Online real estate database Zillow said it's buying ShowingTime.com, makers of a technology platform for scheduling home tours online, for $500 million. Zillow plans to use the ShowingTime's technology to make it easier for Zillow shoppers to request tours through its
Online real estate database Zillow said it's buying ShowingTime.com, makers of a technology platform for scheduling home tours online, for $500 million. Zillow plans to use the ShowingTime's technology to make it easier for Zillow shoppers to request tours through its platform.ShowingTime has a network of nearly one million agents across North America and has developed relationships with hundreds of Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), according to Zillow. With ShowingTime, real estate Agents can post their listings' availability for showings through the network, enabling agents representing buyers to schedule home tours online with minimal clicks.The ShowingTime deal comes as Zillow steps up its focus on home tours and associated technology. Last May the company opened its Zillow Offers home buying service, through which Zillow purchases real estate inventory and sells them using data and algorithms to boost profit margins. Zillow has also said that its 3D Home tours have accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company's next moves are to offer self-tours that enable shoppers and agents to use the Zillow app to unlock and tour unoccupied for-sale homes. The company said traffic to Zillow Group's mobile apps and websites reached a Q4 record of 201 million average monthly uniques, an increase of 16% year over year, driving 2.2 billion visits during the quarter, up 27% year over year. For the year the company reported a record 9.6 billion visits, up 19% year over year.