Zillow Talk Book Summary - Zillow Talk Book explained in key points
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Zillow Talk summary

Spencer Rascoff and Stan Humphries

The New Rules of Real Estate

3.7 (92 ratings)
12 mins

Brief summary

Zillow Talk by Spencer Rascoff and Stan Humphries, provides insights into the world of real estate, analyzing housing trends and providing data-driven advice for buyers, sellers, and homeowners.

Table of Contents

    Zillow Talk
    Summary of 5 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 5

    Determine whether buying is right for you and choose an up-and-coming neighborhood to maximize your investment.

    Most of us associate homeownership with a family. But buying a home can be as advantageous for a single working woman as it can be for a family of four.

    How can you know if buying is right for you? It could be because buying saves you money.

    Zillow developed a tool called the break even horizon, which can help you determine whether it makes more financial sense to buy or rent.

    Here’s how it works.

    The break even horizon compares costs over time to determine how long it will take for the home you purchase to cost less than it would to rent the same property. It does this by calculating inflation and tax rates as well as property value.

    If you use Zillow’s break even horizon tool and find out that you could actually save money by buying a house, you’re ready for the next step: deciding where to buy.

    When choosing a neighborhood, it’s important to consider how it will transform in the years to come. After all, buying property is a huge investment and real estate prices are directly linked to location.

    So, while it may be tempting to buy the best property in the most desirable area, a wiser financial decision is to buy property in up-and-coming neighborhoods.

    Luckily, by following market trends you can determine how a neighborhood will change over time.

    For instance, a part of the city with bad roads or little commercial activity can become a booming center of commerce in just a few years.

    How?

    Say you knew that a developer planned to build a shopping mall in the area by next year. A major commercial attraction like that would likely draw a new group of people to the area and start transforming the run-down neighborhood into a hip and attractive one.

    As the atmosphere of the neighborhood improves so will the housing prices, thereby making your investment a sound one.

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    What is Zillow Talk about?

    Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate (2015) gives the reader all the tools they need to buy, sell or rent a home. From the conundrum of whether to rent or buy, to when to sell and how to boost the value of your property, these blinks shed light on the perennially important dilemmas of real estate – the biggest investment of your life.

    Zillow Talk Review

    Zillow Talk (2015) offers a fascinating look into the world of real estate and the insights that can be gained from big data. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • With compelling data-driven analysis, it provides valuable information and strategies for both buyers and sellers in the real estate market.
    • Using engaging anecdotes from their own experiences, the authors bring the concepts to life and make them relatable to readers.
    • The book's emphasis on the power of data sets it apart, making it an informative and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in real estate or data analysis.

    Who should read Zillow Talk?

    • First-time buyers trying to get a handle on the market
    • Seasoned investors who want to learn the new rules of real estate
    • Renters who are unsure if buying a home is right for them

    About the Author

    Spencer Rascoff co-founded the discount travel website Hotwire. After selling his start-up to Expedia he helped start the real-estate search engine Zillow in 2005. Stan Humphries is chief economist at Zillow and a frequent commentator on housing trends for CNBC, Bloomberg TV and Fox Business News.

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    Zillow Talk FAQs 

    What is the main message of Zillow Talk?

    The main message of Zillow Talk is unraveling the mysteries of real estate through data analysis and insights.

    How long does it take to read Zillow Talk?

    The reading time for Zillow Talk varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Zillow Talk a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Zillow Talk is a must-read for real estate enthusiasts. It offers valuable insights backed by data analysis, making it a worthwhile investment of your time.

    Who is the author of Zillow Talk?

    The authors of Zillow Talk are Spencer Rascoff and Stan Humphries.

    What to read after Zillow Talk?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Zillow Talk, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The Heart of the Deal by Anthony Lolli
    • Buying Your First Home by Ilona Bray
    • The Insider's Edge to Real Estate Investing by James P. Nelson with Rachel Hartman
    • Crushing It in Apartments and Commercial Real Estate by Brian Murray
    • Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
    • Your First Million by Arlan Hamilton
    • The Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller with Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan
    • Rich Dad’s Retire Young Retire Rich by Robert T. Kiyosaki
    • 21st Century Investing by William Burckart and Steven D. Lydenberg
    • Fair Play by Eve Rodsky