Not betting on iBuying would be an “existential threat”: Zillow CEO

Since returning in February to lead the company he founded 14 years ago, Rich Barton is muscling Zillow into the crowded instant-homebuying market, setting the listings giant on the course for a major overhaul.

The iBuying craze offers sellers a chance to quickly offload their property to Zillow, giving sellers fast access to cash to buy other homes. It’s a business with extremely thin margins, and requires the company to set aside massive amounts of money to make the purchases. The initiative has caused Zillow’s losses to widen, and its stock has also taken a hit.