Let’s be honest; we’ve all hopped onto Zillow to check out the homes of people we know (and see what they paid for them). Whether you’ve settled into your home for years with no plans to move or are actively hunting for a new place, you’ve definitely spent time scrolling through listings. It’s just so entertaining to peek into other people’s living spaces! Thanks to Zillow and similar apps, exploring homes has transformed into a pastime that goes beyond weekend TV shows.
But some take it to another level—like these moms who frequently search for the homes of acquaintances, strangers, and even frenemies. What drives this behavior? Curiosity, of course, and a bit of judgment.
Whenever I receive an address to send a card or a gift, the first thing I do is look it up on Zillow to see how much the place cost and peek at the photos.
Confession #25806506: “I enjoy ‘window shopping’ for my dream home on Zillow. It’s my new favorite hobby!”
Confession #25795233: “I obsessively check my ex-friend’s stunning new house on Zillow. The envy is real.”
Raise your hand if you’ve ever browsed homes online and thought, “What do these people do for a living?” while scrolling through 2500 square feet of space that seems impossible to fill. Or pondered how anyone could afford a mortgage that costs thousands a month?
Even though we just moved and I adore my new house, I still find myself spending hours each week browsing Zillow.
Confession #25784215: “I use Zillow just to find out how big or small my neighbors’ homes are and how much they paid. And yes, I love finding out who is in pre-foreclosure! #Nosey!”
Confession #13083548: “I have severe house envy—I go on Zillow to pretend I can buy a home; it feels like a distant dream.”
Sometimes it’s simply enjoyable to see how regular people decorate their spaces. And yes, it’s perfectly fine to look at how acquaintances style their homes. No reason, really, just… curious and judgmental.
Instead of focusing on my writing (which could actually earn me some income), I find myself gazing at homes on Zillow that are completely out of my budget.
Confession #1759559: “I feel a bit called out by that one!”
I also check out my friends’ houses. Playdates included!
Confession #1753504: “I look up the homes of all my son’s friends to see how much theirs are worth. I secretly feel pleased when ours is valued higher.”
Confession #1638394: “I’m hooked on looking up people’s homes on Zillow… Do I think knowing their home value says something about them as a person? Probably, and I get that it’s odd.”
Aside from being nosy, isn’t it common for everyone to explore homes well beyond their realistic budgets just to daydream for a moment? Is it healthy? Probably not! But it’s all too accessible, so why resist?
Confession #4340062: “When I feel down about our financial situation (which happens often), I browse listings I know we could never afford and imagine how I’d decorate them.”
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter why we use apps like Zillow or Realtor. Let’s be real; we all have our reasons, and they tend to be quite similar.
I confess—I am addicted to Zillow.
Interested in exploring more about home insemination? Check out other posts on this topic, such as this one about intra-cervical insemination.
Search Queries:
- How to use Zillow to find home values
- Why do moms search for homes online?
- Tips for house hunting on Zillow
- Understanding home value comparisons
- The psychology behind house envy
Summary
This article discusses the phenomenon of moms obsessively browsing Zillow, often out of curiosity and judgment toward others’ homes. From checking on acquaintances to daydreaming about dream homes, the allure of online property listings captivates many. The confessions reveal a shared experience of house envy and the tendency to compare home values among peers.