Yes, there are APIs available as an alternative to scraping Zillow, which can be a more reliable and legal way to access Zillow's real estate data. While Zillow does not provide a public API for accessing property listings directly, there are third-party services and APIs that aggregate real estate data, some of which might include information from Zillow or similar data sources. Here are a few options:
SimplyRETS: SimplyRETS offers an API for real estate listings that is commonly used by real estate applications and websites for accessing MLS (Multiple Listing Service) data.
Realtor API: The official API provided by Realtor.com allows access to real estate listings and related information.
Zillow's "GetDeepSearchResults" API: Zillow used to offer a "GetDeepSearchResults" API, which provided property details, Zestimate (home valuation), and more. However, Zillow has restricted the usage of their APIs, and they are no longer publicly available for new developers. They might still be available for certain partners or for limited use cases.
Bridge Interactive: Owned by Zillow Group, Bridge Interactive offers a suite of APIs for listings and real estate data, mainly targeted at real estate professionals who need to manage listings data.
Redfin: Though not an API, Redfin offers a tool for partners that allows them to embed listings on their websites. While this is not an API for data access, it is an alternative to scraping for those looking to display listings data.
Spark API: Provided by FBS, the Spark API gives developers access to MLS real estate data, including listings, shared saved searches, contacts, and market statistics.
Rets.ly: Acquired by Zillow Group, Rets.ly provides a normalized API for MLS data. It is intended for use by MLSs, brokerages, and approved developers.
Estated: Estated provides property data APIs for accessing information on property valuations, ownership, taxes, physical characteristics, and more.
ATTOM Data Solutions: ATTOM offers a vast property database with detailed information on parcels, transactions, and more, accessible through their API.
When choosing an alternative to scraping Zillow, remember to consider the following:
Legal Compliance: Always ensure that you are compliant with the terms of service of the API provider and any relevant real estate data regulations.
Cost: Some of these APIs may have costs associated with their use, so evaluate their pricing models to fit your budget.
Data Coverage and Freshness: Verify that the API provides the geographic coverage and data freshness you need for your application.
Limitations and Quotas: Be aware of any rate limits or quotas imposed by the API, which may affect how you design your application.
Before using any API, it's essential to read the documentation provided by the API provider to understand how to authenticate, make requests, handle responses, and deal with errors. Additionally, you should obtain any required API keys or access tokens as part of the setup process.
Lastly, due to the dynamic nature of APIs and services, it is advisable to check the latest updates from these providers as offerings and terms might have changed after the knowledge cutoff date.
