ZILLOW GROUP INC - ZG STOCK NEWS

Zillow Rentals' new research reveals shifting preferences in rental amenities. Off-street parking and in-unit laundry top the list, contributing to nearly twice as many saves and shares per day. Surprisingly, pet-friendly turf areas, air filtration, and community happy hours are gaining popularity, outperforming traditional luxury amenities like fitness centers and pools.

Renters are prioritizing practical and community-focused features that enhance their lifestyle and budget. Coworking spaces are preferred over business centers, while unique amenities like bowling alleys and putting greens drive significant engagement. Modern farmhouse features such as butcher block countertops and barn doors also contribute to increased interest.

This shift comes as new construction apartments enter the market, slowing rent price growth. In August, 34.3% of rental listings on Zillow offered concessions to attract tenants, the highest share since March 2021.

According to a new Zillow Home Loans analysis, monthly mortgage payments are less expensive than rent in 22 of the 50 largest U.S. metros. Recent dips in mortgage rates have significantly reduced monthly payments, making homeownership more attainable in certain areas. New Orleans, Chicago, and Pittsburgh offer the greatest savings when comparing rent to mortgage payments.

Nationally, the typical rent payment is $2,063 per month, while the typical mortgage payment is $1,827, resulting in a $236 monthly savings for homeowners. However, additional costs such as taxes, insurance, and maintenance should be considered for both renting and homeownership.

Zillow Home Loans has introduced a new tool called BuyAbility, which helps prospective buyers determine their home affordability and likelihood of mortgage pre-approval. With inventory up 22% compared to last year, buyers are gaining bargaining power in the current market.

Zillow's latest market report reveals a window of opportunity for home buyers due to lower mortgage rates and rising inventory. The monthly payment on a typical home has fallen by more than $100 nationwide since May, improving affordability. Key findings include:

- The Zillow market heat index shifted from favoring sellers to neutral in July.
- Homes are taking longer to sell, but still faster than pre-pandemic times.
- Nearly 1.18 million homes are on the market, the highest since September 2020.
- The share of listings with price cuts decreased in August to just under 26%.
- One-third of homes sold in July went for more than asking price.

These trends suggest that competition among buyers could extend into the fall, contrary to typical seasonal patterns. The report highlights opportunities for both buyers and sellers in this evolving market landscape.

Zillow has upgraded its AI-powered search experience in the Zillow app, allowing users to search for homes and rentals using natural language. The new features enable searches based on commute time, affordability, schools, and nearby points of interest. This makes Zillow the first major residential real estate marketplace to implement such an advanced AI-powered search.

Users can now skip filters and describe their ideal home as they would to a friend, specifying details like layout, location, and style. The upgrade is live on iOS and Android devices, with a web version coming soon. Zillow's AI analyzes millions of listings to deliver personalized, relevant results based on user preferences.

This enhancement is part of Zillow's broader AI strategy, which includes features like the neural Zestimate valuation, personalized home recommendations, and AI-powered Showcase listings.

Zillow Group (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) announced its participation in the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference on September 9, 2024. CFO Jeremy Hofmann will engage in a fireside chat moderated by Goldman Sachs' Michael Ng at 3:45 p.m. PST/6:45 p.m. EST.

The event will be accessible via live and recorded webcasts on Zillow Group's Investor Relations website under the Events & Presentations section. This presentation offers investors and analysts an opportunity to gain insights into Zillow's strategies and performance in the real estate technology sector.

Zillow and Thumbtack have released data on affordable, renter-friendly home improvements that can personalize rental spaces and add value for landlords. These upgrades, typically costing less than $1,000, can increase views, saves, and shares on Zillow Rentals. The seven recommended improvements are:

1. Swapping cabinet hardware
2. Adding open shelving
3. Incorporating plants
4. Painting rooms or accent walls
5. Upgrading lighting
6. Hanging mirrors
7. Using peel-and-stick wallpaper

These improvements cater to millennials and Gen Z adults who are renting for longer periods due to being priced out of homeownership. The data highlights how these changes can benefit both renters and landlords, with specific features contributing to increased engagement on rental listings.

Zillow Group (Nasdaq: Z and ZG) has appointed Soumya Tulloss as the new senior vice president of agent sales. This move reinforces Zillow's commitment to supporting real estate agents with innovative products and services. Tulloss, a proven sales leader, will oversee Zillow's agent sales team, focusing on integrating and scaling the sales organization to provide a seamless experience for agents.

Tulloss brings extensive experience from her previous roles, including her position as chief revenue officer at Deliverr and vice president of global messaging sales at Twilio. Her track record includes building successful sales teams and driving significant revenue growth. At Zillow, she aims to help agents become more efficient and productive in serving their clients, aligning with the company's mission to make homeownership a reality for more people.

Zillow's July market report indicates a shift in the housing market, with competition easing and the market moving into neutral territory for the first time since December. Home sales took 18 days on average, six days longer than last year. However, recent drops in mortgage rates could revive competition as we enter fall.

Key findings include:

• The Zillow market heat index moved to neutral, ending the sellers' advantage
• Inventory is up nearly 25% from last year
• Over 26% of homes received price cuts in July, the highest share since at least 2018
• Home value appreciation slowed to 2.8% year-over-year

Lower mortgage rates may encourage more buyers to enter the market, potentially reigniting competition and delaying the usual post-summer cooldown.

Zillow's latest data reveals a cooling rental market, with 33.2% of rental listings offering concessions in July 2024, up from 25.4% a year earlier. This trend is driven by an apartment construction boom, with June seeing the highest number of completed multifamily units in 50 years. Rent growth has slowed to 5.1% year-over-year, a significant decrease from the 22.3% increase in the previous two years.

Six major metro areas, including Raleigh, Charlotte, and Atlanta, have over 50% of rentals offering concessions. The rental vacancy rate remains at 6.6%, the highest since winter 2021. While the supply boom continues, the number of units under construction has decreased for eight consecutive months, suggesting a potential peak in the market.