ZILLOW GROUP INC - ZG STOCK NEWS

Zillow has launched a children's e-book titled The Girl Who Didn't Want to Move to assist families during relocations. The book, created with FIG, features a fictional girl named Iris and addresses the emotional challenges of moving. Zillow's survey indicates that 14% of parents with children moved in the last year, compared to 9% without children. Remarkably, 81% of parents feel their last move was worthwhile. Zillow supports Covenant House by donating for each e-book download, aiming to raise up to $25,000.

Zillow Group (NASDAQ: Z and ZG) will present at the Piper Sandler Global Technology Conference on September 13, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. PT. Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Wacksman will participate in a fireside chat moderated by Tom Champion. Attendees can register in advance online. Zillow Group aims to transform the real estate experience, offering services for buying, selling, renting, and financing homes. It operates popular platforms like Zillow and Trulia, providing transparency and seamless service to its customers.

Zillow Group highlights a trend where rents in major U.S. metros surpass typical mortgage payments, making renting a viable option for homeowners. A recent report indicates that homeowners can significantly profit by renting out their properties in cities like Memphis ($556 rent-mortgage difference), Miami ($522), and Atlanta ($424). Zillow's enhanced tools, such as the Rent Zestimate, offer improved accuracy for rental pricing. This shift in the real estate market, driven by remote work, presents new opportunities for landlords amidst recovering rent growth nationwide.

Zillow's latest market report reveals a significant recovery in U.S. rents and home values as of July 2021. Typical monthly rents reached $1,843, marking a 9.2% year-over-year increase. Home values also surged, with a national average of $298,933 (up 16.7% year-over-year). Despite record highs, the report suggests a potential rebalancing in the housing market with a 4.5% increase in inventory, indicating easing price pressures. However, affordability challenges may arise as demand continues to outpace income growth. Key metropolitan areas like Tampa and Phoenix reported the highest rent growth, while coastal cities lagged behind.

Housing affordability is declining as costs are rising faster than incomes, according to a new Zillow analysis. Mortgage payments as a percentage of income are forecasted to exceed 23.1% by year-end, up from 19.4% in June 2021. Strong demand and increasing prices are overshadowing low mortgage rates. Austin is expected to drop in affordability rankings by December, with new buyers projected to spend 30.1% of their income on mortgages. Rent affordability is also set to increase, moving from 29.96% to 30.2%, impacting budget for essentials.

Zillow Group (NASDAQ: Z, ZG) reported strong Q2 2021 results, with consolidated revenue of $1.3 billion, marking a 70% year-over-year increase. Gross profit reached $538 million, up 92%, while net income stood at $10 million. The iBuying segment, Zillow Offers, accelerated, appealing to sellers in a competitive market. Average monthly unique users grew to 229 million, reflecting a 5% year-over-year increase. The company closed the quarter with cash and investments totaling $4.6 billion.

Behr Paint and Zillow have collaborated to launch a curated palette of interior paint colors aimed at enhancing home value. Findings from a Zillow-commissioned study indicate that specific shades can increase a buyer's offer by nearly $5,000. The palette features 12 colors, blending light neutrals and various blues, each associated with potential value increases in different rooms. For instance, light blue bathrooms could add 1.6% to offers. The colors are now available at The Home Depot.

The pandemic has reshaped housing trends as remote work gains traction. According to a Zillow and HERE Technologies analysis, homes within a 10-minute commute of downtown are seeing slower value growth compared to more affordable properties further away. In cities like Detroit and Indianapolis, values surged by over $100,000 since 2019, while others like New York and Boston experienced declines. Flexible work options mean buyers prioritize affordability and space over commuting distance, highlighting a shift in the real estate market.

Zillow Group (NASDAQ: Z, ZG) will release its second quarter 2021 financial results on August 5, 2021, after market close. A conference call and webcast will follow at 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. ET) to discuss the financials. The results and a link to the accompanying materials will be available on the company's Investor Relations website. Zillow Group is transforming real estate services, providing a seamless platform for buying, selling, and financing homes through its various brands and services.