Zillow Adds DMs So You Can Chat About Homes You’ll Never Buy

Zillow adds DMs so you can chat about homes you’ll never buy — and it’s surprisingly fun. The new in-app messaging feature makes home browsing more social by letting you and your shopping partner discuss listings without leaving Zillow.

Instead of copying and texting links, users can now invite a friend, partner, or family member to chat directly in the app’s inbox. Zillow says the feature aims to make collaboration during home searches simpler and more organized, especially for couples or roommates planning future moves (or just dreaming about them).

A Smoother Way to Share Listings

Once the update rolls out, you’ll find a new “Invite a co-shopper” option inside your inbox. Selecting it generates a unique invitation link that you can share. When your invitee signs in or creates a Zillow account, they’ll instantly join your chat — ready to exchange thoughts, listings, and reactions in real time.

The interface works much like standard DMs, but it’s fully integrated into Zillow’s property pages. That means you can send houses, condos, or rentals you find without switching apps. It’s a streamlined experience for people who love browsing dream homes together, whether or not they’re actually buying.

Why Zillow’s DMs Make Sense

Adding DMs might sound like overkill for a real estate app, but it’s a clever move. Many people use Zillow casually — to window shop, visualize dream homes, or share quirky listings. By adding a built-in messaging feature, Zillow reduces the friction of sharing links across text or WhatsApp and keeps users inside its ecosystem longer.

This approach also makes it easier to keep conversations about properties organized. No more scrolling through your general messages to find that one house your friend sent last week. Everything related to your shared listings stays in one place.

Enhancing the Co-Shopping Experience

Zillow’s co-shopping tool isn’t entirely new — the company already lets users create saved searches and shared collections. But the addition of DMs adds a layer of immediacy. You can react to listings, ask questions, or plan tours without leaving the app.

It’s especially helpful for long-distance home searches, where partners might be in different cities. Whether you’re actively house-hunting or just fantasizing about waterfront villas, having a chat space inside Zillow makes the process smoother and more engaging.

A Step Toward More Social Real Estate Apps

The update aligns with a growing trend: real estate apps getting more social. By allowing users to chat, react, and share listings in real time, Zillow joins the ranks of platforms turning home browsing into a collaborative experience.

While it might not revolutionize property buying overnight, Zillow adding DMs so you can chat about homes you’ll never buy could make the process of exploring dream listings more interactive — and perhaps even addictive.