Zillow - Take a Stand and Clean Up Your Data!

I'm almost to the point I hate talking to people who are searching for homes on the  Zillow website. It's not the Zestimate that bothers me-it's the outdated and bogus data that I despise.

As I research these properties I typically find the property has long been sold or expired. Some agents just don't update their websites while many post these bogus listings on purpose to attract buyers. Not only is this behavior a disservice to consumers, it's a violation of the NAR Code of Ethics.  I do what I can locally by emailing the agents and their brokers, but it's so wide-spread that it can no longer be self-policed.

I realize it's all about driving traffic and selling advertising but it's time for Zillow to take a stand on this issue.

I'm calling on Zillow to only accept data from sources that are IDX compliant or will be updated at least every other day. I know it can be done because RE/MAX of Texas is providing such a feed for all RE/MAX listings in Texas. Zillow should also suspend or terminate the accounts for sources caught posting or feeding bogus listing data to their site.

Zillow has become a major player in the real estate syndication market--it's time they take a stand and clean up their data. If they fail to do so eventually the consumer will learn that their data is flawed and go find other sites that are not.

Until Zillow cleans this up, I will continue to tell all my clients not to use Zillow for property searches. I encourage each of you to do the same.

 

Photo licensed from iStockPhoto

 

Tom Branch and Gina Branch, The Branch Team with RE/MAX Dallas Suburbs, service the greater North Dallas suburbs including Dallas, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Lewisville, and Carrollton.  While Gina concentrates on traditional listings and buyer/tenant representation, Tom specializes in assisting distressed homeowners to avoid foreclosure.  Tom and Gina have published two books (Achieving Rock Star Status and The Field Guide to Short Sales) and are available for speaking engagements in the greater Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex. Subscribe to The Branch Team Blog.

                   

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The Branch Team - Texas Real Estate Broker 547597 | Team Members are Texas Licensed Real Estate Professionals
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