Are Trulia and Zillow good or bad for the real estate industry? That question is one of the most contested amongst real estate agents today. Not contested is the fact that both companies have enjoyed impressive revenue and valuation growth. Real estate agents subscribing to their “lead-generation” services represent the lion’s share of each company’s revenue. These agents pay on average $3100/year and $2300/year to Zillow and Trulia respectively.

Some of the good things mentioned about the companies: 

• Provides greater listing exposure to millions of consumers.
• The addition of tax records, school ratings and other information to listings is good for consumers and makes the agents’ job easier.
• Levels the playing field for newer agents and agents without many listings.
• Gives consumer access to FSBOs, foreclosures and other non agent represented properties, painting a fuller picture of the available market.
• Creates a new, broadly reaching, advertising platform for agents to advertise their skills.

Some of the bad things mentioned about the companies: 

• A high percentage of their “available” listings are actually sold or off the market. This confuses and upsets consumers and makes agents look bad.
• The sites’ property valuations are often way off, making agents’ jobs harder.
• Promotes non-listing agents alongside listings that arent theirs, tricking consumers into believing they know the property.
• Sells to any agent, regardless of experience, the title of Premier or Pro.
• The “leads” generated for subscribing agents are low quality, non-responsive and a waste of time.
• The cost of being a subscribing agent is too high for what you get.

1. If you are a subscribing agent to Trulia or Zillow, has it worked for you?
2. If you are a subscribing agent to Trulia or Zillow was it worth the money paid?
3. Have your clients contacted you about listings shown as available that were in fact, not?
4. Have their property valuation tools helped or hurt you and your clients?
5. Do you think your MLS should be feeding listings to Zillow and Trulia?

Id love to hear your opinions!

Bev Wasson

1. I am a subscribing agent with Trulia. I have gotten one, maybe two closed deals this year (one is negligible because Im not certain she found me on Trulia, as shes also on my mailing list). I would say, based on the one its not totally worth it.