Social home shopping

Zillow has a cool new tool called Neighborhood Advice. Dubbed “social home shopping”, Zillow’s Neighborhood Advice feature allows users to ask their friends questions about a neighborhood or area of interest while shopping for homes.

The tool works by utilizing one’s Facebook network and then overlaying those personal connections on a zoomable map of an area of interest. Here’s a map of my Facebook connections (click to enlarge)…


Seeing your personal connections on top of a map of a neighborhood in which you are considering moving opens up opportunities to ask these people any number of questions about the area:

  • what’s it like to live there?
  • what is within walking distance?
  • what’s community/neighbors like?
  • what their opinion of safety / crime?
  • etc.

Check it out and and let me know what you think. Or, if you’re already using this Zillow feature, has it provided value to you?

4 comments

  1. James

    There must be a shortage of inventory because I’ve been contacted multiple time about all 3 of my properties from realtors asking me if I’m interested in selling.

    Interesting times we live in.

  2. Tom

    Yeah, James, apparently a larger part of the license-holders are cold-calling these days. I have received numerous calls also. I guess calling from a list is better than just sitting around the office surfing articles on the Internet. I have my secretary screen them out, but unfortunately it does take up her time to listen to the caller.

  3. Mark

    Really? I own five rentals and I have not heard a word from any realtors.

  4. James

    Mark-
    Perhaps it’s because you don’t have a make me move price on your properties? Or maybe investors aren’t interested in them ?

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