Zillow homes in 3D
By: Lloyd Frink, President | April 13, 2006
This is an exciting day for us at Zillow, as we announced this morning the addition of 3D-like, “birds-eye” aerial photos to our beta site. These remarkably clear and detailed images, shown alongside home details and Zestimates, come from Microsoft’s Virtual Earth platform.
Back in December, when we first saw bird’s eye imagery on Microsoft’s Live Local site, we knew it would be a great addition to what we were creating for Zillow.com. A few of us went to visit Microsoft’s partner, Pictometry, in Rochester, NY. It was fascinating to learn about the process Pictometry uses to collect and process all of these 45-degree photos, including seeing one of the fleet of modified Cessna aircraft which are flying all over the country right now, taking these pictures of homes and neighborhoods from all sides. Microsoft then takes this data (50+ terabytes’ worth!), does their magic, and delivers it to millions of people on the Web. When we integrate these images with the home data and Zestimates we have on Zillow.com, the resulting experience is jaw-dropping.
It’s easy to imagine the clarity these images add for a home buyer curious about a property’s architecture, yard or neighboring homes. Personally I like looking at my neighborhood the most. Not only is this a perspective I’ve never seen (even though I’ve lived in the same neighborhood my whole life), it allows me to do “Sunday afternoon strolls” looking at nearby houses whenever I want. In the side-by-side view, I get the Zestimate and home details on the traditional Zillow satellite map right next to the bird’s eye view.
We have a number of cities now, and Microsoft and Pictometry are busy continually adding more. If your city isn’t covered, you can still have fun looking at other areas. For example, I was snooping around Beverly Hills homes and discovered this street - Beverly Park Circle, 90210. Click on some of the houses, look at the resulting bird’s eye view, and imagine what it would be like to have an afternoon BBQ with some stars at one of these mansions.
A few tips — you may notice that you will run into the edge of a bird’s eye image. If this happens, use the street/satellite map on the left in the side-by-side view to move to the house you want. The bird’s eye view will then switch over to the next image. Also, you may notice that both maps aren’t perfectly synchronized. This usually has to do with hills, so you might have to find street corners or other landmarks to match the two maps visually. Over time, we will address both of these issues.
All in all, I find the experience using bird’s eye views and Zillow data quite engrossing. I hope you enjoy it as well.
- Stumble it!
- Categories: Zillow
Comments
38 Comments so far
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JH on April 13, 2006 10:39 am
Ill be honest, zillow is a clean website, but I RARELY ever find a house. Even if the house is 20-50 years old, zillow returns its notorious “we could not find this house”. So my question is can it find anything ????
How about hiring some data entry personnel and actually add homes?
NA on April 13, 2006 11:49 am
First of all, MS Live is not “3D” like by any means, its just a slanted aerial photo.
1. I don’t think this MS Live brings any value to the interface, will probably increase more support calls for you guys. MS live does not cover a lot of areas still. Also ZOOMING does not work in correspondence to the left map. I personally think Google Maps or Yahoo Maps would have been a better choice. Might as well use their API to “plot” your parcels.
2. Having Google Ads on your site with a 32 million dollar backing doesn’t make much sense. It gives Zillow that “amateurish” side bar where you can earn a few cents. I suggest you remove it.
Greg on April 13, 2006 12:37 pm
Excellent evolution to zillow. Keep innovating and partnering with time proven leaders like Microsoft, and you will position yourself to compete with that demon called MLS.
I like it.
seattlite on April 13, 2006 12:45 pm
Just dropped by, I think it’s really cool even if every house on earth isn’t in there. How easy do people think it is collect information on every house in creation??? The fact that they think hiring “a data entry person” would solve exhibits their understanding of the situation.
In anycase I found a LOT of listings in Seattle and I think people will be attracted to the site to see their neighborhoods in birdseye view.
Great work!
