Zillow Preferred
Program Terms
Last updated: September 14, 2026
What this means:
If you have questions about provisions in this exhibit, plain language summaries are available for Brokers & Team Leads, Agents, and Exhibit A at their respective links. If there is any difference between the explanation and the contract terms, the contract terms control. You should review the full agreement and talk with your broker and/or legal advisor if you have questions.
This Exhibit A is effective as of the later of (i) October 14, 2026, (ii) the date of the last signature on the Zillow Preferred Connection and Referral Fee Agreement (“Agreement”) or (iii) the updated date listed above (the “Terms Effective Date”).
This Exhibit A applies to the brokerage identified in the Agreement (“Broker”), the team lead identified in the Agreement (“Team Lead”), and the brokerage’s participating licensees (“Participating Agents”) (and together with Broker and Team Lead, “Participant(s)”), and Zillow, Inc. (“Zillow”). Participants and Zillow are collectively referred to as the “Parties.”
This Exhibit A contains the operational terms of the Zillow Preferred Programs. For Broker and Team Lead, Exhibit A is governed by the Zillow Preferred Connection and Referral Fee Agreement. For Participating Agents, Exhibit A is governed by the Agent Participation Acknowledgement.
If there is a conflict between Exhibit A and the governing agreement, Exhibit A controls. Capitalized terms not defined here have the meaning given in the applicable agreement.
The parties agree as follows:
1.
Program. Participation in one or more Zillow Program(s) does not entitle the Participants to an invitation to any other Program.
2.
Referrals. Broker may assign a Zillow Preferred Connection only to a Participating Agent who is
a.
affiliated with Broker;
b.
a participant in the applicable Program; and,
c.
properly licensed in the relevant state.
d.
If no such Participating Agent is available, Broker may request Zillow’s written approval to refer the Connection to a licensed agent outside the brokerage.
3.
Performance Requirement. Broker and Team Lead will, and will require any Participating Agent to, perform the services governed by the Agreement and this Exhibit in a timely, diligent, and professional manner, consistent with industry standards. Participants must meet the applicable Program standards posted at https://www.zillow.com/preferred/program-standards/. Standards may vary by lead source and may be updated from time to time. Updates are effective when posted.
4.
Good Neighbor and Conduct Policy. Participants will comply with the Zillow Good Neighbor and Conduct Policy. Broker will use Broker’s best efforts to ensure each Participating Agent complies with the Zillow Good Neighbor and Conduct Policy.
Zillow expects all Participants to treat all consumers, as well as Zillow employees, fairly and respectfully, and to comply with applicable federal, state, and local fair housing and fair lending laws. Broker, Team Lead, and Participating Agents may not refuse to work with or mistreat any Zillow Preferred Connection on account of a protected class under federal, state, or local law, or based on the demographic composition of the neighborhood where a property is located. Zillow chooses to work with professionals who both share these values and embody them in their interactions with consumers, Zillow employees, and other professionals. In the event Zillow determines that Broker, Team Lead, or a Participating Agent is not upholding these values, Zillow may take action to ensure the integrity of the services, including terminating Participants’ participation in the Program(s). Zillow may also terminate Participants’ participation in the Program(s) in the event a Participant is charged with or convicted of a crime, or Zillow otherwise believes Participant’s participation on the Zillow platform could harm the reputation and/or good standing of the services offered by Zillow.
5.
Leaderboards. Zillow may disclose Participants’ name(s) and respective Zillow Preferred Program performance metrics, connection volume, incentive performance, or any other information that would be relevant to their ongoing participation, to other Program participants and their brokerages within a Zillow Preferred performance leaderboard. Such data is not Confidential Information.
6.
Obligation to notify of change in brokerage affiliation or license status. The Parties will notify one another if there is a change in license status or affiliation. If a Participating Agent begins working under a new brokerage or team, then Participant(s), together or separately, will notify Zillow within 15 days. Zillow Preferred Connections are considered delivered to Broker. Any internal dispute regarding lead ownership is between Broker and the Participating Agent.
