Zillow is a leading name in the real estate industry, revolutionizing how people buy, sell, rent, and manage properties. Known for its user-friendly platform, Zillow offers a suite of tools and services, including “Zillow Rentals,” “Zillow Rental Manager,” and localized searches like “Zillow NJ.” For investors, “Zillow stock” provides a window into the company’s market performance. Whether you’re a renter searching for your next home, a landlord managing properties, or an investor tracking “Zillow stock,” this platform delivers value across the board. In this article, we’ll explore Zillow’s offerings, focusing on its rental services, property management tools, stock trends, and its relevance in New Jersey, providing a comprehensive guide for users and investors alike.
What is Zillow?
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Zillow is the largest real estate marketplace in the United States, attracting over 200 million monthly visitors. The platform allows users to search for homes for sale, apartments for rent, and mortgage options, while providing tools like the Zestimate® home value estimator. Zillow’s mission is to create a seamless real estate experience, empowering consumers with data, technology, and professional connections. Its ecosystem includes Zillow Rentals, Trulia, and HotPads, making it a go-to resource for renters, buyers, landlords, and property managers. The Zillow mobile app enhances accessibility, offering features like saved searches, notifications, and direct landlord communication. Zillow also advocates for fair housing, addressing barriers in the industry to promote equitable access.
Zillow Rentals: Finding Your Next Home
“Zillow Rentals” is a cornerstone of Zillow’s platform, offering a vast database of rental listings for single-family homes, apartments, and condos. With over 108,000 rental listings nationwide, users can filter searches by location, price, amenities, and move-in date to find properties that match their needs. The Zillow Rentals app simplifies the process with features like multilocation search, Bike Score®, and Renter Hub, which organizes contacted properties and lease details. For example, renters in high-cost cities like New York, where average rent is $2,950, can use Zillow’s move-in date filter to avoid overlapping lease costs. The platform’s rental listings are syndicated across Zillow, Trulia, and HotPads, maximizing exposure for landlords and convenience for renters. Zillow’s data shows that typical U.S. apartment rent has risen 30% since 2020 to $1,858, highlighting the importance of tools like Zillow Rentals in navigating competitive markets.
Zillow Rental Manager: Tools for Landlords
“Zillow Rental Manager” is a free property management tool designed for landlords, property managers, and real estate agents. Launched in 2016, it allows users to list rentals, screen tenants, create leases, and collect rent online. Key features include syndication across Zillow, Trulia, and HotPads, built-in tenant screening (credit, background, and eviction checks), and online payment processing via ACH, credit, or debit cards. While the first listing is free, additional listings cost $9.99 per week, and premium listings are $29.99 for 90 days. The Rent Zestimate® calculator helps landlords set competitive prices based on market data, and the platform’s mobile app enables on-the-go management. However, some users note limitations, such as basic screening tools, a 2.95% credit card transaction fee, and delays in payment processing. Despite these, Zillow Rental Manager remains popular for its ease of use and wide reach, with listings often renting out in days.
Zillow Stock: Performance and Insights
For investors, “Zillow stock” (ticker: Z) is a key focus, reflecting the company’s growth and challenges in the real estate tech sector. As of June 25, 2025, Zillow’s stock price is $70.22 per share, with a market cap of approximately $16.33 billion. The finance card above shows the stock opened at $69.36, reached a high of $71.19, and a low of $68.43 on June 24, 2025, closing at $70.05. Over the past year, Zillow’s stock has risen from $46.39 in June 2024 to $70.22, a significant recovery from its year-low of $41.67, though it remains below its year-high of $89.39. Historically, Zillow’s stock peaked at $143.19 in 2020, driven by a booming housing market, but faced volatility due to shifts in interest rates and housing demand. The stock’s performance reflects Zillow’s strategic expansions, such as enhanced rental tools and partnerships like Zillow Rent Connect. However, recent X posts highlight competitive pressures, with claims of antitrust issues, though these are inconclusive without further evidence. Investors should monitor Zillow’s innovations and market trends for future stock movements.
Zillow in New Jersey: A Regional Perspective
“Zillow NJ” refers to Zillow’s localized services in New Jersey, a state with diverse housing markets, from urban hubs like Jersey City to suburban areas like Montclair. New Jersey’s rental market is competitive, with high demand in cities like Newark and Hoboken, where proximity to New York City drives prices. Zillow’s platform lists thousands of rentals in NJ, allowing users to filter by price, bedrooms, and amenities like pet-friendliness or in-unit laundry. The Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI) provides insights into NJ’s rental trends, showing typical market rents based on a weighted, repeat-rent methodology. For landlords in NJ, Zillow Rental Manager offers tools to reach local renters, while the Rent Zestimate® helps price properties competitively. Homebuyers in NJ can use Zillow to compare Zestimates® and connect with local agents, making it a valuable resource for navigating the state’s dynamic real estate landscape.
Navigating Zillow’s Features for Maximum Value
To maximize Zillow’s offerings, renters should use filters like move-in date and multilocation search to find cost-effective options, especially in high-rent areas. Landlords can leverage Zillow Rental Manager’s free listing option for single properties and monitor Rent Zestimates® to stay competitive. However, those with multiple properties may need to weigh the $9.99 weekly listing fee against alternatives like Avail or TenantCloud, which offer free syndication to Zillow’s network. Investors tracking “Zillow stock” should review the finance card above for daily price movements and consider long-term trends, such as Zillow’s focus on rental market tools and fair housing advocacy. Joining Zillow’s email notifications or following their X account (@ZillowGroup) keeps users updated on new features and market insights.
Challenges and Considerations
While Zillow excels in reach and usability, it faces challenges. Some landlords report payment processing delays with Zillow Rental Manager, with one user claiming a year-long issue with untransferred rent. The platform’s screening tools are basic compared to specialized software, and transaction fees can add up. For renters, navigating competitive markets like NJ requires quick action, as listings can close rapidly. Zillow’s stock, while showing growth, is subject to market volatility, influenced by housing supply shortages and interest rate changes. Recent X posts suggest competitive tensions, but these claims lack conclusive evidence. Users should verify information through Zillow’s official channels or trusted financial sources.
Comparing Zillow to Competitors
Compared to competitors like Apartments.com or Redfin, Zillow stands out for its extensive rental listings and integrated management tools. However, Apartments.com may offer more robust multifamily listing options, while Redfin focuses on home sales. Zillow’s syndication across Trulia and HotPads gives it an edge in renter reach, but alternatives like Avail provide free listing syndication with additional management features. For stock investors, Zillow’s market cap of $16.33 billion positions it as a significant player in real estate tech, though competitors like CoStar Group may offer different investment profiles.
Conclusion
Zillow is a powerhouse in real estate, offering tools for renters, landlords, and investors. “Zillow Rentals” simplifies finding a home, while “Zillow Rental Manager” streamlines property management. In regions like New Jersey, “Zillow NJ” provides localized insights for competitive markets. For investors, “Zillow stock” reflects the company’s innovation and market challenges, with a current price of $70.22 as shown in the finance card above. By leveraging Zillow’s features, from Rent Zestimates® to premium listings, users can navigate the housing market with confidence. Stay informed through Zillow’s app, website, or financial updates to make the most of this dynamic platform.
