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Zillow Quick Tour and Navigation

By
Education & Training with Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp Non-Licensed

Last week, I was helping a member over the phone and she said to me, "I don't see on the site where I can answer questions, join the directory, get widgets, or download any mobile apps?"  She didn't realize that the tabs at the top of the page open up when you hover your mouse over or click on them?  This made me wonder if there might be others out there who didn't know this as well?

So I put together this tour and navigation screen/menu for her and anyone else who might be interested.

THE NAVIGATION MENU & TAB"Z" 

1. My Zillow - The link to your profile, listings, account settings, and personal favorites.
    1a.  Sign In, Sign out, or Sign up.

2. Homes - This tab provides a wide variety of useful tools and multiple search options.

3. Mortgage - The Marketplace with rates, calculators, and a help center along with tools for custom quotes.

4. Advice - Link is loaded with discussions, advice, questions, and answers to many topics in Real Estate.

5. The Directory - A great resource to thousands of Industry Professionals and local experts.

  

We've only covered 5 links so far and look at all the information, data, and resources you have already.

6. Local Info - Everything from neighborhood overviews, demographics, schools, to values and photos.

7. Mobile - Get information and download Zillow's mobile app on iPhone, iPad, Android, or Windows mobile. 

8. The More link gives you access to nearly 30 widgets, Premier Agent info, the Zillow Blog and more.
    (dueling digs is one of my favs, it's a great way to have a little fun and still promote property)

GETTING DEEPER INTO THE "Z"ONE

9. Search any address for any home value or listing in the Country and "GO!"
10. Access to Information and data on over 103,000,000 million homes in the US.
11. Access to nearly 4,000,000 properties for sale.
12. View over 1/4 million homes for rent.
13. Get data on over 2.4 million homes sold.
14. Compare mortgage rates on purchases and refinance loans in any City or State.
15. Featured homes for sale in your specific geo-location or area of interest.
16. Hyper-local inter-active home value widget for accessing statistics and data in your area.
17. Mortgage rate widget to compare rates and assist you with the borrowing process.
18. Featured article from the Zillow Blog run by Zillow employees - Celebrity Real estate news.

HOT LINKS & PLACES TO VI"Z"IT

19. Top cities and top states based on traffic and activity on Zillow.
20. What we do, who we are, the advisory board, meet the team and more.
21. Link to the Zillow Employee Blog. Once you visit, you'll be hooked.
22. Zillow's real estate research blog, most likely the best kept secret link on the site.
23. The Mortgage Blog is where you'll make cents of mortgages one post at a time.
24. Zillow is always looking for passionate people to join our pioneers and team.
25. A place journalists, analysts and real estate groupies can view the latest Zillow news.
26. This link leads you to the most popular questions and answers on the entire site.
27. Advertising solutions for anyone interested.  *Reach over 30,000,000 eyeballs monthly.
      (January 2011 - Zillow was host to 15.7 million visitors, *that's 2 eyeballs per visitor)
28. Zestimate Values and Accuracy chart - a simple breakdown by location for Zestimates.
29. Only 15 terms of use for site members and visitors.
30. Zillow respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.
31. Yahoo! - Zillow Real Estate Network - One of the largest Real estate networks on the Web.

Exploring all that Zillow offers can be valuable and advantageous.  It's good to know your way around the site so you can effectively navigate and answer those real estate questions, concerns, and discussions when they come up from clients or prospects in your neighborhoods and communities. Thanks and Enjoy!

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

This is such a useful site that since you have been highlighting its features,I am using it more and more...especially the widgets!

Feb 14, 2011 02:00 AM
Vickie Slade
Colorado Landmark, Realtors - Boulder, CO
Service You Can Trust ~ Someone You Can Depend On

Brad, I also see you are using a QR code in your blog.  I love it!  Where else are you finding it useful to use a QR code?

Feb 14, 2011 02:07 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Hi Vickie - I Blog on ActiveRain almost exclusively. 

Using the advice, discussions, and answering questions on Zillow is not really referred to as blogging as much as it is just communicating and engaging with others... kinda like Twitter but much more focused on Real estate related topics and issues.  It's like a cross between micro-blogging and email communications. The real value in my opinion is that the consumers and potential clients from your area are on there.

