How To Avoid Getting Zillow'd

We've all heard of Zillow. This well-known online real estate platform provides information on homes for sale, as well as home values and general real estate market trends. While it can be a helpful resource for home buyers and sellers, it's important to understand that it also has some disadvantages. Here are a few:

1. Inaccurate property information: Zillow's data is based on publicly available information and can often be inaccurate or outdated. For example, Zillow's Zestimate, which is its estimate of a home's value, has been shown to be off by as much as 20% of the final sale price 83% of the time. So, let's say you're looking at one of the homes for sale in Cumming, IA for $300,000, the Zestimate for this $300,000 home could very well be off by over $50,000... over or under! It's difficult for someone using a Zestimate to figure out a fair price when their range within the margin of error in this situation would fall between $250,000 and $350,000. Quite a difference. This obviously leads to confusion and frustration for the buyers and sellers who rely on this information to make decisions. It is also well-known that Zillow has big holes in their listing database. The fact that they don’t have all of the listings, means that their infamous Zestimate is usually woefully inaccurate when pricing homes. It's crucial to remember that Zillow is not a licensed real estate broker, but instead a marketing company that simply uses real estate as its platform.
2. Limited information: Zillow provides a limited amount of information on properties and may not take into account important factors such as upgrades, remodels, or local market trends. Additionally, Zillow does not have access to all homes for sale or rent, meaning you may be missing out on potential options. While Zillow likely desires a more accurate listing database, the reality is that only local real estate brokers and agents have direct access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), which is the comprehensive local database of homes for sale by all real estate brokers. Many real estate brokers view Zillow as a hindrance, and in some areas, national sites are given direct access to the MLS. However, this is not a universal practice and many local brokers choose not to share their listings with Zillow. In a few isolated cases, the MLS may share all listings in a particular region. However, this is not a widespread occurrence as some brokers prefer not to have all of their listings displayed on Zillow. For example, if an agent handles a luxury real estate listing in Iowa for a local celebrity, they may not want their private home to be publicly visible.
3. No local market expertise: Zillow is a national platform and doesn't have the in-depth local market knowledge that a local real estate agent has. An agent who specializes in your local market can provide valuable insights into local trends, sales history, and home values that Zillow can't match. While the concept of having a single, centralized website to search for properties for sale across the US is appealing, Zillow falls short in its execution. Real estate is a local business, and when it comes to buying or selling property, you'll need the services of a local REALTOR working for a local real estate broker. Searching for real estate online should also be a local experience. Spoiler alert: There is no office for Zillow West Des Moines. So, if you're looking for homes for sale in West Des Moines, ONLY a local real estate broker can provide a comprehensive view of all the available listings in a specific area. Even when using Zillow to search for local listings, if you want more information, you'll simply be directed to a random local agent who is paying for leads and has been provided with your contact information. Why not just start with a trusted, local Realtor or search a trusted, local site for homes for sale in Iowa?
4. Lack of personal attention: Zillow lacks personal attention because it is an automated, online platform that simply relies on algorithms and random data to generate (often inaccurate) information about properties for sale. While it provides a convenient way for consumers to search for homes, it does not offer the personalized interaction and guidance that a local real estate agent can provide. Whether you already live here or you're relocating and moving to Iowa, local agents can answer questions, provide insights into local markets, and assist with negotiations, whereas Zillow is limited to presenting data and offering basic search functionality.
5. No representation: Zillow doesn't provide representation for either buyers or sellers. This means that if you use Zillow to buy or sell a home, you won't have an expert from office of Zillow West Des Moines on your side to negotiate on your behalf, answer your questions, or help you navigate the complex local buying or selling process.

While Zillow can be a useful tool for getting an overview of the real estate market, it's important to understand that it also has its limitations. If you're buying or selling a home, the fictitious agents at Zillow West Des Moines will not personally counsel you or text you back with answers to your questions. So, it's always a good idea to work with the best local Realtor who has the expertise, experience, and will give you the personal attention you need to help you achieve your goals.

If you'd like a an accurate free comparative market analysis of your home value let me know! If you're thinking about buying or selling a home, check out these helpful blog posts with home buying tips or preparing your home to sell. Anything else I can help with, call or text me today at 515-229-5642!