The Home Search Platform That Every Buyer Should Know About (2023 Update)

Chicagoland buyers in search of a new home this spring are benefitting from Zenlist, a newer technology that offers access to the most complete and up-to-date database of homes in the local marketplace. Zenlist enhances the way that buyers and their agents work together to successfully navigate the home-buying process, especially in today’s very competitive, low-inventory market.

@properties Christie’s International Real Estate was the first brokerage firm to establish an enterprise agreement with Zenlist. In a 2021 installment of @ The Market, we spoke with Zenlist founder and CEO, Tom MacLeod about how buyers can benefit from the app. And with the latest product updates, agent-to-client collaboration is more efficient than ever.

Here’s a snapshot of what you can accomplish with Zenlist in 2023:

Check Out Thousands of Listings (even before they hit the market)

Zenlist gives homebuyers access to the greatest number of local listings by combining active listings from the MLS with pre-market (or private) listings that aren’t available on popular apps like Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, or Realtor.com. With today’s inventory being so low, this is an incredible tool to have as a buyer because it grants you the opportunity to see a growing segment of the market that is normally reserved for agents.

Collaborate With Ease

Homebuyers can only gain access to Zenlist through a licensed real estate agent. Once on the app, buyers and agents can save searches, share them back and forth, share and comment on listings, and send messages. Looking with a family member or partner? Zenlist allows you to collaborate with them too. See a home you like? Just make a note, and your co-buyer and agent can see it and respond.

Send Questions Directly to Your Real Estate Agent

Have questions or thoughts about a specific listing? Send them directly to your real estate agent through the app. Zenlist lets you ask questions and discuss listings with your agent in one convenient place, rather than jumping from email to text to calls.

Chat in the App

Zenlist’s in-app chat function enables agents to communicate with clients, as well as other agents who are also using Zenlist, eliminating the need to switch between platforms. It lets you share listings directly, create threads, use emojis to react, and keep all of your communication in one place.

Request Showings and Organize Home Tours

Within the app, you can easily build tour folders of homes that you want to see in person, giving your agent everything they need to request a showing. This includes any of the notes or questions you’ve made on the home.

Zenlist’s functionality also enables agents to build and share home tours with their clients. The tech optimizes routes, calculates distances between properties, and displays driving directions. Both parties can access the content from a mobile-friendly interface that integrates with Apple CarPlay so you can jump in the car and be on your way.

Immediately Receive Notifications

In a market where inventory is low and demand is high, it’s important to be the first to know when a home fitting your criteria hits the market. Zenlist is on it, and instantly notifies you of new listings – including pre-market listings – the minute they hit the app. Zenlist usually posts new listings faster than Redfin or Zillow.

Filter Searches Easily and Intuitively

Whether you are looking for a home within a particular school district or you need a three-car garage, Zenlist lets you filter searches with greater specificity than other apps. You can even draw asymmetrical search boundaries, and easily hide listings that don’t fit your criteria, giving your agent even more insights into your preferences to help with your search.

Explore Virtually

Google Street View is integrated into Zenlist, making it easy to check out an area virtually. You can explore a neighborhood and its shops, restaurants, and amenities before making an in-person visit.

Keep Track of Homes

Zenlist keeps track of all the homes you’ve toured as well as upcoming showings.

View Home Layouts

In the age of virtual showings, getting an idea of a home’s layout is crucial to your search. Zenlist provides a list of rooms and dimensions per floor level for every listing so that you can really envision the home (even if it doesn’t have a floorplan) before scheduling an in-person showing.

View Tax and Assessor Information

Zenlist makes listing information extremely transparent. You can view property tax information, as well as the past sales history of every home.

For more information on Zenlist and to gain access to the platform, contact an @properties agent.