Zillow: Reinventing Real Estate, One Remote Job at a Time

When Zillow launched in 2006, its Zestimate tool changed how Americans looked at buying and selling homes. Today, the Seattle-based company is aiming even higher: building what it calls a “housing super app” that makes every step of renting, buying, selling, or financing a home easier.

But Zillow isn’t just reshaping real estate for its users. It’s also reshaping how its nearly 7,000 employees work.

A Remote-First Pioneer

While many tech firms have been pushing employees back into offices, Zillow has doubled down on flexibility. Under its CloudHQ model, about three-quarters of its workforce is fully remote, with the rest split between hybrid, field, and occasional in-office roles. Offices still exist, but they’re used more for collaboration and team events than daily work.

The approach has helped Zillow stand out in a competitive labor market. It’s also saved the company millions in office costs, which it reinvests in retreats and “moments that matter” to build culture across distributed teams.

The Business Behind the Brand

Zillow’s core business remains its listings platform, but the company has been expanding into mortgages, rentals, and digital tools. Revenue for 2024 hit roughly $2.2 billion, a 15% increase from the previous year. Rentals and mortgage services are now major growth areas, while innovations like 3D tours and interactive floor plans are making the home-search experience more immersive.

Financially, Zillow still posted a net loss in 2024, though losses narrowed compared to prior years. Leadership changes have also shaped its direction — Jeremy Wacksman stepped into the CEO role in August 2024, with co-founder Rich Barton moving into a co-executive chair position.

Life at Zillow

For employees, Zillow’s culture centers on flexibility, inclusivity, and innovation. Workers often highlight supportive colleagues, solid benefits, and the ability to balance life and work more effectively thanks to remote options.

Still, remote work isn’t without challenges. Some employees note that career progression can feel slow, and certain teams face heavier workloads. Others miss the connection of being in an office. But overall, Zillow frequently ranks as one of the best places to work, thanks in part to its clear commitment to remote flexibility.

Looking Ahead

Zillow’s future lies in continuing to merge technology with real estate. The company has been leaning into artificial intelligence, encouraging employees to use approved AI tools to boost productivity and experiment with new ideas. As housing markets remain unpredictable, Zillow is betting that tech innovation, combined with a flexible workplace, will keep it ahead of competitors.

Quick Take

• Founded: 2006

• Headquarters: Seattle, Washington

• Employees: About 6,800

• Revenue (2024): ~$2.2 billion

• Ownership: Public (Nasdaq: Z, ZG)

• Remote Policy: Remote-first (CloudHQ)

Why work at Zillow?
If you’re looking for flexibility, cutting-edge tools, and the chance to work at a company reshaping how Americans find homes, Zillow is worth a look. Just be ready for a competitive hiring process and the challenges of a distributed workplace.