Comments on: Zillow in the M&A crosshairs? http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs Internet, Web 2.0 and Real Estate Marketing Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:08:12 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Matt Heaton http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/comment-page-1/#comment-3146 Matt Heaton Thu, 04 Jan 2007 06:59:22 +0000 http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/#comment-3146 Assuming Zillow is strictly an advertising play... I think Yahoo is probably a much more likely suitor given that they already have a strategic alliance of sorts with Zillow. Zillow also fits the acquisition typical profile of a Yahoo acquisition more than one of Google. I think the calculations may be off in one department. I really doubt if an exit through acquisition is in the works that it is 5 years off. If that is the plan it will almost certainly come MUCH sooner. Assuming Zillow is strictly an advertising play…

I think Yahoo is probably a much more likely suitor given that they already have a strategic alliance of sorts with Zillow. Zillow also fits the acquisition typical profile of a Yahoo acquisition more than one of Google.

I think the calculations may be off in one department. I really doubt if an exit through acquisition is in the works that it is 5 years off. If that is the plan it will almost certainly come MUCH sooner.

]]> By: Blogger: Post a Comment http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/comment-page-1/#comment-896 Blogger: Post a Comment Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:25:35 +0000 http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/#comment-896 <!--%kramer-ref-pre%-->[...] 10:01 AM PDT Bloggers pick apart Zillow's possible long-term plansA couple of our favorite real estate blogs are taking reader feedback on the question everyone's wondering about: What is Zillow's long-term business model? The company so far has maintained that it will operate on an advertising model and does not plan to go into the real estate brokerage business. We've not heard anything from the company so far that points to the contrary.The masked blogger over at Real Estate 2.x first stirs the pot with a reader comment on how many site visitors he or she speculates Zillow would need to generate the revenue, earnings and market value to satisfy its investors. Zillow so far has raised about $50 million in venture capital.WebHomeUSAblog.com opines about a possible strategy to sell Zillow – an interesting thought. And The Future of Real Estate Marketing blog then takes the question further with a reader poll about what company would be the buyer: Google, Yahoo or Microsoft? A reader leaves a comment about how any one of the three would make sense. (Though, it could be more interesting to see a an actual brokerage company acquire Zillow.)Seattle Post-Intelligencer writer John Cook weighs in as well.But even if Zillow does eventually sell off to one of these Web giants, what then? This is pure speculation, but some interesting theories are rolling around in the blogosphere (see links above).--Jessica Swesey, Inman News [...]<!--%kramer-ref-post%--> [...] 10:01 AM PDT Bloggers pick apart Zillow’s possible long-term plansA couple of our favorite real estate blogs are taking reader feedback on the question everyone’s wondering about: What is Zillow’s long-term business model? The company so far has maintained that it will operate on an advertising model and does not plan to go into the real estate brokerage business. We’ve not heard anything from the company so far that points to the contrary.The masked blogger over at Real Estate 2.x first stirs the pot with a reader comment on how many site visitors he or she speculates Zillow would need to generate the revenue, earnings and market value to satisfy its investors. Zillow so far has raised about $50 million in venture capital.WebHomeUSAblog.com opines about a possible strategy to sell Zillow – an interesting thought. And The Future of Real Estate Marketing blog then takes the question further with a reader poll about what company would be the buyer: Google, Yahoo or Microsoft? A reader leaves a comment about how any one of the three would make sense. (Though, it could be more interesting to see a an actual brokerage company acquire Zillow.)Seattle Post-Intelligencer writer John Cook weighs in as well.But even if Zillow does eventually sell off to one of these Web giants, what then? This is pure speculation, but some interesting theories are rolling around in the blogosphere (see links above).–Jessica Swesey, Inman News [...]

]]> By: Zillow’s Future « Screenwerk http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/comment-page-1/#comment-879 Zillow’s Future « Screenwerk Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:50:37 +0000 http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/#comment-879 [...] From the SeekingAlpha stock blog (”dissing Zillow and favorably comparing commercial real estate site LoopNet). And from Joel Burslem’s Real Estate Marketing Blog, which makes similar points about the model but from a different point of view. [...] [...] From the SeekingAlpha stock blog (”dissing Zillow and favorably comparing commercial real estate site LoopNet). And from Joel Burslem’s Real Estate Marketing Blog, which makes similar points about the model but from a different point of view. [...]

]]> By: REBlogGirl http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/comment-page-1/#comment-865 REBlogGirl Sun, 15 Oct 2006 16:12:57 +0000 http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/#comment-865 With the recent love-fest between Google and Zillow and the blossoming Google Base component- I think Google may very well be interested in Zillow. With the recent love-fest between Google and Zillow and the blossoming Google Base component- I think Google may very well be interested in Zillow.

