepage to enter a location or search term, then choose whether you're looking to buy or rent. From there, you can filter results by price, home type, bedrooms, and other criteria, and take actions like saving listings or contacting an agent.

Getting Started with Search

The homepage centers on a search bar with the heading "Rentals. Homes. Agents. Loans." You can type a location or search term and submit it. The site notes that recommendations are based on your location and search activity, such as the homes you've viewed and saved and the filters you've used, so results may be tailored to your activity.

Choosing Buy or Rent

Zillow organizes its main navigation into distinct sections. Use the Buy menu to search for homes for sale, or the Rent menu to search rental listings.

Buy section options include:

• Homes for sale
• Foreclosures
• For sale by owner
• Open houses
• New construction
• Coming soon
• Recent home sales
• All homes

Rent section options include:

• Rental listings
• Search apartments for rent
• Search houses for rent
• Search all rental listings
• Browse all rental buildings

Filtering Your Results

Once you run a search, you can narrow results using filters. The site's recommendations note that filters you've used inform the homes it brings to your attention. Common filter dimensions include price, home type, and number of bedrooms, though the exact filter set depends on the section you're browsing.

Exploring Specific Listing Types

Zillow surfaces several specialized listing categories directly in its navigation, which can save you from filtering manually:

Saving Listings and Contacting Agents

Zillow lets you save homes you're interested in and connect with local professionals. The site's recommendations explicitly reference "the homes you've viewed and saved," indicating that saving is part of the browsing experience. To contact an agent, use the Find an agent section, which includes real estate agents and home builders, and offers a free agent account option for professionals.

Tools for Renters and Buyers

Beyond search, Zillow bundles tools into its Rent and Buy sections:

For renters:

• Estimate what you can afford
• See your applications
• Manage your tours
• Pay your rent
• Build your credit
• Get renters insurance
• Explore housing voucher programs

For buyers:

• Home Buying Guide
• Foreclosure center
• Real estate app
• Down payment assistance

For financing:

• Calculate your BuyAbility
• Get pre-qualified
• Estimate your mortgage payment
• See current mortgage rates
• Learn about financing a home

Managing Rental Properties

If you're a landlord or property manager, the Manage rentals section includes:

• List your property for rent
• View your properties
• Read your messages
• Check your property's rental value
• Screen renters with applications
• Create and manage leases
• Collect rent

A Note on Fair Housing

Zillow states that you have a right to fair housing and links to information about New York Fair Housing protections. Keep this in mind when browsing and when interacting with agents or landlords.

Quick Start Summary

1. Go to zillow.com and use the search bar to enter a location.
2. Choose Buy for homes for sale or Rent for rental listings.
3. Apply filters to narrow by price, home type, and bedrooms.
4. Browse specialized categories like foreclosures, open houses, or new construction.
5. Save listings and contact an agent through the Find an agent section.