Does Zillow (or other listing sites for that matter) have fairly accurate estimates or should you only rely on getting appraisal or inspecting and comparing to comps?

@Ben Feder do not just use the estimate, Click on SOLD props,, that is accurate for the most part, Good Luck

Zillow is not accurate at all, but everybody looks at it. Knowing that, it can work to your advantage when trying to sell.

The "a" in Zillow stands for "accuracy." If anyone wants to offer me the Z value for my personal home, with no appraisal contingency and 3% EMD, I will sign that contract immediately... Redfin is even more ridiculous, I'll take that offer even faster. And this is an area with many many exact model match comps selling, so the line about "oh if your house is like a bunch of others then it's ok" is also about as accurate as a Z value.

@Ben Feder yea do not even look at the zestimate. compile sold listings and generate a value. i wish zillow was accurate for convenience purposes, but it is not.

@Ben Feder ABSOLUTELY not. Run comparables. It can be accurate. It can also be inaccurate. Do the research now and comp the hard way. After a couple months of this, you'll know values in your market of choice off the top of your head anyways.

The Zestimate is an output from their automated valuation model (AVM). AVMs are great benchmarking tools and they are helpful in analyzing massive amounts of data, but an on-the-ground valuation is usually closer to reality. For some color, at Fannie Mae, we built a discount into the HAMP NPV tool for AVM because it usually overshoots value for a distressed asset.

Hello Ben! Only trust the real estate professional and maybe yourself to come up with the value, not Zillow or others that support Agents or pay Agents and themselves that are not real appraisers. I do not not know why or what anything is worth from just driving by or using indirect knowledge and adding a percentage to it to be safe. You are the only one that should be liable except an experienced and professional. Too many are getting away with what they are doing with Attorneys protecting them. Too many laws have been passed without them really being looked at while the politicians are stuffing money into their pockets. You are the one that must be responsible. Do not just hope something is right. Your knowledge must be dependable and be wealthy unless you are a real good bullshitter and could sell termites. You are reading someone that has about 30 years of real estate and construction experience. Good luck to you!

Account Closed the team around you should know all this, or simply look at rentals in the area Good Luck

Should I trust Zillow's Zestimate?Should I trust Zillow's Zestimate?

Back

Resources & Media

Resource Hub Bookstore Blog Guides Pro-Exclusives PRO Podcasts Pro Partnerships Property Management Toolkit

Events & Training

BPCON2025 Webinars Upcoming Events Free Courses

Strategies

How to Manage Your Rental Property How to Operate a Short-Term Rental How to Passively Invest in Real Estate How to House Hack How Does the BRRRR Method Work How to Flip a House How to Invest in Commercial Real Estate How to Invest in Real Estate How to Invest in Multifamily Real Estate How to Build Wealth

The BiggerPockets Conference

This is your chance to learn from the best, network with the best, and become one of the best in the game.

Discover BPCON2025

The Podcast Investors Trust

No fluff. Just deals, strategies, and lessons from the front lines of today's market.

Listen Now

Back

Pick Markets

Market Finder - NEW PRO Picking a Market Workshop PRO Picking a Market Worksheet Top 100 Cash Flow Markets Market Insights - Sunbelt Region

Market finder

Pinpoint the best real estate market for your specific goals with expert recommendations and real-time data on appreciation, affordability, rent-to-price ratio, and more.

Pick Markets

Pro membership

Get unlimited access to tools and resources that make it easier to find, analyze, and manage deals with confidence!

Upgrade to Pro

Back

Find Deals

BiggerDeals NEW Off-Market Deal finding PRO Real Estate Syndications Investor-Friendly Agents Find Foreclosures Community Listings (FSBO) Business Directory

NEW! Find Cash-Flowing Deals Fast

Search nationwide listings with built-in cash flow analysis.

Find Deals

Invelo - off market deals

Scale your portfolio with off-market deals.

Explore Now

Back

Calculators

Rental Property Calculator PRO Rehab Estimator PRO Rent Estimator PRO BRRRR PRO Fix & Flip PRO Short-Term Rental PRO Sell vs. Keep PRO Landlord Insurance Calculator by Steadily All Calculators

Rental property calculator

Is it a good deal? Run your numbers like a pro with this simple yet powerful calculator.

Run the Numbers

Rent estimator

Understand how much rental income you can expect based on recent reports and data for your specific property.

Run Report

Back

Manage Properties

Managing Properties 101 Find a Property Manager RentRedi Property Management Software PRO Baselane Automated Bookkeeping & Banking PRO Property Management Tools Ask a Management Question Finding Tenants Screening Tenants PRO Leases + Landlord Forms PRO Property Insurance Property Maintenance / Rehab PRO

Property management software

Manage tenants, tasks, and your entire portfolio with one simple tool.

Activate Now

Property manager finder

Find reliable property management partnerships that last.

Find a Property Manager

Back

Plans & Pricing

Pro Membership Business Membership

Try PRO for 7 days completly free

Avoid mistakes and make informed decisions with Pro.

Start Free Trial

Grow your business

Promote your business on BiggerPockets and make quality connections with the right investors.

Sign Up Now

Back

For You

Newest Unanswered My Discussions Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed Locations Followed People

General Real Estate

General Real Estate Investing Starting Out Deal Analysis Buying & Selling Business & Marketing Landlording Property Management Reviews & Feedback

Real Estate Strategies

House Hacking BRRRR Short-Term Rentals Mid-Term Rentals Multi-Family Fix & Flip Other Strategies

Finance & Financing

Lending Creative Finance Personal Finance Taxes & Legal Issues

News & Announcements

Official Site Announcements Market Trends & Data Real Estate News & Current Events Pro Exclusive Area PRO

Events & Networking

Events & Meetups Classifieds

Back

All Books

Best Sellers Browse All New Books & Pre-Orders Bundle & Save Books for Beginners

Unlock hidden potential in every property and maximize returns

This is your creative breakthrough guide to escaping investment paralysis and unlocking hidden profit in any market.

Get Your Copy

Build a Cash-Flowing Glamping Business with High Equity Upside

Whether you're starting from scratch or expanding existing hospitality operations, learn the practical frameworks needed to capitalize on the growing demand for upscale outdoor experiences.

Learn More

Should I trust Zillow's Zestimate?

Most Popular Reply