Featured Entrepreneur: David Dowies, HomeZill
Our Featured Entrepreneur series continues this issue with David Dowies, of HomeZill in Fairfax Va. We recently sat down with David, a 2004 Graduate of Mason, to explore how HomeZill got started.
Thank you, David. What is HomeZill and how does it work for buyers and sellers?
Image from HomeZill web site
HomeZill is the first web site run by select team of local top producing RE/MAX agents following the revolutionary online real estate business model. “We have streamlined the buying and selling process by using modern day technology to reduce costs. In turn, we pass these savings on to you…So when you buy your home with a HomeZill agent, we credit you up to 2% of the sales price back at settlement!”
Unlike the typical real estate site, HomeZill combines technology with a team of experienced Realtors® to empower consumers through the entire buying and selling process. Home buyers can search New Construction and MLS listed homes in VA, DC & MD using a state-of-the-art navigation tool. HomeZill.com is one of the first real estate web sites to integrate a Google™ Satellite Maps interface and give buyers the option to make an offer on a home or list a property online.
What made you decide to launch HomeZill?
I decided to create HomeZill after observing the fast growing trend of technology driven real estate transactions. Home buyers are using Realtor® services less nowadays than in the past, especially during the search process. With the evolution of the Internet Data Exchange (IDX), home buyers now have access to the same homes that Realtors have through the MLS. HomeZill agents share their commission from the seller in order to help buyers reap the benefits of home ownership.
What are your plans for HomeZill? We noticed that you have recently started a blog.
We plan on keeping HomeZill.com current with the latest real estate information and technology available as well as continually add new features to help home buyers make informed real estate decisions.
“We’ve also launched HomeZillBlog.com which provides real estate news, resources and information in Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC. This provides us a better way to stay in touch and interact with the consumer”, says Dowies.
What advice would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs?
If you have a business that you want to start, then do your research, plan and execute. Go for your dreams and “just do it” because you won’t be successful talking about it. Even if it doesn’t turn out like expected, the experience you gain is well worth it… also, you’ll be that much more prepared for your next venture!
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