Zillow vs Real Estate Agent
Homeowners in San Diego who plan to sell their property typically visit Zillow to check on the property value of their home through the free Zestimate feature the website offers.
It’s fast, free of charge and and it gives you a number in just a few minutes. Well, it might be to good to be true because it actually is, Zillow has never conducted any physical inspections of your property. And that number? The number serves as a starting point or just a rough baseline but fails to present the complete situation. The following explanation below reveals how Zillow’s approach might lead to financial losses for you in the long run while showing alternative options.
How Zillow Calculates Your Home’s Value
Zillow generates property valuations through an algorithm which draws information from public records and past sales data and comparable properties in the surrounding area or neighborhood. But here’s what it doesn’t do:
- The algorithm fails to detect your kitchen renovation project.
- The system lacks information about your recent upgrades like maybe a roof installation or maybe a solar panel addition.
- The algorithm fails to consider the unique aspects of your property including the extensive land area, advantageous corner position, and beautiful views.
- The system also lacks the knowledge about street-by-street property value differences in your neighborhood.
Zillow lacks knowledge about the current state of your property between maintenance perfection and major repair requirements. The pricing of your home for sale becomes challenging because of this major issue.
Real Example: Zillow Was Off by $160,000
So you might be wondering, what level of accuracy does Zillow have in its assessments. To find this out, we recently met with a homeowner who lived in North Park, San Diego. According to their initial assessment based Zillow Zestimate, it valued the property at $850,000 . We observed the following features during the inspection of the property.
- Full kitchen and bathroom upgrades
- A bonus office room
- Premium lot with alley access
- The local real estate market data indicated that sale prices were significantly higher than expected.
So we developed a strategic marketing approach by listing the home at $949,000 to check and generate multiple offers which resulted in successful multiple bids. The property sold above its listing price before reaching a final sale price of $1,010,000. The Zillow Zestimate differed from the actual value by more than $160,000. The mistake extends beyond trivial proportions. Real money remains at stake and imagine it’s not just a few hundred dollar but over a thousand .
Why Local Expertise Beats an Algorithm
Zillow functions as a tool. But it’s not a strategy. Your local Real Estate Agent who knows San Diego neighborhoods including North Park, South Park, Normal Heights and surrounding areas provides you with more than numbers because they deliver:
- Accurate pricing based on hyper-local data
- Agents conduct in-person property inspections to assess potential improvements and property characteristics.
- Real-time market insights (not 6-month-old comps)
- Your home receives a personalized marketing approach and listing strategy which targets the most suitable homebuyers.
The McT Real Estate Group for example conducts a physical examination of your property and examine all comparable properties located in the surrounding area. Our team also speaks with both buyers and agents throughout each day. Our pricing method focuses on selling properties rather than making them sit on the market.
Zillow Isn’t a Threat—It’s a Starting Point
The purpose of this discussion is not to criticize Zillow. We use Zillow, too. The platform functions as a tool for obtaining fast market information. The majority of homebuyers begin their property search on this platform. The platform serves as the initial destination for most sellers who want to know their property value. The biggest asset in your real estate portfolio requires professional handling beyond what Zillow provides. You need a local expert for that.
Thinking About Selling? Here’s Your Next Step
Before making any decisions about selling your San Diego home during the next 3–6 months you should have a real discussion with a trusted local realtor instead of depending on the Zestimate. Here’s what the McT Real Estate group can offer:
- Our service provides free home value assessments which take into account your property’s distinct characteristics.
- Our team will conduct a personalized assessment of buyer preferences during the property walkthrough.
- Our team will develop a personalized pricing strategy and marketing approach to assist you in selling your property effectively.
- Our team provides real value assessments for homes in South Park craftsman properties and North Park duplexes as well as all San Diego county locations beyond algorithmic estimates.
Let’s Talk
Do you want to discover the current market value of your property? Reach out to the McT Real Estate Group today! Feel free to message or call us at 619-736-7003. Also, send us a message on Facebook or Instagram with the keyword “Zillow”, your address and email address so we can personally deliver a complete local market report. Together we will convert your Zestimate into an actionable plan.