Zillow is a billion-dollar website that provides automated estimates that claim to figure the market value of each residence in the United States. Zillow tries to reach this goal this task by using a fancy program that compares factors which affect property 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 find many complaints by angry property owners and skeptical real estate shoppers who have discovered the hard way just out inaccurate Zillow's pricing can be. Many people in Hunters_crossing report 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 sales 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 (for now) remains popular with some buyers and sellers. Home sellers and real estate purchasers should understand that there is not a single community in Hunters_crossing where either a mortgage lender or tax collector uses Zillow for tax assessment or appraisals. Our professional advice is to take estimates from any computer with a grain of salt. Putting too much stock into a website can cause a lot of unnecessary anxiety.

Email one of our local experts today for a free comparative market analysis of your property's value. We promise that a website won't set the sales value. Rather, your friendly neighborhood Nesbitt Realty expert will take into account the many variables which make up your home's ideal price.