Q4 2026 Zillow Preferred Team & Zillow Seller Connections Mastermind Brings Zillow Home Loans Leadership Together With Southern California Real Estate Agents
LOS ANGELES, CA — October 12, 2026 — Partner Real Estate, brokered by LPT Realty, continues to strengthen its position as a leading real estate team serving buyers and sellers across Greater Los Angeles and Southern California through its participation in Zillow Preferred and Zillow Seller Connections.
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Partner Real Estate hosted an exclusive Q4 2026 Zillow Preferred Team and Zillow Seller Connections Mastermind, bringing together specially trained real estate agents and Zillow Home Loans professionals to share proven strategies for helping buyers and sellers succeed in today’s changing real estate market.
The private mastermind was led by Kayla Manley, Area Manager for Zillow Home Loans, with participation from Zillow Home Loans lending professionals and members of Partner Real Estate’s Zillow Preferred Team.
The event reflects Partner Real Estate’s continued investment in agent education, professional development, technology, and strategic partnerships as the organization expands across the San Gabriel Valley, Greater Los Angeles, Irvine, and Orange County.
What Is Zillow Preferred, and Why Does It Matter?
Zillow Preferred is an exclusive, invitation-only program designed for high-performing real estate agents and teams with demonstrated success serving buyers and sellers.
According to Zillow, the program represents the evolution of Zillow Flex, providing qualified participating agents with access to high-intent buyer and seller connections, advanced technology, performance-based opportunities, and dedicated support.
Unlike traditional real estate lead-generation programs, Zillow Preferred connects participating agents with consumers who have expressed an interest in buying or selling a home.
Key benefits of Zillow Preferred include:
- High-intent buyer and seller connections: Opportunities to work with consumers actively considering a real estate transaction.
- Live buyer connections: Zillow can connect qualified buyers directly with participating agents by telephone.
- Performance-based opportunities: Agents demonstrating strong performance may receive additional connections.
- Advanced technology: Access to tools and insights that help agents respond quickly, manage relationships, and improve the customer experience.
- Zillow Home Loans collaboration: Opportunities to coordinate financing discussions with experienced lending professionals.
- Professional development: Ongoing coaching, performance management, and training resources.
Participation in Zillow Preferred is by invitation and subject to Zillow’s program standards.
For Partner Real Estate, the program supports a larger mission: connecting motivated homebuyers and sellers with knowledgeable, well-trained local real estate professionals.
Zillow Seller Connections: Helping Southern California Homeowners Explore Their Selling Options
In addition to buyer connections, Partner Real Estate participates in Zillow Seller Connections, a program designed to connect real estate professionals with homeowners who are considering selling their properties.
According to Zillow, participating agents may receive seller information including property details, estimated home value, moving timeline, and other relevant information.
Depending on the consumer’s journey, seller connections may be delivered through live introductions or directly through Zillow’s agent platform.
This allows participating Partner Real Estate agents to focus on understanding each homeowner’s needs and developing a personalized selling strategy.
For Southern California homeowners, that may include:
- Understanding current home values and neighborhood market conditions.
- Evaluating traditional home-selling strategies and potential alternatives.
- Preparing a property for sale and developing a marketing plan.
- Exploring the timing of a sale and subsequent home purchase.
- Reviewing potential seller concessions and financing considerations.
- Coordinating the sale of an existing home with the purchase of another property.
Partner Real Estate’s goal is to help homeowners make informed decisions while delivering responsive, professional real estate service.
Exclusive Q4 2026 Zillow Mastermind With Kayla Manley
The October 7 mastermind highlighted the importance of collaboration between real estate agents and mortgage lending professionals.
Kayla Manley, Area Manager for Zillow Home Loans, joined Partner Real Estate’s Zillow Preferred Team to introduce and reconnect team members with Zillow Home Loans professionals and discuss strategies for the fourth quarter of 2026 and beyond.
During the session, Manley emphasized the importance of strengthening the working relationship between Zillow Home Loans and Partner Real Estate.
She also expressed enthusiasm about the team’s future and the opportunity to continue building the partnership.
A central topic was how real estate agents can better leverage seller concessions and mortgage interest-rate buydowns to help qualified homebuyers overcome affordability challenges.
Seller Concessions and Mortgage Rate Buydowns: A Q4 2026 Opportunity
One of the most practical strategies discussed during the mastermind was negotiating seller concessions that may be applied toward eligible mortgage interest-rate buydowns.
In a market where monthly mortgage payments remain an important consideration, seller concessions can sometimes create meaningful opportunities for both buyers and sellers.
For example, rather than focusing exclusively on negotiating a lower purchase price, an agent may explore whether the seller is willing to contribute toward allowable closing costs or an interest-rate buydown.
