Comments on: CyberHomes Emerges From Beta, With Claims of Better Real-Estate Data http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:54:52 -0800 hourly 1 By: Tom in San Diego http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-2853909 Tom in San Diego Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:59:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-2853909 Cyberhomes is not even worth using for home valuation in my experience. Zillow is better at giving a rough estimate. All websites still have a problem with similar homes that have better views, proximity to busy streets, and other things that affect prices dramatically. I had my house officially appraised for 500k during a refinance. Cyberhomes had it valued at 350k. Zillow was more accurate at 480k. Cyberhomes is not even worth using for home valuation in my experience. Zillow is better at giving a rough estimate. All websites still have a problem with similar homes that have better views, proximity to busy streets, and other things that affect prices dramatically.

I had my house officially appraised for 500k during a refinance. Cyberhomes had it valued at 350k. Zillow was more accurate at 480k.

]]> By: Fairfax Housing Prices - Late April 2008 - Stock Market Analysis at DeepMarket http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-2214508 Fairfax Housing Prices - Late April 2008 - Stock Market Analysis at DeepMarket Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:29:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-2214508 [...] CyberHomes Emerges From Beta, With Claims of Better Real-Estate Data [via Zemanta] [...] [...] CyberHomes Emerges From Beta, With Claims of Better Real-Estate Data [via Zemanta] [...]

]]> By: Zillow Adds 10 Million Homes To Listings, Adopts Real Estate Data Standard With Yahoo and Trulia http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1912041 Zillow Adds 10 Million Homes To Listings, Adopts Real Estate Data Standard With Yahoo and Trulia Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:30:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1912041 [...] 900,000. On the upside, Zillow has a lot more comparable data than most sites. (Although, I think Cyberhomes has better data). And since Zillow lists all existing homes, it makes it easy to provisionally put your house on [...] [...] 900,000. On the upside, Zillow has a lot more comparable data than most sites. (Although, I think Cyberhomes has better data). And since Zillow lists all existing homes, it makes it easy to provisionally put your house on [...]

]]> By: CyberHomes Launches - Betaflow http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1755255 CyberHomes Launches - Betaflow Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:38:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1755255 [...] [via TechCrunch [...] [...] [via TechCrunch [...]

]]> By: David G from Zillow.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1752781 David G from Zillow.com Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:31:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1752781 Erik - FYI - Dataquick is not Zillow's only (commercial) data-source. Also, not to speak for DQ, but from my understanding, their offering is not well described as an intermediary of First American's. When discussing real estate data sources, it's important to remember that almost a million homeowners have claimed their homes on Zillow and updated the facts about their homes. This is an extremely rich data source, unique to Zillow. Erik –

FYI – Dataquick is not Zillow’s only (commercial) data-source. Also, not to speak for DQ, but from my understanding, their offering is not well described as an intermediary of First American’s.

When discussing real estate data sources, it’s important to remember that almost a million homeowners have claimed their homes on Zillow and updated the facts about their homes. This is an extremely rich data source, unique to Zillow.

]]> By: using firefox in linux http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1752064 using firefox in linux Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:28:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1752064 sad that they dont support my browser.... sad that they dont support my browser….

]]> By: nick of cebu http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1752021 nick of cebu Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:55:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1752021 I have never, ever, in my entire life, come across a site as awful as this. This is yet another real estate startup that totally do not get it. They absolutely fail to take into consideration what is most important. Their data is completely screwed, but even if it were accurate, it still wouldn't help them. Clumsy, shoddy, crappy. Deadpool within 12 months. Nick Disclosure: We do real estate listings. :-) I have never, ever, in my entire life, come across a site as awful as this. This is yet another real estate startup that totally do not get it. They absolutely fail to take into consideration what is most important. Their data is completely screwed, but even if it were accurate, it still wouldn’t help them. Clumsy, shoddy, crappy. Deadpool within 12 months.

Nick

Disclosure: We do real estate listings. :-)

]]> By: Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1752010 Eric Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:52:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1752010 The last data audit I did had First American @ 92.8% coverage (by % of US counties), Fidelity @ 40.1%, DataQuick @ 27.2%. Their data may get updated better for certain locales (which arguably are the harder counties anyhow), but in my estimation Zillow should still have the better US reach. There's something like 10 or so states that are called "non disclosure" - I would love to see a company like Fidelity or Zillow go into those states and do some lobbying for better access to sales history. The last data audit I did had First American @ 92.8% coverage (by % of US counties), Fidelity @ 40.1%, DataQuick @ 27.2%.

Their data may get updated better for certain locales (which arguably are the harder counties anyhow), but in my estimation Zillow should still have the better US reach.

There’s something like 10 or so states that are called “non disclosure” – I would love to see a company like Fidelity or Zillow go into those states and do some lobbying for better access to sales history.

]]> By: Jamie Tibbetts http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751882 Jamie Tibbetts Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:28:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751882 No support for Safari. (sigh) No support for Safari. (sigh)

]]> By: Dave Dugdale http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751877 Dave Dugdale Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:24:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751877 I just made a 2 minute video spoofing that Google just purchased Zillow, perhaps I should have included CyberHomes. I just made a 2 minute video spoofing that Google just purchased Zillow, perhaps I should have included CyberHomes.

