Zillow is a popular Internet marketer that "gives" computerized estimates that purport to calculate the ideal price of every home in the United States. Zillow tries to accomplish this task by using a complicated algorithm that crossreferences factors which impact 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 Google the Internet for the phrase "Can I trust Zillow?" or "Can I trust Z-Estimates" you'll discover countless posts by upset property owners and skeptical property shoppers who have discovered the hard way just out inaccurate Zillow's pricing can be. Many people in Glen_hollow report 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 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 people. Property owners and home buyers should know that there is not a single community in Glen_hollow where either a mortgage lender or tax collector uses Internet for tax assessment or appraisals. Our professional advice is to take "valuations" from any computer at arm’s length. Putting too much reliance into a computer can cause a great deal of confusion.

Call us today for a free comparative market analysis of your property's worth. We promise that a computer won't set the sales value. Instead, your friendly neighborhood Nesbitt Realty real estate pro will account for the unique variables which make up your home's market value.