Learn More About Special Offers FAQ

Why do some listings have a Zillow Special Offer?

A listing agent and home seller can include a Zillow Special Offer on a home to bring added visibility to a listing. Some reasons include:

  • The seller wants to give the new listing an added “splash” when it first becomes available.
  • The home has been listed for a while and the seller is reconsidering moving if the home does not sell soon.
  • The seller is buying a home contingent on selling his/her current one, and wants to sell quickly.
Who is paying for it, the seller or the agent?

The seller pays for the Zillow Special Offer. As the buyer, you must ensure that the Special Offer is included in the Purchase and Sale agreement when you purchase the home. If it is not, you have no promise or guarantee that you will receive the Special Offer from the seller.

How do I make sure I get the Special Offer?
  • Contact the agent on the listing page and tell them you found the home on Zillow and ask about the Zillow Special Offer.
  • Make sure you work with your agent to put the Special Offer in the Purchase and Sale agreement for the home.
What is a typical Special Offer?

The Special Offer is a credit towards closing costs provided by the seller.

How does a Special Offer affect me as a buyer?

It’s an added bonus for a buyer. Not only do you buy a house you love, but you get the added benefit of what is contained in the Special Offer. Note that simply “seeing” the Zillow Special Offer does not make the offer yours – you must buy the home to qualify for the offer. Then, it is your responsibility to make sure the offer is included in the Purchase and Sale agreement during closing.

Why doesn’t the seller just cut the price?

In many markets, price cuts are not enough to make a house stand out. A Zillow Special Offer brings added visibility to a listing because it is highly noticeable. But, if you’d rather have a price cut than a Zillow Special Offer, talk with the seller’s agent to see if they are open to that adjustment.

What are other advantages of a Zillow Special Offer?

It can give a buyer more means to improve or furnish their home after the sale. Getting a loan can often require a sizable down payment, and after closing costs, the buyer may be left with little cash left over to buy items for the house.

Here’s an example:

Take a buyer who has saved $45,000 in cash. He wants to buy a $200,000 home, and needs $40,000 for a down payment (20%) and $5,000 for closing costs. If the home’s price was cut by $5,000 to $195,000, he still needs to pay $44,000 to cover the reduced $39,000 down payment and $5,000 in closing costs. He would be left with only $1,000 to spend on the home.

However, if he buys a home with a $5,000 Special Offer that covers all of the closing costs, he would only need to cover the $40,000 down payment, and he would have $5,000 left to spend on the home after the sale is complete.

Can I apply it to a gift card instead of use it for closing costs?

Yes, you can. But, you should talk to your agent and lender to understand any potential impact to the loan, or loan approval process, and understand the process/timeline of receiving a gift card after closing.

I’m an agent and I want to put a Special Offer on a home

Only Zillow Premier Agents can put Special Offers on homes. Learn more about becoming a Premier Agent.

How does Zillow benefit?

Zillow is a media company and does not receive a part of the commission when a home sells. This also applies to home sales which involve a Special Offer. Only Zillow Premier Agents who are paying Zillow to advertise are able to put Special Offers on their listings.