Zillow is a billion-dollar Internet marketer that provides automated estimates which purport to calculate the value of each residence in the United States. Zillow tries to accomplish this feat by using a sophisticated algorithm which crossreferences factors which alter real estate values, but here's a typical story I have heard from property sellers in Northern Virginia:

Our home was recently appraised for 650K. Zillow estimates the value at 521K. The estimate makes us one of the lowest priced homes in the subdivision. We have all upgrades in our home and it is the largest of the homes that were originally built in this subdivision. It was appraised at 750K before 2009. Our home has a basement. Neighbors do not have basement on one side and you appraised higher. Really? -- James E. - Fort Hunt

If you search the Internet for the phrase "Can I trust Zillow?" or "Can I trust Z-Estimates" you'll discover many testimonials by angry property owners and leery property buyers who have discovered the hard way just out inaccurate Zillow's pricing can be. Many people in Amie Leigh say that Zillow's estimates have a margin of error of around 20%. Even if we assume the margin of error is only 10%, in Northern Virginia that means a "z-estimate" is only within $50,000 of the actual ideal price. If the margin of error is an improbable 5% that means that a z-estimate is only within $25,000 of the asking price.

Yet Zillow still remains popular with some buyers and sellers. Property owners and home shoppers should know that there is not a single neighborhood in Amie Leigh where either a bank or tax collector uses Internet for tax assessment or appraisals. Our expert advice is to take estimates from any computer at arm’s length. Putting too much reliance into a computer can cause a great deal of confusion.

Call Nesbitt Realty today for a free comparative market analysis of your property's value. We promise that a computer won't set the ideal price. Instead, your friendly neighborhood Nesbitt Realty real estate agent will take into account the complicated variables which make up your home's sales value.