Indeed, indeed. What’s even more ironic is that while the Zestimate really popularized the notion of an automated home valuation (which, sadly, Homegain wasn’t quite able to do), here in their mortgage product they’ve gone away from using automated algorithms and back towards using real live human beings to give the quotes! Very ironic.

Posted on Apr 03, 2008 by Kevin Boer

Kevin you are right.

We took down our instant homevaluation in 2001 after it made no money selling ads around it and we chose to focus on Agent Evaluator instead, which led us to profitability.

Seems like Zillow is taking a similar path

We brought our original homevaluation tool back in early 2007. (but we’ve got bigger plans behind it than just selling ads-to be revealed in the coming months….)

Posted on Apr 03, 2008 by Louis Cammarosano

Zis is Zgreat.

Posted on Apr 03, 2008 by Russell Shaw

Russell Didn’t you know:
Zillow is Reinventing Capitalism?
http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=2887
More like Recycling….

Posted on Apr 03, 2008 by Louis Cammarosano

Louis, when you’re counting all the from “no cost” to “free leads”, where are you getting lost? ;)

Posted on Apr 03, 2008 by Greg Swann

I suppose I am getting lost in running a business for a profit.

Posted on Apr 03, 2008 by Louis Cammarosano

Well, Zlap me! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery – maybe we can get some out-of-work mortgage brokers back to work opening email and answering phones – unless the unemployed travel agents will work for less, of course.
Or free.

Posted on Apr 03, 2008 by Steven Stearns

Zounds!

Posted on Apr 04, 2008 by Mike Farmer

Steven

Zillow isn’t Zimitating HomeGain they are Zinnovating!

If their free leads supported by ad model works maybe they can license it to Real Estate Agents who want to forego their commissions and replace them with ad revenue.

Let the ad Zevolution begin

Posted on Apr 04, 2008 by Louis Cammarosano

Zwesome!

Posted on Apr 04, 2008 by rentBits

Very interesting. I never knew about any of this.
Regards,
Rob Lawrence
http://www.battlecall.com

Posted on Apr 07, 2008 by Rob Lawrence

You might be right in having some beef with their Mortgage marketplace. Agents not being able to see your information is an innovative feature.

But the concept of getting an instant estimate on your house’s price isn’t an innovative concept. It’s probably the first thing any real estate site would want to do to attract visitors. It’s executing it well that’s difficult.

Posted on Apr 07, 2008 by Adam

I suspect Zillow is getting the credit because their implementation is better. For example, Andover, MA has both a River Street and a River Road. I looked up an address on River Street on HomeGain and while the map location was correct, the nearby houses listed were all on River Road, and claimed the River Street house was sold in 2004 when it wasn’t. Zillow got everything right: both the map and the facts. Sorry, I prefer Zillow.

Posted on Apr 07, 2008 by Guy Creese

The solution is simple, make better products and steal the thunder from Zillow… complaining on a blog does absolutely no good

Posted on Apr 07, 2008 by Matt

Matt

Good advice.You are absolutely correct-our main focus is and should be on our products and customers.

But we have to have a sense of humor from time to time too!

Posted on Apr 07, 2008 by Louis Cammarosano

Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Think of it this way, HomeGain comes up with very innovative ideas. I’m new here and have enjoyed what I have read.

Posted on Apr 11, 2008 by Sue

I think its time to out innovate them. If your strength is in your business model and you truly believe in it, then get agile and start releasing more innovative products and solutions for Realtors©. Take back your share of the PR pie. And then patent any proprietary methods/processes/interfaces, etc. that are unique to the new, innovative, HomeGain. Then you can Zock it to em’ and see just how deep their VC’s are willing to go… Or you can just try to squeeze them until it hurts and then snap them up for “fair value” when they beg.

Posted on Apr 17, 2008 by Jonathan C

Good advice Jonathan
On its way, on its way…

Posted on Apr 17, 2008 by Louis Cammarosano

That’s what I hear… How about a sneak preview or at least an overview of the highlights?

Posted on Apr 17, 2008 by jonathan c

The second of three new features out in less than two weeks will score higher on the Innovation-O-Meter than our last release.

http://blog.homegain.com/homegain-invents-agent-profiles

Posted on Apr 17, 2008 by Louis Cammarosano

Personally, I’m waiting for somebody to offer a seamless integration (without links to their site)of some of these cool tools on agent websites.

Posted on Apr 20, 2008 by Paul Francis

Paul
How timely! Next week we will be launching the second of a planned trilogy of features that will do just that.
At Homegain the real estate agent is not a side show around which to sell ads.
There are not ads on HomeGain-the realtor is featured prominently and exclusively.
If you are interested in a demo of the second feature, email me at Louis@homegain.com

Posted on Apr 20, 2008 by Louis cammarosano