Finding the perfect rental home can be a daunting and time-consuming process. Sifting through countless listings, scheduling tours, and submitting applications requires a powerful and efficient tool. For millions of renters across the United States, that go-to tool has become the Zillow app.
What was once primarily known as a platform for buying and selling homes has evolved into a comprehensive and user-friendly ecosystem for the rental market. Its vast database of listings, combined with an intuitive interface and powerful search filters, makes it an indispensable companion for anyone looking for their next home.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to use the Zillow app to its full potential, from performing a basic local search to leveraging its advanced tools to find the perfect rental property near you.
Zillow's dominance in the rental space is no accident. It has become a go-to app for several key reasons:
Massive Inventory: It boasts one of the largest and most comprehensive databases of rental listings in the country, including everything from single-family homes and townhouses to apartments in large complexes.
User-Friendly Interface: The app is designed to be intuitive. Its map-based search and clear, photo-rich listings make it easy to browse and compare properties.
Powerful Filtering: The ability to narrow down your search by a huge range of criteria is a major advantage, saving you time by only showing you the listings that truly fit your needs.
Integrated Application Process: Zillow allows you to create a single renter profile and application, which you can then submit to multiple participating properties, streamlining what is often a tedious and repetitive part of the rental process.
The Zillow Rentals app (which is integrated into the main Zillow app) is more than just a search engine. It's a complete rental journey management tool.
Map-Based and List View Search: The app's core function is its interactive map, which allows you to visually explore available rentals in a specific neighborhood. You can also switch to a list view to see properties ranked by price or other criteria.
Detailed Listing Pages: Each property has its own detailed page that typically includes:
High-quality photos and, increasingly, 3D tours or video walkthroughs.
Monthly rent, security deposit amount, and any other associated fees.
A full description of the property, including square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and a list of amenities.
Pet policy, lease terms, and date of availability.
Contact information for the landlord or property manager.
Saved Searches and Instant Alerts: You can save your specific search criteria and receive instant push notifications or emails the moment a new listing that matches your needs hits the market.
Renter Profile and Online Applications: You can build a personal renter profile within the app that includes your rental history, income information, and other relevant details. This allows you to apply for multiple properties with a single click, for a flat application fee.
Using the app to find local rentals is a simple and intuitive process.
Download and Open the App: Get the Zillow app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. When you open it, make sure you are on the "Rent" tab at the top of the screen.
Enter Your Location: In the search bar, type the city, neighborhood, or ZIP code you are interested in. The app will then display a map of that area, populated with icons representing available rental listings.
Set Your Core Filters: This is the most important step for narrowing down your search. Tap the "Filter" button and set your non-negotiable criteria:
Price Range: Set your minimum and maximum monthly rent.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms: Select the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need.
Explore the Map and Listings: Pan and zoom around the map to explore different neighborhoods. Tap on any price icon to see a quick preview of the property. If it looks promising, tap on the preview to open the full, detailed listing page.
Save Your Favorites: As you browse, use the "heart" icon to save the listings that you like. This will add them to a "Saved Homes" tab, making it easy to review and compare your top choices later.
To move from a casual browser to a power user, leverage the app's more advanced search tools.
Draw Your Own Search Area: Instead of being limited by a ZIP code or city name, use the "Draw" tool. This allows you to use your finger to draw a custom boundary on the map, showing you listings only within that exact, hand-drawn area. This is perfect for targeting a very specific school district or a neighborhood you love.
Advanced Amenity Filters: Go beyond the basics. In the "Filter" menu, you can select a huge range of specific features, such as:
In-unit laundry
Air conditioning
On-site parking (and the type, like a garage or covered spot)
Pet-friendly (and you can often specify dogs or cats)
And many more, like dishwasher, balcony, or fitness center.
Keyword Search: If you are looking for a very specific feature that isn't a standard filter (e.g., "fenced yard," "hardwood floors," "mother-in-law suite"), use the keyword search bar within the filter options. The app will scan the text of the listing descriptions for your keywords.
While Zillow is a dominant player, it's not the only option. Understanding how it compares to other popular platforms can be helpful.
Zillow's Strength: Its primary advantages are the sheer volume of its listings and its user-friendly interface. It often has the most comprehensive inventory of single-family homes and smaller landlord-managed properties.
Apartment-Specific Platforms (e.g., Apartments.com): These apps are often stronger for finding units in large, professionally managed apartment complexes. They may have more detailed information on specific floor plans within a building and more real-time availability data provided directly by the management companies.
The Bottom Line: For a comprehensive search, it is a smart strategy to use both Zillow and an apartment-focused app. Start with Zillow for its broad market overview, and then cross-reference with another platform to ensure you are not missing any listings in large apartment buildings.
Set Up Saved Searches Immediately: In a competitive rental market, the best properties are often leased within days, or even hours, of being listed. Setting up a saved search with instant notifications is the single most important thing you can do to get an edge.
Be Wary of Scams: Be cautious of listings that seem too good to be true (e.g., a downtown apartment for a fraction of the market rate). Never send money or sensitive personal information to a landlord before you have toured the property in person and verified their identity.
Use the 3D and Video Tours: To save time, prioritize listings that offer a 3D tour or a video walkthrough. This allows you to get a much better feel for the layout and condition of the property before you decide to schedule an in-person visit.
Act Quickly: When you find a property you love, be prepared to act fast. Have your renter profile on Zillow filled out and ready to go so you can submit your application as soon as you've toured the home.
By leveraging the full power of the Zillow app's search filters, saved search alerts, and integrated application tools, you can transform a stressful and overwhelming apartment hunt into a streamlined and efficient process, bringing you one step closer to finding your perfect new home.
