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Trulia, Zillow...My Head Is Spinning

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408

The first mention about Zillow gobbling Trulia was days ago, as well as the first discussion on AR, and wow, it is now pretty much official.

It is simply hilarious. For AR with its adversarial attitude towards aggregators, Trulia, and Zillow, first AR was gobbled by Trulia, and now it is becoming Zillow.

The greatest thing happening for AR stockholders, as they got a huge increase of value for practically nothing. No offense here, but who would buy AR today for any meaningful money? Nobody. But as a spillover from Trulia, this is a very different story. And in this sense I was very wrong, when I thought that active devaluing of Active Rain by clueless navigators would adversely affect them. It didn’t.

Now the only question is what is going to be with Active Rain. Would Zillow close it for not seeing the value, as there is little if any on the humongous scale of the transaction? Or AR is so small, that they wouldn’t bother with it?

For me, who never had a problem with aggregators, there is nothing to be upset about. Besides no having AR stock :)

What about you, guys?

Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

My head is spinning, too, Jon. I just got used to the "T". I've never liked "Z" and am feeling pushed to make a major decision: learn to like "Z" or leave AR.

Jul 28, 2014 12:28 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

My issue is that the two sites never had accurate information.  They become big and the public thinks WE as Real Estate Professionals are a part of them because of many agents that adverise with them and BUY their leads back from them.

 

T and Z are not good for the overall perception of our Profession.

 

I started a survey...pop over to my blog and answer the 2 questions if you have time

 

Jul 28, 2014 01:22 PM
Jack Mossman - The Nines Team at Keller Williams in Lodi
The Nines Team at Keller Williams in Lodi - Lodi, CA
The Nines Team in Lodi

Jon - Like you I have little fundamental problems with aggregators ... providing that they make reasonable efforts at keeping data current and valid.  My concern is more on if and when this new mammoth will consider getting into the direct real estate business...

Jul 28, 2014 01:55 PM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

Activerain being part of Zillow.  I don't have a problem with that.  Realtor.com and Google both have a blogging feature. Zillow will want to compete.  It will just give us loyal bloggers that much more SEO. 

Jul 29, 2014 12:36 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

If both Zillow and Trulia were absolutely perfect and delivered the sun, moon and the stars to my clients, I wouldn't have to explain a thing and they'd have no reason whatsoever to listen to me.

Jul 29, 2014 03:14 AM
Than Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK
Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

If you aren't on their call list you are now!

Besides, it means nothing since they are keeping both Z & T open and active. They are still selling ads on both sites and 'competing' against each other.

Jul 29, 2014 04:28 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Andrea - I was sure they were here to stay, so I never took seriously all this agents' barking at them. I don't think anything would change for us, meaning agents. However, if Zillow would decide to turn off AR, I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe they will let AR go, as I can't se any value in it for Zillow

Jul 29, 2014 06:08 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Will the domain name for the blog part get even LONGER??? LOL.

Jul 29, 2014 06:16 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Gary - you mean ActiveRain/Trulia/Zillow ? (LOL)

Jul 29, 2014 06:23 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

William - well, we use their valuations all the time. It is accurate enough for us, but they are so quick. i have investors, who would ask for the address of the property, and in 5 minutes they know everything, and they render their decision.

I must tell you that it made us better prepare for talking with the investors. I see it as positive service.

Jul 29, 2014 06:25 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Rob - I am not sure they would want to use AR as their blogging feature. I am afraid AR has discredited itself to the point that for these big companies its value is non-existent.

After all, what is AR today if not 95% of secondary content (listings). It was very different before, but since Market Leader took it over, it was going downhill.

Jul 29, 2014 06:27 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jon, I have written about this subject on many blog posts, what people forget is that 4 or 5 of the top investors of Trulia are also the same 4 or 5 top investors of Zillow so I was surprised it took this long for them to get to the buying. Funny you mention what is the value of AR well let's be realistic Trulia never turned a profit either, they made all their money from Investors and they in turn really pulled a fast one for being "inflated in value" just like the Zestimates are off so is Trulia's value.....Just thinking out loud, Endre

Aug 08, 2014 05:01 PM