Boston’s housing market is tough enough. Now it’s a game, too.
Closing Theory Studios launched *Househunt*, a mobile game inspired by *Zillow Gone Wild*, where players simulate buying and selling real properties in cities like Boston, Los Angeles, and New York. The app uses real listings from brokerages and MLS data, with players guessing prices and unlocking new neighborhoods as they progress, leveraging the viral popularity of the HBO show and social media account.
A new mobile game called *Househunt* lets players simulate buying and selling real properties across U.S. and Canadian cities, including Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver. Developed by Austin-based startup Closing Theory Studios, the game partners with *Zillow Gone Wild*, a viral social media account turned HBO show hosted by Jack McBrayer, which debuted its third season this month. Players start in Boston neighborhoods like North Boston, Northeast Boston, or the North Shore, where they tour real listings and guess prices based on images, square footage, and bedroom counts. Correct guesses earn in-game money to purchase, sell, or renovate homes, unlocking new areas such as the South Shore, Dorchester, or Cambridge/Somerville as they advance. The game draws from real estate data provided by brokerages, MLS, and data companies. CEO Ankith Harathi noted the gap between the 100 million monthly users of sites like Zillow and the fewer than 6 million annual U.S. real estate transactions, explaining the game’s appeal as a way for people to explore dream homes. The collaboration with *Zillow Gone Wild* launched April 21, tapping into its 2.2 million Instagram followers who view real estate as entertainment. Players can compete on leaderboards and access listings in other cities as they progress, blending real estate data with gamification. The app’s Boston-focused neighborhoods reflect the studio’s local expertise, with cofounder Nitin Rajinkanth hailing from the area and Harathi having lived there for six years. *Househunt* positions itself as *Monopoly* meets real estate, offering a playful yet data-driven experience for aspiring homeowners and armchair investors.
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