How Zillow's Approach to Data Reshaped the Real Estate Market

Zillow's chief analytics officer and chief economist offers insight into the company's approach to data, models, and the real estate market.

1 minute read

August 1, 2017, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Michael Krigsman examines the influence of Zillow Estimate, or Zestimate, on the real estate industry. The Zestimate system "uses a variety of data sources and models to create an approximate value for residential properties," explains Krigsman, and its effect "has been considerable, to say the least."

From the home buyer perspective, Zillow's Zestimate enables significant transparency around prices and information that historically was available only to brokers. The company has genuinely democratized real estate information and adds tremendous value to consumers.

The article includes a transcript of an in-depth interview with Stan Humphries chief analytics officer and chief economist at Zillow. A video of the conversation is show below.

Sunday, July 30, 2017 in ZDNet

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

5 hours ago - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

6 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

A person scuba diving in a coral reef off Guam.

Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies

International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.

7 hours ago - Grist