If you’re house-hunting in Comal County or preparing to sell your home, there’s a big change happening in real estate — and it’s already in effect as of May 1, 2025.
Zillow, one of the most widely used home search websites, has implemented a new policy that could limit the listings you see online. Under this change, Zillow will no longer display homes that are marketed before being officially listed on the MLS — unless the listing hits the MLS within one business day.
This change ties into the National Association of Realtors’ Clear Cooperation Policy, but many buyers and sellers are just now realizing how much it could impact them.
Let’s break down what this means for you — whether you’re buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on the market.
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🏡 For Buyers: Zillow Won’t Show You Everything Anymore
Zillow has long been a go-to for casual browsers and serious buyers alike. It’s convenient, user-friendly, and lets you “shop” for homes from your phone or laptop. But starting now, what you see on Zillow is no longer the full story.
Under this new policy:
• Homes that were mentioned anywhere — on social media, in a private message, or even to a small email list — before being entered into the MLS may never appear on Zillow.
• If the listing isn’t added to the MLS within one business day of being shared, it’s blocked from Zillow’s platform permanently.
• Early sneak peeks, “coming soon” posts, or pocket listings that once gave buyers an edge may now be completely invisible online.
Why This Matters in Comal County
The real estate market in New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Garden Ridge, and the surrounding areas is highly competitive — and many homes still move quickly. If you’re relying solely on Zillow to find your dream home, you could easily miss out on a home that fits your needs simply because it wasn’t shown there.
As a local real estate broker, I regularly hear about listings before they hit the market — and I often know about homes that are being sold quietly or through non-traditional channels. The truth is that the best deals often never make it to public websites.
💡 To stay ahead of the curve, you need more than an app. You need an agent with boots on the ground and connections that go beyond the screen.
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🏠 For Sellers: You Could Lose Valuable Exposure
Zillow’s new policy also poses serious challenges for homeowners looking to sell — especially those who prefer a more personalized or private selling process.
Let’s say you’re thinking of listing your home and I share a quick preview on Instagram or let a few fellow agents know it's coming soon. If the listing doesn’t hit the MLS within one business day of that mention, it will be banned from Zillow entirely.
That means:
• No “coming soon” posts to build excitement.
• No off-market previews for your sphere of influence.
• No flexibility in launching your home the way that works best for you.
Why This Limits Your Options
Some sellers want a quiet sale. Others want to generate buzz first before going live. Some may even want to test pricing strategies with a soft launch. This policy restricts all of that — forcing every listing into a rigid framework.
Worse, it removes your home from one of the most trafficked real estate sites online.
At Selling High Buying Low, we’ve always tailored the selling experience to match your timeline, comfort level, and marketing preferences. Whether you’re looking for maximum exposure or a more discreet process, we believe you should be in control — not a tech company or industry policy.
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👀What Buyers and Sellers Should Do Now
If you’re a buyer, don’t put your entire search in Zillow’s hands. Work with a local expert who can give you access to:
• Listings not visible on public sites
• Pre-MLS opportunities
• Private sales and pocket listings
• Insider knowledge of what's about to hit the market
If you’re a seller, don’t let a policy dictate your marketing strategy. Instead:
• Partner with a brokerage that understands how to navigate these rules while still getting you maximum exposure
• Tap into strategies that include social media, email marketing, private agent networks, and more
• Explore MLS listing options that align with your goals — whether that’s wide reach or quiet discretion
