Why Are You Getting So Many Spam Calls on Zillow?
Why are you getting so many spam calls when you list FSBO on Zillow? Hint: it has to do with the MLS.
You thought listing your home on Zillow would attract serious buyers, but instead, your phone won’t stop ringing— and not with the calls you want.
Instead of interested buyers asking to tour your home, it’s spam calls. Agents. Real estate services. Random people trying to convince you to “sell fast.” Sound familiar? Let’s break down why this happens, what’s really going on behind the scenes, and how you can stop it.
Why Spam Calls Flood In After You List on Zillow
When you list your home as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) on Zillow, it feels like you’ve taken control of the process. But here’s the kicker: Zillow is a platform optimized for agents and brokers, not FSBO sellers.
- FSBO Listings Aren’t Easy to Find:
By default, Zillow hides FSBO listings from buyers. Yep, you read that right. Buyers using Zillow’s search filters won’t even see your home unless they specifically opt to view FSBO listings. So, while you think your home is out there for all to see, it’s actually being buried in the search results. Only the more savvy buyers who know how to dig through the filters will stumble upon it.
The MLS Problem:
Not being on the MLS is like throwing a party but forgetting to send out invitations. The MLS is the central hub that syndicates home listings across every major real estate platform—Redfin, Realtor.com, Homes.com, and even Zillow. When a home is on the MLS, it shows up everywhere. Google the address of a home listed on the MLS, and you’ll see it pop up on dozens of sites.
Now try Googling your own FSBO listing.
Spoiler alert: you’re only going to find it on Zillow. No Redfin. No Realtor. Just Zillow’s FSBO section, which is buried and hard for buyers to find.
Why Spam Callers Target FSBO Sellers:
Spam callers know all of this. They know that as a FSBO seller, your home isn’t being seen by as many serious buyers. They also know that without an agent or MLS exposure, you’re in a tough spot. So they flood your phone with offers:These spam calls are preying on your frustration. They know how to push your buttons—especially when you’re desperate to sell and tired of being invisible to real buyers.
- “I’ll buy your house for cash, no questions asked!”
- “Let me list your home and get it sold in 24 hours!”
- “We have buyers waiting for homes just like yours!”
Why FSBO Listings on Zillow Are Limiting
Now, let’s dig deeper into some specific limitations you may not have realized when listing as a FSBO seller on Zillow:
- Limited Exposure Beyond Zillow:
If you’re only on Zillow FSBO, that’s where your listing stops. Your home isn’t being shown on other popular platforms like Redfin, Homes.com, or Realtor.com. This significantly limits your reach. Real estate agents, on the other hand, list homes on the MLS, which is syndicated across hundreds of sites. That means more eyes on your property and more chances to sell. - Buyer Search Experience Is Biased Against You:
When potential buyers use Zillow, they’re typically looking at agent-listed homes by default. Zillow’s search engine is set up to prioritize MLS listings. FSBO listings? They’re hidden behind filters, and most buyers aren’t digging through settings to find them. Many buyers don’t even know FSBO homes exist unless they manually opt to view them, which means your home is being missed by the majority of Zillow’s audience. - No Syndication = No Google Presence:
Remember that little exercise we did earlier? The one where you Google your address and realize that your FSBO listing isn’t showing up anywhere else? This is because Zillow FSBO listings aren’t syndicated like MLS listings are. Homes with MLS numbers get picked up by all major real estate websites, giving them instant Google presence. Your FSBO home? It's sitting in the digital dark ages, only visible to the small pool of Zillow FSBO searchers.
Spam Calls: The Annoying Side Effect of FSBO Listings
Now that you understand how Zillow’s limitations work against you, let’s talk more about those infuriating spam calls:
- Scammers, Agents, and "Investors":
The minute your FSBO listing goes live, your contact details are visible to anyone who stumbles across your page. Real estate agents looking to snag new clients, scam artists promising quick sales, and cash investors hunting for underpriced deals are all circling. They’re not interested in buying your home; they’re just using your frustration and lack of visibility to their advantage. Every time your phone buzzes with another unsolicited call, that’s what’s happening. - How They Exploit Your Situation:
Spam callers know you’re struggling with exposure, and they thrive on that. They pitch quick, easy solutions:- "We can help get your home more views!"
- "You’re not on the MLS? No problem, we can list it for you!"
- "Cash offer, no need for buyers or inspections!"
These are designed to tap into your anxiety. But here’s the truth: if your home isn’t visible to real buyers, these offers will only keep coming.
What Can You Do to Stop the Spam?
Don’t worry—you’re not stuck in spam-call purgatory forever. Here’s how you can take back control:
- Get on the MLS:
This is the most effective way to gain visibility and stop spam callers in their tracks. Once your listing is on the MLS, it’s syndicated across hundreds of real estate platforms. More exposure means more genuine buyer interest—and less room for opportunists to swoop in.
- Limit Your Contact Information:
Make it harder for spam callers to reach you. Use an email filter or a service that hides your contact info until a buyer is verified. Some platforms allow you to connect with potential buyers through a messaging system, keeping your phone number out of spam lists. - Work with Experts (That’s Us!):
At Smart Sellers Match, we’re experts in helping FSBO sellers get the visibility they need without the hassle of hiring an agent. We’ll show you how to get your home seen on the MLS while avoiding spam calls and other distractions.
