Is Your Zestimate Wrong?

Why Your Zestimate May Be Wrong: 5 Key Reasons 🏡❌

If you’ve ever checked Zillow to see what your home is worth, you’ve probably come across the famous Zestimate—Zillow’s automated home value estimate. While it’s a fun tool, don’t take that number as gospel! Zestimates can be off (sometimes by a lot), and here’s why:

🔹 It Can’t See Inside Your Home – A Zestimate doesn’t know if you just remodeled your kitchen or if your bathrooms are outdated. It only pulls from public records, not real-time upgrades.

🔹 Local Market Trends Matter – Home values change quickly, and Zestimates may not keep up with hot markets, bidding wars, or sudden shifts in supply and demand.

🔹 Inaccurate Public Records – If your county’s records are outdated or incorrect, your Zestimate will be too. Square footage, lot size, or even the number of bedrooms might be wrong.

🔹 It Doesn’t Factor in Unique Features – Does your home have a killer view, a custom-built pool, or high-end finishes? Zestimates don’t always give extra credit for standout features that boost value.

🔹 Comps Can Be Off – Zestimates pull from nearby sales, but they might not compare your home to the right ones. A brand-new house down the street isn’t the same as a 30-year-old fixer-upper!

So, what’s the best way to know your home’s true value? Work with a real estate pro! An agent can give you a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) based on actual market conditions, recent sales, and your home’s unique features. When in doubt, trust human expertise over an algorithm! 🏡📊