So I’m wandering around the NAR Convention Expo floor last night, wearing a Zillow.com t-shirt. Talking to Michael Wurzer in fact from FBS FlexMLS (our soon to be MLS provider in Phoenix) and some agent taps me on the shoulder.
I turn around and she loudly proclaims:
I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU ARE WEARING THAT SHIRT?
I said, “Huh?”
And she says, “Why Are You Wearing That Zillow Shirt? They are the Enemy!”
Whatever. Before I could start a discussion with this un-enlightened idjit, she walked off, jawing with her partner and pointing back at me.
I’ve never understood why some agents fear Zillow.
And apparently they still do. “The Enemy”??
[tags] NAR Vegas, Zillow[/tags]
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I can just imagine the lady who said that. It’s likely she just learned what email was a few months back, and while reading one of her first emails ever, she received some sort of odd email message, that we like to call a forward (or junk, or crap), from one of her other clueless agent friends. I am sure that’s how she learned all the factual details of why Zillow is evil. So she must be right. Love the word idjit – that’s great.
Simple – it’s a free t-shirt!
Jay,
You should have taken the shirt off and handed it to her
But seriously a free shirt is a free shirt. I do admire the features that Zillow has, it’s the information that they present that is flawed.
Jay, I think your smarter than that. Zillow wants to be what Realtor.com is and is using thier technology to persuade MLS’s to have their listings show up on Zillow.com. The are in-turn chipping away at the Realtor Organization and our MLS system.
Now, I hear they’ve partnered up with 200+ newspapers to some-how get the listings and open houses into their system. It seems they will do whatever it takes to attract people to their site.
As far as your shirt, I think you know where to stuff it.
An article I wrote about Zillow and Trulia
http://estatesla.blogspot.com/2007/10/sites-to-list-your-home.html
I can’t help myself. I’m waiting on the “Hi, I’m David G from Zillow” post in 3…2…1…
That guy is everywhere. And giving out shirts, apparently.
Jay and I met David G at the Zillow reception at the NAR convention. He’s a great guy!
Having been there with Jay, I can say it was hysterical, especially the pointing back like Jay was embodying Zillow and all the fear they apparently engender. Laughable.
Um, Richard, your use of the word “your” in your first sentence should have been “you’re” as in, you are… just a little FYI. And “thier” is spelled their.
Spelling and grammar aside, Zillow is simply giving the consumer what they want… information. Consumers want data, and many are smart enough to interpret the numbers themselves… what’s wrong with that? Give the people what they want. They will still need us to interpret the data in most cases, especially given that Zillow is way off in many instances. But it’s a starting point. And if some super-smartie consumers don’t need us, then fine… let them find their own way.
Most people still need local expertise when it comes down to the wire. That’s where we come in. Why feel threatened? See the changes and go with the flow. There’s opportunity everywhere.
“As far as your shirt, I think you know where to stuff it.”
Huh. Sounds like you are one of the ones that fears Zillow Richard. *Please* help me understand why because I simply do not get it. How does the existence of Zillow hurt you as an agent?
In the link you posted, you mention realtor.com several times. THAT is one worthless web site. They should be taking lessons from the Zillow’s and Trulia’s of the web2.0…
Sorry for the delayed response, just got back from NAR Vegas, where I did NOT drink the kool-aid.
Jay-
Let me guess, she was wearing one of those Che Guevara T-shirts and didn’t understand why you thought HE was the enemy.
The whole world’s batty.
NO comment from David…that is rare he is everywhere all the time and a great guy as well.Jay i agree with you why fear Zillow if in fact you are a professional agent with a firm understanding of your farming area and the industry as a whole.
Jay & Francy – it was awesome to see both of you in Vegas. Thanks again for hanging out on Thursday. This story still cracks me up.
Hi Lydia, Hi Roberta – Sorry I missed the comments but frankly, I’m glad I did; I prefer Diane’s response to Richard over anything I would have said.
Diane –
Jay,
Did you read my article on my website. Is it possible you are NOT a Realtor? Now…I can’t really say the Realtor.com is worthless. I do believe the site carries more listings than any other site online.
But to take sides with Zillow and wear their shirt to the NAR convention, well…thats a slap to every Realtors face. Do you really expect to make friends there?
What I don’t like about Zillow and Trulia is their trying to take Realtor.com place. And just recently, Zillow decided to get the info directly from the newspapers. How do you like that?
To answer your question, Zillow.com is a pest who’s service will cause financial harm to many people who use it. Now, they want to place our listings alongside their worthless inacurate system.
And you wonder?
Message to Diana Cohen…I type fast and usually when I’m half asleep. Take for example this post. It’s 5:15am. So are you trying to help me or belittle me making me feel that because I make spelling mistakes that my message carries no weight? I’d like to know your anwer.
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