The ActiveRain Stuff You Won't Find Anywhere Else on the Web

This is "AFTER" the surgery:

This was "Before" the Listerectomy:

The question I have for you?  Is less really more?  What's your honest opinion?  Do you like clean and simple?  Do you believe there is more value to having every space on a site taken up with links, text, and images?  I know many will have different thoughts and opinions so I want to hear them?  Hearing your thoughts is important to me for many reasons, but more-so because I am building up my own personal site and I really value and respect all my readers and friends opinions here.  Well, most of them anyway.  lol~  So what say ye?  

What do I think of the new look?  I asked you first?  I'll be right back...

Last week, I was helping a member over the phone and she said to me, "I don't see on the site where I can answer questions, join the directory, get widgets, or download any mobile apps?"  She didn't realize that the tabs at the top of the page open up when you hover your mouse over or click on them?  This made me wonder if there might be others out there who didn't know this as well?

So I put together this tour and navigation screen/menu for her and anyone else who might be interested.

THE NAVIGATION MENU & TAB"Z" 

1. My Zillow - The link to your profile, listings, account settings, and personal favorites.
    1a.  Sign In, Sign out, or Sign up.

2. Homes - This tab provides a wide variety of useful tools and multiple search options.

3. Mortgage - The Marketplace with rates, calculators, and a help center along with tools for custom quotes.

4. Advice - Link is loaded with discussions, advice, questions, and answers to many topics in Real Estate.

5. The Directory - A great resource to thousands of Industry Professionals and local experts.

We've only covered 5 links so far and look at all the information, data, and resources you have already.

6. Local Info - Everything from neighborhood overviews, demographics, schools, to values and photos.

7. Mobile - Get information and download Zillow's mobile app on iPhone, iPad, Android, or Windows mobile. 

8. The More link gives you access to nearly 30 widgets, Premier Agent info, the Zillow Blog and more.
    (dueling digs is one of my favs, it's a great way to have a little fun and still promote property)

GETTING DEEPER INTO THE "Z"ONE

9. Search any address for any home value or listing in the Country and "GO!"
10. Access to Information and data on over 103,000,000 million homes in the US.
11. Access to nearly 4,000,000 properties for sale.
12. View over 1/4 million homes for rent.
13. Get data on over 2.4 million homes sold.
14. Compare mortgage rates on purchases and refinance loans in any City or State.
15. Featured homes for sale in your specific geo-location or area of interest.
16. Hyper-local inter-active home value widget for accessing statistics and data in your area.
17. Mortgage rate widget to compare rates and assist you with the borrowing process.
18. Featured article from the Zillow Blog run by Zillow employees - Celebrity Real estate news.

HOT LINKS & PLACES TO VI"Z"IT

19. Top cities and top states based on traffic and activity on Zillow.
20. What we do, who we are, the advisory board, meet the team and more.
21. Link to the Zillow Employee Blog. Once you visit, you'll be hooked.
22. Zillow's real estate research blog, most likely the best kept secret link on the site.
23. The Mortgage Blog is where you'll make cents of mortgages one post at a time.
24. Zillow is always looking for passionate people to join our pioneers and team.
25. A place journalists, analysts and real estate groupies can view the latest Zillow news.
26. This link leads you to the most popular questions and answers on the entire site.
27. Advertising solutions for anyone interested.  *Reach over 30,000,000 eyeballs monthly.
      (January 2011 - Zillow was host to 15.7 million visitors, *that's 2 eyeballs per visitor)
28. Zestimate Values and Accuracy chart - a simple breakdown by location for Zestimates.
29. Only 15 terms of use for site members and visitors.
30. Zillow respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.
31. Yahoo! - Zillow Real Estate Network - One of the largest Real estate networks on the Web.

Exploring all that Zillow offers can be valuable and advantageous.  It's good to know your way around the site so you can effectively navigate and answer those real estate questions, concerns, and discussions when they come up from clients or prospects in your neighborhoods and communities. Thanks and Enjoy!

We just returned home from Seattle, WA where my wife and I spent 3 days and two nights at the Hotel 1000, a spectacular retro/modern hotel and spa located downtown.  We were invited to attend the Zillow Company Holiday party and I was fortunate to also attend my first Z-talk (a company meeting) which is like a state-of-the-division conference.  Man, what a diverse and intelligent group of people. 

There were folks from Seattle, Iowa, Idaho, Chicago, SF and NY.... it was awesome!

I really had no idea how many people worked behind the scenes for Zillow until this past week. WOW!

Can you spot my green seat?  lol~  What an honor it was to be included at the Z-talk.  I've never seen or been surrounded by a more passionate and inspirational group of people who make up the Zillow culture and team.  It's truly a privilege to be part of this great company.  Or as Spencer would say, "a Zillowite!"  My wife is still calling me BradZilla  (thanks alot TLW)  :-)

Any company can create a business model, offer decent services and products, and just show up for work everyday, but what really turns a good company into a GREAT company?  I believe that is determined and defined by what differentiates their people, their focus, and their shared passion for their clients, potential customers, and their own success.  Always seeking to do more and to do it better.  I'm proud that Zillow sets very high standards in all arenas.

Being the new kids on the block, we were wondering what it would be like attending our first company Holiday party and social gathering?  You know, a shy and quiet kinda guy like me (yeah right) surrounded by great tech gurus and experts?  Rubbing elbows with many of those whom have made this company a technology and industry leader? 

Seriously, my wife and I were treated just like family.  It was like we had always been there.

Everyone made us feel so warm and welcomed, never once did we feel out of place or in bad company.

Our take away?  No matter what you may think of any company or business out there, remember that those companies are made up of people. Real people just like you and I.  They have families, are committed to their jobs, and are loyal to their leadership.  These are just some of the people that made our stay and visit to Seattle one of the best times ever. 

more photos available on flickr photostream

My wife and I want to thank the entire Zillow family for their warm and sincere welcome, their generosity and hospitality, and most of all, for making us feel like we belong.  These are some of the nicest and funnest people, we're proud to be associated with such a fine group.

We'll always extend that same warmth and hospitality to all our fellow colleagues, and our new found friends.

~ Happy Holidays ~