TechCrunch on April 13, 2006 1:37 pm
Zillow Goes 3D
A little competition is good - just two weeks after Zillow saw Real Estate ABC and Google Real Estate move into its territory, they launch a new 3D viewing application based on Microsoft Lives birds eye view feature. This is…
JH on April 13, 2006 2:07 pm
To: SEATTLITE
Been programmign for years buddy, its VERY SIMPLE to get accurate data (and its not even manual data entry, there are various resources
out there and tools to snatch this data). Why do you think Google / Yahoo are successful? If I type in anything into google it finds it, why? Cause Google has effectively written procedures and used tools to evaluate and pull this information. There is no excuses why Zillow fails in cities within Michigan, for houses that are older than 20 years. Come on that’s poor software IMHO.
I also agree with the other poster who mentioned the google ads. Come on if willow was a test site written by a bunch of kiddies its great to make a couple of bucks running Google ads.
Other than that I do like their color selection, the site is easily navigated (not much to it), and its clean, professional and displays everything correctly.
Please rethink the ads, and the data that is in the database. Look into 3rd party tools to actually get more data, and drop MS maps, their api and the look is just horrible. I would of personally investigated software that Yahoo or Google use.
Patrice on April 13, 2006 5:45 pm
Love the website. I had no trouble finding information on the Duplex I live in now that my landlords are selling. Also found Century City condo I moved from. Amazing site. Thank you for providing such detailed info. Rarely do you find a site with “real” information for free.
Stuart MacDonald on April 13, 2006 7:00 pm
Zillow-licious
More coolness from my buds at Zillow.com. My friend
Stuart MacDonald on April 13, 2006 7:15 pm
Zillow-licious
More coolness from my buds at Zillow.com. My friend
Ellis Web on April 14, 2006 12:16 am
Items of Interest: 2006.04.14
Things I found interesting on April 14, 2006:
The Development Abstraction Layer - Joel explains what he believes is the first priority of a software team manager
Creating a DataGrid that expands and collapses like a tree control - DataGrid control tha…
The Real Estate Bloggers on April 14, 2006 4:04 am
Zillow Adds Sideways and Over the Top Mapping
Zillow is adding overhead and sideways mapping using the same technology found in Microsofts Virtual Earth product. Instead of seeing the rooftops of homes as most mapping programs provide, theZillow product will show 45 degree angl…
DQ on April 15, 2006 1:16 am
In reference to my land/mobile home south of San Antonio, Texas and what it is worth; I am confused. My land is worth 61K according to Zillow.com (Address: 22041 Running Bear), but the other comps are more in the are of 30K lower. Is this correct information
______________________
*Estimated Market value of a land/ mobile Home: $61,450
22041 Running Bear
http://home.satx.rr.com/dqkidd/
ED KRESNAK on April 15, 2006 3:23 am
I CANT SEEM TO FIND MY HOUSE. YOUR SITE WONT LET ME IN. I LIVE AT 9 LONG MEADOW RD. ROTONDA WEST FL. 33947. IF YOU CAN FIND IT LET ME KNOW OR SEND IT TO ME. THANK YOU, ED
ED KRESNAK on April 15, 2006 3:27 am
I CANT SEEM TO FIND MY HOUSE ON YOUR SITE. MY NEIGHBOR CAN. MY ADDRESS IF 9 LONG MEADOW RD. ROTONDA WEST, FL. 33957. IF YOU FND IT SEND IT TO ME. THANK YOU ED.
ED KRESNAK on April 15, 2006 3:30 am
I CANT SEEM TO FIND MY HOUSE ON YOUR SITE. MY NEIGHBOR CAN. MY ADDRESS IF 9 LONG MEADOW RD. ROTONDA WEST, FL. 33957. IF YOU FND IT SEND IT TO ME. THANK YOU ED.
David Gibbons on April 20, 2006 12:30 pm
Hi Ed,
David from Zillow here. I think I found it. Click this link and let me know if this is your house: http://www.zillow.com/HomeDetails.z?zprop=43586433
To find it, I typed out “Road” in the search box. It’s difficult to read addresses when the street’s name includes a street type (Meadow). We’re working on it.
Bev Blondage on April 20, 2006 3:23 pm
Since you mentioned Beverly Circle, 90210, check out this house nearby at 594 S Mapleton Dr, Los Angeles 90024. It’s the well-known media mogel Spelling mansion (french chateau style). Talk about homes gone wild!
