Online tools may estimate your home’s worth, but they miss details like pools, solar panels, and repairs that shift your actual market value.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’ve probably checked Zillow or another site to see what it’s worth. It seems simple: type in your address and get an instant estimate. The problem is that those numbers are often inaccurate. Here’s what you need to know about online home values and why they don’t always tell the whole story.
Zillow can’t see your home.
The Zestimate is an AI model. While it pulls from public records and recent sales, it doesn’t know the real condition of your property. It can’t see if you’ve upgraded your kitchen or replaced your roof. It doesn’t know if your pool is brand new or in need of repairs, and it can’t determine if your solar panels are paid off or leased. As one appraiser puts it, “Zillow can’t smell the cat pee.”
Online values can be way off.
Different websites often give very different numbers. I recently worked with a homeowner who checked four sites. Realtor.com said $791,000, Redfin said $802,000, Zillow said $744,000, and another site estimated $734,000. That’s a $68,000 gap. Most people want to believe the highest number, but that doesn’t mean buyers will agree.
"Online estimates often miss upgrades, condition, and features, which is why values can differ by tens of thousands across sites."
Why does a walkthrough matter?
A local real estate professional can give you an accurate price by walking through your home. This process takes approximately 15 minutes and is non-intrusive. We’re used to seeing homes before they’re market-ready, and we can point out changes that save money before you list. Think of it like a haircut, where you’ll get better results with a professional than trying to do it yourself.
Get a clear baseline.
Even if you’re not planning to sell, a professional opinion gives you a solid starting point to compare against those online estimates. If you are planning to sell, it helps you price correctly from the start. This prevents you from listing too high and scaring buyers away or too low and leaving money on the table.
Knowing what your home is truly worth is the first step to making smart decisions. Online estimates can give you a starting point, but a professional opinion ensures you have accurate information you can rely on. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or simply want a clear understanding of your home's true value, I can help you determine its accurate market worth. If you have any questions, you can call or text me at (855) 935-6673 or email me at [email protected]. I'll give you a clear, no-nonsense estimate and a plan you can trust, not just another guess from a website.