By Matt Battiata | eXp Realty | 27+ Years of Experience | 2,000+ Homes Sold

Everyone Checks Zillow...

Whether you're thinking about selling next month or simply curious about your investment, you've probably looked up your home's Zestimate.

You're not alone.

Millions of homeowners check Zillow every month to see what their home might be worth.

The problem is...

Many people assume the Zestimate is the same thing as their home's market value.

It isn't.

Sometimes it's surprisingly close.

Other times, it can be off by tens—or even hundreds—of thousands of dollars.

So how accurate is Zillow?

The answer is...

It depends.

Matt's Advice

"Your home's value isn't found online. It's discovered in the marketplace."

— Matt Battiata

What Is a Zestimate?

A Zestimate is Zillow's estimate of your home's value.

It uses computer algorithms that analyze information such as:

• Recent sales
• Tax records
• Public records
• Square footage
• Lot size
• Bedrooms and bathrooms
• Neighborhood trends

It's an impressive technology.

But there's one important thing the Zestimate doesn't do.

It doesn't walk through your front door.

What Zillow Doesn't Know

A computer can't always recognize what makes one home worth more than another.

For example...

Has your kitchen been completely remodeled?

Do you have panoramic ocean views?

Did you spend $200,000 renovating your home?

Does your home back to open space instead of a busy street?

Does it have a premium lot?

Has the roof been replaced?

Is the floor plan better than neighboring homes?

These are the kinds of details that often have a significant impact on value.

Yet they're difficult—sometimes impossible—for an automated valuation model to accurately measure.

Matt's Advice

"A computer can estimate a home's value. It takes experience to understand what buyers are actually willing to pay for it."

— Matt Battiata

The Biggest Mistake Sellers Make

One of the biggest mistakes I see homeowners make is pricing their home based on the Zestimate.

The market doesn't care what Zillow says.

The market only cares what buyers are willing to pay today.

If buyers believe your home is worth less than the Zestimate...

That's what matters.

If buyers believe it's worth more...

That's what matters too.

Who Really Determines Your Home's Value?

Not Zillow.

Not your Realtor.

Not your neighbor.

Not even you.

Buyers determine value.

More specifically...

The market determines value.

Matt's Advice

"Your home's value isn't determined by Zillow. It's determined by what an informed buyer is willing to pay in today's market."

— Matt Battiata

Why Two Similar Homes Can Sell for Very Different Prices

Homeowners often say,

"But the house down the street sold for..."

That's a great starting point.

But no two homes are exactly alike.

Small differences can have a huge impact on value.

Including:

• Views
• Privacy
• Upgrades
• Lot size
• Floor plan
• Natural light
• Condition
• Outdoor living space
• School boundaries
• Timing

Even two homes on the same street can sell for dramatically different prices.

Marketing Influences Value

Here's something many homeowners never consider.

Marketing doesn't just help sell a home.

It can influence how much buyers are willing to pay.

If more qualified buyers know your home is for sale...

More buyers visit.

More buyers become interested.

More buyers compete.

Competition drives value.

Matt's Advice

"Price is a function of demand. The more qualified buyers who know your home is for sale, the greater the competition. And the greater the competition, the higher the price is likely to be."

— Matt Battiata

Pricing Is Both an Art and a Science

Determining the right price isn't simply pulling comparable sales.

It's understanding:

• Buyer psychology
• Current competition
• Interest rates
• Market trends
• Inventory levels
• Showing activity
• Pricing strategy

That's why pricing is one of the most important decisions you'll make when selling your home.

Can Zillow Be Helpful?

Absolutely.

I use Zillow.

Many of my clients use Zillow.

It's a valuable tool for researching neighborhoods and tracking market activity.

The key is understanding what it is—and what it isn't.

A Zestimate is an estimate.

It's not an appraisal.

It's not a professional market analysis.

And it's certainly not a guarantee of what your home will sell for.

So...How Much Is Your Home Really Worth?

The only way to know what your home is truly worth is to evaluate it the same way today's buyers do.

That means looking beyond automated estimates and considering:

• Your home's condition
• Its location
• Recent comparable sales
• Current competition
• Buyer demand
• Market conditions
• Marketing strategy

Every home is unique.

Your pricing strategy should be too.

Matt's Advice

"The goal isn't to determine what your home is worth. The goal is to determine what buyers will compete to pay for it."

— Matt Battiata

My Approach

After helping San Diego homeowners buy and sell more than 2,000 homes over the past 27 years, I've learned that pricing a home correctly isn't about chasing the highest number.

It's about creating the greatest opportunity.

That's why I take the time to evaluate every home individually and develop a pricing strategy designed to maximize buyer interest, create competition, and ultimately help my clients achieve the highest possible sales price.

Curious What Your Home Is Really Worth?

If you're thinking about selling—or you're simply curious about your home's value—I'd be happy to provide you with a professional opinion based on today's market conditions.

There's never any obligation.

Just honest advice backed by more than 27 years of experience and over 2,000 homes sold.

Continue Reading The San Diego Home Seller's Playbook

• Part 1: Why Didn't My Home Sell?
• Part 2: The San Diego Home Seller's Playbook
• How to Choose the Best Realtor to Sell Your Home
• The $50,000 Home Concierge Program
• The Battiata Performance Guarantee
• Should I Sell Before I Buy?