Depending on the loan program, lender requirements, and transaction terms, these concessions may help reduce a buyer’s initial monthly housing payment or support a more affordable financing structure.
For sellers, a well-structured concession may help attract qualified buyers and facilitate a successful sale.
During the mastermind, Manley discussed the possibility of a shorter interest-rate cycle, including the potential for lower rates over the following 6 to 12 months.
However, future mortgage rates are uncertain, and buyers should evaluate financing decisions based on their current financial circumstances rather than relying on a future refinancing opportunity.
The key takeaway: Well-trained agents should understand the financing options available today and work closely with lending professionals to help clients evaluate them.
Experienced Zillow Home Loans Professionals Supporting Partner Real Estate Agents
The mastermind also featured Zillow Home Loans lending professionals, including Doug Bontum, who shared his experience working with Partner Real Estate agents.
Bontum described having approximately 28 years of mortgage industry experience and discussed his enthusiasm for developing relationships with the team.
He also shared that he had already closed a loan with a Partner Real Estate agent and was working on additional transactions.
The discussion reinforced the importance of communication and coordination between real estate professionals and mortgage lenders.
For buyers, this collaboration can support a better understanding of financing options, preapproval requirements, affordability, and the steps involved in purchasing a home.
For agents, access to knowledgeable lending professionals can help them navigate financing-related questions and develop stronger transaction strategies.
Why Partner Real Estate Is Investing in Its Zillow Preferred Team
Partner Real Estate’s approach goes beyond simply receiving buyer and seller inquiries.
The organization emphasizes ongoing training, agent accountability, professional coaching, and collaboration.
Led by Rudy Lira Kusuma, Partner Real Estate has developed an agent-support model combining inside sales support, outside sales professionals, technology, and structured training.
Participating agents have access to resources such as:
- Zillow Preferred buyer connections and Zillow Seller Connections opportunities.
- Live coaching and private small-group masterminds.
- Buyer and seller consultation strategies.
- Mortgage financing education and Zillow Home Loans collaboration.
- Follow Up Boss CRM technology and follow-up systems.
- Role-playing, call reviews, and conversion training.
- Agent Success Managers and transaction coordination support.
- Real estate marketing tools and LPT Realty resources.
These resources are designed to help participating agents build stronger client relationships, respond effectively to inquiries, and provide professional guidance throughout the transaction.
At Partner Real Estate, the objective is not simply to generate more opportunities. It is to equip agents with the knowledge, tools, and support to serve clients successfully.
Expanding Zillow Preferred Real Estate Services Across Southern California
As Partner Real Estate continues growing, the organization is expanding its agent network and Zillow Preferred Team presence across Southern California.
The expansion includes the San Gabriel Valley, Greater Los Angeles, Irvine, and Orange County.
San Gabriel Valley Zillow Preferred Real Estate Agents
Partner Real Estate is strengthening its presence throughout the San Gabriel Valley, including communities such as Arcadia, Pasadena, Monrovia, Temple City, Rosemead, San Gabriel, Alhambra, Monterey Park, El Monte, Rowland Heights, and surrounding areas.
The team’s local real estate professionals understand the distinct housing markets, property types, neighborhoods, and buyer preferences found throughout these communities.
Greater Los Angeles Zillow Preferred Real Estate Agents
Partner Real Estate is also expanding its reach throughout Los Angeles County, connecting homebuyers and sellers with trained professionals who understand the region’s diverse residential real estate markets.
Whether a client is purchasing a first home, relocating, selling an existing property, or evaluating investment opportunities, the team aims to provide personalized guidance and access to relevant resources.
Irvine and Orange County Zillow Preferred Team Expansion
A major focus of Partner Real Estate’s latest growth initiative is Irvine and the broader Orange County market.
The organization is expanding its real estate agent network and services throughout Irvine, Anaheim, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, and surrounding Orange County communities.
This expansion reflects the organization’s commitment to providing more Southern California buyers and sellers with access to professionally trained agents, modern real estate technology, and a collaborative team environment.
Zillow connection availability and routing remain subject to Zillow’s market coverage, program eligibility, agent performance, and ZIP code assignments.
What Makes Partner Real Estate Different?
Partner Real Estate combines the resources of a large real estate organization with the local knowledge and personal service of individual agents.
Its business model emphasizes several important advantages:
1. Qualified Real Estate Professionals
Participating Zillow Preferred agents receive specialized training and ongoing professional development to help them work effectively with buyer and seller connections.
2. Local Market Knowledge
Agents serve communities throughout Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, and Orange County, bringing neighborhood-specific knowledge to real estate decisions.
