Google and Zillow allies, not enemies?

Representatives for Google and Zillow, during a National Association of Realtors technology session Wednesday, assured real estate professionals that they are allies, not enemies. No data supports the myth that the Internet is going to dramatically increase (for-sale-by-owner sales) vs. agent interactions says Google and Zillow representatives. The company's estimates, called Zestimates, may serve as a gateway to productive conversations about home value and present an opportunity for real estate professionals. Is this a way to reach more consumers? As the site is drawing millions of users each month. Google is now accepting property listings data feeds from about a dozen MLSs and see more to come- about 880 total. Google, through its Google Base classified site, accepts property listings submissions from sellers, agents, brokers and MLSs. Likewise, Zillow is also accepting for-sale property information from sellers, neighbors, agents, brokers and MLSs. Google and Zillow see a day when real estate professionals can stop spending money on items such as direct-mail postcards because they will be replaced by electronic, "virtual postcards." "We're getting there," www.whybuyhawaii.com