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Answers (15)
- hpvanc
- Contributions:2579
The Zestimates on all residential properties with enough public information is what makes Zillow useful to consumers. Zillow would not have much value left if it only listed Zestimates of For Sale properties at values agents and owners agree with, do you expect me to believe that agents will advertise the properties on Zillow if they don't agree with the Zestimate and by not advertising on Zillow can make the Zestimate unavailable?
I agree with several of the others that it is impossible to fix terminally stupid. Removing the AVM feature that drives legitimate consumer researchers to the site where they will also be exposed to Zillows paid advertisers, in their attempt to gain information before speaking to an agent and attempt to verify and validate the information that agents want them to hear, will not only put Zillow out of business, it will seriously harm consumers efforts to do their due diligence.
I agree with several of the others that it is impossible to fix terminally stupid. Removing the AVM feature that drives legitimate consumer researchers to the site where they will also be exposed to Zillows paid advertisers, in their attempt to gain information before speaking to an agent and attempt to verify and validate the information that agents want them to hear, will not only put Zillow out of business, it will seriously harm consumers efforts to do their due diligence.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5667
@ George,
You're new to Zillow, so it's only fair to let you know that there is a fairly free exchange of opinions in the forums - as long as it doesn't get overly personal or vulgar. At times, this means that opinions will be challenged.
You didn't "simply confirm". You started that way, and then piled on with "or better yet no Zestimates at all.", followed by a poor analogy to REAs and the MLS.
There's nothing "un-neighborly" about questioning why you think the AVM should be dumped, nor in pointing out that you used a poor analogy to attempt to back up that opinion.
Everything I posted was "on topic", as it was a direct response to your post. If you don't want to support your "no Zestimate" comment, then don't. But, please don't try to throw the "good neighbor policy" at me just because I had the audacity to challenge your opinion and choice of analogy.
You're new to Zillow, so it's only fair to let you know that there is a fairly free exchange of opinions in the forums - as long as it doesn't get overly personal or vulgar. At times, this means that opinions will be challenged.
You didn't "simply confirm". You started that way, and then piled on with "or better yet no Zestimates at all.", followed by a poor analogy to REAs and the MLS.
There's nothing "un-neighborly" about questioning why you think the AVM should be dumped, nor in pointing out that you used a poor analogy to attempt to back up that opinion.
Everything I posted was "on topic", as it was a direct response to your post. If you don't want to support your "no Zestimate" comment, then don't. But, please don't try to throw the "good neighbor policy" at me just because I had the audacity to challenge your opinion and choice of analogy.
- George Stacey, "Rockwall Area Realty"
- Contributions:3
I am simply confirming your previous post SoCal. Please follow the guidance by the Submit and Cancel buttons and be a good neighbor, be respectful and on topic.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5667
Why canc Zestimates? They have their place and use, and I appreciate not being able to get an AVM without having to expose myself to a REA.
As realtor, we can't post properties not for sale on MLS and call them "guestimates".
Ummm...apples and oranges there. The MLS is not an AVM, and REAs are in the business of RE sales, not media. That was a horrible analogy.
As realtor, we can't post properties not for sale on MLS and call them "guestimates".
Ummm...apples and oranges there. The MLS is not an AVM, and REAs are in the business of RE sales, not media. That was a horrible analogy.
- George Stacey, "Rockwall Area Realty"
- Contributions:3
I think we have our answer. Ultra conspicuous THIS PROPERTY IS NOT FOR SALE - ESTIMATE ONLY, or better yet no Zestimates at all. As realtor, we can't post properties not for sale on MLS and call them "guestimates". And you're all right, you can't fix stupid. Too bad that's the common denominator instead of brilliant.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5667
The effort exerted by some to remain ignorant simply baffles me.
If for no other reason than self-protection (I can see the lawsuit now. Either a person sues Zillow after they are injured by the rightful owner after trespassing, or the rightful owner sues Zillow after being broken into by people who were "looking"), Zillow needs to put a diagonal banner across all home pictures (on the "Detail" page) that says "Not For Sale".
Even then, I expect a certain level of obstinate ignorance to remain, but at least it would be "in your face" enough to protect Zillow from the "I didn't see the status info" excuse.
If for no other reason than self-protection (I can see the lawsuit now. Either a person sues Zillow after they are injured by the rightful owner after trespassing, or the rightful owner sues Zillow after being broken into by people who were "looking"), Zillow needs to put a diagonal banner across all home pictures (on the "Detail" page) that says "Not For Sale".
