Spokane Zillow? Is it the Search For You?

A lot of people use Zillow, from Spokane to London, it’s a popular site to determine the prices of homes. Because it’s popular, many don’t question whether or not a Spokane Zillow search is accurate or if the estimates are reasonable. When shopping for a new home or looking to see what the average selling price is in your area, it’s important to be able to rely on the figures. You need to know that the information you’re getting is as accurate as can be.

It isn’t just cold hard numbers though, buying a home is a personal and human experience. Can you really trust a machine to relate information that is partly based on human factors? That’s what we’re going to break down here today. Whether or not real estate in Spokane is better found through Zillow.

How Does Zillow Calculate Estimates?

The algorithm, in a nutshell, works by collecting data from different sources. These include using both public and user-submitted information before factors such as location, size, local market, amenities, and features of the property are taken into account. The evaluation for real estate in Spokane, or anywhere else, also includes the age of the home, when it sold last, when it was last purchased, and appraising information.

Sounds pretty good right? Here is a cherry on top. The information is refreshed three times a week. So, anytime you do a Spokane Zillow search you’re going to find the most updated information based on the factors above. This is great on paper but, using Zillow for real estate in Spokane has its downside and changing information based estimates all depend on the accuracy of the information.

The Downside of Spokane Zillow

Now that you know a bit about how Zillow gets real estate estimates, let’s go over a few of the cons. It isn’t so much that their algorithm is bad, it’s the data that the system relies on isn’t the most accurate and the personal experience doesn’t exist. Here are three cons of using Zillow for real estate in Spokane, WA.

Artificial Intelligence Lacks Personal Decisions

A lot of buying a house goes beyond looking at the numbers. A Spokane Zillow search can’t tell you what feels like home or what the neighborhood is like. The algorithm doesn’t investigate on your behalf, doesn’t point in you the direction of what you’re looking for either. It’s just the cold hard facts. This is fine for some things but, when looking for real estate in Spokane, WA you may want to go with someone who can relate to you instead of a machine. There is a reason why realtors are there. Takes a human touch in personal decisions more often than not.

Reliable Data?

The estimates are only as accurate as the data they rely on. If the information entered into the public record or by users isn’t accurate, then the algorithm won’t give an accurate estimate. Homeowners who want to sell sometimes leave out information because it’s a moot point or doesn’t impact the price. That information could be relevant to you though. Also, if a user finds they didn’t put in the right information, Zillow warns that correcting it won’t immediately change the estimate or at all.

Sale Price and Taxes

One key piece of information a Spokane Zillow search will use is the last sale price. If that number is inaccurate, you’ll get a wildly wrong result page. They also use property taxes paid on a home and if that’s wrong then the worth of the property will be as well. Too much of Zillow’s estimates rely on information entered into a system to be treated as an authoritative guide.

Home Updates

Not all home improvements require permits so, they won’t be found on the public record. If you’re using Zillow for selling real estate in Spokane, WA that hurts your listing big time. People want to know if there is a new kitchen or floor or carpeting. This also hurts you where your neighbors are concerned. If you have new construction in your home that didn’t end up public record and your neighbor has a kitchen from the 60s, guess what your home value will be compiled with.

Spokane Zillow or Realtor?

A Spokane Zillow search can be an alright jumping place but, it’s one to bring to a licensed realtor. They have the human experience and can talk with you about your wants and concerns, a machine cannot. The algorithm doesn’t have your hierarchy of what’s most important in a property to you and the way they compile information isn’t the most accurate. A realtor can walk you through the neighborhoods, show you the homes, and being local, they can tell you about the neighbors or kind of people live where.

This is all important information for one of the biggest investments of your life. Don’t let a computer dictate a decision it cannot make.