Catching some Zzzzzzs

By: Mary Miller, Director, Product Management, Mortgages | February 10, 2006

If anyone’s wondering what life’s been like around here during launch week, here’s one small anecdote that says it all…

When I went into our storage closet yesterday to grab some supplies, I flipped on the light switch and almost jumped out of my shoes – up popped Jerome, our senior system administrator, who was napping in the corner between some cardboard boxes. Turns out he had stayed up all night monitoring the site, so he turned the closet into his home away from home. After I apologized profusely, he told me, “No worries. Just bring some coffee next time.”

(The accompanying photo is what Jerome looks like when he’s awake.)

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Categories: Zillow

Comments

7 Comments so far

usernameimpaired on February 11, 2006 8:24 am

It seems like a simple linear regression that uses a Hedonic pricing model. Put a little more simply,

Price=Bedroom(s)+ Square Feet etc.

100,000=2 Bedrooms
50,000=1 Bedroom

y=50,000*bedroom

But, its nice to have at your finger tips. Good luck.
S - crow on February 11, 2006 10:44 am

Appears that some local real estate professionals upset about Everett independant escrow co. posting Zillow.com on website. Says, Zillow just a “listing” discount firm in “disguise.” Will r.e. pro’s boycott our firm or pull business?
The Advisor on February 11, 2006 1:01 pm

Zillow: What a ZOWEE site and business brainchild. As an agent I am immediately skeptical and critical. Give it some time I say. The public wants something different. You have it. I will use it as another data point in my tool bag. I hope the money lasts so you can get it on! Visit my blog…it is different too. What we really need for this data base is current market conditions. A tough nut to crack at a local level when government records are not timely and innacurate. Good luck from the Northern Virginia Real Estate Guide!
JM on February 13, 2006 9:08 am

You list a home at 1021 W. Buena #4W, Chicago, Illinois that sold in June 2005 (correct date) with a value of $408,276. In fact, I sold that home myself and the sale price was $525,000. I’ve looked at several properties and the values couldn’t be more inaccurate. I think it’s a dangerous site because the results are so off and therefor tremendously misleading.
S - crow on February 13, 2006 10:08 am

Probably not news to Zillow, but HouseValues is now marketing all over the web “What’s your home REALLY worth?” A tongue-in-cheek reference to your Z-estimate. Let the games begin. LOL.
JB on February 13, 2006 1:59 pm

Where are you sourcing your sales data? For properties in Dallas, TX the “comps” used are up to a few miles away when there have been recent sales on the same street.
Dave on March 12, 2006 1:39 pm

I think you should add to your “How to use Zillow” that you can use it to find out the net worth of the next person you want to date. I think people who are afraid to transact business on the web or who are afraid of their privacy being chipped away on the Internet will be absolutely shocked and probably be hunting you guys down after they find out just how much privacy they have lost through this one little site.