[mamamia54]

Sometimes I think the Villages realtors discuss what they are going to set prices at. I think they all list the houses high for the most part. Most patio villas are coming on at 210,000 and 220,000. For a patio villa! I think the prices went higher on a patio villa than other models. Just my opinion.

[eddie m]

Originally Posted by starflyte1

Do you think the Zillow home estimate is even close to the value of your home?

It’s different here in the Villages. Seeing that the homes are “cookie cutter” styles the difference in pricing that comes into play is location, block and stucco verses vinyl siding, views, pools, golf cart garages, granite, tile verses carpet.
The newer home’s being built here in my opinion only, are being built closer together, have shorter driveways, along with the bonds, no squares and not enough amenities to support easy accessibility for the homeowners to enjoy with more than 60,000 new homes being added. That being said people who love the trails and quiet layer back lifestyle suits their needs.
Been in real estate for over 35 years, experience shows that location will always be the major factor in pricing.

[Gigi3000]

Try Chase banks home value finder. I would go by that.

[Windguy]

Call me a cynic, but I suspect that Zillow estimates are high because they want to encourage people to sell their houses to get their hands on that supposed equity. In my past dealings with realtors, they always told me my house was worth more than it eventually sold for. They made silly comments like “I can get you TOP DOLLAR!”

I guess I’m just a suspicious person and I tend to question people’s motives. For instance, how does Zillow benefit from their service? They certainly don’t do it out of the kindness of their hearts.

[Davelinda91]

I think everyone in TV lists selling price by model type. I find it strange that a “Bond Paid” has the same listing price and up grade such as granite doesn’t increase the value. In TV the only thing that I can see changes the listing price of the same model home is location, location, location!

[retiredguy123]

The way houses are priced in The Villages is not much different from anywhere else. But, Zillow has changed a lot by becoming more prominent in the real estate market. Real estate agents and other people selling their homes are using Zillow for sales and marketing purposes much more so than years ago. Some people will actually buy a house by viewing it online and not even visiting the house. I think Zillow benefits by being as accurate as possible with their estimates and other information.

[petsetc]

From very recent, personal experience (on going) I can say that if the house has not had a recent sale, or has undergone any extensive renovation, the Zillow estimate is not accurate since it seems to be based on last sale and tax assessment. In my case, once listed and the info on Zillow it came up about 50%. While on the market, it changes as a function of time/price adjustments and immediately adjusted when "under contract". When the contract fell through (buyer financing), the Zillow estimate adjusted downward, even though the VA appraisal was high. I also followed the Refin estimate and have the same impression. FWIW

[OhioBuckeye]

You know what they say, Location, Location, Location. Plus you got to do a market value. Even TV have some area’s that don’t have some desirable area’s. Stay with somebody that knows & seen TV. Zillow only sees pictures!

[crypto835]

Originally Posted by starflyte1

Do you think the Zillow home estimate is even close to the value of your home?

NO. Ask any licensed real estate appraiser.

[meridian5850]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

You can't always update the information, especially if you don't have a Zillow account or are a licensed realtor. They get some of their data from the MLS service which laymen can't update.

Actually, all you have to do is put your address in, click on "claim this home as your residence", update the info and the estimate gets updated.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

Originally Posted by petsetc

From very recent, personal experience (on going) I can say that if the house has not had a recent sale, or has undergone any extensive renovation, the Zillow estimate is not accurate since it seems to be based on last sale and tax assessment. In my case, once listed and the info on Zillow it came up about 50%. While on the market, it changes as a function of time/price adjustments and immediately adjusted when "under contract". When the contract fell through (buyer financing), the Zillow estimate adjusted downward, even though the VA appraisal was high. I also followed the Refin estimate and have the same impression. FWIW

You are RIGHT ON THE MONEY. They are strictly estimates. They are wrong over 50% of the time. They are used as generalizations and not gospel.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Investment Painting Contractors

You are RIGHT ON THE MONEY. They are strictly estimates. They are wrong over 50% of the time. They are used as generalizations and not gospel.

I would encourage people to read the Zillow "zestimate" section on their website. They explain how they measure and track the accuracy of their estimates, including spreadsheets. Their accuracy has recently been within about 1.9 percent, when you compare their estimate to the actual selling price, which is public record. So, unless Zillow is lying, I think their accuracy is very good. But, of course it is an estimate. I have never heard of a real estate gospel.

Also, I don't think real estate appraisers are the best people to estimate market value for buying or selling a house. They usually work for the bank, and their primary function is to satisfy the bank.

[Chi-Town]

I find Zillow to be much more accurate than it was years ago. And as mentioned before you can log in to establish an account and correct or update information about your house. You can even add a picture or two. Of course, your input has to be verified before the changes are made.

Anyhow, go to Zillow.com and check out your house; it can be a fun exercise.

I recently bought my home here TV and the appraised value is about $25K under Zillows’s estimate. A recent appraisal is always more accurate.

[starflyte1]

Originally Posted by petsetc

From very recent, personal experience (on going) I can say that if the house has not had a recent sale, or has undergone any extensive renovation, the Zillow estimate is not accurate since it seems to be based on last sale and tax assessment. In my case, once listed and the info on Zillow it came up about 50%. While on the market, it changes as a function of time/price adjustments and immediately adjusted when "under contract". When the contract fell through (buyer financing), the Zillow estimate adjusted downward, even though the VA appraisal was high. I also followed the Refin estimate and have the same impression. FWIW

That explains the low value on my home. Thanks! The home across the street that has a value of $100,000 more than mine, has no pool and is not golf front, just sold last year, so the estimate has been updated.

I have owned my home for 10 years and have been homesteaded in Florida since 1992, when the law went into effect. I have been able to carry that tax benefit with me.