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Zillow is designed to assist anyone in the real estate market in their search for properties, buyers, mortgages and anything else the user could need. The site covers a broad range of real estate concerns. Users can search for current mortgage rates by state and view trends in a simple line chart. The homepage displays a handful of current homes for sale in the user’s area. The user can also search for listings using a search bar built into the homepage. An advice area helps user learn more about home buying and selling as well as renting, local markets, home improvement and the website. Local overviews automatically select the user’s area and provide home values, demographics, photos, school data and real estate market reports.

Zillow was founded in January of 2005 by Lloyd Frink and Rich Barton. The site launched the following year and began offering data for millions of home listings in the United States. The site is recognized for its estimating feature, called Zestimates, which show the site’s estimation of a property’s value based on the information it finds. The site has received contradicting criticisms, with Fortune magazine calling it “just about worthless” for some areas and the Wall Street Journal stating that Zestimates are “frequently within a few percentage points of the actual paid price.”

Real estate resources are very popular on the web. It is difficult to present something that is truly unique and different. Zillow has managed to make its services attractive by packaging together a wide variety of tools that anyone in the real estate industry can really use. Home owners and buyers can review values and gather advice on buying, selling and obtaining mortgages while agents can monitor listings and trends in prices and stats.

Zillow utilizes a subtly upbeat design that favors pale and dark blue with hints of healthy green. The site contains no clutter; the user can enjoy wide open sides and a completely unobstructed experience. The homepage provides links to each tool along with search fields for mortgage rates and property listings. Each area on the site is equally as appealing, with a calm design and user friendly layout. Users of all real estate experience levels can easily learn how to use Zillow.

A new user can join Zillow by clicking the dark blue “Register” link in the upper, right hand corner of the homepage. A pop up box appears with a dark blue “Register using Facebook” button at the top. Users who prefer to go the traditional route can enter their email address, a screen name and password. After submitting the form, the user is automatically logged in to their new Zillow account.

Zillow invites anyone in the real estate industry to create an account for free. There are no subscription fees and users receive unlimited access to all current features and listings. The site has a lot to offer, and the free price tag is definitely another appealing feature that users will love. Home owners can view the value of their home or learn more about local neighborhoods and markets without having to invest any money in the process.

Zillow is a great tool for anyone who is buying or selling a home. Professionals in the real estate industry can track trends and help provide detailed information to their clients. Regular people can learn more about the buying or selling process and follow trends in mortgage rates, home values and neighborhood demographics and stats. Zillow makes it much easier to obtain this information without visiting multiple websites.

• Access to all listings and features is free for all users
• Zestimates help users determine the approximate value of a property
• Local neighborhood data can be browsed and tracked
• Current mortgage rates can be searched by state
• Rentals are tracked as well as properties for sale
• Professionals search helps users find real estate agents and other services

Zillow video

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