Arizona House of Representatives
1700 West Washington Phoenix, Arizona 85007-2844
Phone: (602) 926-3233 FAX: (602) 417-3120
bmarson@azleg.gov www.azhouse.gov
Rep. Michele Reagan (R-8)
News Release
Monday, April 23, 2007
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Arizona
House: Zestimates here to stay
(State Capitol, Phoenix) – Arizona homeowners can still access their “zestimates” with the preliminary approval
Monday of a bill that bars the Arizona Board of Appraisal from torpedoing
online businesses that provide property value estimates.
An amendment sponsored by
Rep. Michele Reagan to SB1291 allows web sites to offer free opinions regarding
the value of real estate if it is not an actual appraisal. The bill impacts
most notably Zillow.com, which provides free estimates of a property’s value.
“Companies like Zillow.com
provide an easy way to get an idea of the value of a home anywhere in the
country,” said Reagan, R-Scottsdale. “Government should not put the kibosh on
such an informative online tool.”
The Arizona Board of
Appraisal sent two cease and desist letters ordering Zillow.com to stop
offering its free service in the state. The board is also considering suing the
Seattle-based company despite its wide popularity in Arizona and around the
nation. In addition, the board asked the Arizona attorney general to prosecute
Zillow.com for offering “zestimates.”
“Zillow.com provides a
valuable resource for Arizonans and an unelected board’s desire to hamper consumers’
efforts to get as much information as possible makes no sense,” Reagan,
chairwoman of the House Commerce Committee, said. “Instead of protecting Arizonans,
the Board of Appraisal wants to stifle access to valuable market information.”
The bill received initial
approval Monday and is expected to get a vote on the House floor this week. The
bill then goes back to the Senate for final consideration.
###
For further information contact:
Barrett Marson, Director of Communications
Arizona House of Representatives
Office: (602) 926-3233, e-mail: bmarson@azleg.gov
