Zillow Group Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Zillow forecasts a robust housing market in 2021, anticipating the highest annual home sales growth in nearly 40 years, with a projected increase of 21.9% leading to 6.9 million homes sold. This surge is fueled by economic recovery, demographic factors, and a growing demand for city living as local economies reopen. However, rising home prices and mortgage rates pose affordability challenges for buyers, especially first-time homebuyers. The expected digital-first trend in real estate transactions will facilitate quicker connections between buyers and sellers, streamlining the home shopping experience.

Rent appreciation is recovering as home values surge, according to Zillow's latest Real Estate Market Report. Rent increased by 1.1% year-over-year in November, with typical U.S. rent at $1,734. Zillow predicts 2021 sales will be the strongest since 2005, with home values expected to rise by 10.3% from November 2020. In November, typical home values grew by 7.5% year-over-year, hitting $263,351. Strong demand and low inventory are driving this growth, despite challenges facing renters affected by the pandemic.

This press release from Zillow highlights significant changes in the real estate market during 2020, driven by the pandemic. Key points include a rise in remote work leading to increased housing options and demand, with nearly two million renters becoming potential homeowners. Record low interest rates spurred first-time buyers, while a preference for digital home buying experiences grew. Despite initial fears of an urban exodus, Zillow reported no significant shift from urban to suburban markets, with some cities experiencing stable demand. The impact of COVID-19 on renters, particularly among women and minorities, was also noted.

According to StreetEasy, New York City rents have experienced a greater decline in 2020 than during the Great Recession. Manhattan saw a 12.7% year-over-year drop, with a median asking rent of $2,800, the lowest in a decade. Brooklyn and Queens followed with declines of 6.3% and 5.7%, respectively. The rental inventory has surged, doubling year-over-year to nearly 37,000 additional homes. StreetEasy attributes these trends to the economic fallout from the pandemic, suggesting a sluggish recovery ahead despite potential boosts from COVID-19 vaccines.

The recent Zillow analysis reveals 5.7 million 'missing' households in the U.S. due to low household formation rates since the Great Recession. This shortfall suggests persistent housing demand, as many young adults remain living with parents or roommates. The overall affordability crisis continues to hinder homeownership, with factors like underbuilding and rising rents exacerbating the issue. Despite the pandemic's impact, the long-term outlook indicates strong housing demand driven by the aging Millennial population and ongoing economic recovery.

Zillow's analysis highlights that Black renters may benefit most from pandemic-driven telework, making first-time homeownership more attainable. The study reveals that in high-value metro areas, Black renters are 29% more likely to purchase homes in less expensive regions. Despite this advantage, significant disparities in homeownership persist, with 75% of white households owning homes compared to just 44% of Black households. While telework could assist 4.5% of all renters in affording homes elsewhere, it is not a comprehensive solution to existing affordability challenges.

Zillow's latest Real Estate Market Report indicates significant growth in home values and sales, driven by high demand amid tight supply. In October 2020, home values increased 1% month-over-month, marking the fastest growth since 2005, with typical home values now at $262,604. The annualized rate of home sales reached 6.85 million, the highest since 2005, and is expected to maintain strong momentum into 2021. Meanwhile, rental markets are cooling, especially in coastal cities, with average rents declining by 0.1% to $1,751.

Zillow Group (NASDAQ: Z, ZG) announced its participation in two financial conferences on December 1, 2020. CFO Allen Parker will join a fireside chat at 11:00 a.m. ET during the Nasdaq Virtual Investor Conference. Concurrently, President Jeremy Wacksman will participate in a chat at 5:30 p.m. ET at the Credit Suisse 24th Annual Technology Conference. Both events will be available for live viewing and replay on the company's Investor Relations website. Zillow is focused on enhancing real estate transactions through technology and offers services including Zillow Offers and Zillow Home Loans.