If you’re using Zillow to guide your home search – or price your home to sell – you could be making a costly mistake. Zillow isn’t built to give you the full picture. It’s designed to drive clicks, sell ads, and boost investor profits. And what Zillow shows you versus what you really need to know? The gap is bigger than most realize.

Here’s why relying on Zillow might be costing you more than you think.

 

The Zestimate:

What It Is (and Isn’t) Zillow’s “Zestimate” is one of its most well-known features – and one of the most misunderstood. While it looks official and updates frequently, it’s not an appraisal or a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA).

It’s just an algorithm pulling from public tax records and basic data like square footage and lot size. But those records are often outdated or incorrect – and Zillow has no insight into the home’s condition or location-specific factors.

Even Zillow admits Zestimates can be off by 30% – a difference that could cost you thousands.

Contrary to popular belief, Zillow doesn’t show you everything – in fact, it doesn’t reflect the entire market. Private listings, office exclusives, and “coming soon” homes often never appear online. A well-connected local agent is the only way to access those.

Many of the best homes are sold before ever hitting the public market. If you’re only looking on Zillow, you’re missing out.

The Truth About the “Request a Tour” Button Clicking “Request a Tour” doesn’t connect you to the listing agent. It usually sends your info to a paid advertiser in that ZIP code – someone who may not know the home or the neighborhood at all. This can cause confusion, delays, or even missed opportunities in a fast-moving market.

Why Local Expertise Still Matters:

Zillow is a tech platform – not a real estate expert. It can’t walk through a home, speak with sellers, or understand neighborhood nuances. Local agents know what’s coming soon, what’s off-market, and how to price and negotiate with real insight.

Buying or selling a home is a major decision – don’t rely on a platform built to sell ads. Work with someone who truly knows the market.

📩 Let’s connect for insider insight, off-market access, and expert guidance.