According to sources, Zillow is looking to open a Regional Headquarters for their New Homebuilding Division in Atlanta. This regional operations hub could potentially lease 100,000 square feet of space and hire hundreds of new employees.  According to company spokesperson Viet Shelton in an interview with Atlanta Bisnow, she said,“We would like to find space that could handle a potential expansion of several hundred jobs. We’re hoping Atlanta becomes a sort of Southeast regional hub, in addition to Phoenix.”

Zillow Offers opened in Atlanta last September, its third market outside of Phoenix and Las Vegas. This the division of the online listing giant that makes cash offers for a seller’s house and, if accepted, allows the seller to choose a closing date for a fee.As of today, the platform has been launched in six markets, including Denver, Charlotte and Raleigh. Shelton said the company plans to be operating Offers in 14 markets this year.

Atlanta was Zillow’s third market buying and selling homes along with Phoenix and Las Vegas. Homebuyers can use Zillow Offers to request an offer from Zillow to buy their home. Atlanta home buyers and sellers can work with Zillow to directly buy homes, prepare them for sale, and list them for sale.

RISMedia Releases White Paper Investigating Industry ‘Disruptors’

Thousands of real estate professionals responded to a RISMedia survey and they concluded that Zillow Instant Offers are a negative addition to the real estate market for consumers, and another step towards Zillow’s attempt to disintermediate brokers and agents and go directly to homebuyers and sellers.

According to the RISMedia Survey launched shortly after Zillow introduced Instant Offers to Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas—nearly 87 percent of respondents consider the introduction of Zillow Instant Offers as a shift towards Zillow to become a real estate brokerage, a strategy that has been anticipated by many since Zillow’s formation in 2006.

Zillow research shows that 71 percent of home buyers are simultaneously buying and selling a home, causing stress, timing issues and financial complexity. With Zillow Offers, potential home sellers request an offer and, within two business days, receive a free, no-obligation cash offer from Zillow – an opportunity to sell their home on their own timeline.

Zillow Brand President Jeremy Wacksman states, “Sellers love Zillow Offers, because it’s a service that offers them more control and convenience – and less stress – when they sell their homes,” He continues, “Zillow has delivered that to sellers in our first two markets, and we’re excited to expand into Atlanta. Once we launch the program in the fall, we will be able to provide Atlanta-area homeowners with more choices, greater control, certainty about price, and transparency when it comes to selling their home – whether they take a cash offer or sell traditionally with a Premier Agent.”

Similar to Phoenix and Las Vegas, Zillow will partner with local brokerages and Premier Agents in Atlanta, allowing them to acquire new seller lead opportunities as part of Zillow Offers. The two brokerages partnering with Zillow for the Atlanta launch are Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) Georgia Properties and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers. The program gives real estate agents the opportunity to acquire new listings by connecting them with motivated sellers who have taken a direct action to sell their home. Consumers who request a Zillow Offer, but decide to instead sell their house traditionally with an agent or do not receive a Zillow Offer, will be connected with a local brokerage or Premier Agent. Finally, Zillow pays a commission to agents when it buys and sells each home, and agents remain at the center of every transaction Zillow is a part of.

“Consumers expect an experience tailored to their unique circumstances, especially when it’s as significant as selling their home,” said Craig McClelland, Vice President and COO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers. “Zillow Offers gives consumers more choice, control and transparency with less stress and hassle, while providing local agents more opportunities to connect with consumers. We’re excited to partner with Zillow on this innovative program to serve consumers in Atlanta.”

“At BHHS Georgia Properties, we are focused on doing everything we can to help consumers do what’s right for them, and that means constantly innovating and being forward thinking to meet their evolving expectations,” said Dan Forsman, President & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties. “Zillow Offers is an opportunity for us to help consumers in a new way, working with a brand that consumers trust.”

Atlanta Real Estate Forum first covered Zillow’s entry into the online world of buying and selling homes on April 15 with an article titled, “Zillow Just Screwed the Pooch.”  We would love to know your thoughts on “Zillow to Sell Homes in Atlanta” and the previous article. Please chime in and let us know what you think of Zillow Offers in the comments.

Updates 1/28/19