]]> By: jf.sellsius http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/comment-page-1/#comment-859 jf.sellsius Sun, 15 Oct 2006 05:46:12 +0000 http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/#comment-859 Zillow took financing in July and hired an advertising firm Barton used with expedia. Wait for their ads to find out the direction of the company. Our guess is a National owner driven MLS. Step 1: By using public data they were able to list every home (no need to get permission from owners or brokers Step 2: Allow homeowners to supplement (correct) faulty data which bogged down their credibility Step 3 (next): Allow owners to put a "for sale" sign on their home, thus cutting out the broker. Step 4: By obtaining brokerage licenses it will allow them to collect a fee from owners for putting up for sale sign or facilitating the sale Barton will not sell until he creates a profitable site. He is not a newbie who needs to sell. PS Zillow has not recognized an Owner right to opt-out. There is likely to be litigation over this. An owner cannot be forced to change or update incorrect data so as to negate a grossly inaccurate zestimate. He should have the right to have it removed completely. A zestimate is not public data. Zillow took financing in July and hired an advertising firm Barton used with expedia. Wait for their ads to find out the direction of the company.
Our guess is a National owner driven MLS.
Step 1: By using public data they were able to list every home (no need to get permission from owners or brokers
Step 2: Allow homeowners to supplement (correct) faulty data which bogged down their credibility
Step 3 (next): Allow owners to put a “for sale” sign on their home, thus cutting out the broker.
Step 4: By obtaining brokerage licenses it will allow them to collect a fee from owners for putting up for sale sign or facilitating the sale
Barton will not sell until he creates a profitable site. He is not a newbie who needs to sell.
PS Zillow has not recognized an Owner right to opt-out. There is likely to be litigation over this. An owner cannot be forced to change or update incorrect data so as to negate a grossly inaccurate zestimate. He should have the right to have it removed completely. A zestimate is not public data.

]]> By: Inman News - Real Estate News and Advice for Buyers, Sellers & Investors http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/comment-page-1/#comment-832 Inman News - Real Estate News and Advice for Buyers, Sellers & Investors Fri, 13 Oct 2006 18:54:40 +0000 http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/#comment-832 <!--%kramer-ref-pre%-->[...] Friday Bloggers pick apart Zillow's possible long-term plansA couple of our favorite real estate blogs are taking reader feedback on the question everyone's wondering about: What is Zillow's long-term business model? The company so far has maintained that it will operate on an advertising model and does not plan to go into the real estate brokerage business. We've not heard anything from the company so far that points to the contrary.The masked blogger over at Real Estate 2.x first stirs the pot with a reader comment on how many site visitors he or she speculates Zillow would need to generate the revenue, earnings and market value to satisfy its investors. Zillow so far has raised about $50 million in venture capital.WebHomeUSAblog.com opines about a possible strategy to sell Zillow – an interesting thought. And The Future of Real Estate Marketing blog then takes the question further with a reader poll about what company would be the buyer: Google, Yahoo or Microsoft? A reader leaves a comment about how any one of the three would make sense. (Though, it could be more interesting to see a an actual brokerage company acquire Zillow.)Seattle Post-Intelligencer writer John Cook weighs in as well.But even if Zillow does eventually sell off to one of these Web giants, what then? This is pure speculation, but some interesting theories are rolling around in the blogosphere (see links above).--Jessica Swesey, Inman News Comments: Post a Comment Links to this post: See links to this post   posted by @ if (typeof BL_addOnLoadEvent == 'function') { BL_addOnLoadEvent(function() { BL_writeBacklinks(); }); } [...]<!--%kramer-ref-post%--> [...] Friday Bloggers pick apart Zillow’s possible long-term plansA couple of our favorite real estate blogs are taking reader feedback on the question everyone’s wondering about: What is Zillow’s long-term business model? The company so far has maintained that it will operate on an advertising model and does not plan to go into the real estate brokerage business. We’ve not heard anything from the company so far that points to the contrary.The masked blogger over at Real Estate 2.x first stirs the pot with a reader comment on how many site visitors he or she speculates Zillow would need to generate the revenue, earnings and market value to satisfy its investors. Zillow so far has raised about $50 million in venture capital.WebHomeUSAblog.com opines about a possible strategy to sell Zillow – an interesting thought. And The Future of Real Estate Marketing blog then takes the question further with a reader poll about what company would be the buyer: Google, Yahoo or Microsoft? A reader leaves a comment about how any one of the three would make sense. (Though, it could be more interesting to see a an actual brokerage company acquire Zillow.)Seattle Post-Intelligencer writer John Cook weighs in as well.But even if Zillow does eventually sell off to one of these Web giants, what then? This is pure speculation, but some interesting theories are rolling around in the blogosphere (see links above).–Jessica Swesey, Inman News Comments: Post a Comment Links to this post: See links to this post   posted by @ if (typeof BL_addOnLoadEvent == ‘function’) { BL_addOnLoadEvent(function() { BL_writeBacklinks(); }); } [...]

