A step-by-step guide to using a scraper for Zillow property listings

Introduction

Zillow is a go-to platform for finding property listings, but manually gathering data can be time-consuming. This guide will show you how to scrape Zillow property listings efficiently using a web scraper, detailing the steps for setup, input requirements, and understanding the output.

Features of the Zillow Scraper

• Customizable Input: Specify city names, ZIP codes, or individual listing URLs.
• Comprehensive Data Extraction: Retrieve property details, prices, location, and other key metrics.
• Real-Time Scheduling: Execute tasks immediately or schedule scraping jobs.
• Sample Data Visualization: Preview extracted data to ensure accuracy.

Input Requirements

1. Search Criteria

The scraper supports multiple ways to define your input:

• URLs: Provide Zillow search result or property URLs.
• Filters: Use Zillow's advanced filters (e.g., number of bedrooms, price range) before copying the URL.

Example Input:

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/
https://www.zillow.com/homes/Los-Angeles,-CA_rb/

2. Maximum Results (Optional)

Set a limit for the number of properties to extract. By default, the scraper retrieves all listings.

How to Create a Scraping Task

Step 1: Provide Input

• Navigate to the Create New Task tab.
• Enter the Zillow search URLs in the input field.
• (Optional) Upload a text file containing multiple URLs.

Step 2: Configure Filters (Optional)

• Specify the maximum number of rows to extract.
• Apply filters for price range, property type, and other details.

Step 3: Schedule or Run Immediately

• Select Run Now to start scraping immediately.
• Or, use the cron scheduler to define a specific time for the scraping task.

Output

1. Sample Data

Preview the extracted data in a tabular format:

| Property Address | Price | Beds | Baths | Sq. Ft. | Status | | ---------------- | -------- | ---- | ----- | ------- | -------- | | 123 Main St, NY | $500,000 | 3 | 2 | 1,500 | For Sale | | 456 Elm St, CA | $750,000 | 4 | 3 | 2,200 | Sold |

2. Output Schema

The scraper outputs data in the following format:

| Field | Type | | ------------- | ------- | | Address | String | | Price | String | | Bedrooms | Integer | | Bathrooms | Float | | SquareFootage | Integer | | ListingStatus | String |

Use Cases

The Zillow Property Listings Scraper can be used for:

• Market Analysis: Track property prices and trends in specific areas.
• Lead Generation: Build a database of properties for real estate marketing.
• Investment Research: Identify investment opportunities based on location and price.
• Competitive Analysis: Monitor listings from competing real estate firms.

Additional Features

Scheduled Tasks

Easily set up recurring scraping jobs to keep your data updated in real-time.

Similar Scrapers

Explore additional scrapers for platforms like Realtor.com or Redfin to enhance your property database.

Tips for Effective Scraping

1. Stay Within Rate Limits: Use a delay between requests to avoid being blocked.
2. Use Proxies: Employ rotating proxies to scrape large amounts of data anonymously.
3. Verify Data: Regularly cross-check data to ensure accuracy.

Getting Started

1. Log in to your account.
2. Navigate to the Scrapers Dashboard.
3. Select the Zillow Property Listings Scraper.
4. Follow the steps to create and execute a new scraping task.

For further assistance, refer to our documentation or contact support.