One that works - Zillow
Every now and again, someone nails web 2.0. Value is created and it grows. It grows like weeds.
They have a map mashup. They integrate with Yahoo Real Estate, never a bad move. They then add a cool mobile application that lets you check out the price of the home you are a dinner guest at. And they monetize– ok that is the annoying, but necessary part of it. Need financing? No problem.
Now they actually let you update your own home.
Homeowners can now add remodel information, update or change facts (like beds/baths, square footage, etc), or add more specific stuff like a waterfront view, finished basement, or type of parking. This is a milestone release for the company as it represents our first step in opening Zillow up to our customers, inviting them to add to and improve Zillow for everyone.
Very cool. 67 million homes are in their database (or so they claim). Obviously it is very concentrated in more populated areas, but they are gaining traction. Now that they let anyone add and update their own home info, they are taking, as they say, the power to the people. How very web 2.0 of them.
