Zillow is a popular Internet marketer that "gives" automated estimates that purport to calculate the sales value of each and every residence in the United States. Zillow tries to achieve this this task by using a complicated program which crossreferences factors which impact 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 search the web for the phrase "Can I trust Zillow?" or "Can I trust Z-Estimates" you'll discover countless testimonials by angry homeowners and leery home buyers who have discovered the hard way just out inaccurate Zillow's pricing can be. Many people in Clear Brook 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 people. Real estate sellers and real estate buyers should know that there is not a single neighborhood in Clear Brook where either a bank or tax collector uses Zillow for tax assessment or appraisals. Our expert advice is to take "valuations" from any computer with a grain of salt. Putting too much reliance 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 worth. We promise that a computer won't set the ideal price. Instead, your friendly neighborhood Nesbitt Realty expert will measure the unique variables which make up your real estate's ideal price.