06/10/2026
This! ALSO, that agent is going to have to pay a REFERRAL FEE to Zillow just for routing your call to them if you buy something through that agent. This should be DISCLOSED to you before you agree to sign anything. WHY? Because it could effect what YOU pay for buyer agency fees to that particular agent. THINK before you click the button, or complete the form submission (sort of like when you are shopping for insurance and you make the mistake of clicking "get a quote now!" and then your phone starts ringing) Seek out a good agent that has experience in the type of property you are looking for. Work with an agent who you trust and then commit to them. They can show you any properties no matter who they are listed with. I always tell my buyers: it's ok to LOOK on Z, but if you see something you want to know more about, just click on the SHARE link and send it to me.
PSA for all home buyers because I truly believe most people donāt realize this...
When you click the āTOUR THIS HOMEā or āCONTACT AGENTā button on Zillow or any online search portal:
YOU are the product!
Your information is being sold as a lead to an agent paying for buyer opportunities. And 99% of the time, that agent is not the listing agent and has never seen the house either.
Most buyers assume theyāre getting connected directly to the listing agent- someone who knows the property, has all the key info on the home, can answer questions, and is simply opening the door because itās ātheir listing.ā
I know this because Iām having this exact conversation with people. Zillow is actually getting sued for lack of transparency about this exact thing. So, today is the day weāre gonna get real transparent with it on social media. š
Hereās what really happens when you click that āContact Agentā button: You are being routed into their lead system. They are selling your information to a realtor. Sometime more than one realtor...
And listenā¦ if thatās how you want to approach your home search, cool. No judgment. Iām just here to tell you whatās actually happening on the back end because most consumers genuinely have no idea.
Iāve had conversations in the past with buyers who thought they were directly contacting the listing agent. Mostly because they felt like their timing was really far out, and they didnāt want to ābugā the agent they planned on using because it seemed silly in their mind.
Well itās not!
PLEASE bother your Realtor. Thatās literally what we are here for. Send the screenshot. Text the address. Email the Zillow link at 10:42 PM while laying in bed spiraling about interest rates.
Just know what youāre opting into before clicking buttons all over the internet because you donāt know what you donāt know.
Sighed agents everywhereā¦.
