Zillow’s New Listing Policy: Your 2025 Real Estate Takeaways

If you're like a lot of people, you've probably used apps like Zillow when buying or selling a home. It's probably not a surprise that most real estate agents aren't huge fans of these apps. We've warned you of a few Secrets Realtors Want You to Know About Real Estate Apps here before. Well, it's only getting worse. Big changes are coming to Zillow and if you’re buying or selling a home in Phoenix or Scottsdale, you need to be prepared.

Starting June 30, 2025, Zillow will block listings that are marketed publicly (like via social media or yard signs) but not entered into the MLS within one business day. That may sound like a technical detail, but it’s part of a much bigger shift in how real estate is marketed, searched, and sold. We wanted to make sure to let you know because it could affect your ability to find or sell a home.

Here’s what you need to know...

Some Home Listings Will Be Blocked from Zillow

Zillow is cracking down on “exclusive inventory” and “hidden listings”—homes that are marketed privately within brokerages or via email lists and social media, but never submitted to the MLS. These listings will no longer be allowed on Zillow unless they are entered into the MLS within one business day of being publicly marketed.

Why this matters in Phoenix and Scottsdale

According to recent data, Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale home inventory is up ~28% year-to-date, with 20,345 active listings recorded in May. With so many homes currently on the market in Phoenix and Scottsdale, visibility is everything. If your home isn’t on Zillow or the MLS, it risks getting buried in a sea of listings. Zillow’s new policy could be good news for serious buyers and sellers in an increasingly competitive market as it ensures transparency, but bad news in that it increases red tape. This is all the more reason to hire a qualified agent.

You May Not See Every Available Home Online

Some brokerages—like Compass—sometimes promote homes privately before they hit the MLS. Since Zillow pulls from the MLS, those homes may not appear on Zillow or Trulia at all. That means what you’re seeing online may not be the full picture.

Buyers Take Note

The best homes might never hit Zillow. You need an agent who can tap into off-market listings, coming-soon properties, and local networks.

Sellers: Ask Where and How Your Home Will Be Marketed

We've covered here the Top 3 Things to Look for When Hiring a Real Estate Broker to Sell Your Home. But with this new information from Zillow, we want to also mention that if you’re listing your home, make sure your agent is transparent about their marketing strategy. Will your home be posted on Zillow, Realtor.com, and other major platforms? Or will it be shown only within a private brokerage network? Limited exposure = fewer offers and possibly a lower sale price.

Buyers Must Sign an Agreement Before Seeing Homes

We also talked about the Changes to Real Estate Commission last year. Following this recent legal settlement, buyers must now sign a written agreement before even touring homes with an agent. This agreement outlines how the agent will be compensated. In simple terms this means that buyer’s agents are no longer assumed to be “free.” Before you tour a home, you’ll need to understand your agent’s value and fee structure. So, clicking that "schedule a tour" button on Zillow will quite literally come with a price now.

This Is a Battle for Control—Not Just a Tech Update

These policy changes are part of a larger power struggle between major real estate platforms (like Zillow) and big brokerages (like Compass and Redfin). Zillow wants full market transparency. Brokerages want more control over how and when listings are shared.

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Why Should You Care?

Your clicks, your data, and your commission dollars are all part of this battle. It’s more important than ever to work with an agent who puts your best interests first.

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What Phoenix & Scottsdale Buyers and Sellers Should Do

For Sellers:

• Ask whether your home will be listed on the MLS.

• Confirm that your home will appear on major portals like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin.

• Don’t settle for “private network” marketing if broad exposure is what you want.

For Buyers:

• Work with an agent who understands off-market opportunities.

• Be ready to sign a buyer agreement before touring homes.

• Ask how your agent will help you find homes that aren’t on Zillow.

For Everyone:

• Remember: Zillow is a tool, not a full picture. It’s still powerful—but it’s not showing every home.

• Partner with an agent who’s honest, informed, and proactive about helping you navigate these industry changes.

Thinking of Buying or Selling in Phoenix or Scottsdale? Let’s Talk.

We hope you noticed the trending theme here - hire a qualified real estate agent. With these major changes taking effect in 2025, it’s more important than ever to work with a local expert.

Whether you’re trying to uncover hidden listings or want maximum exposure for your home, the team at Danny Kahn Realty can help. We have over 22 years experience in buying and selling real estate, spanning residential, industrial, office, and retail.

Our mission is to guide and support our clients through every step of their real estate journey. Reach out today. We're excited to help.