Zillow is a popular Internet marketer that "gives" computerized estimates that claim to figure the sales value of each and every property in the United States. Zillow tries to achieve this this task by using a complicated program which crossreferences factors which alter property values, but here's a typical story I have heard from home 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 Google the web for the phrase "Can I trust Zillow?" or "Can I trust Z-Estimates" you'll discover countless complaints by angry property owners and skeptical real estate buyers who have discovered the hard way just out inaccurate Zillow's pricing can be. Many people in Burke_cove say that Zillow's estimates have a margin of error of approximately 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 market value. If the margin of error is an astounding 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 property purchasers should know that there is not a single community in Burke_cove where either a mortgage lender or tax collector uses Zillow for tax assessment or appraisals. Our professional advice is to take estimates from any website with a grain of salt. Putting too much stock into a computer can cause a great deal of irration.

Talk to one of our local experts today for a free comparative market analysis of your property's value. We promise that a computer won't set the value. Instead, your friendly neighborhood Nesbitt Realty expert will take into account the unique variables which make up your real estate's sales value.