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Zillow Leads API Essential Guide

Aug 11, 20246 minute read

What type of API does Zillow Leads provide?

Based on the search results provided, it appears that Zillow Leads uses a REST API. The key points are:

  1. Zillow offers a "Lead API" for delivering rental lead data to CRMs and management systems. This API uses HTTP POST callbacks to deliver data in URL-encoded format.

  2. While Zillow offers various APIs, there is no specific mention of GraphQL or SOAP APIs.

  3. The use of HTTP POST callbacks and URL-encoded data format aligns more closely with REST principles than with GraphQL or SOAP architectures.

Does the Zillow Leads API have webhooks?

Availability of Webhooks

The official Zillow Leads API does appear to have webhook functionality. Zillow can deliver lead data to your webhook or endpoint via HTTP POST callback.

Types of Events

The search results do not provide specific information about the types of events you can subscribe to through Zillow's webhooks. However, we can infer that the main event type is likely related to new lead creation, as the API is described as delivering "lead data".

Key Considerations

  1. Data Format: The data format for the webhook is URL-encoded. Zillow states they are unable to make changes to their API fields or form.

  2. Implementation: To implement the lead API delivery method, you need to reach out to [email protected] for testing and implementation details.

  3. Webhook Endpoint: You would need to create an endpoint that can accept HTTP POST requests to receive the lead data.

Best Practices

While not specific to Zillow, some general webhook best practices that could apply include:

  1. Decoupling the receiving of webhook events from processing them, to improve reliability and error handling.

  2. Responding quickly (within 10 seconds) to webhook requests with a 2XX HTTP status code to acknowledge receipt.

  3. Having a system in place to handle retries, as many webhook systems will retry failed deliveries.

It's important to note that the specific details about Zillow's webhook events and implementation are limited in the provided search results. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it would be best to contact Zillow directly or consult their official API documentation.

Rate Limits and other limitations

Here are the key points about the API Rate Limits of the Zillow Leads API:

Daily Call Limits

  • You are limited to 1000 calls per day to the Home Valuations API and the Property Details API [1].

  • Zillow may approve higher daily call limits if you adhere to the API Terms of Use and pass a Zillow audit and review [1].

Other Usage Restrictions

  • All API calls must reference the ZWSID (Zillow Web Services ID) issued to you as an approved licensee [1].

  • You may only present Zillow data on a transactional basis. Bulk access to users is not permitted [1].

  • You may not retain copies of the Zillow data. Your license is limited to making direct server calls and immediately distributing the data to end users [1].

  • You may present data on no more than 20 individual properties at a time to any given user (e.g. per web page) [1].

Best Practices

  • Implement rate limiting on your end to stay within the allowed limits.

  • Cache API responses to reduce the number of calls made and improve performance. Libraries like requests-cache can be used for this.

Additional Notes

  • The Zillow API is not free. Pricing varies depending on usage.

  • You must use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the Zillow data from being downloaded in bulk or scraped [1].

  • If you become aware of any users violating the terms, you must notify Zillow and take corrective action [1].

While not explicitly stated for the Leads API, these limits and restrictions likely apply to it as well. For the most up-to-date and specific information on the Leads API limits, it's best to consult the official Zillow documentation or contact their support team directly.

Latest API Version

Based on the search results provided, I don't have specific information about the most recent version of the Zillow Leads API. The search results don't mention any version numbers or recent updates to the API. However, I can provide some general information about Zillow's Lead API:

General Information

  1. Zillow offers a Lead API as part of their Rental Network.

  2. The Lead API can deliver lead data to various CRMs and management systems.

  3. Zillow can deliver lead data to a webhook or endpoint via HTTP POST callback.

Key Points to Consider

  • The data format for the Lead API is URL-encoded.
  • Zillow is unable to make changes to their API fields or form.
  • To inquire about existing lead integrations or create a new one, you can contact Zillow's Rentals Support team.

Best Practices

  1. If you're interested in using the Zillow Leads API, it's recommended to:

    • Review the documentation provided by Zillow.
    • Reach out to [email protected] to inquire about testing and implementing the lead API delivery method for your listings.
  2. For the most up-to-date information on the Zillow Leads API version, it would be best to contact Zillow directly or check their official developer documentation, as the search results don't provide this specific information.

While I couldn't find the exact version number you're looking for, this information should give you a starting point for working with Zillow's Lead API. For the most accurate and current information, I recommend reaching out to Zillow's developer support team directly.

How to get a Zillow Leads developer account and API Keys?

Steps to Get a Developer Account

  1. Create a Zillow account if you don't already have one.

  2. Log in to your Zillow account and navigate to the "My Zillow" page.

  3. Click on "API" in the top menu and select "Get Started" under the "Zillow API" section.

  4. Provide information about yourself and how you plan to use the API.

  5. Submit your application for API access.

  6. Wait for approval. If approved, you should receive an email with your API key within a few minutes.

What can you do with the Zillow Leads API?

Based on the search results provided, here are the key data models that can be interacted with using the Zillow Leads API:

Lead Data

  • The Zillow Rental Network can deliver lead data via API to various CRMs and management systems
  • Lead data includes information on potential customers/clients interested in properties

Property Listings

  • Data on property listings, including details like:
    • Property photos
    • Descriptions
    • Pricing
    • Location
    • Size
    • Available amenities
    • Additional property information

Agent Data

  • Information on real estate agents using the Zillow platform
  • May include agent reviews and ratings

Mortgage/Financing Data

  • Data related to mortgages, financing options, rates, etc.

Neighborhood Data

  • Information on neighborhoods, demographics, amenities, etc.

Zestimate Data

  • Access to Zillow's proprietary home value estimates (Zestimates)

User Interaction Data

  • Data on how users interact with listings, such as:
    • Saved searches
    • Favorited properties
    • Tour requests
    • Information requests
  • Information on real estate market trends, home values, rental prices

Transaction Data

  • Data related to real estate transactions

The API allows developers to access and interact with these various data models to build applications and integrations with Zillow's platform. The specific data fields and capabilities may vary based on the particular API endpoints and access levels.