Also, you can have a link to your ActiveRain Blog, profile, or any site for that matter on your Zillow profile page.

Feb 14, 2011 02:13 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Kristin - I'll keep sharing as much as possible.  Even after 4 months, I still find and learn new things everyday.  :-)

Feb 14, 2011 02:17 AM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Good morning Brad,

Nice easy to follow instructions, I just have one problem.........I can't register.

Feb 14, 2011 02:34 AM
Don MacLean
New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA
Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

Great tips,

Now the fun part will be doing it.

I'll get back to you with any questions lol

Enjoy the day

Feb 14, 2011 02:46 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Vickie - place those little suckers anywhere someone might point their mobile device.  I'd even get stickers made and place them around the homes you sell. The water heater, under the kitchen sink on the plumbing, in the fuse box where the circuit breakers are etc.  It's a strategic but subtle marketing plan for the QR code future. :-)

Don - it's a bit early but I'm calling you anyway!  lol~

Feb 14, 2011 02:57 AM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Hey Don M - Nothing wrong with questions, just means you're on the "Quest!" 

I'm here if you need me~  :-))

Feb 14, 2011 03:00 AM
Barbara Hensley
RE/MAX Properties - Rockwall, TX
Homes for Sale in Rockwall County, Texas

Brad, thanks to you I am starting to work on including Zillow.  Thanks for the cool tip about the QR codes....great idea!

Feb 14, 2011 03:27 AM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Thanks for the quick response and help.

Feb 14, 2011 05:16 AM
Dan Quinn
The Eric Steart Group of Long & Foster Real Estate - Silver Spring, MD
Dan Quinn

Thanks for the info Brad and Happy Valentines Day to you.  The QR sticker suggestions is very cool - thanks again.

Feb 14, 2011 06:39 AM
Lizette Fitzpatrick
Lizette Realty - Richmond KY - Lexington, KY
Lizette Realty, Lexington KY MLS - Kentucky Homes

Happy Valentines Day! Hope you have had a wonderful day today!

Feb 14, 2011 09:42 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Brad - Still dont understand about Advice and Question. If I was trying to be active and a contributor in my areas, do I create An Advice? Can you see how I'm confused?

Does Zillow even encourage agents contributing to local area stuff besides just the photos?

Feb 14, 2011 10:02 AM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Brad, thanks for all the detail, we have a Zillow coming into the office this week to talk to us about the product, I've been using it off and on for sometime, I think I need to either get serious or just stay with whats working. Best.

Feb 14, 2011 12:05 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Barbara - thanks, if you ever need any help, just ask.  :-)

Don - it was great talking to you today.  Glad we got you signed up using Firefox.  Not sure what's up with IE today.

Dan - Happy Vday to you too. The QR idea I borrowed from someone I met at a real estate convention, very sharp guy.

Lizette - Happy Valentines Day to you, nice to hear from you. Hope your day was special. 

Loreena - you can create discussions, ask questions, get or give advice etc.  Just browse a couple, get the feel, and then dive in.

Adrian - I'm sure when they come visit your office and show you a few things, you'll get serious and know how to work it.

Feb 14, 2011 01:05 PM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Brad, this will definitely come in handy!  Thank you!

Feb 15, 2011 10:58 AM
Samantha Smith
214.422.0729 www.SamIAmHouses.com - Rowlett, TX
Sam I Am Houses, Simply Texas Real Estate

Brad - thank you so much for sharing this information! I'm not yet up on Zillow but have bookmarked you post so I can use it as my guide.

Feb 15, 2011 02:36 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

DeeDee - happy to do it.

Samantha - thank you for reading and commenting.  If I can ever be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. :-)

Feb 16, 2011 01:24 AM
Navona Hart
Century 21 Realty @ Home - Farmville, VA
Selling the Best Properties in Central Virginia

I tend to stay in the My Zillow tab.  I need to check out these features too.

Feb 22, 2011 02:13 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Yes Navona - dare to explore, there's a world of other tools on Zillow that many have no idea even exist.  Some of them I guaranty will open opportunities to do more business from connecting with others in those areas.

Feb 23, 2011 02:34 AM