Avoiding The Snarl

Zillow just announced that it’s going into the house flipping business. Wall Street loves the announcement. The stock is up more than 23%.  But you know me. I have questions.  The first question has to do with its current business. As far as current users are concerned, Zillow does three things: It tells you what your current home is worth, it helps you find a new home, and it tells you what the homes you’re looking for are worth. Does this new business line support the current business model? How credible is a Zerestimate® if you know it comes from a company that wants to make money by buying your home? They may be able to walk that line. It’s hard to know. But I’ll tell you this, there’s a good reason car dealers aren’t in the business of valuing used cars –– they leave that to Kelly Blue Book .  But let’s assume the new business line doesn’t devalue Zillow’s current business line. How exactly does this new venture work? Presumably, I go onto...

Big news (for me, anyway, but you might find it mildly interesting). From now on you’ll find me at Inhabit Realty .  I’m excited to be working with a company that’s more in line with my values and by that I don’t mean anything disparaging about Keller Williams.  Inhabit is a small operation –– the plucky Bad News Bears who by dint of their courage and smarts and integrity are determined to make a name for themselves in the increasingly impersonal, digital, sales-heavy world of real estate. They –– we –– are people who drink more tea than coffee and more kombucha than tea. (Okay, bad example. I don’t drink kombucha. It scares me.) But I do get to work with people who feel the same way I do about Portland, access to tons more relevant resources, and a logo that’s not red.  So if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, or you know anybody who is, please think of me. Me and the not-red logo. Thanks.  You can reach me by phone at 310 854 24...