Keeping Current Matters December 17, 2024
Seller
In today’s digital age, it’s tempting to rely on automated tools for everything — including figuring out how much your house is worth. But be careful. The automated estimates you’re seeing online often miss key details that affect the true market value of your home.
Before you toss a for sale sign in your yard and expect to bring in the number you saw for your house online, you need to understand why these tools generally aren’t spot-on and why working with an expert real estate agent is the best way to get an accurate picture of what your house is really worth.
Online home valuation tools give you an approximate value for your house based on the data that’s publicly available for your home. While this can give you a rough starting point, the keyword here is rough. As an article from Ramsey Solutions says:
“Online Home Value Estimators Aren’t 100% Accurate . . . The estimates are only as reliable as the amount of public record data the real estate websites can access. The less data gathered for your particular neighborhood, county and state, the less you can depend on this number.”
Here’s the biggest issue with online estimates: they don’t take into account the unique aspects of your home or your local market. And that’s why an agent’s expertise can make such a difference when figuring out what your house is really worth. Here’s an example. A real estate agent will also factor in:
Agents have a deep understanding of the local market, and they can provide insights that automated tools simply can’t match. As Bank rate explains:
“Online estimation tools determine pricing using algorithms that rely on publicly available information. These algorithms can vary widely from one tool to the next and typically don’t account for a home’s current condition or any upgrades or renovations that are not reflected in public records. So they are not as accurate as in-person methods, like a real estate agent’s comparative market analysis . . .”
While online home value estimates can be a helpful tool to get a rough idea of what your home is worth, they aren’t foolproof. The true value of your home depends on a range of factors that automated tools just can’t account for.
To get the most accurate estimate, let’s connect. That way you have expert guidance and up-to-date market insights to set the best possible price for your home.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
Buyer
April 22, 2025
Mortgage applications for new home purchases during March was up 5.5% year-over-year and up 14% month-over-month, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Associati… Read more
Lifestyle
April 22, 2025
It’s official: Traditional turf lawns are getting a botanical makeover, and red creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum 'Coccineus') is leading the trend.
Buyer
April 22, 2025
According to Realtor.com, the best week to list your house this year was April 13–19.
Buyer
April 21, 2025
If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – getting pre-approved early is still one of the smartest moves you can m… Read more
Lifestyle
April 21, 2025
With all the bad news about how technology affects the brains of kids and teens—as it’s associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, cognitive delays, insomnia… Read more
Seller
April 21, 2025
Unfortunately, a lot of sellers today are setting their asking price too high.
We Guide Homeowners through the complicated process of selling their home using our 4 Phase Selling Process and 3 Prong Marketing Strategy that alleviates their stress and moves them effortlessly to their next destination. Schedule a 15 Minute Complimentary Strategy Session Today