Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 24, 2016
ONLINE PRICING SITES: HOW ACCURATE ARE THEY?
In today’s web-savvy culture, most people seeking information begin by “Googling” – and that includes real estate searches. If you’ve ever “Googled” your own address, you’ve undoubtedly seen the sites that purport to show your home’s value, as well as the value of homes nearby. And you may even be tempted to use that information as a starting point when determining your home’s selling price. But is that a wise move? Not really.
Informational sites like Zillow and Trulia rely on general market data including sales from months or even years earlier for homes that in no way compare to your own – including homes that are well outside of your neighborhood. As a result, the value they provide for your home can be substantially inaccurate for your home and the buyers you’re targeting.
That’s not to say these sites can’t provide any useful information, especially when it comes to general guidance or tips on selling or buying homes or even moving; but to really price your home accurately, you need to work with an agent who knows the area, the current market, and the buyers so you can get the best price possible when you’re ready to sell.
