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5 October 2025 October 2025 » themortgagepoint.com M T E C H EXPERIAN ADDS RENTAL HISTORY TO HELP RENTERS QUALIFY FASTER R enters can now share their credit and rental histories directly with landlords and property managers who use the Experian Connect API. Through the Experian RentBureau rental history database, customers have real-time access to their rent history and payment patterns during the application process. The update automates part of the screening process, reducing the need for landlords to manually verify rental history. Approximately 60% of renters have near-prime or higher credit scores, according to Experian's latest report, but 23% of respondents said their credit score has led to application denials. The new capability can be especially useful for renters with limited credit history, giving them consumer-permit- ted access to roughly 40 million renter profiles. Applicants can review and ap- prove rental history information before it's shared, streamlining the process. "Today's renters face steep competi- tion and rising costs—they need every opportunity at their disposal to stand out during the application process," said Manjit Sohal, VP of Product Manage- ment for Experian Housing. "With our Experian Connect API platform and our new RentBureau Consumer Profile integration, we're helping renters take control of their housing journey by enabling them to leverage their positive rental histories, while providing landlords and property managers with a fuller picture in real time." The Experian Connect API, intro- duced in 2011, provides rental and credit information to digital platforms used by landlords and property managers. Features include: • Identity verification: Authenticate customer identities and assess potential fraud. • Consumer-permissioned data: Renters review and verify their cred- it and rental history before sharing. • Real-time reports: Faster leasing decisions with instant access to verified FCRA-regulated data. • Comprehensive screening: Credit scores, reports, and rental history accessible through one API. • Customizable user experience: Landlords can embed Experian's functionality into their platforms. AI-POWERED VIRTUAL STAGING AVAILABLE FOR SHOWCASE LISTINGS ON ZILLOW Z illow has introduced Virtual Staging, an AI-powered tool inte- grated into its Showcase listings. Homebuyers viewing listing images can now tap a button to see staged rooms in selected design styles. "Buying a home is an emotional decision as much as a financial one," said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's Home Trends Expert. "Too many buyers over- look what could be the perfect home for their family simply because they can't see past the furniture or design choices. Virtual Staging helps people envision themselves living in a space. It's a new way to explore what a home could feel like, and a simple tool for agents to show off a home's true potential." Zillow's Summer Launch included SkyTour, an interactive overhead per- spective of a property. Virtual Staging and SkyTour together established a new benchmark. They provide a smooth digital experience that buyers, sellers, and agents now demand during the home-buying process. How It Works When a home is empty or styled differently than their own, it might be difficult for many purchasers to see themselves living there. They may quickly and interactively experience how it could feel and look in a style they adore with virtual staging. Some featured room photographs on Showcase listings have a Virtual Staging icon. Then, whether the room is vacant or already furnished, purchasers can hit the icon, select from carefully chosen design types, such as modern, Scandinavian, industrial, midcentury, luxury, coastal, and farmhouse, and AI will restyle the area. Additionally, customers can create a new furniture arrangement for new inspiration by tapping the circle arrow icon on the design style card to update the space in the same style. Customers can switch between perspectives to wit- ness the change once the staged image is displayed. Additionally, virtual staging can remove all furniture, giving buyers the impression that the house is empty and ready for their creativity. In a competitive market, virtual staging can help properties stand out. The advantages include: • It encourages exploration: Staged images give buyers another reason to click through and interact with listings. • It meets demand for interactive media: According to Zillow's 2024 Consumer Housing Trends Report, 71% of sellers are more likely to hire an agent who uses interactive media, such as virtual tours or floor plans—and Virtual Staging builds on that demand. Showcase listings typically sell for $7,000 more than comparable non-Showcase listings, and agents who use Showcase on the bulk of listings currently win 30% more listings than non-Showcase agents.