Zillow’s own data shows their home value estimate can be off by 7.5% on a home that isn’t currently listed. On a $500,000 home, that’s a $37,000 swing — in either direction. Here’s why that gap exists, and what actually gets you a real number.
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Zillow’s own data shows their home value estimate can be off by 7.5% on a home that isn’t currently listed. On a $500,000 home, that’s a $37,000 swing — in either direction. Here’s why that gap exists, and what actually gets you a real number.
Automated estimates have no idea what’s actually inside a property. They don’t know you redid the kitchen, finished the basement, or that the roof still has ten years left on it — and they don’t know about deferred maintenance either. They’re pricing a house they’ve never walked through.
Accuracy depends entirely on how many recent sales exist nearby. In a neighborhood in Reno, Sparks, or Incline Village with only a couple of sales in the past year, the model is filling in the gaps with guesswork, not local knowledge.
An algorithm averages what already happened — it doesn’t read what’s happening in your specific neighborhood this month. Whether buyers are competing for homes like yours right now, or sitting on the sidelines, isn’t something a model picks up on.
An accurate number comes from real comparable sales, your home’s actual condition, and what buyers are doing today — not last year’s data.
If you want an accurate answer instead of a 7.5% guess, I’ll walk your home and put together an actual comparative market analysis based on what’s happening in today’s market.
Ready to take the next step? Visit the contact page to connect with Blaine Moore and find out what your home is really worth.
It’s Never Been Inside Your Home
Automated estimates have no idea what’s actually inside a property. They don’t know you redid the kitchen, finished the basement, or that the roof still has ten years left on it — and they don’t know about deferred maintenance either. They’re pricing a house they’ve never walked through.
The Data Behind It Can Be Thin
Accuracy depends entirely on how many recent sales exist nearby. In a neighborhood in Reno, Sparks, or Incline Village with only a couple of sales in the past year, the model is filling in the gaps with guesswork, not local knowledge.
It’s Reading History, Not Right Now
An algorithm averages what already happened — it doesn’t read what’s happening in your specific neighborhood this month. Whether buyers are competing for homes like yours right now, or sitting on the sidelines, isn’t something a model picks up on.
An accurate number comes from real comparable sales, your home’s actual condition, and what buyers are doing today — not last year’s data.
What Actually Determines Your Home’s Value
- Recent comparable sales on your street and in your immediate neighborhood
- Your home’s real condition, updates, and any deferred maintenance
- Current buyer activity in your specific market, not historical averages
Get a Real Number
If you want an accurate answer instead of a 7.5% guess, I’ll walk your home and put together an actual comparative market analysis based on what’s happening in today’s market.
Ready to take the next step? Visit the contact page to connect with Blaine Moore and find out what your home is really worth.