Zillow.com cutting its work force by 25%

The Real-estate Web site Zillow.com says it will be cutting its work force by 25% to cut expenses and gird against the ailing U.S. economy.

A Zillow spokeswoman says the company plans to lay off the employees Tuesday, with most of the cuts in Seattle, where the company is based. She says about 75% of the employees will remain after the cuts.

Chief Executive Rich Barton says the company has "sizable cash reserves" but determined the cuts were needed to help it weather the economic downturn.

Zillow, launched in 2006, hosts real estate listings and helps visitors find competitive mortgage rates, among other features. Its revenues come from online ad sales.