]]> By: John http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/comment-page-1/#comment-830 John Fri, 13 Oct 2006 17:51:51 +0000 http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/#comment-830 Assuming Zillow truly is a purely advertising driven play, they would need to grow their audience and start making a heck of a lot more money than they are right now in order to justify the 1.32B valuation that the other blog post cited. If they do go the transaction based route, they will be even less aligned with Google, Yahoo!, and MSN's businesses. I think all of these companies will likely shy away from the heavily regulated real estate transaction business and stick to advertising for this vertical. Yahoo! won't liklely acquire Zillow because it's not aligned with their core social media strategy (look at their recent acquisitions - flickr, delicious, jumpcut). Microsoft likes to build everything in-house and I'm not convinced they even have a solid online strategy in place. Google has tons of cash to burn, but I just don't see them buying Zillow. They already take a piece of the Adwords that are sydicated on Zillow's site. If they make a solid push into real estate, it will likely be through Google Base (acquiring listings feeds and crawl), not an acquisition like Zillow. Assuming Zillow truly is a purely advertising driven play, they would need to grow their audience and start making a heck of a lot more money than they are right now in order to justify the 1.32B valuation that the other blog post cited.

If they do go the transaction based route, they will be even less aligned with Google, Yahoo!, and MSN’s businesses. I think all of these companies will likely shy away from the heavily regulated real estate transaction business and stick to advertising for this vertical.

Yahoo! won’t liklely acquire Zillow because it’s not aligned with their core social media strategy (look at their recent acquisitions – flickr, delicious, jumpcut).

Microsoft likes to build everything in-house and I’m not convinced they even have a solid online strategy in place.

Google has tons of cash to burn, but I just don’t see them buying Zillow. They already take a piece of the Adwords that are sydicated on Zillow’s site. If they make a solid push into real estate, it will likely be through Google Base (acquiring listings feeds and crawl), not an acquisition like Zillow.

]]> By: Robbie http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/comment-page-1/#comment-814 Robbie Thu, 12 Oct 2006 23:29:43 +0000 http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/#comment-814 You could make a good argument for all of them. 1) Yahoo, because they already have a relationship with them. 2) Microsoft, because a fair number of Zillow folks are ex-MSFT and Seattle is 15 minutes away from Redmond. 3) Google, because if they can justify $1.65 billion for YouTube, the can justify $x for Zillow. You could make a good argument for all of them.
1) Yahoo, because they already have a relationship with them.
2) Microsoft, because a fair number of Zillow folks are ex-MSFT and Seattle is 15 minutes away from Redmond.
3) Google, because if they can justify $1.65 billion for YouTube, the can justify $x for Zillow.

]]> By: Blaine Real Estate http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/comment-page-1/#comment-982 Blaine Real Estate Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/#comment-982 <!--%kramer-pre%-->would need to generate the revenue, earnings and market value to satisfy its investors. Zillow so far has raised about $50 million in venture capital. WebHomeUSAblog.com opines about a possible strategy to sell Zillow an interesting thought. And The Future of Real Estate Marketing blog then takes the question further with a reader poll about what company would be the buyer: Google, Yahoo or Microsoft? A reader leaves a comment about how any one of the three would make sense. (Though, it could be more interesting to see a an actual<!--%kramer-post%--> would need to generate the revenue, earnings and market value to satisfy its investors. Zillow so far has raised about $50 million in venture capital. WebHomeUSAblog.com opines about a possible strategy to sell Zillow an interesting thought. And The Future of Real Estate Marketing blog then takes the question further with a reader poll about what company would be the buyer: Google, Yahoo or Microsoft? A reader leaves a comment about how any one of the three would make sense. (Though, it could be more interesting to see a an actual

]]> By: Alkim Blog - Real estate http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/comment-page-1/#comment-1109 Alkim Blog - Real estate Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/zillow-in-the-ma-crosshairs/#comment-1109 <!--%kramer-pre%--> A recent post on real estate 2.x stirs up the old question about Zillow’s business model once again. According to an anonymous commenter on that site (who lays out a len... Originally Posted in Zillow in the M&A crosshairs? by at Google Blog Search: real estate <!--%kramer-post%--> A recent post on real estate 2.x stirs up the old question about Zillow’s business model once again. According to an anonymous commenter on that site (who lays out a len… Originally Posted in Zillow in the M&A crosshairs? by at Google Blog Search: real estate

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