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This thread is currently closed for responses.
- Alex Cortez, "MauiRealEstateSearch"
- Contributions:114
Thanks for the post, Russ. Too many people do not understand what zillow does and consumers need to be aware that services advertised by individual agents here are not endorsed by Zillow. Thank you.
- Sky Minor, "Mr. East Side"
- Contributions:21
Thanks for the clarification Russ. Zillow is and has been my go-to source for trusted property valuations for about three years now. I can't say enough good things about this site-keep up the good work!
I think it speaks volumes about Zillow's reach and how many people really trust the site when so many are able to be led astray by seedy folks. It is unfortunate that there are bad apples on here, but that is inevitable with the size and dearth of a site like Zillow. Consider it a growing pain.
Sky Minor, Eagle Rock Realtor.
I think it speaks volumes about Zillow's reach and how many people really trust the site when so many are able to be led astray by seedy folks. It is unfortunate that there are bad apples on here, but that is inevitable with the size and dearth of a site like Zillow. Consider it a growing pain.
Sky Minor, Eagle Rock Realtor.
- chuckkolb
- Contributions:2
Personnaly I believe the prices listed on Zillow and other sites are extremely undervalued. In my case I bouth in 91 for 120 and now it's 2010 and the home is worth barely 100? That makes no sense. The market was not at an all time high in 91. Someone is making big in this market and it sure isn't the current homeowners.
- Michael Salois, "MichaelSalois"
- Contributions:284
It would be interesting to see the process zillow uses for home values. Tax rolls are public record so I assume they pull that information, other than that it would be nice to see how the process works to arrive at the value. As a professional real estate agent I also seem to think they undervalue property often.
Just my thoughts
Michael Salois
Allison James Estates & Homes
[content removed by moderator]
Just my thoughts
Michael Salois
Allison James Estates & Homes
[content removed by moderator]
- Ron Scott, GRI, "RonScottRealtor"
- Contributions:192
Thanks for the information.a great thing to pass on.
- Jay Seier, "Jay Seier"
- Contributions:121
Great post. thanks!
- Pat Pribisko, "Pat Pribisko"
- Contributions:1426
Russ:
Thanks for the reminder to your readers & contributors.
Pat Pribisko
Thanks for the reminder to your readers & contributors.
Pat Pribisko
- Pacita Dimacali
- Contributions:1254
Lately, I've received at least three inquiries from people who want to make an appointment to view properties --- and the links point to specific properties using the zillow link.
I am not in the habit of merely showing up to show property without meeting the potential clients in my office, for very obvious safety reasons.
But responding to emails --- with no other information other than the email --- no full names, no phone numbers --- is a no-no.
I go one stop further and try to verify the email using email verification services online and if the email address is bad, well, then, that answers the question
It's quite possible some of these are legitimate inquiries, but I think they should provide more than an email.
For example, this address was interesting amjadsilmi at such and such a .com -- if you read this out loud it sound like "I'm just a dizzy silly me". Think I'd want to respond to that?
I am not in the habit of merely showing up to show property without meeting the potential clients in my office, for very obvious safety reasons.
But responding to emails --- with no other information other than the email --- no full names, no phone numbers --- is a no-no.
I go one stop further and try to verify the email using email verification services online and if the email address is bad, well, then, that answers the question
It's quite possible some of these are legitimate inquiries, but I think they should provide more than an email.
For example, this address was interesting amjadsilmi at such and such a .com -- if you read this out loud it sound like "I'm just a dizzy silly me". Think I'd want to respond to that?
- David Ralston, "Dave Ralston"
- Contributions:57
Great reminder for us all. Opps, looks like a international prince wants to buy a mega mansion now. I must depart for this urgent client! Ha ha
- hencats
- Contributions:9
Biggest professional liars-lawyers,RE[agent,broker,developer]car salesmen,none have your best interest.RE agents will not let laws of supply & demand work,instead it is location,location etc-mkt value is what a consumer in need will pay,sellers & buyers agree on price,who needs overpriced RE agents,they are worthless & expensive,anybody can show a house,besides,you have to live in the house before problems arrive,wait until 2011,nobody is going to beat you to your dream house.Dream houses are custom built for the wealthy,they will not be looking in your direction,houses will sit vacant until these terribly high price fall into reality
- Chris O'Connor, "CallChrisToday"
- Contributions:269
LOL Pacita, did you Google the name, "amjadsilmi?" Apparently there is a Realtor on Zillow.com since 2/9/2009 with that name. The account has zero activity but he has posted a picture of his kids. I have a feeling the name has some sort of significance other than "I'm just a dizzy silly me!" That cracked me up! Will you be here all week?
- Chris O'Connor, "CallChrisToday"
- Contributions:269
Oh, and Pacita, here is a video of his kids dancing. No...seriously.
- Gary Brey, "garybrey"
- Contributions:73
Russ,
Thanks for taking the time to post. There is much here to think about.
Thanks for taking the time to post. There is much here to think about.
- Shawn Rogers, "Mister Rogers Homes"
- Contributions:894
Russ,
Solid information. Keep up the good work. I also wanted to say that I like the new Zillow format, really helps the cream rise.
Have a BEAUTIFUL night.
-Shawn
Solid information. Keep up the good work. I also wanted to say that I like the new Zillow format, really helps the cream rise.
