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Will I Still Be Able to Speak My Mind About Zillow on AR?

By Greg Nino

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Compass 0524642

July 28, 2014 12:45 AM

My guess is no. The merger hasn't even taken place, but I cannot imagine Zillow "permitting" AR bloggers to ridicule, detest and bash their brand. So, will Zillow penalize the bloggers? Will blogs about Zestimates be banned and censored? I don't think so. It's easier to just pull the plug on AR to be quite honest. If I owned Zillow I wouldn't want to pay for a company like Activerain to publicly say negative things about the workings of my operation, namely the infamous Zillow Zestimate.

We should remember that Spencer Rascoff left AR when it was purchased by Trulia. I don't know exactly why, but I'm pretty sure it had to do with Trulia buying and acquiring AR. Once Zillow owns AR will the CEO and staff of Zillow use AR to promote their brand more than ever before? Who knows.

Will you leave Activerain because of this entire ordeal? If so, why?

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Jon Kolsky

Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA

Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Greg~ what's the point anyway! If the deal is approved ONLY a miracle can save what we know to be AR.... If and when the deal goes through AR won't be the same or so I feel... Once Z gets their hands on AR "a change is a coming"

Jul 28, 2014 12:54 AM

Jimmy Williams

Keller Williams Elite Partners IV - Mount Dora, FL

Lake and Western Orange County Real Estate Expert!

Leaving Activerain will be a wait and see for me! At least for the 3 months that it will take to complete the purchase. But as you have stated I can't imagine Zillow allowing negative comments about Zillow on a blog that they own.

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

Greg, I for one hope that they will just let AR alone---after all bad press is better than no press at all. People do still bash Trulia and I am not seeing any repercussions.

Jul 28, 2014 12:56 AM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

I mentioned Zillow in a post questioning the accuracy of Zestimates and received an email from Zillow. It was "friendly" but believe me they are watching what is being said about them.

Jul 28, 2014 12:58 AM

Greg Nino

RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX

Houston, Texas

Norma,

I have no doubt they are "watching." So is our governement. I could go on.

Jul 28, 2014 01:01 AM

I guess I'll have to speak my mind on my WP site. ;)

Jul 28, 2014 01:09 AM

Kristi Knutson

Kirkland, WA

Blog Trainer ☂

Hey Greg!

You've always been able to speak your mind on ActiveRain, even if you're bashing us, and that's not changing. The actual merge is happening in 2015 sometime.

I've been here through Market Leader, and Trulia, and now Zillow. You know what I foresee?

More stability, more funding. Remember when the sight would go down for days? I do! I'm optimistic about this, because I've got your back and I know you guys have mine.

Jul 28, 2014 01:16 AM

You gotta admit.... this makes for great blogging material.

Jul 28, 2014 01:19 AM

And you're a great blogger, so I expected you to run with it ;)

I just wanted to drop in and say hi, I love you, I'm there for you, let's get through this together! <3

Jul 28, 2014 01:29 AM

Stephen Arnold

HomeSmart Elite Group - Scottsdale, AZ

CRS, GRI, SFR

The web side of the business model is becoming "monopolized" ....More competition is certainly needed!!! Without our listings...all they have is the public tax records? The REALTORS have the power in this if we choose to exercise it!!

Jul 28, 2014 01:56 AM

Dick Greenberg

New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO

Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Greg - There's no way this is going to have a happy ending for those of us in traditional brokerage - we're simply not part of their model. But I'll hang around until they kill the SEO, while preparing an escape route. And I'm glad we have some time.

Jul 28, 2014 02:02 AM

Greg~ thanks for the private message.... I can see why there are some folks that remain optimistic about the merger, but "trust me" they don't know what we know about Zillow... I'm not here to stir the pot, and I wish that nothing changes here, but I have a feeling that's ONLY wishful thinking

Jul 28, 2014 02:53 AM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I'll still be here and I have a feeling that many of the folks who said "if that ever happens I'll leave" will still be here too.

Jul 28, 2014 05:54 AM

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

We should still be able to bad mouth them if they are deserving of it. This is supposed to be a land of free speech after all. But of course that's debatable.

Jul 28, 2014 12:59 PM

Will I Still Be Able to Speak My Mind About Zillow on AR?

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