Chris,

Definitely a tricky topic.  Zillow in my opinion is losing momentum, and is being eclipsed by Realtor,com owned by Rupert Murdoch, who does not lack for funds.  It is a better site, etc, however, the people I have polled that had paid for leads on Zillow did not get any, and one agent paid $700 a month for a year...Realtor.com promises a number of viable leads per month, and if you don't get them, they give you the next month free...and one conversion into $$$ was made by those we polled...so I don't know what the heck they are doing for anyone...

They just have more pages, and look good as a result to the Google robots...so they are in the top positions on search.  A

Empty my Wallet and does not give me anything worthwhile in Return. These Lead Generating companies are trying to take over our industry. WAKE UP REALTORS, and STOP paying all those big bucks to buy your own listings back.

Hi Chris -- it creates an opportunity for discussion.  

I can say it does make a good starting point for discussion. Most of it from confused home owners who have received incorrect information.  The problems i see are they care more about charging for zip codes than providing good content. Second by allowing for sale by owners a free for all, they are taking the zestimates as 100% accurate and could be either under pricing or over pricing their homes. 

Not enough

Ron and Alexandra Seigel please don't go for brevity, at least not when you have good info to share! Your comment here was interesting and put a couple of stars next to Realtor.com in my book. 

Zillow is one of the most inaccurate sites on the internet. I just typed in my address to see if they had updated it recently. The map they are using is at least 4 years old based on the lack of houses built in my neighborhood over the past 4 years.  It estimates my value $90,000 under where it would sell at if I sold it today.  It says prices have dropped in the last 30 days by 2% when they have risen.  I think it actually helps agents as buyers go to the site and realize what a joke it is.

Actually, their Zestimates are so bad, it makes me look good.

Zillow is around because unsuspecting people go to them and pay them money for what is already their's.

I have learned how to use Zillow against themselves, but they are still a thorn in our sides!

It has done nothing but confuse people.  I hear people talk about what Zillow says about prices, listings and I cringe. 

It does nothing for me when it comes to owner occupants, but where it is best is rentals. On my rental properties and those I sell to investors it is number one in creating traffic.

Zillow Zestimates do provide a topic for discussion with prospective home sellers and home buyers.

Chris Webb Not a thing.

Hahaha, I voted for both of your answers, Ron and Alexandra, and Michael Jacobs. They are both right. 

Not a single thing. 

I have never paid for a lead. I have received messages about my properties and have closed some leads that are from random messages about homes in the area. It has proven my value as an agent being able to tear their pricing apart to sellers without ever saying a negative thing about it. 

Makes life complicated because you have to explain to sellers why their zestimate is wrong, tell clients the house they want to see is really not even on the market, its just a mess. 

Not all that much.

Great talk for cocktail parties.  So, how much is your house worth this week?