Zillow.com estimates draw fire, state ban - Arizona Republic (may require free registration)
An Arizona regulatory board has ordered Zillow.com to stop offering its online estimates of home values.
The Arizona Board of Appraisal has issued two cease-and-desist letters to the popular real estate Web site, claiming Zillow needs an appraiser license to offer its “zestimates” in Arizona.
“It is the board’s feeling that (Zillow) is providing an appraisal,” said Deborah Pearson, Board of Appraisal executive director.
Yea I too don’t see how anyone could confuse an automated valuation with an appraisal, but we are a wacky breed here in Arizona.
10 responses so far ↓
1
anon
// Apr 15, 2007 at 8:36 am
Love the rollover quote on the image James.
2
Brian Timoney
// Apr 15, 2007 at 11:54 am
It’s good the see the realtors banding together and fighting the forces of technology the old fashioned way–through political lobbying.
Don’t get me wrong, as a renter I love the fact that someone is constantly telling me it’s ALWAYS a great time to buy.
But as my grandaddy used to say “if you need to put your own face on your business card…”
BT
3
glenn
// Apr 15, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Well, users need to take that app with a grain of salt anyway.. for a more realistic estimate the local county apprisal office would likely be a better source anyway. I noticed my house seems to be listed incorrectly (3 BR instead of 4) the SF is totally wrong and the Zestimate is totally whacked.. easily off by about 40-50k - the 3+ yr old imagery is really stale too. I guess the app is convenient in that it does mashup data for the entire country, however, there are much better local results if one takes the time to look… gotta go.. I feel like watching “Raising Arizon” now for some reason! ;0)
4
Roger Hart
// Apr 15, 2007 at 9:02 pm
So it’s official, the Arizona Board of Appraisal has concluded that the job of professional real estate appraiser can be done by a website.
5
J Wallis
// Apr 16, 2007 at 6:48 am
considering that appraisers do the exact same thing that Zillow does (run a couple of figures in a computer program and charge you $300 for a printed result) I can see why they lobbied the state of Arizona to get this banned.
Sorry dudes, but your racket has been busted.
6
Walt
// Apr 16, 2007 at 10:59 am
Just how are they (AZ) going to prevent Zillow (located in Washington state) from serving data to Arizona residents?
Maybe you guys need a Great Firewall of Arizona
7
Brian Flood
// Apr 16, 2007 at 1:58 pm
that was my thought too Walt, how do they plan on enforcing this. Do they even have the authority to prevent a website for publishing their own estimates (no one is confusing these with official appraisals)?
great, more politics…
brian
8
Mike Parker
// Apr 16, 2007 at 2:04 pm
If Zillow can’t get respect in Arizona, perhaps they should focus on another state.
If not Arizona, then a land not too far away, where all Boards of Appraisal are strong, and wise, and capable; and all appraisers are happy and beloved.
Utah?
9
James Fee
// Apr 16, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I suspect this is the last we’ll hear of this. I assume no letters have been sent out to all the other online “appraisal” companies out there. This is just a group of people having a moment of insanity that will hopefully clear up really quick.
The worst case would be that Zillow turns off Arizona from their system leaving a huge black hole in the fasted growing state in the Union. I wouldn’t blame them if they gave AZ the middle finger like that, but I doubt they will.
10 wmhartnett.com » Blog Archive » Arizona to Zillow: Zease and dezist // May 13, 2007 at 10:49 pm
[...] estimates draw fire, state ban (The Arizona Republic) (Via James Fee) The Arizona Board of Appraisal says Zillow needs an appraiser license to serve up its automated [...]
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