Is Zillow a Reliable Real Estate Resource?

Can you trust Zillow as a home search and home evaluation tool? Today, I'll explain why you need to be wary of both as a home buyer or seller.

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Can you trust Zillow as a reliable tool for a home search or home evaluation? In general, I'd say it's not very good for either.

Zillow's home evaluations come from the tax assessors, which is usually just general information regarding square footage and the number of rooms in a house, but it doesn't take into account things like upgrades, additions, or even the location of the house. What about the beautiful pictures on Zillow? Those are taken by the agent, not by Zillow.

You'll also notice there may be multiple agents listed next to the listing on Zillow. Why is this? Typically, the top agent is the home's actual listing agent while the others have just paid to be there. You have to be careful because these agents might not know the area, and they definitely don't know the house. Make sure you contact the home's listing agent for questions.

Unlike the MLS, Zillow isn't updated on a daily basis.

You also need to be careful with Zillow because listings aren't updated on a daily basis, so it's not as accurate as the true area MLS. You might see listings on Zillow that have sold, are pending, or are no longer active for this reason. If you want accurate information about a listing, it's better to contact a real estate professional who knows the area and the houses that you're looking for.

If you have any more questions or you're thinking about buying or selling a home in the Southern California market, give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to help!

Can Home Buyers or Sellers Trust Zillow?

Is Zillow the best tool for your home search or home valuation? In general, I would say no, and there are a few reasons why.

First of all, Zillow gets its information for home value from the tax assessor’s office. The tax assessor usually has general information about the square footage of the home. Zillow has no way of knowing how many upgrades or additions you have made to the house. It can’t tell if your house is situated on a corner lot or by a high traffic area. Ultimately, you cannot rely on Zillow for an accurate home value.

You cannot rely on Zillow for an accurate home value.

You should also keep in mind that the pictures of properties on Zillow are beautiful because they come from real estate agents. Zillow doesn’t go out to the house and take those pictures themselves. Agents take the pictures and put them on their website to promote the home. Again, Zillow does not know about the actual condition of the home.

When you look at Zillow, you might also notice that there is more than one agent pictured next to the listing. Typically, the agent at the top is the listing agent for the home. The other three agents listed beneath that first agent pay to advertise on Zillow. You have to be careful about working with them; they might not know the area and they certainly don’t know about the house. If you are interested in a property or working with an agent in your area, it’s important to contact the actual listing agent for the home.

Finally, Zillow does not always have updated information. Your agent might run a search for a home you found on Zillow only to find that it’s no longer on the MLS. Zillow’s website does not update on a daily basis. The bottom line is that Zillow is not as accurate as the true MLS that real estate agents have access to. If you find a home you like on Zillow, it could already be in escrow, pending, or sold.

Hopefully, you have a better understanding of how Zillow actually works in the real estate world. If you are buying or selling a home, it is incredibly important that you work with a real estate agent who knows the area and can guide you through the process.

If you have any other questions about Zillow or about real estate in general, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!