However, what it does is wonderful. It quickly gathers metrics and sales data and gives a quick glimpse into the values of properties.

The appraisers should not only embrace zillow.com, they should use this as a marketing tool for themselves. Use zillow to get a rough estimate of the value of a property, and use a real appraiser to get the professional estimate.

With this being said, there will always be those people that want to stifle competition. They will want to do an unprofessional job, rather than a complete appraisal and those are the un-professionals that fear zillow.

In the mortgage business, many people were terrified that the online lenders would put mortgage brokers out of business. The opposite was true. Most people need a mortgage broker to help them get a loan for their individual circumstances. Those brokers that thought they were being a professional by quoting rates were not professionals, they were simply order takers.

Innovation is not only needed in real estate it is the salvation of the real estate industry. It will assist appraisers…and buyers, if only appraisers use this in the manner in which it was intended and educate the public as to the value of their services.