What do you use for Online Comp research?

Question

I was using Yahoo real Estate to look at comps but Yahoo Real estate uses Zillow, eppraisal and Reply which seem inflated..  I looked at a property listed for $229K and it showed up as $340K-420K.  Another listed for $209,500 showed $300K-$360K.  Does anyone bank on these numbers?  I can only imagine what the sellers will think if I put in a significantly less offer.

Now I know from reading a Wheatie post that the ROI appears too good to be true.  How does this happen?

Because I'm overseas I wanted to find a fairly reliable site.  Does anyone have any that are closer to realistic?

Thanks in advance
Gary

N/A N/A · Answer

I use RealtyTrac, I have found it the most informative and up to date listing service.  It provides Information on: Pre-Foreclosures, REO's (bank owned), auction, and FSBO PROPERTIES.

I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH THIS WEBSITE EXCEPT AS A MEMBER!

Marquita Lucas · Answer

A really good one is cyberhomes.com. I'm an agent and I can say these are pretty accurate.

Ken Mitchell · Answer

all of the above are good sources...

things to watch for....the MLS, around here anyway, doesn't record fisbo sales.

have you searched your local government website?  our local property tax department will actually has a comp function if you dig deep enough.  be careful here to make sure that you aren't using a re-financing deed of trust (i'm in NC) as a comp cause it won't fly...the names on the deeds need to actually change!

good luck

Jason Wheeler · Answer

The most accurate comps are found on MLS.  So get a Realtor to work for you.  If not you can find some good accurate comps on www.fatco.biz This is what I use.

J L · Answer

I have also used Trulia and Realtor dott comm or RealQuest (not cheap either)

Gary Dayton · Answer

Thanks everyone!

Patrick Murray · Answer

I agree that it is best to have an agent help with the comps. They should have better access to a database and won't charge you as much to do a CMA.

If you need comps for a commercial property, I've found that CoStar has the best database for commercial properties.

Joshua D. · Answer

Gary - 
There are no sites that are very reliable right now, but you can run comps across several and get a range. We've put together a directory of these sites at:
http://www.biggerpockets.com/house-value-comps.html

Your best bet however, is being able to do the comps yourself or by having an agent or other professional who can do it for you.

Elizabeth Einecke · Answer

I subscribe to sitexdata.com.  It is not cheap but it allows you to run property reports and get comps.

Account Closed · Answer

Or you could find a real estate agent in that area to work with.

What do you use for Online Comp research?

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