Sometimes I feel like the poor people that post questions on Trulia and Zillow are like an innocent child in a sea full of sharks...I am a member of both sites and only post answers to questions when they haven't been answered or when the existing answer(s) to the question didn't provide a real answer or perhaps a valid or useful explanation... I find that there are others out there that will post the exact same answer as the other 15 or 20 agents that answered the question already. Why do they do this? My guess is that they think their use of "and" instead of "or" will spark some interest from the individual that posted the question. Or maybe someone else browsing the questions will see their response among the 15 other responses causing that person playing "eeny meeny miny moe" to pick them as a person to contact...I dunno... Sometimes, I just feel the same response from 20 different people will make the person asking the question say we're either all idiots because we can't "see" that 19 other people already posted the same answer to this question OR that we're all sharks out there looming trying to get the next piece of meat. OK, Maybe I'm just grouchy cause I've been up since 2:00 this morning. :)
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos
Hi Chanda, I've wondered the same thing myself. I only answer when my answer will address issues not covered by others or when I have a unique point to bring to the table.
Mar 16, 2010 06:42 AM
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Chandra. KI agree that the Q and A on Trulia can really get out of control. BUT Trulia has AWESOME Google juice. I post my blog articles on my Trulia blog and they rank extremely well. I get business from Trulia and it doesn't cost me a dime.
Mar 16, 2010 10:33 AM
Zillow - Atlanta, GA
Real Estate Internet Marketing
My pet peeve is hearing people chew ice. :) Gives me the shivers just thinking about it!
Hey, Sara from Zillow here. Another reason why people may post responses to questions that have multiple answers is because doing so may help them build a reputation on the site. I know on Zillow, as one answers more questions and engages more with the site, a couple things happen:
1) A bigger base of creditability is built. (Think about if you were buying something on ebay, would you buy from the person who has done 10 deals on the site or the person who has done 1000). A track record is established, and thus reputation built.
2) When you answer enough local questions, you earn the Local Expert badge. People like to market this on things like their blog and you can search specifically for Local Experts in the directory. This designation can also add creditability to your answers.
3) When you answer enough questions in general, you can become a Zillow All Star. Again, you'd get a badge to market. Going back to eBay, think of it like getting the Power Seller badge, again being creditablity.
There are ways to game the system, that is probably what you are referring to more here, but users are smart people. They see thru the games and see who is genuine, and at the end of the day, the genuine people are who they'll do business with, which is what it is all about!
Mar 16, 2010 11:00 AM
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
Chandra--Interesting post about Zillow and I found Sara's information intriging, too. I will have to check it out for myself.
Mar 16, 2010 12:15 PM
Keller Williams Indy Metro Northeast - Indianapolis, IN
in referral
I understand the Google juice, but when 20 people respond to "Is this house still for sale?" with "Yes, it's currently listed at $129,900, if there's anything I can do to help you find a home give me a call right away.", "Yes it's listed at $129,900", etc....I think it makes us look stupid...How many different ways can you say "Yes the house is still for sale at 'x' amount"...Just my .02
CHANDA <- see there's no 'r' :)
Mar 16, 2010 11:40 PM
Director, Communications & Partner Strategies, WellcomeMat - Fort Collins, CO
Hi Chanda!
Consumers, aka home buyers and sellers, are a lot smarter than many give them credit for. They can pick out the fluff or BS fast. Provide helpful comments and add value to conversations where you OWN the answer. Don't worry about what others are doing or saying in a thread. Focus on how you can help that consumer. Then you and your answer will stand out. Period. End of story.
Hi Bryant!
Yes, Trulia does have great Google juice. Happy to hear you are getting business from Trulia. I'd love to hear about some of your success stories.
Rudy from Trulia
Mar 17, 2010 04:28 AM
Valparaiso, IN
Chanda - I agree with you. I've gotten to the point that I rarely answer any questions on Trulia. I used to spend a lot more time on Trulia and I've thought about blogging there again but haven't done it in months.
Mar 17, 2010 03:36 PM
Rainmaker
379,498
379,498
Chanda Barrick
in referral
Real Estate Resources
Recent Posts
Real Estate Market Trends
over 8 years ago
Real Estate General Information
over 11 years ago
ActiveRain Community
almost 12 years ago
My plan is to provide neighborhood profiles for some of the more popular neighborhoods/communities in and around the Indianapolis area. In addition, information regarding the current market conditions in and around Indianapolis and any other news or information of interest.
Comments(7)