If you’re like most people, your first instinct when checking a home’s value is to go straight to Zillow. And honestly, I don’t blame you.
The reality is, most consumers don’t have many resources available beyond what’s online. Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, and Realtor.com all try their best to make sense of property values using algorithms and public data. As realtors, we shouldn’t be upset that people rely on these tools. It’s our job to educate you on how to use them the right way.
So, should you use Zillow? Sure, as a starting point. But here’s what those online evaluations can’t always capture:
• Renovations or upgrades that weren’t on the record
• Lot-specific details like views, landscaping, or layout
• The emotional appeal of a home, which really does influence pricing
• Shifts in hyperlocal market conditions
• The psychology behind how homes are priced and sold in your specific area
This is where an experienced agent steps in. Evaluating a home is not just about plugging numbers into a system. It takes pattern recognition, market insight, and the ability to understand how buyers think. Even many agents miss the mark if they don’t do the homework.
