Zillow is enhancing its AI-powered residential real estate search feature by allowing users to search for homes using natural language with additional criteria such as commute time, schools, nearby points of interest, and affordability. This move is part of a larger trend among major real estate portals, including competitors like Redfin and Realtor.com, who have also introduced AI features such as AI assistants and other capabilities to improve the search experience for users. Startups like Flyhomes are also emphasizing AI search as a key value proposition in the real estate industry.
The latest update from Zillow provides people searching for homes on its portal with more options to find properties that meet their specific criteria. For example, users can search for homes based on commute time to specific locations, nearby points of interest, or proximity to schools. This new functionality aims to make the home search process more personalized and convenient for users, helping them find properties that best suit their needs and preferences.
Zillow first introduced its AI home search feature in January 2023, as part of its ongoing efforts to leverage artificial intelligence technology to enhance the real estate search experience for users. The company continues to invest in AI capabilities to provide users with more advanced and personalized search tools that can help them find their dream homes more efficiently and effectively. By adding additional criteria like commute time, schools, and points of interest, Zillow aims to make it easier for users to find properties that align with their lifestyle and priorities.
Rich Barton, the co-founder and co-executive chair of Zillow Group, highlighted the importance of AI features in the residential real estate industry during a recent interview. He mentioned that while major real estate portals like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com have introduced a variety of AI capabilities, there hasn’t been a “magic bullet” that has broken through yet. Despite this, Barton is confident that significant advancements will be made in AI technology to further enhance the real estate search experience for users in the near future.
The competition among major real estate portals to innovate and improve their AI capabilities is driving the industry forward and leading to the development of more advanced search features that benefit users. Companies like Zillow are continuously looking for ways to leverage AI technology to make the home search process more efficient, personalized, and convenient for their users. By investing in AI-powered features like natural language search with additional criteria, these companies are aiming to stay ahead of the curve and provide users with the best possible real estate search experience.
As Zillow and other major players in the real estate industry continue to invest in AI technology, the future of real estate search looks promising. With ongoing advancements in AI capabilities and more personalized search tools being introduced, users can expect to have a more efficient and effective home search experience. By incorporating features like commute time, schools, and points of interest into their AI-powered search tools, companies like Zillow are setting new standards for the industry and redefining the way people search for homes online.
