Zillow is making a sizable bet that it can automate the labor-intensive process of buying and selling homes. But unlike most other areas of technology, many customers may prefer doing things the old-fashioned way when it comes to the roof over their heads.
Tech-enabled “iBuying” offers speed and convenience for a customer, eliminating the need for repairs, stagings, showings and, in some cases, even real-estate agents. For Zillow, which works with agents, it means physically taking on home inventory, quickly fixing it up and selling it—essentially home flipping.