Whose Contact Is Shown on Zillow? FSBO vs MLS Listing
Sellers often ask whether buyer calls and messages will still reach them if they list on the MLS instead of using a Zillow For Sale By Owner (FSBO) post. This page shows the difference and how Brokerless still routes inquiries directly to you.
📌 Zillow FSBO (Owner-Posted) — Your Contact Is Shown
When you publish a FSBO listing directly on Zillow, Zillow displays your owner name/phone/email on the listing. Buyers can call or message you directly from that FSBO page.
📌 MLS Listing (Syndicated to Zillow) — Broker Contact Shown
When your property is listed on the MLS through a brokerage (like Brokerless), Zillow’s listing view shows the broker/office contact instead of the owner’s direct number. This is normal for MLS-sourced listings.
How Brokerless handles it: The phone number shown in the broker profile is our line — but we automatically route those calls to you using our phone system. In practice, buyers still reach you directly.
📝 About Zillow’s “Schedule a Tour / Contact Agent” Form
On Zillow listing pages — especially for MLS-sourced listings — the prominent buttons (e.g., Schedule a tour, Contact agent) typically send the inquiry to licensed agents/partner agents on Zillow, not to the property owner. Zillow operates an advertising/lead program for agents.
What this means: Online lead forms on Zillow (tour/agent forms) are controlled by Zillow and may route to agents on their platform.
đź“ž How Brokerless Keeps Calls Going to You
- Broker profile phone displayed with the MLS feed → auto-routed to your number by our system.
- Buyer-agent calls from the MLS also go to you (or per your listing notes).
- You can update your forwarding number with us anytime.
Net result: Even with MLS syndication to Zillow, buyers calling the listing reach you directly.
| Feature | Zillow FSBO | MLS via Brokerless (syndicated to Zillow) |
|---|---|---|
| Contact shown on Zillow page | Owner’s phone/email shown | Broker phone shown (auto-routed to owner) |
| “Schedule a tour / Contact agent” form | May not be available the same way | Routes to Zillow/partner agents (Zillow-controlled) |
| Exposure | Primarily Zillow/Trulia | MLS + Zillow + Realtor.com + 100+ sites |
| Who receives phone calls | Owner | Owner (via Brokerless call routing) |
âť“ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get the “Request a Tour” or “Contact Agent” leads on Zillow?
No — those forms are controlled by Zillow and typically route to their partner agents. With Brokerless, you still receive all direct phone calls through our auto-routed broker line, but Zillow’s lead forms are not sent to owners.
Can my phone number be shown directly on Zillow with an MLS listing?
No — MLS syndication rules prevent showing an owner’s number directly on Zillow. Instead, Zillow shows the broker contact. Brokerless solves this by routing the broker number to you, so buyers calling still connect with the owner.
What about Realtor.com and other sites?
Unlike Zillow, Realtor.com and most MLS partner sites don’t insert agent ads the same way. Your listing appears cleanly with full property details, and calls to the broker line go directly to you.
âś… Key Takeaway
Zillow FSBO shows your phone directly, but limits reach. MLS via Brokerless gives national exposure while still sending buyer calls directly to you through our routing line. Zillow’s on-page lead forms are controlled by Zillow and typically go to agents; phone calls to the broker contact reach you.