Zillow’s “Active” Explained

Zillow has established itself as a leading online real estate marketplace, offering a wealth of information to home buyers, sellers, and real estate agents.

Understand the various listing categories on Zillow for navigating the platform and finding the right property. 

One key term that users frequently encounter is “active.”

Whether you are looking to buy a new home or sell your existing property, Zillow can be an extremely valuable resource that is free.

Understand the different listing statuses

Pending: A property marked as “pending” indicates that the seller has accepted an offer from a buyer.

However, the sale is not yet final, as certain conditions, such as financing or home inspections, still need to be met.

Properties in the pending category are usually off the market, and additional offers may not be considered.

Contingent: The “contingent” status is similar to “pending” but often signifies that the seller has accepted an offer, subject to specific conditions.

These conditions may include the buyer needing to sell their current property or the completion of a home inspection.

The property remains active but is no longer accepting additional offers until the contingent conditions are resolved.

Sold: Once a property is marked as “sold,” it means that the sale has been successfully completed, and the property is no longer available on the market.

While sold listings provide useful information on recent transactions, they are not active listings.

Each status carries a different meaning and provides valuable information to both buyers and sellers.

What does “active” mean on Zillow

Active listings on Zillow refer to homes that are currently available for sale. These properties are actively on the market and open to potential buyers.

Let’s say you’re in the market for a new home and decide to use Zillow to search for properties.

As you start browsing through the listings, you come across a description that catches your eye. It mentions that the property is labeled as “active” on Zillow.

What does it mean when a property is marked as “active” on Zillow?

Well, it simply means that the home is currently available for sale and actively being marketed.

This is great news for you as a potential buyer because it indicates that the property is ready for you to explore, schedule tours, and even make offers.

When a listing is marked as active, it means that the seller is seeking offers and is open to negotiations on the home. 

Advantages of having active properties on Zillow

As a buyer, one of the main benefits of focusing on active listings on Zillow is the assurance that the property is still available for purchase.

• By narrowing down your search to active listings, you can avoid wasting time on properties that have already been sold or taken off the market. 
• Active listings are also more likely to have up-to-date information, including accurate pricing and property details.

• For sellers, keeping their listings active on Zillow offers several advantages. It increases the visibility of their property to potential buyers, increasing the chances of attracting offers.

• Active listings are also more likely to be featured in search results, drawing more attention to the property.
• Additionally, having an active listing can generate more inquiries and showings, leading to a faster sale.

Are there any disadvantages to having an “active” listing 

• Inaccurate information: Zillow relies on data from a variety of sources, including public records and user-submitted information. This means that the information on Zillow may not always be accurate or up-to-date.

• Unwanted solicitations: When a property is listed on Zillow, the seller may receive unwanted solicitations from real estate agents, investors, and other people.

• Limited control: Zillow has strict guidelines for what can and cannot be included in a listing, and sellers may have limited control over the appearance and content of their listing.
• Zestimate accuracy: Zillow provides a “Zestimate” for each property, which is an estimate of the property’s value. However, these estimates are not always accurate and can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the availability of data and recent sales in the area. Basically, they can be wrong.

Exploring Other Listing Categories 

Active Contingent: Active Contingent listings appear when a seller has accepted an offer, but certain contingencies are still being addressed.

These contingencies could include home inspections, repairs, or the sale of the buyer’s current property.

While the listing is still active, it is essential to note that the property has an accepted offer with pending conditions.

Active Kick-Out: The active kick-out status appears when a seller has accepted an offer with a kick-out clause.

This clause allows the seller to continue to market their property and consider other offers.

If a more favorable offer comes along, the initial buyer is given a specified period to remove their contingencies.

If they fail to do so, the seller can move forward with the second offer.

Back-Up Offer: A back-up offer status indicates that the property has an accepted offer, but the seller is still accepting additional offers as potential back-ups in case the current contract falls through.

Should the primary contract fail to proceed, the seller can then turn to the back-up offer to continue with the sale.

Common misconceptions about active listings 

There are some common misconceptions about active listings on Zillow that are important to address. 

• One misconception is that a property listed as active means that it is guaranteed to be available.

• While the active status indicates that the property is actively for sale, it is still possible for a property to be under contract or have an accepted offer.

It is essential for buyers to communicate with the listing agent to confirm the availability and status of a property before making any assumptions.

• Another misconception is that active listings on Zillow always represent the best deals.

•  While active listings often offer excellent opportunities, it is important to consider other factors such as location, condition, and pricing.

The best deal for you may not necessarily be the most attractive or most recently listed property. 

It is important to thoroughly research and compare different options to make an informed decision.

Tips for sellers 

If you are a seller looking to keep your listing active on Zillow, there are several tips you can follow.

First and foremost, ensure that your property is accurately represented in the listing.

• Provide high-quality photos that showcase the property’s best features and include detailed descriptions that highlight its unique selling points.

• Regularly update your listing with any changes, such as price adjustments or additional amenities.

• Respond promptly to inquiries and showing requests to demonstrate your commitment to selling. Consider hosting open houses or virtual tours to attract potential buyers.

• Finally, work closely with your real estate agent to develop a marketing strategy that maximizes the visibility of your listing on Zillow.

How to update the listing status

If you are a seller or a real estate agent and need to update the status of your listing on Zillow, it can be done through your Zillow account..

Log in to your account and navigate to the “My Listings” section. Find the specific listing you want to update and click on it.

Look for the option to edit the listing details and select the appropriate status from the available options. Make sure to save the changes to ensure that the updated status reflects accurately on Zillow.

How to Contact Zillow if Your Listing is Inactive

If your listing falls to inactive and you need to contact Zillow; here are the steps you can take.

Visit the Zillow Help Center  

1. Find the [Contact Us] button and select it.
2. Click on the appropriate tab based on your problem.

For example, if you are having trouble with an inactive listing, you may select “Home Sellers” as the topic and “My home on Zillow is listed by my agent. How can I edit my listing?” as the subtopic.

Choose your preferred contact method. Zillow offers several options for contacting their support team, including phone, email, and live chat.

How often is the “active” status updated on Zillow

The “active” status on Zillow is typically updated every [15-30] minutes, but this can vary depending on a variety of factors like the local real estate market and the availability of data.

Zillow relies on data from multiple sources, including Multiple Listing Services (MLS), public records, and user-submitted information, to update their listings.

Final Thoughts 

Zillow is a powerful platform that offers valuable resources for both buyers and sellers in the real estate market.

Understanding the different listing statuses, particularly the meaning of “active,” helps buyers make informed decisions.

Active listings represent properties that are actively on the market and available for purchase. By focusing on active listings, buyers can save time and ensure they are considering properties that are still available.

For sellers, keeping their listings active on Zillow increases visibility and attracts potential buyers.

 By following the tips and utilizing the features provided by Zillow, both buyers and sellers can navigate the real estate market with confidence.