Comments on: “JB” says, ZILLOW SUCKS!

By: WhidbeyMarkTwain

WhidbeyMarkTwain — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:47:07 +0000

Unfortunately, I see Zillow and Trulia and most other similar sites as full evidence of the dumbing down of America. These sites really exist not to make a product, or to provide a useful service, but simply to make a profit: by selling advertising.

Back in the "olden" days before computers and the internet, we had magazines and newspapers that had news and feature articles - and they sold advertising. At least they didn't pretend to also be experts in the real estate industry - they took pride in research, and reporting, and reporting on the variety found in all corners of our lives.

We just get dumber and dumber, and more sheep-like than ever. Baaaaaaa! Baaaaaa!

By: Nass

Nass — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:34:03 +0000

Do not trust the data listed on Zillow’s site. I own 2 houses in the same subdivision and they are exactly the same and they were built in the same year. According to Zillow one of of is worth about $25,000 more than the other!!!!!!

By: P. from Weston MA

P. from Weston MA — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 05:16:53 +0000

Yeah, honestly looking at Zillow estimates in my town (Weston MA) they are generally way off — however I think people understand that, they know that this is the result of some kind of regression model and is not really an indicator of sales price.

By: Ron Asteak

Ron Asteak — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 01:07:13 +0000

Zillow “Guess-Idiots” appear to rely on public tax records that in some cases haven’t been updated in twenty-five years. The zestimator is a sketchy tool to rely on. I believe it’s best to use a Professional Realtor when appraising property.

By: Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy

Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:20:36 +0000

Wow. That last comment provides startling evidence of the importance of punctuation.

Sorry Marcus, I can’t figure out what you’re trying to say.

By: marcus

marcus — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:09:03 +0000

You people all talk about zillow like its gods gift to earth fact is buyers are using this in accurate information as a basis to there counter offer have had all offers come in at zillows zestimate why ill tell you why cause they are going there and think that zestimate is the price my homes worth lost more than a percentage of value from a decaying market might as well never pay for an appraisel cause zillow knows my market better with an algorithum than my realtors do or my appraisers get real down with zillow some things cant be done worldwide at a key stroke some things take time grow up juvenile computer geeks one day technology will be your undoing your gonna computerize yourselves right into the matrix theory! And wake up with a computer up your ass!

By: Justin Chimento

Justin Chimento — Sun, 06 May 2007 05:43:44 +0000

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By: Maureen Francis

Maureen Francis — Wed, 02 May 2007 08:10:39 +0000

Did your shirt arrive yet?

By: Roberta Murphy

Roberta Murphy — Tue, 01 May 2007 14:09:23 +0000

Jay:

Don’t you imagine at one time there were similar fears when MLS systems began to distribute real estate information? We can witness those fears in parts of Europe, where the usage of multliple listing services is relatively new.

It is resistance to change–and the desire to stay with what is known and controllable.

By: John Lockwood

John Lockwood — Tue, 01 May 2007 02:49:55 +0000

Jay, thanks for posting JB’s comments. It’s nice to hear from an industry-friendly consumer.

I have to agree I’m with JB on this one. One of the features about the RE.net that I would feel most embarassed about if I were a member of it is the extent to which they’ll bend over and hold their ankles for any web-based map application that sends them flowers and promises to respect them in the morning. I’ve pointed out what I take to be the main reason in a recent article, but I think a large portion of what motivates it is also an attempt to prove that “I’m eriuditer than you are”, as the old joke goes.

Or perhaps this tale also tells part of the story:

Once there was a man named Milktoast, who’s boss was absent from work most of the time. All his co-workers used it as an excuse to play hookie, but not Milktoast, he would show up for work every day. One day Milktoast finally gave into pressure and went home early, only to find his boss in bed with his wife. He snuck out un-noticed.

When he returned to work the next day, his co-workers told him, “Hey Milktoast, good for you, you went home early!” and Milktoast replied, “Yeah, and I’m not doing it again — I almost got caught!”

No, Zillow won’t drive us out of business. Driving is superfluous, since most of the lemmings writing about it are perfectly willing to walk.