Even then, I expect a certain level of obstinate ignorance to remain, but at least it would be "in your face" enough to protect Zillow from the "I didn't see the status info" excuse.
- wordsmth
- Contributions:361
I agree--hpvanc's solution sounds workable.
Still . . . some folks are just terminally stupid. That's the only way I can put it. They come on a website that's made a name for itself through Zestimates. That's its unique selling point. But they don't know what a Zestimate is, and they don't recognize that the house isn't listed for sale.
Then: They don't call up an agent who's advertising next to that Zestimate. They don't call up their own agent. Nope. They apparently get into their cars and drive out. They don't see a "For Sale" sign, of course, since the property's not for sale. But that doesn't stop our intrepid buyers. They just wander up to the property, around the property, and peer in the windows.
Now, in the suburbs you sometimes see people walking across other people's lawns and yards. But I grew up in the country, and you just didn't do that there. Some folks have guns, and they don't like trespassers.
Andra: You're right to be concerned about the safety of these clueless trespassers. But some disclaimer on Trulia isn't going to deter most of them. Again: They're perfectly happy to peer into strangers' windows even when there's no "For Sale" sign out front. And what if there were a "For Sale" sign? That's still not an invitation for people to trespass.
So, while hpvanc's proposal is reasonable, I doubt it'd have much practical effect. Some people are just clueless.
Still . . . some folks are just terminally stupid. That's the only way I can put it. They come on a website that's made a name for itself through Zestimates. That's its unique selling point. But they don't know what a Zestimate is, and they don't recognize that the house isn't listed for sale.
Then: They don't call up an agent who's advertising next to that Zestimate. They don't call up their own agent. Nope. They apparently get into their cars and drive out. They don't see a "For Sale" sign, of course, since the property's not for sale. But that doesn't stop our intrepid buyers. They just wander up to the property, around the property, and peer in the windows.
Now, in the suburbs you sometimes see people walking across other people's lawns and yards. But I grew up in the country, and you just didn't do that there. Some folks have guns, and they don't like trespassers.
Andra: You're right to be concerned about the safety of these clueless trespassers. But some disclaimer on Trulia isn't going to deter most of them. Again: They're perfectly happy to peer into strangers' windows even when there's no "For Sale" sign out front. And what if there were a "For Sale" sign? That's still not an invitation for people to trespass.
So, while hpvanc's proposal is reasonable, I doubt it'd have much practical effect. Some people are just clueless.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
I really like hpvanc's suggested wording. Now all we have to do is convince Spencer.
- hpvanc
- Contributions:2579
A nice compromise would seem to be remove the agent ads from the non-listed properties. If the agent ads on non-listed properties are causing the agents buying such ads grief, agents can and need to let their account rep know, if enough of them do so Zillow will have to change how they handle unlisted properties.
As to the status, what is wrong with some variation of: "Not currently advertised for sale on Zillow. This page is for general public information only. Zillow does not imply or guarantee that property is not listed for sale."
As to the status, what is wrong with some variation of: "Not currently advertised for sale on Zillow. This page is for general public information only. Zillow does not imply or guarantee that property is not listed for sale."
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:21466
The problem doesn't seem to be an estimate; the problem seems to be an agent's "advertisement" on the home details pages of homes not for sale.
So, the simple solution is for Zillow to not post Real Estate agent advertisements on homes not for sale, but to only place other business adds in that space, such as Lowes, Home Depot, Sears and WalMart.
( Of course that would have an negative impact on Zillow's revenue, and would be much more work for Zillow's advertisement marketing division).
As mentioned the Realtors® don't "need" those extra "contacts" and "leads".
Actually since it bothers the Realtors® so much, and the Realtors have too much work to deal with explaining the issue to the public, the Realtors® should just stop paying for "premier status" so that they won't be contacted.
Yes, it is not that big a deal to add the words "not on the market" to home details pages; but just because a listing didn't show up on Zillow doesn't mean it actually is "not on the market". That seems to be the answer Zillow gave about why they didn't already take that action.
At least for most of them, they change the wording so it wouldn't say "contact a Realtor about THIS property", but rather "contact an agent about properties similar to this one".
