No doubt, Zillow has (and continues) to transform the face of real estate… but the lessons I learned changed how I do real estate, think about real estate, and how I now teach real estate professionals to make the money they want and achieve the freedom they crave. So take a few lessons from Zillow… there’s a reason they’re able to do what they do. 

But there’s no reason you can’t do it too… right?

P.S. If you’re curious about how I got my nickname... Click here. 

(That’s another lesson to be learned…Trust me).

There are 4 things every successful agent must know to make it today (especially in a shifted market…) AND sell MORE houses.

And I learned it all from the hard knocks school of Zillow (when I worked at Zillow as an exec and top salesperson). 

Because Zillow is all about helping agents get access to high-quality online leads. Yes, you pay for them… but with the right systems in place, that ROI can be HUGE when you start to double, or even triple your sales number.

But you need to know the right systems to turn those leads into appointments… → and into listings first. 

Because the critical lessons I learned at Zillow (that most agents don’t know) is how the Real Estate Game today is played to WIN!

Let’s call a spade a spade- since Zillow launched- it has turned real estate on its head… 

But back when they called me about taking a job, I’m pretty sure my response was, “Zillow who?” This was early on, when Zillow was just dipping its toe in the real estate world… (but preparing to disrupt the rules of the game…).

When they called, I was no stranger to real estate. I mean, with my family’s 100+ years in the industry, it kinda runs in my blood. (or so I thought…)

But offered the right financial package AND I got to keep my Laguna Beach, CA zip code (instead of returning to Grand Rapids, MI🥶) … I unpacked my truck and I was all in. 

At Zillow, I quickly earned the nickname “Groot”, cuz if you get the right zip code… Groot will make you some loot! (I was the #3 salesperson in the company, but that’s a tale for another blog).

So, how has Zillow done what it’s done to change the face of real estate? It’s so simple: they placed the “power” in the consumer’s hands. 

From the beginning, their mission was “To build the best marketplace out there.” And give power to the people — the clients — who now have information about listings, “zestimates” on home values… photos, etc.

Zillow built a business based on how the consumer thinks… not the real estate agent. So everything Zillow makes it easier for the client to get what they really want.

(Hate to burst your bubble, but unlocking that door is pretty much what most clients think real estate agents are only good for.

Which ultimately helped real estate agents get leads – actual buyers who wanted to talk real estate… (and so Zillow-Gorrilow was born). 😉