Zillow Speaker Series: Brad Inman, Publisher, Inman News

As founder and publisher of Inman News, Brad Inman is usually the one asking the questions of key players in the real estate industry. But when he stopped by Zillow Tower in Seattle recently, the tables were turned.

Zillow Group CEO Spencer Rascoff took the opportunity to pepper Inman with questions — about real estate, about the book business, and about his journey from real estate reporter to publishing entrepreneur and digital disruptor.

Here are a few highlights of their conversation.

Online learning is a hot sector and you've been at the forefront; what do you think book publishing will look like in 5 or 10 years?

“We were producing a lot of video and were looking for new ways to create video — that evolved into us creating a software platform to easily create eBooks for authors and distribute them through all the big players. The more we can go direct to the content creator and cut out the value chain — particularly people that are offering no value — the better. There are a lot of incredibly creative things going on with publishing, but for me, it’s the resurrection of longer-form journalism, which I’m a fan of.”

What do you think is the future of news consumption on the Web?

“Anything that puts long-form in front of people — so that we actually take the time to read a little more in-depth — is a good thing. I think the world’s getting more confusing — like real estate — and people are looking for more in-depth… more intelligence; they’re looking to learn from one another in different ways than they’re doing it in social .”

Give us an outsider’s perspective: What do people think about Zillow Group?

“At Inman, our vision for about 15 years was ‘put all these things on the Internet: Have pictures and virtual walk-throughs, automate the transaction and create a better consumer experience.’ Now that’s happening and a big part of that is happening because of you. So, at the end of the day, I have huge respect for the management team and what the team has done here. And I think if you went out into the field and asked people, most people would have that conclusion.”

What’s your take on listing syndication?

“I’m hoping, finally, this issue will be over in six months to a year. My hope is — and I’m not casting a vote for a winner in this portal race — that you get them all quickly, because I like the idea of all listings being up in as many places as possible. It just seems so obvious to me.”

What do you think of the mortgage interest tax deduction and should it be continued?

“I’m split on it and always have been — particularly in this equity divide that people are focused on, and should be. Anything we can do to enable home ownership is good, but not using things like subprime, not conniving people into deals and things they shouldn't be doing. If we enable people to have freedom and have their privacy better protected, that’s a good thing — to make more people homeowners. I just truly believe in that.”

Want to be part of more exciting speakers? Come join Zillow! Check out the openings on Zillow's job page; we’re hiring!

Previous Zillow Speaker Series guests include:

• Christian Chabot, Tableau Software CEO & Co-Founder
• Scott Painter, TrueCar CEO
• Jane Park, Julep Founder & CEO
• Jim Weber, Brooks Running Shoes CEO