7.
Modification. Zillow may modify this Exhibit at any time with 15 days’ notice to Participants impacted by the change. Participant’s continuation in the Program(s) is considered acceptance of the modification.
Participants Who Receive Buyer Originated Zillow Connections:
8.
Buyer Connection Program. Zillow may connect Participants with potential clients whose lead origination source indicates they are prospective buyers (“Buyer Connection”). In the event that the origination source is unclear, Zillow, in its sole discretion, may label them as a prospective buyer.
9.
Tour Fulfillment Promise. As part of the Zillow Preferred Program, Zillow may connect Participants with Buyer Connections that have requested a tour. Participants will – to the best of their ability – fulfill all tours with Zillow Preferred Connections to which they commit to or are assigned to perform. Agent will not accept or reject a tour request from a Zillow Preferred Connection based on the home’s price or of the demographic composition of the neighborhood where the home is located, or based on the Zillow Preferred Connection’s pre-approval status for a mortgage loan or proof of funds, loan type, or, consistent with the Zillow Good Neighbor and Conduct Policy, on account of a protected class under federal, state, or local law. In the event Zillow determines that a Participant has violated this Tour Fulfillment Promise, Zillow may take action to ensure the integrity of Zillow services, including removal from any touring related programs or terminating Participant’s participation, at an individual, team, or brokerage level, in any Program.
Participants Who Receive Seller Originated Zillow Connections:
10.
Seller Connection Program. Zillow may connect Participants with potential clients whose lead origination source indicates they are prospective sellers (“Seller Connection”).
11.
Fair Housing. Participants will not consider the legally protected characteristics of a Seller Connection or the demographic composition of the neighborhood the subject property is located in while providing real estate services to the Seller Connection.
12.
Showcase Subscription. Broker or Team Lead is required to have a valid Showcase subscription for the duration of their participation in order to receive a Seller Connection.
13.
Seller Connections Showcase Listings. Zillow will provide Participants one Showcase listing per Seller Connection received, the use of which is governed by the Zillow Showcase Product Terms and Conditions available at https://www.zillow.com/agents/showcase-product-terms/. Participants shall only use Zillow provided Showcase listings for leads received as a Zillow Preferred Connection. Any improper use must be immediately reported and reimbursed. Repeated improper use may result in removal from the Program(s).
Success Fee and Payment Terms
14.
Success Fee Payment. Broker will pay Zillow a referral fee (“Success Fee”) when a Team Lead or Participating Agent successfully closes a transaction with a Zillow Preferred Connection (“Transaction”). The Success Fee is a referral fee pursuant to Section 8(C)(3) of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Zillow holds a real estate license in the state of Georgia; license number 76885.
15.
Success Fee Timing and Calculation. Success Fees are Program specific. Broker is required to pay the Success Fee on up to two transactions for the same Zillow Connection per lead origination source (i.e. buyer or seller). The first transaction must close within 24 months of Zillow sending Broker the connection. Once that transaction closes, the Success Fee is owed on the second transaction, if any, that closes within the next 24 months. The receipt date of any Zillow Connection may reset in accordance with Zillow’s Reconnections Policy.
a.
Pricing. The Success Fee for each Transaction will be the percentage specified at https://www.zillow.com/preferred/pricing/. The Success Fee may vary based on the lead origination source, such as if they were a buyer or seller connection. Zillow may change the Success Fee by providing 15 days’ notice to the Participants and posting the updated Success Fee at the same URL. Any change only applies to Zillow Preferred Connections delivered on or after the effective date of the modification.
b.
Calculation. The Success Fee is calculated as a percentage of Broker’s gross commission received for the Transaction, before any splits (e.g., between agents and/or brokers), or payment made from commissions directly to third parties (including, but not limited to, home warranties or home inspectors), or other deductions have been subtracted (“Gross Commission Income” or “GCI”). A Success Fee is owed even if the Zillow Preferred Connection initially contacts Zillow through a proxy or representative (including a spouse, family member, or entity). The lead name does not need to match closing documents.
c.
