Zillow

The founders of Expedia.com, an online travel service, have drawn notice with Zillow.com, which offers free real estate valuations. Zillow may have spawned real estate voyeurism, as thousands spy the estimated value(s) of their own home, neighbors, and others. The information is easy to access, gaily presented, and sometimes married with aerial photographs.

Of course, the data is flawed. It incorporates non-market transactions, such as "buddy" sales between family members, and other closings that may not reflect open-market consideration. Real estate's basic measures, like baseball averages, are largely flawed, presumptions that come closest to working in condominium complexes, trailer parks, and planned unit communities.



Still, Zillow's better than a previous model which sought to auction homes online (homeauction-line.com).

Which reminds me, can I interest you in some prime Florida swamp land?