The Voyeuristic Thrill of Being a “Zillow Peeper”

Nothing feels extra intimate than seeing the within of somebody’s residence. From the architectural options to the enjoyable bed room decor, every home gives a glimpse into the lives and personalities of those that reside there. And Zillow, an app designed to assist renters, consumers, and real-estate professionals, has develop into the last word software for satisfying this voyeuristic curiosity with out ever stepping foot inside.

Whether or not I need to eavesdrop on a pal’s new residence or revel within the particulars of a multimillion-dollar home I go on the road, Zillow tells me every thing I have to learn about an individual: how a lot cash they’ve, in the event that they’re at-home health club folks, or whether or not they have an affinity for West Elm rugs.

“Individuals who discover themselves creeping on Zillow are sometimes looking for a glimpse into another person’s world,” psychologist Reena B. Patel says. “They could be inquisitive about what another person’s home seems to be like and the way they reside, or they could simply be inquisitive about how a lot they paid for the home.”

In fact, creeping on Zillow satisfies my blatant curiosity to know every thing about everybody round me. However the common expertise of being a “Zillow peeper” goes even deeper than that.

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Reena B. Patel is a psychologist and board-certified conduct analyst.

Why Do Folks Love Creeping on Zillow?

Folks use Zillow for lots of causes, and to be sincere, it is not often as a result of they’re genuinely seeking to hire, purchase, or promote. “A main cause why folks discover themselves creeping on Zillow could also be to check their very own life with the lifetime of another person’s,” Patel says.

For a similar cause I creep on different social media platforms, Zillow offers me limitless entry to a number of details about somebody I in any other case would not have. If I need to see what my ex is as much as, I can really feel higher about myself once I see the grungy townhome he shares with six different fraternity brothers. If I need to look into how a lot my neighbor is promoting their home for, I can try this too. And for my ultra-competitive cousin, I can see how a lot she put down for her residence — purely for curiosity’s sake, in fact . . . and perhaps so I can one-up her at Thanksgiving this yr.

On a deeper degree, looking by means of houses on Zillow additionally lets me discover life completely different than my very own. On Zillow, I do not reside in a home with my boyfriend within the suburbs of Kansas Metropolis. As a substitute, I discover what it might really feel prefer to reside in a beachfront villa in South Carolina or a high-rise residence in New York.

Picturing my life as a coastal grandmother on Zillow generally evokes me to make that my actuality. It makes waking up for my work day somewhat bit extra price it. However in different circumstances, looking by means of Zillow is merely a calming type of daydreaming — a compilation of “wow, what if?” moments I’ve time and again.

Zillow peeping is not only a me factor, although. Actually, it is a common expertise. On an episode of Bravo’s “The Valley,” Janet Caperna shared her love of Zillow peeping, saying, “In fact I’ve regarded up my buddies’ homes on Zillow. Any time I get an deal with, the very first thing I do is put it into Zillow and provides myself somewhat home tour.” Actually, relatable. And even TikTok influencer Tinx admitted to doing it as a pre-first date test.

All that to say, do not feel ashamed on your urge to creep on Zillow, even when it does make you are feeling such as you’re in a nonconsensual digital home tour. “It’s a regular feeling to be curious and have a need to know extra about somebody,” Patel says.

That mentioned, in case your Zillow peeping begins to really feel like an “obsession” or one thing that “preoccupies your thoughts,” that is when it won’t be so wholesome anymore, says Patel. At that time, it might be finest to talk with a psychological well being therapist about your underlying motivations and emotions.

In the end, whether or not out of curiosity, comparability, escapism, or inspiration, utilizing Zillow to creep may be essentially the most underrated type of self-care of all time. Who wants Instagram, Fb, or Venmo, once I can see who chooses to sleep below popcorn ceilings?

Taylor Andrews is a Stability editor at PS who focuses on subjects referring to intercourse, relationships, relationship, sexual well being, psychological well being, and extra. In her six years working in editorial, she’s written about how semen is digested, why intercourse aftercare is the transfer, and the way the overturn of Roe killed situationships.