3. Technology and Customer Support
Partner Real Estate combines CRM systems, agent-support resources, and real estate technology to improve communication and follow-up.
4. Collaborative Mortgage Financing Resources
Through relationships with Zillow Home Loans professionals, agents can help connect buyers with lending expertise and financing education.
5. Continuous Training and Mastermind Sessions
Rather than relying exclusively on occasional seminars, Partner Real Estate invests in ongoing coaching, small-group discussions, and practical skill development.
6. Expanded Home Search Opportunities
Partner Real Estate also helps clients explore available properties, potential off-market opportunities, and financing options when appropriate. Property availability, access, and financing eligibility vary.
Together, these resources support the organization’s mission to deliver a better real estate experience for both agents and consumers.
A Culture of Collaboration, Training, and Continuous Improvement
The October 7 Zillow Preferred Team Mastermind represents an important part of Partner Real Estate’s culture.
Agents are encouraged to share practical experiences, discuss changing market conditions, learn from experienced professionals, and continually improve their ability to serve clients.
As the Southern California real estate market evolves, Partner Real Estate believes successful agents must do more than understand property values.
They must also understand financing, negotiation, marketing, technology, and the customer experience.
By bringing Zillow Home Loans professionals and real estate agents together, Partner Real Estate continues to invest in the skills and relationships that can help its agents navigate today’s market.
Looking Ahead: Partner Real Estate Zillow Preferred Team in 2027
As Partner Real Estate moves toward 2027, the organization plans to continue strengthening its Zillow Preferred Team, expanding its Zillow Seller Connections capabilities, and growing throughout Southern California.
Its priorities include recruiting and developing qualified real estate professionals, expanding local market coverage, improving buyer and seller experiences, and providing ongoing training.
With continued expansion throughout Los Angeles County, the San Gabriel Valley, Irvine, and Orange County, Partner Real Estate aims to become an increasingly valuable resource for consumers seeking experienced local real estate representation.
The vision is clear: Better-trained agents. Stronger collaboration. Better customer experiences. More opportunities to help Southern California families achieve their real estate goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zillow Preferred and Partner Real Estate
What is a Zillow Preferred real estate agent?
A Zillow Preferred agent is a real estate professional participating in Zillow’s invitation-only program for qualifying high-performing agents and teams. The program provides access to buyer and seller connections, technology, and professional support.
Is Partner Real Estate part of Zillow Preferred?
Yes. Partner Real Estate, brokered by LPT Realty, operates a Zillow Preferred Team with participating agents who receive specialized training and support to serve Zillow buyer and seller connections.
Does Partner Real Estate receive Zillow Seller Connections?
Partner Real Estate participates in Zillow Seller Connections, helping connect homeowners considering selling their properties with participating real estate professionals.
Where does Partner Real Estate serve Zillow buyers and sellers?
Partner Real Estate serves communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley, Greater Los Angeles, and Southern California, with expansion into Irvine and Orange County. Specific connection availability depends on Zillow’s program coverage and agent assignments.
Can Partner Real Estate help buyers with mortgage financing?
Partner Real Estate agents can coordinate with licensed mortgage lending professionals, including Zillow Home Loans, to help buyers explore available financing options. Mortgage approval, rates, and loan terms are determined by the lender.
Can real estate agents join Partner Real Estate’s Zillow Preferred Team?
Licensed real estate agents interested in Partner Real Estate’s team model can contact the organization to learn about available opportunities, training, qualifications, and participation requirements. Access to Zillow Preferred connections is subject to eligibility and program standards.
Who leads Partner Real Estate?
Partner Real Estate is led by Rudy Lira Kusuma and brokered by LPT Realty. The organization focuses on agent development, real estate technology, professional training, and serving buyers and sellers across Southern California.
Connect With Partner Real Estate
Looking to Buy or Sell a Home in Southern California?
Connect with Partner Real Estate to learn how our local real estate professionals can help you explore buying, selling, and financing opportunities across Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Valley, Irvine, and Orange County.
Are You a Real Estate Agent Interested in Zillow Preferred Opportunities?
Discover the training, technology, coaching, and collaborative team environment available at Partner Real Estate, brokered by LPT Realty.
Learn more about our Zillow Preferred Team, Zillow Seller Connections opportunities, and upcoming private backstage tours.
Partner Real Estate brokered by LPT Realty
Serving Greater Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Irvine, Orange County, and Southern California.
Zillow, Zillow Preferred, Zillow Seller Connections, and Zillow Home Loans are associated with Zillow Group and its affiliates. Partner Real Estate is brokered by LPT Realty and is not Zillow Group. Program participation does not constitute an official regional ranking or endorsement. Mortgage products are subject to eligibility, underwriting, and lender approval.