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Business as usual at Zillow despite "Order" from Arizona Board of Appraisal

By Grant Howell

Real Estate Agent with Alex Lowery Real Estate

April 14, 2007 01:10 PM

Many experts agree that the Arizona Board of Appraisal is overstepping it's authority. Only a court or regulating agency can issue an order to Cease and Desist..................So far, this has not happened, as the Arizona Board of Appraisal does not regulate Zillow or public information. At this very moment, Zillow is still providing their Zestimates to Arizona consumers.

Zillow is just posting tax information and recent sales that are already out there as public record. I am willing to bet that the The Arizona Board of Appraisal does not have the authority to order Zillow to cease and desist. Anybody can write a cease and desist letter, having the teeth to back it up and enforce it is whole different story. The Federal Trade Commission is the agency who makes any decision concerning Zillow and their Zestimates and so far they have done nothing. If recent precedent holds true for the Federal Trade Commission, it will rule on the side of consumers and allow Zillow to provide information that is already public domain.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/75759/Zillow-Ordered-to-Cease

Here are two other sites that provide public info:

http://RealEstateABC.com

http://Cyberhomes.com

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Robert McArtor

RE/MAX Components - Fallston Maryland - Bel Air, MD

Top Listing Agent for Baltimore and Harford County

"Zillow is just posting tax information and recent sales that are already out there as public record"

This is not what "Zestimates" are unfortunately. They are forming an opinion of value and sharing it as factual. This is appraising and in the State of Maryland. You need to be licensed. I never advise anyone on legal matters even if I experience them myself. This is practicing law and you need to be an Attorney to do this.

I am looking forward to the responses of others. In the meantime, I will share with my Clients, Buyers what I feel about Zillow and how I can serve them better!

Apr 14, 2007 01:56 PM

Grant Howell

Alex Lowery Real Estate - Frisco, TX

Broker/Owner 214-234-6901

Like I said in my post, Zillow just provides public information from the tax rolls and recent sales. As a realtor, I am sure you have seen homes that have "improvements" that are not reflected on the tax rolls. I have never had anybody come to me with an offer that was based solely on what the appraisal district was saying the value is. As far as your home goes, if you update the appraisal district in your area as to your improvements and added sqft, then Zillow would pick this up. It's funny because as long as the appraisal district is wrong and your home is accessed lower, most home owners don't say anything because your property taxes will go up. You can also update zillow and make corrections, if you think your zestimate is to low.

Sounds like you over improved your home and are trying to blame it on zillow. what did your CMA (s) say?

You know as well as I do that the seller sets the price, but the buyer determines the Value.

Apr 14, 2007 02:08 PM

Robert,

Anytime a real estate agent runs a CMA they are giving their opinion of value and sharing it as factual. Should we all have our Appraisers license? I am not defending zillow, just the right for public information and free speech.

Apr 14, 2007 02:13 PM

A CMA is factual sales information. Not opinion. We share this factual information with a Seller and the Seller determines list price based on this information. I do not determine listing price. I am simply there to make sure the Sellers expectations are in line with the CMA. If it is, they have a listing agent. Free Speech? Very subjective here.

Apr 14, 2007 02:56 PM

Lauren,

One shouldn't update their tax records just for zillow, one should do that anyway. Especially, if you are planning on putting your home on the market. It's hard to imagine $30,000.00 worth of construction not needing any permit, but maybe so. I don't think anybody is buying that your homes low selling price is the total fault of zillow. Maybe your husband knows my uncle, who was the head legal counsel for the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) for many years?

Apr 14, 2007 03:11 PM

Mike (Inspector Mike) Parks

Inspector Mike - Circleville, OH

Inspector Mike

I agree with Robert.

May 03, 2007 08:02 AM