Meanwhile, “Zillow surfing” is the latest internet trend. Because young consumers are spending more time than ever at home this year, many have been fantasizing about moving to “far-flung destinations.” Thanks to home buying sites like Redfin, Trulia, Realtor.com, and Zillow, many of them have turned to “Zillow surfing” as a way to escape to an “alternate life” and virtually visit houses. Usage on Zillow has increased since March with online visitors to for-sale listings up more than 50% compared to last year in the early months of lockdowns. People are even bonding over listings on Discover, group chats, and “Zillow Twitter” to the point where strange and obscure listings have gone viral. According to one avid online surfer, Zillow “feels like the opposite of doomscrolling.” (NYTimes)