Excluded from Success Fee. The following fees, paid at closing and separately itemized on the settlement statement, are excluded from GCI:
i.
Incentives paid by the Participating Agent, Team Lead, or Broker directly to the home buyer or home seller,
ii.
Bonus income, such as a new construction builder transaction bonus, and
iii.
Non-commission-split fees that a Zillow Preferred Connection pays directly to the Broker (including, but not limited to, “admin fees” or “broker fees”).
iv.
Zillow will apply these exclusions in good faith, and may request documentation to confirm the exclusion applies.
d.
Success Fee Applies Unless There’s a Valid Exception. Except as expressly stated in this Section, Broker must pay the Success Fee for any Transaction involving a Zillow Preferred Connection, even if:
i.
the Connection was also received from another source;
ii.
the Transaction closes after the Program Term; or
iii.
a Participant moves to a new brokerage (“New Broker”).
e.
The exceptions below are the only exceptions unless Zillow agrees otherwise in writing.
i.
Pre-existing Relationship: No Success Fee is owed if, within 14 calendar days after Zillow delivers the Zillow Preferred Connection, a Participant:
1.
notifies Zillow that the Participating Agent received the Zillow Preferred Connection before Zillow’s delivery; and
2.
provides sufficient evidence, as determined by Zillow in its sole discretion, that the Participant was actively working the connection during the prior 60 days. Evidence must include, at a minimum, proof of two-way communications.
ii.
Agent Transacts at New Brokerage. If a Team Lead or Participating Agent affiliates with a New Broker prior to closing, then Broker will only owe a Success Fee if Broker receives commission or other transaction-based compensation from the Transaction. This does not limit Zillow’s ability to seek payment from the Participant or New Broker, to the extent permitted under this Agreement.
iii.
Broker Collects Partial Commission. If Broker receives only a portion of the Transaction’s commission for any reason (including as a referral fee or due to an error or non-payment), then the Success Fee will be calculated based on the amount Broker actually receives. This does not limit Zillow’s ability to seek payment from another responsible Participant, to the extent permitted under the law.
f.
Payment Documentation.Participants must report all Transactions involving Zillow Preferred Connections, so Zillow can determine if a Success Fees is owed. Zillow will provide Broker with documentation needed to facilitate payment, such as an Order to Pay form, prior to closing. Broker will provide Zillow with documents reasonably necessary to verify commission amounts and Transaction Details.
g.
Broker Nonpayment. If Broker does not pay a Success Fee owed under this Agreement, then Zillow may bill the responsible Participant. The Success Fee is due in full within 15 days after the Participant's receipt of the bill.
16.
Late Payment. In the event Participants’ payment is late, Zillow reserves the right to charge interest on unpaid amounts at the rate of one percent per month (or the highest rate permitted by law, if less).
17.
Collections. If Broker or a Participant fails to pay amounts owed under this Agreement, then Zillow may use a third-party collections agency to assist Zillow in collecting the Success Fee. The non-paying party will reimburse Zillow for collections costs.
18.
Taxes. Each Party will be responsible, as required under applicable law, for identifying and paying all taxes and other governmental fees and charges (and any penalties, interest, and other additions thereto) that are imposed on that Party upon or with respect to the transactions and payments under this agreement. All fees payable by Participant are exclusive of applicable taxes and duties, including, without limitation, excise tax, sales and transaction taxes, and gross receipts taxes (“Indirect Taxes”). Participant will provide such information to Zillow as reasonably required to determine whether Zillow is obligated to collect Indirect Taxes from Participant. Zillow shall not collect, and Participant shall not pay, any such Indirect Tax or duty for which Participant furnishes Zillow a properly completed exemption certificate for which Zillow may claim an available exemption from Indirect Tax.