So, the simple solution is for Zillow to not post Real Estate agent advertisements on homes not for sale, but to only place other business adds in that space, such as Lowes, Home Depot, Sears and WalMart.
( Of course that would have an negative impact on Zillow's revenue, and would be much more work for Zillow's advertisement marketing division).
As mentioned the Realtors® don't "need" those extra "contacts" and "leads".
Actually since it bothers the Realtors® so much, and the Realtors have too much work to deal with explaining the issue to the public, the Realtors® should just stop paying for "premier status" so that they won't be contacted.
Yes, it is not that big a deal to add the words "not on the market" to home details pages; but just because a listing didn't show up on Zillow doesn't mean it actually is "not on the market". That seems to be the answer Zillow gave about why they didn't already take that action.
At least for most of them, they change the wording so it wouldn't say "contact a Realtor about THIS property", but rather "contact an agent about properties similar to this one".
- SteadyState
- Contributions:787
There is lots of information in RE that only makes sense in context and if you understand the semantics of the term being used.
Zestimate is one such term - if you know what it means it makes absolute sense. If you "guess" what it means you make be disappointed when you learn what it really means.
Ditto for terms like "It's the best time to buy". This has done more damage than the Zestimate but do you hear agents asking for its banishment?
There is NO cure for stupidity. Not for buyers/sellers nor for their agents.
Zestimate is one such term - if you know what it means it makes absolute sense. If you "guess" what it means you make be disappointed when you learn what it really means.
Ditto for terms like "It's the best time to buy". This has done more damage than the Zestimate but do you hear agents asking for its banishment?
There is NO cure for stupidity. Not for buyers/sellers nor for their agents.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
I am not sure what can be done about some people's willingness to bleieve the impossible, but that problem is not unique to real estate.
I was in an antiques store one time when I saw a lady arguing with the shop keeper about the price of an item. She wanted to buy the item for the price on the tag. The problem was that the tag was the retail price from 1965 not the sales price in the store. Some people get it, others don't but as long as you work with the public you can't be surprised to find lot of different expectations based on very little reason.
People calling agents about houses not for sale or about Zesitmates is a perfect opportunity for them to explain the difference between the services that an agent provides and an online site. I see it as a door opener not a conversation ender.
I was in an antiques store one time when I saw a lady arguing with the shop keeper about the price of an item. She wanted to buy the item for the price on the tag. The problem was that the tag was the retail price from 1965 not the sales price in the store. Some people get it, others don't but as long as you work with the public you can't be surprised to find lot of different expectations based on very little reason.
People calling agents about houses not for sale or about Zesitmates is a perfect opportunity for them to explain the difference between the services that an agent provides and an online site. I see it as a door opener not a conversation ender.
- George Stacey, "Rockwall Area Realty"
- Contributions:3
The Zestimate is a real problem. I was contacted last week by a buyer who thought he could purchase a 3/2/2 in perfectly good shape just because the Zestimate estimated the price at $11,000. The house wasn't even for sale for crying out loud.
- Chris Hutchinson, "chutchi1"
- Contributions:16
I agree with Sunnyview. People do the same thing when they see signes in yards that have a house listed for sale. Some people just are curious by nature and will explore because they don't do enough business in real estate to know that it is potentially dangerous.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
This phenomenon preexisted the Zestimate. Some people are window peekers by nature and an empty house to them was an invitation to ask and agent for a showing. To me, Zillow seems pretty clear on the site about which houses are for sale and which are not.
If you don't feel that way though, what do you think they should do to make it clearer? Remove the Zestimate?
If you don't feel that way though, what do you think they should do to make it clearer? Remove the Zestimate?
The Danger of Buyer confusion about Zestimates vs. For Sale Homes
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- 4.9/5.0
- (5 reviews)
Contributions:102I am curious if anyone else in our Zillow Agent community has encountered phone calls from potential buyers trespassing and walking around properties they believe are for sale. I am very concerned about the safety of a buyer that chooses to preview a home without a realtor. It could have very dangerous consequences.
The reason I ask, is because I received three calls this week from buyers who were walking around properties they saw listed on Zillow. One buyer was walking around the front yard, another had peeked in a window and knew the home was vacant and the third caller had just finished walking around the barn and pool area. All of these buyers were in rural areas calling in to set up appointments to view the inside of the home. All three were actually looking at Zestimates and each buyer honestly thought it was a listing of a home that was for sale.
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