The future of Seattle real estate lies in social media — especially when it comes to connecting with young and tech-savvy buyers.

Why it matters: While many scroll the Zillow Gone Wild Instagram account for entertainment, social media packaging and buzz is one way for listings to garner more attention from serious home seekers.

What they're saying: "Screen appeal is the new curb appeal," Zillow senior economist Orphe Divounguy told Axios.

Zoom in: Realtor James Savereux, who specializes in residential real estate in Seattle and the Eastside, told Axios a social media presence is increasingly important, not just to meet clients but also to connect with appraisers, contractors and other realtors.

• It's also an investment in the future; some of the young people who reach out to him aren't yet in a position to buy, but many will be one day, said Savereux.

Driving the news: Zillow data shows that listings with an enhanced media package — such as an interactive floor plan, larger high-resolution photos and a 3D home tour — capture more views than traditional online listings, said Seattle-based Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton.

• Homes listed with Zillow's Listing Showcase platform typically sell for 2% more, which adds up to more than $9,000 on a typical U.S. home, Pendleton told Axios.
• Homes listed with Showcase are also 20% more likely to secure an accepted offer within 14 days compared to typical listings, she said.

The intrigue: Zillow Gone Wild creator Samir Mezrahi posts what he calls "the most interesting homes across America," from castles to brightly colored mansions.

• Among the Seattle listings featured on Mezrahi's account is a $6.2 million floating home with a fireman pole and unobstructed views of Lake Union, Mount Rainier and downtown Seattle.
• But being featured on Zillow Gone Wild doesn't always mean instant success. The above home was taken off the market in January and relisted a few weeks ago at $5.8 million.

What's next: With an increasing percentage of TikTok posts tagged #RealEstate, per Bloomberg, more agents are likely to be chasing social media clout.

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With clear nights in the forecast later this week, Seattle stargazers may get a chance to see one of the world's oldest known meteor showers.

Why it matters: The annual Lyrid meteor shower, known for its fast, bright displays, ends the meteor drought that occurs each year between January and mid-April, according to EarthSky.

Driving the news: The shower — which has been observed for more than 2,700 years — began yesterday, is expected to peak on April 22 at 2:23am Pacific time and ends on April 29.

• A full moon will light up the sky on April 23, so this week's relative darkness is likely better for skywatchers.

Fun fact: Observers may see 10 to 15 Lyrids per hour, but occasionally the shower produces a surge that may result in up to 100 meteor sightings an hour, per EarthSky.

Zoom in: The Lyrid shower occurs every April when the Earth passes through a trail of debris and dust emitted from Comet Thatcher during its 415-year orbit around the Sun.

How to watch: Many local astronomers head to Mount Si, Gold Creek Pond at Snoqualmie Pass or other local mountaintops for important celestial events, but that's not practical for most.

• NASA recommends finding an area away from city lights or streetlights and setting up a sleeping bag, blanket or lawn chair.
• Be patient — it takes about 30 minutes in the dark for your eyes to adapt.
• The shower "rises" before midnight and is highest in the sky at dawn.

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Police arrested 46 people Monday for blocking the road to Sea-Tac Airport for hours in a protest calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. (Seattle Times)

🍺 Rainier fans are having a hard time finding their favorite brew on tap amid a shortage of the draft once brewed in Seattle but now owned by Pabst. (KING 5)

💦 A broken water pipe beneath Highway 99 in the South Park neighborhood spewed tons of water onto West Marginal Way yesterday, impacting the Monday morning commute. (MyNorthwest)

🪪 California-based cybersecurity startup Galvanick opened an office in Seattle near Amazon's headquarters. The company focuses on monitoring industrial operations, working with aerospace and telecom manufacturers to identify potential breaches. (GeekWire)

🏀 With a $151 million valuation last year, the Seattle Storm is the WNBA's most highly valued team and a testament to the emerging recognition that women's sports are good business. (Fast Company)

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