Happy New Year. We are pleased to see the improvement, for consumers’ benefit. It is indeed a credit to zillow to listen to its critics, eventually(and we think we are constructive critics).

Still, you have not explained WHY that language “do not overpay” and “arrive at the right price” is gone. Both would seem particularly useful now that houses are being listed for sale.

That strong marketing language was displayed prominently on the home page to attract consumers by a skilled copywriter and it was approved by the principals for launch & beyond. Zillow took heat for it. The FTC was brought into the picture. Now it’s gone. Who’s decision was it to remove it? And if I’m not mistaken, language is not changed willy-nilly. It’s discussed, memos are written, meetings taken (with croissants & bagels) and votes are cast.
Can you give us the skinny on that process?
Did it have anything to do with zillow’s talks with NCRC? NHB?

Last thing–user feedback. Has zillow received any complaints from listers that the zestimate beside their “for sale price” is too low (or high) and that they would like to hide or remove it?
How many objections would Z need before it would consider giving listers that option? Do it before someone raises another big stink which permeates the blogos? Deep-six that albatross. Have we ever steered you wrong?

We use our home page to highlight our most recently added and most valuable features. So, we’re now promoting the fact that owners and agents can post and find homes that are for sale — this change was made with the December launch of our new home posting features. Zestimates are still promoted on the Zillow home page but they now share the spotlight with for-sale content.

As you mention, user and blogger feedback has been very useful in fine-tuning our site’s content and functionality. Please keep the feedback coming — it’s much appreciated.

Zillow should love us. We have been giving them free advice for a long time–eg. make the owner calculated zestimates public (done), fix your faulty/incomplete public data (getting done w/owner help)and give owners who list the right to opt-out (hide) their faulty zestimate so they can sell the house without that obstacle(not yet but it’s coming). Until they lose those silly zestimates next to the For Sale prices they can’t take over New Jersey. They’re a bit stubborn on this one since they bought into the notion that homes are like cars. Silly rabbits.

BTW Markus, like your blog.