I developed a Real Estate tool using the Zillow Chart API. Here is the link-- qisoftware.com/sol/s14.html. Would like to get your thoughts.

Q...

I see no point to it whatsoever.

Where is the link? I don't see anything.

It's in his post but it's not a link for some reason.

I would avoid Zillow how can someone buy a home next to a chart that groups all listings together as if they were equal and shows nothing but negatives. Zillow cant see into the home, surroundings, neighbors, upkeep, pets, damage, etc etc etc. Zillow drew its popularity on trying to determine a homes worth without knowing anything that a true homes worth is based upon.

Everytime I have looked at Zillow they are MAJORLY off one way or another, very few are correctly valued.

Hi- My name is Regina and I am a girl. I have been a member of this forum for awhile. I continue to try to investigate how I can offer my services to the real estate community.

I feel Zillow has done an excellent job with their api-- however, it may not be a real estate agent's best friend? Am I reading this wrong? I am not a real estate agent.

That said- thank you for your feedback.

Q...

Dear Regina, I am happy to know you are a girl. Sorry to assume you were a guy. Genderless names and avatars do not help. By default, everyone is a he, because I am an old fashioned sexist I guess.

How do you feel Zillow does an excellent job? Zillow does not interpret data, just spits it out based on numbers in a database. Zillow can't tell the difference between a lakefront home (more valuable) and a non-lakeview home right down the road.

Currently, it has my $500,000 listing with a "Zestimate" of $250,000 - because the average of all the NON lakefront homes comes to something like that. Even though the neighbor's home sold for $425,000 a while ago...and the reason that one sold for less is that the lot is much less desirable than the one on my property (steep vs. level lots make a big difference)

How is that the helping the homeowners or home buyers? Ignorant home buyers who think Zillow is accurate and "just not a real estate agent's best friend" will avoid homes that are priced way above their so-called "Zestimates." This helps NOBODY.

How is a Zestimate able to figure out the price of a home that has a moldy basement, or sits 1/2 mile away from a trailer park that is unseen from the house but near a trailer park just the same?

EXCELLENT post and summary of exactly what is wrong with Zillow. They dont just miss the mark when they are off but make a HUGE swing one way or another.

Additionally, buyers who trust Zestimates to be the "real deal" like to use them to lowball sellers and get all mad when sellers say "Pfft!" to their "offer."

Sure thing because the buyers see a big "name" website telling them the area/property is worth one thing and then in their mind see an overpriced seller.