If you’ve ever browsed homes on Zillow, you may have come across the term “Contacts” and wondered, what does that even mean? Is it your phone contacts? A message center? Or maybe just people you’ve talked to about a house? Fear not — we’re breaking it down for you in this simple and fun guide!
TL;DR
“Contacts” on Zillow refers to interactions from potential buyers or renters who reach out to real estate agents or property managers. It shows how many people have clicked that lovely “Contact Agent” or “Request a tour” button on a listing. It’s a stat used mostly by real estate professionals to measure interest in a property. Simply put: more contacts = more people want to know more about that home!
What’s Zillow, Again?
Before we dive into “Contacts,” let’s do a quick refresher on Zillow.
- Zillow is a giant real estate website.
- You can browse homes for sale or rent.
- It also shows property values, agent info, mortgage calculators, and more.
Think of it as your home-hunting sidekick!
So… What Are “Contacts” on Zillow?
Alright, here’s the main event. When you see “Contacts” on a Zillow listing report or agent dashboard, it means:
How many people actually reached out about the property.
Specifically, it includes people who:
- Clicked “Contact Agent”
- Filled out a form to get more info
- Requested a tour
- Sent a message through the mobile app
It does NOT include:
- Page views
- Favorites or saved homes
- Shares via text or social media
Those things might show general interest, but “Contacts” mean someone took that next step.
Why Does “Contacts” Matter?
Imagine you’re a real estate agent. You list a house and you want to know if people are interested.
Page views are nice. Saves are cool. But when someone contacts you?
That’s the magic!
“Contacts” are a signal of real intent. They show who’s likely to schedule a tour, ask questions, or even make an offer.
Here’s Why You Should Care:
- Agents use it to measure how hot a listing is.
- Sellers use it to see if their home is priced right.
- Buyers can get quicker responses when they click contact.
It’s all about making that connection. Literally!
Where Can You See “Contacts”?
It depends on who you are on Zillow.
If You’re an Agent or Seller:
You’ll find “Contacts” in your listing dashboard or through Zillow’s Premier Agent app.
- Shows you the number of contacts per listing
- Can compare listings to see what’s getting more attention
- Helps track how many leads each home is generating
If You’re a Buyer or Renter:
You don’t really see the “Contacts” number.
But you’re creating a “Contact” every time you reach out about a listing.
Pro Tip: If you’re serious about a home, hit that button and type up a short message. You’ll get faster help than just browsing and hoping somebody reads your mind!
How Do You Become a “Contact”?
Anyone can become a “Contact” with just a bit of online curiosity. Here’s how it usually works:
- You see a house you love
- You click “Contact Agent” or “Request Tour”
- You fill in your name, number, or email
- You press send — boom! You’re a “Contact”!
That message goes to a real estate pro. They’ll (hopefully!) reach out quickly to help you with tours, questions, or next steps.
The Difference Between Contacts and Leads
This part is for the marketing nerds and agents out there.
Sometimes on Zillow, you’ll see people talking about leads instead of contacts. Are they the same?
Almost! But not quite.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Contacts | Leads |
|---|---|
| Someone reached out via Zillow | Could be from Zillow, email, Facebook, etc. |
| Usually means a buyer or renter | Could be anyone interested in your services |
| Tracked on Zillow dashboards | Tracked in CRM tools or elsewhere |
In short: All contacts are leads, but not all leads come from Zillow!
Can I Get More Contacts?
If you’re a seller or an agent, more contacts = more love for your listing. So yes, you want more!
Here are a few ways to boost your contact count:
- Use high-quality photos – People click more on eye-catching pics.
- Write a great description – Be detailed and highlight what makes the home special.
- Competitive pricing – Too high, and you lose attention. Just right, and you get clicks!
- Respond quickly – Fast replies mean more completed conversations.
Bonus tip: Homes that are Freshly Listed usually get a big bump in contacts in the first week.
What Just Browsing Users Should Know
Not ready to contact anyone yet? No worries — here’s what you can do:
- Save listings to track prices over time
- Set up alerts so you know when similar homes pop up
- Use the chat feature to ask general questions if available
But remember, you only become a “Contact” when you click that message button and send a note.
One Last Thing: Does It Cost to Contact Someone?
Nope! Zillow lets you contact agents or property managers for free. It’s part of the service.
Just be respectful. Agents get lots of messages, so ask specific questions if you want to stand out.
Final Thoughts
“Contacts” on Zillow isn’t about your phonebook. It’s about real people taking that next step in their home journey.
Whether you’re buying, renting, or selling — knowing how “Contacts” work helps you use Zillow like a pro.
And who knows? Your next “click” might just become your next home.