Have a BEAUTIFUL night.
-Shawn
- Sean Ronkoske-e-PRO,SFR, "Sean Ronkoske"
- Contributions:187
Russ,
Really appreciate that info. Much like the rest of you who responded. We tend to forget that it is only a website. Too many people seem to take advantage of this like the case of the mysterious email address. I tend to get a great deal of info off this site and probably recommend an average of five people a day to this site. You guys are doing an excellent job. I can't say enough about the Zestimate. It is unbelievable how close it can be at times. I am using it in my day to day dealings with CMAs, I use it as a guideline. Excellent job.
Sean
Really appreciate that info. Much like the rest of you who responded. We tend to forget that it is only a website. Too many people seem to take advantage of this like the case of the mysterious email address. I tend to get a great deal of info off this site and probably recommend an average of five people a day to this site. You guys are doing an excellent job. I can't say enough about the Zestimate. It is unbelievable how close it can be at times. I am using it in my day to day dealings with CMAs, I use it as a guideline. Excellent job.
Sean
- Kimberly Whaley, "kimberly.whaley"
- Contributions:69
Good advice!
Thanks
Thanks
- Newton Lim
- Contributions:14
Thank You. It's good to always have reminders of what to look out for.
- sierralux
- Contributions:30
I have contacted Zillow at least 7 times through different channels about a particular listing I know is jacked. I have sent a link to the county's website to verify my information. Yet, I have heard nothing from Zillow. What gives?
- sierralux
- Contributions:30
I have contacted Zillow at least 7 times through different channels about a particular listing I know is jacked. I have even sent a link to the county's website to verify my information. Yet, I have heard nothing from Zillow. What gives?
- sierralux
- Contributions:30
I have contacted Zillow at least 7 times through different channels about a particular listing I know is jacked. I have set a link to the county's website to verify my information. Yet, I have heard nothing from Zillow. What gives?
- Karen Hunt, "realestgirl"
- Contributions:124
I've had five scam emails from Zillow in just the last month and my spam email has increased by 3 times. I think it's too easy for scammers to contact us without giving a little more information. I'm not sure how to solve this so that legitimate and potential clients can still contact us without feeling like their infomation is compromised.
I'd also love to see more support for agents. Ethical, hard-working agents bear the the brunt of all the trash-talking. The majority of us are in the business to establish long-term relationships with our clients and share the advice of our years of experience to help buyers and sellers make wise decisions on their purchases. The more Zillow can show support for people in this industry helps us all work together more successfully. Thanks for all you do Zillow.
I'd also love to see more support for agents. Ethical, hard-working agents bear the the brunt of all the trash-talking. The majority of us are in the business to establish long-term relationships with our clients and share the advice of our years of experience to help buyers and sellers make wise decisions on their purchases. The more Zillow can show support for people in this industry helps us all work together more successfully. Thanks for all you do Zillow.
- First Timers Real Estate, "1stTimers"
- Contributions:26
Well, that is good information to know. Thanks for thinking about us and sharing that information. Will be on the look out!
- Jennifer Marks, "RelocateWithJen"
- Contributions:100
Thanks for the post-- Think personal safety first. I know we are all eager to work a lead but double check. Get the basics. I have recieve a few showing requests leads that are asking to see property with only an email corespondence. Its not worth the sale to put myself as risk.
- Jennifer Marks, "RelocateWithJen"
- Contributions:100
Sierralux, Try Twitter -- post something @zillow. I get a quicker better response to my issues this way. :)
- Nathan Colmer, "NathanColmer"
- Contributions:257
Great Post
- Jim Curry, "Lake City JEC"
- Contributions:44
Very true, you never really know if someones about to scam you. Thanks for the post
- Pityssake
- Contributions:1
I've noted recently that realtors/owners with homes are falsely inflating zestimate values by bumping up the sqft of the house. For example, see the following current listing:
2125 159th Ct SE, Mill Creek, WA
A short time ago, the size of this house was inflated from 1660 sqft to 2900 sqft. In response, the zestimate value rocketed from $385k to $491k. This morning, lo and behold, it's now showing as 1660 sqft again, but zillow still shows the inflated zestimate value.
It's obvious that people are jacking up the prices, especially since a 4000sqft home in this same neighborhood just sold for $390k. There is no way a house less than half its size is worth $400k much less $491k.
Zillow needs to come up with a method to prevent owners/realtors from inflating zestimate values in this way. It is unethical, and ruins, for everyone, the potential of this site.
A short time ago, the size of this house was inflated from 1660 sqft to 2900 sqft. In response, the zestimate value rocketed from $385k to $491k. This morning, lo and behold, it's now showing as 1660 sqft again, but zillow still shows the inflated zestimate value.
It's obvious that people are jacking up the prices, especially since a 4000sqft home in this same neighborhood just sold for $390k. There is no way a house less than half its size is worth $400k much less $491k.
Zillow needs to come up with a method to prevent owners/realtors from inflating zestimate values in this way. It is unethical, and ruins, for everyone, the potential of this site.
- Crystal Tost, "Crystal Tost"
- Contributions:3
- JOE GARCIA, "Realty Call Center"
- Contributions:33
When in doubt, find out their license number?
- Tom Ashworth, "tomashworth"
- Contributions:189
Thanks Russ! Zillow Rocks. It is great FREE source of information for the consumer.
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