Summary
- Zillow’s app makes finding rental apartments easy by providing comprehensive details of multiple properties.
- The app has an easy-to-use UI, verified listings, and access to price trends. It also allows online applications.
- There are some drawbacks, but the app offers a great experience overall.
Finding a rental apartment that meets your needs and budget can be challenging. Thankfully, apps like Zillow make this process easier by letting you view multiple listings in the area of your choice, compare amenities, and evaluate rental prices, all in one go.
Why I Use Zillow to Find Rental Apartments
For more than a few years now, I’ve relied extensively on Zillow’s as one of the best apps to find new homes in my city.
The app and the resulting user experience have improved considerably over the years, and these features, in particular, keep me coming back to the platform:
Easy-to-Navigate UI and Map Views
If you’ve used Zillow in recent times, you know first-hand just how seamless the search experience on the app (and website) is. The layout is intuitive and easy to navigate. You can sort the listings by price, bedrooms/bathrooms, square feet, or posted date.
Additionally, you can use the app’s filters to view listings relevant to your needs. There’s also an interactive map view feature that lets you see where each apartment is placed geographically and what the prices are like in surrounding areas.
Plenty of Verified Apartments
A lot of new AI tools have shown us how generative AI can do more than just generate text-based answers. The downside is that it’s become easier than ever for scammers to post realistic images of properties, complete with well-written descriptions.
These types of scams have even made their way to platforms like Airbnb, putting the onus on you to learn how to spot these scams. Fortunately, with Zillow’s verified listings, you don’t have to worry about dealing with people posting false or misleading listings.
Some Properties Accept Zillow Applications
Most rental properties require you to meet specific criteria before you’re approved to rent. If you went about looking for rental apartments the traditional way, you’d more than likely have to fill out multiple applications and pay separate fees for each.
Zillow simplifies this process considerably by allowing prospective renters to pay a one-time fee of $35 per month and submit as many applications as they like.
Access to Price History
I like to check how price trends have changed over time to know whether the quoted rent is fair. Sometimes, you’ll notice that the rental price has dropped considerably after the property has been listed for a while, which could indicate that there is room for further negotiation.
On the flip side, if the rent has increased consistently, that might mean the property is in demand.
Comprehensive Property Details
It’s disappointing to come across an apartment you really like only to find that it doesn’t have the amenities you want or that the rent is priced just a little higher than what you’re comfortable with.
When I use Zillow, I find that it takes a lot of guesswork out of the equation. I know what I’m getting into, since I’m able to access all the details about the property, including the policy on pets, parking options, and the like.
Zillow Simplifies Apartment Hunting, but There Are Caveats
I enjoy using Zillow, but like most things, it’s not without limitations. A few times, I’ve come across rental apartments on the platform that are no longer available, taking me back to square one with my search.
Similarly, not all property owners list their homes or apartments on Zillow, which means I’m likely missing out on at least a few well-priced options.
Still, given how easy the platform is to use and how efficiently I can compare listings and contact property owners, I don’t think I’ll go back to looking for rental apartments the old way or browsing other platforms.
