Zillow is a real-estate marketplace application developed by the Zillow Group, one of the world’s biggest online real-estate database companies. According to Fortune magazine, Zillow successfully approximates the value of 57 percent of U.S. housing. In addition, it hosts one of the largest databases of residential real estate in the U.S., featuring over 135 million properties. The database includes information on homes for sale, houses for rent, and properties not currently on the market.
Also, Zillow, available via the Internet and as an app, can calculate the value of any property based on publicly available data, real estate transactions, census data, calculations, and information on neighboring houses. These features make the real estate database an excellent tool for private investigators to plan surveillance projects.
Zillow Product Features
Regarding real estate management, Zillow is an all-around app that gives you access to thousands of houses for sale and rent. It makes the home-buying process effortless and also lets you explore different neighborhoods. The website and the app allow you to browse various homes, apartments, townhomes, and condos for sale, look up and evaluate real estate agents, learn about nearby schools, save and store results, and sign up for alerts.
How Private Investigators can use Zillow
Zillow is a straightforward and intuitive application that redefines neighborhood exploration and enhances the experience of buying or selling real estate. The website or app can be a valuable tool for private investigators who are preparing for surveillance (mainly when used with Google Maps). It provides detailed property information and neighborhood insights. Investigators can use the online service to research the target’s residence, gaining key details such as home size, layout, property boundaries, and potential entry and exit points. This knowledge allows them to plan vantage points and optimal locations for observation. The satellite and street-view integration helps investigators familiarize themselves with the surrounding area, identify possible obstructions, and locate nearby parking or staging areas.
Additionally, Zillow’s neighborhood data can reveal important information about the environment, such as the type of housing (single-family homes or apartments), traffic patterns, or proximity to schools and businesses. This context helps investigators anticipate potential challenges or activity in the area during the surveillance period. The online database also provides information about nearby properties, such as whether homes are vacant or occupied, which may affect the choice of observation sites.
In cases where investigators need to verify an individual’s financial situation or lifestyle, price estimates, property history, and rental data can offer indirect clues. While it is just one of many tools in a private investigator’s toolkit, it provides a strong foundation for effective planning and preparation before on-site surveillance.
Home Search Options
The app offers several search methods, but private detectives will likely use the simple search option. Enter a location or address in the search box, click the search icon, or press enter. The resulting page will display an aerial neighborhood map with a highlighted target house.
In addition, specific details will be provided, such as a photo of the front of the house, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, total square footage, and helpful facts about the lot and its unique features. This information may come in handy as you scout potential hiding locations and sightlines.
In addition to searching by address, the app allows users to search property information using a voice search. Also, users can draw a custom region on the map or use the nearby feature to find all the properties listed in that area. This may be useful if you need to know about other properties in the area. On some occasions, private eyes need a long-term location for conducting surveillance. That empty house across the street from your subject may be the perfect place.
Zillow determines an estimate of the property cost and provides rental information through a ‘Zestimate.’ The Zestimate is their proprietary approximation of the cost to buy or rent the property. Users can look for a property through any search method and know it’s ‘Zestimate’ to plan their next move. It also gives detailed information about the users’ region of interest. It allows users to post homes for sale, too.
How to Download and Install the Zillow App
The Zillow mobile application is available on iOS (Apple) for iPhone, iPod, and iPad; Android, Blackberry, and Windows applications. The specific version number varies by platform and device. It can be downloaded and installed for free.
If you have any questions, please visit zillow.com or leave a comment below. Learn about other Private Investigator Apps and software for Private Eyes.