Zestimate correction possibility

[Katie Jewell]

If we list a house for sale by owner on Zillow, that had incorrect information when we bought it, will Zillow update the information to be correct, and if so how long will it take? The current zestimate is very low due to the fact that the former broker listed it for 720 sq ft and it’s really 1020 sq ft. I know the zestimates can be wildly incorrect, but it does matter for some buyers.

[Steve K.]

@Katie Jewell what is the square footage recorded as in the public tax records? You'll want to make sure that is correct as well of course and that may be where Zillow is drawing their data from (most probably where the previous agent got their info from as well). You might consider having an appraisal done to get an accurate valuation, measurements, etc. and to share with potential buyers. Also not sure how to say this without coming across the wrong way, but listing a FSBO on Zillow may not get you the results you're looking for… 99% of the eyeballs on it will be agents trying to get listings so most calls will be from them. A high percentage of actual potential buyers will be tire-kickers/ low ballers and the qualified ones will probably be working with a buyers agent. Zillow knows that 70% of those who try the FSBO route end up listing with an agent, so they are just after your data/ selling leads to agents.