SEATTLE, Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z) (NASDAQ: ZG), which is transforming the way people buy, sell and finance homes, today resumed buying homes in four more markets and is now buying homes in all 24 markets where Zillow Offers is available¹.

Home sellers in Las Vegas, South Florida, the Tampa Bay region and Houston once again have the option to sell their homes directly to Zillow on their own timeline in a safe, convenient transaction with minimal in-person interaction. Zillow paused buying homes through Zillow Offers on March 23 in response to housing market uncertainty and public health concerns related to COVID-19.

"Starting today, homeowners in all 24 Zillow Offers markets once again have a way to sell their home with more certainty and control, and with more peace of mind around health and safety," said Zillow President Jeremy Wacksman. "People still need and want to move, and I'm proud of the work the Zillow Offers team and all of our local partners have done to adapt our protocols and adopt new technologies so we are able to deliver a safer, more digital and streamlined real estate experience for them."

Zillow is following the guidance from its Move Forward. Stay Safe. initiative as it returns to buying homes in all markets, which was designed to give Zillow's employees, customers and partners the confidence and support they need to keep real estate moving forward in a safe way. Zillow partnered with former U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin as Zillow's Health Advisor to provide guidance on the company's health and safety protocols.

"The need to buy or sell a home hasn't changed, but the way we do it has shifted, just as we've had to adjust our daily behaviors in other parts of our lives," said Dr. Benjamin. "Zillow has shown its dedication to health and safety as the real estate industry learns to work within these new norms."

The housing market has been resilient through the pandemic, with newly pending sales showing strong annual growth². And even as prices rise, mortgage rates holding near record lows helps boost buyers' budgets.

Buyers interested in a Zillow-owned home can use virtual tools on the Zillow app or website to view the home if they do not want to visit in person. All Zillow-owned homes have 3D Home tours and floor plans, including room dimensions, on the listing. Shoppers can also request a virtual tour from a local real estate agent. Zillow follows a "Clean. Protect. Distance." protocol for all of its homes to create a safer environment during in-person tours for agents and home shoppers. Under these protocols, Zillow frequently cleans Zillow-owned homes, recommends the use of appropriate personal protective equipment like masks, gloves, and shoe coverings, and following social distancing guidelines.

About Zillow Group

Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z) (NASDAQ: ZG), the largest portfolio of real estate brands on mobile and the web, is building a safe, on-demand real estate experience. Whether selling, buying, renting or financing, customers can turn to Zillow's businesses to find and get into their next home with speed, certainty and ease.

In addition to Zillow's for-sale and rental listings, Zillow Offers buys and sells homes directly in dozens of markets across the country, allowing sellers control over their timeline. Zillow Closing Services offers customers title and escrow services to support a more seamless transaction experience. Zillow Home Loans, our affiliate lender, provides our customers with an easy option to get pre-approved and secure financing for their next home purchase.

Millions of people visit Zillow Group sites every month to start their home search, and now they can rely on Zillow to help them finish it — with the same confidence, ease and empowerment they've come to expect from real estate's most trusted brand.

Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender; NMLS 10287, www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

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¹ Zillow Offers is available in Atlanta, Austin, Texas, Charlotte, N.C., Cincinnati, Colorado Springs, Colo., Dallas, Denver, Fort Collins, Colo., Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, Tenn., Orlando, Fla., Phoenix, Portland, Ore., Raleigh, N.C., Riverside, Calif., Sacramento, Calif., San Antonio, San Diego, Tampa, and Tucson, Ariz.

² https://www.zillow.com/research/zillow-weekly-market-report-27151/

SOURCE Zillow