Now that we know that Zillow isn’t necessarily the best place to assess home values, it’s time to think about other options. As a quick refresher, Zillow isn’t necessarily a bad starting point for tract homes or neighborhoods with many similar houses. However, for older homes or areas where homes are more spaced out, it won’t really help too much.
I like Cyberhomes.com as an alternative to Zillow. Cyberhomes offers a value estimator based on address in a similar fashion to Zillow. It might not differ that much, but it does at least break down the numbers in a little more detail. However, what I like about Cyberhomes is that it’s not just about home value. They have sortable/searchable listings for distressed homes, neighborhoods, even schools. While you may not trust Cyberhomes’ value estimate, it does give you additional tools to try and piece together your own estimate.
One simple way to gauge things is to look at similar sales in your neighborhood. However, the trick is to look past the surface. You might have numbers about dollar value and square footage, but that’s only half of the picture. Take a stroll past these homes and see if anything sticks out that explains their sale price. Is the yard exceptional? Is there a fresh coat of paint? If you knock on the door, perhaps your neighbor will let you look inside to glance at appliances, backyard, and other items.
These are inexpensive ways to estimate your home’s value, but if you’re really looking for an accurate number, the best thing to do is to contact your real estate agent.
The views published here are the opinions of the writer and are not a substitute for legal counsel.
Israel Gonzalez
Real Estate Broker-Hollister CA
831-636-8858
Click here to contact me by email