Michelle Clark on April 22, 2006 3:16 pm
Just wanted to let you guys at zillow know how I am using the bird’s eye view feature of your website. My husband and I are thinking about moving to Seattle from the NJ. I’m regulary checking the real estate listing sites such as windermere.com for new listings and when one doesn’t have a photo up I jump over to your site to check out the property using the bird’s eye view. It’s a great feature and gives enough detail to get a general idea of the home.
Great feature! Thxs.
JerryClarence Abercrombie on May 12, 2006 10:26 pm
No comment at this time.
sherwin westra on June 22, 2006 10:49 am
looking for a house to buy in the valley
susan byde on June 24, 2006 5:28 pm
I’m looking or 1145 Ardth Drive in Cambria, CA
Bill Komendant on September 21, 2006 6:34 am
Neat Website, but my house at 2S741 Grove Lane in Warrenville, IL 60555 is not the right house! This leads me to believe that the posted value is also wrong. Anybody have any ideas? -Bill
maria del mar barrera on October 17, 2006 8:57 pm
I want to see to my house
maria del mar barrera on October 17, 2006 8:59 pm
i want to see my city
ken schuster on February 1, 2007 12:41 am
no
Ed on March 12, 2007 4:21 pm
Great job Zillow! Thank you so much for the 3-D info. http://www.isitel.com
diesnis interactive on March 27, 2007 2:35 am
3d real estate
nicola on May 8, 2007 10:59 am
how do i go to my house address and see my house in birds eye view i have been told that i can but i dont know how to get it on can anyone help me? thanx
Thomas Jefferson on October 28, 2007 3:10 pm
What happen to the “old” Zillow Web-Site that provided free & fast service, without the un-necessary “Sales Pressure”.
Apparently its your intention to get the personal information, from your un-expected viewers; that are simply requesting free information on their property values, without you harsssing by senting “Mailings” and having all of those real estate Agents, that “Call” on the telephone and the Mail-Box filled with their crap, about saving money…
P.S. You really have alot of fools out there in the great USA, falling for your crap. ( E-Mail- Required…real cute…. Whats “Next” their SSN# & Birthdate…Go back to the old method of your past Website..and allow us decide if we need you further…No one needs the Sales Pressure..Car dealers,and etc….your no different.
Drew Meyers on October 29, 2007 8:57 am
Thomas-
Registering on Zillow is entirely optional — individuals can still access Zestimates on the site without providing any personal information.
Registering allows you to save favorites, fill out a profile, post your home for sale, etc.
Nancy Blake on December 20, 2007 2:30 pm
Why? I don’t have a comment. I just want to find out the valuation of a house for the lady who cleans my house, and it is very difficult!!!!!
Nancy Blake on December 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Why? I already make a comment, and I do not have a website.
Carlos Montoya on January 26, 2008 1:43 pm
I noticed that you pigs didn’t include Dr. Ron Paul in those “electable” that I would most like to live in my neighborhood.
The rest of the “candidates” would degrade the neighborhood to the point that you could not sell your house.
Carlos
mike on February 16, 2008 2:40 pm
ok- we are always a few steps behind in the UK: but the first Microsoft Virtual Earth Bird’s Eye View application for residential property is now live on http://www.london-executive.com/propertybird what does the group think?
Pete on April 6, 2008 1:22 pm
If you are only getting one hit per month your business is going down the tube fast. I was looking for the aeriol views but could not find it. I’ve been here before, but I must have forgotten somethng. Your so called tool did me no good.
BMS on May 28, 2008 9:47 am
I don’t like this website because i want to find aeriol views, but I could not find it and this website probably won’t be here much longer. I’ve noticed that there are not many good comments.
dorothy m.rosati on June 14, 2008 8:06 am
I am trying to do my husband a favor, and find our house on aerial view. Our son in Temecula, Ca. said he saw his house, and could even see the iron gate entryway at the bottome of the hill. Please help me, so my husband will be please. Thanks We are 12621 Amethyst St, Garden Grove, Ca. 92845
createmo on November 1, 2008 7:37 pm
Thank you for your site
I made on photoshop backgrounds for myspace or youtube and whatever
my backgrounds:http://tinyurl.com/5cy5cq
have a great day and thank you again!