What Does “Active” Mean on Zillow When Buying a Home?

If you’ve ever been browsing homes on Zillow late at night, you’ve probably seen a listing marked “Active” and wondered, “Okay… but what does that actually mean?” 

You’re not alone. For first-time buyers, renters, or even curious browsers, Zillow’s status labels can feel confusing at first glance. 

I remember scrolling through listings, getting excited about a house, and then second-guessing whether “Active” meant it was still available or already halfway gone.

Quick Answer: Active on Zillow means the property is currently for sale and available, and the seller is open to receiving offers. 

It’s a straightforward, informational status that signals opportunitybut not a guarantee the home will stay available for long.

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🧠 What Does Active Mean on Zillow?

On Zillow, “Active” is a listing status that indicates a property is live on the market. The seller has not accepted an offer yet, and buyers can still tour the home and submit bids.

In simple terms, it means:

• The home is officially listed
  
• It hasn’t gone under contract
  
• You can still make an offer
  

Example:

“This 3-bedroom home is marked active on Zillow, so we can still schedule a showing.”

In short:
Active on Zillow = Available for sale = Accepting offers right now.

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📱 Where Is “Active” Commonly Used?

Unlike text slang, “Active” on Zillow is a real estate status, and you’ll mostly see it in property-related contexts.

You’ll commonly find it in:

• 🏠 Zillow listings
  
• 📊 Other real estate platforms (Redfin, Realtor.com)
  
• 🧑‍💼 Agent emails or messages
  
• 📄 MLS (Multiple Listing Service) data
  

Tone & usage:

• ✔️ Informational
  
• ✔️ Professional
  
• ✔️ Buyer-friendly
  
• ❌ Not slang or casual texting language
  

It’s not flirty or playfulit’s purely market status information.

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💬 Examples of “Active” in Conversation

Here are some realistic ways people use “Active” when talking about Zillow listings:

Example 1
A: “Is that house still available?”
B: “Yeah, it’s active on Zillow.”

Example 2
A: “Can we put in an offer?”
B: “We canit’s still marked active.”

Example 3
A: “Why does this one look so good?”
B: “It just went active yesterday.”

Example 4
A: “Did we miss our chance?”
B: “Nope, still active 😄”

Example 5
A: “What does active mean on Zillow?”
B: “It means it’s still for sale.”

These examples show that “Active” is used casually in conversationbut its meaning stays professional.

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🕓 When to Use and When Not to Use “Active”

✅ When to Use “Active”

• When checking availability of a property
  
• While house hunting or browsing listings
  
• Talking to a real estate agent
  
• Comparing listings and market timing
  

❌ When Not to Use “Active”

• In non–real estate contexts
  
• As slang in texting or social media
  
• When a listing is already pending or sold
  
• In formal writing without context
  

📊 Context Comparison Table

Context	Example Phrase	Why It Works
Friend Chat	“That house is still active 😄”	Casual & clear
Work Chat	“The property is currently active.”	Professional
Agent Email	“This listing remains active on Zillow.”	Accurate & formal
Marketing	“Newly active listing in your area!”	Informative

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🔄 Similar Zillow Statuses or Alternatives

Zillow uses several listing statuses that are easy to confuse with Active. Here’s a helpful comparison:

Status	Meaning	When You’ll See It
Active	Available and accepting offers	Before any offer is accepted
Pending	Seller accepted an offer	Sale not finalized yet
Under Contract	Offer accepted with conditions	Inspections/financing ongoing
Coming Soon	Will be listed shortly	Not yet available
Sold	Transaction completed	Home is no longer available
Off Market	Not actively listed	Temporarily or permanently removed

Knowing these differences can save you timeand disappointment.

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FAQs

Q1: Does active mean the house is definitely available?
Yes, it means the seller is open to offersbut availability can change quickly.

Q2: Can a home be active and still have offers?
Yes. Some homes remain active while the seller reviews multiple offers.

Q3: Is active the same as coming soon?
No. Coming soon means it’s not yet available to buy.

Q4: Why do active homes disappear suddenly?
They may go pending or under contract once an offer is accepted.

Q5: Should I act fast on active listings?
Absolutelyespecially in competitive markets.

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Conclusion

So, what does active mean on Zillow? Simply put, it means the property is currently for sale and open to offers.

If you see a home marked active, it’s your green light to explore, schedule a tour, and act before someone else does.

While it’s not slang or casual text language, understanding this term is essential for anyone navigating online real estate platforms.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or just browsing, knowing what “active” means on Zillow helps you move with confidence and timing. 🏡

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