Zillow Preferred is paid at closing, as a percentage of your commission. That makes every lead you fumble expensive twice. Here is what the fee looks like in dollars, next to a flat $99.
| Kestrel | Zillow Preferred fees | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | $99/mo founding ($149 standard) | A percentage of your commission, paid at closing |
| Who sets the rate | Flat and published: $99 founding ($149 standard) | Not one flat rate everywhere — confirm yours in your agreement |
| Illustrative fee on a $12,000 commission at 15% | $0 at closing | $1,800 |
| Illustrative fee on a $12,000 commission at 25% | $0 at closing | $3,000 |
| Illustrative fee on a $12,000 commission at 35% | $0 at closing | $4,200 |
| Kestrel for a full year | $1,188 ($99 × 12) | n/a |
| One extra closing a year, net of the fee (35% case) | $1,188 a year is the whole cost — Kestrel takes no cut of the deal | $7,800 after the fee, before your brokerage split |
| Usage fees / contract | None — flat rate · None — cancel anytime | Per your Preferred agreement |
| Replaces Zillow? | No — it answers the leads Zillow sends | — |
| 60-second AI text response | ✓ | Your own follow-up speed |
| SMS qualification & lead scoring | ✓ HOT / WARM / COLD alerts | — |
| Free trial | 14 days, no card required | — |
Type your average commission, the success fee percent in your agreement, and how many closings you expect. The math runs in your browser; nothing is sent or saved.
Fee rows are illustrative: the 15%, 25% and 35% figures are examples on a $12,000 commission, not Zillow’s published rates. The 35% / $4,200 example and the caution that agents “should not assume that a single flat referral percentage applies everywhere” come from The Close’s coverage of Zillow Preferred; Preferred is invite-only and terms vary by agent and market, so check your own agreement. “Net of the fee” ignores brokerage splits and taxes. Zillow is a trademark of its owner; Kestrel is not affiliated with or endorsed by Zillow. Kestrel does not replace Zillow — it answers the leads Zillow sends in about 60 seconds, so the ones you already paid for do not go cold.
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