FSBO Tips About Zillow

Zillow’s FSBO listing may be a lesser option because:

1. It has a strong tie-in to the MLS Days On Market, DOM.
2. Zillow’s FSBOs are not listed with its other MLS listings. This has two negative effects:
   1. It makes the FSBOs less likely to be found, and
   2. When found, creates a distinct “2nd Class Citizen” appearance for your home as compared to the MLS listings
3. It creates a ‘bottom-feeder’ pond for low-ballers, especially as your listing ages.
4. Brokers/agents are quickly alerted to sell you their services.
5. You put yourself in high FSBO competition (but your market advantage is against MLS competition).

For listing on Zillow, it may be better to wait until you have a deal with an MLS Flat-Fee broker and then Zillow’s main (not FSBO) page will pull your listing from the MLS. If you list in Zillow’s FSBO section first, and then decide that you want to get listed on the MLS, your DOM from the FSBO listing will count towards your MLS DOM. Thus your MLS listing will look stale on day one.