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Two Competing Giants just became a Two-Headed Monster!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros

Today it was announced that Zillow is going to buy Trulia for $3.5 Billion....Yes, with a "B".  When you are done daydreaming about what you would buy with over 3 billion dollars, lets discuss what this means for the common everyday real estate agent (fyi -- I was thinking a yacht, helicopter, sports cars and an impressive watch collection).  Zillow and Trulia have long been at odds with each other and have competed for online users and marketing space.  Together, over 130 million users visited these two sites last month.    Before the merger, agents that advertised on either site had the opportunity to reach different clientele and didn't have to compete with so many agents for the same advertising space in certain zip codes or cities.  Now that the sites have combined, I can only expect the marketing space to become more competitive and 'smaller' or 'lower volume' agents will be forced out of the marketing game by high paying powerhouse agencies.  This is great news for ZipandFind.com, since more and more agents will be looking to diversify their marketing campains and reach customers through a direct and less crowded platform.   Nonetheless, this is a very interesting merger and I am anxious to see how things play out for both real estate agents and home buyers/sellers.   

 

Let me know what your thoughts.  

Posted by

Mahesh Kashyap

ZipandFind(President/CEO)

www.zipandfind.com

info@zipandfind.com

Comments (8)

David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

I have been reading about this. Is it truly a done deal and all approved or is it just pending SEC approval?

 

Jul 28, 2014 01:13 PM
Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

The interesting part will be to see if the SEC lets this happen. The companies are owned by some of the same principals. One has over 50% ownership and over 40% in the other company. Maybe it is time to think about stopping syndication.

Jul 28, 2014 01:14 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

You can spin this all you want...but it isnot a good thing for our profession.

More and more we are losing control of our Profession to 3rd party users of OUR listings.

Pop over to my last blog and join the 2 question survey.

Jul 28, 2014 01:17 PM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I'm concerned about the future of real estate as a whole. I expect we'll see a Z brokerage very soon.

Jul 28, 2014 01:23 PM
Mahesh Kashyap

"In real estate, there will always be a practitioner in the middle of a transaction, helping consumers with an infrequent, complex, and emotional transaction," said Mr. Rascoff. (From an article in the WSJ that I was reading)....I agree with William's prior comment, Zillow has a long term plan to cut out real estate agents in some way.  The founders of Zillow cut out travel agents when they started Expedia a decade ago and I think they are trying to do it again.   If nothing else, agents marketing fees will skyrocket.  

Jul 28, 2014 01:28 PM
Fred Cope
Reliant Realty in Nashville, TN - Nashville, TN
Looking For Homes With A Smile

The bigger the ox, the more cumbersome he becomes.  I do think there will be a transition in the profession, but todays great idea may quickly lose its appeal.  Like Obamacare, we won't know the truth until it is rammed down our throats.  The same will happen with consumers--they will not get the expertise nor the service thay have come to rely on and expect.  The cheata is quick to catch his prey, but soon realizes he has vulnerabilities.

We keep on doing our jobs to the best of our ability, and consumers will find us.  David was no match for Goliath, but who gained the victory?

Jul 28, 2014 01:42 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Mahesh: Great 'plug' for your business, but Zip and Find will nor replace the exchange of thoughts and ideas that we, as Realtors® have enjoyed for years with Active Rain. Good luck

 

Jul 29, 2014 12:03 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

Mahesh-I think one of the terms I learned back in the '70s of '80s was disintermediation. It's here to stay as companies try to find ways to build better mousetraps.

Aug 03, 2014 05:36 AM