]]> By: Nilesh http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751866 Nilesh Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:21:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751866 It is giving 2X price. My home might be worth 150K and it shows up as 290K. Sucks !! Sorry bad data. The house across my home is valued lower than mine when it is twice the size of my house :-) N It is giving 2X price. My home might be worth 150K and it shows up as 290K.

Sucks !! Sorry bad data. The house across my home is valued lower than mine when it is twice the size of my house :-)

N

]]> By: Lapp http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751854 Lapp Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:13:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751854 I just checked for my house and couldn't believe how clear the photo is and I love the fact that they zoom in on it! Pricing seems a little more generous then zillow so I guess I like this site better ha ha ha! I just checked for my house and couldn’t believe how clear the photo is and I love the fact that they zoom in on it! Pricing seems a little more generous then zillow so I guess I like this site better ha ha ha!

]]> By: Bill Kennedy http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751818 Bill Kennedy Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:51:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751818 They do have a nice interface for people who know what they are doing and it is absolutely correct that they have very good data. But there are other good data providers out there that will sell you the data like DataQuick, First American and Stewart. For the average person looking to find a home for sale and interested in home values www.Homekeys.net has been doing it better long before the Zillow and Cyberhomes websites even existed. They have a powerful but simple search tool that gives you all the information an average home buyer needs. The problem is that they only service Florida right now. I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too. They do have a nice interface for people who know what they are doing and it is absolutely correct that they have very good data. But there are other good data providers out there that will sell you the data like DataQuick, First American and Stewart. For the average person looking to find a home for sale and interested in home values http://www.Homekeys.net has been doing it better long before the Zillow and Cyberhomes websites even existed. They have a powerful but simple search tool that gives you all the information an average home buyer needs. The problem is that they only service Florida right now. I guess you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

]]> By: www.carversation.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751421 www.carversation.com Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:21:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751421 I apologize, i just read my comment and it came out wrong, i meant is it like a live satellite, where you can see things current like the fires around here in los angeles. i'm sorry if i offended anyone. I apologize, i just read my comment and it came out wrong, i meant is it like a live satellite, where you can see things current like the fires around here in los angeles. i’m sorry if i offended anyone.

]]> By: www.carversation.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751398 www.carversation.com Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:09:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751398 will it show homes that are on fire like in CA will it show homes that are on fire like in CA

]]> By: Hollywood Celebrity Pictures http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751346 Hollywood Celebrity Pictures Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:34:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751346 as people are moving from TV to Internet, Internet become mode of advertisement and easy reach so why not real estate industries take advanage of it, as many people 1st try to search on internet as people are moving from TV to Internet, Internet become mode of advertisement and easy reach so why not real estate industries take advanage of it, as many people 1st try to search on internet

]]> By: Aurelius Tjin http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751298 Aurelius Tjin Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:39:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751298 Real estate web services is really the new trend in internet marketing lately. Its great to be reading much about it these days. Real estate web services is really the new trend in internet marketing lately. Its great to be reading much about it these days.

]]> By: PXLated http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751252 PXLated Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:42:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751252 I'm having a flashback. I was the design director for the very first major real estate site. It was created for Moore Data Services (they ran a large percentage of the MLS services) and was intended first for MSN (1995?) and was redone as a website in 1996. It was called CyberHomes. It had MLS listings as well as full mapping of properties and community highlights. Was sold to Microsoft (1998?). I think I still have a copy of the logo somewhere. I’m having a flashback.
I was the design director for the very first major real estate site. It was created for Moore Data Services (they ran a large percentage of the MLS services) and was intended first for MSN (1995?) and was redone as a website in 1996. It was called CyberHomes. It had MLS listings as well as full mapping of properties and community highlights. Was sold to Microsoft (1998?). I think I still have a copy of the logo somewhere.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751238 Andrew Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:26:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751238 Zillow: $634K Cyberhomes: 1.4m Actual worth is probably around 700K so its strange that its giving 2x the price Zillow: $634K
Cyberhomes: 1.4m

Actual worth is probably around 700K so its strange that its giving 2x the price

]]> By: Steve Spalding http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/comment-page-1/#comment-1751229 Steve Spalding Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:20:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/11/cyberhomes-emerges-from-beta-with-claims-of-better-real-estate-data/#comment-1751229 When it comes to Real Estate web services targeted at consumers, the trick is always pushing the data around in a way that makes sense to consumers. I like the idea of Cyberhomes, but the interface feels (from the screenshots) to be really heavy. Considering it was put together by an Insurance company, this isn't terribly surprising. Sometimes it's not how much information your system has, but how you present it. I fear that Cyberhomes does not do this in a way that will "feel" useful for normal people. I'll take a longer look and see if that changes. When it comes to Real Estate web services targeted at consumers, the trick is always pushing the data around in a way that makes sense to consumers. I like the idea of Cyberhomes, but the interface feels (from the screenshots) to be really heavy.

Considering it was put together by an Insurance company, this isn’t terribly surprising. Sometimes it’s not how much information your system has, but how you present it. I fear that Cyberhomes does not do this in a way that will “feel” useful for normal people.

I’ll take a longer look and see if that changes.

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