Manipulating Zillow Values?

Question

Curtis Bidwell · Answer

@Ericka Grant I just updated one of my properties that we will be selling in May and increased the Zestimate by $68,000!  I wanted it to show the updated value before listing (preferably more than 30 days so it doesn't show a huge 1 month change).

As @Adam Daneff said, you need an account and then claim the home as owner. Then you will have the option to update square footage, lot size, home style, features, add pictures, give a description, etc.   Definitely worth checking each of your properties to make sure the info they have is accurate.

Russell Brazil · Answer

Yes you can manipulate Zillow values. I make edits to a property every time I sell a property to bring the Zestimate up.

Jennifer Rysdam · Answer

I've really lost any faith in Zillow values in the last year. My own houses have bounced up and down constantly. My neighbor has a house for sale for $499,000 and zillow says it's worth $295,000.  https://www.zillow.com/savedhomes/for_sale/1159609...

It says that my house that I just paid $220,000 for is worth $186,000. Then there are horrible repo houses that I wouldn't pay more than $10,000 grand for that they say are worth $65,000.

I messed around with my listing some when I was selling to see if I could change it for the better and it really didn't make a difference. It will be interesting to see if anyone has any more insight into how they price them.

Matt Lefebvre · Answer

In May, Zillow will be disabling the manual input of any information for real estate agents.  Owners will still have the ability to put information into Zillow, but I suspect that process will become less effective as time goes on.  To your original point @Ericka Grant, it is not something that you should be concerned about.  If its already under contract, you're good to go!  No appraiser is going to go onto Zillow to find out how much the property is worth :)

Brian Garrett · Answer

This is great information. Thank you for sharing!

Adam Daneff · Answer

@Ericka Grant go sign into your Zillow and claim a house that you own, basically tell Zillow you own the home. Then update all the info, such as; barbecue pit, sun porch. You can also add items like dishwasher, garbage disposal, central air, the type of flooring, if you have a laundry room. The more info Zillow has to go off or items you update it with usually increases your zestimate

Brian Garrett · Answer

I'd be curious to hear about this as well. Great question Ericka!

Manipulating Zillow Values?

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